The Alternative Press

There are times you hear of a restaurant that has been touted by some to be worth a trip out of the confines of your immediate area. Then there are those moments when a group of friends who live quite far from one another want to meet to eat.....but where? With buddies in Fort Lee, Livingston, West Orange, and Montville, and you living in Westfield, well....you’ve got to find a sort of halfway destination...and Montclair is just that place.

Certainly different from most “newer” restaurants, Tutti Vous is a small  storefront located on a not-so-busy block in Montclair. Designed in blazing colors of red, white, and black, the atmosphere is friendly from the moment the door opens. Owner and now Executive Chef, Michael Mancino is quick to engage customers in conversation. Guests immediately become “Best” friends with guests seated at various tables.

You’re bound to hear, “So where ya from?” or “How’s the Vegetable Lasagna?”...or “Have some of my wine, you’ll love it!”

I’ve actually seen folks invite strangers to share their own dishes.

A photographer by trade, Mancino opened the bistro with his close friend Executive Chef Margie King, However, just before the new year, she packed her bags and headed south.  Now, armed with King’s secret recipes, Michael Mancino is not only executive chef, he is the host, and frequently out there tending to his guests.

I have to say, our first visit was really special. Not only did we gather with “foodie friends” from North Jersey, all of us had been given a “heads-up” about the place. From the Caesar Salad with house-made croutons, ($7); to the Roasted Red Peppers, fresh mozzarella and basil salad, ($8), and the Spinach Salad,with Mandarin orange, red onions, peanuts, crispy Asian noodles, and ginger-lime dressing, ($8); the raves went to a Tutti Vous jumbo lump crab cake, with spicy lemon aioli and field greens, ($10).

Although we heard that the Pan-Seared Filet Mignon with haricot vert, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, and red wine reduction, ($19) was one of the most favored entrees, we opted for Stuffed Loin of Pork with apples, vidalia onions, wild rice and sage, served with garlic mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach, ($19);Parmesan Crusted Tilapia, with tequila-corn tartar sauce, seasoned rice, and sauteed asparagus, ($17); and Chicken Marsala with sauteed mushrooms in a marsala wine sauce over egg noodles, ($16). Folks ordering the House Baked Lasagna with roasted red peppers, grilled eggplant, wild mushrooms, and pesto ricotta cheese, commented, “It was well worth the wait.” ($16).

But it’s the desserts that will really turn you on. Warm Bread Pudding, with whisky caramel sauce, delectable Chocolate Pot de Creme with fresh Strawberries, New York Cheese Cake, and a warm chocolate Brownie with Ice Cream and Syrup are just decadent.

Hailing from Union County and totally devoted to ice cream, I was interested in Mancino’s choice of Guernsey Crest Ice Cream from Paterson. Being one that is totally devoted to Blue Bunny and certain flavors of Edy’s, I was pleased that he went the distance and chose to serve a product produced in the Garden State.

After the usual round of hot drinks including Cappuccino, ($4) and Tutti Vous Cappuccino, $5), we sat around and chatted with our new “Best” friends who like us, came to dine at Tutti Vous in Montclair.
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Location: Tutti Vous, 248 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair
Call: 973.707.7012
Hours: 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday.  9:30 to 3 p.m. Sunday Brunch
FYI: BYOB. Casual dress. Call for weekend reservations. Accepts Visa and Master Card. On-street free and metered parking. Close to the Wellmont Theatre. Free parking after 7 p.m. in the Municipal lot on N. Willow Street. Available for catering, private parties, and take-out.