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 where their very personable sous chef, Brad Cohen, demonstrated one of Acappello’s most popular dishes—Fettuccine Cara Mia (translation: Fettuccine My Face).  When Hot From The Kettle’s own Elizabeth Palmer Starnes reviewed Acappello, Cara Mia was “the unparalleled favorite menu item across the board.” …

  Ilson Goncalves, owner of Montclair’s hottest new restaurant, Samba Montclair, recently stopped into the Kettle Kitchen to demonstrate how to make traditional Brazilian Passion Fruit Mousse (Mousse de Maracuja). According to llson, “all the Moms in Brazil make it.” I could see why: it’s totally easy! If you’re a little late on planning your Valentine’s Day meal, this recipe is the perfect option for something quick and delicious. Watch the video to see how you can blend up Passion Fruit Mousse at home. All you need is a blender and a refrigerator. Ilson also suggests experimenting with your…

  What makes a restaurant sexy? According to UrbanSpoon, Nauna's tops the list of Montclair's Romantic Restaurants. But, like my Grandma always said, "to each, his own." "Sexy" could be very subjective. But there are certain objective cosiderations when defining what makes a restaurant sexy? Aesthetics are huge; lighting seems a natural criteria, as does the aroma of a restaurant. Interior design, decor, color scheme, and overall comfort may also be considered. Some patrons may be completely turned off if the chairs are too hard, or if the tables are too small or worse—wobbly. And who could …

  Before I graduated to pork products, bread and butter was my first true love.  Bread and butter: the perfect match! A truly complimentary and harmonious pair! How wonderfully simple! But, as I’ve grown, I’ve realized that having good bread and butter is not that simple—though it should be. The landscape is littered with poor excuses for bread, and cheap imitations of butter. In restaurants, bread is telltale. You can usually discern the quality of a restaurant by the bread they serve. If, when you are seated, you are presented with days-old bread and rectangular, foil wrapped butter—forget …

  During the holiday season, the beverages —specifically those of the alcoholic persuasion—are just as important as the food. I've always been a big fan of traditional eggnog but, occaisionally, it's nice to enjoy a little yuletide variety.  A few years ago, I was gifted with a bottle of coquito, traditional Puerto Rican eggnog. I was quickly smitten with the rich coconut and rum concoction, and insisted on learning the recipe. So I did, and now I'll share it with you! Why not mix up a few bottles? Gift some to friends, and be sure to keep a few bottles for yourself! Cheers! Coquito 1 can …

It’s no secret: I like to eat. When I say something is “the best I’ve ever had,” it means a lot. In other words, superlative categorization is a pretty big meatball to hang out there. That said, I have no reservations going on record with this statement: The fresh mozzarella at Belgiovine’s Italian Delicatessen is by far the best I’ve ever had. Period. I’m not sure what drew me into Belgiovine’s this past Tuesday morning around 10 a.m., but when I entered, I knew I wasn’t leaving empty handed. I looked around at all the prepared antipasto-type foods—stuffed artichokes, roasted peppers, …

I’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 that of 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 …

There’s good news and bad news. Bad news first: the acclaimed Bloomfield Avenue restaurant, Blu, along with its sister property, Next Door, home of New Jersey’s best burger, will be closed for the next two months.  The good news: The sleek restaurant, daryl, located at The Heldrich Hotel in New Brunswick has been re-imagined and will reopen on Sunday, December 11.  So what relevance does this have to Blu, Next Door, and Montclair? Zod Arifai, the self-taught, “Wizard of Zod,” and chef/owner of Blu and Next Door will be the new executive chef and partner at daryl.   New American with world …

Bubble tea, anyone? From the looks of things at 128 Watchung Avenue, it appears that QBA has not found a business partner. Posters in the windows at the ever-evolving corner restaurant spot are heralding the arrival of Koreander Fusion Cafe. Only in October, a sign reading "Business Partner Wanted" showed up in the window at QBA, A Cuban Kitchen, the closed brick and mortar extension of the popular QBA food truck. The sign in the window also included a plea to: "Help Save QBA!" In addition, a post also appeared on QBA's facebook page, "seeking business partner." At the time, owner Lynna …

  Three things mark the holiday season: family, friends and great food. So when I was searching for a recipe for a great holiday breakfast dish, I sought out none other than Amy Russo, owner of Toast, where the awning appropriately reads “a place for family, friends and great food.” In May 2007, Amy opened Toast the cozy breakfast, brunch, and lunch spot that has been adopted by locals as a clear and reliable favorite. Toast is exactly what the name implies: warm, familiar, comforting, and satisfying. Beginning with the dark wood, soft lighting, and scattered antiques on the first floor, the …

The second stop on my survey of Montclair’s Turkish and Mediterranean restaurants was Lalezar. Located at 720 Bloomfield Avenue, Lalezar occupies a large corner space at Bloomfield Avenue and St. Lukes Place.   There are two dining rooms at Lalezar. Both are decorated in bold Turkish fashion. After having dined in both dining rooms, I would recommend the lower, sunk-in dining room with softer lighting and warmer color tones. I dined at Lalezar on a Friday afternoon for lunch. A note to readers, the lunch special applies only Monday – Thursday. For appetizer I began with Ezme ($3.95) a spicy …

I love the warm familiarity of Thanksgiving—turkey, yams, creamed mushrooms, gelatinous cranberry sauce, and Grandma’s stuffing with liver—a menu for olfactory nirvana! This year, my grandmother is passing the Thanksgiving torch to me. According to Grandma, this “will be a most interesting Thanksgiving,” because I’ve elected to transform Turkey Day into “Porkey” Day.  The gratuitous, free turkey will still be in the oven (which is why the “e” is retained in “Porkey”), but something else will be cooking outside. My well-documented love for all things pork has worked its way into our most …

This Thursday, The Manor will host a private dinner to celebrate two auspicious events, the 55th Anniversary of The Manor and the 50th Golden Anniversary Annual Induction Dinner of the Chaine des Rotisseurs.  Most of us are familiar with The Manor. But what’s the Chaine des Rotisseurs? The Chaine is the oldest, international gastronomic society in the world. According to the Chaine: The Chaîne des Rôtisseurs is the world’s oldest international gastronomic society, founded in Paris in 1248. It is devoted to preserving the camaraderie and pleasures of the table and to promoting excellence in …

Nothing makes a certified curry junkie happier than learning about a new curry house! Fortunately for curry lovers, Brick Lane Curry House will be officially opening another location in Ridgewood this Saturday (11/19). Though the restaurant is already open for diners, the rare autumnal snow storm dashed plans to "officially" open Halloween weekend.Located close to the Ridgewood train station, in the heart of downtown Ridgewood, the new Brick Lane is housed in the former Radicchio Italian Restaurant space at 34 Franklin Ave.Brick Lane Ridgewood will be quite a bit larger than its Montclair …

This just in! Beginning this Sunday (11/20), Lou Palma, Montclair's beloved gastromechanic, will be making his exclusive baguette at Little Daisy Bake Shop. "Lou Loaves" are among the most divine in the universe. These rustic loaves are made with dough that undergoes a slow, 24-hour cold ferment. They have a subtle tang, texture and flavor beyond all others. The baguette will be sold for between $3 -$4, depending on the size, and are all baked on the premises of the Little Daisy Bake Shop. Little Daisy Bake Shop 626 Valley Road Montclair, NJ 07042 973-707-2157

Acappello Ristorante, the new kid on the Avenue, will host its Grand Opening on Thursday, November 10, from 5 pm to 7 pm.  Stop by and enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres. Acappello is owned by the same family who has operated Cara Mia (Millburn), La Campagna (Morristown), and La Catena (Bridgewater). Needless to say—they have plenty of restaurant experience. General manager Ben Husenaj and his two brothers, Sal and Robert, along with their two cousins, Naz Husenaj and Dardan Mati, have used their vision and experience to work an aesthetic wonder in the space formerly occupied by Sesame.  …

In the neverending saga that is the “Montclair Food Scene,” locals can prepare to welcome two new eateries to Valley Road. Although QBA is in the process of closing, Montclair will soon have a new spot from which to procure Cuban fare. A sign posted in the window at the former site of California Chicken on Valley Road at Van Vleck (two doors down from Enzo’s) states “Coming Soon Cuban America Food Home Style Cooking.” The restaurant seems like it will have a price point sensitive to the times, offering “Take Out Buffet By The Pound.” We’ll keep you posted on the details as they develop. In …

It's time for A Tasteful Experience! The annual Clara Maass Medical Center Foundation's signature food event of the fall will take place on on Monday, November 14, 2011. The food-studded charity event will be hosted at one of New Jersey’s most beautiful and exclusive banquet facitilities, the Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange. The event, which will benefit the state of the art Cancer Center at Clara Maass, will feature over 40 of the area’s most loved restaurants like Osteria Giotto, CulinAriane, Fascino, Toast, Blu, and Mesob. New additions like Fin Raw Bar & Kitchen in Montclair, Mompou …

Seems like there are as many Turkish and Mediterranean restaurants in Montclair as there are Italian ones. I’m exaggerating, but there appears to be a lot of menus offering baba gannouj these days. There’s Lalezar, Four Seasons Kebab House, Mediterranea, Falafel Hut, Flatbread Grill, and Sofra. I’m a big fan of tahini, lamb, feta and I happen to be addicted to Turkish Bread (Pide). So I thought I should try all of these Turkish and/or Mediterranean places, in an effort to find the best.  I began on a Friday afternoon at Sofra at 151 Valley Rd. Sofra offers a lunch menu that includes the …

I don’t remember why, but last week I happened to be walking on Bloomfield Avenue with something known as “spare time” when I noticed a sign in the shape of a coffee cup hanging above a tucked away doorway. “That’s funny,” I thought, “I’ve never seen this sign before.” The sign contained letters—apparently the name of the establishment. I couldn’t quite decipher the language, and thought it read “Ren” Coffee & Tea House. I spotted two women with yoga mats sitting in large comfy chairs in the bay window. I assumed this must be a safe haven for spending “spare time” and decided to walk in.  …