A year after it launched in an open-air atrium of the Hammer Museum, Lulu’s Artisanal Cafe has established itself as a serene, slightly upscale lunch or dinner destination for artsy students and Westside healthcare workers. It has also carved out a unique niche as a restaurant with a clear environmental agenda, featuring organic, sustainable artisan touches in every corner. Under the guidance of Chez Panisse alum and New York Times Cooking columnist David Tanis, Lulu has a clear sense of its mission.
The menu reflects this, with the emphasis placed on small-scale organic farms practicing regenerative agriculture and the use of local ingredients. Many dishes are simple, such as the grilled chicken salad and a chocolate pave with chantilly cream that read like you could make them at home—and you probably can via the hundreds of recipes Tanis has published in The Times. The produce comes from a farmers’ market that Tanis, an experienced restaurateur and former executive chef of the original Chez Panisse in Berkeley, has visited weekly since the opening. Exact market availability determines the lunch prix fixe and a la carte menu, which features a mix of dishes that are geared to the largely museum-goer clientele and others with more consistent appeal to a broader audience.
A variety of sweet treats round out the menu, including cupcakes, lava cakes, and cobblers, as well as vegan lemon bars and brownies. A wide selection of hot and cold drinks is also available, all made with local products and fair-trade coffee.
Foodie Card members enjoy 10% off all meals and beverages at LuLu’s Artisanal Cafe. Discount cannot be combined with other specials or happy hours.
Lulu’s Artisanal Café is located at 406 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07043. Foodie Card discounts are not applicable to take-out orders. Contact the restaurant directly for more information. Offer expires June 30, 2023.
