Sonja Morgan, known for being a cast member on the Real Housewives of New York City, has frequented Montclair twice this year – once in January during the snowstorm and a second time a few days ago. She’s already built a list of her go-to spots while in town. Having shared some of her favorites already on her Instagram, Morgan further explained to Montclair Girl why she loves visiting certain spas and restaurants in New Jersey when she’s not filming the hit Bravo show. Read on for Montclair Girl‘s exclusive interview with Sonja Morgan.
(Photo credit: @sonjatmorgan)
Visiting Montclair
The RHONY star initially learned about Montclair through a friend and ever since her first visit, she keeps coming back. For one, it’s a short drive outside of New York City where she resides, and secondly, she can’t get enough of everything Montclair has to offer.
Read More: An Exclusive Q+A with RHONJ‘s Melissa Gorga on Life + Her Montclair Business
“It’s a nice little haven away from the city and mixes up the routines,” she tells Montclair Girl. “I love it! It’s residential but it’s like a little town and has whatever you need.” She jokes that she can even go to CVS nearby and get little odds and ends she needs for a getaway.
The fashion designer adds, “I wish I could go more often but whenever I see a window where I’m not booked up or working, I just come here. It can be for a weekend or at most five days if I get it.”
^ Sonja at The George
(Photo credit: @sonjatmorgan)
Although Morgan is friends with Melissa Gorga, Teresa Giudice, and Margaret Josephs from Real Housewives of New Jersey, she says she doesn’t get a chance to always see them when she’s in the Garden State.
“When I’m here I don’t visit anybody. I just hide out, sleep well, walk. I walk everywhere on Bloomfield [Ave],” she says. “I just chill out and enjoy myself.”
Brought into the spotlight by RHONY fame (she’s been part of the cast for over a decade) and her many appearances on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Morgan says that she gets recognized by Montclair residents but “everybody’s super cool.”
“Everybody recognizes me here, but they’re really cool. They’re like, ‘Hi, I love you!’ or ‘I know you,’ but you can really have a chill time,” she shares.
Her Favorite Montclair Spots
^ Sonja at The George
(Photo credit: @sonjatmorgan)
Where she stays: “The George. The rooms have desks and I set up my little workstation. If they get booked up, I’ll go over to The MC [Hotel]. I’ve stayed there in January when there was a huge snowstorm and the blow trucks were out every five minutes. They have a rooftop that I like.”
Where she gets her daily breakfast when she’s in town: “I’ll go to Sweet Kitchen. I love going there every morning — it’s my favorite little place! It’s a great breakfast place and it’s so cute. They have avocado toast, eggs, juices, and [all sorts of] things.”
Where she likes to eat out: “I like Uncle Momo. I get the lamb tagine — it’s a lamb dish with eggplant. It’s amazing! And then Jack’s Seafood Shack is where I get steamed mussels and clams.”
Where she goes grocery shopping: “Whole Foods. It’s one of the most amazing Whole Foods! It’s crazy good — the best one ever!”
(Photo credit: @sonjatmorgan)
Where she goes shopping for clothes: “Envy by Melissa Gorga. I’m getting a dress there to wear for my [comedy] show, Sonja In Your City.”
Where she goes to get her hair done: “I go to Gumdrop [Hairdressing] to get my blowdry.”
Where she gets her nails done: “There are different nail salons. I don’t have a favorite!”
Where she goes to get a facial and massage: “I go to Hand and Stone (where she gets a customized Swedish massage and a combo Dermalinfusion and NuFACE facial). The facial really works. They have a lady that does deep tissue [massage] that I love.”
(Photo credit: @sonjatmorgan)
The Hand and Stone Montclair team tells Montclair Girl they love having Sonja in to visit. “We love her. She’s such a wonderful person and always a pleasure to interact with. She’s so great with our staff. She loves our massages and our facials,” they share. “We’re always super excited when she comes in. Always a really charming personality. She’s so much fun!”
What She’s Up To Now
Morgan is currently on her comedy tour for Sonja In Your City and will be stopping in Boston, MA; Philadelphia, PA; New York, NY; Washington, DC; and Timonium, MD (click here for more info). She’s also promoting her Sonja Sangria which she says is “very fresh” and “everyone can sip and watch [RHONY]!”
See More: Celebrities That Have Lived in Essex County
“I’m enjoying the travel with my tour and getting to meet my fans. The tour is just a good time for people to come and laugh and be silly,” she says. “I like to mix it up on the show because people don’t like to see the same thing every time. I may have a fashion business (Sonja by Sonja Morgan) and I may have whatever, but you just gotta mix it up.”
When she’s not working, she’s visiting family in Tennessee and Virginia, spending time with her 20-year-old daughter Quincy Morgan, and taking care of her dog, Marley. While season 13 of Real Housewives of New York City recently finished airing new episodes, fans are looking forward to watching the cast (Sonja, Luann de Lesseps, Ramona Singer, Leah McSweeney, and Eboni K. Williams) get together for the reunion. The air date on Bravo has yet to be announced.
Click here to watch past episodes from this season and click here to follow Sonja Morgan on Instagram.
