A Toute Heure, which opened in May 2007, features locally-sourced, seasonal foods highlighting the freshest produce, meats and dairy. The menu evolves depending on what co-owner Andrea Carbine finds during her market sourcing visits and what inspires chef de cuisine Kara Decker.
The cozy space accommodates about 40 guests and is bright and welcoming with its high ceiling and large picture windows. The wait staff is helpful and well-versed on the ever-changing menu. A Toute Heure is a BYOB which makes dining at this charming bistro affordable.
Beignets – Photo by V. Deblois
While dinner is outstanding, and I’ll tell you about that another time, this post is about A Toute Heure’s delectable brunch. It’s difficult to secure a reservation for brunch because there aren’t many tables to turn around at this intimate place, and A Toute Heure only serves brunch on the last Sunday of each month. Talk about an easy way to build interest!
As you sip a special coffee blend created for A Toute Heure by Small World Coffee of Princeton, order a bowl of piping-hot beignets. The pillowy-soft treats can be served with powdered sugar, our favorite, or with cinnamon and sugar. Don’t kid yourself, you’ll want a second bowl, so just go ahead and order two from the start.
Pork Belly Buns – Photo by V. Deblois
Other treats for the table that are a must are the maple-glazed donuts and a duo of delectable pork belly steamed buns. Sweet maple and salty pork – a winning combination!
For our entrées, we selected the Duck, Knoephla and Eggs, a Croque-Madame and the Cinnamon and Brown Sugar French Toast. The croque features roasted ham that’s flavorful beyond words and high-quality Gruyère cheese. The Knoephla dish encompasses a generous portion of rich pulled duck confit, Knoephla, a German dumpling much like Spaetzle, and a New Jersey farm-fresh egg. The French toast is served with stewed pear and honey butter in a very generous portion.
Duck Confit – Photo by V. Deblois
The delicious food at A Toute Heure is matched by stellar service. The wait staff is knowledgeable about the locally-sourced menu and the positive vibe between front and back-of-the-house is evident each time an order comes out of the kitchen.
Add a reminder to your calendars at the start of the month to book a brunch reservation for that prized table on the last Sunday of the month. You’d be hard-pressed to brunch at a more charming New Jersey restaurant with such high-quality food.
Wine(s) Suggested: Pierre Sparr Crémant D’Alsace Brut Rosé (Alsace, France) – Sparkling Wine, $15. Cheers!
A Toute Heure 232 Centennial Avenue Cranford, NJ 07016 Type of Cuisine: French Bistro, Locally-Sourced Hours: Lunch: Tuesday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dinner: Tuesday through Saturday, 5 to 10 p.m. Brunch: the last Sunday of each month, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Price Range: $$$ Phone: 908.276.6600 Alcohol: BYOB
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About Veronique Deblois, Food & Wine Chickie
Veronique is a food and wine blogger based in Morris County, NJ. As the author of the popular blog, Food & Wine Chickie Insider, Veronique shares recipes, wine and restaurant reviews and travel insight. Follow Veronique on Twitter or like her Facebook page.
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