Little Phil’s Artisanal Delicatessen opened this week in the Upper Montclair Plaza next to Magnolia Liquors, taking the spot last occupied by Tallmadge Cheese Shop.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Little Phil’s has tables inside or you can take out and enjoy at your favorite alfresco spot. Items on the breakfast menu include a daily morning fritatta, Nutella and strawberry French toast, almond butter and jelly with banana panini, the ubiquitious Taylor ham, (here with egg and provolone on a bialy) and a roasted turkey breakfast wrap with spinach, tomato and brie.
Lunch offerings offer an extensive selection of sandwiches, wraps, paninis and salad. Try the tender slow cooked braised short rib on brioche with a kick from horseradish creme fraiche and the ricotta cookies. The latter, baked on the premises, feature a hint of lemon and melts in your mouth like a dream. They also have prepared foods and some interesting packaged goods, including chocolate covered figs and Marcona almond butter.
The “artisanal” refers to meats and cheeses from smaller purveyors, such as Prairie Breeze cheddar. Owner Phil Diou says he wanted to find some special products to showcase, adding “I can actually talk to the guy who makes my sopressata.”
What about the name? In Diou’s extended family there are five Phil’s. Growing up as the youngest of the five, Diou came to be known as “Little Phil.”
Little Phil’s Artisanal Delicatessen, 38 Upper Montclair Plaza, (973) 337-5800
Good luck, Little Phil. I hope the shop is a success.
I bought some food there yesterday and it is delicious. They have a great selection, and they are friendly and welcoming. I’ll be going back.
This sounds promising. I am VERY VERY happy to hear this. My guess is that Phil is about 6-4 and weighs 300 lbs.
YES! Authentic Sicilian food. Keep doing what you do BEST!
Chocolate covered figs and Marcona almond butter? I can’t wait to go!
He should make picnic baskets – it’s so close to Anderson Park. And not far from Brookdale.
Goo luck, Phil!
I’ll be there to try the short rib sandwich.
I look forward to trying some of those ricotta cookies, and just about everything else. Good to hear there are tables inside.
Just ran into a friend the other day who was singing Little Phil’s praises! I’ll definitely try it this weekend!
What happened to the cheese shop?
It’s gone the way of many small businesses in this economy.
Re: cheese shop.
Paz, the psychedelic avatar is freaking me out.
I stopped in because the line at Starbucks was too long. I ended up having one of the best lunches I’ve had in Montclair in years…awesome. Oh, yeah, I ended up having the same espresso I was originally in search of, and both it and the accompanying dessert (a fresh baked banana chocolate chip cake) were better than Starbucks anyway. Good luck. Let’s support this place!
Walleroo….My freak flag is still flying. I’ll take it down after sunset.
I’m too busy right now watching the Tour de France…..Go HTC!
An American team with 20 nationalities! Kicking out the jams!
What America does best….It melts!
Paz, hoping for another Cavendish win! And Voeckler?!
Cavendish in green again.
Voeckler looks good for yellow.
But who knows, some wicked turns to go in the next 4 miles.
The Manx missile does it again! What a team!
Cav! Did you see his interview after the race. The way he thanked his team actually brought a tear to my eye.
Nice job Phil! Congratulations and Good Luck!!! Looking forward to the muffuletta next time I’m on the East Coast. I’ll show up with DeMerchant for a sandwich and a brew.