Growing up in Essex County has it benefits, one of which is growing to know and love the best food joints in the country. Montclair, Bloomfield and the surrounding towns hold some of the greatest restaurants with top-notch food. If you're looking for a great night out with unbeatable food check out my personal top ten.

10. Aki

If you're looking for a place to hold your GNO, look no further than Aki in Bloomfield. With a menu filled with scrumptious rolls, carefully prepared sushi entrees and hibachi dinners there's something on the menu for everyone, including the one person in every group that refuses to touch anything that used to swim. The best part about Aki is that it's BYOB, an essential to any proper girls night out.

My favorite dish: the fifth avenue chef's special roll

A Second Opinion: the spicy girl roll and chicken fried rice

9. Red Eye Cafe

Red Eye Cafe in Montclair is the go-to place for refreshing salads or a freshly brewed coffee to offset a busy day. Its small tables and trivia cards at each place setting make for a comfy, intimate atmosphere that can be shared for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The coffee bar offers a range of espressos and even a s'mores cookie.

My favorite dish: the walnut salad and iced coffee, black

A Second Opinion: the tarragon chicken salad and a s'mores cookie

8. Hot Bagels Abroad

If you're not looking to have a full service, sit down breakfast, Hot Bagels Abroad in Bloomfield is your place to go. Fully stocked with hot, homemade bagels that are made right in the kitchen, there are endless choices to mix and match to create a BEC of your own. You can run in on a Sunday morning and grab a dozen, or sit with friends and enjoy your hangover bagels at one of their outdoor tables.

My favorite dish: turkey bacon, egg, and cheese on a french toast bagel

A second opinion: sausage, egg, and cheese on a sesame bagel

7. Ah Pizz

Essex County, specifically Montclair, is filled to the brim with amazing Italian restaurants, but without a doubt, Ah Pizz is one of my favorites. The wood-fired brick oven pizza is big enough to share between two, but also small enough to keep all to yourself, and if you're like me this is a great thing. If you're not a pizza person (if that exists), there's also a delectable pasta list to choose from. Not to mention the Nutella Pizza, which is the best way to finish off the night.

My favorite dish: the salsiccia pizza

A second opinion: the cavatelli pasta

6. Bluestone Coffee Co.

Sunday Brunch at the Blue Stone doesn't compare to anywhere else. With fresh made-to-order fruit smoothies and everything from banana bread to quesadillas, there's something for everyone. Recently expanded, the wait for a table may have disappeared, but the reasons they're worth the wait certainly has not.

My favorite dish: the western omelette and a strawberry smoothie

A second opinion: the breakfast quesadilla and an iced vanilla chai latte

5. Toast

This two-story breakfast and lunch restaurant holds a very specific mantra, "peace, love, pancakes," and they absolutely hold true to it. Toast is open 7 days a week, and there's never a wrong day to go. Their friendly staff and variety-filled menu create an amazing dining experience that keeps people coming back for more.

My favorite dish: for breakfast, the carrot cake pancake and for lunch, the shannagain salad.

A second opinion: the huevos rancheros and a single chocolate chip pancake

4. Nicolo's

This small, pure Italian, family-run deli attracts patrons from all over Essex county. Nicolo's homemade take on classic sandwiches and original recipes that cannot be found anywhere else, and they're the perfect place to stop in to grab a single sandwich or to cater an entire party. Not only can you buy ready-to-eat food, but you can also find them open on Sundays selling their homemade pasta and pasta sauce that is sure to complete any Sunday night family dinner.

My favorite dish: breaded chicken with mozzarella, balsamic, onions and peppers, heated on the press

A second opinion: breaded chicken with mozzarella, balsamic, onions and peppers, heated on the press ... it's just that good.

3. Saluté Brick Oven Bistro

Saluté is as close as we can get to the full Italian experience without actually having to go to Tuscany. The menu is rich with Italian classics and house originals that are sure to satisfy your need for an authentic Italian meal. The exposed brick walls and dim lighting allow for an intimate atmosphere, and the BYOB assures that diners will always have their exact drink of choice to pair with their dinner

My favorite dish: the grigliata and gnocchi

A second opinion: the raviolini

2. Holsten's Brookdale Confectionary

While a good dinner should never be taken for granted, a great bowl of ice cream is sometimes better. Holsten's Confectionary is the go-to spot for ice cream, located right on Broad Street in Bloomfield. Holsten's maintains that old diner feel that can turn a quick ice cream run into a two hour meet up with friends. The long list of flavors and toppings allows you to never run out of options, and always coming back for more.

My favorite dish: two scoops of mint chocolate chip with marshmallow fluff

A second opinion: the mint chocolate chip brownie sundae

1. Star Tavern

Named best pizza in New Jersey time and time again is none other but the Star Tavern, located right down the street in Orange. Their thin-crust pizza is an inevitable crowd-pleaser and their buffalo wings, while messy, never disappoint. Star is the perfect place for a casual date or to celebrate a team's big win. The casual atmosphere allows for loud, memorable, fun nights that are belovedly shared by family friends on a weekly basis. The wait can be up to an hour on busy nights, but there's a reason for that. The pizza melts in your mouth and the memories are held forever.

My favorite dish: buffalo chicken wings and the sausage pizza

A second opinion: the three cheese pizza