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Message |
    
Deidra
Citizen
Username: Deidralynn
Post Number: 622
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, June 24, 2006 - 7:56 pm: | 
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Haven't been by there in a while and drove by there last night to show my friend the place and it was cleaned out, sign and all. When did they pack it in? |
Suzanne Ng
Citizen
Username: Suzanneng
Post Number: 813
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, June 24, 2006 - 9:25 pm: |
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not sure, but I tried to access the website over the past few days, and I got a "file not found." error message. I emailed Chef Jesse about it, but had not rec'd a reply yet.
I had only gone there a few times, but the roasted chicken, BBQ ribs and the cornbread were excellent (as was the mac and cheese). I wish Chef Jesse the best of luck in whatever he decides to do.
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mwoodwalk
Citizen
Username: Mwoodwalk
Post Number: 552
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 24, 2006 - 10:35 pm: |
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Say it aint so???? Well, it almost happened so many times before, I guess we shouldn't be surprised. That's a real shame. Where are we gonna get our ribs now??
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CageyD
Citizen
Username: Cageyd
Post Number: 699
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, June 25, 2006 - 6:42 am: |
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I think his location killed him. Academy is so out of the way and the restaurant was so non-descript. Many people, including me, liked his food but his local was death to his business - imo. |
Elaine Harris
Citizen
Username: Elaineharris
Post Number: 194
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, June 25, 2006 - 9:14 am: |
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Chef Jesse had no choice but to close his restaurant. He held on for three years, but was unable to hold on any longer. But the good news is that he is going stay in the area and be available for catering. He would love to hear from you for any reason. 973-763-9005. However, being in business was extraordinarily difficult given the fact that he was undercapitalized from the get-go. Some people understood and were extremely loyal. Other people were snobs. They recognized that the food was great, but the "ambience" was not to their expectations.
What I don't get is this: Where is the compassion in this community? We all know the story behind the story. Chef Jesse is a self-made man. He had no help and no money and no mentors, yet managed to pull himself up from a very unpromising childhood to create a restaurant on smoke and mirrors and of course, his exceptional talent as a master chef not to mention his amazingly optimistic personality.
One would think that a community like this, one that talks the talk, would have supported him unconditionally until such time as his finances would have allowed him to either relocate or redecorate. I am personally very surprised about this lackluster support from the community at large.
On the other hand, to those who were loyal and supportive, and you know who you are, you are to be thanked and praised and congratulated. |
marinab
Citizen
Username: Marinab
Post Number: 354
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, June 25, 2006 - 9:51 am: |
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I ran into Chef Jesse and he was trying to figure out ways to keep his business going and cater and supply to the community. He had me taste some of his soup, which was wonderful. I do think the location was a hindrance, and I hope there's a way he can keep going, because he is a really fine chef and has a sense of personal style to his cooking. |
Camnol
Citizen
Username: Camnol
Post Number: 390
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, June 25, 2006 - 11:39 am: |
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Elaine,
I'm finding your blaming the town for this very annoying. I would have loved to have given him my business, but everytime I was able to, he was closed. I don't plan my takout 2 days in advance. I really don't care what a restaurant looks like. I just care that the food is good and the restaurant is open.
I have to agree with Cagey about the location. I've asked a lot of people if they have eaten there, and not one had even heard of Heart and Soul. I had to tell them where it was.
I really hope Chef Jesse is able to make a go of it, and I'll certainly try to use him for catering (but we cater once a year, if that). But you are projecting by saying people didn't eat their because they are snobs. They didn't eat there because they had no idea it WAS there. |
susan1014
Supporter
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 1623
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, June 25, 2006 - 2:41 pm: |
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Elaine,
I'm with Camnol on this -- we are strong supporters of local restaurants, but never managed to become a supporter of H&S. Back when he didn't require advance reservations, we tried a couple of times, but found him closed. Once he moved to advance planning, that was the end of trying for us. Just doesn't fit how we live.
I don't care so much about ambience, but I need restaurants that I can walk up to with limited warning and have a good chance of actually getting fed. If that makes me a snob, so be it.
I wish Chef Jesse the best (but don't personally use catering). If he has a more traditional restaurant gig someday, I look forward to having another chance to try the food that others have raved about. |
magmasystems
Citizen
Username: Magmasystems
Post Number: 354
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, June 25, 2006 - 6:04 pm: |
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We have ben to Heart and Soul about 5 times, but it could have been many more time if Jesse were open on a consistent basis.
Several times, we stopped by on a whim, but he was out of ribs. Then came the closures. Then, came the requirement for a 2 day notice for a reservation. Since hearing of the reservation policy, we never went back.
We were bigs fans of Jesse, both his cuisine and his personality, and we hope that he opens something new in the future.
There are several spaces in Millburn that are available. Instead of the third sushi restaurant opening where My Favorite Muffin used to be, Jesse could have opened up in this very visible spot, where he probably would have had enough space around him for proper ventilation. Also, the parking around there is plentiful. Commuters would have phoned in take out orders from the train. It seemed like a sure bet to me.... |
JesseJones
Citizen
Username: Chefjesse
Post Number: 11
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, June 25, 2006 - 6:34 pm: |
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I appreciate all of the support the community has given me over the past few years, but, as other posters on MOL have indicated, it was simply too difficult to keep my business afloat. I am a work in progress and have learned much from my solo venture.
I am pleased to announce that I am launching a few businesses that I've been revamping for several months. First, I will be offering private, in-home cooking classes, where I will travel to your home and show you how to cook some of my favorite dishes. Second, I will be focusing more on my catering business and have worked out an arrangement with a local restaurant that will allow me use of a larger facility and staff than what I previously had so I can handle bigger jobs. Third, I am working on a cookbook named "Southern Creole My Way."
To launch these businesses and distribute some promotional materials explaining what I have in the works, I will be hosting a "Guest Chef" night at Voro in South Orange, where I'll be showcasing some of my favorite creations and talking to guests about their feedback. If it goes well, it may be a semi-regular event there. I'm working out the details regarding the menu, but the date is set for Monday, July 10th, and reservations can be made for that date by calling Voro at 973-763-1143. Again, I appreciate your support and hope to see you.
- Chef Jesse
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Suzanne Ng
Citizen
Username: Suzanneng
Post Number: 815
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, June 25, 2006 - 9:36 pm: |
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hmmm... could this Guest Chef night be our next MOL F2F? |
"foodie"
Citizen
Username: Dsz283
Post Number: 3
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, June 25, 2006 - 11:08 pm: |
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WOW folks, obviously our friend is expanding in a different direction. Look for his new ventures and realize there are other great venues under your noses in town!!! |
Camnol
Citizen
Username: Camnol
Post Number: 391
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 11:00 am: |
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Chef Jesse, those sound like some exciting opportunities. I wish you much luck! I will be very interested to hear more details on the in-home cooking classes, once you get them. Keep us posted! |
Eats Shoots & Leaves
Citizen
Username: Mfpark
Post Number: 3454
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 11:54 am: |
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Hi Jesse:
Drove by last night and saw the empty storefront and wanted to cry--both for your dream deferred (it will rise again!) and for the fact that I won't have access to your wonderful food and hospitality so easily in the future. Two day reservations were worth it for me for those ribs, chickens, salmon, and corn bread!
I am so glad that you have firm plans for the future, and that I will still be able to have you cater events for me. What is the smallest size you will be willing to cater for? I know last time I had you do food for 6 (although you gave me food for a lot more than that!), but perhaps now you will have a higher size limit?
Best of luck in your future pursuits, and thanks to you and your lovely family for all the good food and love you shared with us at Heart and Soul.
Regards,
Mark Furman |
masters4
Citizen
Username: Masters4
Post Number: 7
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 9:03 pm: |
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Can you post the contact information again so we can reach you for some catering?
Thanks! |
Eats Shoots & Leaves
Citizen
Username: Mfpark
Post Number: 3474
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 30, 2006 - 9:53 am: |
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"He held on for three years, but was unable to hold on any longer. But the good news is that he is going stay in the area and be available for catering. He would love to hear from you for any reason. 973-763-9005." |
John Caffrey
Citizen
Username: Jerseyjack
Post Number: 352
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, July 1, 2006 - 9:14 pm: |
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Bump on Jesse's June 25th post re: July 10th event at Voro in S.O. |
kevin
Supporter
Username: Kevin
Post Number: 788
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 10:38 am: |
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Did this happen last night?
JesseJones said: I will be hosting a "Guest Chef" night at Voro in South Orange, where I'll be showcasing some of my favorite creations and talking to guests about their feedback. If it goes well, it may be a semi-regular event there. I'm working out the details regarding the menu, but the date is set for Monday, July 10th, and reservations can be made for that date by calling Voro at 973-763-1143. Again, I appreciate your support and hope to see you.
I forgot all about it. For some reason I thought it was tonight.
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Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14996
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 14, 2006 - 1:47 am: |
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Was this the place with the Trinidadian food?
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kevin
Supporter
Username: Kevin
Post Number: 800
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Friday, July 14, 2006 - 8:59 am: |
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Tom, I believe that you are referring to Caribbean Cuisine, which is right around the corner on 1st. They had a table at Maplewoodstock in the front, to the right of the stage.
Jesse sent me a PL last night in reference to my last post in this thread. He didn't post it here, so I hope he doesn't mind me posting it:
------------------------
...I have a event - you should come out. Great blues, Great
food, and my new adventure.
Chef Jesse Hello Everyone :
I am sending this again , also the date has changed, if you are interested
please make your reservations by July 24, via email - Chefjesse1@aol.com or by
phone- 973-374-8000. Please come and promote Chef Jesse's new concept. Great
food, great music & great people. See info below.
"Chef Jesse Jones Events & Tasting"
Hello Everyone!!!
Just in case you haven't been informed, Heart and Soul is no longer at 61
Academy Street, South Orange, NJ
But the good news is that I am back offering special Wednesday night's events.
I am also available for private catering parties . and you can order my Great
tasting ribs, I also may be able to deliver.
I know it has been a while !!! Smiles
&
Are you missing Chef Jesse's great food!! If so here's an invitation for all of
you
See Info Below
If you are interested in attending a special Wednesday night event featuring
amateur singers & blues along w/ Chef Jesse's amazing food, please make your reservations
by July 24, 2006, via email - ChefJesse1@aol.com or call 973-374-8000.
Scheduled Date of Event - July 26, 2006
Place- Town & Country Banquet Hall
Time - 5 PM to 10 PM
Location - Orange, NJ
Prefix Menu
$37.10 per person -Cash Only
Choice of Soup or Salad
Shrimp Gumbo W/ Sweet Old Bay Toast Points
Spinach Salad
Fresh baby spinach, pickled onions, goat cheese, candied walnuts & cider
vinaigrette
Entree's Choices
Award Winning Baby Back Ribs
18 O/Z Cajun New York Strip Steak
Cajun Fried Catfish Stand Out Dish Star Ledger
Choice of Sides
Mac& Cheese
Candied Yams
Creamy Mash Potatoes
Collard Greens & Cabbage
Sauteed Broccoli Rabe
Choice of Dessert
Annette's Red Velvet Cake
Sweet Potato Pound Cake
Beverages
Homemade Sweet Tea
Coke
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