FAVORITE MIDDLE- EASTERNFARE MISHMISH
FAVORITE NEWCOMER RESTAURANT TURTLE + THE WOLF
FAVORITE OUTDOOR DINING
RESTAURANT and
FAVORITE FAMILY RESTAURANT and FAVORITE PLACE TO SEE AND BE SEEN
RAYMOND’ S
FAVORITE EATERY FEATURING SMALL & LARGE PLATES MISHMISH
READERS’
CHOICE
AWARDS
2017
FAVORITE MIDDLE- EASTERNFARE MISHMISH
215 GLENRIDGE AVE., MONTCLAIR 973-337-5648 MISHMISHCAFE. COM
Israeli chef-owner Meny Vaknin brings his experienceasa sous-chef foracclaimed restaurateur Daniel Boulud to this charming, busyMediterranean eatery. Choose from traditional delights such as schwarma, sabich and kebabs, or stick with the fish stew or Amish chicken. They’ re all good.
FAVORITE NEWCOMER RESTAURANT TURTLE + THE WOLF
622 VALLEY ROAD, UPPER MONTCLAIR 973-783-9800 TURTLEANDTHEWOLF. COM
Montclair native Lauren Hirschberg spent 13 years in the kitchens of Manhattan’ s celebrated Craft restaurants, working his way up from line cook to culinary director. Alongthe way, he absorbed lessons passed down from his boss, five-time James Beard Foundation Award-winner Tom Colicchio – for example,“ What grows together goes together.” Along with Montclair High School buddy Matt Trevenen, he has forged a fresh, contemporary menu that alters with the seasons; a typical winter dish is their ricotta-semolina dumplings with chestnuts, brown butter, butternut squash puree and sage.
FAVORITE OUTDOOR DINING
RESTAURANT and
FAVORITE FAMILY RESTAURANT and FAVORITE PLACE TO SEE AND BE SEEN
RAYMOND’ S
28 CHURCH ST., MONTCLAIR 973-744-9263 RAYMONDSNJ. COM
With its ample outdoor seatingonthe wideChurch Street plaza, Raymond’ s affords diners a great chance to peoplewatch. Greatfood combined with interesting scenery – it’ ssoMontclair.
Though there’ s no children’ s menu per se at Raymond’ s, kidsare obviously welcome there, andnot just becausetheybring their parents withthem. Adults and the younger set alike love the all-day breakfast, grilled cheese and customized burgers because they’ re tasty, and sometimes sophisticatedspins on traditional recipes. For example, the grilledcheeseismade with Gruyere, smokedcheddar, bacon and redonion marmalade. Way to grow future foodies!
Stop in for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner, and you’ ll see why this large, popular luncheonettewrit-large is a gathering place for Montclair residents and denizens of neighboring towns. Families, teens, workers on lunch break, grandparents and out-of-towners are consistently drawn tothe bright, retro décor and the satisfying menu.
FAVORITE EATERY FEATURING SMALL & LARGE PLATES MISHMISH
At Mishmish, diners enjoytheirsavoryMiddle Eastern fare in smaller or larger sizes. Small dishes include charbroiled Spanish Octopus, Lamb Merguez Sausage, Turkish“ Cheese” Cigars and Charred ShishitoPeppers. The largerentrees featureaprotein plus sides; for example, theGrilled Whole Mediterranean Sea Bass comes with two fillets, sautéed spinach, butternutsquash, whippedpotatoes, warm chickpeasand house-madetapenade. Bothroutes add up to asatisfying, savory meal.
26 SPRING 2017 MONTCLAIR MAGAZINE