Wow you really love this place. Your pictures are really nice! We had high expectations due to your reviews, but we were kind of disappointed. First off, I didnât like that our table was between 2 tables and were so close together. Anyway, we got the 3-course. I thought that there would be shaved pieces of truffles in the mushroom bisque, but more like grated as I could hardly see them. It didnât look like your picture and definitely not worth another $20. Then the tuna crudo, the grapefruit kind of ruined it, I couldnât even remember what the tuna tasted like. I liked the pork belly though. The duck confit was good, but then the watercress puree that came with it was so bitter. The miso glazed black cod, well, the skin was not crispy (maybe it wasnât supposed to be), but I couldnât taste the miso either. The dish was just ok. The best miso black cod Iâve ever tasted was at Nobu. The wood fired shrimp was good. I might give this place another chance, maybe try the other dishes.
I am so sorry that you didnât enjoy your meal at James on Main. It is a very small space, so the tables can be a little close together. I usually request the larger 4 top table by the window ahead of time. The strip steak, hog chop, and burrata are pretty good. They have changed the menu a little since we were last there, so I havenât tried the spare ribs or duck breast yet. We are going next week. I find that the servers are very friendly and treat us like family (maybe because we are regulars). The Circle in Newton is another nice new restaurant you might like.
Welcome, @IAmAFoodie! I donât know if youâve been âlurkingâ for a while or not, but based on your name, youâve come to the right place. 
I havenât been to James on Main because I live in Central NJ now, but spent most of my life in NNJ until I made the leap over the Driscoll. What are some of your local favorites up there?
Maybe next time we need our car serviced in Hackettstown, weâd give them another try. I just wouldnât go out of my way to go there, since itâs about 30 min away Thatâs funny that you mentioned The Circle, because we dined there the next day after James on Main. I actually heard the hostess telling somebody on the phone to try James on Main since they were fully booked that night. Made me laugh since we were just there. I think The Circle definitely earned their place in NJ monthlyâs 30 best restaurants. The duck was awesome, and the espresso ice cream hit the spot! I saw your review also on that, and again, your pics made their food look so good
Hi @CurlzNJ, I didnât have notifications turned on so just saw this today I happen to find this site because I was looking for reviews for James on Main. So havenât been âlurkingâ for a while lol! We donât really eat around here a lot. Usually, we would only dine when itâs NY restaurant week, or Hudson restaurant week, because I like to try different restaurants and thatâs the time to do it. We did just try Latour at Crystal Springs, and I really enjoyed the food, ambiance, and the view! Very expensive though, but worth it if you are celebrating a special occasion. A more budget friendly option is Zeugma in Montclair. Itâs Turkish, food was delicious and everybody including the owners and chef were so friendly. Definitely going back to try the other dishes. You are in Central NJ, you should try Elements in Princeton. We did the 15-course chefâs tasting menu and the presentation was outstanding! Some were really good, some just ok, but I would go back once the menu changes.
Iâm glad that you enjoyed The Circle. We are going back on Sunday. That duck presentation is outstanding. The lobster dish, their soups, and burrata are also excellent.
Thanks! Zeugma is on my list, as I have friends/family in Montclair and love Turkish food; just havenât been up there for more than âdrive-throughâ visits in the last year, but Iâm looking forward to trying it. BIG fan of MishMish and his other restaurant/market on Valley Road - have you tried those?
Zeugma Grill is very good. We havenât been there in a while because Montclair parking sucks 
Their Avogannush, pumpkin muhammara, grilled octopus, and Manti, among other things, are excellent.
The main MishMish is closed. I think it was replaced by an Indian Restaurant. Chef Meny mainly has the Marcel Bakery on Valley Road which has incorporated some of MishMish dishes.
I wanted to try the mushroom soup, but bc just the previous day I had one at JOM, I passed on it as it was kind of expensive also for just soup. The lobster dish is too expensive and didnât seem anything special (with butter, thatâs it?). I guess bc sometimes I would get lobster at $6.99/lb at Shoprite so I can prepare it myself lol.
You will love Zeugma! I have never heard of MishMish. Frankly, havenât really been going to Montclair (probably went there once) prior to last year. But from October to December, we went there 3x - Corso 98, Zeugma and Samba. Was going to try Laboratorio Kitchen and Faubourg, but we didnât as wasnât sure if they were good.
Faubourg is supposed to be wonderful! And I always loved Samba, too. I didnât know MishMish had closed, but his market on Valley is terrific for lunch or food to go.
I moved out of NNJ 6+ years ago but still get up there to see family and agreeâparking is still awful in that town!
I have friends whoâve lived in Montclair since soon after college - so many years. Faubourg is one of their favorites.
You should have tried the mushroom soup at The Circle. They used freshly foraged mushrooms and poured the delicious broth over them at the table. You could have even gotten fresh shaved truffles over your mushroom soup (for extra of course).
I know that the lobster dish is expensive but very well prepared with perfectly roasted lobster and crispy chili crisps on top with buttery escarole. I donât think your $6.99 lobster would have come out like that 
I am surprised that you were worried about expenses since you seem to dine at the most expensive restaurants (Latour in Crystal Springs, 15 course dinner at Elements)
I will try the mushroom soup next time itâs on the menu. Re: lobster, Iâm sure it was delicious, I was just expecting more to it so that it justifies the price We actually had our 20th anniversary so to celebrate we dined at 20 different restaurants in 3 months. I searched for best restaurants and Latour and Elements were one of them. Since it was a special occasion, it was ok to splurge We also dined at Ninety Acres and you might like this dish, it was so good - slow poached natirar egg with polenta, forest mushroom, 5-yr aged parmigiano and black truffle (lots of big shavings!). I didnât like the desserts we had though. I still have other restaurants I want to try since now Iâm kind of spoiled - Cafe Matisse, Common Lot and Saddle River Inn.
Belated Happy Anniversary! What a great way to celebrate 20 years together!
That slow poached Natirar egg sounds decadent.
Those are all great choices of restaurants you would like to try. Cafe Matisse used to be spectacular but it has slipped up a little bit. The dining room is still gorgeous and they have the most beautiful outdoor garden to dine in during warmer weather. While you are in the neighborhood you should give Fiorentini (down the block) a try. Itâs a new farm to table Italian restaurant that is very good.
I actually canceled Cafe Matisse in favor of The Circle, as I thought weâd go there when their garden opens. Itâs sad to hear that they are not as good, but I might still want to try them. Their desserts right now do not look anything I would want, so hopefully they change them soon. Will definitely put Fiorentini on my list! If you are going to The Circle this Sunday, you should check out The Farmerâs Daughter (3 min away). They close at 2pm though, but they have a market that close at 4pm (call to make sure). I heard good things about them. Thanks for the greetings and enjoy your dinner!
Thank you!
Yes, I was looking at the Farmerâs Daughter & want to try them out; maybe in the Spring. I see they are open for Dinner on Saturday night until 8PM.
