THIS FUN, NEW RESTAURANT SERIES IS PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TWOCENTS, AN APP THAT ALLOWS YOU TO GIVE HONEST FEEDBACK DIRECTLY TO ANY BUSINESS YOU VISIT IN NEW JERSEY – AND YOU CAN DO IT ANONYMOUSLY IF YOU WANT.
There’s a little spot on Bloomfield Avenue that wears its heart on its sleeve and on its walls. Libelula Bakery & Kitchen is the dream of husband-and-wife team Veruska Samanez and Brian Martinez, who met at the Culinary Institute of America and turned a family story into one of Montclair’s coziest hangouts. “Libelula” means dragonfly, and in their families’ traditions, a dragonfly is a messenger from the other side, with grandparents watching over a new chapter. As Samanez told us: “Libelula is a place that you can enjoy our family’s cooking, but on an elevated level… to entice your eyes, your smell, your senses—and make you go, wow.”
The story (and the symbol)
That dragonfly isn’t just branding; it’s memory. Samanez lost her grandmother a few years ago; Brian’s grandfather was central in his life. The name is a small daily nod to them, and to the idea that food can carry messages across time. Samanez also grew up nearby, sneaking into downtown Montclair in high school for coffee and karaoke, and always knew she’d open a bakery here someday. Call it fate with good lamination.
What we ordered
We rolled in at lunchtime with a plan: share everything. Two kinds of empanadas (chicken and mushroom) led the way, plus a bright corn salad and a delicious shrimp and rice. Farnoosh went first: “Oh my God, it’s so hearty. It’s so flaky and moist and delicious in the center, and then the crispy outside. How do you get that balance?” Samanez answered like a cook who’s thought about this for years: perfectly cooked chicken, a touch of egg for cohesion, potato, cilantro, and house hot sauce. Then I weighed in: we could’ve made a meal out of empanadas alone…and might next time.
The heartbreak (read fast, act faster)
Then came news that nearly broke our lunch: the Cuban sandwich is coming off the menu. Not for lack of love—the team just can’t keep up with made-to-order Cubans during the rush. “You guys made the perfect Cuban sandwich,” I protested, angling (unsuccessfully) for the recipe. If you’re a Cuban devotee, sprint while you can; new menus are printing imminently.
The vibe: lime-washed walls & house-made everything
Every inch of Libelula is personal, and a little bit punk. Pregnant at the time, Samanez lime-washed the walls herself. (“When no one was looking, I got a ladder,” she confessed.) That obsessive care shows up everywhere: house-made coffee syrups, careful pastry work, and a patio that evolves with the seasons. Even the soundscape got a rethink after customer feedback.
The feedback loop
Like many of our favorite spots, Libelula listens. A Twocents app note asked for music outside; the team added a small outdoor speaker, balancing ambiance with neighbor-friendliness. “I appreciate good feedback… that’s so not true that it’s only bad stuff,” Samanez said. “Our patio is a growing endeavor.” It’s a tiny window into how this place iterates: community idea → thoughtful tweak → better hang.
Why it stuck with us
Libelula is that rare combo: family cooking, elevated, without losing the warmth. It’s the kind of spot where a flaky chicken empanada can be the thing you talk about all afternoon—and where a name on the door quietly reminds you why food matters. We left full, a little sentimental, and planning our next empanada flight. As for Samanez, we asked what she’d tell her teenage self now that the bakery is authentic: “Keep going… and that I was proud of her.”
