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Name: Costanera
Address: 511 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair, NJ, 07042
Telephone: (973) 337-8289
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.03

Costanera

511 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair, NJ, 07042

(973) 337-8289
Store is closed

Costanera Menu

Sides

Yuca

Papas

Platanos

Huancaina Sauce

Vegetales del Dia

Ensalada Mixta

Ensalada de Quinoa

Arroz

Tacu-Tacu

Frejoles Canarios

Yuca

Papas

Platanos

Huancaina Sauce

Vegetales del Dia

Ensalada Mixta

Ensalada de Quinoa

Arroz

Tacu-Tacu

Frejoles Canarios
Starters

Ceviches - Pescado fluke

Ceviches - Mixto fluke

Ceviches -Costanera

Tiraditos - Tradicional

Tiraditos - Nikkei

Causas - Vegetariano marinated artichokes

Causas - Limena chicken breast

Causas - Cangrejo lump crab

Jalea

Ensalada Andino

Anticuchos - Classico beef heart

Anticuchos - Pollo Chicken Breast

Huancaina Tasting

Chicharron de Pescado

Chupe de Camarones

Aguadito de Pollo

Ceviches - Pescado fluke

Ceviches - Mixto fluke

Ceviches -Costanera

Tiraditos - Tradicional

Tiraditos - Nikkei

Causas - Vegetariano marinated artichokes

Causas - Limena chicken breast

Causas - Cangrejo lump crab

Jalea

Ensalada Andino

Anticuchos - Classico beef heart

Anticuchos - Pollo Chicken Breast

Huancaina Tasting

Chicharron de Pescado

Chupe de Camarones

Aguadito de Pollo
Main Course

Pescado a lo Macho

Picante de Mariscos

Escabeche de Pescado

Chaufa de Mariscos

Pescado Entero

Arroz con Mariscos

Parihuela Costanera

Estofado de Osso Bucco

Lomo Saltado

Churrasco a lo Pobre

Pollo a la Brasa

Tallarin Verde con Bisteck

Duo Andino Vegetariano

Pescado a lo Macho

Picante de Mariscos

Escabeche de Pescado

Chaufa de Mariscos

Pescado Entero

Arroz con Mariscos

Parihuela Costanera

Estofado de Osso Bucco

Lomo Saltado

Churrasco a lo Pobre

Pollo a la Brasa

Tallarin Verde con Bisteck

Duo Andino Vegetariano
Small Plates

Solterito Bruschetta 2 pcs

Empanadas (2 pcs)

Chori-Papa

Papitas con Cremas

Solterito Bruschetta 2 pcs

Empanadas (2 pcs)

Chori-Papa

Papitas con Cremas
Raw Bar - Build Your Own

8 East Coast oysters

12 Little Neck clams

5 Costanera colossal shrimp

Chilled Snow Crab legs

Grilled jumbo ? lb. lobster tail

8 Choritos a la Chalaca

8 East Coast oysters

12 Little Neck clams

5 Costanera colossal shrimp

Chilled Snow Crab legs

Grilled jumbo ? lb. lobster tail

8 Choritos a la Chalaca
Raw Bar - From the Chef

El Ciudadano Great for 1-2 guests

El Sipan serves 3-5 guests

La Costanera Serves 5 or more

El Ciudadano Great for 1-2 guests

El Sipan serves 3-5 guests

La Costanera Serves 5 or more

Healthy Meal suggestions for Costanera

Sides

Yuca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Papas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Platanos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Huancaina Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetales del Dia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ensalada Mixta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ensalada de Quinoa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arroz [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tacu-Tacu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Frejoles Canarios [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yuca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Papas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Platanos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Huancaina Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetales del Dia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ensalada Mixta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ensalada de Quinoa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arroz [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tacu-Tacu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Frejoles Canarios [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Starters

Ceviches - Pescado fluke [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ceviches - Mixto fluke [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ceviches -Costanera [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tiraditos - Tradicional [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tiraditos - Nikkei [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Causas - Vegetariano marinated artichokes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Causas - Limena chicken breast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Causas - Cangrejo lump crab [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jalea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ensalada Andino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Anticuchos - Classico beef heart [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Anticuchos - Pollo Chicken Breast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Huancaina Tasting [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicharron de Pescado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chupe de Camarones [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Aguadito de Pollo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ceviches - Pescado fluke [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ceviches - Mixto fluke [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ceviches -Costanera [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tiraditos - Tradicional [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tiraditos - Nikkei [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Causas - Vegetariano marinated artichokes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Causas - Limena chicken breast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Causas - Cangrejo lump crab [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jalea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ensalada Andino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Anticuchos - Classico beef heart [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Anticuchos - Pollo Chicken Breast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Huancaina Tasting [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicharron de Pescado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chupe de Camarones [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Aguadito de Pollo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Main Course

Pescado a lo Macho [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Picante de Mariscos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Escabeche de Pescado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chaufa de Mariscos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pescado Entero [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arroz con Mariscos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Parihuela Costanera [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Estofado de Osso Bucco [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lomo Saltado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Churrasco a lo Pobre [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo a la Brasa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tallarin Verde con Bisteck [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Duo Andino Vegetariano [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pescado a lo Macho [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Picante de Mariscos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Escabeche de Pescado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chaufa de Mariscos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pescado Entero [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arroz con Mariscos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Parihuela Costanera [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Estofado de Osso Bucco [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lomo Saltado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Churrasco a lo Pobre [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo a la Brasa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tallarin Verde con Bisteck [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Duo Andino Vegetariano [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Small Plates

Solterito Bruschetta 2 pcs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Empanadas (2 pcs) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chori-Papa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Papitas con Cremas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Solterito Bruschetta 2 pcs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Empanadas (2 pcs) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chori-Papa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Papitas con Cremas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Raw Bar - Build Your Own

8 East Coast oysters [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

12 Little Neck clams [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

5 Costanera colossal shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chilled Snow Crab legs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled jumbo ? lb. lobster tail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

8 Choritos a la Chalaca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

8 East Coast oysters [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

12 Little Neck clams [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

5 Costanera colossal shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chilled Snow Crab legs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled jumbo ? lb. lobster tail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

8 Choritos a la Chalaca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Raw Bar - From the Chef

El Ciudadano Great for 1-2 guests [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

El Sipan serves 3-5 guests [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

La Costanera Serves 5 or more [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

El Ciudadano Great for 1-2 guests [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

El Sipan serves 3-5 guests [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

La Costanera Serves 5 or more [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Montclair for healthy meals suggestion.

Montclair Beach Club ( 725 Grove St )

Montclair Diner ( 613 Valley Rd )

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.

Write An Anonymous Review

Mark B.

As long-time Montclair residents we herd lots of good reviews so the fam decided to try Costanera on X-Mas eve. Average decore - too bright. Since we are novice Peruvian eaters, so we started with Anticuchos (kebab) and Chori-papa; both were good, Chori-papa was a big hit by all. We ordered Pescado a lo Macho (not spicy at all...too bad!!), Arroz con Mariscos (paella like, very good especially the calamari), Lomo Saltado (Good- NOT great; lacked seasoning) By far the best entree was the Churrasco a lo Pobre. The steak was perfect and the combination of acu-tacu, maduros (plantain) and egg offered complex flavors - good dish. Overall the food was not seasoned well enough for our taste or as expected. Deserts included coffee ice cream (oh um) and Mousse De Chocolate (awesome). The staff was friendly and helpful. Considering the overall experience, slightly high priced $170 for four (BYOB). However we will probably return for another visit.
(3)
Nikki A.

I want to like this place more, but after my second visit it just doesn't do it for me. This isn't my favorite type of food, but I can always appreciate great food of any genre. I really wanted to get the ceviche, but was told that they were out of ALL the fish for it. Um what? I really don't understand how you can be out of all the different types of fish. There are over five different types of fish on the menu. So that put a bad taste in my mouth. I came with my boyfriend and parents and we all shared everything. We ended up getting the mussels appetizer, which was a special and probably the highlight of the meal. It came in a chorizo broth. I would have liked more bread to soak it up with. We also got the chicken causas, which tasted like a better version of potato salad and the ensalada andino. For entree, we got the branzino (fish of the day), the Churrasco a lo Pobre, and the Tallarin con Bistec with the Pesto sauce. All the entrees were meh. Lacking in some flavor and quality of meat. We were also able to order wine to the restaurant from the liquor store down the street and it came super fast! Convenient because we forgot it is BYOB! All in all, it is a decent place, but next time I'm in Montclair I definitely want to try someplace new.
(3)
Matt D.

Delicious and great service. Alcohol is BYOB like most places in the area, but there's a wine/beer/liquor store right around the corner. As for the menu, I highly recommend: - Steamed mussels for a starter - Lomo Saltado or Tallarin Verde con Bisteck for an entree - Tres Leches for dessert, bar none.
(5)
Dylan K.

Really, really good. Not blow-your-mind good, but everything was delicious and done very well. Started with the mixed ceviche, which was excellent. I didn't really get the yam on the side of the plate, but the seafood was perfectly marinated and absolutely delicious. That grouper? Absolutely wonderful. For dinner, I got the lomo saltado which, oddly enough, came with fries. Wish I had known! Steak was flawlessly cooked and melt-in-your-mouth tender. We also got the seafood in the tomato cream sauce, which was superb. Pricey, but good. Next time I trek to NJ, I'll certainly be back.
(4)
Jason A.

My new goto favorite in Montclair. It's got flavor, it''s got variety, it's consistently great food. It may get overlooked because it is not a high end italian eatery that people head into Montclair for. It isn't the chic dining some are looking for either. Don't get me wrong, it's very nice, but it's Peruvian and they don't pretend it's not. Anyway, the first couple times I thought I just got lucky with a couple of good meals. This is not the case...it's always good. This Saturday we went there and everything was perfect. We started with an octopus salad that was a special. Awesome. Then the Ceviche Costenera.. very good. I had the Pork Belly special which melted in your mouth. She had a simple grilled Branzino that was as good as I had tasted all year. It actually had flavor and was a good size. For sides we had Quinoa and roasted Potatoes. Both were cooked perfectly. Listen...Costanera is not going to blow your mind with celebrity chef creations, but you will get a meal that you'll be happy you spent your hard earned money on. Of course it's BYO and we rolled out of there with a $106.00 check. Far from expensive for a great meal. Did I mention the green sauce is unbelievable? Give it a try
(5)
Jessica C.

I want to say that I was really excited to go to this place bc of all of the great reviews. After dining there tonight, honestly I don't know what the fuss is about. First of all, this place is expensive. My husband ordered the churrasco al probre ($31), and I had the seafood stew ($26). The portion for my dish was very small for the price. It was mostly clams and mussels which is not my fav. There was very little shrimp and fish. My dish was mostly broth and I had to dig to find the seafood in the broth. The clams were undercooked and tasted funny... Very fishy. I came home to have cereal bc I was still hungry after my meal. Mind you I'm only 5 ft tall. My husband said his dish was ok and that he's had better.
(2)
mari c.

Came here on a Saturday during lunchtime. They had lunch specials which were mainly seafood and sandwiches. Wasn't bad for the price, but we chose to go for the regular entrees. Hubby got the Lomo Saltado but with chicken instead of steak with rice. He said it was lacking sauce but it tasted okay. I ordered the Tallarin Verde with pesto. The steak was heavenly but i feel as if the pesto spaghetti didnt go well with it. I ate all the steak but half of the pesto. The chicha morada tasted too strong for my taste. I guess im too used to the grocery brand. Reason why i give three stars is because the service is horrible. When we came in, the restaurant only had like 3 tables occupied and the host had to figure out where to seat us. We waited a longgggg time for our food to come out. The place was empty. Why does it take so long. After our food finally came out, the waiter did not come back at all asking if we were ok.. Some ppl came in about 40 mins later and they werent allowed to eat because ur closing the spot for an hour to finish prepping for dinner? Umm ok thats retarded. So you'd rather not make money for an hour.
(3)
Amanda V.

I normally don't write reviews, but Costanera inspired me to start! I made a reservation for this past Saturday- my boyfriend and I made it right on time and we were seated immediately! The service was amazing, everyone was super nice. The place is tiny and the tables were a little too close for comfort (we actually had the table next to us ask what we ordered when our food arrived). For starters (which was what our neighbors inquired about) we had: -The Costanera Ceviche, I still can't stop dreaming about this ceviche! The flavors are impeccable, the tuna and shrimp were perfect. The onion wasn't too overwhelming- just perfect slivers of that zingy red onion to give each bite an elevated flavor. The only negative thing I have to say about this dish was that there was something off about the crab, it tasted like it came from a tin can...But everything else was amazing I was able to write that off. My boyfriend loves ceviche and I heard it was amazing here so that's why I picked this place...If you come here you must try the Ceviche. -Yucaitas a la huancania, I love yuca so I had to order this dish. I'm used to having papas a la huancaina but this dish made me change teams... The yuca was perfectly crispy and I love how the huancaina sauce came on the side so the yuca maintained its crisp and you can add sauce as you please. The sauce wasn't as tasteful as I would like, but still enjoyable. And I definitely enjoyed the yuca on its own. -Causa de cangrejo, I wasn't expecting a cold mashed potato dish to taste so amazing! I was confused as to why the crab in the ceviche tasted off because the crab in the causa was delicious. -Anticuchos, we ordered the chicken anticucho and wow... I love choclo and they serve their choclo with the anticuchos perfectly with just a hint of spice. The chicken was perfectly marinated and grilled. The only suggestion I have is to make the pieces of chicken smaller so the patron doesn't have to cut the chicken off of the skewer. For our entrees, my boyfriend ordered the churrasco a lo pobre and he seemed to enjoy it very much. I had a bite of his steak and wow, it was so flavorful and tender and the perfect char, they also serve it with the perfect sliver of red onions... I ordered the pollo a la brasa and I really enjoyed it. The chicken was perfectly tender and flavor was so amazing- I even ate the skin! Their platanos maduro were perfectly crisp on the outside and soft on the inside and tasted like candy, I love taking a bite of something savory with a bit sweet. We both had the tacu tacu and although it's not exactly like our favorite restaurant's tacu tacu (we go to Tia Delia's in Paterson for that) we still enjoyed it! I also read on yelp that tres leches was the way to go for dessert so I had to order it. Let me tell you, they do not disappoint when it comes to tres leches! It was perfect and I will not eat tres leches from anywhere else! My boyfriend ordered the passion and envy tea, it came out with a little pot and was delicious as well. Needless to say, we are definitely coming back! Kudos to the chef (whom ever they may be) the food was amazing and we can't wait to come back and try a different dish! To the restaurant owner- thank you for running such a quaint restaurant with amazing food, great ambiance and wonderful staff.
(5)
Janice T.

I really wanted to like this place but I was a bit underwhelmed. We started with the Tiradito (similar to ceviche)... and it was just okay... could have done without it. My husband got a fish dish which he said was decent and flavorful... but it's hard to mess up cod. I got the Lomo Saltado which is a hanger steak dish... and while the steak itself was nicely cooked at a medium, I was surprised that it came with ...fries... out of all things in a Peruvian restaurant. The restaurant itself is cozy, warm, and there is plenty of seating. I was also turned off by the fact that our waiter spilled some of the juices/sauce from our appetizer on our table and knew it... yet did not wipe it up. We ended up wiping it up ourselves because it was a rather big spill and we did not want to get it on our shirts accidentally. Last but not least, I was confused to as to why a group of 4 who came in after my husband and me, were served about 20 mins prior to we were... Like previous reviewers, the menu seems a bit overpriced for what it is. Overall, I give the place a 3.5/5.
(3)
Sara T.

Great atmosphere & good service. This is a great place for a business lunch or for someone being introduced to Peruvian food. However don't expect authentic Peruvian food. Saw someone devour a delicious Peruvian burger as I ate an Andina salad. It was good although I could have done without the quinoa. I was more impressed with presentation and choice of ingredients. Very nicely done.
(3)
Luisa G.

Costanera has ok atmosphere and food. I thought the service could improve, for instance our water was not refilled and at some point the waiter spilled sauce and it got on my shoes. I ordered the ceviche, which I thought had good flavor and seasoning, but I thought the dish itself was not well conceptualized. The ceviche came with sweet potato and hominy, all of which have similar texture to the fish itself. I thought that instead of the sweet potato, they should include something crispy such as plantain crisps.
(3)
Pradeep G.

As good as it gets!!!! perfect location, great ambience...and great food... I fell in love with the desserts so much that i had a to-go order of their FLAN :)...places with such unique preparations and flavor usually fall off on this section...no offense...but Costanera went an extra mile to cover that offer too... as far as the food goes...phenomenal... started off with the ceviche...very balanced on the aciditiy...not overpowering the flavor of the fish...its the right medley... for the main course...we had the rotisserie chicken....sliced angus steak(LOMO SALTADO) and the pan seared cod in spicy sauce.... all the three dishes passsed with flying colors...i had the sliced steak...extrememly juicy...i can have this plate again and again and i could still end up craving the juicy steak...no nonsense gorgeous looking plate... the rotisserie chicken was massive...half chicken on the plate with a side of rice...all a fabulous combo... Almost forgot abt the fried banana....yummm....we started loving fried banana from our trip to PR but this one has raised our expectations on fried banana... the Lucuma icecream was totally new...first time exploring the fruit...looks more like an avacado with the big seed inside...but a flesh of a mango...its very difficult to describe the flavor but a must try.... Pls also dont miss out on the FLAN as well... Enjoy food here...
(5)
Natalie J.

Absolutely the best in town for sure. I've been here like 4 times and never get dissapointed, Churrasco a lo pobre is a huge dish with a lot of flavors, meat perfectly cooked. Arroz Chaufa (Seafood rice) is a combination of asian flavors with paella from Spain. Service is great, and the ambiance is very cozy.
(4)
Andrew G.

First time eating Peruvian with my wife, and Costanera hits it on the HEAD. BYOB and alcohol served (we brought our own). Nice ambiance to the place, and the staff are very friendly. Parking may be a bit of an issue if you're not familiar with Montclair, but we didn't mind a little LOVER'S STROLL to dinner.... The food was GREAT. We split the Peruvian kebabs of steak to start, and we both got the same delicious dish for our entrees -- the skirt steak with pasta. Absolutely delicious. They have two sauces to choose from on the pasta -- a basil-based sauce and a cheese-based spicier sauce. The cheesier was delicious, and my wife's basil also was really rich. Both terrific. Steak cooked very well (Medium-rare), and all served in good time.
(4)
Cara B.

If you've never had Peruvian food, try it. It's not hot and spicy unless you want it to be, just very flavorful. The food here is excellent from appetizer to dessert. My dinner started with a grilled octopus salad special which although costly was delicious and worth every penny! Dinner was the roast chicken, very well seasoned and moist. Dessert was the chocolate mousse with lucema ice cream, fantastic! Our waiter was attentive and knowledgeable, answering all of our questions! One of my companions has dietary restrictions and he was very helpful in meal suggestions and being sure things were prepared for her. We all can't wait to go back!
(5)
Marc H.

Food coma at its best! Put it this way, by the end of dinner my gf and I both had to unbutton our pants!! We were there on a Friday @ 6 with a reservation and the place was empty but by the time we left at 730/8 the place was pretty packed. Table Top: Corn Nuts with Spicy Sauce - Really good but wish we had more. Appetizer: Oysters - Very Fresh and their homemade cocktail sauce is amazing. Fried Yuca - I am not a Yuca fan but holy hell was this stuff fried perfectly and the dipping sauce was delicous. Dinner: Arroz con Mariscos - Very Fresh, Very Tasty.. The rice was awesome especially topped with the raw red onions. Churrasco a lo Pobre - My girl had this and she tried really hard to finish it but she wasn't able to until the next morning for breakfast... Steak was cooked perfectly.. Dessert: Tres Leches - Simply Put - Jaw Dropping Goodness! Our server was very attentive and friendly. Price was a bit high but thats what you get when you go to a bloomfield ave. Montclair eatery. We will definitely be back but this time with more loose clothes, maybe sweats to make room for all that peruvian goodness....
(4)
J H.

This is nice... I was seated with my date in the back, which I hate, but the overall ambiance made it okay. The service was superb. I got the Nikkei Tiradito as a meal and the Yuca appetizer. Both very nice. My date got the fish special (Branzino cooked any way you like). He wanted the extra sauce with shrimp, calamari, and scallops on top and when it came without they quickly righted the wrong. The Branzino was pricey $34 plus $4 for sauce but date was very satisfied. The kicker? When the waiter asked if we wanted dessert I said, "even though I know you have Tres Leches I'll decline", he said it was on him. And it was scrumptious. The funny thing was by 8:30 pm on a Saturday, we were by far the youngest couple (in our late 20's) in a sea of white hair! Will return.
(4)
Montana H.

I came here for dinner. I'm not sure if it was because a large party was expected, but I felt that the amount of food given was extremely skimpy for the very high prices. I did enjoy the food and shared several items, but the prices didn't match what was received. Nice, warm atmosphere. Being a neophyte with regards to Peruvian food, will say it seemed like the real thing.
(3)
John P.

This place could be good. The food overall was. Ceviche was really clean and bright, and the lab shank was tender and tasty. The service was well intended amateur. Food took forever. My Peruvian version of a boullibaise had clearly waited forever for pickup. The seafood was cooked to death and the broth was tepid. Fresh and hot it would have been pretty good except shelling snow crab at this table was out of place. It took us 3 hours to finish a simple dinner. That was mostly waiting. It was a not very busy Sunday night
(2)
Julie L.

My favorite Montclair restaurant. Ceviche is fantastic as well as the steak dishes. Oysters and clams on the half shell are tops. Never had a bad meal here and the service is excellent. A no brainier-go!
(5)
Rachel R.

A hidden gem. Really enjoyed my meal here. My group of two got soup and starters. The "bowl" of soup was huge! Food was delicious and the service was friendly. The menu had a range of items so everyone would be able to find something.
(4)
Stine B.

The food was amazing. The muscles are to die for. The only complaint is the fish waas so delish, but was such a small piece. Def recommend!
(5)
Thomas B.

Having visited family in North New Jersey this past August, they wished to take my wife and me to a nice dinner. As I have been to Peru, they chose this location, the Costanera. I ordered their Parihuela Costanera. I found that it had a good taste, but as it came with shellfish, in the shell, there was a problem, broken shells of various sized pieces. When I brought this to the attention of the staff, no one really seemed to care. The chef even came to the table, and olny said "this happens". Well, it will NEVER happen to me again at this restaurant again, NEVER! I would NOT recommend this restaurant because of the staff and their attitude towards their patrons. It is totally unacceptable.
(1)
Chris B.

Delicious ! Cannot wait to go back !
(5)
Praba B.

My FAVORITE restaurant in Montclair. I last came here on a Friday at 8:30pm. Not too crowded, probably didn't need to make a reservation but the crowds here are hit or miss so it's never a bad idea to be prudent. Ordered El Ciudadano (and lol'd at my incredibly white boyfriend's attempt to pronounce "El Ciudadano") from the raw bar menu, and holy crap did it hit the spot. The assortment of OYSTERS, clams, jumbo cocktail shrimp, salsa-stuffed mussels and a small bowl of ceviche were all nestled in a bed of ice, accompanied by four delicious sauces. Everything was fantastic...the seafood tasted fresh and not too briny, and it was fun to explore the different sauce-seafood combinations. I pretty much want to order this dish every time I go to Costanera from now on! Next course was Pollo a la Brasa paired with a side of Maduros. This pollo is ENORMOUS. My very hungry boyfriend and I had a hard time finishing it...but don't get me wrong, the chicken was delicious. Tender and juicy inside with crisp and flavorful skin, accompanied by the most bangin' spicy mayonnaise I have ever tasted in my life. The maduros, as always, were caramelized to perfection...although every time i order them I always wish they gave more because I kill them off so quickly... And I left elated (and looking 3 months pregnant, but whatever~) once again. Costanera has never let me down and I really hope it never changes! :)
(5)
O K.

Friendly, attentive service without being overbearing. No less than five different staff members said hello and thank you as we came and left. Hanger steak and vegetarian duo was delicious. Yuca and green salsa were our favorite parts of the meal. Nice decor. Would return.
(4)
Byrne B.

Sometimes, the most beautiful rainbows come from the darkest of storm clouds. That describes my dining experience at Costanera quite well. I just posted a review of the incredibly poor experience I had trying to eat at Cuban Pete's just down the street. I won't repeat it here (pls check out my review), but my group walked in here as a second choice. Never again as it will be our FIRST choice from here on out! I'll keep this brief: Octopus. Never had it and never wanted to. And then BOOM! Costanera completely blew my bias against it to smithereens. The appetizer was one of the most delicious things I have ever eaten. And all of the entrees were delicious! Staff was completely on point as well and the prices were very good. I suppose my only complaint is that it is a bit cramped between the tables, but honestly if I could give 4.5 stars I would. EAT HERE!!!! EAT HERE NOW!!!!! EAT HERE LATER!!! JUST EAT HERE!!!!
(4)
Monica P.

Food was just okay. Nothing special and Not worth the price you're paying for "Peruvian" cuisine. Best item I had there was the flan.
(3)
Jennifer K.

I'm surprised this location is even open, especially in an area like Montclair. The service was terrible. The waiter never once asked us how the food was or if we wanted refills.
(1)
Ruth L.

Came for third time and it still doesn't disappoint. Bring a good bottle of wine and a few good friends. Have the ceviche - any of the three on the menu will do, make sure you order lots of seaford and the yucca fries. Secret: if you want a ceviche that is less acidic, request your wait staff to ask the chef to make it Ecuadorian style.
(4)
Brian U.

Overall the food was pretty good. I'll give Costanera that. But it was over-priced. Is this the Montclair/Bloomfield Ave effect? Anyway, overall our experience was lacking. If you're curious to read more about why I gave it two stars, here's my story. We're contemplating moving to Montclair and thus have been spending a lot of time in the 'hood. So much so that we wanted to find a nice place for Father's Day lunch and found Costanera's highly rated on Yelp. I typically find my fellow Yelpers accurate, but overall our experience was below average. We made a reservation for 1pm. We were running 15 minutes late so I called ahead to let them know. The guy on the phone was okay with it, but understandably asked to notify him if that changes, presuming because they were busy with it being Father's day. When we got there, the place was near-empty. Really? When we sat, our waitress was very sweet. And new. She helped take our orders and brought over a manager to help my wife select a dish based on food allergy issues. A few minutes later our appetizer came out. We ordered the fried yuca, which was yummy. We scarfed this down and unfortunately we sat there for 35 more minutes until our food came. And during that time, no one came to ask if we wanted more table snacks or refill our water. If they were really busy I might understand but the place was maybe at 20% capacity at absolute maximum. Were they out catching the fish? What took so long? I don't mind if the food takes long to prepare, but at least just tell us. Is that asking for too much? As I stated in the beginning, the food was actually quite good. My wife and I had steaks, both of which were well prepared. My dad had the fish which looked good. My mom had the chicken. She wasn't very impressed, but then again, she's a difficult woman to please! When we were ready to go we noticed two funny things about the check. First, we were charged for something that we were told was part of our meal. Not a big deal. But what really irked us was they charged an automatic 20% gratuity for our table, a party of 4. Automatic 20% gratuity for a party of 4. In New Jersey. Reread those sentences. I overheard a manager "educating" our new waitress that it's something that they do a. for holidays (I kinda get that, but this place was EMPTY) and b. for the customer's convenience. But if the customer asks, they're glad to take it off. What do they think, this is our first time eating out at a restaurant and we wouldn't know any better? My eyes were doing backflips because they rolled back so hard when I heard their explanation. I understand this is a business and they are here to make money, but this sort of BS from (presumably) management is utterly disappointing and somewhat disgusting. Again, the food here was good. I hope this was a fluke set of events, but if this is how they are run, I do not plan on supporting owners like these in the future.
(2)
Rita A.

This restaurant was delicious. We had reservations for 8pm and were seated instantly. They immediately opened our bottle of wine (byob!!) and gave us the specials of the evening. Food was great! The potato cakes with crabmeat were great and the chorizo app was excellent! Our entrees were wonderful and the tres leche dessert - oh wow!! And the staff are wonderful - attentive and so kind .
(4)
Marinela S.

I wish there were a zero star rating. When I first walked inside this place I though, "wow, dark and tight but ok". After placing our orders, some time went by without our starters so we waited and sipped on some wine, they brought some food out. When two guests were eating they stated they messed up and grabbed the already eaten food from them. Who does that?! So you'd either resell those eaten foods to customers or throw it away?! Ridiculous, the entire meal was awkward after that. We were constantly being ignored. Hey pretend they can't hear you ,when they're so close their ass is in your face. Don't come here the food is mediocre, not hot, and underwhelming while he prices and "ambiance" don't correlate. I asked to be moved to a table near the window and was told they were so busy when literally 80% of the place was empty. Pass on this place and try literally any other Peruvian place where the food is actually hot and not mediocre as well as worth the price.
(1)
Kim K.

Great place for vegetarians and carnivores alike! Fresh food that is VERY reasonable in price.
(4)
Mark B.

Went to dinner with another couple and had a great meal. In contrast to some of the reviews below, I had no complaints about the service. In fact, I found the service both friendly and efficient. Waiters explained dishes carefully (we had a food allergy concern), replace dirty silverware including knives with clean ones between courses (wish more places did that), and replaced my napkin with a clean one before dessert. On to the food. Three of us had appetizers. I started with a grilled octopus special. Not the most tender octopus I have ever had, but tasty with some sauce on the bottom of the plate, chopped chorizo and arugula with a tangy citrusy dressing. Others had Causas and chicken Anticuchos. I can't vouch for them, but I was told they were good. For main course we ordered a Branzino special, Lomo Saltado, Pollo a la Brasa, and Parihuela. Each entree was served with a side of your choosing. Parihuela is a seafood stew. The broth had a nice subtle taste... plenty of flavor, but not as garlicky as a Mariscada or Zarzuela at a Spanish or Portuguese restaurant. Bread might have been nice to soak up the broth. I used a spoon. The Pollo a la Brasa was pretty a classic half of a rotisserie chicken. My wife had it with a flavorful, but slightly sweet Quinoa salad. Our friend cleaned his plate of the Lomo Saltado. Our other friend loved the fish. We only got one dessert, Tres Leche, which lives up to its other reviews in these pages. We also ordered a beef heart Anticuchos to go (our son has become something of a foodie). He thought it was decent though not the best ever. We ordered it when we ordered dinner and was pleasantly surprised that we did not need to ask for it a second time. Parking in Montclair is a pain in the neck on a Saturday night, but that was the only negative to our night out. We'll be back.
(5)
Meryl H.

Terrific night out! Appetizer of potato and artichoke was tasty, chicken a la brasa (roasted) was so flavorful it did not need the accompanying dipping sauces. Best maduros (sweet plantains) and tres leches cake I have ever had, anywhere. Service was upbeat and attentive, even though the place was packed. Don't miss the green hot sauce given at beginning of meal, i thought it had more flavor than the dipping sauces that came with the chicken. Can't wait to make a reservation (a must!) and go back!
(5)
Jane L.

I love Peruvian food and eat it most of the week for lunch since I work near big Peruvian community. I was excited to hear about this restaurant since its not too far from where I live and folks, you have to try this place. It's clean, fresh, refined Peruvian food at its best!! If you love seafood please try seafood bouillabaisse. It's amazing!!! And my husband enjoyed the hanger steak. I'm going back real soon.
(5)
Sebastian H.

I came back with a friend yesterday and this time I brought an open mind with me as well. My 3.5 stars are now officially 4. Everything was just as fresh as the first time I ate here. This time I started with the East Coast oysters wish were delicious. 5 stars on the shucking job. The oysters slid right off the shell with zero grit. I had the costanera ceviche this time, which comes with arctic char, shrimp, and crab. It was delicious. Very refreshing with the perfect amount of heat. I skipped dessert, but my friend ordered the tres leches. I gave it a try, and 5 seconds later I ordered myself a tres leches as well. This is probably the best tres leches I ever had. Melt in your mouth delicious and delicate without being overly sweet. I am so glad I came back here. This place has good food which is elevated to great because of the fresh and quality ingredients they use.
(4)
Astami B.

Out and about on a Friday night and me and my date were off to try something new. I'm always skeptical but I need this. I need a new palate experience. As we enter the dimly lit restaurant, we are greeted by a man with a pretty rad smile, we decide, it's worth a shot. And let me just say... I love Costanera! Ambiance: Amazing customer service. I mean, really... I haven't been at a restaurant where I came out remembering just how ridiculously kind and attentive everyone was without being overwhelming. I truly appreciated the impeccable service. Food: Oh, the food... spectacular. Their Pescasdo A Lo Macho was such a delightful dish. I had the Churrasco A Lo Pobre and I couldn't stop Yumming! Everything was so good! I'll definitely be visiting again soon... very very soon!
(5)
Catherine O.

For lunch today I ordered the Duo Andino Vegetariano, which they veganized it perfectly and with ease. The Quinoa Salad (made with almonds, tomato, dried cranberries, lime citronette) is the best I have ever eaten. The iced tea (Lili'uokalani tropical black tea) was very good. I will definitely go back again. Excellent service, nice atmosphere and very clean. I recommend this restaurant - another fine place to eat in Montclair.
(5)
Emily D.

What a wonderful night with a friend! The atmosphere is cozy and the staff attentive. We had the Costanera Ceviche, which had a pleasant kick to it. For entrees we had the Lomo Saltado and a braised short ribs special-- both were melt in your mouth tender. All of the items we chose had a healthy balance of flavors including heat, salt, sweet and savory. This will definitely be my new go-to spot in Montclair.
(5)
Jon G.

I love the ceviche mixto and the Mariscos Picante is incredible, especially with a side of the tacu tacu rice.
(5)
E Z.

Amazing appetizers! The tiradito was perfect, the causa was perfectly seasoned and filled with a generous portion of lump crab meat. Unfortunately, not the same can be said for their entrees. Their portions are pretty big but they definitely use an unhealthy amount of salt and apparently nothing else to season. Besides being salty, the food is quite insipid and overpriced. This restaurant is a great place to bring a bottle of wine, fill up on their amazing appetizers or go elsewhere for a main course.
(3)
Rob P.

Very unique and VERY friendly staff. Want someone different and good quality come here! Bill will be on the higher side but you get what you pay for. Seafood was fresh and not fishy!
(4)
Greg B.

All good. The black bean soup was excellent, although I prefer it served with plenty of chopped white onions while this had none on top. The Oyster po-boy was delicious, light with a lime taste. My GF loved the flan. We also had a side of steamed potato, which was excellent but very small.
(5)
Sue U.

A bit pricey, interesting menu... All the items we ordered came with the same dressing so I guess that's their specialty. We had the grilled heart as an appetizer and also tried the soup. Nice dim lights, good atmosphere, average food...
(3)
Bif P.

Food was excellent and the staff was knowledgeable and friendly. I was impressed how much our waiter knew about the menu, it almost seemed like his family owned the place. I had the steak which was marinated and cooked to perfection and we had some of the best mussels we've ever had. Yacu yacu was great. Highly recommend this place. Get there early because as in the case in Montclair parking could be a real pain.
(4)
Danielle M.

Excellent food and great service. I actually used this venue for my sisters baby shower... All of my guest were impressed with their meals
(5)
Michelle C.

Excellent place to go on a date, or with a small group, the environment is perfectly intimate, although sometimes a little bit too dark. Food was excellent and well portioned. In my group I usually order a bunch of appetizers and share everything. The chicken skewers were deliciously seasoned, and were very tender. The huancaina sauce is divine, I couldn't stop eating it, especially with the yucca fries. I would highly recommend this restaurant.
(4)
Heidi W.

I am obsessed with the steak/pasta meal at Costanera - so terrific.
(5)
Wendell M.

High expectations not met. Went with another couple. Nicely decorated, candle lit vibe. BYOB. Ordered mussels app special, causas w/crab and a ceviche. All were pretty good. The mussels in red sauce had an nice kick to them, a nice change from the average red sauce for mussels. Downhill from there; entrees were not impressive. Chaufa de Mariscos was sent back for being so salty as to be inedible. Arroz con Mariscos was fine, but very disappointing as good Peruvian food always has a nice unexpected flavor and this was pretty much what you would get at any average restaurant serving this dish, Mexican, Spanish, etc. No seasonings (guess they were all used up on the other dish). Waitress was unexpectedly concerned and responsive about the salty dish however - unexpected because until then it was as if she had been carved in stone and was squarely between being unpleasant and pleasant. They redid the dish quickly and it was reportedly better, but still not good. Two had the Lomo Saltado, and neither finished - and these are men not finishing steak. For one, it was the first time a dish has gone unfinished! Waitress remarked on that and the unfinished less salty dish with some concern. Flan and "organic ice cream" were good desserts. The ice cream had interesting flavors - one scoop of each; almost tasted non-dairy in a way but it was good. Sadly, will not return because I love Peruvian food too much and this was just average.
(3)
William S.

They put aji verde on the table as if it were butter. Nice array of seafood options. Nice atmosphere and decor. Good service. They also had an $11.95 lunch special advertised. I will be back for lunch.
(4)
Steph B.

This place is great. We came last night (Friday) and had a 45 minute wait, but that was okay because the great food made it worth it. The restaurant itself is pretty small so there is likely always a wait on busy nights. I read other reviews that said it was empty around lunch time so I think I'll definitely come during the day when I can. As for the food, ahh where do I start? I guess with the starters, LOL. We had the causa con cangrejo, which was pretty yummy, the jalea, which was delicious and the oysters that were on special for the night. My main course was the Churrasco a lo Pobre, which isn't actually a churrasco, but a ribeye and delicious nonetheless. It came with tacu-tacu, which was to die for, maduro and a fried egg. Everyone else had something different and they enjoyed their food, but I think mine was the favorite. For dessert I had the Besitos de chocolate, chocolate mousse basically with whipped cream and fruit and cinammon. Loved it! Our waiter was Caleb, a very nice guy and honest about his favorites and not so favorites on the menu. He kept our waters filled and our orders came quickly. Will definitely be coming back!
(4)
Brian H.

Chef is a CIA graduate and the food backs it up. Lunch specials are a crazy good deal. Cilantro chicken soup is outrageous. Fresh tasting and full of flavor. I like to get their burger, topped with greens, onion, tomatoes, served with rice and beans. The burger has a fried egg on top, served in a brioche bun. I believe its NY state farm raised beef. The rice and beans are made into a sort of mash, then crisped on the flat top. As for hot sauce. It tasted homemade and was green, so perhaps poblano or serrano? You also get this delicious purple drink that is very sweet. All this for like $13. TOP quality food here. Another gem is the waiter, I wish I knew his name. He has glasses no a mustache and is a total pro. Knows the menu and is super kind and sweet. Don't let this guy go! Once got a huge, free slice of flan which was super nice, and super tasty.
(5)
Dawn A.

Recently visited Costanera for dinner with friends and was very pleased with both the food and the service. I'm always on the prowl for decent NJ restaurants and based on my experience, I'm pleased to add Costanera to the list. The food was delicious (as a vegetarian, I was pleased to have options) and the atmosphere was just right for the occasion (a good crowd, not too noisy, not too crowded). Made reservations for a Friday night about a week in advance without problem. One note for anyone planning on making reservations - don't expect to be seated until your entire party is present and accounted for (in my case, my date and I were running late and our friends who had already arrived had to wait until we got there to be seated). Aside from that minor drawback, I had no complaints about my night at Costanera.
(4)
Angel E.

Very good food. I had el Churrasco a lo Pobre and ate the whole plate and not because the serving was small. Very nice to have dinner with friends or nice date night.
(4)
Peter C.

Have dined here twice. Really love the place. Every dish we have had is great. Bring some great South American or Spanish wine.
(4)
Sibs S.

Been for lunch and dinner - both were very good.
(3)
Claudia G.

Great Causa and Lomo Saltado, nice little addition to Montclair. I'm a fan and will come by again.
(4)
C T.

Ceviche , Atlantic cod. Try them and they were amazing. Lamb burger was tasty. Service was great! Portions could be larger but now I'm complaining. I'll try again but I love Peruvian food.
(3)
Matt K.

We really enjoy this restaurant.
(4)
Neil G.

fabulous restaurant. really unusual menu. Excellent service and the BYOB help keep the cost down. They were a bit backed up for our reservation and the host brought us our chilled wine to the street where we waited and chatted with some of the other people waiting. It was really pleasant. We've been three times and are never disappointed
(5)
Bob D.

Quicker and less expensive than hopping on a plane to Peru, but this is definitely the next best thing. Very nice and classy place, and the food was very good. We had the ceviche to start....was really good, but I have had better. I think they used about 3 limes too many, because it was a bit too tangy. The ribeye though, was excellent. Would give it 6 stars if I could! Been to a lot of good steak places in the area....Morton's, River Palm, Ruth's Chris, Peter Luger's....and I can honestly say this steak ranked ahead of all of them. The sides were excellent as well; the tacu-tacu, fried plantains, and fried egg were all great. Not too much of an atmosphere; this is more if you want to take your wife or g/f out to a nice, quiet dinner. Can't wait to go back and try some of the seafood entrees....
(4)
Sara P.

Loved the atmosphere and food of Costanera... plus it's BYOB. I came with a group of four on a Saturday night around 8 PM (had a reservation) and the place was not too crowded. We could have easily been seated without a prior reservation. We ordered the Mixt Ceviche and Chicken Skewer appetizers, both were absolutely delicious. For entrees, we all split two dishes - the Seafood Fried Rice and the Pollo a la Brasa. Again, both dishes were wonderful. My only criticism is if you have an appetite, order more. Portions were perfect my group but we are not hefty eaters. The service was typical, nothing to complain about. The windows and front doors were all open which brought in a beautiful breeze throughout the night, perfect for the Spring and Summer months. The music was not too loud, so you can actually have a normal conversation without having to yell across the table. Prices are reasonable, as well. I highly recommend Costanera for any type of outing and will definitely be going back to try more items on the menu.
(4)
John M.

Really good Peruvian food. Friendly staff, and great ambiance.
(4)
Marylisa K.

Went for a catch- up dinner with a friend and the food was terrific. Service was friendly and attentive. We knew nothing about Peruvian food and the waiter was knowledgeable and helpful. A little pricey, but delicious
(4)
Adam R.

A wait is a wait but a reservation should mean something. I will NEVER spend a penny at this place. I sat in the back by the toilets for an hour last night listening to the hostess tell me she would rather us wait (party of 6) than upset the customers who had occupied the table for two hours by asking for the table (party of 4). Her sentiment did not change after they sat at the table for 40 minutes after paying the bill!! There were 3 other groups stuck with us in the back ALL WITH RESERVATIONS who ended up leaving without being seated. We went around the corner to Epernay which is just so good, and they could not have been more accommodating to our group in terms of finding space and making a table for us at 945pm (yes they were still packed then). MY POINT IS THAT YOU'RE RESERVATION IS NOTHING MORE THAN AN EMPTY PROMISE. AVOID
(1)
Jennifer T.

The restaurant was very cute inside and the menu had a nice selection of appetizers, and entrees. Service was extremely slow. It took twenty minutes to get a straw for my friend's child, and we finally had to ask another server for one. A coke that we ordered also never came, that took 30 minutes to come. There was more than one server for the entire restaurant, but our server was not attentive to our table, and all of the servers were running around looking flustered. As an appetizer I ordered causas. They were mashed potatoes layered with avocados, and you have a choice of either artichokes, chicken, or crab as a filling. Well never having had Peruvian food I didn't know the mashed potatoes were cold, but that's ok I'm open to eating new things. However, there was no crabmeat served with our causas. Since things took so long, we were starving and ate it anyway since our server never came back to check on us. And when I questioned about the crab not being in there I was given a look and I was told she would check on it but that was it. There was no follow through, so I paid 14$ for cold mashed potatoes with spicy mayo decorating the plate. The entrees of lamb shank was excellent. The meat fell off the bone, and this was served with beans and yuca. The flank steak over pasta would have been excellent but both steaks were not cooked as order. They cannot cook medium rare or rare, both were charcoaled. The pasta is extremely cheesy, more like a macaroni and cheese, but it was delicious, so rich you cannot eat in one sitting. The chicken also comes out cold, not warm or hot. The chicken and the lamb are also served with a side you can choose. The portions were generous servings, the sides were small, but you didn't need much bigger since the entrees were so filling. Tres Leches cake you must get. It was one of the best I've ever had. My friend had the chocolate mousse, which is served with various fresh fruits and a unique ice cream that almost has a smoky flavor to it. The coffee is as strong as mud, I'd avoid it. I had to put the entire pitcher of milk in the decaf and still could not drink it, and I love coffee.
(2)
Avisha K.

This is my absolute favorite restaurant in NJ. I have been here about a dozen times, and every time I am thrilled with the food, waitstaff and experience. I highly recommend the oyster sliders to start with and the blackened fish of the day or roasted chicken for the main course. Besides GREAT food, the service is excellent and that's why I keep going back. Try them!!! You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Mike K.

A great cuisine with excellent service. Stop the debate the cerviche is not spicy and ever course through desert is worth the exploration.
(4)
Carla L.

I was there like a motnh ago (couldn't get to write a review afterwards) with friends and this was their first time trying peruvian food... what can I say: they were beyond themselves! love the food, the decor, the ambiance.... hard to say which dish was our favorite.... everything was Superb! the duck, the lomo saltado, the clams... WOW! John is such a great hostess. Him, Sindy and the rest of the staff were constanly visiting our table, making sure that everything was ok... I felt SO pampered! . AND of course I cannot compliment Juan (the chef) enough!!! Costanera is doing a great job by bringing a little bit of Peruvian flavors to Montclair...... visit the restaurant with an open mind.... the dishes are not going to look the way you are used to, BUT the FLAVOR is still the very same!!!! Keep up the good wok guys!!! Carla Leguia and Friends!
(5)
Sam L.

I was here last week on a Thursday night catching up with a friend, and I thought this place was great! A really cute place if you want to take someone out on a date! We sat by the open windows, which, I mean, it's Montclair, so there's not much you can do about the view of CVS/Pharmacy across the street, but my friend and I are both pharmacists, so it was appropriate! They have these little popcorn things with this green spicy dip that were delicious. It was like fresh popcorn. The menu itself has a lot to offer, if you're not overwhelmed by the Spanish descriptions, however the waiter was really friendly (and cute) and dealt with our numerous questions about the menu. One of his recommendations was the "Pescado a lo Macho," which had some spice to it. Luckily that night they had sea bass and so I had that a lo macho and it did not disappoint! I also had the side of the quinoa, which was interesting...it had some cranberry in it so it was nice to have something a little sweet with the spicy fish. (Quinoa is a whole new thing for me). My friend ordered the Chaufa de Mariscos, which kind of reminded me of paella just from looking at it, but she thought it was delicious. We were stuffed afterwards, but when the waiter told us the dessert options, we decided to try this cookie sandwich thing...it was like a soft caramel sandwiched between this crispy cookie and had a maple/dulce de leche flavored ice cream on top. It was amazing, but we couldn't finish it because we were so full! We also had some coffee, which they make with a french press. My friend was so amused; she had never had french press coffee before! The ambiance was great, not too loud, and lighting was good. It helps that it was also a beautiful day. Overall, great experience, great food, and not overpriced at all. I definitely look forward to coming back!
(5)
Pete L.

What an amazing find. It's a quaint BYOB in the middle of town. Came here for Mother's day and my mother's birthday, she loved it! You just can't compare any other peruvian restaurant to this. Everything on the menu is great. The ceviche is one of the best i've ever had. It's always packed so you must make reservation at least a day or two beforehand. I understand how popular this place is now. It's priced somewhat high but it's just right for the quality you food you receive. You save a allot of money when it's BYOB. I'll recommend this to all my friends and family. You cannot miss out.
(5)
Sarit L.

Oh my good, fantastic food, the saviche was amazing so as the seafood soup, I wish I had some bread to dip in the gorgeous soup. Everything is fresh and the owner and chef was very helpful, he came over and help us decide on the orders. Will defenately go again.
(4)
Uchejo N.

I really enjoyed this restaurant. Went here with a group of friends and we all enjoyed it. Good food, good service, and byob! The space was a little tight, but it made it more intimate so I had no qualms. I would definitely go back to this place!
(5)
Lola G.

Came here for a weekday dinner with friends. Service is good, food is great, and it's BYOB. The place is good for an intimate dinner or a small group.
(4)
Brian N.

I went here a few months ago, I believe the restaurant was fairly new at that point (or maybe it was just one of the few that mi favorita had yet to experience.) We had a great time that night. From start to end our service from the multiple waitstaff was outstanding. I recall them being extremely attentive, but not at all in an annoying sort of way. We were having difficulty deciding what to choose from the menu, and the waiter worked out some ideas for us, that were a bit different than how offered on the menu, but perfect for us. They were very eager to please. We ended up sampling quite a few of the appetizers/tapas style (many from the acompanantes menu, plus they had a specials menu - dishes like marinated scallops topped w/parmesan, yuca fries w/sauce, and ceviche to name a few) and the we split an Escabeche de Pescado entree dish that was delicious. I believe we also had at least 2, maybe 3 desserts that night as well, of which escape me at the moment. Something chocolate, something with berries comes to mind. They also had a nice assortment of teas to choose from. Mi favorita enjoyed her tea so much (Once Upon A Tea,) I looked it up on-line later to buy so she could enjoy it at home. I just remember we had a really fun night here, with the many different dishes, talking and joking with the staff, laughing and good eats abound; it was a great time.
(4)
Lucy L.

Great lunch special. Love the special blue corn drink. Will come back and try their dinner.
(4)
Trang N.

It wasn't my birthday, it was my friend's ... small technicality. But hey it sure didn't stop me from eating and acting like its my birthday ... I'm a jerk like that. It's a BYOB eatery, and thank goodness we came prepared. 3 Bottles of wine for the 4 of us. What better way to start off a birthday special than to order a round of oysters and colossal shrimp cocktail. And they sure meant colossal. It was a definite great choice of some of the freshest seafood to start off from the raw section. Nothing like finishing off the first course with the Ceviche Costanera. While it was top on my list of great ceviche, but that bite of spiciness didn't win over a couple of people in my group. Everyone in the group orders some sort of fish dish, me, well I was in the mood for chicken. I love Peruvian Chicken a la Brasa style. It's hard though to conjure the idea of paying $14 for half a Pollo al Brasa. I'm use to paying that amount for a whole from the eat and go joints. But I always need to reflect back that I'm paying for some ambiance with some great people. My dish - delicious! I felt I needed to brag so I did some sharing with everyone else. One bite and soon I was seeing forks coming from all directions. While I did try a little of everyone else's dishes, it was good; but just not as good as mine. It's definitely a nice place, and one to add to the regular restaurant list for a nice/special time out.
(4)
Natalie R.

I was really excited to try Costanera. I ate there for lunch on a Saturday with a friend. The restaurant's ambiance was beautiful, especially the large front window. There was only one other couple in the restaurant and the waiter still sat us in the back near the kitchen. He proceeded to inform us that they did not have empanadas or pollo a la brasa. Apparently, they do not serve pollo a la brasa for lunch only dinner. This was a big turn off for me because it was the whole reason why I was trying the restaurant in the first place. The only way to truly judge a Peruvian restaurant is on its rotisserie chicken. I ended up ordering the oyster po'boy and my friend ordered the lamb burger. Both dishes were very good, but overpriced for the amount of food. I probably will give Costanera another chance, but only for dinner. I really hope the portion sizes are better on the dinner menu.
(2)
Charles P.

The food was extraordinary. The ceviche was fresh and alive with layers of flavor. The cod fish entree was perfectly cooked - flaky,moist, and the sauce completely accented the flavor of the cod. Loved the TacuTacu. My wife is a vegetarian and she loved the preparation of their (unfortunately) one vegetarian entree option - hopefully the number of options will change. Can't wait to go back and try the dishes I watched go by to other tables. The ribs, mussels, and fried oyster dishes looked fabulous. The ambiance is casual and everyone had a very good time. Reservations are a must. Charles P
(4)
Catherine C.

Love this place! We came here for a Saturday lunch to celebrate a birthday. For starters, we had the Traditional Ceviche and the Causa de Cangrejo. The ceviche was really good. The seafood all tasted fresh and the lime juice looked it just enough. The Causa de Cangrejo is a very interesting dish. It's described as potatoes filled with crab. Sounds like it would be warm dish but it's actually cold. It's a circular cake looking thing with layers of mashed yukon potatoes and in the middle is crab. This dish was AMAZING! I was surprised by how much I liked it. I never knew crab went so well with potatoes but it does. For entrees, we had the angus beef, osso bucco and the whole fish of the day. All the entrees were really good. The beef was cooked just right. Loved the tacu tacu that was served with it. It's like a hash brown made with rice and beans. The osso bucco was cooked to perfection with the meat falling off the bone. It was served over mashed avocados. The meat sauce and flavor was so intense, it almost completely masks the avocados flavor but it's nice to have the avocados there to be able to slurp up the sauce. We had the whole fish poached. It was my least favorite entree but it was still lovely. I think I prefer the fish fried. For dessert, the waiter was kind enough to give us a complimentary flan. So good!!!! The waiter was very nice and friendly. He introduced us to Chicha, which is a corn cider, and we all loved it. The restaurant was pretty empty when we sat down but got way busier as time went on. There was only 1 waiter so at times the service was slow. However, I think the waiter made the best of everything and really did a good job time managing his tables.
(4)
Edward G.

I have a non-review review. I live right near the center of Montclair and eat out often. I know that reservations are required at many of the restaurants, but most of the establishments that thrive find a way to get you in without a reservation (granted you may have to wait 30-45 minutes). We walked into Costanera and asked to be seated...we noticed there were no less than 5 empty "4-tops" (it was only 2 of us). They told us we would have to wait 2 hours. We walked around a bit and gave our name at another restaurant right next door and were able to be seated within 20 minutes...in those 20 minutes I kept passing Costanera and noticed that only 1 of the 5 empty tables were seated... I realize this is a relatively new establishment, but this was a miss on their part. I am still interested in trying this place out, but I guess will have to make reservations a good amount in advance to ensure seating...although, we often decide to dine at the last minute. Hopefully, I can update my review in the future.
(2)
Greg F.

Came here for lunch, and one waiter/door/phone guy handling everything but handling it *well*. Server was polite and professional, I was impressed! No issues whatsoever, but they may want to make sure to have more than just one gentleman to handle everything out of the kitchen. Had the burger, and was really good, and my wife had the shrimp sandwich. Soups (black bean, as well as chicken) were delicious! Overall, we really liked this place and will be back again to try the non-lunch menu.
(4)
Dennis M.

I came here with my gf to check out some Peruvian food. I used a groupon to eat at this restaurant. Some of the most innovative fresh food I have had in a while. Rich in flavor but not heavy. For appetizers, we tried the Tiradito Tradicional (peruvian sashimi of fish dressed with a spicy aji rocoto cream). The Tiradito Tradicional is delicious because of the fish is fresh and sauce is tangy. I ordered a Seco Norte (aji mirasol braised colorado lamb shank, yuca, frejoles canarios) and my gf ordered a Churrasco a lo Pobre (grilled black angus ribeye, tacu-tacu, maduros, fried egg). The shank lamb for the Seco Norte is huge and the fried egg on top of the rice makes it taste good. Costanera is True Peruvian style but something for every one here. We all shared so we could taste as many amazing dishes as well. It's BYOB so you can have a terrific meal at a great price. Ambience is fun and cozy.
(4)
Jennifer M.

I ate at Costanera with a couple of my girlfriends last week. We had a great time! The place is a lot smaller and more intimate than I imagined from viewing the website, but it was just perfect for dining. The decor was really nice and the volume was not overbearing. They were out of a few things for the day but they told us as we were handed our menus - greatly appreciated!! We ordered a bunch of different things and I can't say that anything we had was bad or even questionable! My favorites were the Chori-papa and Churrasco a lo pobre! The only reason that I gave a 4 instead of a 5 was that the service was incredibly SLOW. We were in no rush and were enjoying conversation over our wine (its a BYOB) so it was no bother, but I could see it being a problem.
(4)
Rich K.

great little place..first time trying peruvian food and definitely wasn't disappointed! very surprised by the flavor of everything. i really hate cilantro, but even though most of the dishes i had contained cilantro (and it wasn't really masked), they made it work. had the chicharron de pescado starter - delcious! fish was perfect, not too dry and the quinoa crust was delicious. for the lunch combo i had the quinoa-crusted oyster po' boy. flavor was great, but to be honest, didn't really taste oyster whatsoever. aguadito de pollo (their twist on chicken and rice soup) was so flavorful and delcious. again, the cilantro flavor was definitely present, but the overall flavor was so good. the staff was very kind and explained the dishes as i had never had peruvian food before. will definitely go back to try out some other recommended dishes. tres leches cake was a disappointment, but overall the meal and experience here was great!
(4)
Diane B.

I dined here for the first time last week and was pleased to find my first exposure to Peruvian cuisine (and I emphasize cuisine!) a delightful one. I agree with previous yelpers that atmosphere is nice/cozy, love the wood walls. The appetizers we ordered were a delectable variety of fish dishes ceviche mixto, Causas with crab (a unique item), and from the land, the kebabs were very interesting (some chicken and beef heart) the corn cake with crisp bacon was a fave. Estofado de Cordero (lamb) was delicious, so tender it fell of the bone and loved the spinach mashed potatoes that came with. The cod was also very good - not being a huge fish eater, I definitely found it mild and flavorful, but not "fishy or salty". We barely had room for dessert, but glad we ventured into the realm. My personal fave was the dulce de leche with the crispy wafers and vanilla ice cream, but I did find the Peruvian Lucuma ice cream a big wow -- a new and very unique item - hints of maple flavor blended with some others. Nice! Oh, and I have to make special mention of our server Eric. He was not only knowledgeable about the food, but educated me on the wine I brought! Overall I would definitely go back since there were quite a few more enticing items on the menu we want to try!
(4)
Les N.

It doesn't matter how good the food is and this food is good if you can't enjoy it. A seeming policy of moving tables in 2 hours leads to a constant harassment by multiple waiters to the point where we were actually asked to vacate our table as others were waiting. First time that has happened. Complaints to the manager provided no satisfaction. Pity, this place knows how to create great Peruvian dishes but who cares if you can't enjoy it.
(2)
Ricky T.

this place is only good for a first date or a business meeting, basically if you want to impress someone. just cross over to the next town over in West Orange and theres like 5 peruvian restaurants which are a lot better portion wise and price wise.
(1)
Nicole G.

Friday night has become date night for the hubby and I...last weekend we tried west african food, it was a disaster, two weeks before that, Morrocan food in New york which was delicious. This week, was hubby's turn to plan date night and he chose Trinidadian cuisine, but by the time we worked out, showered and got dressed, the restaurant was closed ;-( so he had a plan B which was a french restaurant in Montclair, this was closed too...womp, womp. But the good thing about Montclair,N.J, is that there are so many restaurants to choose from so we just drove down the strip, it was about 10:30 P.M. and we both spotted this restaurant, it said Peruvian Food we've had this cuisine before at Pio, Pio's in new york and it was pretty good, but the food was a bit heavy so we were somewhat skeptical but we decided to go for it anyways! When we entered we were greeted by a nice guy who told us our table would be ready shortly, we were so glad they were not closed because most of the restaurants in this area were! He sat us near the back of the restaurant away from a larger party, it was very intimate and the candle on the table added a romantic ambiance which is always nice! And the restaurant itself is really pretty and dimly lit, which puts you in a sexy mood ;-) or maybe that's just me! Within one minute a server asked us if she could get us drinks, we declined, we were just starving, so she gave us our menus and about 5 minutes later another server approached us. We were still undecided because we were not familiar with the dishes. He was patient and explained them in detail and recommended a dish to both of us. I ordered the traditional Peruvian Rottiserie chicken with tacu-tacu- which is peruvian rice with some type of hash, it was delicous and the portion was BIG, I took the rest home...the hubby ordered Pescasdo A Lo Macho which was great too, and the plantains were on point!!!! We were too stuffed for dessert this time but when we return which we will! We will pace ourselves so we can enjoy some sweets too! As we left we were thanked for our patronage which is always nice, because up here you don't get a lot of southern hospitality, and when you do, it surprises me, sad...but true.... Great food, great ambiance, decor is beautiful and detailed, service Amazing, we will definitely return. I'm giving it 5 stars because I think it's better than Pio, Pio in new york and if I don't have to make a commute all the way to new york for good eats than you get 5 stars from me!! Yay Costanera!!!!!
(5)
M-C R.

I liked this place. 5 stars except that I docked a restaurant last night for being BYOB so just to be fair... Good service, though, and good food.
(4)
Kim B.

Really good food. Not the greatest portions... BYOB and excellent service. I will make any excuse to come back. Like telling people I know this really great Peruvian place that's right around the 30 minute corner. Except I'll leave out the "30 minute"... they'll forgive me after they've eaten.
(4)
David R.

Gotta say that we really enjoyed our first experience at Costanera last night. We had planned to dine with good friends and wanted to stay local, but didn't want to hit the usual places. Our friends are carNOvores - fish eaters, mostly - so they recommended Costanera as a pescafile's home base. We got there before our friends and cracked open a nice bottle of Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio to get into menu mode. Our waitress (whose BF is the owner/chef, so she said) was friendly and prompt and took care of us with celerity (not something you'd find in a bloody mary). Our buds showed and we ordered a variety of ceviches - all of which were quite nice and they ordered a couple of different fish dishes al fondo (meaning mains here). We stuck to animal protein in the form of half a dead chicken. Yum. OK, so it's not Lima, or Iquitos, or Agua Caliente or the Pisac Market! So what? You want real autentico comida Peruana? Hop on a plane. See you on the Inca trail swilling coca tea. This is Montclair, for God's sake. We'll definitely go there again. In six months, maybe, after we've eaten everything in our freezer. By the way, they offered to fillet the fish and they brought plenty bread refills no charge. As they say in Peru, "La via del tren es peligrosa!"
(4)
Susan T.

The service was perfect as were the dishes. We have only been there once, but we sure will be back again as soon as possible.
(5)
C S.

We saw them on groupon and decided to try something new, I think we found a new favorite local place. Everything we had was great. I'm a vegetarian, and often at nice places I struggle to find something to eat. I don't know why nicer places neglect their vegetarian customers, but it can be frustrating when there's a menu full of delicious looking fancy meaty options that come out with gorgeous presentation, and I have the obligatory pasta or veggie burger. This was thankfully not the case here! My Duo Criollo Vegetariano was inspired, creative and delicious. I couldn't have been more pleased, especially the carapulca half, ohmygod was that good. Usually I pick off raw onions and give them to my boyfriend but the lime soaked red onions on top were amazing. My boyfriend had the Seco Norteno, I didn't try it for obvious reasons but it looked pretty great as the meat was literally falling off of the bone as he ate (he sarcastically said, "not tender enough"). We shared the Causa Vegetariano, and while I don't usually go for mayo, I liked it. Then again, I like almost anything with an avocado in it. Very nice display too. They're byob which is always a plus, you can bring what you know you like and it's cheaper. The waiter was nice, the food came out fast, all in all a great meal. The only downside was that they have a $20 minimum on the credit card. Since we had the groupon, we only had to pay an additional $11. Luckily I had a 20, so we ended up leaving a $9 tip (on a $46 bill) instead of the $10 I was planning on leaving.
(5)
michael k.

This place has developed a loyal following and I'm not sure why? Food was OK, a bit heavy handed on the spice, but when you finish your meal with a simple tossed salad that leaves your lips and tongue burning, it was too much for even me! Service was on the less than competent side. We had ordered a bunch of appetizers for a meal which were bought out all at once, despite our request for staggering. Given the pitifully small size of our 2 top, don't know where they even thought it would fit. Sent some back to wait til we were ready and were asked 4 times if they could bring them. They seemed upset we didn't order dessert and short changed us on our change at the end. No apologies made!
(2)
Romeo S.

The rib eye was great. I definitely recommend.
(4)
Inna P.

Well, it was just OK. I wasn't impressed. Skirt steak was blah (could use more seasoning and dipping sauce), lamb shank was overcooked and ceviche had too much lime juice. Next time I'm in the mood for Peruvian food, I'll go to Bohemia Latin Cuisine in Bloomfield.
(3)
Sid G.

Based on food I would have given a 5 star. But wait on a Saturday night was well over an hour to get served. Came in over an hour before a movie, and when we were were finally ready for service, they said that in an hour's time (or less), they could only serve us like four cold food items in order to make the movie. We opted not to do the movie, they felt bad, we got free desserts. It's a small place, but the food was good, so prepare just in case if you have somewhere to be after on a weekend night.
(4)
Tom P.

My wife and I decided to come to this place because we were recommended my mother-in-law which may I add is Peruvian. The meals here have amazing flavors. We have come to this place many times and at the same time my wife and several of her friends have come here as well. Like most of Montclair it is BYOB. I would recommend making reservations because it is hard to get a table if you walk in. I have ordered the ceviche (we have ordered all three kinds of them on different occasions) and will say the best is Mixto. We have also gotten the Causa (we as well also ordered all 3 different ones) would say the Limena was the best. Another one we also order was the Huancaina. Tasting it I would say it was a tease because I would have liked more but then again you have to save room for your entrees. As an entree I have order the estofado de osso bucco it was so tender and literally melted in my mouth. It was so good I could have had another dish. My wife order the Tallarin Verde con Bisteck its basically skirt steak with their green sauce which she expressed to me that it's very traditional meal in Peru. Other visits we have gone we also ordered the Lomo Salto which is very basic I would say if your a first timer at Peruvian food then start with this dish. Other delicious plates I would recommend are Pescado de Mariscos, Pollo a la Brasa, Pescado a lo Macho, and Chaufa de Marisco. Our 4 year old son also ate there and loved it Let me add hes a picky eater but then again what 4 year old isn't. The dessert was good we order the typical Flan nothing special. It's a must try if your in Montclair NJ.
(4)
Soche R.

phenomenal peruvian food: roasted corn & hot sauce, ceviche, causa, tacu tacu (not pictured)
(4)
Steve G.

Costanera offers Peruvian food which is decidedly upscale, and predictably delicious. The dining room is cozy, a bit dark, with curious slices of logs serving as a wall covering. We have usually found the staff here to be gracious and efficient, they're also a bit quirky. Pushing two tables together to seat a party of 7 seems to be an "impossibility" here, and their mishandling of Groupon promotions is widely known (and personally heard). The food, from the addictive roast corn brought to each table through desserts, is good enough to keep crowds coming back. Portion sizes are merely adequate, at best. The cerviche is citrus-heavy and delicious, and we've enjoyed the marinated skirt steaks. There is a potato and crab dish, whose name escapes me, which is frequently the craving that brings us back. An interesting dining experience; recommended.
(4)
George G.

Really nice Peruvian restaurant we decided to check out since we got a GroupOn coupon. According to the nice waiter, the restaurant attempts to take peasant food and serve it in a fancy presentation using higher quality ingredients. Reservations are required but oddly there were very few people when we arrived. We were seated at a small table lit by a small candle and poured the bottle of wine we brought (its byob). Really nice setup with the wood slices on the wall and the metal sculptures on the other side, supposed to represent sea and land, respectively. Ask the waiter for an explanation, the history of the place and how it was designed is quite fascinating. Now lets get to the food. While we were deciding on what to order off the wooden menus, we were served corn nuts with aji sauce. This was quite delicious and were pleased the waiter brought more when we finished them. Decided to have the causa vegetariano as an appetizer and seco norteno as an entree. The yukon gold potato cake was different but quite good. The braised lamb shank was my favorite with the meat falling off the bone. Food was quite good and we finished our wine, opting out of desert. Water service was very good and we were quite hydrated. The total came out to 45$ approximately but with the GroupOn coupon was effectively 25$. Our cost was only 11$, and were disappointed to find out there was a 20$ credit card minimum. Surely you would rack that up quite quickly for dinner, however, if you were to come here for lunch be prepared to come with cash. In summary, not a bad place which is a little on the pricy side, however, the byob makes the difference. Given the GroupOn it was a great value.
(4)
Scilla M.

This place is pretty good, but not all the dishes are authentic peruvian. My parents lived in Peru for 20 years, and though they enjoyed the food, they were disappointed at how nontraditional some of the dishes were. That said, the food was still tasty. The Seco Norteno was quite good as was the Pollo a la Brasa. One negative comment about this place is they charge you for everything. We ordered the Chaufa De Mariscos which comes with an onion salsa on top. When we asked for a little bit more of the salsa, they charged as $2.00. And they charged us another $2.00 so we could take some cancha home. There were five of us dining and we each had an app and a main course. Our dinner came out to over $200, the least they could have done is given us these two little things for free. One final note, the wait staff is quite friendly. There was always someone around to serve us wine or refill our waters.
(4)
Phil M.

What a delightful evening. Went on Christmas Eve and were rewarded with everything firing on all cylinders. Service was excellent from moment we entered to the warm holiday greetings from the owner or manager's family when we left. Our server was Justin and he helped our party of four make sure we had an excellent tasting of their signature dishes. We started off sharing for four the salad, a delicious potato layered salad, and an assortment of potatoes and yucca. For dinner we also shared the excellent special braised short ribs, skirt steak (seasoned perfectly), and a delightful bouibaisse (well made entirely with fresh seafood). For dessert we shared an excellent authentic and beautifully crafted parfait with Peruvian rice and purple corn pudding as well as a pastry, caramel and rich vanilla ice cream topper. Even the coffee was perfect. A french press and a couple lattes. Our expectations were exceeded by this well run, nicely decorated and warm restaurant. I noticed that many of the guests were also from South America so that speaks to the authenticity of the restaurant. Price was reasonable, very convenient to shopping and parking. What else could you ask for. Merry Christmas to All. Only one suggestion. Carry an LED flashlight if you are over 65. It is very dark in creating a relaxed atmosphere.
(5)
Wesley T.

I went during the preview period, so my review may be a bit off if they have made tweaks to the menu. The owners of the place were very nice. It may have helped that I spoke Spanish, but I got the full run down of the history of the business and the thinking behind some of the dishes. The menu is a mix of traditional and twists on traditional. Personally, I would have liked to see more dishes from different regions of Peru. Seafood was awesome. Rices were great. Dessert was great. Service was poor. Im hoping that it has improved now that they should be hitting their stride. I'd give it another shot and would recommend it to others. Good to see Latin food thriving in Montclair alongside Cuban Pete's
(3)
Dan E.

Food was good. The Civiche and the oyster sliders are recommended! Service? Just okay. They had no wine glasses ready and had to wait 20 minutes before we had to suggest they just put the wine in some water glasses... Had to wait and search out our server to get water, forks, etc... We will, however, consider going back.
(3)
Rachel K.

One of my favorite places in NJ. I moved away from NJ and come back twice a year for work. This is now one of my favorite places. Everything was outstanding, the mixed fish cerviche, the corn/nuts, the green sauce, and the Lomo Saltado was stellar. I wasn't as crazy about the tres leches but who cares...dinner was amazing.
(5)
Angel E.

Very good food. I had el Churrasco a lo Pobre and ate the whole plate and not because the serving was small. Very nice to have dinner with friends or nice date night.
(4)
Gloria S.

I went here about two months ago and I'm still craving the Tres Leches dessert! Yummy! I don't know much about Peruvian food, but everything we ate was good. Of course if you like seafood you have a lot more choices than if you don't. The ambiance was very nice and it's dark but I like that because it is more romantic.
(5)
Steve N.

i had dinner with a group of college chums at Costanera the other night. The ambiance is relaxed and informal with low lighting. We started with a round of appetizers which were perfectly prepared. The steamed mussels were cooked to just the right tenderness with a delicious sauce. Oyster po boys were delicious. I had the steak; again perfectly prepared, smartly seasoned but just enough to compliment to the beef. Lots of great Peruvian choices on the menu, including multiple seafood entrees. The red snapper was also very good. As others have mentioned, it's BYOB but there are liquor stores within a block. Service was very friendly and helpful. This place is a gem. Perfect for dinner with friends or a romantic evening. Probably not the best place for smaller children. I didnt find parking to be an issue but i did go on a Wednesday night , which i'm sure makes all the difference. Note the restaurant only accepts two credit cards per table, which is just weird and a bit awkward when diners are trying to split the bill. They should change that policy.
(5)
Frederick L.

Have been back a few times since my original review and have to re-emphasize to my fellow yelpers just how good this restaurant is. The recent review they got in NJ Monthly will hopefully bring more folks in...the food here is just so good, every bite makes me happy. Started last night with octopus tiradito, with a delicious and subtle chorizo/olive aioli. Our favorite cod/quinoa "fish sticks" (don't know how else to describe them) and papa rellenos with chorizo. So much better than any standard patatas bravas. We shared the steak with spaghetti, with aji huacahina sauce--simply one of the best mac & cheese dishes you'll ever try! cheesy, with just a little heat, nice and creamy, and the pasta cooked al dente. Brought along a good beer to drink with the food and we were so satisfied. For dessert...little shortbread sandwich cookies filled with dulce de leche. We rolled out of there. Very good value for your money here, and in spite of what a few yelpers say about service, our service was flawless, with the owner (and chef) continually present. If you haven't tried Costanera yet, do not hesitate.
(5)
Amy K.

I went with my cousin to celebrate our birthdays - and what a delicious celebration it was! We shared, first, a dozen oysters. The mignonette sauce, flavored with yellow Peruvian chilis, was excellent. Then we shared a ceviche traditional; I agree with other reviewers who said it's very citrus-y and tangy, but we loved it! And then we shared a special that night, duck, served with a wild rice that also had duck meat cooked into it - the slices of duck were perfectly rare & delicious. The darker meat shredded into and cooked with the rice made for an almost beefy flavor, very intense. The meal was not inexpensive, but we felt it was worth what we spent. I will definitely come back here with my husband.
(4)
Beth M.

Went here on a Saturday afternoon. Place was relatively empty. Asked waiter for table for 4, he said he'd seat us in a minute. Came back and put us at a table by restroom in back. I asked for another of the many empty tables and he said it would take 10 min to set up. He was not friendly when we sat down at the table he made us sit at so we got up walked out and went to an Ethiopian restaurant Mesob next door and had a fun meal.
(1)
John W.

We stopped by on a Friday night, with no reservation, not expecting to stay if there was a wait. Got lucky with a table for two. Had the Ceviche Costanera, the best ceviche we've had. The salad with quinoa was tasty. The whole fish special, a bronzini, was grilled to perfection; had the same delicious dish at Prune in the east village not long ago, and this was better. We also tried the peruvian bouillabaisse, excellent. Our only mistake was self-inflicted-- polishing off an entire Suspiro de Limena, a sort of dark chocolate parfait, decadent enough to demolish any moderation we had hoped to sustain. Service was great. Have leftovers for lunch. Bill for two came to $92 before tip.
(4)
Kim M.

We went there last night. We Were going to go to Cuban Pete's but didn't want to wait an hour. We took a chance on Costanera's because we wanted to try something new. What a nice place. The waiter and bus person were so polite. The service is great and so was the food. We will definitely be back again soon!
(4)
Dan C.

I had a meeting here, and was surprised to see that the restaurant was surprisingly quiet. It was nice to grab dinner here, though I will say that service was slow. Presentation of our food was beautiful in a very detail-orientated, meticulous way, but did the taste match the visuals? I had ceviche with just enough other spices and flavors to make it engaging, but none of our dishes were out of this world. I'd be hesitant to get a standard salad or burger item here, but enjoyed the ceviche. A bit too pricey, I think, so I'd only really come here again for a business meeting. Otherwise, nice joint with some interesting dishes.
(4)
Evelyn C.

First and last time visiting costanera with a party of 7. I felt that the fried potatoes were too greasy and the other juancaina with papa and yucca was not how Peruvian traditional serve it. I can only say that I tasted the lomo and it was extremely salty. I could barely eat it. Very one that ordered it said the same thing. Spent half the night drinking water. I have eaten at many Peruvian restaurants and have traveled to peru and this had to be the worse version of lomo!!!! The worse part of the whole experience was that the waiter spilled the lomo sauce all over my husband and we did not even get an apology and the manager never came up to us. At the end of the meal they told us to call on Monday or Tuesday so the owner can pay for the shirt to be dry cleaned. That's it! I was expecting at least dessert and an apology. We did not even bother calling for the 3.50 for dry cleaning. Lost consumer! I really think a real restaurant with decent consumer service would have handled this differently!
(1)
Chess D.

I dined here to redeem a Groupon I had purchased. My companion was a business client, and I was treating her to a birthday dinner. REPORT CARD Ceviche Costanera (appetizer) = A (nice flavor, two can share) Escabeche de pescado (sea bass entrÃ©e) = B (swimming in sauce) Waiter = B+ (did not offer to pour a drop of wine) Pollo a la Brasa (entrÃ©e) = C (white meat very dry) Prices = C (inflated) DÃ©cor = D (brown, bland, boring, consisting of slices of tree trunk affixed to walls; not a single gorgeous, vibrantly colored Incan textile was visible anywhere. Some have called this "ecodecor" or "green," yet all the dining room lights used polluting incandescent bulbs rather than energy-efficient CFLs. Moreover, the main dining room was too dark and cloyingly hot. Customer Service = F (A business is built one customer at a time and will thrive or die by the customer service it provides when problems occur. To follow is what happened when the check came.) The female co-owner of this restaurant (I'll call her Bette) subtracted my pre-paid Groupon from my bill. So, my remaining balance came to $18.50, which I wanted to pay with a credit card. Bette came to our table and refused my card, braying that Costanara had a $20 minimum. "How come," I asked her, "you neglected to inform me of this policy when I spoke to you three hours prior to confirm my reservation and your credit card policy?" Stoney stare. Silence. Isn't a $20 minimum rather high? I asked. Well, the credit companies charge me a fee, Bette replied, so I have to pass this charge along to customers. Well, gee, thanks, I thought. "But we're talking about $1.50 shortfall here," I replied. When I further pointed out that this policy was not posted in the restaurant or anywhere on the menu or website, Bette gave me a hostile stare and appeared to be gnashing her teeth (!). Not only did I feel frustrated by Bette's lack of communication and unprofessional indiscretion at my table, but also mortified when my client--my guest--insisted on using her own cash to pay the remaining balance/tip. (Had I been informed of the $20 minimum earlier on the phone, of course I would have come prepared, with cash.) As a final insult, the second owner (Juan) called me the next morning not with an apology but rather to accuse me of "inappropriate contact" with Bette. Apparently, Bette had told him I pulled her by the arm. When I expressed my incredulity, Juan said he "had it on security tape." I asked him if I could visit and view this tape. He refused and began lecturing me about how we do business in America. I called my dinner companion shortly after, who confirmed that yes, I *had* asked and motioned for Bette to move a few steps over to the counter with me so we could continue our discussion privately, but never, at any time, touched her in any way. It was clear to us that Bette had lied to her partner, Juan, acting preemptively to cover her professional ineptness. That Juan, who wasn't even present that night, saw fit to call a customer on a Sunday morning with an untrue allegation was insulting. The owners of this restaurant have serious communication problems. In summary, the first owner pulled some fuzzy math with my paid Groupon (which my itemized receipt clearly proves) and failed to adequately explain a rigid (and possibly illegal) fiscal "policy" or be logically flexible. The second owner had the audacity to repeat a serious accusation about a customer to the customer yet deny the means to prove it.
(1)
David M.

This eatery far exceeds my expectations. I've been here 3 times and haver had one complaint. It is not cheap, but is absolutely worth every penny.
(5)
Elizabeth S.

My husband and I have eaten here a few times. For the sake of brevity, I won't dissect every menu item we've ordered. Basically, everything has been consistently delicious, interesting, unique and satisfying. They have many classic Peruvian dishes and portion sizes are perfect. The food is memorable and it's always on our list of possibilities when we're looking to eat out. I particularly enjoy the huancaina sauce...I could eat that stuff with a big bowl of rice and yucca. My only gripe is that they can be understaffed and as the restaurant gets busier in the evening, the service noticeably begins to suffer. The waiters are always very friendly and welcoming. However, there are too few of them and they sometimes appear saddled with too many responsibilities when the restaurant is full. They are running around taking orders, making drinks, removing dirty plates, handing out menus, delivering food from the kitchen, making coffees and desserts at the bar, etc. Where is the manager to ensure things are running smoothly in the dining room? To make sure customers are happy? To help the waiters if necessary? Like other reviewers here, I've declined desserts and coffee a few times simply because it took so long for a waiter to be freed up from the other tables and bring over the dessert menu. And by then, the best the waiter can do is a "drop and go" where he leaves the menu and takes off for the next table, where someone else has already been waiting as well. I really enjoy this restaurant. I think it's a special place and I look always look forward to dining there. For me, the only missing component is that little extra attention, oversight and participation from a manager who can provide support to the staff and make sure the customer is having a great experience there. It won't keep me away and won't keep me from recommending it. However, I consider Costanera to be Peruvian fine dining, and so a certain level of service is anticipated and truly appreciated.
(4)
Brad Q.

In spite of my wife's running dialogue comparing this or that to how her mother makes it, we all had a great meal. Standouts included the Ceviche, the Chupa De Camarone and the Lomos Soltado, but everything I tasted was good-to-great. Fried Yuka was light and crispy - yes, "yuka" and "light" sound like contradictions but they were really excellent. Only problem is that the portion size was a little small... thankfully, we were able to solve this problem by ordering a 2nd plate of them :). Entree portions were perfect, some were a little bit generous, but none were small. Chupa De Camarone was spiced VERY nicely. Delicious with perfectly cooked shrimp. It was a little hot, but not so spicy that my 2 year old wouldn't eat the shrimp from it (in fairness, after each bite he asked for water, but he kept coming back for more bites, which he doesn't do if something is *really* hot). Pollo A la Brassa was delicious, but the breast was just a little drier than I hoped it would be. Lomos Saltado was,literally, the *best* I've ever had. This is a dish you'll find on almost any Peruvian menu (and I've seen a few, having been with my Peruvian wife for 10 years)..., and it's almost always the same. Here the steak was delicious and juicy - unlike the typical rubbery pepper steak that usually does more damage than good. Seasoning was superb - so good that I'm still thinking about this dish 3 hours later as I write this review. Finally, I've seen mixed reviews of the service... I guess we were there at the right time (5pm on a Saturday?), because our service was outstanding. Attentive but not invasive. Everything came out in good time, and our glasses were never empty. We'll definitely be back for more... I actually can't wait :)
(5)
Veronica B.

Never again! Had dinner with 6 friends there last night. Not only did 2 of us get our entres after the other 5 were finished, but I ordered the fish special after being assured by our server that it was filleted perfectly and there were NO BONES. From the first bite I knew I ordered the wrong dish. But because I had SUFFICIENTLY PICKED THROUGH IT TO FIND SOMETHING SANS BONES, I was told "I should have sent it back right away" and that I had eaten enough to have it considered "acceptable". Sorry, but picking through my food to find a morsel that is edible is not what I consider an enjoyable meal. And our server could care less and a manager would not even come to our table. Considering we spent over $300, I say never again. Being in a customer driven profession, I know how important it is to go the extra mile. NOT HERE. AND NEVER AGAIN!!!
(1)
Kathy S.

Good food, server explained all sauces & answered questions regarding the main courses. Plenty of choices & the appetizers were all excellent. Nice atmosphere, it was a quiet night when we where there & we were not rushed through any of the courses.
(4)
Eli P.

My wife & I dined at Costanera for the first time and had an excellent meal. They start you off with roasted corn & hot sauce which was a nice change from the usual bread & butter. We had the Costanera Ceviche which consisted of crab, arctic char & shrimp, and was extremely fresh & tasty. My wife had the pan roasted Atlantic Cod with spicy seafood sauce. It also contained calamari & scallops & was delicious. I had the Osso Bucco with spinach potato puree, shitake mushrooms, & balsamic-onion relish. It was awesome. Chef Placencia is extremely talented and adds a nice modern day spin on classic Peruvian food. My wife & I eat out twice a week on the weekend, & will definitely have to add this restaurant to our regular dining rotation.
(4)
Kendell B.

Wow! I'm so glad I found this place. They are relatively new, in the old home of the former "Udupi Village," which was also a great place that I miss dearly. Anyway, what can I say, every thing was authentic and delicious! The seafood was amazing and that aji sauce-yum yum. It was packed to the gills, and I can see why. The staff was super friendly and food came fresh and in good time. I'll definately be making regular trips to this place.
(4)
Jonathan S.

Upscale, tasty Peruvian food served by friendly staff in a nice atmosphere. Always dependable. If you like ceviche and haven't tried tiradito yet, I suggest the tiradito traditional.
(4)
Lisa P.

The food is quite tasty, except the tamale. It had one chunk of dry meat in it and was just about the worst one I've ever eaten. The portions are generous but still very expensive. The waiter was nice but a bit over loaded so not on his game. He forgot two of our sides, but in the end we were too full to have eaten them so no harm, no foul. The seafood was very fresh and very large. All of our food was good and a step above the usual food you get at a Peruvian/Ecuadorean/Colombian restaurant but priced as though it were haute cuisine in NYC and that it isn't.
(3)
Matt S.

We went last night to Costanera. We have become bored with our usual restaurants that we dine so we decided to try new restaurants and cuisines. Costanera was our decison. We got there a little early for our reservation. They gave us a table near the reception area which was a little busy. I requested a few other tables that seemed to be open (for 2) but they said they were reserved. Oh well, I was hungry. We sat down and our waiter came over. It's BYOB which we love and opened our wine. He told us if we have any questions, please ask since this was our first visit to a Peruvian restaurant. We did have a few questions and he answered them. He also made a few recommendations which I appreciated. We went with the Ceviche Mixto Tradicional which is a lime marinated seafood cold appitizer dish and Conchitas a la Parmesiana which are a warm scallops in a lime and cheese sauce. We shared both dishes which were totally incredible. My only complaint was that there were only 4 scallops, could have used 6. But the flavor of both dishes were incredible. For dinner, we ordered Charrasco A Lo Pabre (rib eye with Peruvian rice and canary bean hash with a fried egg over the hash and maduros) and Tallerin Verde Con Bisteck which was a fettichini is a light pesto/ citrus sauce with Skirt Steak. Both dishes were incredible. I had a bite of my wife's pasta and it was fantastic. I really don't like pesto sauce but this one wasn't too heavy and was right on the mark. My dish was the rib eye and hash (with egg). First time I ever had steak and eggs for dinner (LOL). I must say it also was outstanding. We both shared our dishes and agreed the food was outstanding. We wanted a cup of coffee and found out it came in a french press. Again, a very nice touch and the coffee hit it the spot. Our waiter recommeded Combinado Classico for dessert which is a Peruvian Rice Pudding topped with pineapples, appricots and papaya. I will not be eating today...Bottomline, we went to Costanera with a Groupon Coupon not knowing what we were getting ourselves into. Now we know and we can't wait to go back...
(4)
Steve G.

Remembering our 2003 trip to Peru, we jumped on this GroupOn and are glad we did. The ingredients and tastes were similar enough to our mostly peasant meals on the Inca Trail and in the Amazon rain forest but with sophisticated preparation and presentation. Now vegetarians eating out, we were somewhat limited at Costanera but pleased with our choices: Causa Vegetariano, Chicharron de Pescado and Duo Criollo Vegetariano. Wrapping up we had the Combinado Classico, decaf French Press and a chocolately/minty hot tea, which was rich and deep. And this was enough food without feeling either hungry or stuffed on the way home. Our waiter was very knowledgable about the restaurant, whose chef/owner's father owns a traditional Peruvian restaurant in Kearny. Agreeing with another Yelp reviewer, decor is the weak link, representing the piers as if seen from the sky.
(3)
Linda Y.

We've been to CostaÃ±era several times now and the duck special turned us into huge fans of this place. One of the best duck dishes we've ever had (and we've had a lot). This is one of our top choices for special occasions and we always call ahead for the duck special.
(5)
Philip F.

Let me start by saying I am not familiar with peruvian cuisine but hope my review is helpful any way. The following are things I liked about the restaurant. They seated us at exactly the time of my reservation. The decor is attractive and the host and waiters were friendly, enthusiastic and efficient. We ordered a salad and an entree. The salad was a mixture of so many different ingredients and one of the most tasty dressings I have ever had. It was also HUGE. If it had been topped with a protein, say a grilled salmon filet, it would have been a complete meal. We did not finish the salad because we still had the entree to come. My entree was a baked cod in a citrus sauce. it was cooked properly, but I felt the sauce it was swimming in was a bit dull. My partner ordered the peruvian style osso bucco and commented that it was not terrific. In final analysis, I commend the owners on their staff and training, but I will not be in a hurry to return.
(3)
Chelsea V.

As a terribly picky eater (as well as one with several allergies, including seafood), I was incredibly skeptical of Costanera. However, the staff practically bent over backwards to make sure that my experience was exceptional. Great food and no use of an Epipen required.
(5)
Michelle S.

We visited Costanera last week on Friday. Very crowded. Interesting menu. Food was only so-so. Service was mediocre. Waiter was not very knowledgeable. One person in our party ordered the grilled whole fish and when it arrived by itself with nothing else on the plate....asked to have it filleted. The waiter said sure. Then another waiter came out and said that the restaurant's "policy" is not to fillet a fish for anyone. He tried to tell us how to do it and not well at that. We later learned from the other waiter that the chef really isn't good at filleting the fish. What? If you can't fillet a fish then don't serve it whole. And what kind of Chef can't fillet a fish!
(1)
Nina W.

Pleasantly surprised by this new offering on the Montclair scene. Love the walls which are done in round wood slabs (with bark attached). Nice, helpful waiter who gave us good recommendations. The Ceviche Typical included octopus, calamari and a whitefish, very flavorful and good. My husband had a whole grilled striped bass--although it looked rather lonely lying by itself on the plate, and was a bit dry, it was well seasoned. I had a chicken dish advertised as chicken breast in a sauce--wouldn't order it again but it was okay. I think the best things on the menu may be the ceviches and the raw bar offerings. The flan was tasty but had a strange consistency, like a slice of sweet rubber. But we did like it and will go back.
(3)
Elizabeth S.

As a local Montclairian, I've been dying to visit this new restaurant and it was absolutely worth it! What first hit me when we walked in was the sensual ambiance of dim lights, music, and smell of delicious food. Our waiter was extremely helpful and the food was delicious. Can't wait to come back again!!!
(4)
Sandra V.

I was here in July and I'm just starting to write reviews on Yelp. Okay this place would have gotten 4 stars for the food but the terrible service made me give it 3 stars. Now I'm not too picky and I'm pretty understanding when a place gets busy but our waiter was just terrible. The place was nice and really good for a date or just out with friends and family. On to the food.... I'm pretty familiar with Peruvian cuisine since my BFF( lol ) is Peruvian. Instead of serving you the typical bread and butter, they give you what is called "canchita" with a tasty green sauce for dipping. Not spicy at all. My friend and I ordered the traditional Ceviche which was very good. Nice, light and refreshing. I asked if they could make mine a tad spicier but I didn't think it was spicy at all. My friend ordered the skirt steak with the spaghetti and pesto sauce. He said the skirt steak was a little overcooked which can happen but he enjoyed the pesto sauce and spaghetti. I had the Pescado a Lo macho served with Jasmine Rice. I loved it!!! The slight spicy sauce, fish and scallops was just perfect!! I absolutely recommend this dish. I asked my friend if he would order the same dish he had he said no he would try something else or order the dish I had. Now we WERE planning on ordering dessert but the waiter had us waiting to order that part of the meal for about 15 minutes. By then we were already annoyed and decided to just ask for the check. Surprisingly he brought the check within a minute. The waiter was very personable with other tables but seemed very off with us for whatever reason. My friend complained to the Manager of the establishment and said this was the first time she has received a complaint about him. My friend basically told her he never complains about service and is pretty understanding when someone gets busy but this was just bad service. She noted my friend's name to the computer and assured us that the next time we stop by we will be taken care of much better. This is a BYOB and they may have soft drinks which we were never offered so we just had some H2o. So the food was good, service was terrible but we will give it a try again.
(3)
Lyzeth S.

My husband and I had dinner here in mid-October and we both loved our meals. I had the ceviche appetizer and it was great. I also had the Pescado Escabeche which was very yummy. For dessert we had Lucuma ice cream - soooo good. We will definetely be back and the portions were just right. Highly recommend this place and while I am not Peruvian, I am hispanic and I really liked it.
(4)
Andrew S.

Great food, excellent service. The waiter (as well as the host) made some great recommendations for appetizers. Definitely going back with friends. Bring an appetite!|
(4)
Christine S.

We tried Costanera last night. I noticed the "new" sign as I drove up Bloomfield Ave and thought we should try it. We were very pleased with the food. I had the Cerviche which was very fresh and delicious. Mine had crab, prawns and tuna. The Quinoa salad was so flavorful and spiced just right with almonds and dried cherries. My friend had roast chicken which he enjoyed and my husband had a tamale which he seemed to enjoy also. The decor was very nice with Peruvian wall art and a tree trunk motif on the wall. The service was friendly but a bit slow since they were quite busy with a larger group. I saw a hiring call on the website so I'm sure that will improve once they get staffed. I will def return. It was a very nice experience with good food and a good atmosphere.
(4)
Elysa S.

Stubbled upon Costanera last weekend in Montclair and it turned out to be their first night open. The place was packed, but we had good timing, as a table was available soon after we got there (we didn't have a reservation). We would have never known it was their first night open unless they told us. Everything was great from the food to the service. The staff was extremely enthusiastic and passionately spoke about the food as we asked questions about the menu. For appetizers, would highly recommend the Chicharron de Pescado (quinoa-crusted fish fritters) and the Yuquitas a la Huancaina (homemade yuca fries, aji amarillo dipping sauce). Dinner was also excellent - simple but flavorful. The sauce on the Pescado a lo Macho (pan roasted fish, spicy seafood sauce) had a wonderful taste and the Picante de Mariscos (sauteed seafood, aji mirasol cream sauce) tasted like a delicious Peruvian Paella. Although we were completely stuffed and declined dessert, our helpful server brought us a sample of one of the desserts to try since we had inquired about it (believe it was the purple corn pudding dessert). Such a nice surprise! All in all we had a terrific experience at Costanera -- it is an excellent addition to the Montclair restaurant line up.
(4)
Lindsey P.

We came, party of 4, for an early dinner/ late lunch on a Sunday. We arrived to an empty but beautiful restaurant which quickly filled as the afternoon turned to evening. The staff was delightful, speaking in both Spanish and English. Costanera is a BYOB; there is a liquor store around the corner that delivers or is within walking distance. Decor and service aside; A standard plate of Lomo (Peruvian steak and fries) priced at $25, in my opinion, is highly over priced. And you have to order rice on the side because it does not come with it for an extra $4. Really!? I understand they use a high quality product but across the street, the same cut of meat cooked just as well is priced at $14. I also felt they were reaching at $31 for a ribeye w an egg on it! Now, the Yuca we had as finger foods and the dipping sauces were amazing, but the portion was small we had to order 2 for everyone to have a good taste. We also ordered the Jalea, a fried seafood dish; it was OK. Nothing super enthralling. Mostly fish, rather than a variety of seafood. I also thought it was very unfortunate that their only chicken entree isn't available until after 5. Understandable, its a roasted chicken which takes time, but at least offer another chicken dish. All in all, the experience was enjoyable but wouldnt go back because I felt it was over priced. I understand its byob so they are trying to cover the loss of not having a bar to offer.
(3)
Marco T.

Excellent place. Good food and very nice staff. The manager took his time to explain us every dish and accommodated our requests. The ceviche was delicious .
(4)
Dennis M.

Came here for a quick dinner before watching a show at the Wellmont Theatre. What a great place! Not big ... but great for a quiet dinner with friends ... and delicious food. Ceviche was excellent. BYOB is a plus. Highly recommend!
(5)
Jeff M.

Costenera is awesome! While out with friends who weren't familiar with Peruvian food our waiter kindly walked us through the menu and by the end of the evening we were all fans. The Hauncaina Tasting and Pescado (ceviche) were the perfect blend of spicy freshness. My rotisserie chicken was succulent and perfectly seasoned, and the pan roasted Atlantic Cod was perfection. Our small group was having such a good time I looked to see if we were bothering the other diners only to see everyone was too busy enjoying themselves to notice. Excellent cuisine, gracious service, and a wonderfully inviting ambience.
(5)
Maly A.

So, for 'one' of my b'day dinners (I usually celebrate the whole week :-D) with my NJ crew of friends, we came here again in October. Another awesome dinner! Great service. The staff recognizes us now and always takes such good care of us. Best Ribeye as always. Those who ate seafood were happy with their choices as well. And surprisingly, even the vegetarian was very happy (though I don't know how that is even possible LOL j/k!) One of the ribeyes was a bit over cooked and they brought a new one out perfectly cooked without a fuss. Being the b'day girl, my dessert & coffee was on the house.
(5)
Sasha M.

My husband is part Peruvian so this was really his pick. But I have to say I was really glad I want. Everything was delicious. From the fried yucca to the chocolate mouse with organic ice cream. If ordering off the lunch specials get the chicken sandwich. It is so filling, flavor fill and not fat free. The actually had sweet potato fries under the bread. I can't wait to go back. The service was very friendly and helpful.
(5)
Julie Y.

I was lost in Jersey and yelped told me to come here for some good Peruvian food. Thank you yelp! I've been wanting to do Peruvian and this place did not disappoint. Jalea.. steak.. pasta.. yum yum yum!!!
(4)
Oscar M.

I have to say that Juan and the staff are absolutely amazing. To start off this amazing green sauce with planting chips started us into the amazing adventure that we have for the night. Then we shared The octopus salad and the fish of the day that was blackened..... this livened up our night. To end our night , Juan choose the amazing icecrem paired with the tres leeches dessert!!! I haven't written reviews in the past but this place I can come and have lunch and dinner every day thank you guys and I'll see you next week on Wednesday!!!
(5)
Bryan D.

Been here twice now and you can't go wrong. The spicy prawn soup is a meal in itself and all the fish is fresh and tasty. Yummy raw bar too. I was so full that I could not fit dessert. Guess I am going back!!!
(5)
Anthony D.

Went here on a Friday night, the resturaunt itself is dimily lit with rustic decor. The food may seem pricey, but do not let that discourage you because you get what you pay for. The food and service was excellent, overal it was a great experience.
(5)
Mary R.

No hesitation in giving this establishment 5 stars! Recently had a large group here and it could not have been more perfect. Management was a pleasure to deal with and every detail was handled efficiently and professionally. The food, as always, was fresh and delicious and beautifully presented Given the fact that there were almost 30 in our group, every bit of care was taken with each individual's meal. Thank-you Juan and Costanera for making this a night to remember. Put this Montclair establishment at the top of your "must try" list!
(5)
Jared F.

One of the better restaurants in Montclair. Host was more than welcoming, food was more than delectable and the atmosphere was comfortable. Without a doubt this should be at the top for places to go in North Jersey.
(5)
Dan B.

Ok place but not the best - especially for a Montclair location. Let me start by describing the lighting- its too dark! I couldn't see the couple we were with or my lady. I felt that at any point throughout the night that i was going to grab the wrong lady ..its that dark! The appetizers were ok but the crazy part - and I've never heard of this before so brace yourselves for this one.. We asked for the grilled chicken and they said... "We ran out of chicken for the day". You can't make this stuff up!! Lol So here is the part that I'm floored with... Its 7:30pm and you have no chicken and the restaurant is operating for another 4 hours!? Anyway we ordered something else but i thought that was just poorly handled. They should have gone to the local whole foods down the block and purchased 30 or 40 chickens lol.
(3)
Jennifer T.

*chicharron de pescado (Quinoa-crusted fish fritters, topped with salsa golf and salsa criolla; the fish was a little too overcooked for my taste, I liked how flaky it was but it was too firm, I believe it was cod they used; the fritter was nicely fried and not too oily, the crust was good, the salsa was good, I overall liked this appetizer but definitely a little too salty) *osso bucco (this dish was definitely pretty good, the beef was cooked well and the sauce was great!!! definitely WAY overpriced though, this was $28!) *parihuela costanera (Peruvian seafood stew; this dish needs some serious help; I feel like the amount of seafood was good but the scallops are the size of boogers, the calamari was tough, there was a small crab leg, a few mussels and some shrimp; the broth was alright but it didn't have a lot of seafood flavor to it, it needed more salt, pepper and maybe even some garlic or herbs to make it pop; in addition, the stew wasn't even hot!!! not impressed with this dish at all!) *tresh leches cake (I really liked this cake! the cake was generously soaked in the milk and it even tasted a little alcholic in nature, definitely a good ending to the meal) *chichamurrada (I really like this!!! it's house made and I totally give them credit for this because a lot of places just serve the bottled stuff and fresh makes a huge difference, it wasn't too sweet at all but I feel like it needed more spices, the one at El Fogon is way better, regardless, still pretty good here) *chori papa (Chili-dusted crispy potatoes with spicy pork chorizo; yummy! omg, I loved the crispiness they got on the skin of the potatoes and chorizo, super good and the sauce on top was great too but not sure what they made it out of) *Escabeche de Pescado (Pan roasted Atlantic Cod, spiced pickled onions, yam; the fish was perfectly cooked, loved the pickled onions and there were peppers too, the yam was basically a forgotten lump on the side hahah but I liked this dish regardless, it was well flavored, didn't need anything extra which is good, I loved the sauce too and it was great to tip my tostones in haha; the tostones themselves were friggen good, thick and crispy but soft inside, sooo good!!) *mousse de chocolate (Peruvian chocolate mousse, with fresh fruit and lucuma ice cream; the mousse was smooth and rich and sweet but not overly sweet which was great; the lucuma ice cream was soooo friggen good, what the hell is this made out of?! haha this dessert was great to share, nice portion and it wasn't heavy at all); The place is small and cozy, the service is very good and the food comes out relatively fast; I just don't think that the price is worth the quality of food, everything is so overpriced and I think that good Peruvian food should not cost this much. Been here twice and my second experience at this restaurant was significantly better than my first. I think it just depends on what you order.
(3)
Marlyn V.

This is was my saving grace after an obnoxious experience with Cuban Pete's rude hostess and being told our wait would be about 55 minutes, on a Tuesday night. Sorry boo, I'm not interested. We simply walked down the street to this little gem. I came with other ladies for drinks, appetizers, food and a whole mess of gossip to catch up on. As another reviewer said, the ambiance of the place is kind of dark for an intimate date, but after a few glasses of wine (yes it's BYOB), you can light ANY place up! I had these AMAZING ribs as an entree, they were delicious and served on a flame to continue to sear - I absolutely loved that since I hate when food gets cold as you gossip. I had a friend that had the ceviche and another that tried the chicken, and everything came out delicious. Service to me is key and can easily bump you to 5 stars, even if the food is not that great. Thankfully that is not the case here, because they have the full package! One of us came with a baby and they accommodated her seat easily, zero wait time and by the time the wine was poured, our steaming appetizers were coming to the table. The Peruvian food is delicious here, every plate is plentiful and not badly priced. As usual, parking sucks around here, just head to the deck and don't forget your wine!
(5)
Jane H.

Wanting to bring the in-laws to a more exotic sort of affair than they are used to, we brought them out to Monclair for Peruvian food. I love Peruvian chicken, but since I'm always going to PiyoPiyo for it, I decided to try their duck special instead. The duck was cooked to perfection! There was also duck in the rice -- lots of it! The cerviche choices were great, and tasted excellent. In-laws loved that it was BYOB and brought something interesting of their own to try. No corking fee -- thank you! Ambiance is exciting -- the wall is covered with interesting wood and the lighting is mysterious.
(4)
Andre P.

More casual an appears from the outside. The staff is very friendly. Tables are a bit small. BYOB, but there is a wine menu for a very close liquor store that delivers to your table. Food is huge portions, so my recommendation is to order an app or two and then one entree to share with you and your guest.
(4)
Janet C.

Snow weekend and this was a place I had bookmarked. So glad my friend and I checked it out. Another couple got us hooked on ordering the soup. I had the steak sandwhich. The Lunch Special Was $14.95. We bought a bottle and they plated it for us. Just sat, ate delicious food and enjoyed. Good background music, ethnic and just pleasant. Just loud enough to be heard. Service was very nice and good looking! LOL. I plan to go again to make sure it was not just the wine and great company.
(4)
Tara E.

Had dinner there on Saturday night. We shared ceviche Costanera, octopus salad, pork belly, and the duck special. It was all phenomenal! We also had the tres leches. It was delicious, although we both agreed that we've had better. The atmosphere is great too- love the tree stump walls. Our waiter Evan was the best! Friendly, professional, knowledgeable. Excellent service. Had a great time. Would go back and would recommend to all our friends.
(5)
Awani D.

The lunch special is awesome- you can get a meal for ~$15/person and it's never crowded in there, so the service is good. The lunch special: you can get a main course, soup, side, and beverage. Beverage- I recommend the chicha morada- it tastes like a fruit juice with mulled spices, served chilled in ice. Soup- Definitely go with the Aguadito de Pollo if you're not vegetarian. The Sopa de Lentejas is alright..but not something I would get if it didn't come with the special. Side- Maduros have always been a favorite of mine. Main course- I've had the Moroccan Spiced Lamb Burger in the past...I like falafel and lamb, so I liked it, but I'm not sure that I would recommend it to others. The Peruvian Beef Burger (I like mine cooked medium) was so so so good... I would order this again and again. An egg on beef can't be beaten; the maduros in the burger added the perfect amount of sweetness to the burger (and gave it a unique taste). Dessert- This is the second time that I've had the mousse de chocolate (peruvian chocolate mousse, a scoop of lucuma ice cream, strawberries and bananas)....it was amazing in the summertime, and I don't even particularly care for mousse. The lucuma flavor was interesting and refreshing...it did remind me of the kind of tutti frutti ice cream that you get in Indian stores. When I ordered the mousse today..it looked like the mousse and lucuma ice cream weren't fresh. You could even see that the top of the scoop of ice cream had been taken off the top of a container where it melted and refroze. The ice cream was just an unpalatable mess because of this..sort of gummy tasting, even though the lucuma flavor was still there. The mousse and strawberries and bananas were just as good. Overall, I'd still recommend the mousse though...if you can, try getting it in the summertime since the ice cream will probably be more fresh.
(5)
Janice L.

Great food and even better service. After a disaster at Cuban Pete's (Hey looks like a trend on yelp!, maybe the owner of that restaurant should take a page out of other restaurants and begin taking reservations. Also, even though we were standing outside waiting, he said we "disappeared" and therefore, had to wait ANOTHER hour on top of the hour we already waited. Jackass.) ... the owner of Costanera was more than accommodating. He knew it was our friend's birthday and he did more than make up for it. We had a table within 15 minutes and he even gave us wine glasses to drink our problems away. When we got to our table, they were attentive and sweet. Their communication was crystal clear unlike the disaster that was happening down the street (also, unlike the other restaurant, the waiters weren't dropping plates everywhere they went). I ordered the beef with the fried egg, sweet plantains and it was delicious. The seasoning on the steak was amazing. And this wasn't only cause we were starving. The next morning, my friend had more and raved about it. I personally cleared my whole plate off even though it was so plentiful. The appetizers we ordered were also really great. I had the special of the night: cheese empanadas and everyone at the table enjoyed it. The ingredients are fresh - the service is amazing - and everything tasted authentic. I wouldn't be surprised to see someone's grandmother back there working the kitchen. This is now definitely one of my favorite joints and will be going back.
(5)
Crystine W.

Yelp ... I really say you bring in those half stars! This would totally be a 3.5 overall, but I bumped it up to 4 since our server was awesome. Costanera definitely serves up some pretty solid and authentic Peruvian sabor. If you're in the area for lunch, they have some pre-fixe lunch specials that really rock (for 11.95 & 14.95) and they come with a side, main dish, soup and beverage. There were 3 of us so I did a whole lot of sampling and taste-testing and I can happily report that ALL of these were good in their own way: Shrimp Banh Mi (Marinated grilled shrimp, carrot ribbons, cucumber, cilantro, red onion, spicy cilantro spread and salsa golf on baguette): The bread gave the perfect crunch as I bit into it, but then softened up as my teeth made its way to the middle. It was a delicious and light combination of goods, delightfully satisfying. Choritos Calientes (1 Lb. PEI mussels cooked with chorizo, cilantro and Aji Amarillo served with crispy garlic toast): Part of the $14.95 selection and oh-so-good for all seafood lovers. I normally don't like mussels and I could've devoured a full entree on my own. Crema de frijoles negros (pureed black bean soup): If this is meant to be a heavy soup, it doesn't taste like it. Really good and I heavily recommend. Sides: Maduros: LUB IT!!! Rice & Beans were good, but not amazing. I could've gone without this. Quinoa Salad - a very pleasant surprise. Light yet filling and really tasty. Postre/Dessert - Combinado clasico - I'm starting to think that you can't mess this up. Purple corn jam-ish mixture atop warmed rice pudding. I like it, a LOT
(4)
Shari A.

A really nice ethnic addition to downtown Montclair and well-suited for foodies bored with the same old restaurants in the area. This Peruvian BYO is worth the wait...and yes, even with a reservation, most of the time, you can expect a wait due to its popularity, attentive but sometimes slow service and limited capacity seating. The wait at the door was impressive. This was our second visit to the restaurant and we were more impressed this go-round. The pulpo and tradicional tiradito appetizers were spectacular. The sashimi is thinly sliced and the vinaigrettes are flavorful, and very spicy-so be forewarned if you don't like spice! The andido salad and quinoa sides are delicious. I ordered the whole market fish (Branzino) a lo Macho style (you can opt for grilled, poached, baked or this Peruvian style) I asked to go light on the salt and they obliged. The fish sauce was perfect and the tender accompanying calamari rings cooked nicely. Our friends enjoyed the hangar steak and cod. My husband was luke warm on the bouillabaisse. Broth was thin and shellfish mediocre in quality. If you're a carb lover, the food comes with a lot of fries or potato options. I chose a house salad instead. Even dessert was worth mentioning. The organic ice cream-coffee chip really yummy and the highly touted tres leche cake was solid. We are not huge fans of this type of dessert but the moist firm cake was really worth mentioning and the cream topping drizzled with caramel also good. The soupy "luscious milk" broth it sits in is a little too much and it. detracts from an otherwise attractive presentation. PS a neighboring table ordered the potato cake with crab appetizer and it looked amazing! Just remember to go here when you're not in a hurry and be prepared to enjoy a really wonderful meal in a casual setting with friendly servers who know their stuff!
(4)
Cora G.

My friends have been talking about this restaurant for months, about how I missed out, etc etc. The service was great, the staff were all personable, happy, and attentive. The food was DELICIOUS and the staff were very accommodating. I had made a reservation for 6 and two extra people and a baby was added last minute. The staff made room to accommodate the last minute guests of mine. With real wood on the walls and the vibe from the restaurant, Costanera, has hands down made it to my top 5 restaurants in Montclair.
(5)
Briana J.

I came here for dinner about a week ago with two friends. The restaurant was set to close at 9, but we were glad when we heard that they seated people until 8:30 because we were running late. When we got there, the place was filled and it seemed as though a lot of groups were just starting their meals. We brought a bottle of wine and the waiter put in ice for us which was great because we didn't have time to chill it ourselves. We split the vegetarian causas and platanos, and I ordered the tallarin con bistec (with tallarin verde). The food was delicious but we waited a LONG time for it, which was weird since we were the last people to be seated and we thought that most orders would be out by then. The appetizers also came out with the main courses, which was a little overwhelming and a bit annoying because we were starving and didn't want to eat everything at once. Overall, the food was great and I loved the atmosphere (doesn't hurt that it's BYO as well), and I would definitely recommend it for a classier (but not too expensive) dinner.
(4)
Sandra C.

Food was AMAZING. I had the Fish Ceviche (so bright & delicious) and the Pescado a lo Macho (wow, seriously, wow). I knock off a star for several reasons: the server was short and snippy which was a buzz kill. I get the whole romantic dark vibe but the whole place seemed pitch dark except for the illumination from the candles. Kinda ridiculous, felt like I was in a cave at times.
(4)
Elizabeth S.

One of the best Peruvian spots in Jersey. A nice quaint spot that you might just miss if you pass by too quickly. The staff is courteous and friendly. The Lomo is to die for; Ceviche fresh and flavorful. Great apps and desserts. Its BYOB! Yummy :D
(5)
Nicole P.

Came here on Friday with some friends for the first time. The service was quick, our server was very knowledgeable about the menu and also explained what different terms meant to my friend so she knew exactly what she would be ordering. I don't always see that being done in restaurants so I thought that was very nice. The chef brought out a shrimp dish with some incredible hummus. I ordered a lobster tail and a side salad for dinner, both of which were very good. I was pretty full afterwards but figured since the dinner was delicious the desserts had to be as well, so we ordered coffee ice cream and tres leches cake. The tres leches cake is incredible. Rarely do I see someone make this properly at restaurants in this area. Not only was the texture on point but the taste was absolutely amazing. Get it. Great people/atmosphere/food. I would definitely recommend this place to a friend. Oh, and there is a liquor store around the corner from this restaurant if you want to BYOB :)
(5)
Jenny Z.

The food is spectacular and the decor adds a really nice touch - dark wood decorating the walls and candles at the tables create an intimate and classy vibe. The best ceviche I've ever had - my boyfriend (who isn't crazy about fish) and I were fighting over the last pieces of our appetizer. Also highly recommend the Peruvian chocolate mousse for dessert - it is rich enough to share, and the lucuma ice cream it is served with is incredible, I couldn't get enough of it. Definitely one of the best meals I've had in a long time...I've heard a lot of great things about this place, and it did not disappoint!
(5)
Raquel P.

We had planned to go to Cuban Pete's for Mother's day dinner, but the wait was THREE HOURS long when we arrived, so we ended up here and WOW! I'm SO glad our night turned out the way it did because this place is amazing. The service was impeccable....the staff was friendly, attentive and very professional. The food was DELICIOUS, especially the lomo saltado and churrasco. Somehow we managed to have room for dessert and the tres leches was to die for! We will definitely be visiting this little gem again very soon!
(5)
Kevin G.

So this was my second time here. I was there exactly a year ago. Soon as I sat down and looked at the menu and saw the prices, my jaw dropped, they've nearly doubled!! Quite shocked but with that said, on to the food. I got the Lomo Saltado (again) and my god, it was absolutely incredible. It was on par, if not better than Pio Pio in the city. The steak was so tender, juicy & seasoned perfect. The fries were cooked to a nice crisp but not over done. Everything was perfect. My girlfriend got the Ceviche and she said it was the best she's ever had, even better than her Grandmother's in Peru! Our waiter, Giovanni, was one of the most impressive waiters I have ever seen. He knew the menu like it was on the back of his hand. Every special, every side, even the cooking processes. He mingled around with the other tables, made sure everyone was having a good time, enjoyed their food, just great customer service. Bravo sir! Despite the huge price increase, it was well, well worth it. Definitely will be returning again! Top notch quality & service! A++
(5)
Kelly L.

I've only been here once, and while the service was slightly awkward the food was amazing enough that I didn't care. I had a delicious seafood soup that was overflowing with shrimp and scallops. I tried beef heart here for the first time expecting to be disgusted but was pleasantly surprised by the texture and flavor. It was clearly prepared by someone who knew what they were doing. Will be back.
(4)
Bob H.

The food was amazing and service was great as well. We will definitely be back. We had the ribeye and the shrimp and rice. Both were awesome but the ribeye was out of this world.
(5)
Wendy S.

What a delight! This is a real find. The food was amazing. We shared appetizers of cerviche and the crab cake, which were both excellent. Honestly, the best crab cake you'll ever taste. We then shared a ribeye which was beautifully prepared and served with sides. I wish we had room for dessert. Next time! The waiter was extremely knowledgable and charming. He really explained everything in great detail and made excellent suggestions. I would have given a 4.5 stars, as we had a hard time getting the check, but that may have been because the restaurant had become quite full and out table was out of view in the front window. Go here! You'll be glad you did.
(5)
David S.

This place had the best Peruvian food we have had yet. The ceviche was tasty, I had the churrasco a lo pobre and my girlfriend had the fried Bronzino. She was very pleased with the Bronzino and I really liked my dish. The service was pretty good also and the server gave us good insight on what to order for appetizer. I would give it five stars but the fact that our server mixed up the order and gave us two appetizers instead of one (even though it was also delicious) and he didn't offer us any non-alcoholic beverage (byob restaurant) just takes away a star. Other than that, the food, ambience and service is definitely worth recommending this place. Also make sure you ask about the prices of the specials if you are on a budget. While I didn't mind, it did take us by surprise once we got our check.
(4)
Rocco A.

i've been there twice and i think it may be my favorite place in montclair. perfect size, they take reservations, its BYOB, it isn't super load, the staff was accommodating to allergies, knew the menu and always made great recommendations... and the food is awesome. i've had the causa, raw bar, ceviche as apps and all were spot on. as entrees we had the short ribs, flank steak and cod and they were all flawless. and the peruvian chocolate mouse and strange fruit ice cream were delicious.
(5)
Angel F.

Went here on a quiet Thursday night. The staff is very warm and attentive without being in your face. I enjoyed the casual atmosphere and the decor. The menu contains a good mix of authentic dishes and dishes catering to the gringo palate. I shared the Costanera ceviche and roasted octopus special to start. Both excellent and well portioned for two. The rotisserie chicken was juicy and perfectly seasoned, as you would expect from Peruvian. Try it with the roasted potatoes. I will definitely return on a weekend to see if there is any buzz. I was a bit surprised to see it as empty as it was, but really, the draw is the great food.
(4)
Wallace S.

Amazing food. Amazing service. Don't forget to try the Ceviche Mixto and the Lombo Saltado.
(5)
Dyan B.

I could not wait to get back here. As my dinner partner and I waited with others for our table to be ready we were filled with all the great experiences we had had at Costanera. We looked forward to this meal. We were so disappointed. The waiter was overwhelmed with the crowd, there was not enough staff on the floor. He was so busy that the normal banter we have had with the staff was just mission. It was clear that this was business only, no banter, no warmth. as we moved through the meal the plates were thrown on the table, we realized it was our job to be sure there was room on the table as our waiter would leave plates hanging off the edge of the table. As we consider our evening, though the service was mediocre, so was our food. I ALWAYS take home leftovers. This night I left my already cold chicken. what was the point to take it home. Costanera, we loved being here so many times before. You have a full house due to what you have done in the past. As you become more successful please don't forget how you got there. I hope my next visit will echo my past experiences and not be anything like this one, and I will visit again just based on my past experiences.
(2)
Steve C.

First of all I am not Peruvian, so I don't know if it is authentic, but I do know that all 4 of us enjoyed our meals. We were seated promptly, even though it was full and we were early for our 8:45 reservation on a cold Saturday night. Everything was flavorful. Churasco was tender and tasty. Seafood same. Service was prompt, friendly and relaxed. We will be back. Before Yelp we probably would not have taken a chance on a cusine we were not familiar with, on a Saturday night. Thanks Yelpers!
(4)
Sara B.

My first time here and the food is great! I've never tried Peruvian until now. Surprisingly they have a large Chinese population in Peru that has heavily influenced the cuisine. I've tasted delicious shrimp fried rice here. Our party of 6 ordered seafood, pork, and beef. Everyone loved their good. No complaints. Worth returning many times over.
(4)
Christine L.

The shrimp ceviche was a nice proper portion, a little too much for 2 of us to share (this is a good thing, not bad). It was just zesty enough without being a turnoff. We ordered the whole fish (branzino), churrasco a lo pobre (HUGE plate), and a skirt steak special (onion/mushroom au poivre and peruvian mac & cheese). Everyone licked their plates clean. The special was a little too salty but edible with the non-salty mac&cheese. Desserts were also surprisingly good (they're usually an afterthought at more "ethnic"-style restaurants). Both the tres leches cake and chocolate mousse were divine. great dark atmosphere. we were never rushed (sat for over 2 hours on a friday night) and the server was pleasant and helpful. definitely recommend and can't wait to return.
(5)
Big S.

this place was great, we brought a big group here and had some really good food. being from MA, the BYOB was a nice feature too! my fiance's family is from Peru so we always know what to order at these restaurants. we had a ton of apps which were all very good. we probably didn't even need to order main entrees because we had so many tasty apps. We got the ceviche which was very good, the anticouchos (beef heart) which was pretty good, the yuka, the fried fish cakes, the mussel special and the causas. the apps were really good and we ate SO much. after that, i ended up getting the pasta and steak dish. it was good, hauncaea sauce was on it. i should have just ordered more ceviche. everyone had good meals and the place had a nice atmosphere. i would go back if i am in the area again.
(4)
Gabi S.

This was my first time at this restaurant and my first time eating Peruvian food. I had always driven past it and finally decided to try it out. The flavors were delicious and the waiter was very attentive. It is also very nicely decorated. I'll definitely be back!
(4)
Michael K.

First time at Costanera. Service was friendly, attentive & professional. Everyone was welcoming & helpful. We shared a cerviche & raw oysters for starters & had the Peruvian bouillabaisse for main course. It was all fresh, delicious and beautifully presented. The rice pudding & purple corn pudding with fruit was an awesome ending. Can't wait to go back & try something new.
(5)
Vicky D.

Ate here this past Sunday. Was disappointed because, although the food tasted good, it did not have a Peruvian taste. Way too too fancy for me. I'm Peruvian, grew up eating tasty peruvian food. I'll stick to Newark or Paterson or better yet, NYC. The appetizers were good, Ceviche, Causa. The entree's not so much. Peruvian food is good, why mess with what's delicious?
(3)
Lori K.

The decor is very fitting, this is a great place for date night or a group. The food is really good but often more on the spicy side. Our particular waiter both times we went was not friendly, but we noticed many other waiters who helped us were really nice. I'd recommend you try this place for yourself.
(4)
Jenna T.

Hands down, my favorite restaurant in Montclair. The food is beyond incredible and I could eat their homemade hot sauce on every meal. The staff is friendly and provides excellent service.
(5)
Alexa S.

Dollar oyster Thursdays, YES! Fresh and yummy! Decor is really intimate and mood setting. If you want to impress your company, this is a good place to look. Food is always good (I've been here a handful of times). Seafood is always fresh and delicious but you certainly pay the price for it.
(4)
Larisa T.

We just moved to the area from Manhattan, and I was afraid moving to the suburbs meant eating "food" at Applebee's on weekends. A night in Montclair shatters those nightmares. We came here on a late summer Saturday night. I had called earlier and they said reservations were fully booked but they left some tables for walk-ins. We tried our luck and after waiting about 15 minutes, we got in. They put fried corn and green sauce on the table as soon as we walked in. My husband pointed out that it's like Peruvian bar food. We ordered: - the potato cake dish. It's a little like a fancy layered potato salad. Nice balance of flavors and texture - ceviche mixto. The marinade was really good, and the portion was generous. I like that they have a mix of fillet and shellfish. There was also a random sweet potato which didn't really fit - roasted chicken. The portion is huge! We got aphalf a chicken, so you get all the parts. The chicken was cooked perfectly, and the rub was great. On par with Pio Pio. - the rice and beans on the side...as good as other yelpers say For the two of us, this was more than enough. We ended up taking a lot of the chicken and rice home. Great, sexy ambience. The crowd was couples date nights, boozy plastic surgery moms night out, yuppie intellectuals catching up, etc etc. exactly what you'd expect of Montclair.
(5)
Adam D.

Really good traditional Peruvian dishes, BYOB, good service and reasonably priced. I had the baby back ribs (on special) which was served with a nice cole slaw. My dish was served with an open flame which allowed me to sear the ribs on my own. Definitely unique and well worth the restaurant's investment. I went here with two other people. We ordered two appetizers and three entrees and the bill came to about $85. Our experience was worth every penny. One criticism: the restaurant may have a ventilation problem. The hot plates and 'sear it yourself' create a smoky atmosphere which didn't seem to go away throughout the duration of our meal.
(4)
Ayanna B.

The flavors were amazing. The fish variety was limited, but what they can do with a spicy butter sauce! The atmosphere is casual to business casual. So it's a good place for date attire and ambiance. The decor is pretty organic feeling, with logs sliced width-wise and tribal artwork. My one complaint is they throw cilantro on everything, like Rip Taylor was in the kitchen. Ps, cilantro is not my friend. Go there if you love plantains, seafood and lots of cilantro.
(4)
Linda K.

Went there with a friend. We had a reservation and were seated immediately. The place was busy for a Wednesday night. The service was excellent with wonderful advice for combining two dishes by changing the cut of meat to make the perfect dish for me according to my preferences. Praises for all aspects of this lovely place.
(5)
Christina B.

Excellent restaurant went here last night with friends for the first time. The place was very busy but we were seated right away. Reservations are a must there. Apps were excellent I was already full before the entree we had the ceviche, and this lump crab meat dish which was my favorite but I cannot remember the name. For an entree order the skirt steak or the Bronzino both were delicious. And I absolutely recommend the tres leches cake for dessert! Will be going back soon.
(4)
Joanna S.

Short: delicious food, great service, inviting atmosphere. Long: This Sunday evening (approximately 8:45ish) the bf and I were in a predicament to find a restaurant to eat at that was still decent. Why? I repeat, late Sunday night. Most restaurants close by 9 and those that don't are usually not worth writing about. This is not the case. Costanera is located in Montclair right on Bloomfield ave. it has a few tables for outdoor seating which unfortunately were unavailable. The decor is inviting. Two person tables are a bit small but not crowded. We were seated immediately, at our choice of table, as it was near closing time and fairly empty. The waiter was very friendly and very knowledgable about the food. For appetizer we ordered Anticuchos -pollo, a chicken dish on skewers which was served with Peruvian corn. The chicken was delicious. So good that if the rest of the meal were terrible I wouldn't have been completely upset. Next for mains we decided to split two dishes. First: Lomo Saltado steak pieces with fries and vegetable. The steak was cooked very well albeit slightly too salty for me, bf didn't mind. The fries were soggy with the sauce. I've never liked soggy fries until now. The vegetables included peppers onions and a few others. Grilled well. The other dish was Pollo a la brasa a half chicken with rice with two sauces on the side. Again, chicken cooked very well. Bf said rice was just slightly hard at times but it's to be expected as it was the very end of the day. I did not notice. I wasn't crazy about the sauces but they do compliment the meal well. Best sauce? A green mole(?) sauce. Spicy but not overbearing. I dunked everything in it. It's BYOB but to drink I had an unsweetened ice tea which had peach in it, very yummy. Bf had ginger ale. (He always has ginger ale) Dessert: unfortunately they were out of the Peruvian ice cream which I was sad to hear but I had flan which was as good as flan can get. All dishes were well sized not too massive but plenty enough. Service was great. Polite and attentive waiters who were also knowledgeable. Big plus in my book. Although we were the last in the restaurant we did not feel rushed nor that the staff was agitated we were still there. Huge plus, shows their commitment to customer satisfaction. I realize Peruvian food is famed for the seafood, no review on that as we did not have it. Although next time we will be trying it without a doubt. Slightly expensive but it's to be expected in Montclair. Also, for the whole experience it was well worth it. We will be back.
(5)
Pasquale R.

Delicious and authentic Peruvian food. Quality ingredients. Starters: *Anticuchos - kebabs, beef heart or pollo. We went with one of each. Was not a fan of the beef hearts...similar to liver...yuck (nothing against this place because my fiance liked it). The chicken was savory and seasoned well. Thumbs up. *Chori-Papa...perfect. Chorizo was crispy along with potato's. Another thumbs up...way up! It was even garnished with this spicy mayo. Entree: *Churrasco a lo Pobre - Grilled Black Angus Ribeye...cooked perfectly, seasoned perfectly. It comes with rice mixed with the beans which was amazing. Topped with an egg and red onions.Very good and large enough portion to bring home and have for lunch the next day. *Estofado de Osso Bucco - Lamb Osso Bocco. I did not try it but my fiance enjoyed it. It looked too soupy for me. We did not have dessert. BYOB so bring a nice bottle of your favorite wine. Service was exceptional. Very friendly and attentive. Prices were a bit high but the quality made up for it. ENJOY!
(4)
Steve D.

It's a Saturday late afternoon and i tell my Wife, "Let's go out!", she says "I can really go for Peruvian", so i go to my Yelp app and check my bookmarks, sure enough, i find Costanera book marked, i remember it was referred by a co-worker. We go online and only find a really early or 9pm reservations are available, so i try my hand at giving a call and trying to squeeze my way in. Well i'm glad i did, i believe it was the owner who answered, a very nice, well spoken gentleman. He said "Steve, we can get you in 8pm", I told my wife to get dolled up and a little while later we were off. I was concerned as parking was a pain in the @ss, it took us a while to find a parking space, i thought we may miss our reservation. We finally arrive at the entrance and we can see from outside, this place is packed, UGH. We walk in, the guy from the phone (owner?) greets us, i say i have a reservation, he asks my name and guess what? i felt like i was family, he asked us to squeeze through the crowd and he had our table waiting for us. How often does that happen? NEVER! Costanera is BYO, we brought a bottle of wine which the waiter came right over, opened and poured for us. The menu is fairly simple, everything looked good. We noticed at the top right of the menu there was a app sampler which came w/ clams and oysters on 1/2 shell, 2 large cocktail shrimp, 2 mussels on 1/2 shell with that vinegary pico d gallo-ish topping (don't know what it's called) and fish (I believe fluke) ceviche, We ordered that, my wife ordered arroz chaufa pescado (seafood fried rice), i ordered rib steak w/ tacu tacu. My Wife is allergic to shrimp so she asked they "hold the shrimp" in her dish, the waiter later came out and said it's pre-prepared so they cannot hold the shrimp. On one note i felt it was nice of them to be honest and not just pick the shrimp out and give it to her. On the other hand, i was surprised it was premade. That kind of turned her off a bit as she was looking fwd to it, she opted to order another app of a few differently prepared pieces of yuca. The app sampler comes out, everything was nice and cold, the clams were good, a little gritty, the oysters, shrimp and mussels were really good, The ceviche wasn't done enough, the fish was a bit hard, i think it needed to sit longer, although it was tasty. We polished off the app, my steak came out w/ the tacu tacu rice and a fried egg on top, all perfectly and i mean perfectly cooked. My Wife's app came out, she was so unhappy, it broke my heart, i shared my steak and rice and she became happy again. We finished w/ a piece of tres leches cake, which was also delicious. The bill was reasonable, the service was great as was most of the food. If it wasn't for the hard ceviche and the issue w/ my Wife's Chaufa, 5 STARS was a no brainer. Go and give this place a try.......
(4)
Giovanni R.

The host and our waiter were both friendly and accommodating. Intimate dining room with a fun feel. Was packed on a Saturday, however that did not seem to faze the efficient staff. My date and I split the little neck clams, "costanera" ceviche and roasted chicken w/salad. I would recommend all. I'm a sucker for ceviche and it did not disappoint. Clams were fresh and tasty. Chicken was accompanied by two dipping sauces, however I didn't even use them because the salad paired perfectly. Definitely would return to try different entrees and other ceviches.
(4)
Ken D.

We met our good friends for another Saturday evening dinner in Montclair and, this time, we agreed on Costanera, just around the corner from Park St, on the Avenue. Of the four of us, one hails from Chile and was familiar with Peruvian fare so we knew we were in good hands. Reservations were made the day before and, despite the owner mentioning that "all efforts would be made to hold our 7:30PM reservation" we had some concerns prior to arriving at Costanera. As it turned out, the four of us arrived five minutes early and, much to our surprise, we were shown to our table immediately. It must be pointed out that the place was jumping with activity yet the owner met us at the door and greeted us warmly. This, I perceived, to be the start of a fine evening. Our BYOB's were uncorked in a timely manner while our server introduced himself to us and efficiently reviewed the specials as well as responding to all of our questions; an impressive display of Server professionalism! Although our server was the point man, Costanera's service uses the "Server Team" approach wherein your appetizers and main courses are delivered via different team members. We were impressed with the efficiency and seamless manner in which our food was placed on our table while previously used dishes were cleared away post haste, all of this during a full house! (Our water glasses were replenished regularly w/o having to ask; a minor point yet a sign of excellent restaurant management.) W/O going into the detail of our food, all of us ordered appetizers. The portions were substantial and prepared to perfection; more on this later on. There was a minor mix-up when our main course was served yet the team corrected the situation without any delays; it was clear that they knew what they were doing and got the job done in a very professional manner. Our main course was, again, very substantial with flavors that truly captured the Peruvian cuisine. Chatter between guests was somewhat enthusiastic, a good sign that people were enjoying themselves at Costanera. The placement of tables offered more than sufficient room between them. (When viewing their website, disregard their "Small Plates" offerings as that fare was recently discontinued.) Also, if ordering whole, or filleted fish, ask if the back bone is "in" or removed. Finally, for dessert, the Lucuma (Peruvian ice cream) and Tres Leches are not to be missed! Pros: - Our reservation was honored as requested. - Our server was instrumental in making our dining experience memorable. - The Server Team concept worked very well. - Food flavor and portion size was well above average. - We were in the restaurant for approx. 3 hrs. w/o being rushed to leave. Cons: - Our server failed to mention that the Red Snapper (filleted) was not deboned. Although pan seared to perfection, it contained many small, spiked bones that could have caused an array of problems if ingested. - One of the specials, a salmon dish, which our server devoted much time to review was no longer available. We learned this after we placed our order. The kitchen should have mentioned this to the staff at that time. - We appreciate mood lighting however, bring either your cell phone w/light, or, a small flashlight for reading the menu. Summary: We will revisit Costanera again and have made it one of our destination restaurants; they are highly recommended!
(4)
Laura Z.

So friendly and incredible food! I love the prix-fixe lunch, totally worth it!
(4)
Joe D.

Went for dinner last week. the service was not bad but not great, seemed a bit pre-occupied. When I asked if I could order my appetizers that I chose while I still decided what entree I wanted the server said no. The place was jumping and it has a very good atmosphere. The food however was delicious. The appetizers were the Huancaina tasting and the Causas w/chicken. both were delicious but the star was the Causas which everyone should try, comes either vegetarian, chicken or shrimp. For dinner we went traditional ordering the Lomo Saltado that was probably the best I've ever eaten. It is prepared with Angus hanger steak and was melt in your mouth tender and is an entree that is highly recommended. Overall a very good experience.
(4)
Ariel V.

My wife and I love this place. We only go on special occasions. We tried the wine here once and I think you should probably bring your own liquor.
(4)
David E.

Beautiful place to dine. Octopus arugula salad was amazing best octopus salad I've ever tried. The sever and manager were really plesant . Definitely a place to come back .
(5)
L M.

Best food I've had in Montclair! Great hanger steak but I recommend the paella! (It has a different name on the menu). The specials are also ways a good choice! The waitstaff is fun and the experience is always lovely.
(5)
John F.

great food, the octopus is spectacular , food , service consistantly great.
(4)
Rob A.

Went almost 9pm and didn't have to wait for a table, but the place was packed. A few groups after us did have to wait and were asked if they had reservations. The staff is super attentive and friendly. They were very accomadating and knowledgeable about the food. The food was also very good and authentic. Portions are not the hugest and it is a little pricey, but it's Montclaire so it's expected. Overall - highly recommended.
(4)
Rich P.

Wow, the food hear is totally dialed in. Stopped in for lunch and had their $15.00 lunch specials which included soup. The soups were fantastic. Black Bean and Chicken, both amazing. I shared a Steak Sandwich and Blue Point Oyster Po-Boy. Each was one of the best I've ever had. The desserts were also excellent, just a shade below the main food. The chocolate ganache cake was fantastic. It almost killed me. Almost. A little more than I normally like to spend for lunch ($68 +tip for 2 ppl), but it was a fantastic lunch. The portions were a little light. In short: YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS PLACE!
(4)
Jonathan G.

I have never quoted Dirty Dancing in life, much less in a food review, but the first thing that comes to mind when trying to describe the beginning to our meal is, "Nobody puts Baby in the corner." Although we had a reservation (at 6:15, not exactly peak hour), we were almost seated at a table that undoubtedly has to be known inside Costanera as the Sucker's Table. Anyone who accepts sitting here must be a walk-in when the place is full or oblivious because it is awfully located and awkwardly placed. I have tried to block the exact location out of my mind, but you will know it when you see it or are seated at it - trust me. We declined and asked for another spot and ended up in the front corner which was much better, but still not ideal with a half-full restaurant. This ends the worst part of the meal because after this seating error, everything was fantastic. Our server was attentive and knew the menu well and when he was busy, the hostess checked in on us as her station is right by this set of four two-tops in the front. The decor and ambiance inside Costanera is nice - dark woods, not overly lit and inviting. And yes, the food - the food was fantastic. Costanera is authentic Peruvian cuisine with a little flair. A special oyster po'boy to start was different, nicely made and bursting with flavor on a small piece of toast. The Chori-Papa appetizer (Chili-dusted crispy potatoes with spicy pork chorizo) was excellent - from the texture of the potatoes to the chorizo-a-plenty dotting the plate, this was a great dish. The tiradito Nikkei - tuna with aji amarillo, avocado and soy-lime dressing was just the right amount of spice and kick combined with a melt-in-your-mouth piece of tuna. You will not be disappointed with the food at Costanera, but I would make a reservation and avoid the Sucker's Table.
(5)
Agustin K.

So far so good. We decided to not go for the hour wait at Cuban's Pete (after they told us there was no wait over the phone). We were in the mood for South American food so Costanera sounds like a good alternative. I love love love the wall decor of the tree trunks on the wall (you gotta see it live). Service is great, and also BYOB. It's a NYC dining experience for sure. Portion is generous so you can skip the apps if you don't want to leave home overstuffed. I got the duck special that comes with a duck confit rice. The duck has a cilantro and lime hint to it. The rice made the dish!!! it's a Peruvian risotto - so good. Oh and the pickled onions on top, goes so well balancing the heaviness of the dish. And they offer this special dish only in the weekend. My hubby got the the ribeye. Comes with some kind of rice and potato mash and with over easy egg on top. We asked for medium rare and it came perfectly medium rare with the beautiful grill marks. Also super good. Very happy and very full. Great experience overall. Better food than ones I had when I was in Peru. Will be back soon!!
(4)
Lisa Y.

Came in on a Wednesday evening with a friend - at 6:30 it wasn't crowded at all. The waiter and host were so courteous and friendly! We ordered the Costanera Ceviche - definitely recommend - big chunks of fresh fish in a tangy acidic sauce! I had the Picante de Mariscos with tacu tacu - the seafood was cooked perfectly and the sauce was delicious; my friend really enjoyed her Tallarin Verde con Bisteck, even though the waiter had to help her pronounce it! The place is BYOB and has $1 east coast oysters on Thursdays! I'll definitely be back!
(4)
Yulissa G.

Excellent from top to bottom. I was born in Peru and grew up eating traditional Peruvian meals. I've been to this restaurant about 3-4 times. Here's the breakdown: Brunch (Lomo Sandwich) had excellent quality angus steak and the flavors were amazing. Think of the best home cooked meal you can have but elevated with gourmet secrets that only a well rounded and perhaps, well travelled chef can bring you. The Estofado de Osso Bucco was probably one of the best Peruvian meals I've had in years. So Osso Bucco is not really Peruvian, but we can all use a little Italian in our meals. The closest thing I've had to this was a Peruvian/Italian restaurant in Boston but Costanera beat them by a mile. The lucuma ice cream was heaven. The causas and ceviche were top. They accommodated our large group with no problem. The prices blend in with the Montclair dining scene but it is completely worth the experience. The decor is not my taste, a bit dark, but could be romantic. Overall, this and Oh Calamares (which I believe is owned by the same family) are the most consistent and great quality (as in, party in your mouth) Peruvian restaurants in Northern NJ/NYC area.
(5)
Karen B.

Costanera serves delicious food and an intimate atmosphere. The potato and sausage appetizer was wonderful. Parking is a challenge. Although it was a Friday night and we didn't have a reservation, the host was very gracious in accommodating us.
(4)
Jennifer M.

3.5 out of 5. Came here for the first time a couple of weeks ago. Overall it was good experience. We lucked out on not having a reservation for a friday night but nonetheless came for a early dinner. SERVICE: overall a hit or miss. We had a male server who completely forgot to address the daily specials to our table. I only heard about the raw bar menu and specials when he had taken the time to tell the other two tables near us. Throughout the night he was somewhat tentative. Then again there were plenty of people around the bar area to pick up his slack. But despite our wishy washy server, everything else was okay. We were greeted and seated right away, and had the option of where to sit despite the number of reserved tables. AMBIANCE: I agree with one of reviews for Costanera, this place is a bore. There's more color in their restaurant logo than the actual interior space of the restaurant itself. Maybe its just my style that likes punches of color here and there, but if you know Peru and its culture, they are notorious for brightly colored garb. None of which I saw inside the establishment. FOOD: This is where it gets that extra half star. The seafood here is excellent. The CEVICHE TRADICIONAL is absolutely fresh and bold. I enjoyed every single bite of that thing. And I could honestly say that I would go there strictly for that app alone. For entrees, I had the PESCADO A LO MACHO. The menu described it as spicy seafood but it was nothing was it said. To my surprise the sauce was very light and refreshing. The seafood was cooked to perfection. Nothing was rubbery or tasted oceany. It was really a treat. I had ordered it with TACU TACU. Although I have nothing to compare Costanera to in terms of Pervian food, the dishes were made with sophisication that lacks in other 'hispanic' foods. Lastly I have to mention the TRES LECHES. I retract -- I would come here again strictly just for the CEVICHE TRADICIONAL and TRES LECHES it was that good!
(4)
Christina S.

I come here during the summer months to enjoy their delicious ceviche. They have a variety of cviches and they are all delicious. Their other food is great as well. It is BTOB like almost all other places in the area but fret not if you forget, there is a liquor store right around the corner.
(4)
Angie S.

My fiance and I went here for the first time today and had a great meal. We came in at around 3:30 PM so we didn't have to wait since there were only a couple of other diners. The restaurant is a bit in the pricey range (most entrees are $20-$30), but my fiance and I chose to share an appetizer and entree in order to save money. The portions were quite filling even with sharing. We got: *Beef heart anticuchos with choclo corn and potatoes *Escabeche de pescado (cod with pickled onions and yams). You also get your choice of side dishes with the entree so we chose yuca. *Chocolate mousse topped with lucuma ice cream, bananas, and strawberries The anticuchos were definitely the best part of the meal. We both agreed they were the best food we'd eaten all month. If you come here and you're a meat eater, you HAVE to try these. The entree and dessert were also delicious...I'm craving the chocolate mousse right now. The service was great; the waiter was always refilling our glasses of water, and the entree was ready as soon as we finished our appetizer. The waiter was knowledgeable and answered the questions we had about the cuisine. They also gave us complimentary glasses of corn cider after our meal, and roasted choclo corn kernels with some kind of spicy sauce before ordering. The restaurant has an overall nice ambiance, with tree slices and carvings in the shape of animals on the walls. Some Latin-type music is playing in the background, but it's on a low volume. The bathroom is very clean and well-stocked. Overall I would definitely recommend coming here to anyone who's looking to try something new.
(5)
Susana F.

So disappointed because reading the reviews really had me pumped to try this restaurant. But I really wasn't blown away at all. Service was good that was the upside but the food really wasn't worth the price. A side of Yuka fries will get you 4 fries! Rip off! Their competitor across the street, Cuban Pete's, serves much heartier portions for less the price. My boyfriend an I had the steak al Pobre with the fried egg and maduros and the steak had more fat than meat- big fail! The best thing on the plate was the rice. I felt sick afterwards because it was just too greasy for my liking. Won't be back!
(2)
Aaron C.

I'm giving this place 5 stars for the service and atmosphere. The food is also great! I have visited Costanera more than once and have always left satisfied. I think the options are great and the specials are always mouth watering.
(5)
Max T.

I kept hearing how great Costanera was, so I came in with pretty high expectations. To start, they sat us next to the kitchen doors - there were plenty of open tables - granted my ankle is broken at the moment and they probably wanted to put me and my crutches in an out of the way place, but I've worked in a resto and know that is the very last place you put people. The food and service were quite good - the host was extremely friendly and made sure we were enjoying our meal throughout the evening. I got the Churrasco a lo Pobre, which was deeeeelicious. However, the egg on top was very overcooked and the meat was a bit overdone as well. When it was brought to the table, it wasn't very hot; hot enough to eat, but it had clearly been sitting and waiting to be brought to our table for a bit. For dessert we got the flan (which is called something else in Peruvian) and a small sample of rice pudding and a couple of cafe con leches - all were top notch. Then the bill arrived - I knew this place was expensive but for the price they're charging, the issues listed above should NOT happen....EVER. While it was good, the food is def not worth what they're charging.
(2)
Jeff C.

The great thing about Montclair NJ is that you have a wealth of above average dining options without hitting the evening rush to NYC. Seeing a lot of high marks for Costanera deserved a visit pre-thanksgiving night. The food here was very good, pricey for a non-Manhattan dinner but very good. For starters we had their chicken empanadas, baked not deep fried so you get this really soft flaky crust without it being greasy, awesome start. Ceviche mixto was excellente', on par with Peruvian ceviches we've had at Pio Pio 8 in Manhattan. For dinner I had the Churrasco a lo Pobre, a very tasty perfectly cooked medium steak with tacu-tacu (rice and beans), small fried egg and some maduros. My wife had their pollo a la brasa, standard Peruvian rotisserie chicken, tender and moist. Add a little Aji Verde for some heat and you are golden. The side of quinoa, cranberries and almonds was a decent complement to the bird. BYOB for drinks, if you like that sort of thing. A nice option for fish is that they cook it anyway you like (fried, steamed, blackened etc.) Dessert was fine, tres leches cake was good, soft and moist cake with plenty of sweet milky goodness. Their chocolate mouse with fresh fruit and vanilla ice cream was also quite tasty. If I had one complaint about the place, it would be while service was excellent, they were quite slow, on a slow Wednesday night. Not that big of a deal that night but you have to wonder how they are when busy. Also they were out of Osso Buco and I heard from another table ordering that they just ran out of empanadas. The good thing is their food has a high consumption rate, but you could be staring at limited options depending on inventory depletion. 3.5 stars but it's Thanksgiving so rounding up to 4.
(4)
J P.

Wouldn't go back. I prefer the local Peruvian restaurants, their food is much better and cheaper. I don't mind paying more for good food, but this was mediocre. The waiters are nice though. Ambience is okay. It was a small place with the tables a little too close to each other.
(2)
M L.

I hardly ever find the need to review a restaurant but I think it's important to maintain genuine and authentic reviews. I had a GREAT experience at this rest. Came here last night (late around 9:30). I enjoy Latin American food but this was my first experience with Peruvian food and wow was I impressed!! We started off with 2 appetizers - the chicken with mashed potatoes (it's a cold dish so that was surprising) and the fish fritters. We left nothing on our plates as these both were amazing!!! Next we both had the chicken dish I had the maduros on the side and DH had steamed yuca. The chicken was so tender and so flavorful!! I love eating something that would be impossible or nearly impossible to replicate at home and that dish was amazing!!! I have made roasted chicken at home that I thought was better than I had eaten out before but this was NOT that!! They also served 2 sauces on the side that really complimented the chicken nicely and it was fun to mix up each bite (sauce #1, sauce #2, no sauce at all).
(5)
Don W.

My wife and i went on a friday night. At an early hour the service was wonderful. The special selections were fascinating. This was our first try of Pervian food. We will definitely go back for more
(4)
Melissa R.

After hearing so many great things about this place, hubby and I decided to check it out last Sunday night. Perhaps our expectations were set too high, but we left a bit disappointed. To start with, it's right on Bloomfield Ave, so parking - even on a Sunday night is a pain. The place is BYOB but we forgot to bring something. Our server never asked if we wanted anything besides water to drink. Odd, but whatever. We started with the empanades. Our appetizer came right away but wasn't especially hot - just lukewarm. They were OK but nothing to write home about. For dinner, I had the steak with pesto pasta. The steak was cooked perfectly but lacked any seasoning whatsoever. There were no salt or pepper shakers on the table and we couldn't locate our server to get some. The pesto was OK, but again, nothing exciting. I don't know what I expected, I guess I thought there would be some unique spice the Peruvians added to regular pesto, but alas, not. Hubby had the fish special a side of tostones. Again, needed salt, but couldn't get it. He said it was OK. There seemed to be only one waiter working the entire place. As I mentioned, we didn't get salt, it took 45 minutes in between when we got our appetizer and when after we got our dinner, he never came back to check on us. When he finally returned 30 minutes after delivering our food, both of our plates were more than half full. He never asked us if anything was wrong. He cleared our plates away and we had to ask him to wrap our leftovers as he walked away. We had to get a dessert menu from someone else. We split a flan for dessert, and it was probably one of the best we've ever had. It was the saving grace for our meal, but it wasn't enough to make us want to come back for more. Two dinners, an app and a dessert came to about $60. The decor is really cool inside, and it was pretty quiet. We didn't even know there was a large party in the front until we were leaving. I probably would have given this place three stars, but we go out so infrequently that I really tend to rate service high these days. And the service here just killed it for us.
(2)
Eve H.

In the mood for Churrasco, decided to try Costanera last night. Had the "Tallarin Verde con Bisteck", which was skirt steak with fettucini. It was tasty and cooked correctly, however it wasn't the robust flavors I am accustomed to when having Peruvian foods. The rotisserie chicken, which was good, but not "authentic" Peruvian good. The service was very friendly, the food very slow to come out, to the point where we were not hungry anymore when it came out. To clarify, the food here was good, however this place will not be what I think about when in the mood for Peruvian. I scanned the menu on my way out and did note in different places on the menu it said "Peruvian Inspired", maybe that is why? When in the mood for Peruvian I will stick nearby Aji Limon (Clifton, NJ) or for the real "without a doubt deal" head over to Passaic, NJ. The Chaufa at El Chevere makes me ditch any diet.
(2)
Michelle S.

Our trek through Montclair restaurants continued at Costanera where we met up with some friends for dinner. Our service started out a little slow as it took them about 10 minutes to bring us menus once we were seated. But we were busy catching up so we didn't mind too much. We started off with one of their Frutos del Mar platters that came with oysters, clams, shrimp, mussels and ceviche. I finally got my first taste of oysters and I have to say I'm a fan. I didn't enjoy the clams so much but that's just a personal preference. The fish ceviche was also very good and is also offered as a separate appetizer. For our main courses most people ordered the steak which they enjoyed while I got the seafood stew. The seafood in the stew was excellent but I wish the stew itself had more flavor. Also, beware that if you don't like cilantro it makes on appearance on nearly all of their dishes. My husband wasn't thrilled to see his steak covered in it. We finished with dessert - ice cream and flan. The ice cream was good and my friend liked her flan. Overall this is definitely a spot I would return to. The service is a bit slow but the prices are reasonable and it's always great to find a good byob place.
(4)
V A.

I generally prefer NYC restaurants, I have found that NJ restaurants just cant meet the quality that some of the better city restaurants can provide, Costanera however, is an exception to this. The meal was flawless from start to finish! I began with the beef hears, which were tender and moist and full of flavor. They actually tasted a bit gamy, which I liked a lot! For the main course I had the braised lamb. This lamb was fantastic! The meat literally fell of the bone, it was incredibly tender and paired very well with the gravy that it came with. This is by far the best lamb dish I have ever eaten. There is a lot of seafood on the menu, which my friends chose to order, but they quickly regretted their decision after tasting my lamb dish. I would also recommend the tres leches here, it is probably the second best tres leches i've ever had. All the dishes were of ideal quality and quantity from start to finish!
(5)
Willie M.

Excellent Service. We went without a reservation on a Friday and had to sit in the back for a few, but within 15 minutes a table opened up. I had half dozen oysters to start they were chilled and clean..very tasty! I had the Pescado a lo Macho, which was cooked perfectly.,a d my date had the Hangar steak which was also cooked and seasoned quite well....but the best was the tres Leches cake for dessert...right for the sweet tooth, but Ooh so good.... Definitely worth a return trip
(4)
George R.

All on all I would say this place is just about four stars. The specials are usually very good. The ceviche excellent as an appetizer. I found the salads bit of a snooze though. Bring your own bottle as they do lot have a liquor license. Definitely make a reservation because if you do not they make you wait in the back by the restrooms!
(4)
Lucy L.

Great dinning experience! We had lunch fix-prix menu and it was wonderful. Great service and atmosphere. I love their special blue corn drink. We would like to come back and try their dinner next time.
(5)
Nick M.

One of the most delicious burgers I've had. Their "all-inclusive" lunch deal is super. Entree, soup, side dish and a beverage for $11.95. The service was great as well. Very friendly waitress who was great with my 1year old nephew. Would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a full delicious meal that won't hurt your wallet.
(5)
Emily G.

Comfortable atmosphere, fun music, wonderful scenery. Our server was so helpful and nice. The food was out of the this world. So delicious, unique, the flavors were authentic and mouth watering. Love this place. Planning on going back in 3 weeks with the whole family!!!
(5)
Deborah M.

Great food and service! I had a large party for my first visit (5 couples), and the staff were very accommodating, for a Saturday night especially. For a party that big, I would definitely recommend a reservation, and it might be a bit earlier or later than you want, but it was fine for us. Costanera is BYOB, like most eateries in Montclair, but the staff opened the wine we brought, iced the white and rose, and brought out our bottles as needed. The decor is subtle, soothing and tasteful. The music is not loud, and on nice nights, windows are opened. The bathrooms are clean as well. Now the most important part: food. This place is worth the price for every plate I tasted. The ceviche is excellent, the Osso bucco I ordered was perfect, the tacu tacu is a must order. Portions for entrees are quite generous, so if you're ordering starters you could easily share the main course. I loved the sospira (chocolate pudding) I ordered, and the flan was fantastic, though it was huge. The espresso was also great! Would definitely recommend, for a romantic date or for a fun evening out with friends.
(5)
Ben P.

First off the corn came out with a green spicy sauce to start the meal. We devoured this dish as it was absolutely delicious. For starters we got the yucca and the spicy prawn soup. The yucca came a little too hot so we had to wait for it to cool lest we burn our mouths on it but it was very tasty. The spicy prawn soup was good and had plenty of hearty shrimp and vegetable in it but was lacking in flavor. It was not spicy. We both got red meat for dinner which was superb and more than enough food for the 2 dishes that we ordered. It paired well with the wine we brought did i mention this place is byob. Just make sure you make a reservation and you can look forward to a meal you wont be disappointed by.
(4)
Layla C.

Love this place! I have been back on a number of occasions - mothers day, an anniversary, a random dinner out - and its suitable for all. During Montclair's restaurant week last year, they had an awesome menu with exciting extras not found on the regular menu. Staff was very accommodating of my gluten free needs and knew ingredients forward and backwards. The food is great. Service can lag a bit, especially after your food has arrived, which is why I docked it a star. Price point is fair, especially given how amazing everything tastes and the plentiful portions. Most recommended are the mussels and any of their red meats. I've had different dishes every time and loved everything I've had. They also offer a great selection of teas, which is a nice bonus.
(4)
Bridget P.

We ordered take-out and it was perfect. Literally the best chicken I've ever had. We will definitely be coming back.
(5)
Lorraine R.

We went to Costanera for a pre-concert meal. Our reservation was for 6:00 p.m, and when we arrived, it was pretty empty. Within 45 mnutes of being seated--the restaruant was packed. Very nice atmosphere, friendly and knowledgable waitstaff. And I would say the food type is Peruvian Fusion. It is a blend of Peruvian ingredients and spices applied to other styles of food preparation. Portions were plentiful, and food was delicious. The Tres Leches Cake was outstanding too! I will definitely go back.
(5)
Craig M.

My wife and I went to Costanera for lunch today. She is from Peru, and a great cook, so she has pretty high standards for the cuisine of her homeland. We were both nicely surprised by our experience. Firstly, the chica morada (purple corn-pineapple juice) was excellently chilled and was uber-refreshing. The chicken-cilantro soup was so authentic, it tasted very similar to the version my wife makes. For a lunch entree, I select a traditional Peruvian dish prepared with a twist. Lomo Saltado is probably one the most famous Peruvian dishes comprising of sauteed beef, french fries, crushed tomatoes, and sauteed onions, all mixed together. At Costanera, for lunch, they take that whole mix, slap a wad of goat chesse on top and put it in a toasted sandwich. It tasted great, even if the sauce the meat was sauteed in tasted different than I'm used to. On the side, I got a very tasty quinoa-almond-cranberry salad. At that point we were eminently full, however we decided to get the tres leches cake and some rice pudding to go to enjot later on tonght.
(5)
Mark W.

As you will find with this entire area - BYOB. Nice atmosphere and service is above par - that being said, they made us order everything at once - which if you are unsure on how much you are going to get, becomes problematic. The food however is excellent - I would recommend and return.
(3)
Itala R.

Amazing!! I'm Peruvian and gave it 4 stars only because it did not compare to moms cooking. But it came darn close!!
(4)
Bo B.

YUM! Me love Peruvian food! Came here with bf and had two lunch specials. This place is almost impossible to get a reservation here for Friday or Saturday night. You're best bet is come here for lunch. For lunch you get a choice of soup or salad, entree and a beverage from $11.99-$14.99. What a bargain. Bf had the black bean soup and I had the chicken rice soup. We asked for some hot sauce and they gave us both hot and mild. We added the mild to both soups and it made it even tastier than it already was. They both were already flavorful, but the mild sauce with all of the added spices and ground peppers made it bursting with flavor. I ordered the quinoa crusted oyster po boy. OMG, so good. There was a nice tangy sauce with raw onion, tomato, lettuce on a nicely toasted bun. You also get a choice of side dish with your entree. I got the quinoa salad. It was really nice and refreshing. It had pieces of fruit in it as well. Bf had the sliced steak sandwich with sauteed onions and tomatoes on a toasted bun. Really tasty. We ended our lunch with two cups of nice strong organic cafe con leche and we shared a tres leche cake..........giant slice of fluffy gooey goodness. The cake was so light, sweetened condensed milk was drenched in the cake with a nice topping of fresh whipped cream drizzled with caramel. I'm salivating right now reminiscing about it.......
(4)
Steve A.

As you would expect, this isn't truly authentic Peruvian. It's upscale and Westernized, but still brings a lot of traditional flavors and dishes together. It's certainly nowhere near your typical American fare, or anything else for that matter. Definitely worth a try, on a date or if you get a bit of a bonus in your paycheck. Stick around for the desserts, and make sure to chat up your waiter!
(4)
Chris V.

We were sent to Costanera on recommendation from a Chef friend of ours who knows how much we love raw bar .. a great call for that. Plump, fresh and briney Bluepoints were a great start. The ceviche Costanera was divine ... on the 99 degree day their was really nothing better than that crisp bowl of flavor. Our entrees left us wanting more .. they were simply generic with no life. The Churrasco a lo Pobre was too thick to be traditional and the Arroz Con Mariscos tasted like it came out a rice a roni box ... bummer. The Flan certainly saved the meal. In general, our server was quite snooty, robotic and uninformative -- note: do not tell us the ingredients if a dish but speak about it's soul -- the texture, flavors and end result.
(3)
Vincent N.

Lomo.Sal.Tado. I had a peruvian roommate in college who cooked us some lomo saltado all the time. And since then, I haven't found a place to eat this wonderful meal again. Until lucky me - Costanera opened up. Now I can have it whenever I want! Dinner is great of course, but I really think the lunch here is Montclair's best kept secret. You get a soup, side and drink for 15 bucks. We usually ditch the free drink, bring along a 6 pack, and add a dozen oysters. Ask them to chill the beer for you. Picture this on a warm day with the doors open to Bloomfield Ave. Could anything be better? Protip - always start out with an appetizer, because they are TOO good to pass up. I'd highly recommend sharing the ceviche or any of the causas. They are not to be missed. My faves: - Pastel de Choclo (peruvian corn cake) - Oyster Po Boy - Ribeye - Lomo Saltado
(5)
Roxanne W.

Great restaurant excellent food! I had the lamb shank and my husband had the steak. Both dishes were very delicious-lamb was falling off the bone and the steak was nice and tender. The dessert was amazing. That tres leches...so so good! We also order the arborio rice pudding which was great but it couldn't compete and we were stuffed from the delicious meal and the tres leches!
(4)
Kaycee C.

Fantastic food with a lot of options! I have tried several types of ceviche there and it was delicious. They can also make good recommendations about how to have you fish prepared. Good service! I would definitely recommend making a reservation in advance.
(5)
Nina R.

ErMerGerd!!!!! You need this place in your life. The roomie and I went here for a light lunch before drinking and we were blown away by the deliciousness of the food. First the ambiance was beautiful, very dark with lovely music lightly playing in the background. The only thing is I felt corny with my six pack of PBRs 'cause I thought the hint was going to be similar to Pio pio - NOT. The menu is nice but we stuck with starters and they were uh-may-zing! The Sashimi style app was mind blowing I could have ate 4 plates right there on the spot and the Jalea was so good. The roomie and I were fighting over fish from the Jalea. This is BYOB, and reasonably priced, the atmosphere is quiet and romantic, small tables and right on Bloomfield - we loved it!
(4)
Norman C.

It was a rainy day in Jersey, and we were going to dine at Cuban Pete's but it was an hour wait and we were hungry. So we treked over to Costanera and found ourselves some really good Peruvian steak. Their rib eye and skirt steaks were grilled to perfection. Whatever they use to marinate the meat. Oh man I want some more. While it is a pricey dinner, it was steak, big portions and its BYOB. The service was attentive and it was friendly. So all in all, my group and I had a pleasant time eating our dinner here!
(4)
Derrick E.

i love the food and the service here. everything here is amazing hands down
(4)
Tom W.

I really enjoyed the food here, and the service was friendly. If you never had Chicha Morada, try it. It's a classic Peruvian beverage made from purple corn and while it's not everyone's cup of tea, it's definitely worth a sample. I've had it a few times and Costanera's is my favorite. The lunch special for 11.95 Includes an entree, a soup and beverage. My entree was the Estofado de Pollo and my soup was the Aguadito de Pollo My girlfriend had the Peruvian Beef burger and the black bean soup. Everything we has was excellent and we will definitely be going back! 4.5 stars
(4)
M B.

Celebrated my 31 birthday with a few of my girlfriends last Friday here. We brought our own champagne/ bubbly. It's BYO. The oysters were terrific(although some extra horseradish would have been nice) crabcake was huge and very meaty with huge chunks of crab, branzino special entree was perfect. Oh and the mussels!!! The were so effin good. Super spicy and perrrrfect for dipping bread into. The food was light and flavorful without too much sodium. The portions are large so our leftovers went to my husband who was home watching the babies! The staff there was very friendly and accommodating helping us with our "photoshoot" before we left. All in all great atmosphere, great food, great friends!
(5)
Cynthia V.

Quality Peruvian dishes in the heart of Montclair...I always find myself coming back to Costanera. While they have great choices on their menu (tallarin verde with steak is top notch and the ceviche is amazing and a big portion), I've learned to order from their specials from my last few visits. Every special dish I have consumed has been better than the last. My last meal at Costanera was a seco de carne (beef stew) with tacu tacu. The taste was authentic and spot on. The short rib was easily pulled apart with the slightest brush from my fork. The dish before that was a quality upgrade from a usual chicharron (fried pork belly) dish I order at other Peruvian restaurants. The creamed sweet potato topped with Argula salad was spectacular. Order their specials! That's the way to go!
(4)
Gwen S.

I went here last Friday night with my family having never had Peruvian food before and now I'm a believer. The menu is in English and Spanish, and there is no shortage of options. We started off with the special mussels and chorizo, the aguadito de pollo soup, and the El Ciudadano (the raw plate for 1-2). Honestly, the portions were so big we could have split 1-2 appetizers among the four of us. For the main course, we had the special Branzino (filleted, and blackened), the short rib special, and two other fish dishes. Everything was very fresh and the portions were pretty big. Buyer Beware on the fish dishes: unless you get the fish of the day, be prepared for your fish to be atop a lot of sauce. Not a bad thing, just unexpected. Then, dessert. For me, dessert is the mark of a good restaurant, and Costanera's Tres Leches cake was beyond amazing. I was full after all of the food, but once I took a bite of this cake I realized that I must have a second stomach because I could not stop eating it. Bottomline: Definitely come here! The seafood is fresh (though I found some shell in my oysters), the employees are friendly without being in the way, and it's good 'bang for your buck'. For the main course, I definitely suggest getting their fish of the day, and for dessert, even though I only tried one, the Tres Leches is a must.
(4)
Yesenia R.

Came here for a Sunday night dinner with a friend. The place is lighted to be very intimate. The staff is very courteous and attentive. I had the oysters and man they were good. Their home made sauces were delicious and fresh. My friend ordered the chicken saltado and I ordered the seafood in red sauce. Both were delicious. The only thing I can complain about is that they were a bit over priced for the amount of good, but it is delicious.
(4)
Dennis K.

Perfecto! We walked around for a while, being picky on where to eat for lunch, what to eat, sit out or sit in? Across the street was this Peruvian restaurant, well tucked into other stores, and guess what we did? Yelped it. And the reviews spoke volumes of good catering and well sautÃ©ed food. Specifically, we wanted the Duck, but they didn't have it. Nonetheless, we are glad to have had lunch here. It's so calming and soothing inside. With some good Peruvian music in the background, and nice wall decor with tree barks and trunks. The seating is decent with well spaced out chairs and nicely polished tables. The wait staff were great as well. We were well seated to our convenience. We got our menu right away. Menu was in English and Spanish, with elaborate clarification by the Waiter. We ordered the Peruvian Shrimp Friend Rice and Lomo Saltada. We couldn't finish the Lomo, taking that home, but the Shrimp Fried Rice: we knocked it out of the park
(4)
Eva M.

Food was amazing and the service was awesome! We will be back..we had ceviche/arroz chaufa and the lamb all was exquisite! It's byob! liquor store is on the same block.
(5)
Gia M.

Still love this place. What a gem in the neighborhood. Consistently excellent food and service! Our go-to girls night out or date night spot and BYOB! And TRY to save room for dessert, their special ice cream or the tres leche cake are divine. PS excuse my rant but Montclair peeps: BYOB does not mean you get to camp out at your table on a Saturday night from 7-11 just because you have more wine; use some manners, people. (Saw this happen at the table next to us last time we were there, the line is out the door for people waiting to get in. This party of 4 was there (finished with dinner) and still they were there when we left - we were a party of 4 (with wine) and did the whole appetizer, entree and dessert and they're still there, chillin. Rude!
(5)
Natalia G.

Way over priced for the quality of food served. Very amateur. Dishes are odd, pretentious and taste strange. I was very unhappy especially after seeing the bill! Many many many better restaurants in the area. I won't be back.
(1)
Jenny K. L.

Service: really engaging and attentive. Great and honest recommendations Food: they start you off with plaintain chips and nuts to dip in a spicy sauce. We then had the costanera ceviche which was fresh but for me was a bit blan.. Their special octopus salad however was out of this world. The tender octopus was grilled perfectly and mixed with tender salad, potatoes, and sausage. Total perfection. For my entree I got the fish with seafood sauce which was amaaaazing and I highly recommend. The seafood was great, the fish was tender, and I would recommend the rice and beans to help soak up the sauce. What I also loved about the rice and beans were that they were mashed together and seared so you got those crunchy bits. I would absolutely recommend that as a side. We were too stuffed for dessert but our awesome server gave us a taste of their homemade ice cream and the flavor was magnificent! Definitely recommend making reservations because they filled up quickly. Don't forget it's BYOB!
(4)
Kim M.

This restaurant is AMAZEBALLS! My sister and I treated my parents to this restaurant for Father's Day because we know how much our dad loves seafood and Costanera did not disappoint. We started with El Ciudadano from the raw bar and the Tiradito Nikkei. The seafood here is so fresh. The oysters and mussels were our favorite part. The Nikkei consists of very tender tuna albeit it was a little to lime-y for my palette. The next visit, we may just eat entirely from the raw bar and their starters. I got the Parihuela Costanera / the seafood stew. This bouillabaisse was absolutely divine. It was creamy and well seasoned and not too salty. I suggest getting a side of rice with this. I was dipping the rice from my dad's Arroz con Mariscos and the combination was a match made in heaven. My mother got Peruvian chicken and my sister got the ribeye. Personally, I'd stick with seafood here but the alternatives to seafood are definitely still delicious. Unfortunately we were too full to consume any dessert. Perhaps another time. 10/10 would recommend, must try this BYOB. I suggest making reservations because we went for a belated Father's Day dinner, a week later than the actual date, and it was a crappy rainy day out and the place was still pretty full.
(5)
Kurt H.

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Montclair. Though it may be a bit pricey, it's worth it every time. This place has an upscale yet casual ambiance and has very friendly service. If they have the octopus salad on special, you must order! The salad has grilled octopus, mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, crisp string beans, and small chopped potatoes tossed in a light (sherry?) vinaigrette. The sauce is so good I basically licked my plate clean. Another one of my favorites is the Lomo Saltado. They fancy up this dish with sliced hanger steak and top it with french fries, onions and tomatoes. I would recommend ordering white rice with this dish to counter the soy sauce. I've also enjoyed their Pescado a la Macho, which is Atlantic Cod topped with squid, scallops poured over with a spicy red sauce. TIPS: Use Open Table before you come and bring wine since its BYOB.
(5)
Courtney R.

My boyfriend and I had a fantastic meal here! Our server was very friendly and very good at dealing with customers with food allergies. I wish I could remember his name in order to give him a proper shout out! He was very knowledgeable of the menu and we appreciated his hard work. The food was very tasty and appropriately spicy (definitely a lot of kick, but didn't turn your mouth into lava). The dinner specials were very interesting. I wish we had known it was BYOB, so keep that in mind! Ultimately, we had a fun and tasty dinner and we'll definitely be back.
(5)
Michele S.

Spent the evening searching for an open restaurant on this holiday weekend and came upon Costanera. What a win! From the spicy dip appetizer to the Mazamorado dessert, everything was perfect. The service was attentive and friendly. There was an excellent choice of vegetarian choices as well as fish and meat specials. So good, highly recommend!
(5)
Gracie J.

RESERVATIONS! Don't ignore this - make a reservation, especially if you have a party of +2. Costanera is very popular and when we dined there we saw people being turned away as the restaurant was booked to capacity. Having said that, the management is friendly and very willing to work with you provided you can commit to some time limitations. I was able to get a reservation for 2 on a Saturday evening, calling the same day, after they offered to squeeze us in between two existing reservations, after promising that we would be out in an hour and a half. Parking on a weekend is atrocious in this area of Montclair, especially if you have the misfortune of picking an "event" weekend... but it is what it is. The food is excellent at Costanera. Extremely flavorful with fair portion size. A pleasant surprise are their desserts which we enjoyed more than we thought we would. Costanera is not a cheap meal, but it is a great place to celebrate special occasions or have a nice date with someone you would like to impress. BYOB!
(4)
Ahmed A.

I mean this place right here was just excellent. We came here on a Friday night with a table of 4 and no reservation and were fit in 20 minutes later. Talk about lucky! The food was delicious we ordered the octopus salad as an appetizer (fits 2 people) and it was fantastic! Very tasty and well prepared. I believe it was a special for the day though. I ordered the chicken and my girlfriend got the short rib special entree. Both were excellent and absolutely delicious. I ordered my entree with the plantain maduro and it was very well prepared as well. Trust me if you have the opportunity order the short rib!!! You will not regret. Another plus is this spot is BYOB whoop whoop! So definitely come here and make a reservation!
(5)
Marissa M.

Went last night for the first time. The food was phenomenal. We got the costanera cerviche which was so so good. For dinner skirt steak with tacu tacu and fried egg. My fiancÃ© got skirt steak with pesto spaghetti. Everything was awesome. Would have tried dessert but we were so full. The service was also great. Can't wait to go again!!
(5)
Cindy C.

I'm between 4 and 5 stars here. This place is legit. The food was top quality and the waiters were awesome. I had never had Peruvian food before and and this was definitely the place to experience it. I loved the atmosphere and waiters knew the menu inside and out and gave great recommendations. We had the grilled octopus salad, tallarine steak, and the seafood fried rice. We loved everything. I want to move to Peru now. The place was packed so definitely make a reservation. The only problem was the host made us feel rushed but everything else more than made up for it.
(4)
Marsh P.

On a casual visit to Montclairs downtown area we happened on this place and after comparing menus of the local haunts we decided to try it out. Most amazing was the ceviches and the daily special roasted chicken... Hands down the best for the price and will come back till I've tried every item on the menu. Thumbs up to the staff..
(5)
Brendan H.

*Costanera is on the west bound side of Bloomfield Avenue. Given how busy Montclair can be on a Friday or Saturday night and that this restaurant doesn't have private parking, I recommend allowing ample time to find parking in order to make your reservation on time. I walked up to find that their doors were open, allowing for the cool night air to flow through the restaurant, and was greeted by a friendly host and just as friendly waiter. The restaurant isn't big, but it's not small either, and I like how it's decorated. We were sat at a small table for two against the wall, and there was just enough room for the two of us, our dishes, bottle of wine, etc. We ordered the mussel appetizer special which was a pound and a half of mussels and chopped chorizo in a reddish sauce. The mussels were as tender as they get and the sauce was delicious. Do dip the bread in the sauce! For my entree, I ordered the Lomo Saltado (Sliced, wok-seared Angus Hanger Steak, red onion, tomato, soy). It was served on a bed of french fries, tomatoes and onions. The steak was super tasty and tender, but they could have excluded the fries for me, as I only ate a few. For dessert, we ordered their tres leches and it hit the mark. My only criticism would be that, for my taste, they used too much parsley to garnish, as its flavor tended to dominate each dish. So if that's not your thing, you might want to mention that up front.
(4)
Shirley D.

So glad I decided to visit Costanera again for a casual dinner on a Wednesday evening! I expected the restaurant to be empty but it had a decent amount of customers (this is always a sign that people love the food!). Food: My friend and I ordered the Lomo Saltado (Peruvian beef stir-fry) and it was delicious! The Lomo Saltado was juicy and tasty.The beef has this distinct taste to it, honestly my mouth is watering right now haha. Also, the dinner portion size was decent, I was so full once I was done. As for the green hot sauce, it's SO GOOD! Staff: I think the staff plays a big role in any business since this is one of the factors that would make a customer come back for more. That being said, I want to point out that Costanera's staff is excellent - very friendly and attentive! Price: The price for my dish was around $25 dollars with some change not including the tip. Establishment: Like I said in my previous review, the restaurant is dimly lit providing an intimate setting and the walls are decorated with tree rings which adds this rustic feel to the place. Also, it's BYOB which is always a plus! Tips: Make a reservation beforehand otherwise you might not be able to get a table. It wasn't crowded on the Wednesday I visited but have gone there on a weekend where they were not serving anyone without a reservation.
(5)
Melissa M.

this place is the kind of place I dream about. let me start by saying that Peruvian food is my favorite and if that makes me biased, so be it. I got the Tallarin verde w bistec - hands down most delicious i've had to date. My cousin got the bistec a lo pobre and she loved it. Other members of my party got the braised short rib special, mussel appetizer. everything was exquisite! It is a little pricey but i'd go back for sure! It is BYOB and they let us stay a little after closing. Our waiter was amazing!
(5)
Hiral P.

I found this place great for seafood lovers. Being vegetarian I found one dish and it was worth trying!
(4)
Glenn C.

I am 99.99% sure I wrote a review for here, or maybe not, who knows. I've been here a few times. Service is either moderately slow or quite fast. It's an odd mix of the two. They always give some little pieces of corn at the beginning, it's quite good. Of the appetizers: have tried Yuquitas a la Huancaina 8 Crispy yucca served with classic huancaina sauce This dish is rather odd, I'd recommend sharing it. It's a bit too one note otherwise. I've had it from a few places and it's a bit more here than others for not much better Yucca. Chupe de Camarones 9 Spicy prawn soup with rice, queso fresco, and huacatay Excellent, huge portion. Aguadito de Pollo 7 Classic chicken, cilantro and rice soup Not as rice-y as a lot of other rice soups. The chicken flavor is good but the Chupe de Camarones is better and a ceviche or tiradito of some sort (of what I remember, excellent) Of the main dishes I have tried Lomo Saltado 24 Sliced, wok-seared Angus Hanger Steak, red onion, tomato, soy There is an odd mix of pan-asian dishes at most Chilean places, I forget the name for this but it is quite common. Anyway Most recently had this: Quite good, large portion. It comes on top of fries. The steak is chewy but in a good way. Churrasco a lo Pobre 31 Grilled Black Angus rib eye, tacu-tacu, maduros, fried egg The most expensive dish and one of the better ones. Pretty big piece of rib eye (but it is a rib eye.) The tacu-tacu is delicious. Not enough maduros. Egg is obviously good. Pollo a la Brasa 15 Traditional, Peruvian rotisserie free-range chicken Have tried this, OK portion. There is better chicken in the area for less. I'd recommend the other Peruvian Chicken place Uncle Paulie's Puro Sabor. It's a bit less money for just as good chicken (+ they have great Alfajors.) Sides: Tacu-Tacu 6 Peruvian rice and canary bean hash, Aji Amarillo Best side dish here, most of the others are rather, boring? Desserts: COMBINADO CLASICO 6 (Arroz con Leche y Mazamorra Morada) Parfait of vanilla and Arborio rice pudding with golden raisins, and Peruvian purple corn pudding with pineapples, apricots, papaya The flan is excellent with a lot of raisins. The purple corn pudding has a spice taste to it that you might not expect. It's delicious but quite different. It's also served quite hot. I would write more in this review but quite simply I don't remember as much anyway. It's around a 4.3, mostly since the service is either ridiculously slow or fast.
(4)
Rachel A.

Great portions and the food is really tasty. Those plantain chips and green spicy sauce they bring out as a complimentary app is a joke. But the Yuca fries are great and the steak strips over fries were really tasty.
(4)
Michael T.

This place was a great find for us, I'm already looking forward to coming back. It's a byob in Montclair (big surprise) but that's okay; there's a liquor store around the corner. We shared some of the tiradito tradicional which was raw sliced grouper in a citrus- aji sauce with cilantro and the choir-papas. For entrees we had the churascco al pobre and a duck breast special. The tacu tacu, maduros, and onions accompanying both were great. Service was very attentive and welcoming. Give it a try if you're looking for something different!
(4)
Adam R.

Let me start with being positive. We've been here several times over the last several years and the food is always very good. The ceviche is delicious and plentiful. The tallarin con bisteck with the verde sauce is probably one of the best dishes ever. But all of this was ruined tonight with straight up terrible service and an obviously disgruntled waiter. To begin with, it took forever for our waiter to even acknowledge us. Once he did, he simply asked for our order and never even bothered to tell us the specials. The snacks that come before each meal, while promised to us, showed up probably 10 minutes after he told us they'd arrive. The waiter seemed friendly enough but he was painfully inadequate in service quality. Our table was right next to the service bar where they plate desserts, pour/make coffees and sometimes just congregate (it's a BYO so no liquor service here). While one would expect for it to be somewhat noisy next to this service bar, one would not expect to hear an obviously disgruntled waiter slamming plates and cups down, loudly complaining about how miserable he is and how lousy customers are and how annoyed he was with every situation. In the meantime, it was taking us a good hour (yes HOUR) to get our entree! It's very hard to have an enjoyable time when you're listening to a disgruntled waiter and waiting that long for food. Additionally, never once did our waiter offer to fill our wine glasses, offer us anything while we waited so long and I think maybe checked on us ONCE during this painful hour. Let me also now state that the restaurant was not full. It was busy, but not full. When we got our food, while warm, it certainly was not hot which means it was sitting out for a while before the waiter went and picked it up. To end the night, while I would have loved dessert (because it's good here), I could not bear to wait any longer (the table next to us ordered dessert it it took forever for them to get it) nor did I want to inconvenience our favorite disgruntled waiter who complained every time he had to plate a dessert. Also watched this same guy blow out a birthday candle on the dessert he just lit (yes, he blew ON the dessert). They lost probably a good $15-20 in coffees and dessert between my wife and I. Because of this experience I would sincerely reconsider ever coming back here. It's a real loss but I wonder if the manager/owner even cares because the person who appeared to be "in charge" certainly didn't silence his top complainer while we were within ear-shot. Sadly, I think they may have lost 2 customers.
(2)
Lucy L.

Overall good quality is above avg. creativity is avg, but most dishes had huge favors. It was a very satisfying experience being there, however price tag is def more on the higher end too... Well worth it. Def have to try their oysters and clams, it is very fresh and love their own vinegar mix.
(4)
Robert G.

The food was very good. For appetizers, we had anticuchos de pollo. It was seasoned nicely and the serving size was perfect, just like the entrees. I had the jalea entree. I would prefer this plate with less breading and, in lieu of the dipping sauce, aji. For dessert, we had el clasico. It was fresh and not too sweet. I would contemplate rating this restaurant a five if the service was a little faster. Part of this issue could be tied to the kitchen.
(4)
Lisa V.

My niece and I wanted seafood for lunch and decided to yelp places outside of Bergen county...so Montclair it was. This place came in on yelp as top 5 places for seafood and Peruvian ceviche is one of my favorites...so we headed in. We tried their ceviche of course and it was amazing! Had the right amount of acidity but needed a touch of salt other than that we devoured it! Main dishes consisted of their pan seared cod fish with seafood and the seafood with yellow rice. Both dishes were very flavorful...like it was home cooked. We had to take the rest home because they give a nice portion. So full didn't have room for their desserts..definitely next time! And when I return I'll be sure to bring a nice bottle of wine because it's BYOB.
(4)
John L.

Lousy service - no host on a Friday, no ice for ice bucket for wine (cooled marble no ice), long wait for three appetizers. Overpriced dishes ($21 one crab cake). Loud (not with good music), pizzeria tiled floors. Fooled by reviews and pictures should have just went to NYC.
(2)
Steve C.

I really enjoyed dining at Costanera.I didn't believe the Yelp hype about making reservations and almost didn't get a seat on a recent Saturday. Thank goodness we arrived @6 and the manager squeezed us in with us promising not to overstay our visit.We left @ 8:00 so all worked out. I really enjoyed my first shot at Peruvian dining.The waiter was a character who entertained us with his witty banter while delivering spot on service. Unfortunately I can't remember the names of the dishes we ate,but they were all tasty and well made.The octopus app was really nice and grilled to perfection. I had the Peruano version of bouillabaise which I enjoyed, even though it was served without rice or bread which is a shame because the broth was awesome. I would have drank it like champagne but I didn't want to get the boot. For desert we had the house made tres Leche and it was superb.We will definitely be back, however next time we will make a reservation!
(4)
Carolina G.

I went on a Sunday only because Cuban Pete's wasn't opened yet. Had the roasted chicken, it was okay. Nothing special. Honestly I feel as if you're paying more for the decor and ambiance then the food. I'm Peruvian and I feel as if you want an upscale Peruvian restaurant, go to Pio Pio in NYC and if you want real delicious Peruvian food, better off going to El Chevere. Even the yuqita a la huacaina tasted more like egg, than anything. I will say though the staff was extremely pleasant.
(2)
Carlos O.

Food - phenomenal. Five stars. Best chicken I've ever had. Very juicy and flavorful. Octopus salad, absolutely outstanding. Ceviche and causas were great Environment- excellent Service - excellent. Both timing and suggestions Overall, 5 stars. Definitely looking forward to returning
(5)
Ninni N.

Went back for our anniversary dinner this past Sunday and it was all delicious and our waiter was really nice. Jalea, Tallarin Verde and Lomo Saltado..yum!!
(5)
Lana S.

AMAZING! can't wait to go back. BYOB. one of my fav's in montclair. large portions - got to bring home leftovers.
(5)
Dave S.

Our first time! Menu has authentic choices. For appetizers, we tried yaquitos (fried yucca) & antecucho (beef heart). Both were good! Antecucho well seasoned and grilled, came on bed of choclo. The choclo really interested my friend- never ate anything like it before. Nice ambience, can dress up or be casual. Nice interior, walls look cool with wood cuts. Tables set up attractively, too. No TV, which is refreshing. My entree was lomo saltado ( grilled skirt steak). I was surprised it came as medallions, I prefer the steak whole. A little chewy, but flavorful. All my friends liked their dishes. Downside is that the place is so popular that reservations are ideal (However, we did go on a Sat. night during the film festival). "Open Table" worked well online. Manager tries to work with you and turns over the tables by 8 pm or so. He's nice about it, but I guess one can't really linger on certain nights. Since we sat next to the door, I heard the manager tell every customer that he has seating right now, but then a reservation at 8. Indeed, by the time we left ( we couldn't linger and have dessert, manager already gave me heads up earlier on the phone that he needs the table at 8:15), there were at least three parties waiting to be seated. So get reservations but don't expect to linger all night! Only street parking. It's Montclair.
(3)
Karrin P.

I can honestly say that since my last review, my experience with Costanera has changed completely. It is now one of the staples of my Montclair restaurants to frequent list. The food is fresh, well prepared, festive, and I love what they offer in regards to Vegan selections, without even trying to make them Vegan. There are also a lot of gluten-free dishes to choose from. Their quinoa salad, yuca, and platanos are amazing as side dishes. But I particularly love their Duo Vegetariano entree with lentils and quinoa saltado with spinach and tomato. It is so delicious and flavorful! The staff is very friendly and informative when it comes to any questions you might have. The atmosphere is laid-back and very inviting. I don't usually have a hard time getting in for lunch or dinner, but reservations never hurt. Also, it's BYOB for the drinkers. They have a nice selection of coffee and teas and even offer organic ice cream, if you're interested! Parking can be a bit tricky, but it's not impossible. If you like ceviche and seafood, you're also in luck as they have a lot to offer, even a build-your-own for the raw bar.
(4)
John S.

Loved the Peruvian roast chicken. Had I been home, I would have picked the bones clean with my fingers ... The meat is so moist and flavorful. Unfortunately, I had the use a knife and fork in polite company. The mixto ceviche was fresh and flavorful as well. One serving comfortably served two as an appetizer. There's so much on the menu I want to try: beef heart kabobs, while roasted fish, all manner of ceviches. The wait staff was very friendly and answered all of our noob questions. It was empty when we arrived at 7 on a Wednesday night, but filled up quickly. The fact that they are BYOB is a huge plus. A very reasonably priced comfortable place for dinner. We will be back.
(5)
Jess C.

SOMEONE was noting that my reviews are getting quite long, so I'll try to keep it short! :P Costanera is a solid, slightly more expensive, Peruvian restaurant in Montclair. Don't be misled by the dilapidated exterior, the inside is gorgeous - dim, romantic lighting - with cross sections of tree trunks (transverse planes, my fellow anatomy students) dotting the walls. The Ceviche (incredible sauce, perfect mix of lime and seafood, but no good if you're not a fan of red onions), Pescado a lo Macho (not spicy, but lots of seafood), and Tres Leches (bread wasn't even soggy!) are sure crowd-pleasers! The Quinoa side with cranberries and lime vinaigrette was interesting and the Basil Pesto Spaghetti with steak (great char) and Escabeche de Pescado (saltier than the Macho) were pretty good, but stay away from the limp Yuca. The service was a little slow with only two working the room. But our server had a great personality, cracking jokes the entire night. He even ran after us at our cars when he forgot to give us our leftovers! Notes: - BYOB!! - only two credit cards split per check, minimum $20 per card.
(4)
Jennifer C.

My favorite restaurant in Montclair. It's our go-to date night! We always start with the ciudadano - fresh clams, oysters, mussels, shrimp, and fish ceviche. I've never been disappointed with anything we've had. I especially recommend the osso buco when it's in season.
(5)
Priyal D.

Went here for my anniversary with my boyfriend last October. Was very excited to try the food, and fell in LOVE with their menu! All the seafood was delicious. The mussels were a must have. Waiters are the best part of the experience, very welcolming and helpful! Would love a chance to go again!
(5)
Michelle E.

My FiancÃ© had reservations made for a Sunday evening to celebrate my birthday. The staff was very attentive and humorous: it is not a huge restaurant inside but it's not cramped either-and it's BYOB. The food at hand is another matter...simple ingredients and very savory. The set on the table corn nuts with an in-house made sauce , the sauce has a hint of heat but it goes well with the nuts. For appetizers my fiancÃ© and I both ordered the Chicken Causas: which are these mashed potato cakes which have avocado, mashed potatoes, scallions , and your meat/fish/vegetarian choice filling. As a main course my fiancÃ© ordered the Lomo Saltado, it comes served on French fries with your choice of a side. It's sliced Hanger Steak cooked together with tomatoes and peppers, put together in a sweet sauce. The side my fiancÃ© choose were the sweet plantains and they were warm and cooked to perfection. I ordered the Tallarin con Bisteck, a spaghetti dish with grilled Angus Skirt Steak. What makes this dish delicious is your choice of sauce for the spaghetti , there are two options. I went with Peruvian Basil Pesto, and it did not disappoint . The pesto was of good consisting coating the spaghetti added a soft buttery taste to the spaghetti. I am looking forward to coming back in the future.
(4)
Manuel F.

Decent restaurant, food was good, ceviche was ok, BYOD,somewhat over priced but since its in Montclair, its ok. Ok staff
(3)
Mylene T.

Beautiful day to eat out...it was a Thursday night and I was hoping for outdoor seating but they only had 2 tables that could fit outside that sits 4 each. So I made reservations at 7:30p and came on time but it took about 5 min to sit down...the hostess was nowhere to be found. Once he came he did seat us right away. While waiting I noticed everyone with a small plate that looked like peanuts with a green sauce and I wasn't sure if it's given to us once we sit down. We HAD to request it because we never got it. It was deep fried corn with a spicy sauce to dip in....it was pretty tasty. So we started with a Costanera Ceviche - had lump crab, ahi tuna, shrimp, red onions and a sweet potato. Surprisingly, the sweet potato complemented the tanginess of the sauce. It was delicious! Our entrees was the Seafood Stew which was so delicious - all the seafood was cooked to perfection and the soup was awesome. I wish they offered bread to dip. My girlfriend ordered the Tollarin con Bisteck which was soooooo good. It came with Spagetti tossed in pesto sauce. OMG it was delicious. I also had a side dish of the Ensalad de quinoa....it was tasty but it did not go with the Seafood stew. Dessert oh man don't sleep on that Tres Leche! Wow!! It's heavy and filling so share it....and if you love coffee...the cafe con leche complemented so well with dessert. So our server was new but she didn't check in with us when we waited so long for our entrees to arrive. I gave them 4 stars because the food was delicious. I def would come back to try their chicken. It was sold out!!! Pros: You can make reservations It's BYOB (which I totally forgot to take advantage of but they do have a liquor store around the corner) Cons: The entrees took forever to come out I love bread...they don't give any
(4)
Jane B.

I must compliment this fabulous restaurant again. The oysters are now $1.50 on Thursdays (they used to be $1!) but so fresh and delicious. Our waiter helped me resolve my indecisiveness by suggesting a marriage between two steak dishes. And what a hit! Perfectly cooked skirt steak with an outstanding chimichurri sauce. My dining companions raved about their choices: a shared octopus salad, followed by Peruvian style bouillabaisse and the special fish. We couldn't resist sharing a chocolate mousse with an amazing ice cream that tasted like deep dark caramel. Now that our daughter has moved to Montclair we'll be visiting more often.
(4)
Jonathan W.

Awesome food, excellent / attentive service, comforting environment. Perfect for a date night with your spouse / significant others.
(5)
Rudy M.

"Do you have a reservation?"..., at a Peruvian restaurant?!..., that was a first for me... Yes, I am biased, but for being a "reservation" type of place, I expected the food (of which I am VERY familiar with) to be "out of this world, magnificent!"..., which it wasn't. Not only was I disappointed in the mediocre taste of their dishes, but their menu was rather limited, or condensed! I'm not gonna say that the food was horrible because it wasn't, it's just not worth it's price! Those of you who know what good Peruvian food is, you can skip this place. Those who have fat wallets, and go to a restaurant for "the atmosphere", by all means, stop in, I'm sure you'll enjoy the food. (Make sure you call to reserve your table first! LOL!)
(3)
Lindsay B.

The experience we had at Costanera was fantastic! The service was outstanding. Was attentive and friendly. Allowed us to sit and drink our wine without rushing us out. Enjoyed the mussels with chorizo for an appetizer and thoroughly loved every bite of the cod fillet. Fish was tender and full of flavor. We also enjoyed the braised short ribs with rice. Will certainly come back and make sure to leave room for dessert next time!
(5)
Stanley L.

Yum. That's the first thing that comes to mind when I think about this place. I have to say that this place has been hyped up by a friend of mine who lived in Peru for over a year and claims that this place it as authentic as it gets. The place wasn't super busy as we entered here for an early dinner. It is BYOB and we definitely brought enough bottles for the occasion. We had a variety of appetizers the Costanera ceviche, Causus and the Chicharron de Pescado. Undoubtedly the best part to me was the Chicharron. For my main course I had the Churrasco a lo Pobre. Let me tell you I love a Rib Eye steak and this was cooked to perfection. The meat was so tender and charred just right. The best part of all was that there was value here. This is definitely on my hit list for a second go around!
(4)
Ilhwa C.

So, so, so good. The Maduros (Sweet Plantains), the rib eye...oh geez. The lobster salad! This is soul food at its finest and highest. The Tres Leche...to die for! You know a place is good when they serve you good tea, in an actual tea pot - it means they take it all seriously. The service is pretty impeccable, warm, and menu-knowledgable. We had a short and sweet conversation with the owner. It became obvious that the business is a reflection of the owner's care for his business, and his customers. He's showing Peruvian food in a way that will make you fall in love. When we want great food and a warm dinning experience - Costanera's it is.
(5)
Tom L.

Great peruvian food and everyone in the restaurant echoed the same sentiment. Lunch specials are a great deal with soup, entree, side, and beverage. My ensalada andino was presented beautifully and my friend raved about the duo vegetariano, particularly the quinoa. The soups were nothing special, but the sides of yucca fries and plantains were very good. We both got the chicha morada for our drink (it seemed most people chose it as well). which was a great choice for those who like cinnamon/nutmeg. Service was very friendly and constantly engaging with customers. Looking forward to trying the other menu items
(4)
Kyle E.

Oysters, not the best, but everything else was great. Byo for sho, the specials are special and the staff is awesome. I have enjoyed the experience a few times and look forward to the next. Great place for fish and Peruvian psteaks. My little lady was so happy she started to dance in her seat...
(4)
Phuong N.

My friends and I went here to try something different and we weren't disappointed. We had a reservation for 9 but still ended up waiting a bit; the place was pretty packed so call ahead. The decor was just the right combination of casual, formal and cultural. We ordered: - Causas (mashed potato cakes filled with avocado and your choice of salad) - Anticuchos with kebabs of beef heart - Duo Vegetariano - Escabeche de pescado (pan roasted Atlantic cod, spiced pickled onions, yams) - Seco Norteno (lamb shank, canary beans, yuca) - Plantains - Tres leches - Mousse de chocolate The char on the beef hearts was just right and my boyfriend really liked his vegetarian dish. The Atlantic cod dish was really salty so maybe stay away if you're pre-hypertensive. The lamb, however, was so incredibly tender that it just fell off the bone. The plantains were just the right amount of thickness and were the best I've ever had. I've never had tres leches before and after this, I'm a believer and future diabetic. I would definitely come back and this time for the lamb.
(4)
catherine f.

I have been here a lot. The reason I keep coming is the churrasco is outstanding, my son loves the tacu tacu and the octopus is masterful. The service is excellent and ambiance is nice I will continue to return. Thanks costanera!
(5)
Ala M.

Came in as a party of 2 at 8:30 on a Saturday and had a table in minutes. Started with the sashimi style tuna ceviche which was amazing. We ate the left over sauce like soup it was so good. Had a special appetizer they was an oyster po boy slider (I think) which was so so good, though I wish there was more fried oyster or less bread. My sister had the Atlantic cod with a seafood sauce and it was really great. So light, and tomato sauce., roasted potatoes as a side were a great choice I had the fish of the day which was Bronzino, grilled. It is to die for. I had the whole fish and you must watch for the spine but it is just killer. My side were the fried plantines and they were a bit dry but it didn't bother me much. The tres leches cake is as good as our server was, which means really great. Though this place is much more expensive then people have branded it.
(4)
Stephanie S.

Just toss Costanera into the mix of one of the many great restaurants that Montclair has to offer. This place stands out for it's exceptional service, delightful atmosphere and of course quality food. The walls are covered in tree slices. The entire place has a cozy, warm and romantic vibe. The service was REALLY good. I don't remember his name, but our waiter was superb (he had a good spirit about him). I believe he was even new to the place. We shared a Ceviches dish, (Costanera - lump crab, arctic char, shrimp), which was delicious! I'm not an expert on ceviches, but the fish tasted super fresh and the citrus flavor throughout was refreshing. My main dish was the Pescado a lo Macho (Pan roasted Atlantic Cod, spicy seafood sauce). I really liked this dish, but it wasn't spicy so don't be mislead. The calamari had great texture and the fish was cooked to perfection. They cooked the fish on the rare side which was awesome. My date had the Parihuela Costanera (Peruvian seafood stew / bouillabaisse) which was the recommended dish by the hostess. It was a hit as well. For every entree you get one side dish so we shared the Tacu Tacu and Maduros, both delicious. We didn't do dessert, but they had some nice options. I just had an espresso. Overall I enjoyed Costanera and would come back. Next time I would like to try a meat dish to switch it up.
(4)
Andrea N.

By far my favorite in the area! Seriously, just order to Tres Leches and you'll never want to go anywhere else. Now that that's out of the way, i can start my review ;) Ambiance: It's very unique. The tables are a little too close together, but everything else is great. The walls are lined with tree rings and I've always been indifferent to it. I mean, it gives the wall some flair, but I've never really understood the aesthetic of it. Regardless, this place is all about the food! Food: Ceviche. Always, always, always order the ceviche. I'm serious. So much flavor in one bite. The first time I came here, my boyfriend's dad literally picked up the bowl and drank the remaining sauce out of it. It's that good. For your entree, stick with the seafood. Their poultry options are great too, but their seafood is SOOO subtle in flavor, but the sauces pack a mean punch. I normally order the Pescado a lo Macho, which is again, another finger-licking dish. All you need is bread to dip in the sauce and it'll be perfect. But they don't have bread, so I digress... Service: I've never had memorable great service here, but a couple of times I've gotten very annoyed with their staff. Just make reservations if you plan on coming on the weekend, because you'll end up wasting your time here otherwise.
(4)
Brenda M.

Wow, wow and one more wow for good measure. This is one of those rare places where you understand the term "Dining experience." This restaurant isn't glamorous, you won't be looking at the decor thinking, "That chandelier is at least 6 figures!" No. What you will be thinking is what a warm atmosphere, what a professional wait staff and the food... Yes, let's talk about the food. Authentic, fresh, and thoughtfully prepared. We were with one other couple, each of us ordered different things and we all wanted to try each other's dishes. I'm the more adventurous of the group and ordered the octopus appetizer. Lovely! The octopus was tender and sweet. The sauce.... Well, good thing we were in public otherwise I would have done the unthinkable and licked the plate! I also had the bronzino. It's a type of fish that one can screw up pretty easily. Again, superb. It was done with red peppers in a spicy sauce that was nothing short of devine. For dessert, we ordered the Peruvian ice cream a butterscotch/caramel combo marvel. It was gone in 2 seconds and the only reason it wasn't gone in 1 sec is because we were stuffed! We had the uncommon pleasure of meeting and speaking with the owner and CIA trained chef Juan Placencia. The dishes are almost all from having grown up with a food centric family, with many of them as owner/chefs. It was also apparent to see the respect and affection Juan held for his staff and the feeling was mutual. This restaurant should be on any serious foodies to-go to list. Enjoy.
(5)
Adriana R.

By far one of the best restaurants the place is small and cozy almost. The staff is very friendly. The only thing is that you do need to make a reservation if it's on the weekend because they are packed. There's a liquor store around the corner if you want to drink because they don't sell alcohol
(4)

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Address : 511 Bloomfield Ave
Montclair, NJ, 07042
Phone (973) 337-8289
Website https://costaneranj.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :12:00 pm - 10

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Costanera

511 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair, NJ, 07042

Costanera Menu

Sides

Starters

Main Course

Small Plates

Raw Bar - Build Your Own

Raw Bar - From the Chef

Healthy Meal suggestions for Costanera

Sides

Starters

Main Course

Small Plates

Raw Bar - Build Your Own

Raw Bar - From the Chef

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