New Montclair Restaurant Features ‘Reimagined Iberian Cuisine’

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A new restaurant that aims to offer a fresh take on Portuguese and Spanish flavors is opening in Montclair this weekend.

Tasca at 377 Bloomfield Avenue will open to the public on Friday, May 17. Helmed by founders Sergio Moutela and Robert Santello, the restaurant will be featuring “reimagined Iberian cuisine” that takes familiar Portuguese and Spanish ingredients and creates an entirely new dish.

For example, their play on a Portuguese custard cup – “pastel de nata” – replaces the flaky and buttery texture of the traditional pastry cup, with cream-filled croissant donuts rolled in vanilla sugar and served alongside brûléed Madeira sabayon.

The restaurant also serves as retail outlet for award-winning California winery, Domenico, and offers a selection of sangrias. It also features vegan options for each course.

Santello, the executive chef of the new eatery, hails from Heirloom Kitchen, Heirloom St. Laurent and Alta NYC, bringing years of experience to the table. Meanwhile, Moutela –previously of Melovino Meadery and now executive chef and owner of Torino in Metuchen – was brought up in a Portuguese household, which he says was immersed in a love for food and the culture that it inspires.

“Rob and I are passionate about pushing the boundaries of Iberian cuisine,” Moutela said.

“Tasca is not just a restaurant, it's a platform for culinary exploration where familiar flavors surprise and delight in unexpected ways,” Moutela added.

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