Montclair Makes New Friends - Cafe Amici!

by Melody Kettle in

This just in from Church Street!  The ideally located, and strikingly cavernous space  at 32 Church Street will be the new home of Café Amici Montclair. 

The restaurant is owned by Carmine Fanco, and operated by his son Albert Franco, who has been in the restaurant business for ten years.  If the name Café Amici rings a bell, that’s because the Franco family also operates the thriving, Italian influenced, Café Aminci in Ho-Ho-Kus. 

Albert Franco also owned Café Amici in Wyckoff, since 2002, and has recently sold the spact to his nephew, to open this location in Montclair.  They are confident and optimistic about opening shop in Montclair.  According to Albert,  “We look forward to the cultural diversity that Montclair has to offer, and I think our menu appeals to many tastes.”

Café Amici Montclair is due to open the week before Labor Day, and will essentially be a duplicate of the Ho-Ho-Kus location, offering an eclectic menu in a sleek, contemporary, urban atmosphere.

The kitchen will be headed up by Montclair resident, Chef Marco Damico.

The space was formerly occupied by 32 Church, which papered its door and windows this past May.

 

 

Who's Next?

by Melody Kettle

The writing was on the wall long before the paper was on the windows.  32 Church has temporarily closed shop and taped a conspicuous sign to the door that states, “UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP RE-OPENING SOON”.

On the heels of Tallmadge, Market, and countless other unfortunate or ill fated food businesses, it leads one to question, “Who’s Next?”

So you tell me, in your opinion, which will be the next restaurant to paper it’s windows, close it’s doors, or reconsider its business plan? Could it be another Church St. establishment like, Tosca or Gelato Guiliana? Or maybe a Montclair institution like La Couronne? Or perhaps QBA, Bamboo, Marrakech, The Southern Belle, or Cecere’s?

Left Wanting More at 32 Church

by Melody Kettle

Restaurants are like good friends – you could usually count the very best ones on a single hand. Based on the advice of a few good friends, I endeavored to broaden my dining network and give the still newish hot spot, 32 Church a bite.

The atmosphere at 32 Church, most specifically the lighting, is to be commended. The high ceiling drips with beautiful fixtures, exuding a warm glow complimented by a wall of lighted alcoves. The decor is sleek and chic, creating an upscale feel, but without uncomfortable pretension.

When we arrived, we were greeted by a beautiful, yet requisitely aloof hostess and were promptly seated. The server approached, opened our bottle of wine and poured. We sipped, and sipped some more. But wait, I thought, where’s the water? Now I know in some places water is not served, something about a shortage. But after all, it’s July, and we’re seated outside.

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