Faubourg, A Montclair, NJ Restaurant Review
Prestigious "Best Restaurant" Recognition
Awarded to establishments earning 3 stars or higher for culinary excellence, service, and overall dining experience.
Faubourg: Restaurant Highlights
Fare: French/Mediterranean
Price: Expensive
Food Quality: Well executed menu, using high quality ingredients, prepared with care to not overwhelm the presence of seasonal ingredients.
Service: Professional, well trained, customer focused.
Ambiance/Decor: Elegant, vibrant with an art-deco vibe
Overall Rating: 3 stars.
Note: Four-star Rating System from 1/2 stars = poor to Four stars = Best in Class
Noise Level: Moderate - High
Dress: Business casual
Recommended For: Date nights, client dinners, celebrations, and upscale gatherings.
Not Recommended For: Casual family meals with small kids or those seeking budget dining.
Recommended dishes: When available, The "COQ AU VIN" chicken & red wine, bacon, mushrooms, spaetzle; The HALIBUT & CORN hen of the woods, baby kale; and The Japanese Miyazaki Wagyu.
Liquor: Full-service bar with specialty signature cocktails, and an extensive wine list by the glass and by the bottle
Faubourg in Montclair, NJ is a modern French brasserie that blends fine dining sophistication with approachable hospitality. Known for its acclaimed chef-owners, refined cuisine, and striking industrial-chic ambiance, it has quickly become a destination for locals and visitors seeking elevated French fare outside of New York City.
🏛 History & Vision
- Owners: Faubourg was founded in June 2019 by Dominique Paulin and Chef Olivier Muller, both veterans of New York City’s fine dining scene and protégés of renowned restaurateur Daniel Boulud.
- Vision: Their goal was to bring the elegance of French brasserie culture to Montclair, transforming a historic Bloomfield Avenue building into a vibrant dining hub.
- Reputation: Faubourg is recognized for combining classic French technique with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, making high-end dining accessible in suburban New Jersey
🍴 Food & Cuisine
- Style: Modern French brasserie fare with a balance of tradition and innovation.
- Quality: Ingredients are seasonal, with an emphasis on freshness and local sourcing. Bread is delivered daily from Le French Dad Boulangerie, reinforcing their commitment to artisanal quality.
- Signature Dishes: Linguini with red shrimp, artichokes, saffron, and lemon; duck breast with cherries; and refined seafood plates.
- Approach: While not strictly farm-to-table, Faubourg emphasizes organic and sustainable sourcing where possible.
👨🍳 The Chef
- Olivier Muller: Trained under Daniel Boulud, Muller brings decades of experience in Michelin-starred kitchens.
- Recognition: His cooking style is praised for precision, balance, and creativity, blending French tradition with modern flair
- Industry Standing: Muller’s reputation as a Boulud protégé lends credibility and prestige to Faubourg’s culinary program.
🎨 Ambiance
- Décor: Industrial chic with soaring ceilings, exposed brick, and modern lighting.
- Vibe: Elegant yet approachable, with a lively brasserie energy.
- Features: Spacious dining room, outdoor terrace, and a dramatic bar/lounge area
- Noise Level: Moderate to lively, depending on time of day.
- Outdoor Dining: Available, offering a scenic urban view of Montclair’s bustling Bloomfield Avenue.
🤝 Service
- Strengths: Generally welcoming and knowledgeable staff, consistent food quality.
- Weaknesses: Occassional, not frequent service lapses, including rushed table turnover and uneven attentiveness
🍷 Other Factors
- Alcohol/Bar: Full bar with craft cocktails and curated wine list.
- Child-Friendly: More suited for adults and special occasions; not ideal for young children.
- Recommended For: Date nights, client dinners, celebrations, and upscale gatherings.
- Not Recommended For: Casual family meals with small kids or those seeking budget dining.
- Parking: Street and nearby lot parking available.
- Dress Code: Smart casual to elegant attire is expected.
- Holiday Hours: Open Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and Mother’s Day,
- Private Parties: Event spaces available for corporate gatherings, weddings, and milestone celebrations.
⚖️ What Needs Improvement
- Service consistency remains the most cited area for improvement, with occasional reports of rushed or inattentive staff
- Noise levels can be high during peak hours, which may detract from intimate dining experiences.
🌟 What Sets Them Apart
- Chef pedigree: Backed by Daniel Boulud-trained owners.
- Ambiance: A rare combination of industrial chic design and French brasserie warmth in suburban NJ.
- Cuisine: Elevated French fare with local sourcing, rivaling Manhattan dining without the commute.
Faubourg Montclair is a modern French brasserie offering Michelin-trained cuisine, chic ambiance, and holiday dining options. Ideal for romantic dinners, private parties, and upscale celebrations,
Updated November, 2025
Our Restaurant Rating Criteria to Ensure Minimum Subjective Evaluation
