Interior of Comfort Food Kitchen under constructionFor the past several months Watchung Plaza has been playing a lively game of Musical Storefronts. With Dot Reeder relocating, Berry Sweet due to open, and Piazza Della Sole moving uptown, Watchung Plaza and adjoining Fairlfield Street have been awash with papered windows.
So what will be occupying the former Piazza Della Sole space? Comfort Food Kitchen!
In a former life, Suzanne Michaud, chef and owner of Comfort Food Kitchen, was an investment banker. Having always been comfortable in the kitchen, and passionate about cooking, inspiration struck Suzanne to undertake a career change. And in 1999 Suzanne attended and graduated the French Culinary Institute. For the past two years, Suzanne has been teaching people to cook at their homes, as well as giving cooking demonstrations at the Montclair Farmer's Market and was a vendor at the Chester Farmer's Markets.
Comfort Food Kitchen will have the rustic feel of a French bakery, serving healthy, market driven a la carte fare, for eat in or take out. There will be a communal lunch table with open shelving offering organic and fair trade teas. Suzanne will also be baking her famous old fashioned heirloom cookies, including the Florentine Biscotti, which have been in her family since 1939.
Suzanne is putting her business savvy to work with a twist on traditional dinner take out. The dinner menu, will change frequently based on market availability, and be available via online subscription. Once the menu is posted, orders are then placed, paid for on-line, and picked up at the desired time.
According to Suzanne, "the philosphy behind Comfort Food Kitchen is that food, at it's best, should be prepared and shared with others."
Catering is also available and cooking lessons will be available in the store. Suzanne expects to be open by the end of June.
