In early February 2025, one of Montclair’s most iconic Italian eateries, Scala del Nonna, closed its doors after 11 years. Since then, the space has been empty as MTC locals eagerly keep an eye out for what will come next. On Tuesday, April 1st, 2025, The Montclair Girl received an exclusive update from the new business owner taking over the space. 32 Church Street will soon welcome a new American restaurant, The Saint Clair. Read on for everything we know so far about The Saint Clair’s arrival in Montclair, New Jersey.
The New Spot
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The Montclair Girl received word via DM from local foodie and Top Chef Season 19 contestant, Chef Leia Gaccione, on Tuesday, April 1st that she had an exciting secret to share with the Montclair community. Leia let us know that she would be taking over the former Scala del Nonna space at 32 Church Street in Montclair. With a goal of opening early this summer, the restaurant will be called The Saint Clair and focus on new American eats. The chef driven, locally sourced eatery will feature brunch, lunch, and dinner, and be open seven days a week.
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Leia shared with MG that she hopes The Saint Clair will be a “sanctuary for food lovers and community.” Noting that she had been inspired by the original architecture of the Church Street building that features beautiful cathedral ceilings and historic features on top of being located in her favorite city (Montclair). While Leia is holding onto final design details of the space, she expressed her excitement for all to come, grateful to share the space with hungry Montclair residents. Above all, Leia is thrilled to be a business owner and resident of Montclair, sharing that being able to feed the community is high on her list of things she is looking forward to. Leia worked in her very first kitchen in Montclair 25 years ago, and feels that this is a true full circle moment of her hard work coming to fruition. We will be sure to keep readers posted with more updates about The Saint Clair as details unfold.
What Was There Before?
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On February 9th, 2025, Scala del Nonna announced via Instagram that its Montclair location at 32 Church Street would close permanently on Sunday, February 16th, 2025. The restaurant had served the Montclair community for 11 years prior and was known for its traditional Italian comfort dishes. Currently, Scala del Nonna still has three other locations, called Scala Fedeli, at 63 Main Street in Chatham, 167 Main Road in Montville, and 165 Duane Street in New York City.
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Montclair + Northern NJ Restaurants Open on Easter Sunday 2025
Easter is right around the corner in the Montclair area, signaling the return of festive baskets, Easter bunnies, spring weather, and Sunday best attire. For those who prefer to dine in on the holiday, Montclair and the surrounding Northern New Jersey areas have plenty of options, including upscale prix-fixe menus, casual dining, and buffet-style brunches. Read on for a list of restaurants open on Easter Sunday in Montclair + Northern New Jersey for 2025.
Montclair
Faubourg | 544 Bloomfield Avenue
Hours: 11AM - 9:30PM
Specials: For Easter Sunday, Faubourg will offer a $48 prix-fixe brunch menu, along with its a la carte dinner and specials, at both its Weehawken and Montclair locations. The restaurant also has catering options, which can be ordered until April 12th. For information, see here.
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Fresco Da Franco | 15 Church Street
Hours: Brunch, 11AM - 9PM + dinner, 3PM - 9PM
Gioia Mia | 331 Bloomfield Avenue
Hours: 10:30AM
Specials: Gioia Mia will host a two-course Easter Bunny Brunch on Saturday, April 12th. The adult menu features options like mixed green salad made with cucumbers, radishes, and buttermilk dressing, steak + eggs served with chimichurri sauce and home fries, and more. The kid's menu comes with dishes like "Egg + Bakey," pancakes, chicken fingers, and more. To make a reservation, call 973-233-0350.
Halcyon | 114 Walnut Street
Hours: TBD
Java Love | 244 Bellevue Avenue, 39 Glenridge Avenue, + 49 Church Street, Montclair
Hours: 7:30AM - 6:30PM (Church Street + Bellevue Avenue) + 8AM - 2PM (Glenridge Avenue)
Mesob | 515 Bloomfield Avenue
Hours: 12PM - 9PM
Oso Felipe | 2 Erie Street
Hours: 11AM - 5PM
Sayola | 38 Valley Road
Hours: TBD
Specials: At both its Montclair and Tenafly locations, Sayola will host an Easter celebration featuring festive brunch and dinner specials. To make a reservation, see here.
North New Jersey
The Barrow House | 1296 Van Houten Avenue, Clifton
Hours: 11AM - 2:30PM + 4PM - 6:30PM
Specials: The Barrow House in Clifton will serve Easter brunch from 11AM to 2:30PM and dinner from 4PM to 6:30PM. Customers can look forward to its regular menu and festive specials. Make a reservation here.
Cowan’s Public | 229 Centre Street, Nutley
Hours: 11AM - 2:30PM + 4PM - 6:30PM
Felina Steak House | 101 South Orange Avenue, South Orange
Hours: TBD
Specials: Felina Steak House will host an Easter brunch in both its South Orange and Jersey City locations. The menu will feature antipasti, pizza, pasta, and all kinds of savory brunch + Easter specials. To book a table, see here.
The Hudson Rose | 238 Franklin Avenue, Nutley
Hours: 11AM
Specials: The Hudson Rose has two brunch options for diners beginning at 11AM. The prix fixe three-course menu, which takes place in the main dining room, features dishes like beets + burrata, lamb ribs, chicken milanese, herb-crusted lamb chops, as well as dessert options like tiramisu and cheesecake. The buffet brunch in The Harlow Room will include carving stations with porchetta, prime rib, lamb rack, a make-your-omelet bar, a fully loaded raw bar, fresh salads, a custom pasta bar, baked goods, bagels + lox, and more. Both the buffet and pre-fixe menu are priced at $55 per person and $30 for children under 10. Book a reservation for the prix fixe menu here and the buffet here.
Il Vecchio Cafe | 234 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell
Hours: 12PM - 2PM + 2:30PM - 4:30PM + 5PM - 7PM
Specials: This Easter brunch will include cold and hot stations, a children's menu, and dessert options, featuring dishes like homemade Calandra's bread + focaccia, Caprese salad, deviled Easter eggs, prime rib, chicken franchise, roasted potatoes, and more. The buffet costs $78 per adult and $25 per child ages four to ten. Il Vecchio will also serve $8 drink specials like mimosas, Bellinis, Bloody Mary's, and Screwdrivers. See the full menu on Instagram and call 973-226-8889 to make a reservation.
The Parkside Social | 706 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona
Hours: 12PM - 3PM
Specials: The Parkside Social will host its Easter Bunny Brunch on April 20th. This festive event includes an Easter egg hunt on the restaurant's patio, photo ops with the Easter Bunny, and a menu of brunch options. Make a reservation here.
Popolari | 1047 Broad Street, Bloomfield
Hours: 11:30AM - 9:30PM
Specials: Bloomfield's Popolari will serve a four-course menu that includes meatballs, calamari, eggplant rollatini, penne vodka, grilled salmon, lasagna, signature pizza, and more. For dessert, diners can indulge in nutella fondu. To book a reservation, see this link. The first seating starts at 11:30AM, with the final one at 9:30PM.
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The Shannon Rose | 98 Kingsland Road, Clifton + 1200 NJ-17, Ramsey
Hours: 11AM - 3PM
Specials: The Shannon Rose in Clifton and Ramsey will host a brunch buffet for Easter Sunday. Families can celebrate with brunch options, including fresh fruit, assorted muffins, house-made French toast, a carving station, and more. For the full menu, see here.
