It was a stroke of luck that I found Uncle Momo on a visit to some of Montclair's beautiful gardens because I had a great experience in their location in Jersey City a few years ago!
We were a bit early for a Saturday dinner so were able to grab a window seat for our party of 5 right away - and it was the best seat in the house! They were limiting capacity by placing giant teddy bears on many of their tables and had QR code menu but offered a hardcopy to our non-smartphone member. Let's get straight to food!
Momo Mezze (APP, $21, 5/5) - A great appetizer choice to explore a whopping SIX of their apps! We ordered Babaganoush, Rahib, Hummus, Moutabal Beets, Mujadara, and Labne and served with freshly toasted pita bread, 5 of us went into a dipping and piling up frenzy! Beets and Babaganoush were really refreshing with Labne (yogurt), Eggplant was nice and meaty and only the lentil was ever so slightly tough. This got us all revved up - highly recommended for a group.
Lamb Tagine (Special, $28, 4/5) - The entree that wow'd me at Jersey city. It came with nice big bone-in lamb shank in a pan with just dates and apricots and light sauce. A bit lacking in presentation compared to the JC one, but the lamb was just as decadent. Meat was easily shredded off the bone with fork and knife, had zero lamb smell, and very tender and not dry at all. Coupled with jasmine rice it came with (we ordered extra rice) and the delectable bits of date and apricot which gives this dish that sweet taste, it was the right order. Only minus was the lack of any other veggies (other location had onions, etc. and better presented) and that it was 10% too sweet!
Momo Pitza (Oven Baked, $15, 3/5) - Very light, airy and crispy crust with delicious light vegetable toppings. Easy to eat & enjoy. Nothing overly special although good to have.
Chicken Shish Kabab Plate (Entree, $18, 3/5) - Again thought it was a bit too simple in presentation, but chicken was juicy (but a bit too salty!), and the mushed lentil was really hearty and good with boiled tomato in the center. Slightly one-dimensional in flavor though not bad.
Muhalabia (Dessert, $6.25, 5/5) - Milk pudding with rose water & strawberries. This was a surprising hit with everyone. Great refreshing finish to a hearty meal, that silky milk flavor was perfectly matched to the hint of delectable rose flavor for the win.
Pistachio Ice Cream (Dessert, $7.50, 5/5) - Love how it had great bites of pistachio and was NOT TOO SWEET! My mom and wife really loved it.
Turkish coffee (Dessert, $3.50, 2/5) - A bit stale and not very fragrant
Baklava (Dessert, $4.75, 2/5) - This one definitely sat in the display for a while because we could immediately tell it wasn't too fresh. In fact, we had to struggle to cut it in half (we were sharing) with a KNIFE. That isn't how a baklava is supposed to be! No sir!
A BYOB place, so bring your wine and beer!
At slightly over $100 for a party of 5, we were really satisfied overall and felt really good. Location is beautiful too on a nice happening street and their outdoor seating looked beautiful as well.
Don't pass this one up! read more