PB&J Hospitality Group: Saddle River Inn, Saddle River Cafe, Madame, Cellar 335

Saddle River Inn, Saddle River Cafe, Madame + Cellar 335 Jamie Knott is the chef and restaurateur behind some of New Jersey’s most successful restaurants. In August 2024, he was featured on the cover of New Jersey Monthly magazine, spotlighting the state’s best in hospitality. In 2025, Knott was named “Best Chef” by 201’s Best of Bergen Community’s Choice Awards, and his restaurant Saddle River Inn was selected as “Best Fine Dining” and “Most Romantic Restaurant.” 

Knott began his culinary career at age thirteen, working his way up from a bus boy to a cook at local restaurants in his hometown of Nutley, New Jersey. After graduating from the New York Restaurant School (NYRS), he held an internship at Cafe Centro, a bustling restaurant located above Grand Central Terminal. The French-Moroccan bistro was awarded two-stars by The New York Times and played a pivotal role in his culinary career. 

Two years later, he joined the opening team of the acclaimed Fascino restaurant in Montclair, working alongside fellow NYRS alumni and friend Ryan Depersio. He then returned to New York City, to join Chef Clifford Crooks at Salute, gaining recognition that led him to become Executive Chef at China Grill Management, overseeing China Grill, then being promoted to Ed’s Chowder House, and eventually becoming Executive Chef of the Empire Hotel. 

In 2010, Knott was appointed the Executive Chef at Artisanal Bistro, where he expanded his expertise in French cuisine and cheese. He then joined ESquared Hospitality in 2012 as Corporate Executive Chef, collaborating again with Crooks. 

In January 2013, Knott and his father purchased The Saddle River Inn, a beloved Bergen County restaurant. Under his leadership, the restaurant went on to earn such accolades as a four-star rating from The New York Times, recognition in NJ Monthly’s “Top 30 Restaurants” for eleven consecutive years, and the five-time distinction of “Top 100 Restaurants in America” from Open Table. 

In August 2016, Knott and business partner Robert Palmer opened Cellar 335 in Jersey City, a progressive American restaurant with Asian influences, which quickly became a neighborhood favorite. They followed this success with the Saddle River Cafe in 2018, offering healthy, creative American fare. 

In 2022, they bought and revamped Madame Claude, a local brasserie in Jersey City, and renamed it Madame. The beautiful all brick restaurant with purple accents, inspired cocktails and classic French cuisine with a modern spin, quickly landed on the “Top 30 Restaurants” in New Jersey Monthly two years in a row. In 2026, Knott, along with his PB&J Hospitality Group, will open a sophisticated American steakhouse in Franklin Lakes that will serve lunch, brunch and dinner in a timeless setting.