Bonté Shows Work by Local Artist

Open for just over a year, the family-run shop already has a devoted group of regulars. The homemade Belgian waffles draw them in; oven-fresh muffins, soups, salads, sandwiches and organic teas and coffees keep them coming back for more. Everything is baked on-site, with no preservatives. It’s tough to stand at the counter without grabbing one of their bite-size mini-muffins. And for just 50 cents, why resist?

The waffles are by far the most popular item. Customers can choose from "mix-ins"—blended directly into the batter—or toppings like fruit, chocolate syrup, butterscotch or ice cream.

Gail Davis has been coming to Bonté since the shop first opened, and on Wednesday night she treated her grandson, Naziz, to his first Bonté waffle. She ordered the only thing she ever gets—the original waffle with butterscotch ice cream. "It's a wonderful treat," she says. "It's good because it's real, homemade waffles. Even the ice cream is homemade! Homemade in Pennsylvania,” she clarifies, “but still, homemade!”

Just last week, Bonte made a few changes to add to the relaxing atmosphere. They added an additional couch, creating a second cozy lounge area in the front of the store. The original lounge area is a favorite among customers, with plush chairs that make you want to stay for hours. They also started showcasing the work and collections of local artist David McDermott.

McDermott is working with owners Liz and Brian Boeli. "I am trying to make it more artsy," he said. "I think South Orange and a lot of places in New Jersey are starving for aesthetic beauty. We need to bring more art into South Orange. [Bonte] should be a place where people can come, interact, share ideas with each other. Art is controversial," he says, "it always provokes conversation. We need more of it."

McDermott is displaying a combination of his own paintings and those of renowned artists Li Zhao Yan and Sun Jizh Ong. He hopes to host events with the artists at Bonte. All the artwork is for sale, so if customers like what they see, they can bring it home on the spot.

Whether you're looking to try a melt-in-your-mouth Belgian waffle, curl up in a cozy chair with a cup of tea, or take in the oil paintings, one thing is for sure: as Naziz tells us, "It’s really good!"