Beyond the main streets of Montclair lies Adara, a restaurant like no other the state of New Jersey has ever seen. Within its warm, earth-toned walls, Adara provides the perfect environment for epicurean indulgence and contemplation of the senses. At Adara, you will come to expect consistent, top quality service but will never have the same experience twice. Please note that reservations are required by 4 pm of the previous business day for the 5, 7, and 12 course tour menus. If ordering a tour menu, the entire party will also need to commit to the same tour menu. If reserving for the minibar, please note the minibar seats up to three, but is ideal for two. Please make note of menu you are reserving.

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22 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Very Good) 3.2 / 5

(22 Reviews)

Rating Breakdown 22 reviews

5 stars

(5)

4 stars

(6)

3 stars

(4)

2 stars

(2)

1 star

(5)

Food

(Very Good) 3.2 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 3.4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 3.1 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

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Diners classify this restaurant as:

fit for foodies(13)
special occasion(11)
romantic(10)

neighborhood gem(6)
good for groups(1)
great for brunch(1)

Adara Reviews List

Review 1 for Adara

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

A bit disappointed

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 5/17/2013

Food

(Fair) 2 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Fair) 2 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"From the website I was really intrigued. Did the 5 course small plate testing, the plates were visually stunning but the taste was lacking. Nothing I tasted was inpressive or flavorful. Also waiting 35 minutes+ in between courses and being there a total of 3.5+ hours was tiring. As there were only 2 other couples present. I think if there was less wait between courses and if at least one course could have a carb or heavy component it might have helped. There is another menu besides the tasing menu-maybe that one is better?"

Dined on 5/17/2013

Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion

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Review 2 for Adara

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Exciting Experience

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 5/18/2013

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Each dish will surprise & get you excited to taste every bit on the plate, & you get several amuse bouche that will compliment and fill your belly...you won't leave hungry! It's all a little experimental and will present flavors and textures that are new to you, so don't be surprised if there are bits you love, and bits you could do without. But overall it's about the experience and trying something new. Of the 4 people at the table, the Maryland Crab parfait lacked the special touch and just didn't go down as well, but the Havana Banana and Nougat Glace were to die for, the lamb was an experience in presentation and flavor, and the thai basil daiquiri was a perfect addition. Don't forget to bring some wine! Good food takes time."

Dined on 5/18/2013

Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion

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Review 3 for Adara

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambitious, Expensive

Top 500 Contributor

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/05/2013

2011

Dined on 04/05/2013

2011

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"This is an ambitious and expensive restaurant that offers a creative,interesting menu served in an unremarkable ambience by a young,attractive and attentive wait staff. On a Friday evening in which there were only four other couples we were only offered the possibility of a fixed menu offering an appetizer, entree and dessert at the fixed price of $65 (coffee,tea,taxes and tip are not included),a questionable value. Food was served on lovely plates with stylish,elegant silverware. The choices were extensive and nicely done,a culinary treat. Portions were modest but were supplemented by several very nice tapas (for lack of a better word).This restaurant would be better served by an al la Carte menu."

Dined on 04/05/2013

2011

Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion

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Review 4 for Adara

Overall rating

(Poor) 1 / 5

Horrible

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/05/2013

2009

Dined on 04/05/2013

2009

Food

(Poor) 1 / 5

Service

(Poor) 1 / 5

Ambiance

(Fair) 2 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Food was very small portions lukewarm at best and way overpriced. Staff was slow and not very accommodating. Wont be there much longer based on an empty place on Friday night !!!"

Dined on 04/05/2013

2009

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Review 5 for Adara

Overall rating

(Poor) 1 / 5

very disappointing. Good presentati

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/23/2013

2007

Dined on 03/23/2013

2007

Food

(Poor) 1 / 5

Service

(Poor) 1 / 5

Ambiance

(Poor) 1 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"very disappointing. Good presentation but it ends there.Slow service. Thought it would never end. Totally overpriced"

Dined on 03/23/2013

2007

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Review 6 for Adara

Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

We were disappointed- although

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/15/2013

2010

Dined on 03/15/2013

2010

Food

(Fair) 2 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Fair) 2 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"We were disappointed- although the presentation was nice, the food was just ok; i appreciate taking time in btwn courses, however, so much time lagged btwn each course that you had no choice but to be starving by the time your food arrived... not to mention the restaurant was empty on a friday night... too bad- was a costly night out and a disappointment"

Dined on 03/15/2013

2010

Special Features: fit for foodies

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Review 7 for Adara

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Innovative, generous and friendly

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/19/2013

2013

Dined on 03/19/2013

2013

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Very innovative, generous and friendly. Chef's expertize seem to be in innovative small dishes based on the various cuisines of the whole World with very modern interpretation. They, themselves call it "American cuisine" - it is "The World Cuisine" (and in a good sense). Menu revolves around prix-fix set of courses: you'll definitely get more than just listed items, very generous. Plenty of little surprises. Service was amazing spot-on for us. Very proper, friendly and helpful but not intrusive and overbearing."

Dined on 03/19/2013

2013

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion

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Review 8 for Adara

Overall rating

(Poor) 1 / 5

Overpriced, pretentious, and

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/16/2013

2012

Dined on 03/16/2013

2012

Food

(Fair) 2 / 5

Service

(Poor) 1 / 5

Ambiance

(Poor) 1 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Overpriced, pretentious, and not nearly as good as all their hype would have you believe. The menu has zero explanations for the weird, if original, combinations of food. That requires the waitperson to explain every dish to every table. Odd choices like (cold) foie gras with buffalo chicken sauce don't work well, in my opinion. Minimalist decor means space is noisy even though it was not very full. I would not recommend."

Dined on 03/16/2013

2012

-1point

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Review 9 for Adara

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

This is the 3rd time we've

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/22/2013

2010

Dined on 02/22/2013

2010

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"This is the 3rd time we've been to Adara. The first 2 times it was great and this time nothing really blew me away but it was good. The 3 course tasting offers plenty to eat as there are several amuse bouches in addition to the menu items. However, a difference this time was that they now have a NJ wine license and are charging a $10 corkage fee for your first bottle of wine which is just not done in Montclair BYOs. We were not happy about that!"

Dined on 02/22/2013

2010

Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion

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Review 10 for Adara

Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

They have a great menu and

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/16/2013

2006

Dined on 02/16/2013

2006

Food

(Fair) 2 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"They have a great menu and concept but execution was poor; too much time between courses, the meal took over 3 hours. When food did arrive, although plated beautifully, it was off temperature."

Dined on 02/16/2013

2006

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Review 11 for Adara

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

I thought a lot more of this

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/16/2013

2013

Dined on 02/16/2013

2013

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Poor) 1 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"I thought a lot more of this place from reviews I've read, than when I actually ate there. The outside of the restaurant is not well lit and difficult to find @ night. My wife and I had a 7:30 reservation but did not leave until 10pm, due to the way they space out the meals. My entree was a little cold, @ best, when it arrived at our table. My wife and I don't drink alcohol and unless you want a $10.00 mocktail or different kinds of water, you will be very thirsty b/c they do not offer soda. The most disappointing part of the experience was the ambience. It felt like eating @ my mom's home, on a regular night. I kept telling my wife they should do something more w/ the interior, b/c it was very bland."

Dined on 02/16/2013

2013

Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, kid-friendly, late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, great for lunch

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Review 12 for Adara

Overall rating

(Poor) 1 / 5

We went to Adara for Valentine's

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/14/2013

2012

Dined on 02/14/2013

2012

Food

(Fair) 2 / 5

Service

(Poor) 1 / 5

Ambiance

(Fair) 2 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"We went to Adara for Valentine's Day. We had a 6:00 reservation, and didn't leave the restaurant until 9:30. Given they had a five course prix fixe, and therefore only 10 items to prepare, I can't imagine why we suffered through over a half hour between each course. Once served, the food itself would have been enjoyable had it not been luke warm. The waitstaff was unapologetic, to the point that they refused to serve wine by the glass (they only sell bottles of a local NJ wine), even though we had long run out of the bottle we had brought. The only saving grace was that the whole experience was so bad, it was almost comic.

Overall, the best thing about Adara is that is made me appreciate not being at Adara."

Dined on 02/14/2013

2012

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Review 13 for Adara

Overall rating

(Poor) 1 / 5

Poor experience. Poor service.

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/14/2013

2009

Dined on 02/14/2013

2009

Food

(Poor) 1 / 5

Service

(Poor) 1 / 5

Ambiance

(Poor) 1 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Poor experience. Poor service. Certain courses lacked flavor; at times we felt like we were consuming a buttery gelatinous mess. Restaurant was extremely overpriced with little care for diners' experience. Will never, ever, ever consider going back."

Dined on 02/14/2013

2009

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Review 14 for Adara

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Had the 3 course prefix which

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 02/07/2013

2009

Dined on 02/07/2013

2009

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Had the 3 course prefix which is actually a 8 course. A lot of time and effort were put into each plate. Service was amazing. They were always on top of everything. This place is the kind where you need at least 2 hours to sit and enjoy every aspect of the meal."

Dined on 02/07/2013

2009

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion

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Ratings-Only Reviews for Adara

Based on the average of (8) ratings-only reviews

Overall