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Bistro 18 Reviews List
Bistro 18
Driven by our passion for food …
Found in the heart of Montclair, Bistro 18 offers extraordinary food (organic meat, wild fish and house-made pasta) with fresh seasonal flavors, remarkable taste & interesting textures as we adapt classic recipes for contemporary times and create new exciting ones.
Our owner George Kalivas, with over 40 year of experience enchanting restaurant goers with high quality food and superior service, has brought in a team of Chefs to delight our customers. Since 2008, our Chefs combined their unique backgrounds, Culinary Institute training, and work in distinguished American eclectic, nouveau Italian and Asian fusion restaurants in NY, NJ and abroad, to deliver cuisine you will truly admire and savor.
Offering a neighborhood bistro atmosphere …
We seek to provide you with an unique experience of a charming and friendly restaurant with old world service and knowledgeable staff.
Please join us in our atrium or main dining room.
See more Bistro 18 details
48 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Rating Breakdown 48 reviews
5 stars
(17)
4 stars
(23)
3 stars
(5)
2 stars
(2)
1 star
(1)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(25)
- fit for foodies(24)
- special occasion(12)
- romantic(9)
- good for groups(5)
- great for lunch(3)
Bistro 18 Reviews List
Review 1 for Bistro 18
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We dine here frequently & the food is always excellent. The host, George, is always gracious & quick to correct any missteps."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 2 for Bistro 18
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"As others have noted, this is an interesting space - resembling a hallway more than anything, however the atmosphere felt quiet and intimate. Service was very attentive, and the food very good. I think it may be a bit overpriced, but that's Montclair. Overall a pleasant experience."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2006
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Review 3 for Bistro 18
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Very nice menu. Food was excellent."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 4 for Bistro 18
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food was outstanding, service
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food was outstanding, service good, you never mind spending money especially when the food is excellent."
Dined on 04/23/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 5 for Bistro 18
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
What a disappointing experience.
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"What a disappointing experience. Our party of six was out for the evening to celebrate two birthdays. We were running a few minutes late and called and were assured it was not a problem. We dropped off four of our party while we parked. They were treated horribly by the owner. He chastised them and told them to stand by the door and wait for the rest of the party before they would be seated.
The food was equally as disappointing. On a prior occasion I had a good experience but this time the food was marginal at best. My tuna was fatty and not the quality expected or advertised. My friends pork loin was over done and horribly presented. Overall the experience left us empty, we didn't even stay for dessert. We will never go back there aga"
Dined on 04/06/2013
2009
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Review 6 for Bistro 18
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Very disappointed in the layout
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Very disappointed in the layout of the restaurant. What was described as a glass enclosed porch is really a walkway leading into shops accessed through the dining room. Posters were placed on the inside glass walls by our table facing outside blocking our view. Food was good but the room is not suited for a dining area."
Dined on 04/04/2013
2007
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Review 7 for Bistro 18
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Perfection in Montclair
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"This is a must if you are looking for exquisite dining in Montclair. The food, service, and ambiance are unmatched. Once you dine at Bistro 18, you will want to come back."
Dined on 02/28/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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Review 8 for Bistro 18
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
OpenTable Diner
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
Special Features: good for groups, romantic, hot spot
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Review 9 for Bistro 18
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Nice restaurant
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Nice restaurant in a somewhat awkward physical space offering good food (nothing unique or terribly memorable) with excellent wait staff worth an occasional visit as a change-up from the Montclair scene which is dominated by Italian restaurants. The owner-manager is particularly nice and reason enough to make me wish to return in the future."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2011
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 10 for Bistro 18
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Bistro 18 is our goto place
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Bistro 18 is our goto place to eat. Food is consistently very good and bringing our own wine is always a plus. This time they were backed up and we had to wait awhile for our table but it was worth it."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 11 for Bistro 18
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
This is a wonderful Montclair
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This is a wonderful Montclair restaurant. This time I had a special - seafood pot pie, which was out of this world. Amazing flavor and full of great seafood including lobster, scallops and shrimp. I come here often, but this dish exceeded my every expectation!"
Dined on 03/08/2013
2004
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 12 for Bistro 18
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Have been here several times,
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Have been here several times, food in consistently very good. Doesn't disappoint."
Dined on 02/24/2013
2006
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 13 for Bistro 18
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
A little disappointing; great
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"A little disappointing; great locale, nice layout, and interesting menu unfortunately offset by indifferent to snarky service and fair-good food. Doubt we will return."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2006
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Review 14 for Bistro 18
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
I always enjoy dining at Bistro
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I always enjoy dining at Bistro 18. The food is interesting and delicious and the service is always impeccable."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2004
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 15 for Bistro 18
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
True Enjoyment
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The service, food and owner went out of there way from the time we walked in the door to the time we left the restaurant. It is a small restaurant but a true gem. Being BYOB makes it even better! We would make the trip from Somerset County again to go to this restaurant. Keep up the good work Bistro 18."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 16 for Bistro 18
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Excellent and I've recommended
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Excellent and I've recommended it to everyone I know who lives in the Montclair area!"
Dined on 02/15/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 17 for Bistro 18
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Went here for Valentine's
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Went here for Valentine's day and no plans to go back anytime soon. Everything was mediocre, nothing was particularly good or particularly bad--except it took forever to get our check. At $16 per appetizer and $30 per entree I was hoping for something at least a little special/noteworthy. No such luck."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2009
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Review 18 for Bistro 18
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
The food was good. It took
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food was good. It took 10 mins after I sat down for anyone to offer a drink - I actually had to ask twice for water and bread and a menu. It was Valentines Day but the waiter was rude when I asked for bread."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2002
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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Review 19 for Bistro 18
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Huge portions and great quality.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Huge portions and great quality. We will definitely go again!"
Dined on 02/02/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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Review 20 for Bistro 18
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
This restarant is teeny tiny.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"This restarant is teeny tiny. It got warm and loud. Food and service were excellent and we would definitely go back."
Dined on 01/26/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Bistro 18
Based on the average of (28) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
6 out of 6 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic