Photo courtesy of Villa EnterprisesI’m sure you’ve stayed late at The Office at least once.  Maybe for a beer? Maybe for a cocktail? Or maybe for karaoke or trivia night?

Now, there’s reason to visit again. The Office is reintroducing itself to the Montclair community with an updated interior and, most importantly, a revamped menu that’s fresher and lighter than most pubs.

This past June, Villa Enterprises, which operates George + Martha’s, the Black Horse Tavern, Black Horse Pub, and MacKenzie’s, among other eateries, acquired all of The Office locations from CB Holdings (Charlie Brown’s). 

 

In addition to putting all of the staff through a training program, Villa revamped the traditional, pub-style menu, and kept thirteen dishes from the original Office menu.  According to Villa Marketing Manager, Kathleen Janssen, when the team at The Office was developing the new menu, they thought it “best to highlight the old and welcome the new.”

I, along with Montclair Patch editor, Shelley Emling, was treated to a tasting at The  Office and sampled the new pub fare. We began with a Toscano ($10.50), a vegetable topped grilled pizza, with eggplant, onions, tomatoes, and a little red pepper.  The pizza, is made from fresh dough that’s grilled, topped, then baked in the oven, was crisp and flavorful, with just the right amount of heat. The Office also offers Margherita Pizza ($10) with San Marzano tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella, and the Carne ($11) topped with pepperoni, sausage, meatballs, and ham with a San Marzano sauce. 

 

Next we sampled what will quickly become my favorite on the menu, the Tuna Tower ($12).  Fresh chopped Ahi Tuna, atop a bed of baby arugula, with a balsamic dressing, freshly chopped avocado and crispy wonton chips.  Then, we enjoyed Cabo Fish Tacos ($11) made with flavorful haddock on corn tortillas with a creamy lime vinaigrette.  Leagues beyond standard pub fish and chips!

We also enjoyed the chicken and shrimp lettuce wraps.  The Bibb Lettuce presented on a separate plate, allowing the diner to make their own, fresh lettuce wraps. 

Finally, we shared pretzels.  When you go to The Office, whether for lunch, dinner, or a visit to the bar, you must order the pretzels.  (I can’t believe I’m writing this either.) Warm, crispy, soft baked, baguette style pretzels, accompanied by a Cheddar, Bacon, Ale dipping sauce. Priced at only $5 for a full basket, (at Happy Hour only $3!) they’re an eyebrow-raising, happiness-making, bang for the buck.

The Office is often thought of as a  “beercentric,” family friendly bar restaurant, so let’s discuss the beers.  The Office features 11 standard draught beers, including Brooklyn East IPA, Stone Arrogant Bastard, Mama’s Little Yella Pils, and Jersey’s own, Flying Fish Hopfish. In bottles, The Office also has bock beers, retro beers, Belgian style beers, porters, stouts, and wheat beers.  The signature brew of The Office is the Amber Lager by Ramstein, which is made in Butler, NJ at High Point Brewing Company.  According to the General Manager, Alex Gill, The Office Amber Lager, is an easy drinking “bridge beer.” Think of it as the gateway beer. Alex has trained the staff to describe the brew, that’s made in Butler, as “Yuengling, but better.”   

Regarding wines, there are 7 bottles of white at $30 and below, and 9 reds at $36 and below.  The specialty cocktail menu includes decadent libations like White Chocolate Peppermint Patty Martini ($10) with Stoli Vanilla, Crème de Cacao and Godiva White Chocolate Liquer, and an Espresso Guinness Martini with Van Gogh Double Espresso and White Crème de Cacao ($10). 

 

The locals still love The Office as much as they ever did.  According to Montclair resident, Wilfredo Benitez,

 

As a practicing solo practitioner with an office in town, I tend to have lunch privately or with clients at the Office a minimum of two times a week.  I enjoy the convenience, the quality of the food, and staff.  The members of the staff are friendly and quite attentive.  There are times when I take my kids and/or entire family for a meal.  It's a wonderfully well priced restaurant with a pleasant atmosphere to enjoy your meals.

 

The Office has really reinvented itself as the go to family spot, with healthy and unusual selections that keep it exciting and delicious for those not seeking the standard pub fare.

 

Happy Hour is Monday through Friday 4 pm - 7 pm.  The Office also offers Sunday Brunch from 10:30 am - 2:30 pm, $15.99 for adults and $7.99 for kids 12 years and under.

 

The Office

619 Bloomfield Ave

Montclair, NJ 07042