Toast: Brunch Done Right

I first heard about this trendy spot about a year ago and have been meaning to give it a try for a while now. I finally got the chance when my family and I were passing through Montclair this past weekend. 

Located at 700 Bloomfield Ave. in Montclair, Toast is a local restaurant with a rustic feel, decorated to look warm and inviting like someone's home. Knick-knacks adorn the walls and shelves and orange juice at Toast is even served in adorable little mason jars (shown below). 

Small Orange Juice - $3
($5 for large)

If decorations and a cute glass aren't enough to make you want to try this place out, let me tell you about the food. 

I tried the eggs and potatoes with a side order of bacon — because what is brunch without bacon?! The eggs were cooked properly, and the bacon was just the right amount of crispy without being burned. The potatoes were alright, but under-seasoned, in my humble opinion. Overall, however, I found my meal to be very satisfying. 

Eggs w/ potatoes & toast- $6.25

Side order of bacon - $3.25

My mother opted for the nutella-stuffed french toast (yes, this exists), which our waitress informed us is one of the most popular items on the menu. We could certainly see why when we tasted it. If you are any kind of chocolate lover then you've got to try this. The nutella, french toast, and strawberries go perfectly together and will induce a food-gasm of epic proportions. 

"Bella Nutella" - $11.25

French Toast stuffed w/ Nutella & topped with strawberries    

As for the service, we had no complaints. In my opinion, the fact that they have a second floor really helps to decrease wait times since this is a popular restaurant. We went on a Saturday around noon and although the place was packed, they took our name and phone number and told us they would text us when our table was ready. We waited half the time (about 15 minutes) we were told we'd have to wait upon arriving, which is always nice, before receiving a text as promised. The text option really impressed me, as you usually only see this at larger restaurants in the city in my experience. 

Side Note: They also have a little coffee bar in the back where you can wait for your table to be ready if you like. 

We were then seated and our waitress promptly greeted us and took our order. The food took no more than 15-20 minutes to come out after ordering, despite how busy it was. 

While they are known for breakfast/brunch – their motto is "Peace, Love, Pancakes", they also have an extensive lunch menu. Their sweet potato fries ($5 per order) seemed to be a very popular lunch item. They even have some options for people who are vegan and/or gluten-free. The full menu with prices can be found on their website: http://toastmontclair.com. 

Overall, I would definitely go back again and would recommend this place if you have a hankering for a really tasty brunch. 

Take Note: 

•    The hours of operation are 7:30am - 3:00pm daily. 

•    If you are driving here you will have to park on the street and there is metered parking. However, parking in the town's art museum which is right around the corner is free!

•    Fair warning: there is no WiFi or TV so you may actually need to have a conversation with someone. 

•    They do not serve alcohol - so no mimosas, unfortunately. Although they do have a virgin bloody mary on the menu for $5. 

•    Toast also offers catering for private parties or events. 

•    There is another location in Asbury Park, NJ for all you South Jersey folk. 

Check out Toast on Yelp to see more drool-inducing food pictures & make sure to comment and let me know if you decide to give Toast a try too!