| Author |
Message |
    
NCJanow
Citizen
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 876
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 9, 2003 - 11:27 am: |     |
Almost forgot to post about how pleased I was with The Dancing Goat. Went for lunch yesterday, friendly staff, wonderful ambiance, and delicious food.(albeit a bit pricey,but well worth it)>
Met Carla, one of the owners I believe and she couldn't have been nicer. There will be a art gallery opening there on Thursday fro 9pm-midnight. I'm gonna try and be there.
Just what SOUTH ORANGE (and Maplewood)NEEDS.
NCJ aka LL- Any and all posts are my personal opinions, not as an employee of the South Orange Public Library. |
Elizabeth
Citizen
Username: Elizabeth
Post Number: 199
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 9, 2003 - 11:40 am: | |
see also the thread "more on new eating place" for Goat hours. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 497
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 10:55 am: | |
Tonight (Thursday July 10th) is the grand opening. This past few days has been their trial run. |
banbh
Citizen
Username: Banbh
Post Number: 1
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, July 17, 2003 - 10:32 pm: | |
My wife and I were just in there and they have done a great job. It lloks great, the atmosphere is great and the food is good. |
nwyave
Citizen
Username: Mesh
Post Number: 87
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 11:28 am: | |
Ditto - place is great. A perfect fit in the downtown. Kudos to the owners who invested so much $s to make it happen - and I believe without any preferential town tax abatements |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 510
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Friday, July 18, 2003 - 11:43 am: | |
Nwyave: First, I don't think an individual store has ever been given a tax abatement in S. Orange and since there were several people interested in that location, it was not needed. (How could a store owner get the tax abatement since the building owner pays the taxes anyway?)
I think the owner would tell you that the village was helpful to him in getting his business started and all his permits in place in a timely manner.
I hope everyone tries this place. It is open from early in the morning to late at night. |
cutter
Citizen
Username: Cutter
Post Number: 197
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2003 - 11:03 pm: | |
Went to the Dancing Goat tonight - loved it. Heard a good folk/blues trio, had lots of tasty food and coffee drinks (bolstered the coffee with a touch o' Bailey's - BYOB). Prices were reasonable - place was full but not overly crowded. Great acoustics, I could hear the band or have a conversation without straining either way.
Very good vibe -- just what we needed around here. Kinda reminds me of "Big Cup" in Chelsea but cooler.
|
amandacat
Citizen
Username: Amandacat
Post Number: 177
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 - 10:01 am: | |
What is their food menu like? Is it a place you'd go for dinner, or is it more of a snack/dessert kind of place? |
Flt
Citizen
Username: Flt
Post Number: 63
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 - 10:40 am: | |
I hear it's filled with LIBERALS. |
nwyave
Citizen
Username: Mesh
Post Number: 88
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 - 12:17 pm: | |
Mark,
I haven't cked this thread for awhile. I undertand that it would be a LL and not a tenant that would get a PILOT. My point was more general. Here you have a guy who evidently has invested a substantial amount of capital in this place. He is taking the business risk and has done a great job in putting the place together. It is a real boost to SO and the Avenue in particular. To me it demonstrates the viability of the Avenue - if an entrepeneur is willing to invest the needed capital and put a commercially viable type of store. It requires an investment - an investment that this store owner was willing to make - without any subsidies (again I know your point is that the LL gets the PILOT, not the tenant). The same if I understand correctly is true with the work being done on the west side of SO Ave - Seafood place - building is being done without an abatement.
This all lead me to question whether there should be a PILOT granted for the Beifus development - both from a fairness perspective as well as a economic one. I know there has not been one granted yet, but this is the time for such discussion before it is a fait accompli.
Thanks. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 521
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 - 3:03 pm: | |
There has only been one PILOT given to a developer in S. Orange. If we had not worked out a deal, then there would have been an abandoned dealership (yes, that is my opinion).
There have been many businesses that have made an investment and many that have been successful. I hate to single out any one business because there have been many that have made an investment. Randal (owner of the Dancing Goat ) is just one.
I know the point you are making, but the implication is that the BOT has given out PILOT's and abatements with wild abandon. It is just not true. Beifus will probably ask for a PILOT agreement and unless there is some evidence that he needs to be given one then I doubt the BOT will approve giving him one. It is not really fair to discuss a PILOT for Beifus until/if he makes a case for one. Then we can discuss the merits of his argument. I would hate to see anyone on here make his case for him (or against).
I think it is fine to discuss PILOT's in general. As for a specific one, we should not discuss untill it is on the table. |
nwyave
Citizen
Username: Mesh
Post Number: 89
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 - 6:36 pm: | |
Mark,
I understand your point and I realize per your comment that only one PILOT was given out. I am not intending to imply that more have been give out - if I have, then my post was worded incorrectly. My point was simply that the Dancing Goat (and you are right, others too) have made the business decision and assumed the risk of operating in South Orange and henced made substantial investments. In my opinion - as a general comment - this should weigh heavily on deciding on whether additional PILOTs are granted. Is it the only factor - no - but it seems to me that it would be an important one. |
cutter
Citizen
Username: Cutter
Post Number: 198
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 - 8:46 pm: | |
Amanda,
I didn't look at the food menu - I asked if they had foccacia (they did) and ordered that. There were interesting desserts on display in front. The coffee and tea menu was extensive - I had a frozen frou-frou mint coffee thingy with whipped cream that was yummy - tastier than Starbucks if that's the gold standard in these parts. Pretty sure you could have a light supper (pita and salad), but I'm not sure - you'll have to check it out yourself!
The owners were circulating around so I asked where they found all the custom furniture and they told me they made it all themselves, sofas, tables, chairs, laid the floor, stripped the tin ceiling - beyond impressive.
My only quibble is that it's in SO -- we need a Dancing Goat in Maplewood!
|
orphalese
Citizen
Username: Orphalese
Post Number: 1
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, July 24, 2003 - 9:11 am: | |
The Dancing Goat is unequivocally the most exciting and positive addition to SO in years. I have been there several times since it's opening July 4th and have left each time more impressed with the place and its warm, helpful staff. While bringing in talented locals for the entertainment Thursday through Saturday nights, the DG also seems to be booking a wide array of well-known performers. One night when tap-dancer Maurice Chestnut from Bring in the Noise Bring in the Funk on Broadway was performing (he blew me away) I asked about any other names that might be entertaining in the future. Of those mentioned I was most excited about tap-dancer Savion Glover. I can't wait for this place to really get it's feet on the ground for as a young business it seems to be experimenting somewhat with organization, menu items and prices. I strongly encourage any and everyone who reads this to support the DG.
PS- someone recommended a "frank" to me which is apparently a drink designed by a staff member (frank). I tried it and it was to die for. (it is basically a frozen coffee drink to rival Starbuck's frappacino––with out a doubt defeating it's commercial counterpart). Everyone should try one.
|
Flt
Citizen
Username: Flt
Post Number: 65
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, July 24, 2003 - 9:16 am: | |
"Commercial counterpart"? You mean drinks are free at Dancing Goat?
(and I hope they don't make it a tapdance hall, fwiw. caffeine is quite enough without people stomping loudly) |
thegoodsgt
Citizen
Username: Thegoodsgt
Post Number: 258
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 24, 2003 - 10:43 am: | |
Whenever the topic of downtown revitalization comes up, I now find myself thinking that the most promising businesses to attract could be restaurants. As nice as it is to visit a downtown clothing shop, nick nack store, or bookstore, I think it's hard for mom and pop businesses like those to compete with the big chain stores that are typically located in more accessible and more frequented locations. But people will go out of their way to go to an exceptional restaurant. Perhaps those who influence the development of South Orange should consider that as they try to bring in new investments. (Maybe I'm just a slow learner and The Powers That Be are already doing that.) |
ml1
Citizen
Username: Ml1
Post Number: 1144
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 24, 2003 - 11:35 am: | |
The original plans also had a movie theater. Is that still the case? A theater will keep people out late on weekends, and bring business to the restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. (Without cannibalizing the audience for the Maplewood Theater, I hope). |
mayhewdrive
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 316
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 24, 2003 - 12:48 pm: | |
Thegoodsgt,
YES. Exactly. Restaurants could be the salvation of our dreary downtown. Witness Hoboken, Montclair, or even places like Red Bank or Freehold. All had dead or dying downtowns that are now thriving and quite active, especially at night.
As I've posted here before, my wife & I have often chosen those towns to go spend an evening. Unfortunately, how many people say "let's go to South Orange Saturday night"?
Certainly one or 2 GOOD restaurants would be nice, but a wide selection of quality restaurants would be even better. How about the addition of quality Thai, French and Chinese restaurants?
If there were a large number of restaurant...South Orange COULD become a destination. Now we only have a large number of dry cleaners & nail salons...not exactly the type of businesses that draw customers from surrounding areas. |
spw784
Citizen
Username: Spw784
Post Number: 345
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 25, 2003 - 6:12 pm: | |
Does the Dancing Goat have a website - where their hours, upcoming performances, sample menus, etc, might be found? |
orphalese
Citizen
Username: Orphalese
Post Number: 3
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, July 27, 2003 - 3:55 pm: | |
There is a website (thedancinggoat.com) but it is currently under construction. |
shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 588
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, July 28, 2003 - 9:02 am: | |
Went yesterday afternoon with the family. Great atmosphere for all, great espresso, could have used more options for food but overall a fun, funky space (it's huge!)...we will go back for sure. It's a great place to bring the kids when you want to hang out without the formality of a restaurant. The kids loved exploring and they were welcome (except for the middle aged woman who kept screaming "shutup" to my 15 month old who just discovered the art of screeching). |
gozerbrown
Citizen
Username: Gozerbrown
Post Number: 172
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 - 3:46 pm: | |
The staff is really nice, too. How refreshing! |
orphalese
Citizen
Username: Orphalese
Post Number: 4
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, August 2, 2003 - 8:58 pm: | |
Went to dancing goat yesterday and asked about the food menu. There will be an increase in non desert items once they get a meat slicer (scheduled to get one next week). |
1-2many
Citizen
Username: Wbg69
Post Number: 194
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 6, 2003 - 10:35 pm: | |
OK - loving the Goat - what a cool space and place!!
From the above posts, I was a teeny bit apprehensive that it might be a small-child-heavy crowd, but it wasn't. great mix of folks, young to old, and very glad to see a library including books and games with which to pass the time.
to borrow a quote: two thumbs up, way up! |
Dillon
Citizen
Username: Dillon
Post Number: 1
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, August 30, 2003 - 10:01 pm: | |
Just had coffee and dessert at "The Goat". What a terrific addition to our community.
Dessert was wonderful and the staff could't have been nicer.
Looking forward to coming back for entertainment. |
ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 1826
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, August 30, 2003 - 10:22 pm: | |
Welcome Dillon... what a nice way to make your first post. BTW, you missed a great time last night at the Dancing Goat. Check out the comments in the Pub thread. |
ros
Citizen
Username: Ros
Post Number: 93
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 - 4:01 pm: | |
You can check out the Dancing Goat this Friday, September 5, as the New Jazz Trio will be in residence, starting at 9:00.
Hope to see you all there!
Ben Williams |
ros
Citizen
Username: Ros
Post Number: 96
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, September 5, 2003 - 6:55 pm: | |
Hope you can make it down tonight for great music with the New Jazz Trio-- and a great hang!!!
Music begins at 9:00 |
Soda
Citizen
Username: Soda
Post Number: 1067
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, September 11, 2003 - 2:58 pm: | |
In case you didn't see it in the Star-Ledger yesterday:
http://www.nj.com/search/index.ssf?/base/living-0/1063173525284130.xml?starledge r?livfd
--The Oracle of MOL |
Kate James
Citizen
Username: Mzcoffee426
Post Number: 1
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 1, 2003 - 5:02 pm: | |
Love the Dancing Goat...So glad its right in SO. Good food and drinks, cute waiters too! |
Marc
Citizen
Username: Bautisma
Post Number: 2
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 1, 2003 - 5:21 pm: | |
I've been meaning to go there. The GOAT A Palooza event looks pretty cool |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page