Raymond's — Restaurant in Montclair

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...

I hadn't been to Raymond's in a while mostly because there are so many good brunch spots in town that don't cost near as much and taste better. That said, my wife was getting her hair cut at Bangz, so I figured I'd bring my 15 month old and meet up with her at Raymond's afterwards. The place was hopping, but not packed on a Sunday morning around 10am. The outside area had a decent amount of people, so we took a table inside where there was AC and far fewer people.

After a few minutes, our waiter came over and asked if we wanted to place our drink order and we ordered a cappuccino and iced coffee. A few minutes later, the waiter came back and took our food order of huevos rancheros for her and the new grilled cheese (which was $15 with tomato) for me. Fifteen minutes later, we still don't have our drinks and the waiter returns to tell us that the right side of the menu is not available until after 11am (it does not say that on the menu) and that I would need to pick something else. I'm bummed, but ask him to make blueberry pancakes for me.

Ten minutes and we still don't have drinks, let alone food. I ask the waiter to check on our drinks (I mean, you just have to pour iced coffee from a container) and he says that they are backed up and that they would be out shortly.

Another 15 minutes go by and we get our meal. The huevos rancheros, which is usually solid, is runny and unappetizing. The blueberry pancakes are dry and all the blueberries are mushed into the center like a compote. The butter is hard as ice.

Still no drinks.

After flagging down the manager, we ask him where are drinks are and he finally hunts them down for us and the iced coffee is tangy. At this point, our child is miserable, the food is mediocre and the drinks weren't worth the wait, so my wife ditches her half eaten meal and heads out. I pick at my pancakes and pay the $45 bill before following her out after the most disappointing meal ever.

To think, Raymond's was once the end all, be all of brunch in Montclair. Now it's just an overpriced diner that I can't recommend. Maybe I'll give it another chance in...

Went downhill since I was last there about 6 months ago. Got there around 12:30 and hostess said about 30 minutes, waited closer to 69 minutes. We were seated, waiter took our order, 25 minutes later reminded him we ordered coffee, mind you the coffee was good, but table next to us who was practically sitting on our laps said they waited and waited for their coffee and he brought it with their meal. So I ordered the eggs Benedict which blew my socks off last year, mainly because of the decadent fried potatoes they served with it, they are now terrible bland, almost boiled potatoes that had a taste reminiscent of an old tea bag, would have been better off going to a fast food restaurant. Honestly, this place has declined so much, don't waste 2 and a half hours of your weekend waiting and being served eggs that taste so horrible you will get nauseous. I work for the NY Times and will be sure everyone I know is aware of this very disappointing establishment's inevitable let down in which was a Montclair staple for many years, has turned into a millenial side show of no taste and no culinary talent.. Thank you for nothing, and the fact that no owner or staff has replied to all these negative comments shows they do not value any of these customers who blindly go there thinking this is the same restaurant it was many years ago. Someone should really call ICE and have them pay a visit, guarantee the kitchen and most of the help, maybe even the owner won't be around in due time. Hahahah, place is now a joke, my review means nothing, local idiots will wait hour after hours for trash if you package it...