[source: Bahama Breeze]

As of late November, Bahama Breeze has opened in Paramus. This locale is the fourth outlet of the Darden Restaurants-owned (the company behind Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse) island-themed concept in New Jersey, but the first in Bergen County. The restaurant was built on the edge of the Bergen Town Center parking lot, to the Northwest of the property hugging Route 4 and is paired next to it’s corporate sister Olive Garden. The company’s website describes it as follows:

With its unique combination of Caribbean-inspired food, handcrafted tropical drinks, vibrant atmosphere and people happy to be of service, Bahama Breeze is the restaurant that brings you the feeling of a Caribbean Escape.

Bahama Breeze serves island-themed drinks, food and ambiance. The food features a variety of dishes using flavors and spices that are commonplace in tropical spots along the Atlantic such as choices with coconut and jerk-spiced meats and seafood. There is also a fresh fish section, highlighting daily seafood prepared to order in a variety of ways.

Coconut Shrimp with citrus-mustard sauce

The other big focus of the menu is their “Legendary Island Cocktails” which are “spirits, stories and recipes straight from the world-famous island bars where they originated, each with its own legend to tell.” Cocktails from Bermuda, Cuba, Bahamas, Puerto Rico and Barbados are just some of the places used to inspire these drinks. View Menus

An outdoor patio with table dining, drinks and television viewing is available in the warmer months (though the view is primarily of Route 4). Curbside pickup is available too with dedicated parking for those coming just to grab and go (which is a growing trend in the casual dining segment). There is valet parking for Bahama Breeze and sister chain Olive Garden (which was built concurrently next door) and has also recently opened.

Empanadas filled with savory beef and potatoes

Jamaican Chicken Wings marinated in authentic jerk seasonings and baked

Seafood Paella (sauteed scallops, shrimp, fish, mussels, chicken and sausage with yellow rice)

Jerk Chicken Pasta (sliced jerk chicken breast, asparagus and mushrooms tossed in a Parmesan cream sauce with bow-tie pasta)

Chipotle Beef (sauteed beef sirloin, corn and black beans in chipotle sauce served over basmati rice and topped with sour cream, salsa, cheese and avocado)

Rebecca’s Key Lime Pie

Chocolate Island (chocolate mousse on a fudge brownie in milk chocolate sauce and vanilla bean anglaise)

Bahama Breeze
1600 Bergen Town Center
Paramus, NJ
(201) 368-5860
Website