Clementina Opens Uptown & We're Obsessed. Plus: Sushi at Ani + Ultimate Frisbee in Montclair

Clementina Opens Uptown & We're Obsessed. Plus: Sushi at Ani + Ultimate Frisbee in Montclair

We have a very food-forward episode this week. We dive into our unforgettable dinner at Clementina, the new Adriatic-inspired Italian restaurant on Valley Road, and explain why we think it's one of the most exciting openings Montclair has seen in years. We share the remarkable origin story of chef and co-owner Michele Rocchi, whose dream of opening his own restaurant was sparked by an unexpected conversation with a guest while working on a luxury cruise ship. We also share the news that sushi is coming to Ani Ramen. Mike spotted signage inside Ani Ramen announcing an upcoming sushi program and spoke with partner Kat Reyes about what's coming next. And we spend time with the players, parents, and coaches behind Montclair Ultimate Frisbee, one of the town's fastest-growing youth sports communities. Farnoosh visits a middle-school practice at Brookdale Park and explores how a small local program grew into a thriving community that now competes at high levels and has launched its first girls team. In What the Hell Is Going on with That…We discuss the terms surrounding the date change for Pride Fest 206 in Montclair, organized by Out Montclair. In local news, we discuss Montclair State University's selection to operate New Jersey's public television stations, replacing the outgoing NJ PBS management arrangement. We also review the Historic Preservation Commission awards, and the latest updates involving ICE detentions affecting members of the local community. Resources and Links * Clementina [https://clementinamontclair.com/] * Montclair Ultimate Frisbee [https://www.montclairultimate.org/] * Montclair Historic Preservation Commission [https://www.montclairnjusa.org/Government/Advisory-Committee-Boards-and-Commissions/Historic-Preservation-Commission] * GoFundMe campaign supporting Alba and her family [https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-albas-family-legal-living-expenses] * GoFundMe campaign supporting Leonardo Argoti ("Chef Leo") and his legal defense fund [https://www.gofundme.com/f/yxpmj4-bring-montclair-pastry-chef-leo-home?attribution_id=sl:32eb065f-5b91-473c-a728-8600a4c95fb3&lang=en_US&ts=1780361669&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_content=amp17_te-amp20_control&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Montclair’s Best Bacon Egg and Cheese, World Cup Preview and What’s Up with the Forensic Audit?

This week on The Montclair Pod, we tackle some of the biggest conversations happening in town—from breakfast sandwiches to PrideFest, the World Cup, school finances, and a local immigration case that has touched many residents. THE GREAT MONTCLAIR BACON, EGG & CHEESE TASTE TEST After asking listeners for recommendations, we embarked on a highly scientific (and cholesterol-heavy) tour of six local favorites: Dutch’s, Hot Bagels Abroad, Ray’s, Minia’s, Sunrise, and Jefferson’s. We sampled them side-by-side, debated the merits of rolls versus bagels, crowned favorites, and explored what each sandwich says about Montclair itself. PRIDEFEST POSTPONED Out Montclair has postponed PrideFest from June 13 to August 1, citing rising costs, declining sponsorship support, and public safety concerns related to the opening weekend of the FIFA World Cup in New Jersey. We discuss the challenges of producing large-scale community events and what the late change means for vendors, attendees, and the broader community. FORENSIC AUDIT UPDATE Montclair Public Schools continue moving forward with a forensic audit tied to the district's nearly $20 million budget deficit. Superintendent Ruth B. Turner tells us the district is reviewing proposals and interviewing firms, but details remain limited for now. We discuss what residents hope the audit will uncover and invite listeners to submit questions for our upcoming installment of "Supper with the Super." ODDFELLOWS ARRIVES IN MONTCLAIR Farnoosh visits the newly opened OddFellows Ice Cream downtown, talks with the co-owner about why they chose Montclair, and explores some of the shop's more adventurous flavors. The Brooklyn-born brand officially opened its doors last weekend and is already generating buzz. THE WORLD CUP IS COMING With the FIFA World Cup arriving in New Jersey, we explore what it means for Montclair. We spotlight Sam's Table's transformation into a World Cup Café and welcome Montclair resident Greg Kahn, founder of GK Digital Ventures, to discuss the business, tourism, and economic opportunities surrounding one of the largest sporting events in the world. We also talk about traffic, visitors, local businesses, and whether World Cup ticket prices may actually come down. JAVA LOVE PARTNERSHIP We're excited to announce a new collaboration with Java Love. Look for co-branded Montclair Pod stickers on iced beverage cups around town featuring a QR code to learn more about the show and enter to win a $50 Java Love gift card. We'll also be partnering on several fun community stories throughout the summer. THIS WEEK'S NEWS ROUNDUP MFEE Honors Outstanding Educators CVS Shoplifting Highlights Cost-of-Living Pressures A Local Family Caught in the Immigration Debate LINKS & RESOURCES * Sam's Table World Cup Café Reservations  [exploretock.com/sams-table/experience/606553/summer-soccer-pop-up-neighborhood-wine-bar] * GK Digital Ventures [https://gkdigitalventures.com/] * Weston Winners Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence (MFEE) [https://www.mfee.org/post/mfee-announces-winners-of-the-2026-judy-weston-awards] * GoFundMe for Alba  [https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-albas-family-legal-living-expenses] SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS * Email: hello@montclairpod.com [hello@montclairpod.com] FOLLOW THE MONTCLAIR POD * The Montclair Pod Website [https://montclairpod.com/] * Instagram @themontclairpod [https://www.instagram.com/themontclairpod/] * Join our Newsletter ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Montclair Football Hits Refresh with New Coach. Plus: A New Uptown Music Fest + Pricier Parking

This week on The Montclair Pod, we dive into a surprisingly emotional episode about football, parking and civic spirit. First: Montclair parking is officially getting more expensive. Meter rates are rising for the first time in eight years, evening enforcement hours are expanding until 10 p.m., and surge-style pricing is coming to parts of downtown Thursday through Saturday nights. Mike and Farnoosh unpack what’s changing, why residents are frustrated, and why the “after 7 p.m. is free” era is officially over. We also get into the failed valet parking ordinance, the mysterious Warman Street overnight parking vote, and Farnoosh’s own parking ticket saga involving ParkMobile, the wrong car, and an upcoming possible Zoom court appearance. Then: Montclair High School football enters a new era. New head coach Manj Singh — a Montclair native and member of the 1994 state championship team — joins the show to talk about restoring the spirit of Mountie football, building a new feeder system, creating a true home-field atmosphere at Woodman Field, and why sports matter far beyond wins and losses. Plus: * Freshman sports funding is officially saved after the Blue and White Club raised more than $176,000 * Farnoosh reports from freshman sports orientation night at MHS * A new Uptown music festival is coming to Bellevue Avenue this fall * Dan Campeas previews Farmhouse Fried Chicken, opening soon in Upper Montclair * A disturbing assault involving a 14-year-old bicyclist * Another attempted luxury car theft tied to a Bloomfield Avenue car wash * MFEE’s “Minute to Win It” fundraiser returns to Lackawanna Plaza Resources & Mentions * Montclair parking ordinance updates and council meeting coverage [https://d3n9y02raazwpg.cloudfront.net/montclairnj/0d0f7cce-3e7e-11f1-bb28-005056a89546-fb19c21b-5e25-4634-955b-6f6fb6884b5e-1778899795.pdf] * Contesting a parking ticket in Montclair: Township parking portal [https://www.montclairnjusa.org/Government/Departments/Parking-Utility/Parking-Fines-Tickets] * Montclair Blue and White Athletics Club fundraising information [https://montclairblueandwhite.org/] * MFEE “Minute to Win It” fundraiser: mfee.org [https://www.mfee.org/minute-to-win-it] * Montclair Police Detective Bureau: 973-509-4721 * Montclair Police non-emergency line: 973-744-1234 ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Yard Sales, Transit Woes, and Farewell, Colbert

It's 90 degrees in May, NJ Transit has heard from Montclair, and this Sunday there's a townwide yard sale (not to be confused with a garage sale). We've got the story behind the two tag-sales, a packed NJ Transit survey, and a Montclair coffee truck that could keep you up at night for two reasons. Plus: a farewell to a neighbor who’s repped Montclair to the world honorably and hilariously… and is not allowed to leave (at least not entirely). The Townwide Yard Sale We talked with Valentin Guerin, the Montclair dad who organized this Sunday's town-wide yard sale in partnership with Downtown Montclair—weather permitting! The Original Garage Sale Longtime resident and realtor Penny Patnaude, who started Montclair's town-wide garage sale in 2023 as a fundraiser for the Human Needs Food Pantry, shares why she ultimately decided to sit this year out—and what she's seen change in 30 years in town. Possessed by Coffee We got a tour inside the orange coffee truck that launched on Halloween and has been turning up at Walnut Street Station, Brookdale Park, and Montclair High School ever since. NJ Transit: The Survey Results Nick Giglia, founder of ROUTE (Restore Our Transit in Essex), breaks down what more than 2,300 respondents said—over 80% want more weekend trains—and what it could mean for service on the Montclair-Boonton line, the World Cup, and beyond. Local News: Car crashes into chinese restaurant T.S. Ma on Bellevue; Dodge Durango stolen from a Bloomfield Avenue car wash; Belleville elects a 24-year-old mayor; Stephen Colbert's Late Show finale; and Montclair Pride is June 13th. Resources & Mentions * Subscribe: The Montclair Pod on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@TheMontclairPod] * Follow the Townwide Yard Sale on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/montclairyardsale/] for updates — Sunday, May 31, 9 a.m.–5 p.m… weather permitting. * ROUTE (Restore Our Transit in Essex): EssexRoute.org [https://essexroot.org/] * ROUTE on Instagram/Threads: @EssexRout [https://www.instagram.com/essexroute]e * Human Needs Food Pantry [https://www.humanneedsfoodpantry.org/] * NJ Transit World Cup travel information [https://njtworldcup.com/] * Stephen Colbert on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/colbert/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Local History, Home Discoveries, and Last-Minute Summer Camps

IS HISTORY JUST A BOATLOAD OF FUN, OR A SERIES OF ANXIETY-INDUCING TESTS? THIS WEEK, WE ARGUE IT’S THE FORMER AS WE TAKE A FIELD TRIP TO THE MONTCLAIR HISTORY CENTER. WE EXPLORE 250 YEARS OF TOWNSHIP SECRETS—FROM THE "MONTCLAIR SITUATION" AT THE SEGREGATED YWCA TO THE NAMES OF THE PEOPLE WHO SLEPT IN OUR BEDROOMS 100 YEARS AGO. WE TACKLE OUR INBOXES, INCLUDING A HIGH SCHOOL HIBACHI LUNCH THAT HIT A RAIN DELAY RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A $20 MILLION BUDGET DEFICIT. WE ALSO HAVE YOUR FINAL GUIDE TO SUMMER CAMPS AND A HEAVY-HITTING NEWS UPDATE ON WHY YOUR SCHOOL TAXES ARE OFFICIALLY GOING UP. THE HIBACHI FIASCO MONTCLAIR HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULED AN OUTDOOR HIBACHI DINING EVENT—SPONSORED BY SODEXO—AMIDST MASSIVE STAFF LAYOFFS AND BUDGET CUTS. THE MONTCLAIR HISTORY CENTER WE SAT DOWN WITH ANGELICA DIGGS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MONTCLAIR HISTORY CENTER, [https://montclairpod.com/montclair-history-center/] TO TOUR A SITE THAT IS A "TREASURE TROVE" OF OUR TOWN’S IDENTITY. A LAST-MINUTE SUMMER CAMP GUIDE IF YOU HAVEN'T BOOKED BY FEBRUARY, OPTIONS ARE SLIM—BUT NOT GONE. WE HAVE A WHOLE BREAKDOWN OF DAY CAMPS [https://montclairpod.com/day-camps-near-montclair-2026/ ] WITHIN A 5-MILE RADIUS HERE. LOCAL NEWS: THE SCHOOL BUDGET, NEW HYPERLOCAL PODCASTS, AND THE LATEST FROM MESH RESOURCES & MENTIONS * Subscribe: The Montclair Pod on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@TheMontclairPod]. * Official Documents: 2026-27 User Friendly Budget [https://www.montclair.k12.nj.us/departments/business_office/budget_2025-2026] and Sullivan's April 29 Presentation Deck [https://www.montclair.k12.nj.us/UserFiles/Servers/Server_889476/File/Presentation%20April%20BOE%20MTG.pdf]. * History Center: Archives & Farm Camp [https://www.montclairhistory.org/]. * Read the Montclair Pod’s Complete Guide to Day Camps Within 5 Miles of Montclair [https://montclairpod.com/day-camps-near-montclair-2026/]. * Support MESH: wearemesh.org [https://www.wearemesh.org/]. * Athletics Fundraising: montclereblueandwhite.org [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.monclereblueandwhite.org&authuser=2]. * New Pods: Check out the Glenfield Pod [https://www.mfee.org/post/students-take-the-mic-glenfield-pod-launches-with-mfee-support?fbclid=IwY2xjawRtyC1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF2alBlVElmRUx5eG1JWm1Tc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHnTzb0vjN2Jt31L_TwdzYoF2IwsI5LoD12vzZjWSUrwe7RhlamuGLkckdfGQ_aem_JHdSPo5sRUp6j27aTpYGPA] and the MPACT Pod on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/episode/7kewubJIDvlRnvJfGCzQSq?si=o0aqVXZ4S8K2hNd5nyfCEA&fbclid=IwY2xjawRoV3dleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFGUUNTTWptWkJBZHhlQTVKc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHui12Oq8UtJgJnTt1ZM6qYk4ct8mC9RmLoepUY95DFYVFmoe2BNt0RN5nhV0_aem_Y03FgzXg4CYScrZXF8OTRw&nd=1&dlsi=158fff5ca2ac46c0] and read their report, Budget Process 101 [https://static1.squarespace.com/static/68fd137ff3876f7b7bd79be2/t/69f0e09c92925825a373e3ea/1777393821341/MPACT+Explainer++Budget+Process++101+%E2%80%93+Understanding+the+Budget+Approval+Process+%26+the+Opportunity+for+Public+Input.pdf]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.