Discover Montclair’s Hidden Gem: Tasca – A Michelin-Starred Culinary Experience with a Twist on Iberian Flavors!

When my family vacations, we love discovering hidden gem restaurants. You know, those cozy spots tucked away on side streets. The menu is often small and changes daily, reflecting the chef’s creativity and local ingredients. After enjoying a delicious meal, I can’t help but wish we had more places like that at home. Well, I’m excited to share that Montclair has welcomed its own delightful little restaurant, Tasca. Step inside, and you feel like you’re transported to the Iberian Peninsula.

Tasca radiates warmth, especially on chilly winter nights. It seats just 25, making it an intimate dining experience. The restaurant offers a three-course prix-fixe menu, with dessert available for an extra charge. For $85, diners can choose from various options, making it a more special occasion rather than a casual meal. The limited hours from Thursday to Sunday help them manage inventory and maintain high quality—definitely a win for everyone involved.

Owner and founder Sergio Moutela, who also runs Terza in Metuchen, brings his love of Portuguese and Spanish cuisine to the menu. He aims for a vibe that’s both approachable and high-quality. Moutela describes Tasca as a "Michelin hole-in-the-wall," where traditional dishes are given a fresh twist.

One of the highlights is the bacalhau à brás—a creative take on a classic Portuguese dish. It features salt cod in a creamy custard, all held together by a delicate crust. Topped with crispy potatoes and chorizo oil, it’s a flavor explosion. Another crowd favorite is the pinxos, which are small skewers with tender, garlicky shrimp accompanied by olives and scallions.

Tasca’s menu is ever-changing, so ingredients vary each week. A recent dish featured piquillo peppers stuffed with crab, accompanied by white gazpacho and pickled fennel. On my first visit, the peppers felt dry. However, I returned the following week and found them perfectly moist with a creamy filling.

The feijoada stew offers a delightful twist; instead of being a heavy dish, it’s lightened with preserved lemon and various beans, each cooked to showcase its unique flavor. There’s also a stunning three-color cauliflower dish that stacks fried, pickled, and raw cauliflower atop a flavorful tomatoey romesco sauce.

For mains, I’ve tasted wild boar with Iberian kimchi, and crisp pork belly with carrot purée. A duck paella had a soft center but needed more time for that signature crunchy bottom. The vegan meatballs were impressively similar to the real deal, with a fantastic mix of textures.

Desserts at Tasca are not to be missed. They pay tribute to the beloved pastel de nata, a classic Portuguese egg tart. On my visits, it transformed into a croquette dish, served warm and crunchy with blueberry conserve, bay leaf ice cream, and hints of paprika caramel. It’s simply divine.

So, if you’re ever in Montclair, keep an eye out for Tasca. You might just find me picking up some pastel de nata bites for later.

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