Farm Fresh

Farm 2 Bistro in Rockaway obtains most of its fruits and veggies from small farms within a 100-mile radius, and they’re purchased (and sometimes personally plucked) by staffers each morning.

There’s good reason why the hearty fare at Farm 2 Bistro (973-625-3276) in Rockaway tastes so darn fresh. The cozy, 10-month-old BYO obtains most of its fruits and veggies from small farms within a 100-mile radius, and they’re purchased (and sometimes personally plucked) by staffers each morning.

“Food just tastes better when it’s local,” says chef-owner Joey Tripoli, who runs the restaurant and its sister location in Nutley with partner Michael Madigan. “Our menus change daily and are dependent on what’s available and fresh that day.”

Simple and artfully presented, menu items run the gamut from fish and chicken dishes to pasta and polenta. Favorite selections include pumpkin-seed-coated chicken sautéed in a honey-lime mojo with julienne veggies and mashed yams ($15), and seared ahi tuna drizzled with lemon aioli served over a spinach salad ($19). Warm up this winter with one of the creative soups, such as roasted red pepper and eggplant or apple and cauliflower.

“It’s a fun, welcoming place and the food is unbelievable,” says regular customer Lorrie Krozser of Mount Arlington. “I can definitely taste a difference in freshness over other eateries. And the food is beautiful; it’s like a Better Homes & Gardens picture when it arrives at your table.”

An added incentive to stop by: The eatery hosts jazz duos and other live music on Friday and Saturday nights.