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A Great Restaurant Run By A Great Team . . . By Steve Sears

When I asked Kenny Mahon, Owner and Executive Chef of the American Bistro on Washington Avenue in Nutley, why his eatery is so successful, he appeared taken aback. "Are you asking me that question?" I said yes. "Because I'm here. 24/7. I cook every dish and I see everything."

You can't argue with success, and Mahon and American Bistro certainly are successful. He is a man that loves what he does and everything about his restaurant. His stamp is all over the 58 seat American Bistro, and he's owned it for 12 ½ years. You don't stay in business, and be as successful as the American Bistro has, without doing things right.

"I've been a chef for about 25 years -- since about age 18," says Mahon. "I grew up cooking Italian food. I started out at Sperduto's down in the Silver Lake area of Belleville."
He then looked around the bar area of the establishment, then took me into the main dining area. "Service is very important to me. I run this ship with an iron fist, and I need hungry people. "I asked him if it takes heart to work in the kitchen. "It takes more than heart," he said, laughing. "Hey, it gets to about 130 degrees back there."

American Bistro features Italian-American cuisine. Diners are treated to a huge Antipasto before their meal, while their eyes feast on a variety filled menu. All steaks are Black Angus USDA Choice, chicken is free range, and diners have the choice of five different potatoes accompaniments (Mahon's 7 layer Potato Strata is so popular, the recipe is available by request). Menu highlights include the Tripe Fra Diavlo or Marinara appetizer, and the Tilapia, Potato Crusted Sole, and Stuffed Pork Chop Valvistano (the full menu is available at www.AmericanBistro.net).

The regular menu is deviated from quite often with specials. Over 50 wines are offered by the glass, beer is also available, and American Bistro also does an impressive on and off site catering service. Open every day except Monday for dinner, and with parties by request during the day, Kenny Mahon's American Bistro is visited by locals and those from out of the area. Dine there once, and you're destined to do so again and again, and with good reason.

American Bistro does things right.

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