Montclair, NJ Restaurants Review Updates

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Mano a Vino Restaurant Reviews

Here are current comments and reviews on some of the Montclair, NJ restaurants we know. Information based on our own visits, discussions with friends and other review sites.

Let us know your favorite by entering a comment below.

Thanks

Peter, Mano a Vino

Italian

Osterio Giotto, everyone that I know loves Giotto, consistently wonderful food, ambiance, and adequate service. Great outdoor tables when the weather allows. Website Manoavino

Il Forno, our personal favorite because we love the food, although the menu is limited, and we are good friends with Massimo and Anne Marie. Have read some complaints in Baristanet which I am sorry to here. The restaurant is small I imagine they might be challenged on a Saturday night. I would  recommend Sunday or a weeknight.  Manoavino  Il Forno has closed Massimo and Anne Marie are opening a restaurant somewhere in New England

Fascino is considered to be the best Italian by many. I have never loved the place. That has more to do with being weary of over the top restaurants unless they are really really over the top. There are people who love Fascino and those that think it is overrated. If you are looking to impress or want what NY Times calls Excellent, then Fascino is the place to go.

Tratoria Rustica we have not been there in a while but enjoyed it once and read that people like it now on the occasions when the inconsistent service is good. Having good service is a problem that many Montclair restaurants struggle with. Manoavino  Recently friends dined there with family, "food was good/ok service terrible."

For a lower cost dinners, Lombardi's in Cedar Grove is our favorite Pizza and "Red Sauce" place. Moderately priced, good bar, friendly service. Manoavino

Ruthie's is currently our favorite local Pizza Place. Website Manoavino

We would be remiss in not mentioning Corso 98 a restaurant we love for the warm welcome you always get from cordial host Elio, but wish the restaurant was a little better. The decor was very tired last visit. Recent reviews on Baristanet seem favorable.

Alan's @ 594 in Upper Montclair we have liked for the bright decor and lively Italian cuisine. Have not been there in awhile even though I live at the North end of town. Very mixed reviews on the boards.

 

New American

 

Raymonds is my favorite of this group. I believe and others agree that they deliver the best overall dining experience, considering food quality, service, ambiance and price. Great for breakfast, lunch and brunch too. Great outdoor dining when the weather is nice. Young kids in the dining room can sometimes be annoying so go late. We dine at Raymond's every couple of months for Brunch or Dinner, my wife more frequently for lunch. Website Manoavino

Blu is still fantastic. I don't love the room or ambiance, the service a bit to casual. The food however is consistently outstanding. Last dined there in June. I hear the Chef is planning another restaurant. Can't wait. Website Manoavino NY Times A new edition to Montclair opened by the people who own and operate Blu is Next Door. I am told it is quite good.  Went back to Blu in January 2008 and totally loved it,

CulinAriane, dined there again in June with friends. Ariane Duarte still works wonders in the kitchen. Many rate their food above Blu. Both are wonderful. At CulinAriane service is more formal, which is sometimes awkward in the small dining room. Manoavino  NY Times

Table 8 Closed is a favorite for service and decor. Love the ambiance. Food quality has been inconsistent last two dinners there. Some things are great others not so. It is very hip and I like that. Website Manoavino NY Times

Asian

Sesame Closed and TS Ma we think are the best for Chinese. Of course everyone has their favorite take out place. We like Golden Chinese on Grove Street which is occasionally good.

We miss Deja Vu and Sri Thai, have never been crazy about Thai Chef, though many feel it is good. Occasionally try Bangkok Kitchen in Caldwell and moderately satisfied or Brookdale Thai in Bloomfield which is pretty good, they renovated last year and became a more pleasant place to eat.

We used to love Dai Kichi, but prices keep going up, service has gone down, food is inconsistent. Some friends like Daruma in Upper Montclair, but have not tried it yet. Friends like Nori a lot, Aozora also seems to be popular. Both are on Bloomfield Avenue. 

French

Passione Closed, Check Out Pig and Prince leads in this category with their "Very Good" review from David Corcoran at the NY Times.

We just had dinner at Epernay and enjoyed the meal. They are a classic Bistro with their delicious French dishes like Cassoulet, Bouillabaisse & Boeuf Bourguignon. This night we started with the Frisse Salad with Lardons, Blue Cheese and Mustard Dressing  which we always like. Entrees of Crispy Confit Of Duck Legs On Pumpkin And Blue Cheese Risotto With Walnuts and the Creamy Chicken & Wild Mushroom Pot Pie were both delicious although very rich. The cream and butter in the Pot Pie was a little too heavy.

Middle Eastern

We love Marrakech Website Review on Bloomfield Avenue and Cafe Sultan in Upper Montclair.

Diana and her friends love the vegetarian Indian at Udupi Village, especially the buffet lunch.

Please post Comments on your favorite restaurants below.

Thanks

Comments

[YiaYia Daphne]

GREEK TAVERNA: 292 Bloomfield Ave Mtclr.
Dined w/a friend there this evening. Restaurant is a wide open place with some small family size areas & a separate party room. Appetizer of taramasalta and toasted pita was OK but dinners of Horiatiki w/grilled chicken and grilled chicken platter were absolutely delicious and very generous portions. The tzatsiki was also really great with fresh herbs. Dessert left a lot to be desired: the Kaitaifi was xclnt: but the baklava had no layers of phyllo just a pile of spiced nuts and the top layer of phyllo was soggy: the melomakarona we either stale or over-baked, very dry, not honey soaked (I dunked mine in my coffee & left 1/2 of it and the couriambiedes were also very dry, not the typical soft shortbread, even the powered sugar was dry. We we still return because the meal was great and other meals that patrons had ordered were plated attractively and smelled delicious. I would definitely return with my family and would do so quite often.

This is the sunniest, grooviest West coast- inspired pop ever...

[Rosie]

Massimo and Anne Marie from Il Forno, Montclair have opened a restaurant in Maine.