Posts by Abby Montanez
Mastering the French Cheese Plate
The only people who love cheese more than Americans are the French. The difference being that in France, there are rules. Cheese is always served in odd numbers. You never cut it into cubes. And oftentimes, it’s eaten in lieu of dessert. America, a country notoriously known for being a rule-breaker, never quite took to…
Read MoreNew Jersey Goes Global at Common Lot
Photos by Brent Herrig There are few restaurants in the state that have little to no affiliation with New Jersey. Usually it’s the owner who grew up just miles down the road or it’s the head chef who spent time training under the area’s most acclaimed restaurateurs. Willing to take a step outside the tri-state…
Read MoreFelina Restaurant in Ridgewood is Finally Here
After I got word that Chef Anthony Bucco’s restaurant was coming to Bergen County, it’s been a true test of my patience as I awaited its arrival. There was an intense renovation, a stretch of speculation and on my behalf, a decent amount of investigating via Instagram. He finally gave us a name, a location,…
Read MoreSummit House — A New American Restaurant
The town origin of Summit cites several different theories as to how it got its name. Some general conclusions reference the Summit Lodge; others believe it’s the town’s positioning which rests atop the Watchung Mountains. Then there’s the founder, Jonathan Crane Bonnell, who gave the Morris and Essex Railroad line access to a route that…
Read MoreLadies Love LEIN
Thinking about switching careers in the new year? Allow fashion designer Meredith Stoecklein to inspire you. Although not a total departure from where she started out, as an intern for Zac Posen and Narciso Rodriguez, today Stoecklein is the founder and designer of her very own clothing company, LEIN. After graduating Parsons School of Design,…
Read MoreColombia Uncovered: Inside Casa Legado
Some people travel to Colombia for its Caribbean coast, while others hit the historic streets of Medellín for a Pablo Escobar-inspired tour. But few book their trip for the accommodations alone. Although Colombia’s reputation as a cartel enclave is long established, it’s only in recent years that the country transitioned from political discord to a…
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