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drewdix
Citizen
Username: Drewdix
Post Number: 827
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 10, 2005 - 10:18 pm: |     |
Milburn Diner is the worst diner in the area. |
Miss L Toe
Citizen
Username: Miss_l_toe
Post Number: 166
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 11, 2005 - 9:47 am: | |
Alleygator....
Please list the other diners that are on a par with Millburn's...so I know which ones to avoid LOL!
(Actually they do very nice blueberry pancakes at the Broadway diner in Summit opposite the Maplecrest car dealership (near River Road/Short Hills mall) |
Hank Zona
Citizen
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 2023
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Friday, February 11, 2005 - 9:48 am: | |
one of the truly bad things about the Millburn Diner is a good portion of its clientele. |
Copperfield
Citizen
Username: Copperfield
Post Number: 121
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Friday, February 11, 2005 - 10:29 am: | |
While I've eaten at worse places than the Millburn Diner, given the number of diners in the area, you'd think the quality of all of them would be a lot better... the best place I've found locally is the Union Diner, located along the median in the Suicide Strip on Rte. 22, just past the Boston Market. |
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 4915
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 11, 2005 - 4:38 pm: | |
The diner I really miss is Stanley's in Springfield. I still haven't found any place to replace it.
Copperfield:
You are right in stating that Maplewood Village doesn't get the volume of visitors most nights that Millburn does. Of course, Maplewood Village is also a lot smaller.
The main focus for Maplewood merchants, including our restauranteurs, has got to be making the most out of what we have rather than just trying to emulate our neighbors. |
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 4916
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 11, 2005 - 4:47 pm: | |
Welcome to MOL Copperfield and Miss L Toe and thank you for your valuable input to this thread. I hope you continue to participate on this board even after Magma's board is up and running again. |
drewdix
Citizen
Username: Drewdix
Post Number: 830
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 3:41 pm: | |
I thought Stanley's was awful also.
Vicki's in Westfield is my diner benchmark. |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 72
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 4:16 pm: | |
Missile Toe,
I went to Broadway Diner in Summit on Saturday morning and was suitably impressed. The blueberry pancakes were very good. It's obviously a bit far to go to all the time, but my wife and I definitely thought we need to go back and try some more stuff on the menu. I was also impressed by the reasonable prices, and I am a sucker for a place with a Happy Waitress (grilled cheese + french fries) on the menu. I get annoyed when I have to pay a lot for a grilled cheese and a side of french fries -- add on a soda and I'm up near $10 at some diners in the area. VERY IRRITATING. |
stubelou
Citizen
Username: Stubelou
Post Number: 18
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 18, 2005 - 12:33 pm: | |
apparently it's not just the rents, which I heard from many villge merchants as being very high, but also the taxes, which any one who lives in maplewood can attest to, are very inhibiting. In the past we have seen jazz night, bicycle races, antique car shows etc. but have never seen anything to promote the actual businesses, ie, floral shows, restaurants, photographer displays,that are in the village or springfield ave districts. not that we need to have a manicure competition or expo but it would be nice to see the chamber of commerce or either of the alliances promote the merchants vis a vis a festival that they can all help in the planning and execution of, instead of just saying this is what is going to happen on this or that date. jmtc. |
Miss L Toe
Citizen
Username: Miss_l_toe
Post Number: 170
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 18, 2005 - 12:46 pm: | |
Don't they have an annual "Taste of the Town" event in Maplewood? It's like a 'showcase' of samples of what's on the menus of local restaurant and catering businesses.
They do in places like Madison, Summit and Millburn....although I have to be honest and haven't actually been to any of them...they seem to be on dreary Monday nights in the Autumn (obviously quiet nights for most restaurants) and frankly on Monday's I'd rather stay in than make the effort to go out.
Alleygator....I'm glad you liked the pancakes and 'happy waitress' at the Broadway Diner.
Joan: thank you very much for your 'welcome' Much appreciated!  |
HarDen
Citizen
Username: Harden
Post Number: 51
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 18, 2005 - 1:35 pm: | |
Both Maplewood and South Orange have "Taste of the Towns". And "May in Maplewood" & 'Spring on Springfield" (Ave) were huge festivals held at Maplecrest park to celebrate the businesses on Springfield Ave. They occur every year. |
Barbara
Citizen
Username: Blh
Post Number: 432
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 18, 2005 - 5:41 pm: | |
And the "jazz night" is actually a "jazz crawl" designed to bring jazz fans into our restaurants and cafes to hear jazz -- using jazz as a vehicle to promote our local offerings. |
David M
Citizen
Username: Dmait
Post Number: 2
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 10:01 pm: | |
Is there any truth to the rumor that Carmelita's is closing and being replaced by a sandwich shop?
What became of Celebrated Foods? I have a gift certificate there. |
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 5065
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 - 4:12 pm: | |
David:
Can't speak for the Carmelita's rumor. It was open when we ate there a few weeks ago.
Celebrated Foods is gone. It has been replaced by an Italian restraurant called Dasti's. Check out the thread of that name for reviews. |
Valentine Michael Smith
Citizen
Username: Umbert
Post Number: 91
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 - 12:16 pm: | |
Restaurants don't last because they can't get liquor licenses. That's where they make most of their money. So then they overcharge for mediocre food. Then they fail.
Why doesn't Maplewood handout more liquor licenses? |
susan1014
Supporter
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 410
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 - 8:45 pm: | |
State law, I believe, does not allow the creation of new liquor licenses, except in response to population growth. Thus liquor licenses are very expensive (hundreds of thousands?), and hard to get. Small restaurants can't even consider it.
(let me know if I've got it wrong) |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 1752
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 9:54 am: | |
Susan is correct that the state gives out liquor licenses based on population. I know S. Orange already has more than we are supposed to be allocated for (and I have no idea how or why, but has been that way for years). I think Maplewood is over the limit too.
However plenty of restaurants do just fine without a liquor license. They have to do a better job and they have to find their niche.
|
Valentine Michael Smith
Citizen
Username: Umbert
Post Number: 92
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 10:21 am: | |
It seems to me that what Maplewood needs is more places like St. James Gate, as that place can barely handle the need for a place like that itself. If I had the money (and a liquor license) I would open a place just like L'Express (in Manhattan), just like the gate, but French and not Irish. I couldn't fail I tell ya.
That law is outdated. It seems like distributing liquor licenses really should be a city issue. I understand not wanting to have the city over run by bars, but it really does limit the number of successful and desirable restaurants from succeeding in Maplewood.
And yes, it's possible for a restaurants to succeed without a liquor license, by finding its niche, but that niche doesn't really exist here. People keep trying and they keep failing. I'm telling ya, the niche to fill is the one that the gate is doing its damndest to fill (and doing a great job of it). If you have super high rents, and don't make money from liquor, you have to charge outrageous prices for the food. Who wants a downtown area that is overrun by overpriced restaurants? Not I.
But state law is state law, as absurd as it |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 1753
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 10:32 am: | |
Since some liquor license owners have paid top dollar for them, they are very much against new ones being issued. As I have said before, it would be great if they gave another liquor license to eacy person that currently has one. This way they could sell or open another esablishment without harming their overall economic situation.
Some restaurants do seem to do just fine without liquor, but I agree that most of them would do better with a license and some of them have expressed a desire to get one. |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 1866
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 1:43 pm: | |
As someone mentioned on another thread, there are advantages to restaurants without liquor licenses. You can bring the wine you really want at a fraction of the cost. If you are concerned about selecting a wine to complement a particular menu selection, you can even walk to the liquor store after you order. |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 128
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, March 5, 2005 - 12:15 pm: | |
I know this is going to be an unpopular posting but...
Having been to St. James Gate for dinner I definitely do not feel the need for another one like it in Maplewood. Sure give out lots of liquor licenses to restaurants but the 'bar/restaurant raucous atmosphere and adquate pub grub' niche has already been filled. |
Innisowen
Citizen
Username: Innisowen
Post Number: 592
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, March 5, 2005 - 12:32 pm: | |
Alleygater:
I think you make a good point.
SJGate is successful in Maplewood, so why go for the easy "me-too" of another similar venue? Why not encourage someone to develop a different theme or concept? And please not another pizzeria cum dining room either... |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 131
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, March 5, 2005 - 7:37 pm: | |
I stand by my intial idea that this town needs a place just like Pepe Verde/Rosso/Jiallo,etc. in the city. If someone doesn't do this idea soon, I'm just going to have to do it myself.
Here is the idea: Make inexpensive but tasty pasta (each order fresh made), salads (just 2 -- ceasar and mixed) and nice fresh bread. Keep the pastas at a $8 price point, and have a wide selection of special pastas for $10-12. It should be clean and casual equally desirable for a quick bite or take out/delivery.
When I had this in the city, I went once or twice a week. |
knak
Citizen
Username: Knak
Post Number: 107
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, March 5, 2005 - 7:50 pm: | |
I remember a nice pasta and salad place in S Orange some years ago, on Village Plaza by the Chinese restaurant. It was small but seldom full. They had an appealing variety of pastas and sauces, which worked for both adults and children. The place was later taken by the predecessor of Papillon.
I don't think anything else has quite taken that niche. |
ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 3895
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 13, 2005 - 12:17 pm: | |
"I don't think anything else has quite taken that niche."
Knak, it was called "Lots of Pasta", and it's where my wife Libby and I first met. Thank you for bringing back that wonderful memory...
I happen to be looking back to see how many threads I started or killed and this one caught my attention. I was surprised I had never posted a comment on something near and dear to me, namely SERVICE, one of the hardest things to keep consistent in any business!
Convenient parking is important, location, ambiance, and of course good food are all important, but if the service and attitudes are lousy, then the business will always struggle.
The problem is we all have our good and bad days, and when you multiply that times your employees and add in the customers, vendors, and the weather…. well, it’s a recipe for disaster. Keeping good service and attitudes in line can make all the difference between a great business and one that isn’t going to make it over time.
Here’s one recent example. Last month we went out with friends and I suggested we stop somewhere for a bite to eat, but the other couple turned us down cold, and of course we went somewhere else, Apparently, the reason was simply the owners son had a lousy attitude which in turned affected their idea of good service. Sooner or later this issue will catch up with them...
BTW, this thread was worth reading over again. I liked the idea about having a local place where you can bring the family for an inexpensive spaghetti dinner once in a while... Hey, would Exotic Mediterranean Cuisine also offer $4.99 spaghetti and meatball dinners on their menu? Who knows, I might try it out next week and see if we can fill that niche... ;-)
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