Christina Mastroeni 
Sayola, located at 38 Valley Road, is a favorite of the Montclair dining scene. This restaurant is known for its Spanish cuisine and for bringing Spanish culture to the Montclair area. Keep reading to learn more about Sayola in Montclair, and what to expect when attending one of its Flamenco Nights.
About the Owner
Sandra Negrin is the owner of Sayola and runs it with her husband and sister. Vibe from the owners to staff, to guests is family-oriented. Family starts with the combination of Sandra’s name along with her sister’s and brother’s, which created “Sayola.” Sandra originally opened Sayola before the pandemic in 2019 as a BYOB spot, serving Spanish cuisine.
Sandra first fell in love with hospitality while working in a restaurant growing up. She enjoyed talking to guests and getting to know them. She then went to school at Fairleigh Dickinson University to study Hospitality Management. From there, Sandra researched her current locations + surrounding areas, and the rest is history.
The pandemic was tough for Sandra, but not out of reach. In addition to Sayola, the family also owns another location in Tenafly, and a third restaurant, La Taberna Steak + Tapas Bar, in Dumont, NJ. Sandra is proud to say she didn’t let her staff go during the pandemic but rather shifted them from the Montclair location to the others, as Sayola Montclair was temporarily closed during the pandemic. In 2022, Sayola’s Montclair location celebrated its grand re-opening with two new + exciting features: an in-house bar + Flamenco dancing events.
Sandra and her husband are Montclair residents, and she said she’s found it to be “so lovely [with] lively people that are so sweet.” She mentioned the great nightlife in the area as well. In the future, Sandra’s wish is for people to always feel at home at Sayola. She also has high hopes for people who find Sayola to be their new nightcap or cocktail spot.
Read More: A Guide to Specialty Markets in Montclair
About the Space
Sayola is part of the Valley + Bloom building located on Valley Road in Montclair. For those driving into the area, there is a parking garage across the street from the establishment. Inside, guests are greeted with a wine wall. Here, beautiful bottles of wine are on display horizontally. When passing the entrance, there are tables in the main room with chairs, as well as a section with a booth. There is also a small space with a stage, where live music + Flamenco Nights take place.
Another area to highlight is the new bar addition, which is on the far side of the restaurant with a TV to watch sporting events. There is another room to the right when guests walk into Sayola. Behind sliding glass doors, there are more tables available for a more private dining experience.
Overall, the ambiance is warmly lit, with chandeliers made with wine bottles. Red drapery with matching tableclothes pop + brings a warmer contrast to the darker brown wooden floors + chairs.
Flamenco Night
This is an evening of shared culture from the owner to her guests. Sandra was raised by her mother’s mother, who is of Spanish origin and taught Sandra and her siblings about Spanish culture. Sandra noticed there wasn’t a large representation of Spanish culture in the Montclair area, and so Flamenco nights were born.
Flamenco nights entail a folk style of dance + music from Spain. Notable ensembles are a guitar player, drummer, + dancer with short-heeled boots that produce a loud clacking sound to the beat of the music.
Flamenco nights at Sayola have a specific menu of its most popular dishes. It is a prix fixe menu including one appetizer with a side of warm bread, herb butter, + an olive spread, a main course, + a dessert. MG recommends starting with the Sayola Salad (mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, red onions, sliced apples, walnuts + vinaigrette), and then move onto the Rack of Lamb (oven roasted, mixed herbs + spices with mixed vegetables + mint jelly) cooked medium or medium rare. For dessert, guests won’t regret trying the Chocolate Brownie with walnuts + ice cream. Those looking to try something from the drink menu should consider the sangria, the Jonteo (Tanteo Chipotle tequila, tamarelo, ginger, + fresh lime), or ask the server about Spanish wines available.
Guests will need a reservation for Flamenco Nights, as these events tend to sell out quickly. There are two more flamenco nights at the Montclair location in 2025, although there are more available in Tenafly for this current 2025 season. Patrons are encouraged to call Sayola, as dates are continuously added.
See More: The Hoboken Girl Sandwich on Alessio’s Menu Now Raising Money for a New Non-Profit
Follow @themontclairgirl on Instagram + TikTok for the latest Montclair updates, sign up for our weekly newsletter here that shares everything you missed each week, and check out our events calendar, which has over 100+ events weekly to peruse.
