Raymond's - Restaurant Review

Dined at Raymond's twice this past weekend on request. They are on top of their game. Dinner was perfect both nights.

A very enjoyable dinner at Raymond's, led to this food and wine review.

The restaurant was filled with a very nice crowd. Hip twenty-somethings; sophisticated older adults; several families, two with infants; a group of laughing woman; and my wife, Diana, our son, Pierce, and me. Everyone seemed to be having a good time. The array of patrons truly reflects the restaurant’s universal appeal.

It is a welcoming and comfortable space, a cross between a 30’s Art Deco Diner and a French Bistro, with a classic yet stylish feel. No wonder, Raymond’s was designed by the team of Ian McPheely and Christian Garnett who have done designs for great New York restaurants such as Pastis, Balthazar, and Schiller’s

As you enter there is a front room with 3 nice booths, several tables that can accommodate small or large parties and a lunch counter with stools.

Above the counter you see a classic black diner menu board, with white push in letters, listing local art events. Placemats on the tables promote a current Montclair Art Museum exhibit.

There is something for everyone at Raymond’s from salads, soups, sandwiches and hamburgers, priced from $8.00 to $12 to delicious appetizers, $6.00 – 9.00 as well as seafood, chicken and meat entrees from $12.50 - $ 23.00. Vegetarians can find a chili, salads and sandwiches they will enjoy .

At the end of the front room there is an open wall with shelves lined with a signature element of the  restaurant, dozens of colored antique seltzer bottles, and the entrance to the larger back room. We sat there at a comfortable table against the wall, a nice spot for people watching. 

We had four dishes from the specials of the day which included a delicious split pea soup. Just the right consistency and a nice sprinkling of bacon and rosemary that created a nice contrast to the buttery pea puree.

Pierce was delighted to find a favorite, duck confit, on the menu. It was done just right served over a bed of savory greens, beets and walnuts swept with a balanced vinaigrette. For an entrée he had real “comfort food” macaroni and cheese served in an iron skillet.

I had the pepper crusted yellow fin tuna, medium rare, seared about an 1/8” in, the fish was of absolutely top quality, rarely found out side of New York. It was served in an architectural stack that started with coconut risotto cake which was scrumptious, the rice just past firm and sweet with coconut, very unique. On top was a sparkling Asian slaw, again with a perfectly balanced soy vinaigrette.

From the everyday menu, Diana enjoyed the lamb shank which was slow roasted and falling off the bone. It was basted in a bit of tomato. The creamy polenta, broccoli rabe and tomato made it a perfect dish.   

On other days and nights we have enjoyed Raymond’s brunch, a must whenever our daughter comes home from college. For lunch the cobb salad, burgers, fish and chips are all delicious. Other favorites on the menu include the steaks, the roasted beat salad, crispy calamari and the Mediterranean platter.

Raymond’s is open for breakfast Monday through Friday 8:00 to 11:00 and Lunch 11:30 to 4:00. On Saturday and Sunday Brunch is offered from 8:00 TO 4:00. Dinner is served every night from 5:30 until 10:00, except Sunday which is 5:30 to 9:00. I love that you can have a great meal any day of the week.

The wine we drank was from Amanti Vino a couple of doors west of Raymond's. Two French selections; one a Maison L'aiglon Saint-Chinian, delicous deep red table wine, a super value at under $11.00. The other a lovely Sancerre, Domaine Serge Laloue, French Sauvignon Blanc at it's best, well balanced with full body and flavour with a touch of cut grass aroma, lots of gooseberry and a thread of lime.

A review in the NY Times can be found here.

Comments

[Cat Morris]

Hi-
Just found your blog and low and behold one of my photos on it!

Love Raymond's too ... and all your great wine links!
Cheers-
Cat

[Jim]

My wife and I have dined at Raymonds for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and have always been impressed by the quality and presentation of the food. You really cannot go wrong with anything on their menu and the look and feel of the main dining area add a nice touch to the experience. Service is attentive, but not overbearing. Portions are sensible, allowing room for some of their very tasty desserts! Highly recommended. Amanti Vino next door is a nice shop with a good selection, but I have found some of their recommendations to be off the mark. Better to pull a favorite wine from your cellar and bring it with you.