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Fisherp
Citizen
Username: Fisherp
Post Number: 1
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 3:59 pm: |     |
Anyone know if they've had their "Grand Opening" yet? Saw the signs in the old Celebrated Foods spot.... |
speedie99
Citizen
Username: Speedie99
Post Number: 22
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 7:45 am: | |
Yes, they were open for dinner on Monday night and had a good crowd. Went for lunch the other day and food was good. Basically Village Trattoria type menu and prices in a more upscale environment. I think this will appeal to people who want sizeable portions at a reasonable price without the daycare atmosphere of Village Trattoria. Defintely worth a try. |
bettyspaghetti
Citizen
Username: Bettyspaghetti
Post Number: 18
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 7:55 am: | |
We ate there on Monday night. Service was a little slow - probably working out some of the kinks - but the food was good. |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 105
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 2:51 pm: | |
I went for lunch. I thought the quality of the food was nice and pretty tasty. The menu was pretty straight forward. I usually prefer a more interesting selection. The lunch menu was nearly as expensive as the dinner menu so don't expect a cheap lunch special. Overall the prices were very moderate (on the verge of reasonable). There are a few lower cost options if you want say a sandwich. My wife had one and she enjoyed it a lot. We both wrapped up our left overs cause the portions were pretty big.
I am not sure Maplewood needed YET ANOTHER Italian restaurant, but the quality to price ratio is pretty high, so I would say give it a try. |
amandacat
Citizen
Username: Amandacat
Post Number: 802
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 6:10 pm: | |
Is it still decorated like Celebrated Foods was? That was such a nice, relatively upscale atmosphere, hard to imagine an Italian style joint in there . . . |
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 5015
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 7:43 pm: | |
Dasti's reminds me of Librettis. The menu is similar in content and price. The food is very good and very fresh. Service was excellent when we went there this evening for dinner.
I would recommend giving the place a try.
Amanadacat:
The physical layout is much the same in that the the dining room is still split level. The walls are painted a soft green (I can't remember the color of Celebrated Food's walls). There were no noticeable decorations on the wall of the room we were in.
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Dego Diva
Citizen
Username: Fmingione
Post Number: 270
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 9:47 pm: | |
OK, if Dasti's is like Libretti's, then I'm glad I've never bothered to make the trip to Libretti's. The food was not bad, the prices are fine, the service is attentive, but the menu reads like a scaled down version of a diner menu. Burgers, sandwiches, salads, and your standard stand-by pastas - lasagna, alfredo, blah, blah, blah...
I had no problem with my food at Dasti's, but it just pains me that an interesting, creative menu, like the one Celebrated Food had, is now replaced with your run-of-the-mill selections served in a somewhat nice setting. We have so many Italian options - is it so hard for someone to come with a menu that's a little different???
As for the decor, all I can say is that they painted over those beautiful exposed wood beams, plastic flowers in big urns in the windows, and dentist-office green everywhere.
Ughh. Why did our town need this? |
oots
Citizen
Username: Oots
Post Number: 206
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 11:28 pm: | |
diego
then you should try libretti's. the menu, while italian, sounds much more extensive.
oots |
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 5016
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 7:41 am: | |
...and there are no burgers on Libretti's menu. The similarities are in the types of chicken, veal, and pasta dishes. |
Dego Diva
Citizen
Username: Fmingione
Post Number: 271
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 12:31 pm: | |
I just re-read my post and maybe I was a bit harsh on Dasti's. It's really a fine place for a meal. I guess being in there just brought home the reality of what's going on in the Village, and I really feel the loss of some of our fine establishments. Being a NYC transplant, I was just hoping for something... different, unique...
The space itself is so nice - high ceilings, cozy outdoor seating, it's... special. I was hoping for something special to open there. 
I guess what I'm saying is that Dasti's is good, but it's not special. I see it as a missed opportunity. Know what I mean? |
SoOrLady
Citizen
Username: Soorlady
Post Number: 1811
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 5:13 pm: | |
I know what you mean Diva. Celebrated was unique, yet very affordable. I don't know why the owers (who sold it last year to two very nice young men who couldn't make a go of it and then took it back) decided to leave.. it couldn't have been for lack of business. I love Librettis' by the way... do give it a try.
We'll try Dasti's - I'd hate to see another restaurant fold... even if it's not excatly what I was hoping for. |
oots
Citizen
Username: Oots
Post Number: 207
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 10:24 pm: | |
anyone try to see if they will make good on celebrated foods gift certificates?
oots
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jet
Citizen
Username: Jet
Post Number: 768
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 9:24 am: | |
Bundled up , walked down to town to have dinner @ Dasti's last nite , closed due to inclimate weather " the only place in the village closed" off to the Gate... I'll try again maybe. |
Cato Nova
Citizen
Username: Cato_nova
Post Number: 504
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 10:49 am: | |
Jet: Inclement. |
dutchie
Citizen
Username: Dutchie
Post Number: 1
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, March 4, 2005 - 3:17 pm: | |
I'm sorry, Dasti's was the worst experience since long time. The atmosphere is completely boring and entirely green. The menu is Italian, like we didnot have that in Maplewood already. The entree took 40 minutes to arrive, apparently they had forgotten about us, although there were only few tables occupied. The capuccino (better than Starbucks!) took quite a while, was spilled and almost cold. And the chocolate mousse was uncertain since they sold a lot to customers to go? The check would not arrive fast either, we had to spend an irritatingly 2 hours, and did not even had appetizers. And yes, we promised to surely spread the word... |
mtierney
Citizen
Username: Mtierney
Post Number: 785
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 4, 2005 - 4:38 pm: | |
Had lunch there Wednesday. Thought the food was very good! However the bilious green paint on every single wall surface, plus drab table linens, made the environment depressing. I hope the owners plan to add color and stuff. Celebrated Foods was all color - funky, but fun.
The odd levels never bothered me at CF, but somehow look strange now. Staff was very friendly, and our food arrived promptly and hot.
Good food may overcome the setting. |
Joe
Citizen
Username: Gonets
Post Number: 719
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, March 5, 2005 - 1:55 pm: | |
Went there Thursday night for takeout. Food was pretty good and since they were slow we only had to wait 10 minutes or so. It's a family run business and they have a number of locations as the young man at the counter was telling me. He's a son of the owner (or an owner--not sure) and spent a lot of time talking about items on the menu. He was clearly trying to sell the place and very receptive to input. These are good signs.
The place is drab, but he said they're not done with it. They're thinking of putting up pictures or a mural. I suggested that they seek out a local artist for a mural and he liked that idea. Of course he could get local artists to post their paintings as well. The point is that he's willing to accept criticism and they want to bring this town what it wants. So, don't be afraid to let them know what you're looking for. If you have a specifice request that's not on the menu, I'd be willing to bet that they'd cook your order if they have the necessary ingredients.
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Morrisa da Silva
Citizen
Username: Mod
Post Number: 159
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, March 5, 2005 - 4:54 pm: | |
Does anyone know whether they are accepting celebrated foods gift certificates? Or whether celebrated foods will make good on them somehow? |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 129
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, March 5, 2005 - 7:24 pm: | |
I told the owner that we are all talking about him on MOL. So if your too intimated to speak to him face to face, you can always post it here. I can only assume that he is going to check the site now.
As for me, I feel the place needed a more funky fun menu (instead of the same ole same ole menu they have now). I personally would prefer a cheap pasta joint rather than another expensive one, but their prices weren't outrageous I suppose. I just know I'd get pasta once or twice a week if I could get a good cheap plate of nice pasta. As it is now I ALMOST NEVER go out for Italian cause I don't want to spend $15 for a plate of pasta. |
Travis Reis
Citizen
Username: Lcmadison
Post Number: 9
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 7, 2005 - 6:48 pm: | |
I have a gift certificate from CF too...I believe that the law would suggest, if the certificate is still valid, that it should be redeemable for reimbursement...I called the other day and left a message on the voice mail...the phone number is still active. I doubt that they would walk away from it...let me know if anyone gets anywhere with this. |
whiffleball
Citizen
Username: Whiffleball
Post Number: 29
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 8, 2005 - 10:06 pm: | |
We rather enjoyed Dasti's the other night. Nice change from Libretti's, also, bring your own!! Service will improve with time. Let's give it a chance. The Dasti family has a long history of restauranturing and they always do a good job. Stick to Trat or RG for pizza. If you're going to eat some pasta, try Dasti's. Great salad along with the meal. If you don't eat genoa salami, ask to have it left off. The Capucino dessert is excellent as is their very light homemade cheesecake. It's nice to have another family-owned restaurant in town. |
shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 2285
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, March 13, 2005 - 8:10 pm: | |
GREAT SALAD? You must be kidding. It's like a bad Costco iceberg romaine blend bag salad (with julienne carrots to prove it) with 2 freakin' olives with bland vinaigrette. I had to add SALT to the salad!
This was a very disappointing experience. The place has no character. They stripped it of all the fun and flavor, but the food matches the decor! That gray green on the walls (EVERY wall), so depressing, and that horrible circa 80's mauve & gray floral on the seats. I should have seen the decor and ran but we gave it a shot.
Actually, I should have ran when I saw the Children's Menu: $9.95!!! For typical mozzarella sticks, a hamburger or ravioli. (Beverage and ice cream included.) My kids don't drink soda (which they seemed to be pushing in every form) so they got milk.
Then, we opted for fried calamari, which was ok but bland. Average size portion.
I ordered shrimp francese which came over linguini. No flavor whatsoever, 6 shrimp, very thick batter. When I get this meal at Trattoria I always love it. Husband got cavatelli with broccoli, had very little broccoli. He and the baby shared it. Decent sized portions.
The waitress was pretty inept. For some reason they are serving Celebrated's salads as specials, and she couldn't even say "wasabi". (Talking about the peas.)
Didn't even bother getting the kids ice cream because we would have had to pay for a third for the baby, and it took forever to get the check and get the leftovers wrapped. (For $10 my kid will eat her mozz sticks for lunch tomorrow.)
It was like hospital food. Bland, boring. I see lots of Seniors there. The place seemed to be filling up when we left, lots of big Caddy's in the parking lot. Have no idea where they're coming from because I did not recognize a local face in the bunch, and that's rare when you're dining in Maplewood or South Orange.
Actually, ok hospital food might be a bit cruel, but the food tasted like catered food in a church hall. Something for everyone, but nothing to write home about.
If you like Italian, stick to Trattoria, Reservoir or Trattoria Gian Marco (Millburn) for local options. Hey, I think the Maple Leaf's Italian food is better.
Sorry to be so negative. It seemed the family has a following, so someone enjoys this type of food. We will not be back, certainly not with so many other local options to choose from. (And it was not cheap, over $60 for 2 adults and 2 children, no dessert or beverages other than the kids' milk.)
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doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 288
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, March 13, 2005 - 8:28 pm: | |
Checked it out Friday night...let me start with what was good: I had chicken marsala & I really liked it (my husband's carbonara was way too creamy, but he liked it) & we had profiteroles for dessert & liked them, even though they were not what we expected. Our service was pretty attentive. The staff was nice enough - I think the owner may have been greeting & we were asked several times how things were. However...
I'm with you Shh - I should have seen the remodel job & run (not only is every wall green, but EVERYTHING - woodwork, just everything is coated with pale mint green & there is nothing but blank walls)...I guess I found it a bit depressing - I agree- the vibe is very "early-bird special" - even the music (Sinatra & Italian old-time favorites) seemed to be turned up for the hard of hearing. The wait staff seemed like they might be more at home in a diner. My "Celebrated's Crazy Salad" was oily & lame & my husband's house salad looked as bad as Shh described. The bread was cold & the butter in little packets, which certainly does not go with the linens/crystal atmosphere they are trying to create.
Would I go back? No. I might do take-out & I'd tell my in-laws to check it out, as it might be more their style. |
jet
Citizen
Username: Jet
Post Number: 780
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 14, 2005 - 10:08 am: | |
Never saw Celebrated Foods as crowded as Dasti's was on Sat. nite . |
amandacat
Citizen
Username: Amandacat
Post Number: 812
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 14, 2005 - 10:22 am: | |
FWIW, every time I ate at Celebrated (always on a Saturday, maybe 4 or 5 times total over three years) it was always quite crowded; we'd often have to wait for our table, even though we'd made reservations. I for one am sorry to see them go . . . |
jet
Citizen
Username: Jet
Post Number: 782
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 14, 2005 - 10:35 am: | |
Cat, I'm sorry to see it go also, but Dasti's is a welcome addition to the Village & a nice alternative to the Trat. |
amandacat
Citizen
Username: Amandacat
Post Number: 815
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 14, 2005 - 5:46 pm: | |
Fair enough. Haven't tried Dasti's yet, problem is there are so many local Italians I already like (including the Trat!) that trying a new one hasn't been a priority for me. That said, I recently received a coupon of sorts from them, might be just the incentive I need to check them out . . . |
whiffleball
Citizen
Username: Whiffleball
Post Number: 32
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 14, 2005 - 11:30 pm: | |
shhh - I am hopeful that the high prices for kids will keep some of the families away from Dasti's. If you were so unhappy with it, stay at Trattoria. Some of us enjoy going out on a Saturday night and not having small, uncontrolled children running around while parents pay absolutely no attention. Dasti's has only been open a couple of weeks. Even the beloved Trat took longer to come to its peak. As for Gian Marco - talk about a restaurant that's gone downhill. Someone needs to take the hot pepper away from their chef. Isn't it nice that Maplewood offers something for everyone. |
shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 2287
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 14, 2005 - 11:46 pm: | |
We will stay away Whiffleball.
We don't enjoy small uncontrolled kids running around either, so it's disappointing we found it so unsatisfactory. BTW, by the time we were leaving at 7pm on Sunday night, there seemed to be an awful lot of families with young children, so I wouldn't necessarily count on there not being young uncontrolled kids around.
Bon Appetit. |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 148
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 - 4:45 pm: | |
wiffleball,
I'm impressed, post number 32 and your already giving Strawberry a run for his money. Welcome to MOL we could always use a strong opinion to stir up the community. |
3mom
Citizen
Username: 3mom
Post Number: 148
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 - 7:40 pm: | |
Lunch at Dasti's was the worst dining experience I have had in years. Confused menu, slow service, cheap soda (RC instead of Coke), really awful decor, and two-day-old vegetables in my Celebrated Foods goat cheese salad. Trattoria may be low on elegance but the food is good and inexpensive, the service is really friendly, and the atmosphere is generally upbeat. Believe me, there is nothing elegant about Dasti's
I thought the food at Celebrated was unpredictable in quality, but more often than not it was really delicious and their catering service was wonderful. Plus they had a great lunch menu. |
Cubeless
Citizen
Username: Cubey
Post Number: 131
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 12:08 pm: | |
Dined at Dasti's last night. Overall it was dissappointing.
For starters, the menu is terribly dull. I was hoping for a few more creative options.
For a new restaurant on a Wednesday night, it was rather busy...however, they only had one waitress working. She was rather pleasant, but she was stretched a little thin.
The calamari appetizer was very rubbery and the two pasta dishes we ordered were just average. Service was lacking. A bottle of white wine sat on the tale...no one offered an ice bucket. At the end of the meal, a busboy/waitress assistant came over to ask if we wanted dessert/coffee/tea...we said no thanks and asked for the check. Five minutes later the waitress came over and asked to take our dessert order. Hey, at least she was very friendly.
With all of the other Italian dining options around, I have no plans to return to Dasti's.
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stubelou
Citizen
Username: Stubelou
Post Number: 19
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 21, 2005 - 11:32 pm: | |
the last thing we need in this town is a mediocre italian place, we already have two great family friendly italian joints(let you all figure out who i mean). What would be nice is if American Fare would serve lunch during the week. |
Lucky13
Citizen
Username: Lucky13
Post Number: 31
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 7:08 am: | |
stubelou-
while i'm not sure who you mean, odds are you are not including roman gourmet, and so i'd like to chime in to praise them for their service- they are so incredibly nice to us when we show up with a herd of kids. i also like trattoria a lot, but at trattoria they often seem a bit put off by all of the kids inside, what someone in here referred to as the "daycare" experience. |
amandacat
Citizen
Username: Amandacat
Post Number: 834
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 4:02 pm: | |
OK, here's a question I've been meaning to ask about the Roman Gourmet: anyone know the name of the very nice, very friendly guy who works the counter? Don't know if he's the owner but he does seem to be in charge whenever I go there, he's in his 30's or 40's, has several young children? He introduced himself a long time ago and I forgot his name, have been wracked with guilt ever since!!!
Sorry for the thread drift, but I NEED to know!!!! |
Cubeless
Citizen
Username: Cubey
Post Number: 138
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 - 8:36 pm: | |
Does he always wear a baseball cap? If so, it's Frank. |
amandacat
Citizen
Username: Amandacat
Post Number: 835
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 - 10:13 am: | |
Yes, that's the guy -- thanks!!!!!!!!!!! |
cody
Citizen
Username: Cody
Post Number: 700
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 - 10:48 am: | |
I had a unpleasant experience at D'Asti's last night - I posted about it in the Art & Entertainment section, since I'd forgotten that dining had been split off into it's own section.
Poor service, long waits for food, incorrect food delivered, unconcerned managment, long waits for the check and a very confused waitress. And, yes, it is VERY green.
I was decidedly underwhelmed. |
lawally
Citizen
Username: Lawally
Post Number: 26
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 - 5:11 pm: | |
It's certainly not an enhacement to the Village dining scene. We were there last night and probably had the same confused waitress. Our food was bland, the salad tasteless, the long wait for the check. And the decor -- institutional mint green and industrial grade carpets. It felt like a staff lunchroom more than a restaurant. |
NewsDeadline
Citizen
Username: Newsdeadline
Post Number: 4
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 - 8:25 pm: | |
Does it have a bar or is it B.Y.O?
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cody
Citizen
Username: Cody
Post Number: 704
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 - 8:36 pm: | |
It's BYOB. From my experience, you might want to BYOFood as well. |
NewsDeadline
Citizen
Username: Newsdeadline
Post Number: 6
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 12:36 am: | |
Thanks for the input. I'll give it a try anyway. |
ReallyTrying
Citizen
Username: Reallytrying
Post Number: 612
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, April 1, 2005 - 11:39 am: | |
For all you gift certificate holders:
I hope that when you're talking about Celebrated Foods GCs, you're talking about seeking to have them redeemed by Celebrated Foods, not by Dasti's. N.J.S.A. 56:8-110 (Gift certificate validity, terms defined . ("A gift certificate issued by a retail merchandise establishment shall be valid until presented in exchange for that merchandise, or shall have any and all conditions and limitations: (1) disclosed to the purchaser of the gift certificate at the time of purchase and (2) conspicuously printed on the gift certificate.")) Actually, technically, if the GCs were issued by Celebrated Foods, a corporation, and if that corp no longer exists, then you're probably out of luck. That's too bad. |
shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 2347
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 1, 2005 - 5:06 pm: | |
Actually, Dasti's would be smart to accept Celebrated GC's. They'd get people in and they could hope the bills were for more than the GC's in which case they'd make a little money.
I certainly wouldn't go back even if it was free. |
mickey
Citizen
Username: Mickey
Post Number: 251
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 9:53 am: | |
Just read in another thread that Celebrated is still doing catering and their old phone number still reaches their catering business. Maybe those with Celebrated gift certificates can use them for catering? (A small party of 2, perhaps? or dinner to go?) If Celebrated is still in business in any shape or form, they should accept the certifictes, right? |
jerzeedevl
Citizen
Username: Jerzeedevl
Post Number: 17
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, April 17, 2005 - 8:14 pm: | |
Dastis' decor and food are the perfect kind of thing if you are treating your grandmum to a nice birthday luncheon. Celebrated it ain't...sure do miss Celebrated's interesting food and it's eclectic decor. Dasti's is a snooze - but I wish them well. |
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