This review is from an indoor dining experience had over a month ago. Food: 5/5 Drinks: BYOB Service: 5/5 Hostess: None. Upon arriving expect to be consoled by the barista saying someone will be "right with you", that is until either a server or a manager directs you to a table. College - Student Friendly?: In terms of atmosphere - yes. In terms of pricing, it can be a bit much. Especially if you intend to drop quite a lot of money on a meal for a group of people. Covid-19 Standards: 5/5. Although I will point out that their middle square tables tend to be sat with groups a bit too close for comfort normally during a busy lunch.

The beginning: My friend and I were sat within a few minutes upon arriving. We'd requested a table for two to have dinner. We were given a square table with plenty of space to ourselves about 10ft from the door. Menu's were already on the table. They are paper disposable one's. Very clean and sanitary. We were then promptly asked by our server if we'd like anything to drink once sat down. Specials were shown to us and explained clearly by our server on a laminated card.

Our server: Our server introduced herself as "Lizzie" and right from the start was one of the most attentive, energetic, and most enjoyable servers I have had the pleasure to have in quite a while. Her quick attention to detail from consistently refilling our water glasses, removing dirty plates once finished (although the busser's were attentive to this as well) and being excellent with explaining aspects of the menu we were not sure if we wanted to order. I was a regular at this location for years prior and had always thought the service at Raymond's to be a bit stale and fragmented. Lizzie was a refreshing change from that, and her care and attention from the viewpoint of a guest was invaluable.

Our food: My friend and I had shared most of our courses. Nothing more should be said about the food other than that it was pure excellence. Chef Ed Cotton's creativity and quality of recipe's is certainly expressed with dignity by his cooking staff. Each dish is delivered with art and well balanced twist on what would otherwise be considered American cuisine classics. I can't think of anyone else in Montclair that could have convinced me to actually like a VEGAN chili. Bravo Chef.

Criticisms: This criticism does not pertain in any way toward's Lizzie's service. It's a remark based on my past experiences with other waiters upon dining here. This restaurant is a pool house. However, the money being split-up should not mean a server should exit their own shift without informing their own tables that they will no longer be taking care of them for the rest of their meal. I have had the unfortunate experience of awkwardly looking for my server (to receive the bill, order something, etc.) only to realize that my server had clocked out and I was under the care of another staff member. When customer's arrive for the first time, and they're taken care of by one particular server, only to be left dazed and confused as to where they've gone, it leaves a bad taste in the mouth in terms of hospitality. Please fix this. If a server is leaving, a simple stop to their table followed by a "Hey ladies and gentlemen. So my shift is actually over, but __ will be here to take great care of you the rest of your time here. Thank you so much, it's been a pleasure." would certainly work very nicely. I hope management will consider this and implement it. The little things add up.

Experience: I suppose I'm a bit biased considering I frequent this location quite a lot during my off time. Certainly this review is quite over-due. There is real excellence occurring at this restaurant. An attention to atmosphere and quality that is fresh and ever-changing. A rare thing indeed in times such as these when most restaurants are trying to "cut back". While there are things to improve upon, it is certainly a spot committed to keeping it's mark on Church St.