Laboratorio Kitchen — Restaurant in Montclair

AMAZING FOOD!

If you find yourself in the suburbs of Northern NJ and in search for some decent restaurants amid the pandemic- even just for takeout (because sometimes you need someone else to prepare your dinner and give you a gastronomic experience! Covid Times or Not!) search no further! This is an excellent choice that will have you leaving extremely satisfied and craving more for days to come!

I dined in recently and everything we ate was spectacular. Please do yourself a favor and try at least two dishes from every course- you will never ever regret doing this at this restaurant.

I deducted one star because I believe these 3 features are essential in a dining experience: MUSIC- CHANGE the MUSIC! What were you guys playing? Actually- I don't want to ever know or ever hear it again. Did you care about this detail? Please stop playing whatever you were playing last Sunday night- it was careless and unthoughtful to your food. Play the kind of music that will match the kind of food you're serving. Take it up a notch and pay attention to this detail because the music playing in the space takes the atmosphere to an entirely different level here are some suggestions: Jazz classics: Billie Holiday, Etta James, Thelonious Monk, Nina Simone, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, John Coltrane, Chet Baker, etc... Legends: Bill Withers, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles (pay for a Spotify subscription and just play the 'radio' for any one of these artists- it's so worth it)

ART- Have consistent ART on your WALLS- feature one artist and sell their work (I think there are enough artists in the area that this will be a viable option). There were like 8 different genres of art hanging- it was like your decorator took something from every aisle at HomeGoods- I hope you didn't pay for this service btw because that's what it looks like.

LIGHTING- Adjust it- dim the lights make it sexy (NO FLUORESCENT LIGHTS!). I felt like I was eating in a school cafeteria.

But- it's ok... I'll still give it four stars because the food is excellent and so was the service.

Thanks for the Experience! and my regards to...

Laboratorio Kitchen was my first stop as soon as outdoor dining was allowed again in NJ! It has been on my list for quite a while now, so when I saw on OpenTable on Saturday night that there were some open spots, I quickly grabbed a reservation! Though they did not have a patio area in the past, they've done a great job working with what they have. The patio area is behind the restaurant, and they are using part of the parking lot now. However, before you think that a parking lot can't be glamorous, I definitely have to give them kudos for really converting the space. Although I don't really know what the inside of the restaurant is like in terms of ambience, you definitely don't feel like you're sitting in the parking lot in their patio area. I really love the mural and also the cute little string lights that are around. It is honestly such a romantic setting!

In terms of the food, there is definitely a high focus on presentation here. However, presentation is nothing without the taste and they deliver on that as well. The Burrata appetizer is a must, just look how gorgeous it is! The tomatoes and cheese are just so fresh, you won't regret getting this dish. We also got the Fig and Gorgonzola Crostini and while Gorgonzola typically has a very overpowering taste, the fig jam is such a great combination with it to both offset and complement it! For my main course, I got the Linguini dish which comes with such a delicious plum tomato sauce, scallops, shrimp, crab, and the most perfect al dente homemade pasta. My fiance got the rainbow trout, and it was also flavorful and cooked to perfection! The little potatoes that it comes with are so adorable and tasty!

Overall, we were treated so well and had such a great meal. Definitely had missed going out, and picked such a great spot for the first night out in over three and a half months! Oh and it's BYOB, so don't forget to bring your favorite wine, beer or cider! There are so many liquor stores in the area so you can pick something up right before...

Who knew that small plates could pack a punch of so much flavour?? We visited on a Wednesday night, to many occupied tables, so I advise making a reservation. They are listed on open table, if you have an account. We were greeted and seated by the wonderful maître d'. Giggles, smooth conversation, mood lighting and classy lounge music just coursed through the restaurant. This allowed for cross table conversations between patrons, we even conversed with a couple on their dessert choices:)

Tuesday to Thursday is small plates night, 1 for $8 or 3 for $20, so guess what we did? We got 6 small plates. It's changes with the seasons, and this is what we had: Burrata cheese - if you have just one thing when you visit, please treat yourself to this. The cheese sat like a jewel on a bed of baby tomato bruschetta, which was seasoned to perfection. Lemon thyme chicken on a bed of creamy mashed potatoes. Chorizo- sautéed with capers. Delicious! Puréed cauliflower with a crispy smoky bacon. Creole shrimp- tender shrimp in a delicately spiced tomato gravy, I recommend using their house made bread to sop up all that delicious gravy. Arugula salad with a piece of grilled watermelon.

I told you that we had six plates! We honestly packed the chicken and the shrimp after sampling a piece or two. The plate sizes were perfect, and well worth it. The cherry on top was dessert, we had the tres leche. Airy sponge cake just loaded with milky sweet flavour, the serving was outlined with a salty caramel sauce.

Laboritorio kitchen gave us the quintessential dining experience: ambience, music, food and friendly attentive staff. I am just aching to go back and try more items...