Montclair Magazine Back-to-School 2018 | Page 62

dining out Seasonal and Sensational Fresh and well-prepared ingredients make this newcomer a standout WRITTEN BY CHRISTINE E. NUNN PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNE-MARIE CARUSO PORK SCHNITZEL T he recently opened Braun’s Tavern, located on a main street in downtown Bloomfield, is charmingly well appointed, reminiscent of an upscale British pub. Dark tables and wood chairs, lots of dark wood paneling and a dark copper finished tin ceiling may sound austere, but the quirky antique pictures, certificates on the walls, pleasant lighting, large bar with unobtrusive video screens and the pounded tin wall area make for a cozy dining experience. The cocktail menu is appealing and well thought out. My Jersey blueberry mojito might well be the most deli- 60 BACK TO SCHOOL 2018 MONTCLAIR MAGAZINE cious cocktail I have ever imbibed. It chef-owner Michael Fiorianti’s menu. was stunning to look at, with whole We opted to go seasonal, too, and blueberries, mint sprigs and a lovely chose accordingly. We started with pink hue. It went down mighty easy. an excellent salad of roasted beet My friend’s with water- Aperol spritz cress, avocado Bloomfield was a great and grapefruit rendition of dressed with a this classic toasted almond 289 GLENWOOD AVE. Italian summer vinaigrette. (973) 743-1097, BRAUNSTAVERN.COM cocktail that The salad was features pro- a terrific bal- secco, club soda and, of course, ance of sweet, tart and salty, with a Aperol, the Italian aperitif. nice dose of richness from the per- The food menu at Braun’s is truly fectly ripe avocado. I would order it creative and brings a lot of seasonal- again in a heartbeat. ity to the plate. Peas, asparagus and A scotch egg coated with crumbles beets were peppered throughout of merguez sausage hid a perfectly BRAUN’S TAVERN