Laboratorio Kitchen

Review summary

1. S

   Sheila

   New York City

   6 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   6 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   We were attending a concert at the Wellmont Theater on a Sunday evening so we decided to have dinner there beforehand. We found free parking at a meter on one of the side streets. We were greeted by the friendly hostess and asked which of two tables we would like. The place is narrow but decor was clean and modern. Bathrooms were also clean. All in all, the atmosphere is nice but maybe a little stark. Our waiter asked us about which water we’d like and if we’d like wine (Laboratorio is a BYOB). We had forgotten ours, and he told us we could order and a runner would bring it to us-that was nice. The wine options were plentiful and the wines were reasonably priced. The waiter was friendly and pleasant. We were promptly given two tap waters which were cold and clean, along with two very hot rolls and a side of salted butter. The butter melted nicely on the hot rolls and they were delicious. For dinner entrees we had the Prime NY Strip Steak Au Poivre (medium rare) which came with mashed potatoes and carrots and the Western Ross Atlantic Salmon (medium) which came with mashed potatoes and green beans. Both were delicious and cooked perfectly. Many restaurants tend to overcook a medium salmon- not this one. It was opaque, yet soft and tender. The steak was red/pink as expected, and very flavorful. The peppercorn sauce was good too. In fact, we shared the entrees and between us we ate every last bite. We had the ice cream sundae for dessert, and the vanilla ice cream was very creamy. It could have used a little more of the chocolate sauce, but the whipped cream was plentiful. When the bill came, we were surprised that it was so reasonable. The only reason we rated the service a 4 instead of 5, was that we did have to wait a little long for a water refill and we poured our own wine refills after the waiter poured the first one. We will definitely be going back to try some of the other dishes when we see our next show.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
2. A

   Alison

   New York City

   1 review

   vip
   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   This was my first time at laboratorio kitchen . Excellent ! Looking forward to going back for another great meal!
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
3. S

   Scarlett

   New York City

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   I come here multiples times a year ever since my friend introduced me to this restaurant - it’s definitely one of my favorites restaurants! My experience was great last night however I did notice my go-to entree, the bay scallops were significantly smaller than usual. That was a little disappointing but nonetheless the flavor was great, the appetizers were delicious ( always recommend the giant meatball!) and my boyfriends steak was perfection. Besides the size of the scallops everything was up to par with what I come to expect from dining here.
   

   • 

   Is this helpful?

   Report
4. P

   Patrick

   New York City

   1 review

   vip
   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on December 1, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Best food in Montclair. Their meatball dish is incredible!
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
5. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   New York City

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined on December 1, 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 2

   We have been to this restaurant many times and it used to be our favorite place combining good food and service. There is a new hostess since a few months ago and our experience has been horrible every time we go in. She is now also a manager as we were told by the waiting staff when we asked to talk to the manager. We always make reservations and we used to get seated very close to reservation time. Since the hostess change our shortest wait time has been 20 minutes and as long as 45 minutes. Also, the last two times we had reservations and after waiting 20-30 minutes, we were seated at the very first table directly across from the front door. We had to keep our sweaters on and my wife also wrapped her shawl around her to keep warm. We complained to the hostess to get our table changed and she only smiled at me and left. Groups were waiting for over 40 minutes to be seated and due to the location of our table, they were right on top of us. As a guest tried to put on her jacket, her coat sleeve touched our appetizer plate. The hostess would disappear in the back for long to avoid unhappy customers waiting for their tables. I hope the owner would make appropriate changes to better service customers as we do like the food and waiting staff are generally very good.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
6. V

   Victor

   New York City

   9 reviews

   5.0

   9 reviews

   Dined on November 30, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   We love this place, the only thing I would add is noise canceling tiles on the ceiling. The noise level can get uncomfortable and it becomes difficult to have a conversation without yelling. Viscous cycle.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
7. T

   Todd James

   New York City

   4 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on November 27, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Dining at Laboratorio is always a wonderful experience. The food, service, and ambiance are top-notch. It is highly recommended.
   

   • 
   • 
   • 

   Is this helpful?

   Report
8. D

   Diane

   New York City

   32 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   32 reviews

   Dined on November 24, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Best restaurant in Montclair! A favorite of ours for years!
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
9. R

   ROBIN

   New York City

   1029 reviews

   5.0

   1029 reviews

   Dined on November 23, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We always look forward to dining at LK, for the shrimp arrabiata and Caesar salad special. A favorite is their pasta dish with sausage and broccoli rabe in a vodka sauce. Very tangy and spicy dish which we love. The lemon sole special with string beans and spinach was light and tasty. I tried something new this visit because every time I dine at LK I always get the scallops with cauliflower puree and chive aioli, to die for, especially with blackened scallops. Great evening, worth the drive.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
10. l

    lauren

    Washington DC

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 23, 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 5

    I’ve been to this restaurant numerous times! I loveeee their food. Today I was so disappointed on how we were rushed out our table because they had a big party coming in. I was brought the check didn’t ask if we wanted anything else then told to please get up because they had a big party coming in. I went to meet up a friend for a birthday dinner and we couldn’t even catch up. I love this resturant put probably the last time I will visit in a while.
    

    Is this helpful?

    Report