Had Our First Taste of the New 12 West Restaurant and Bar in Upper Montclair, A Great Start

After waiting for decades for a really good bar and restaurant in Montclair, we now might have three.  Two in Upper Montclair. 

We had our first taste of the new 12 West in the Upper Montclair train station and are optimistic.

The new group is a team of experienced restauraneurs that have remolded the space creating a much more comfortable and inviting atmosphere.

The bar offers a good wine list, many beers on tap, and the standard roster of booze.We enjoyed two good craft beers, a brown ale from Long Tail Brewing in Vermont and Exit 16 an American Double / Imperial IPA by NJ based Flying Fish Brewing Company.

We sat in the bar area which has high tables for couples or groups.Tasted a few dishes from the very interesting menu created by Executive Chef, Shawn Paul Dalziel.

The first was a "Deconstructed Buffalo Chicken" Roulade, with Chevre cooling sauce & Sriracha. Very tasty.

Then we enjoyed a Bitter-Sweet Greens Salad with baby arugula, radicchio, walnuts, grana padano, grilled pancetta, balsamic vinaigrette.

The greens were crisp and flavorful, nuts, pancetta and dressing just right, but Diana felt the cheese was a little flat.

From the vegetarian section of the menu we had the Porcini Risotto, english peas, pine nuts, parmesan, black truffle butter.  Few places get risotto just right, and having been in Italy recently I do know how it should be. This one was perfect.

The service was very friendly and tried to be attentive but in the end are not quite measuring up.  I am sure that will be rectified soon.

I would like to see a beer menu, and some special cocktails. That may be coming too.

Friends who have been here love 12 West. We will be back.

12 West Restaurant and Bar

275 Bellevue Ave.Upper Montclair

973-337-5813