When we first visited Joe Bartoni's we were charmed by the old world Italian market, its sumptuous sandwiches, and take-out dinners. We became habitual drop-ins, stocking up on their home-made mozzarella, vodka sauce, eggplant rollatini and Balthazar's baked breads; my kids are regulars for their paninis on the $5 student lunch specials.
A year after opening, Bartoni's redid the back dining room, then the private patio, opening Bartoni's Italian Table to serve upscale dinners featuring hearty regional italian specialties, amazing cheese and fruit pairings, and nightly fish specials which have never disappointed.
Baristaville can never tire of too many food choices, and now, Joe Bartoni's has branched out for brunch. Bring your bottle of bubbly to mix the mimosas while deciding what to order off Chef Ciro's european-style menu.
You'll find the best of breakfast basics, plus familiar dishes tweaked to a higher gourmet factor. What we loved: Ciro's nut-crunchy fresh homemade granola, a big bowl of fresh berries napped with fresh mint and fig syrup, rich, eggy french toast made of thick slices of panettone, and a roasted eggplant-basil-goat cheese omelette served with buttery-crisp herb potatoes. We weren't really hungry, but out of sheer gourmandise, we delighted in a platter of glazed and raspberry filled donuts - homemade and cooked to order. Perfect with a final cup of Italian roast - I don't know many places that can top off brunch so well.
There are plenty of reasons - both sweet and savory - to revisit Bartoni's brunch:
smoked salmon pizetta, platters of homemade scones with clotted cream and swiss jams, decadent crepes stuffed with nutella, caramelized banana, and creme anglaise; the eggs baked in a clay pot looked heavenly - on a bed of ratatouille, potatoes, and fontina cheese. Prices are a la carte, with entrees ranging from $5.95 to $11.95.
Bartoni's is family-friendly, and a nice treat whenever you decide to break bread with them. Bartoni's Italian Market is open daily; Brunch is served every Sunday (for now); dinners Tuesday - Sunday. 151 Valley Road, Montclair. 973-746-6700. Free parking in the rear lot.
So Barbara's still there, but what ever happened to Joe and Tony?