Oh La La: French Food in Downtown Montclair
Le French Dad Boulangerie & Cafe- One of Montclair’s French stops! Image courtesy of Le French Dad Boulangerie.
By Maya Polton
Take a quick stroll around downtown Montclair and you may notice the influx of delicious French-inspired shops. Starting on picturesque Church Street, you’ll be lured by the delicious smells coming from Le French Dad Boulangerie. Continue along Church Street and discover the newly opened Jayce Baudry, a classic French pastry shop. Finally, leave Church Street and meander up Bloomfield Ave to Faubourg, a modern French brasserie. Do you feel like you’re in France yet?!
Since Le French Dad Boulangerie has the most early morning options, that’s the first stop on this French food tour. Touted as a community baker, Le French Dad truly does serve Montclair and the surrounding towns. In addition to the shop, the bakery provides bread and pastries to a number of favorite establishments in town and nearby, including The George, Paper Plane Coffee, Van Hook Cheese & Grocery, and others. Back in the store, the vast menu includes everything from croissants, breads, macarons, food, desserts, and more. A super easy online ordering system is fast and efficient, so your tasty food is waiting for you when you arrive on Church Street. Some standouts include the over the top delicious Almond Pain au Chocolat, a tasty treat that will lift your spirits on a bad day.
Pastries avaliable at Le French Dad Boulangerie. Image courtesy of Le French Dad Boulangerie.
The newest addition to Montclair is Jayce Baudry, also on Church Street. Run by a French pastry chef with an impeccable resume both in the US and abroad, this jewel box of a bakery is impressive from the get go. In the store there are individual pastries, sweets, cookies, macarons, chocolates, and much more. The show stopping desserts are a work of art, channeling the art and beauty of French pastry. If you want to impress a friend, here’s the place to go. And if that friend doesn’t live nearby, Jayce Baudry ships some of their sweets nationwide. While the shop is small, there are tables and chairs set up to dine and enjoy your treats.
Orange Blossom Hazelnut Fianciers, Lemon Orange Madeleines, Macaroons, & more! Image courtesy of Jayce Baudry French Pastry.
Now that your sweet tooth is satisfied, it’s time for Faubourg. The award-winning restaurant has been open for two years and has completely transformed the level of fine dining in Montclair. Not only is the food and service impressive, but the space stands out as truly special and one of a kind in Montclair. It’s destination dining at its best.
Faubourg food being made. Image courtesy of Faubourg
There’s outdoor space that’s warm and cozy in the cold weather (hello abundant heaters and fire pit) and breezy and bustling in the summer months. Two bars, indoor and out, along with a number of private dining rooms that can accommodate groups of 10 to 60 guests make this a versatile spot in Montclair. Open for lunch and dinner everyday and brunch on weekends, the menu is impressive, but not overly fussy. It can be hard to find both innovative cocktails and a large wine list in Montclair, but not here. Along with the amazing food, the service at Faubourg stands out. Run by NYC restaurant veterans, the hard work and French hospitality definitely stand out at this special gem in town.
Faubourg’s beautiful outdoor space. Image courtesy of Faubourg.
