Things I love about Montclair, NJ:

Now that I am leaving this lovely suburban retreat, there are things that I already know I will miss... possibly forever, because as we all know, businesses come and go and what might have seemed solid at one point might quickly become desolate and obsolete years later.

We have only lived here for 18 months- not long in the scheme of things, but for my life, it's the longest time I've been at one address since I graduated from college. That's nuts, isn't it? It makes our life in the Foreign Service (moving every two or so years) seem luxurious. Since we got here, I have walked by a little door with a paper sign reading, "Today's Raviolis and Today's Cookies." Corso 98 on Walnut Street is a restaurant that we have yet to try, but their tiny little ravioli and cookie shop located next door represents a time and culture warp that I never could have imagined at first glance.



One evening a couple of weeks ago, the first of the warm days of spring, I walked the girls to meet Stef at the train as he arrived home from work. As we walked up Walnut Street, I pointed out the paper sign and asked if we could stop in- I've always wanted to, but at 20$ a box, we've been unable to take the plunge (raising two children on one income in the NY Metro area is a very delicate balancing act). Alas, the first of March meant bonus time, and we've been letting our hairs down so we went in. Nothing could have prepared us for the absolute perfection we found beyond that little door with the paper sign.

There is actually a little Italian lady inside working on a long, well-worn butcher block, rolling out perfect little pillows of pasta filled with anything from braised rabbit to radicchio and walnut to classic four cheese. She delights in talking about her raviolis and in feeding babies her handmade biscotti and pignole cookies. It's a wonderful little place with the perfect balance of comfort and deliciousness. We went home and cooked the ravioli and despite the considerable price, they are well worth it. The little Italian lady with the carefully pressed toque might well have been enough, but the raviolis are perfection- delightfully toothsome and packed full of fresh, flavorful stuffings. The perfect way to take a break from cooking dinner without sacrificing a fabulous food experience.

I will miss this.


96-98 Walnut St.
Montclair, NJ 07042
Tel: 973-746-0789
Fax: 973-746-6488