THE MONTCLAIR EXPERIENCE
BY DEBRA GALANT
Looking for a place to set up a swing set and a gas grill? Just about any suburb will do. But if you want a suburb that swings like a city, there's no place like Montclair. What makes this township of 40,000 so special? So much, but for starters, here's a insider's tip sheet:Enjoy an old-fashioned parade with a twist. Montclair's not the only municipality to put on a Fourth of July parade, but which one did Gov. Jon Corzine choose to hobble in after his near-fatal accident last year? The annual 1.6-mile procession features traditional bands, baton twirlers, bagpipers and antique cars, but sprinkles in Ricky Ricardo and Elvis impersonators, anti-war protesters and motorcycle-riding Republicans. Tote your lawn chair over to Midland Avenue (or grab any perch on the curb in a pinch) and watch the unique show.
Catch the latest indie flick. Montclair was the undisputed art-house center a few years ago, when it had three indie movie houses. The Wellmont and the Screening Zone are gone (the former will soon become a concert venue), but the old stalwart, the Clairidge, remains. The seven-screen movie theater sports an old-fashioned street-side marquee, but was recently renovated with reclining seats to keep up with the megaplexes of the world. Also new: an outpost of Applegate Farm ice cream in the lobby. Cinemaphiles from all over come for films like "Juno" and "Sideways," then on to dinner. On weeknights and Saturday mornings, the Clairidge often screens $5 classics like "The Wizard of Oz." Clairidge Cinemas, 486 Bloomfield Ave. (973) 746-1461.
Work those chopsticks. Japanese is the new Chinese, don't you know? Or is Thai food the new Chinese? Doesn't matter, Montclair has plenty of both. From the ultra-high-end Nouveau Sushi (which flies in fish from Japan), to the stalwart Dai-Kichi, celebrating its 20th anniversary, Montclair is a sushi mecca. We count seven Japanese restaurants, including the brand-new Toro restaurant in Upper Montclair, and spicy tuna rolls are as standard as eggs at most area supermarkets. If you're a Pad Thai fan, Montclair also boasts two Thai restaurants.
Go treasure hunting. Fabulous old houses need fabulous old things to fill them, and Montclair's numerous antiques establishments cater to this need. There are more than a dozen antiques stores in Montclair, most downtown on Bloomfield Avenue. Dusty's Antiques, next to the Clairidge Cinemas, is great for picking up cheap vintage jewelry and evening bags (and the occasional antique OB-GYN examining table). Down the street, the upscale Little Cricket Antiques has plenty of authentic country-kitchen jelly cupboards. Personal favorite: Garage Sale Antiques on Claremont Avenue, which has everything a Victorian homeowner could desire in intentionally rusted outdoor seating and garden pieces.
Spy a celebrity. With its artsy reputation, stately houses and proximity to New York, it's no surprise that Montclair attracts its fair share of the rich and/or famous. Longtime resident Yogi Berra coined the oft-repeated Yogi-ism, "When you come to the fork in the road, take it," while giving directions to his Montclair home. But unless you're a friend, you're more likely to see him at the stadium named for him, home to the minor league New Jersey Jackals, on the campus of Montclair State University. Comedian Stephen Colbert, who's much quieter on his home turf than he is in his TV studio, has been seen picking up Chinese takeout. Cosmetics mogul Bobbi Brown is a regular shopper in town, and Queen Latifah, who has family in the area, is spotted occasionally, too.
Indulge your inner foodie. Whether you want dandelion greens or Saigon cinnamon, Montclair is an amateur chef's paradise, anchored by Whole Foods Market and Williams-Sonoma. But the real treasures are quirkier. Spice It Up, a little gem of a cooking store in the center of town, stocks 200 spices, a large variety of rubs and sauces and Miss Nicky's famous almond toffee. The Montclair Farmers' Market, open every Saturday from June through November, has pickles, mozzarella, free-range poultry and fresh fish, in addition to produce.
Buy a book. Most places these days don't even have one independent bookstore. Hyperliterate Montclair, of course, has two. If you're looking for a $5 copy of "Paradise Lost," head straight to the Montclair Book Center on Glenridge Avenue, which has a vast collection of new and used books. Make sure to walk the catwalk on the second floor, so you can look down and gawk at the serious hodgepodge of volumes. If you want a taste of the local literary scene, stop by Watchung Booksellers in Watchung Plaza. Almost every Thursday night, there's a reading by a local author.
Gawk at a showgirl. You've seen places like this in plenty of old movies but not necessarily in person: a classy nightclub with a full orchestra and plumed dancers. Nightclub owner Richie Cecere has recreated this atmosphere in a 100-year-old paper mill across from Montclair's Walnut Street train station. His 18-piece orchestra performs – complete with scantily clad showgirls – twice every Friday and Saturday night. There's a $15 entertainment charge if you dine at the restaurant, a $25 cover and two-drink minimum if you don't, and even a maitre d' to slip some bills if you want a closer seat. Richie Cecere's Restaurant and Supperclub, 2 Erie Street, Montclair. (973) 746-7811.
Debra Galant is the founder of Baristanet.com.
