Most anticipated restaurant openings in North Jersey in 2018

New year, new restaurants to look forward to. Here are the restaurants that are set to open their doors in 2018 that we are most excited about.

Yes, some were scheduled to open in the fall of 2017 but, you know what they say about construction: It always takes longer and it always costs more than predicted. But we're patient, especially when the food promises to be delicious.

Mamouns, Fort Lee

This falafel joint, sister to a longtime Greenwich Village falafel spot, is set to open its doors any day now in Fort Lee's Hudson Lights. The 1,615-square-foot Fort Lee branch will be the seventh location for Mamoun's, the oldest falafel restaurant in New York (it was founded in 1971). On the menu: falafel, of course ($2.50); hummus ($3), baba ganouj ($3), shish kebob ($5.50 sandwich) and other Mid-East dishes such as shawarma. The baklava and knafe are dessert options its many fans adore. The Fort Lee location will have approximately 20-25 seats.

Where: 187 Main St., Fort Lee.

Stone & Rail, Glen Rock

We're all waiting the return of Chef Adam Weiss, the award-winning cook formerly of Due in Ridgewood and Esty Street in Park Ridge. Weiss will helm the kitchen at this casual gastropub that co-owner Brian Crowe says will bridge "the gap from neighborhood bar to date nights and private events space." Stone & Rail — the name pays homage to the big rock in town and to the fact that the restaurant is located near the railroad line — has a full liquor license so expect a wine and cocktail menu.

The bar's focus, however, will be craft beer. The main space can accommodate up to 50 diners, with an additional 65 seats in a separate room for overflow and larger parties and private events. There are approximately 18 seats at the bar.

Where: 175 Rock Road, Glen Rock.

Mighty Quinn's Barbeque, Paramus

In just a matter of weeks — days? — Mighty Quinn's Barbeque will open its doors to a second New Jersey spot, this one in the Westfield Garden Plaza. The fast-casual restaurant's first New Jersey location is on Route 3 in Clifton. Shoppers will be able to take a break from the energy-zapping consumption of gadgets and clothes to the energy-boosting consumption of brisket and pulled pork. Need a lot of boosting? Get the humongous and delicious whole beef short rib christened the Brontosaurus, which can feed at least two to three (take whatever you can't finish home and delight your family). Don't ignore the sides either, especially the dirty frites (fries smothered with burnt ends) or the sweet corn fritters with honey chile dipping sauce. The company promises new dishes, too.

Where: 1 Garden State Plaza Blvd, Ste A8B, Paramus.

Saddle River Cafe, Saddle River

It seems anything that Nutley native Jamie Knott touches becomes a Mecca for food lovers. The gifted chef more than successfully took over fine-dine Saddle River Inn in 2013 from the beloved, celebrated chef Hans Egg, and last year he launched the hip and popular Asian-American restaurant Cellar 335 in Jersey City to critical acclaim. In March, Knott says he will open a cafe just across the Saddle River from the Inn, which will offer a "'high-level coffee program" headed by Steven Sutton, a native of Medellín, Colombia, and the man behind the coffee program of one of the world's best restaurants, New York City's Eleven Madison Park. The cafe will feature three coffee taps: cold brew draft, nitro cold brew and cascara, also known as coffee cherry tea. As for food? Knott says it will be "French bistro," listing the following items: moules frites; lobster omelet with shallots, tarragon and creme fraiche; house-grind dry-aged burger with Gruyere and caramelized onions; Nutella French toast and that bistro classic and tuna Nicoise. The cafe will have 34 seats and a front lounge, with more comfortable seating where customers can sip coffee, nosh and do work.

Where: 171 E. Saddle River Road, Saddle River.

The Hill, Closter

Michelin-star chef Ben Pollinger, an Oradell resident, who for a decade headed the kitchen at acclaimed seafood restaurant Oceana in Manhattan, had hoped to open his restaurant in Closter at the end of 2017, but he said that he has revised his schedule based on design revisions. "I hope to open early February," he said. Pollinger hired architect Joshua Otto, a finalist for a James Beard award for best restaurant design, to renovate The Hill, a 200-seat space that once housed Harvest Bistro on Schraalenburgh. A modern-American restaurant with a bar and lounge will be "strong on seafood," he has said, given his background, but also offer meat and other proteins.

Where: 252 Schraalenburgh Road, Closter.

Delaney Chicken, Paramus

The website says, "Coming in Autumn 2017." Well, not exactly. Chef Daniel Delaney, a New Milford native, had originally hoped to open his counter-serve spot in the Garden State Plaza this past winter but this opening has taken a lot longer than anticipated. Delaney says he still doesn't have an "open date." When Delaney Chicken, similar to his popular midtown location, finally does open, chicken lovers should be pleased. On the menu: Delaney's original chicken sandwich with house pickles and hot sauce ($9); spicier chicken sandwich with Havarti cheese and pickled jalapeños ($10); and fried chicken club with house-smoked bacon and herb mayo ($11).

For sides, there's potato salad in a pickled mustard seed, sage and caramelized onion dressing ($5) and mac 'n' cheese topped with Crystal hot sauce ($5). To wash it all down: Abita root beer ($5) plus sodas and lemonade ($2 to $3.50).

Where: 1 Garden State Plaza, Paramus delaneychicken.com/paramus.

Somos, North Arlington

In March, CIA-trained chef Juan Placencia is planning to open Somos, a Latin American restaurant in North Arlington. The chef at Peruvian restaurant Costanera Cocina Peruana in Montclair has taken over the 6,000-square-foot space that had housed Euro Lounge. Somos won't be a typical rice-and-beans-and-meat restaurant, but more of a fusion place, says Placencia, who was born in Lima, Peru, and is a resident of Lyndhurst. He plans to "mash-up" the foods and flavors of Brazil, Mexico, the Caribbean islands and so on, with those of Italy, Asia and other parts of the world that have influenced Latin American cuisine. So, for example, instead of the traditional Peruvian stir-fry dish lomo saltado that combines strips of sirloin with onions, tomatoes and french fries, Somos will offer carpaccio with potato crisps (instead of the typical fries) and a Latin-spiced soy sauce reduction. The restaurant will have beer, wine and cocktails.

Where: 185 River Road, North Arlington.