The owner of Marzullo’s Restaurant and Caffe’ in Montclair has sold after 31 years in business. Aki Kaneda, owner of Dai-Kichi and Upstairs, and his business partner Jeff Munoz, formerly of Osteria Giotto, purchased the restaurant yesterday, Kaneda confirmed to Baristanet.
Kaneda wouldn’t give us details on the type of cuisine to expect just yet, “Today we’re looking at the set-up and discussing everything, ” he said.
If Messrs. Kaneda and Munoz pair this purchase with the acquisition of a liquor license it’ll be great news for those of us who live along the Grove Street corridor.
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Yeah, Croig, Italian restaurant run by Italian Americans. I’ve seen all the movies too. Must be a front for some kind of Mafioso activity. Just like every other Italian restaurant in the US probably.
Make the comment about any other ethnic group and it’s highly offensive. Make it about Italians and it’s high humor.
Hmm well considering one of the Marzullo brothers was in jail for running illegal gambling rings i’d have to say that Croiag is on the money there…
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Missouri +2 vs Auburn, for a dime.
I’ll take that
Auburn will suffer hangover from crazy last second win over Alabama. Take underrated Mizzou plus the points in SEC title game on neutral field in Atlanta.
Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock
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From salami to sushi–sign of the times (a good sign).
cro – Lol . . . go Celtics!
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Forging checks stolen from bean counters Ernst & Young never a good idea. If the accountants don’t get you, the auditors will.
Take the canoli and leave the espresso machine.
I always found it very hard to leave Marzullo’s, PAZ.
Everytime I tried to get out, they pulled me back in.
Good for Aki, one of the most admired restaurant owners in town. He’s got a deep and loyal clientele and Upstairs has been a wonderful hit–I’ll be interested to see what they do in the new space!
NOOOO! I can’t believe they closed! Such good food and pizza. You will be missed.
Love the slander in here, I guess we can all say anything now.
Too bad the best place for a sandwich in Montclair will now turn into another failed business. Remember, not even Gordon Ramsey could save the other nightmare In town.
Marzullo sandwiches cannot be touched anywhere around here. I was at that Upstairs restaurant on Sunday, and i have to say it had to be some of the WORST I have ever eaten. They had like 8 dishes on the menu and it was just salty, bland and tasteless. We ordered 6 dishes and there were only 10 on the whole menu. went straight out afterwards to get some Brick Lane. It was Pathetic. I do not know how, or why, but this town still has no clue with food, the mediocrity has reached a new level, and anything good, has now disappeared.
I’m removing my own comment before I post it.
Yeah, Croig, Italian restaurant run by Italian Americans. I’ve seen all the movies too. Must be a front for some kind of Mafioso activity. Just like every other Italian restaurant in the US probably. Make the comment about any other ethnic group and it’s highly offensive. Make it about Italians and it’s high humor.
For a true whitewash, I suggest you remove this one too.
That was quite a little episode of censorship (well, even weirdly, post-facto) from those who pass for “editors” of this site.
I suppose that, given what today is in history, we should be happy that it wasn’t a local sushi restaurant changing ownership or management.
Maybe someone will finally figure it out and agree that there are 10 synagogues in the area and nary a Pastrami sandwich to be found within 12 miles.
Yourkiddingright – rather than sitting there and typing, it wouldn’t kill you to maybe nooge Aki Kaneda to tell his shayna waitresses to offer maybe a nice “Hebrew Roll” to his customers: Pastrami, maybe a slice pickle, nice and freshly wrapped in seaweed and rice, with a bissel wasabi on the side, plus the trademark Dai Kichi hot towels ( Oy! I’m shvitzing! ) … all this plus a nice bonus – soup and salad to start! —..Kaynahorah, such a bargain!… So, nu, stop kvetching and give a call already. We’re not getting any younger, and the chilly air makes me cough. So hurry up already.
A gefilte roll would be hit at Friday night services.
A branch of Irving’s Delicatessen would probably do well in the Montclair area. It took them a little while to get established in Livingston, but they seem to be doing fine now.
Millburn Deli, or Bragman’s in Newark would probably do well here, as well. There’s just a wonderful feeling to a good pastrami sandwich on thin sliced rye bread.
I vote for Paz’s comment about removing his own comment for featured comment of the week. Maybe of the month.
Kit…..It would have to be the un-comment of the week but I couldn’t possibly comment about that.
This story has me reminiscing about my many, many lunch hours at Hobby’s in Newark.
Any new deli would have to offer short term loans to fill the hole Marzullo’s is leaving though.
We went once, 10 years ago. When I pointed out the piece of plastic bag in my veal picata entree, I did not receive an ‘OMG’ or an offer of a free cup of coffee. Fortunately there are many choices for dining out in the Montclair area. I use PNC bank for loans so did not need to go back. It’s a nice neighborhood, best of luck to every one, past and future.
We LOVE Dai Kichi AND we live on Grove Street – this is great news for us!
it’s about time this overrated and overpriced restaurant is getting out of montclair. i’d like to see a legitimate mexican place in the space, or, in aggrement with a bunch of those who commented above, a good jewish deli would be an excellent idea, however i think we can expect something a bit fancier/trendier from the restauranteurs who have purchased it. but if upstairs is the benchmark, it will definitely be a good addition to the mtc restaurant scene.