Crockett's Fish Fry

by Elizabeth Palmer Starnes

Crockett’s Fish Fry Shoppe has held its spot on the Montclair restaurant scene for years. That’s quite an accomplishment in a town where restaurants come and go as if passing through a revolving door. Located far from the walkable restaurants along Church Street, Crockett’s sits at the bottom of Bloomfield Ave, just above Lackawanna Plaza.
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Indigo Kitchen Back in Montclair

by Melody Kettle

Lance Knowling is coming back to Montclair!  The restaurant space at 615 Bloomfield Avenue, formerly The Southern Belle, and previous to that, Table 8, will soon be the home of Indigo Kitchen.  

Lance Knowling, the restauranteur, chef, and owner behind of Maplewood's Indigo Smoke Kitchen and Bar, will bringing his brand of Kansas City BBQ/Soul Food to Montclair restaurant scene. 

According to Knowling,

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Mama's In The Kitchen At Cucina 98 in Montclair

by Melody Kettle

It's Saturday, 10 am. 

Mama is in the kitchen rolling out dough for ravioli.  Lisa Marie, coffee in hand, is answering the phone, taking reservations, and making sure everything is in order for the party coming in at 1 pm.  Then, Elio, Lisa’s hubby/Mama’s boy, walks in.  Clad in a white undershirt, (you know, the kind Italian guys made famous), he acknowledges the others in the Mama, and Lisa Marie Surianoroom and makes for the espresso machine.

I'm at Cucina 98, the kitchen and storefront adjacent to Montclair's hidden gem, Corso 98.  The Suriano Family, who live in Montclair, have owned and operated Corso 98 for past thirteen years.  Though Corso 98 does not receive the press that other high profile Montclair restaurants do, Corso has developed a clientele the old-fashioned way - through authentically made food, great service, and word of mouth. 

Every Saturday morning, the Suriano's  open the door at Cucina 98 to sell a variety of fresh, homemade - and I mean homemade- Italian staples.  

Boxes of ravioli, made just minutes ago by Mama are boxed  for sale.  Some are stufffed with braised lamb, others with roasted vegetables and goat cheese, and the classic, super-creamy Five Cheese Ravioli stuffed ricotta, fontina, and mascarpone. Boxes of ravioli are priced at $15 for a box of 15.

What's a ravioli without sauce? Cucina 98 also sells quarts of bolognese, vodka, marinara, and lamb bolognese sauce. There's even veal demi glace, and the special Corso vinaigrette. 

And the dolce! Biscotti, pignoli cookies, orange almond biscotti, “got milk” biscotti, sicilian pistachio bars, 7 layer (rainbow) cookies, linzer cookies, mama’s knots, and more, are all made fresh!


Stay tuned to Hot From The Kettle for a full tasting from Corso 98!


Corso 98

98 Walnut Street

Montclair, NJ 07042

Le Salbuen Café Market

by Melody Kettle

Walnut Street in Montclair will soon welcome another "must-visit" foodie destination when John David and Christina Salierno open Le Salbuen Café Market later this spring.

By now the attractively papered windows, featuring vintage utensils stenciled on kraft paper have been on just about every local media outlet’s food page. Residents of the neighborhood report that gawkers have been spotted with their faces pressed up against the glass in an attempt to see just what’s going on inside.

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Olive That! and More, Coming To Montclair

by Melody Kettle

Owner, Steve LehrhoffOlive That!  And you will too. ;) A new gourmet shop is moving into one of Montclair’s most charming spaces, 246 Bellevue Avenue, the former location of The Garden Shop.  

Olive That! and more, is more than just a great name and cute logo. The gourmet shop/café will specialize in superior quality extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars, in addition to infused vinegars and oils, exotic sea salts, high quality breads, and more. 

Husband and wife team, and residents of Verona, Steve Lehrhoff and Jennifer O’Sullivan, became smitten with the quaint space and knew this was the site for Olive That!  And I must agree, the high ceilings, original windows, and brick sidewalk exude warmth and old-world charm.

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Cafe Amici to Become Albert's Montclair

by Melody Kettle

Cafe Amici, located at 32 Church St., will soon become Albert's Montclair. The change is largely inspired by the new chef heading up the kitchen at Cafe Amici, acclaimed Patrick Pierre-Jerome.

If Chef Pierre's name rings a bell, it should. Chef Pierre was the owner/chef of Yves in Montclair for five years. Yves had the distinguishing honor of garnering not one 4-star review from the Star-Ledger, but two 4-star reviews from the Ledger in a single year! That's quite an achievement!

Chef Pierre's bio goes on. A native of Haiti, Chef Pierre is a graduate of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America. Following a time training in France, he made desserts at the Ryland Inn, then was a chef at Stage Left, and Hat City Kitchen.

Cafe Amici will not be abandoning its Italian cuisine.  Instead, Chef Pierre will be integrating new American cuisine into the Cafe Amici/Albert's Montclair menu. Several of the upcoming menu items are currently appearing as specials, like the inventive Red Snapper with lemongrass and coconut sauce accompanied by lobster ravioli ($26).

According to the owner of Cafe Amici/Albert's Montclair, Albert Franco, he felt compelled to change the name of the restaurant to better suit it's personality. "The name, Cafe Amici, is suggestive of a particular type of experience and cuisine."  The new name will be more reflective of the new American cuisine.

It is yet undetermined when the new awnings reading "Albert's Montclair" will appear. Albert believes that incorporating his name into the restaurant, "adds a level of intimacy between the restaurant, himself, and the community. It gives the restaurant more of an identity."

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Family Style Easter at Halcyon

by Melody Kettle

*Photo Courtesy of Halcyon Seafood BrasserieThis Easter and Mother's Day, Halcyon Seafood Brasserie, located at 114 Walnut St., Montclair, is doing it family style!

In addition to the regular menu, that's full of sure-to-please selections like, Berkshire Double-Cut Pork Chop, Cranberry Braised Short Ribs and Whole Roasted Branzino, Halcyon is offering an  family style menu for the entire family.

The family style option will feature whole leg of lamb seasoned with garlic and rosemary, plus a choice of three sides.  Priced at $200, this is an incredible way enjoy the holidays.

Halcyon will be opening at 2 pm on Easter and Mother's Day and will be offering brunch classics like Lobster Eggs Benedict!

Top Five Outdoor Dining Spots in Montclair

by Elizabeth Palmer Starnes

No time for a vacation this spring? Escape at one of these five standout local restaurants where you can enjoy amazing food while enjoying the spring weather and soaking up some sunshine and fresh air. 

1. Highlawn Pavilion – Bypass the formal indoor dining and grab a seat outside on the patio overlooking the NYC skyline. You can make an entire meal out of their delicious bar menu, and sip cocktails while you watch the sun go down over the city.

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Chef Michael Carrino Plans New Montclair Restaurant in Lackawanna R.R. Station

by Melody Kettle

Where has Chef Mike Carrino been? Hot From The Kettle has the answer.  Lackawanna Railroad Station!

For the past several months Chef Michael Carrino, formerly of Passionne, has been working on one of the most historical restaurant projects in New Jersey.  The renowned chef plans to open his new restaurant concept this summer at the historic Lackawanna Railroad Station, located at 1 Lackawanna Plaza.  

"The Lackawanna Railroad Station was built in 1912 and designed by William Hull Botsford, a 25 year-old architect who died on the Titanic before construction began. He also designed stations in Basking Ridge, Hopatcong, Watessing, Bloomfield and Hoboken to name a few. The station also accommodated one of the original tracks featuring the electric train."

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Cupcakes by Carousel Opens in Montclair

by Melody Kettle

The newest addition to Church Street, Cupcakes by Carousel, hosted their ribbon cutting ceremony this afternoon.  Mayor Jerry Fried, photographer Phil Cantor, Dick Grabowsky, and the Cupcakes by Carousel family, including co-owners Nancy Finkelstein, Howy Lefkowitz, and David Finkelstein were in attendance.  Truman the Dinosaur also made a special guest appearance.

Inside the sweet shop, guests enjoyed mini cupcakes, cake pops, coffee, and cappuccino. 

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Bibimbap and Bulgogi at Koreander

by Melody Kettle

After months of waiting, Koreander Fusion Restaurant has opened its doors at the corner of Watchung Avenue and North Fullerton, the former site of QBA and Orbis.

The space has been transformed into a warm and welcoming eat-in or take-out restaurant with a dash of requisite Asian flare.

The menu at Koreander is a fusion of Korean, Chinese, Japanese, and Thai cuisine.

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Egan's in Montclair Celebrates St. Patrick's Day

by Melody Kettle

Make no mistake, Egan & Son's in Montclair is the place to be this St. Patrick's Day! 

Egan's will be opening their doors early this year at 10 am. At 1 pm, the Beer Garden Tent, which will occupy most of the parking lot in the rear of Egan's, will be filled with traditional Irish food like Corned Beef, Irish pasties, and potato leek soup. There will also be an Oyser Bar feauturing Blue Point oysters (6 for $15), in addition to U-12 Shrimp (4 for $12), and Cherry Stone clams (6 for $10). Hamburgers and hot dogs will also be available.

The tent will be cash only; the regular menu will be available indoors at Halcyon and Egan's, and Halcyon will open for dinner at 4.  See the special dinner menu below:

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Flatbread Grill Reopens in Upper Montclair

by Melody Kettle

Upper Montclair’s Flatbread Grill reopens today following their recent renovation!

It was nearly five years ago that three sisters decided to share their passion for Mediterranean food with Montclair and today the newly renovated restaurant re-opens with all your favorites on the menu.

Each morning for lunch and again in the evening for the dinner crowd, fresh bread is baked for their signature flatbreads. Original recipes are used and the perfume of baking bread wafts through the neighborhood. Like the namesake bread, all of the ingredients used are fresh for a healthful alternative to fast food.

The Flatbread Grill is located on Bellevue Avenue, near Banyan Tree. Parking is on the street and its surprisingly easy to get a spot fairly close to the restaurant.

Mancinni's Coal Oven Pizza To Open in Montclair

by Melody Kettle

Chef/Manager, Lizzy, and Pizzaiolo, Antonio, holding a Coal Oven Pizza! Photo Credit: Raymond HelfrichLast night, Hot From The Kettle received an exclusive scoop from resident tipster, Raymond Helfrich.

According to Mr. Helfrich, Mancinni's Coal Oven Pizza plans to host their Grand Opening March 23rd and 24th.

I have been waiting in eager anticipation for Mancinni's Coal Pizza to open since the storefront appeared last December.

Mr. Helfrich was lucky enough to get inside Mancinni's where he snapped this pic (above), and sampled some of the tasty Coal Oven Pizza.

Stay tuned to Hot From The Kettle for the story behind Mancinni's, and maybe a recipe or two.

 

I'd like to send a special thank you to Raymond Helfrich!

Mancinni's Coal Oven Pizza

438 Bloomfield Avenue

Montclair, NJ 07042

973-744-4391

Toast! The Best Breakfast in Montclair

by Melody Kettle

Congratulations to Amy Russo and the entire team at Toast! 

After our poll, Toast has been voted "The Best Breakfast in Montclair," garnering over 60% of the votes!

My hubby and I had breakfast at Toast on Sunday morning, and of course, it was a packed house! 

Reuben SlidersAlthough Toast is known for their Banana Foster French Toast, I opted for something a little different - Mini Reubens with crispy Sweet Potato Fries!   A brilliant choice it was!  The reubens were savory bites of Sunday morning heaven!

 

 

 

 

What's New? A Cafe, A Lebanese Bistro, Koreander, and more

by Melody Kettle

The coming and going continues!

From the looks of things at 94 Walnut Street, the former site of The Chocolate Path, by this Spring, Montclair will have a new coffee shop - Red Eye Cafe!

Also, a sign in the window at 702 Bloomfield Avenue, the former site of Taj Palace, is announcing the imminent arrival of a new Lebanese Bistro.

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Best Breakfast in Montclair

by Melody Kettle

Chorizo Scramble at Plum. Montclair is undeniably a food town.   But we're more than just dinner.  Montclair has a quite a few breakfast spots that have a fiercely loyal local following.

If you drive through Watchung Plaza on Saturday or Sunday morning, you're bound see hordes of local waiting  for a table outside Bluestone.  French Toast at Samba. Photo Credit Bohm-Marrazzo In the summer months, the patio on Church St. at Raymond's is bustling, and up the Bloomfield Ave at Toast is brimming with brunchers!

So whats your favorite breakfast spot? Take the poll below:

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Fettuccine My Face

by Melody Kettle

This past November a bright yellow awning appeared on Bloomfield Avenue signaling the arrival of Acappello Ristorante.  Since their opening, Acappello has developed a loyal following of Italian food lovers.

Last week, co-owner of Acappello Ristorante, Ben Husenaj, allowed us into the kitchen at Acapulco where their very personable sous chef, Brad Cohen, demonstrated one of Acappello’s most popular dishes – Fettuccine Cara Mia (translation: Fettuccini My Face). 

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