Housemade Gnocchi

Last night, I dined at Upstairs in Montclair at the suggestion of fellow New Jersey foodies.  The ordinary stops at the glass door with “Upstairs” stenciled on it on a non-descript street in Upper Montclair.  After opening the street-level door, I was taken up a flight of stairs that appeared to be made of glowing blocks of ice.  As I walked up the steps, I was curious to see what waited for me…Upstairs.  Chic South Beach club meets trendy Manhattan hot spot – that’s what I found.  Very neat and unexpected room.

The open kitchen right off the bar showcases a team of hard-working chefs.  I enjoyed seeing the hectic staff prepare the food and to savor the aromas coming off the kitchen.

Mackenzie, our server, was fun, knowledgeable about the dishes and helpful with drink and food selections.  The menu is made up of small and large plates and we opted for a few small plates to share.  A special of the evening was brown sugar-caramelized slab bacon.  We couldn’t resist ordering it and absolutely loved it with the ripe peaches it was paired with.  Another good dish is the Sautéed Calamari ($12) in a basil, garlic and chilis broth and topped with breadcrumbs.  The only thing that would have made this dish better is not having to share it with my fellow diners.  The calamari perfectly prepared to optimal tenderness.  We also had the Pork Terrine ($11) a “slice” of melt-in-your-mouth slow cooked pork slathered with tangy barbeque sauce and served with grilled bread and pickles.  The last dish we sampled was the Housemade Ricotta Gnocchi ($12) with sautéed mushrooms, basil and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.  All the dishes were delectable and have me looking forward to my next visit.

Sauteed Calamari

The wine list offers interesting options and several wines by the glass and the cocktails are creative and fun.

The place was busy by 8PM on a Friday night, so arrive early for a prime table in the bar area.  The dining room is somewhat more relaxed but has a hip feel about it. A friend recommended I eat in the bar area and am very grateful for that insider tip – fun atmosphere.

Beautifully styled space, solid food and a smart wait and kitchen staff await you at Upstairs.  Another jewel in Montclair’s restaurant crown.

Cheers,

Veronique

608 Valley Road

Upper Montclair, NJ 07043

973-744-4144

Tuesday – Thursday: 5PM – 10PM

Friday – Saturday: 5PM – 11PM

Sunday: 5PM – 9PM

Closed on Monday