Montclairite

I see that the Balcony on Valley Road & Lorraine Ave has gone out of business, with a new place called "Veggie Heaven" apparently to replace it. Anyone know anything about this? I know there is at least one Chinese restaurant by that name in the area...

I would strongly recomend the Savoy Grill or the Theater Square Grill, or another of the restaurants around the arts center. The problem with the Spanish and Portugese restaurants for a vegetarian is that most everything is fried in lard. So although I eat fish, I never go there.

In Montclair, add Osteria Giotto on Midland Avenue in Montclair, which has tables out on the sidewalk. As they don't take reservations for these tables, it's one possible way to be able to eat there without preplanning.

I should have said they are serving only the panini, pizzas, etc. M

Update: Il Forno on S. Fullerton has re-opened in a different form. They are serving the same sort of (delicious) panini, Roman pizza, soup and salads that they serve in their original Upper Montclair bakery location.

I've noticed for the past two weeks that Il Forno on S. Fullterton Avenue in Montclair has been closed. The sign says their oven is tired, or broken, and that they will re-open soon. I asked the folks who work at the Il Forno bakery on Bellevue Ave, but they didn't seem to know much more. Any idea what''s happening? It would be a shame if that restaurant did not reopen.

I've had lunch there twice: Once this summer, when I found it overpriced but fairly good. Then again a few weeks ago, when the food was just adequate, with service to match. A decent place for lunch, alhough nothing fancy, is Suzette across Church Street in the Clairidge Theatre building. They have very good sandwiches, soups, etc as well as their crepes. You order your food at the counter, and they bring it to your table. It's much more relaxing than Raymond's, which is a bit too much of a noisy "scene" for my taste. (Good food, though.)

I usually buy cheeses, especially Italian cheeses, at Fairway whenever I'm in the neighborhood of one of their stores. Don't recall specifically their Parmigiano Reggiano. but generally they are much more reasonable than other stores. I haven't tried Corrado for cheese very recently, but as their produce is so poor, I'm not likely to go there for the cheese alone.

You need to call about a week in advance even for a weeknight. I imagine Mondays are more in demand, as so few restaurants are open. I love this restaurant. Their ingredients are great. Even the olive oil that they put out on the table is this year's olio nuovo straight from Umbria. As for desserts ---- I think their semifreddo may be one of the best desserts ever.

You might also try The Shubox Cafe on Pompton Avenue in Cedar Grove. The food is pretty decent, although I find it a bit too cutesy, but it is a sitdown situation rather that a help-yourself buffet. Don't know whether or not they take reservations.

Bluestone is great but it's small and there is always a wait. I like to go there early in the morning on a weekday, when it's a bit quieter. The coffee is quite good. Also, even if you don't mind waiting, there is actually no place to wait but a tiny vestibule and the sidewalk. Raymond's is always crowded too, for some reason; and it's a "scene" --- much, much, too noisy as well. As for Church Street Cafe --- I had lunch there last week and the food was not great. One big advantage ---- no wait. The Hilton Brunch is great; I've gone there for special occasions. Plenty of very good food, freshly prepared. It's a buffet, which I don't usually like, but there's an amazing amount to choose from.

It's Belgiovine. I hear their homemade mozzarella is great, but haven't tried it.

What about their chocolate chocolate chip!!!

I believe that Osteria Giotto on Midland Avenue in Montclair is open Mondays. I know that they are closed on Tuesdays. It's become one of my favorite local restaurants.