Heartwarming Treats
By Brooke Harrington
One Saturday morning, my mom and I had just finished our weekly weekend walk - this time we hiked around Mayapple Hill in West Orange - and we decided to wing it and head into Montclair for some entertainment. We drove into the Watchung area, and found some heartwarming treats along the way that I wanted to share with you all.
First we stopped at Watchung Booksellers, because how can you not. There is something about the smell of a bookstore, the just-peeking-out grins on customer faces as they scan the shelves and find what they are looking for, and the fact that no one seems in a rush that warms my heart. Quietly, diligently searching for the right read, everyone seems at peace when they are inside Watchung Booksellers. The sweet smells of espresso and savory ricotta toasts drift through the walls from da Pepo next door. If you’re loving your book browsing you can even have a bite while enjoying the space, as Watchung Booksellers seamlessly transfers from bookstore to “la cucina del Nonno”.
Watchung Booksellers
After enjoying the store, we strolled over to Local Coffee. We picked up a cup and crossed the street, heading in the direction of the smells of cinnamon and sugar. We enjoyed one of the simplest delicacies, a cinnamon and sugar crepe from Bonjour Montclair. This crepe was enough for two, loaded with cinnamon, sugar, butter, and the kind of tastes that make you melt in your chair.
Local Coffee. Image courtesy of Local Coffee
After raving over this crepe and contemplating getting another one, we took a peak in the block's latest addition - Millburn Deli. I am definitely a Millburn Deli fan, a Godfadda junky turned pesto aioli lover. I genuinely think they have some of the greatest sandwiches around, and it was hard not to order one on the spot after our delicious crepe. But we didn’t leave without picking up a refreshing treat, some of their homemade iced tea.
Finally, we decided to walk off some of our snacks and head under the train tracks to The Pie Store. Having studied abroad in Ireland, walking into the pie store transports me right back. They have everything from Taytos (if you haven’t had a Tayto chip, you are missing out!) to sausage rolls. This is definitely a spot to pick up some treats for an Irish or English friend, or share some delicious savory to sweet pies with family on holidays or fun occasions.
To cap off our day, we drove to Vesta Chocolate. As you walk into Vesta, the smell of roasting chocolate fills the air. We picked up a cup of their decadent hot chocolate, a true dark chocolate that is a testament to their “bean-to-bar” concept. To pair, we purchased one of their chocolate chip cookies. The cookie is buttery and salty, almost tasting similar to a shortbread, that compliments the richness of their organic chocolate so well.
Vesta Chocolate. Image courtesy of Vesta Chocolate
This spontaneous little day reminded me that we can find some of the most heartwarming treats right in our backyard. Each of these businesses puts art, passion, and dedication into their craft - and you can sense it in the joy it brings to your heart.
