As promised in November 2011, Blu and Next Door – chef/proprietor Zod Arifai’s highly praised Montclair, New Jersey, restaurants – have reopened with marvelous new menus and a refreshed new look.
Both restaurants closed briefly while Mr. Arifai focused his attention on his latest venture, daryl, the sleek, sophisticated restaurant at the Heldrich Hotel in New Brunswick, NJ. But both Blu & Next Door have come back to life with the innovative, improvisational, world-class cuisine that has been consistently praised by critics and guests alike.
“Originally, I thought of Next Door as a neighborhood café,” Mr. Arifai noted. “Now it’s more mature and seasoned, with new tables & chairs, a warm chocolate brown & beige color palette, and a menu to match.”
Menu changes at Next Door include the addition of many Blu favorites, such as tuna tartare with avocado-spicy ginger sauce, seafood dumplings in spicy coconut broth, and fettuccine with wild mushrooms & Pecorino Romano.
“It was time for me to take Blue to the next level,” Mr. Arifai also noted. “We’ve been open for six years, and I thrive on challenging myself.” Therefore, the menu changes daily, the chef is serving steak for the first time, and his eclectic seven-course tasting menu will look and taste different from one night to the next.
New note-to-be-missed Blu starters include octopus with chickpeas and raisins & roasted pepper. These are followed by main courses of fettuccine with beef short rib ragù & caramelized onions, and sake with cauliflower & asparagus in a truffle broth.
Blu is located at 554 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, NJ, (973) 509-2202; Next Door at 556 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, NJ, (973) 744-3600.
Bon Appétit!
TAD
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