Rock Guitarist Chef Opens Third Restaurant In Montclair: Italiana By Zod

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The “Wizard of Zod” has tripled down on his presence in Montclair.

Zod Arifai – owner of the now-closed Blu and Next Door restaurants – recently opened his latest venture, Italiana by Zod, on the same block as his former properties.

Located at 558 Bloomfield Avenue, the new eatery is currently open Wednesday through Sunday, with plans to expand to seven days a week for lunch and dinner.

Chef and restaurateur colleagues like Dan Richer (Razza) and Tommaso Colao (Bivio Little Falls & Montclair) have eagerly supported Arifai’s latest effort, visiting frequently to discuss calibration and timing during the months-long research and development process.

Arifai – who also owned the Michelin-starred Wicked Jane restaurant in NYC's Greenwich Village – said he was inspired to cook Italian because “it's such a popular cuisine … everyone loves it.”

This love for Italian cuisine is highlighted in the menu at Italiana by Zod, which includes house-made mozzarella, fire-roasted meatballs with ricotta, Salmon Crudo with Sicilian orange, a sizzling classic Margarita pizza, and a beloved staple of any Italian restaurant: chicken parmigiana.

Arifai is a former rock guitarist who has spent time in the kitchens of several world-class chefs, including Charlie Trotter, David Bouley and Roger Vergé. His unconventional and “world-influenced” New American cuisine has garnered praise over the years from The New York Times, New Jersey Monthly and Eater.

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