 By Maggie Borgen Recently, I went to The Corner for a late lunch. It was a perfect spring day, and I was hoping to eat some food that matched my happiness. Located on the corner of Grove and Walnut Street in Montclair, NJ, this small restaurant had a hipster vibe the moment you stepped inside. After being seated, I looked at the menu which was mainly geared towards breakfast, lunch, and snacks. The restaurant is open from eight in the morning until four in the afternoon Tuesday through Sunday each week. For lunch, I ordered the baked pasta and a mineral water. My mom ordered a quiche and iced coffee. The restaurant opened its doors to let a breeze come through, allowing the restaurant to be one with the world in a seamless transition. The baked pasta was essentially macaroni and cheese with some extra pizzazz. It had perfectly browned and seasoned bread crumbs on top, and creamy cheese on the cooked pasta. The pasta included roasted tomatoes, which were not charred enough for my taste and it seemed that they were simply thrown in without much thought. Still, the tomatoes did add a very good flavor to the dish. A dash of greens on the top of the pasta was a great decoration, and also added a little crunch. The quiche tasted (and looked) fresh. It had the perfect amount of sponginess to it. It was delicate, and the mix of vegetables gave the perfect flavor blend to the dish. The quiche came with a salad, which was simple and had a dressing on it that made the whole dish elegant. For dessert, I split a custard with my mother. It was a delectable mix of custard, raspberry puree, chocolate shavings, and a strawberry on top for decoration. Although the dish was appetizing, the custard was only slightly cooled, and I wished it had been a touch colder. In addition, the chocolate shavings were simply dumped on top of the dish -- much like the tomatoes in the pasta dish -- which resulted in a less balanced bite of flavors. I thought that The Corner’s dishes were ideal for a few reasons. They were all very reasonably portioned. After finishing my baked pasta (which they should just call macaroni and cheese) I was full, but not too full. It was the perfect serving size. The dishes had fantastic presentation and plating. They looked and tasted fancy. Also, all of the ingredients tasted fresh, especially in the quiche. Their dishes were very balanced in flavors as well, but they could work on balancing the flavors in the baked pasta and custard just a touch more. All of that aside, I would definitely come back to The Corner. Sadly, all of that luxury does not come cheaply. A lunch for two including drinks, one entree for each person, and a shared dessert cost thirty-five dollars. The pricing at The Corner is definitely not geared toward a student’s income. It is a great place for a family brunch where your parents are paying (they do not serve dinner). Students can buy pastries or snacks for a more affordable price, which I find makes The Corner stand out from other restaurants. They have a snack menu, which is perfect for a couple of students on a low income. A baguette with multiple spreads and fruit is only five dollars. A pastry board, which consists of three different pastries made that day is only six dollars, which is about how much it costs for a drink and possibly a pastry at Starbucks. The Corner also has fresh juices that are made upon ordering. Another unique dish is their 230 Cookies, which are made fresh every day at 2:30 p.m., and are $2.30 each. I went there around 3:30 p.m., and they were already all gone. I highly recommend The Corner for a meal when it is a family outing, due the restaurant’s pricey entrees, and for a small snack and freshly made juice after school for students. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and airy. It is a restaurant with a cafe-feel to it. The Corner is a great eatery for an outing with friends and family, and with a great variety of food on their menu, you are sure to find something on The Corner of what you want and will love. Photo Credit: Maggie B.
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