One chilly, rainy Sunday recently, I headed by train to Montclair to visit friends, have brunch and see the Montclair Art Museum, where my friend exhibited during their annual Art in Bloom, the museum’s nationally celebrated biennial exhibition, where contemporary floral designers create fresh interpretations inspired by works on view throughout the museum.

We first spent a lovely afternoon having brunch at Faubourg, the go-to spot in Montclair, according to the friendly folks I met on the train. Lucky for me, it was jazz Sunday, although one of my friends would have preferred classical.

Two of us opted for the bargain-priced $43 prix-fixe menu, including our Bloody Mary, a breakfast parfait and our entree choice. We both started with something light; my friend tried the blueberry chia pudding, topped with slivered almonds. Me? The blackberry one with yuzu cream, blackberry sauce, topped with granola.

My classical friend enjoyed the bavette steak ($36) over a puddle of sauce au poivre, topped with an over-easy egg, and fried golden, creamy fingerling potatoes with a glass of Lulumi Pinot Noir, 2021 ($13), Languedoc, France, 2025. My flower-designer friend with the grill-marked still-moist salmon, over tabbouleh in a chickpea mouseline.

I decide on the lamb ragu orrechiette with Ligurian Taggiasca olives. Not only is it a favorite, but both my new train friend and the one I was with highly recommended the hearty pasta-and-lamb. The Le Hout Medoc de Branaire- Ducru, Bordeaux, France, 2019 ($22) was a perfect match.

Loved that my birthday started early this year! The restaurant served a decadent chocolate coulant ($15) with salted caramel ice cream, decorated with “Happy Birthday” in chocolate.

After brunch, we stopped by Art in Bloom, at the museum’s nationally celebrated biennial exhibition, where contemporary floral designers create fresh interpretations inspired by works on view throughout the museum. My friend, a member of the local garden club, exhibits yearly. Her work was an interpretation of Njideka Akunyili Crosby’s “The Beautyful Ones.”

Andy Foster Photography

I recommend both Faubourg and Art in Bloom—and if you missed it this year, mark your calendar for May 2027!

Faubourg
Montclair
544 Bloomfield Ave
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 542-7700
Menu: faubourgnj.com