| Author | Message | ||
     MHD Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 2272 Registered: 5-2001  |
Copied from the Dining Category: http://www.southorangevillage.com/cgi-bin/show.cgi?tpc=62746&post=379587#POST379 587 Mark - can you confirm? | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 1903 Registered: 4-2002 |
I have heard the rumors, but so far that is all. I will be sorry if it is true. I really enjoyed the food. I did notice it was often not too crowded. | ||
| pan Citizen Username: Pan Post Number: 100 Registered: 8-2001 |
That's what happens when the South Orange residents don't support their local establishments. They want to be a destination place for everybody else, yet they eat and shop out of town most of the time. | ||
| John Pogany Citizen Username: Pizzaz Post Number: 1775 Registered: 11-2001  |
I hope it's not true, but the word on the street is that Dancing Goat is looking for a buyer, too. Mark, could this be true? John Pogany Vote May 10, 2005 South Orange-ADE Line A "Time for a Change" | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 1904 Registered: 4-2002 |
Dancing Goat is for sale. I will leave it to Randal to explain his reasons. | ||
| Yossarian Citizen Username: Yossarian Post Number: 275 Registered: 8-2003 |
I live in SO, and if an authentic Japanese restaurant opens in the TOA spot, I'll support it every week, at least! Sorry, but as much as I wanted it to, TOA never really did it for me anyway. It's not at all fair to pin the failure of a restaurant on the residents. Should I spend my money on food I don't care for just so we'll have another mediocre restaurant in town? | ||
| MHD Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 2273 Registered: 5-2001 |
Thanks for responding, Mark. It is too bad. I WANTED TOA to survive, but I never felt the portions or decor warranted the high prices. Let's hope the next tenant works out better. Maybe they can do something about that vinyl siding on the exterior of the building that makes the place look "cheap". | ||
| susan1014 Supporter Username: Susan1014 Post Number: 577 Registered: 3-2002 |
We eat in town quite often, and have given TOA at least 4-5 chances, but it never did it for us either. We kept wishing that it would, but, for us, it didn't live up to its reputation or price. For those of you who loved it, I'm sorry (but not surprised). For myself, I'm eagerly awaiting the next act. | ||
| Daniel I. Goldberg Citizen Username: Dig Post Number: 90 Registered: 8-2004 |
Surprised about Dancing Goat. But, simply because the owner is selling it does not mean it is "going out of business." The Goat has great character and great music. I would truly be disappointed to see it go. | ||
| Josh Holtz Citizen Username: Jholtz Post Number: 17 Registered: 4-2004 |
Tried TOA a few times and never was it a great dining experience. Decor was completely bland (somehow thought that it was just temporary decor). Food was pretty good but not good enough to bring people in from other areas. Still sorry to see a restaurant closing though. | ||
| singlemalt Supporter Username: Singlemalt Post Number: 957 Registered: 12-2001  |
The problem is that future restaurants will see the success of the Montclair TOA and the failure here. Unfortunately it's a bigger problem than the quality of food. | ||
| Parker Citizen Username: Parker Post Number: 6 Registered: 9-2004 |
According to Steve (owner?), the restaurant will close this summer (July). He mentioned a location in Chatham, but I neglected to ask if that meant they were relocating to Chatham or already had a restaurant established in there. P | ||
| sac Supporter Username: Sac Post Number: 2128 Registered: 5-2001 |
I think I saw a TOA in Chatham recently. | ||
| Washashore Citizen Username: Washashore Post Number: 241 Registered: 4-2003 |
Let's not forget that S.O. restaurants with great food, adult-sized portions, good decor, and reasonable prices have no problems attracting repeat customers and those from other towns. Arugula for one. I agree with Yossarian - it aint the fault of the residents. And singlemalt: why isn't Arugula's success a better example than TOA's "failure here" for other restuarants? | ||
| singlemalt Supporter Username: Singlemalt Post Number: 958 Registered: 12-2001 |
Wash, I agree with you. I am a big fan of Lot 15, Cafe Arugula, Antonella's. Bunny's and a few others. My point is that there is a track record of success with TOA in Montclair that I was hopeful would be duplicated here. This is not about the election so there is no need to be critical.  | ||
| mammabear Citizen Username: Mammabear Post Number: 217 Registered: 5-2001  |
I just got confirmation from the owner...TOA ia closing this summer and will be replaced with a Japanese restaurant that will serve authentic Japaese food, including sushi! I can't wait! Also, TOA has been open and successful in Chatham for some time - it is not new. | ||
| Yossarian Citizen Username: Yossarian Post Number: 277 Registered: 8-2003 |
Well, I'll temper my expectations about the Japanese replacement. I will say that if the new place really is an authentic Japanese restaurant (owned by a Japanese sushi chef, staffed by other Japanese-trained sushi chefs, and operated in the traditional manner), it will be an instant hit. No question about it. I'd pick up take out from a place like that at least once or twice a week, and would make a point of eating there on the weekends. I guess we'll wait and see... | ||
| sullymw Citizen Username: Sullymw Post Number: 561 Registered: 5-2001 |
I liked (not loved) the food, but the decor was a big turnoff for a restaurant with above average prices. I also felt that the servers were not knowledgeable about their menu. Kiss of death | ||
| marinab Citizen Username: Marinab Post Number: 107 Registered: 8-2002 |
I hope Dancing Goat stays, though. What an amazing addition to the area. I think because it has so many functions--day cafe, place for mothers and children and other groups to meet, and night cafe with music--and it has real personality--it's worked. I just hope the sale doesn't mean closing doors. | ||
| User58 Citizen Username: User58 Post Number: 104 Registered: 8-2004 |
TOA has been in Chatham for years my guess atleast 5. I have eaten in the one in our town many, many times and have always enjoyed it. It is sad to see it go. Food is always a matter of taste and my opinion it was wonderful. Diversification in restaurants is what we need. You cannot please everyone but having choices is also very nice. |
