by Melody Kettle

Summit Avenue, MontclairThe morning after Hurricane Irene, there wasn't much damage to complain of on the Kettle homefront - a few small limbs down, and a little water in the basement.  So, after I retrieved my car from the secret, off-site parking location, I decide to take a ride around Montclair to assess the damage.

Unfotunately, many locations in Montclair did not fare as well.  Burnside Street at Watchung Avenue is flooded, and Anderson Park has been transformed into a small pond.  Many large limbs are down, and several huge trees were uprooted and are blocking Grove Street south of Watchung Avenue, and Summit Avenue east of Park Street. But, signs of life are out and about; Nelson Tree Service trucks are cruising the area, and people are venturing out to the sidewalks to clear fallen limbs, and walk their dogs.

 

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Opened, Closed & Opening?

by Melody Kettle

Cafe Amici, Church St., Saturday before noonWhat's going on at the local businesses? Well, some are opened as usual, others are closing on Sunday, some are taping the windows, and others, like Montclair's new kid on Church St., Cafe Amici, were spotted putting out tables and umbrellas just a short while ago.

Here's the info we've got so far.  We will continue to update throughout the day.

Farmer's Market, Montclair:

Open

Amanti Vino, Montclair:

Open

Montclair Farmer's Market, Saturday morningGary's Wine & Marketplace, Wayne and other locations:

Montclair Music Studio, Watchung AvenueOpen

Brick Lane Curry House, Montclair:

Open Saturday; Open Sunday

Tapastry, Montclair:

Open Saturday; on Sunday considering closing for brunch tomorrow but opening for dinner

Osteria Giotto, Montclair:

Open

Ah'Pizz, Montclair:

Open

Toast, Montclair:

Open Saturday; Open Sunday

Toast, Asbury:

Open Saturday; Closed Sunday

DaVinci's, Bellevue Avenue, MontclairAsana House, Montclair:

Open Saturday

Fascino, Montclair:

Open Saturday; Closed Sunday

Bar Cara, Bloomfield:

Open Saturday; Closed Sunday

CulinAriane, Montclair:

Open Saturday; Closed Sunday

Orange Squirrel, Bloomfield:

Open Saturday, and possibly Sunday

Chakra, Paramus:

Open Saturday

Serenade, Chatham:

Open Saturday

Restaurant Marc Forgione, NYC:

Closed Sat & Sun

Corton, NYC:

Closed

All Danny Meyer restaurants, NYC:                        

Closed

If you have info you would like listed, please send it over via the contact form in the left sidebar.

 

Picked In Time!

by Melody Kettle

The Concord Grapes are safe! The little purple gems ripened just in time to avoid Irene's wrath.

Although there are a few green grapes still hanging on the vine, my real concern has shifted to the heirloom tomatoes. Unfortunately, they are not quite ready to pick. I hope the ride out the storm safely.

 

3,2, or 1? Here Comes Irene!

by Melody Kettle

Only one left at A&P“We should start making ice!”  That was the first thing my husband said to me this morning.  “Huh? Why?” I asked. “For the coolers! If we lose power for a couple of days, it can help keep the steaks and cheese from spoilage.”   “Oh,” I said, “right.”  And, as a matter of course, I resumed sipping my double espresso.

This may be the calm before the storm in most parts of the northeast, but in the Kettle household, my husband, Mr. JK, has shifted into full throttle preparation mode.  He’s a former boy scout, a former MP, and law professor who is constantly thinking in a precautionary manner.  “Now’s the time to prepare! You don’t react, you act!” he declared in response to my lethargic, and somewhat dubious, reception of his very thorough and doomsdayesq preparations.

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