Need A Rec For A BYO Restaurant In Montclair Tonight

RutgersRaRa

Heisman
Mar 21, 2011
19,087
31,436
113
Been to Fascino's, Bistro 18, and Giotto's numerous times. Anyone (Zap) got something decent to check out? TIA.
 

RutgersROB

Senior
Oct 7, 2011
3,757
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Giotto is my girls favorite!

Fresco is also really good

And then if u want mexican Los Cobos
 

NYCTrader

Junior
Sep 26, 2012
252
216
0
DLV lounge is always a good option but I don't know if they take reservations. And it's a bar, so not actually BYOB...
 

RutgersRaRa

Heisman
Mar 21, 2011
19,087
31,436
113
DLV lounge is always a good option but I don't know if they take reservations. And it's a bar, so not actually BYOB...
Definitely like the BYOWs in town, so gonna pass on this rec. Might check it out on gamedays if they throw RU on the screen. ;-)
 

NYCTrader

Junior
Sep 26, 2012
252
216
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I was a
Definitely like the BYOWs in town, so gonna pass on this rec. Might check it out on gamedays if they throw RU on the screen. ;-)
I was actually kidding about DLV. Although I've heard it's gotten better over the last few years, people used to joke that DLV stood for Drugs Liquor Violence. I went in there once maybe 7 years ago and thought I was going to be raped and murdered.
 

zappaa

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
73,401
89,557
103
I was a
I was actually kidding about DLV. Although I've heard it's gotten better over the last few years, people used to joke that DLV stood for Drugs Liquor Violence. I went in there once maybe 7 years ago and thought I was going to be raped and murdered.
You had to have grown up and went to public school in Montclair to be welcome there.
 

RutgersRaRa

Heisman
Mar 21, 2011
19,087
31,436
113
So we switched places at the last minute, based on my sister's recommendation, and went to Scala del Nonna. Loved it. Recommend it to anyone.
 

Beancounter88

All-Conference
Dec 22, 2010
3,490
2,340
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Go to Montclair all the time. Scala is very good. Palazzo is good with a nice atmosphere and jazz band on weekends. You'll never get into Giotto. IMO, a very underrated and cheaper place is Leone's - old school Italian and never had a bad meal there. Thai Chef and Mesob (Ethiopian) are also good.
 

jvdavy

Redshirt
Sep 24, 2007
42
19
0
most places in Montclair are BYO. My opinions after living in the area for a decade and trying almost every place in town (btw Blu was the best IMO but they closed)
scala del nonna is now the best Italian in town imo. they also have outdoor seating on church st.
Giotto is good and has outside tables and if you get there early you can get one easily - after 6:30 - 7 they are usually booked
Laurel and Sage is new and very good. in the former Culinarian space (they moved to Verona and have not been there)
Villalobos great Mexican gourmet taco place. they don't take reservations so get there early
Pig and Prince is usually very good but they have a bar so not BYO
Escape is pretty new and very good
Corso 98 is also always very good
 

wheezer

Heisman
Jun 3, 2001
169,034
24,648
113
My Wife, daughter and I went to Giottos maybe two years ago....we each ordered a different main course, and none of were impressed
with what we got....and I am not a big critic, pretty easy to please...it was ok, not great....might have been an off night, but have not been back...it was busy so I know they have to be good....too many positive reviews

I went to Leones a couple of times years ago also.....they had a bit of bad press being featured on the Kitchen nightmare show with Gordon Ramsey....supposedly they went through a rough period when the ownership changed or something, and things were bad for a while... .. the show is about fixing up places that need help and hopefully the stuff done makes for satisfied customers...

http://www.kitchennightmaresblog.com/2011/11/us-season-5-leones.html

I like the vibe on Church st during weekend dining hours.....during good weather you might have a sax player in the far end, or some music, and a lot of outside dining..... looks like it gets crowded..... heard good things about Raymonds..... walked around there a couple of times after a movie and always wanted to eat dinner during a summer evening
 

RM60

All-American
Feb 2, 2005
13,346
5,342
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Last time in Montclair we went to Corso 98 and enjoyed it. Many of the others above as well.
 

NYCTrader

Junior
Sep 26, 2012
252
216
0
most places in Montclair are BYO. My opinions after living in the area for a decade and trying almost every place in town (btw Blu was the best IMO but they closed)
scala del nonna is now the best Italian in town imo. they also have outdoor seating on church st.
Giotto is good and has outside tables and if you get there early you can get one easily - after 6:30 - 7 they are usually booked
Laurel and Sage is new and very good. in the former Culinarian space (they moved to Verona and have not been there)
Villalobos great Mexican gourmet taco place. they don't take reservations so get there early
Pig and Prince is usually very good but they have a bar so not BYO
Escape is pretty new and very good
Corso 98 is also always very good
Ariane Kitchen & Bar in Verona is phenomenal. It's a little more casual than CulinAriane and they have a liquor license (which I think is why they moved). It's worth noting that their mark-ups on wine are pretty reasonable.