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Wendyn
Supporter
Username: Wendyn
Post Number: 1868
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Friday, July 8, 2005 - 12:02 pm: |     |
Went on Sunday morning with the girls and hubster. Great diner breakfast (we are pretty traditional in our selections) and CLEAN. And holy cow it is close, less than 2 miles from our house. Great addition. |
Mrs T
Citizen
Username: Netjack
Post Number: 179
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 2:08 pm: | |
Hubby and I just had lunch there. Fabulous!! The stuffed peppers and tomato were GREAT!! It's a Tuesday special, dinner too. Hubby's fish sandwich was fab too. We will definately be back. |
Mergele
Citizen
Username: Mergele
Post Number: 327
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 2:33 pm: | |
The SO and I have rapidly gotten into the habit of stopping for a bite on Friday evenings, but were still partial to the Mapleleaf for Sunday breakfast.
Until 2 Sundays ago that is, when suddenly we were rudely shunted aside with no warning just as a table cleared (after patiently waiting 15 min or so in the usual crush at the door) and told that we would have to continue to wait while they seated larger parties that had come in after us. Not sure what was going on - they've never been in the habit of seating people out of order as long as I've been going there... There was a strange woman seating people, and I know that the owner would never treat people that way - he's always been terrific - but she was so insufferable that we decided on the spot that we're not going back.
Now it's the Parkwood for Sunday breakfast. Much more pleasant - and better air conditioning! |
jem
Citizen
Username: Jem
Post Number: 1328
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 3:14 pm: | |
..and the pancakes at the Park Wood are great! (although next time I order, I'm getting the short stack. No way can I eat three of their pancakes!) |
ril
Citizen
Username: Ril
Post Number: 357
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 2:55 pm: | |
You guys weren't kidding--what a great diner. The food was excellent, and the portions were huge (doggy bags for us, too). And the owner and waiter were extremely nice. My companion and I were discussing the various fonts and logos they currently use (the signage out front, the menus, the waiter's aprons, the business card all have different typefaces and design). My companion, who's a designer, commented that they really need to focus on one; the owner overheard us, and ran to his office to show us the various designs they were considering (he even asked if we were the ones who'd mentioned it online).
We had a great time, and will definitely be returning.
Also, the owner said that as of next week, they will offer delivery service both daytime & evenings. |
spw784
Supporter
Username: Spw784
Post Number: 739
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 5:40 pm: | |
Just went for lunch today with several colleagues. Food was great -- large portions... I don't think any of us finished our meals. (2 of us ordered a small Greek salad -- when the salads arrived, I said, "if that is a small, I wonder how big a large salad is.?".. salads were huge!)
My only complaint, (and it was resolved, sort of), was that I use a cane to walk now and there is NO disabled parking. I saw a ramp accessing the back of the building, but it appeared to lead to a service door (i.e. no outer door handle, like for deliveries only).. I struggled up to the front of the diner, only to be faced with 4 steps. Someone must have seen me coming and opened the front door for me (older man, slightly balding, the owner maybe?). He said he had opened the back door for me ( I didn't know that... no one called to me and told me to enter that way.) I was allowed to exit through the emergency door, and down the ramp, so now I know for the future, that is the accessible door. I commented to whomever opened the back door, that there were no handicapped parking spaces... not sure what his response was, since I was concentrating on getting outside without falling.
Since I was seated immediately and did not exit via the front door (to grab a take out menu) , does anyone know if they have started delivery service yet? Do they deliver to SO? |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 630
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 6:14 pm: | |
I saw handicapped parking on the side of the building on the way out of the driveway onto Springfield Avenue (2 spots?). I agree that this isn't the closest spots for the ramp, but not every disabled person has problems walking. |
Jason & John
Citizen
Username: Johnh91011
Post Number: 206
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 6:19 pm: | |
The problem with their handicap access back door is that there is no bell or other way to alert someone on the inside about needing access. Whenever we take my sister, who is on a wheelchair, one of the other people in the party has to go upfront and have them open the back door. |
Strings
Supporter
Username: Blue_eyes
Post Number: 552
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 11:06 pm: | |
Had breakfast there today - still eerily reminiscent of the Sage diner my grandmother and I would walk to every Sunday after church, and the Sage diner that turned into a late-night hang out before I was old enough to go to the bars, though it has definitely been cleaned up...
The egg-white veggie omlette was fine, nothing spectacular, I've had better and I've had worse. Service was probably slightly above the average diner service. No complaints, but probably won't make a true effort to make it back.
We actually parked in the back and headed up the ramp thinking it went around the side (the old one DID do that, right? or is my memory off...) and hit that back door. I don't see how anyone WOULD know if someone handicapped was back there - that's a very good point. |
spw784
Supporter
Username: Spw784
Post Number: 740
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 11:33 pm: | |
I drove around the lot twice today, and did not see ANY blue parking spaces. There was a parking space parallel to the fence, and then some angle parking along the exit onto SA Avenue.. Unless the one occupied spot was marked by a sign on the fence, there was no marked disabled parking. I was going to park in the first angle spot, but the car to my right was too far over in my space, and even with my front bumper against the fence, the space appeared to be too short. (i.e. not enough clearance for cars to exit the lot) .
Right, J&J there is no bell or way to let the staff inside know someone outside needs access..
and Alley, I would think the law re: handicapped spaces is that they need to be nearest to the accessible entrance .. And I know the one of the criteria for getting handicapped plates/tags is the inability to walk 200 feet without resting (no matter what the actual cause of that inability) (other valid reasons include a lung condition or missing/paralyzed limbs -- both of which would affect walking). |
spw784
Supporter
Username: Spw784
Post Number: 741
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 11:35 pm: | |
And that back door is actually a fire exit door, so an employee needs to open it for a customer to exit (I guess so alarms don't start ringing) . |
us2inFL
Citizen
Username: Us2innj
Post Number: 1342
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 22, 2005 - 7:41 am: | |
We use to go to the Sage for a quick no-frills (and sometimes really mediocre) meal. Since we've been out of NJ for about 18 months, we haven't been to the new diner.
I was on crutches for a while back then, and I will tell you, the steps at the diner are quite steep and might not even be in code. |
ril
Citizen
Username: Ril
Post Number: 358
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 22, 2005 - 8:46 am: | |
spw,
The owner told me they have limited delivery until this coming Monday, then it will be available full time. And he said they do deliver to South Orange. |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 636
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, July 22, 2005 - 11:30 am: | |
So last night, I drove on SA home and was pretty sure I saw the handicapped placard on the wood fence in front of the spot. It's one of the angled spots on the way out.
I know NOTHING whatsoever about handicapped people or legislation. But your trying to tell me that if I was say...ummm...Blind, but could walk just fine, that I couldn't get a handicapped sticker/tags (my wife does the driving)? That's just dumb. I'm sorry. |
spw784
Supporter
Username: Spw784
Post Number: 742
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 22, 2005 - 1:32 pm: | |
Alley -- I'd have to look at the back of the DMV form, but I do think Visual impairment is another category... I meant that most of the criteria (there are about 6-7 categories to qualify under) ARE related to physically not being able to walk.
I was under the impression that the spot had to be painted blue and marked with the wheelchair symbol (on the pavement) as well. If there was only a sign on the fence, no wonder I missed it; there was one car parked in the 2nd angle spot from SA Avenue. ( and I was looking for blue markings on the pavement.)
If there is indeed a very poorly marked spot, then I do apologize. |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 651
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, July 22, 2005 - 1:59 pm: | |
No need to apologize at all. I was trying to be helpful. I admitted earlier to knowing literally nothing about handicaps. I have no idea if the spot is actually painted blue or if by law it needs to be. I think you are right though, it's probably the 2nd or 3rd spot in from the street. If it's not blue and needs to be then maybe someone needs to tell the owner to do it. |
BGS
Citizen
Username: Bgs
Post Number: 220
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 22, 2005 - 4:07 pm: | |
There is a difference in Handicap Parking Regulations between a public piece of property (ie: government or town property) and private property. It is not a law that establishments have to provide handicap parking. (Unless the rules have changed since the last time I looked this up).
I have always wondered how Maplewood Stationers gets away with the step inside their front door...that is not handicap acessible...but that is for another thread.... |
Nonymous Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 8490
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 22, 2005 - 8:26 pm: | |
BGS, I'm sure you're wrong. I'll bet the state requires businesses who provide parking to provide some for the handicapped. What else would explain the fact that businesses uniformly offer it, and the law regulates improper use of it when an unqualified person uses it? I looked for the law on the state web site (http://www.state.nj.us) but didn't find it. I doubt businesses would offer and mark it voluntarily. And abusing it would not be a ticketable offense..
It's possible that the requirement is only when you open a new business, which would explain why Maplewood Stationers don't provide a handicapped entrance.
I don't know what the law is for a new business in an old structure, such as the Parkwood Diner.
Tom Reingold
|
spw784
Supporter
Username: Spw784
Post Number: 743
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 22, 2005 - 9:41 pm: | |
I'm not sure about the ADA requirements -- such as the step for MW Stationers... the building may not have to be accessible, but reasonable accomodations need to be available... i.e. someone to open the door, bring you merchandise, reach things if you ask for help, etc.
However, like Tom R says, i think new buildings have to be fully compliant. And I agree with Tom R, if a business/building does provide public parking for its customers/tenants, then it likely has to provide disabled parking as well. The Park Wood does have an accessible entrance (that rear fire door) -- it is just not marked as such. |
BGS
Citizen
Username: Bgs
Post Number: 222
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 25, 2005 - 4:46 pm: | |
Tom, I am looking in to this. I really do think the deal is if a business is owned by the occupant, and it is private property, they do not have to have handicapped parking. The building accessibility is a separate law. I will let you know what I find out about this.
Before Maplewood Stationers was remodeled, they had no step, after the remodel it is there....
|
Arnomation
Citizen
Username: Arnomation
Post Number: 285
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - 11:53 am: | |
and the pancakes at the Park Wood are great!
When we first got to town a couple of years ago we went to the Sage Diner and that was the last time we went. We thought it was pretty bad. We recently gave the Park Wood a try and we thought it was excellent. An amazing improvement from the Sage. We'll definitely be going back now.
Hopefully, they can shake people's bad memories of the Sage and be successful. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 1909
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, July 28, 2005 - 11:24 pm: | |
BGS-
If an establishment has a parking lot, there IS a law the owner of that lot must have a certain percent of the spaces as handicap. That doesn't mean you can just throw up a sign as it has to be according to the regulations. In addition, it has to be registered with the state. The spots also have to be as close to the accessible entrance as safely possible.
As for having accessible enterances, I was under the impression if a building owner renovates, they need to make the enterance accessible. I think Maplewood Stationers has a back enterance.
I just got a lot of this informaitn a few months ago. I'll see if I can dig it up. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 1910
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Friday, July 29, 2005 - 12:16 am: | |
On a more positive note, I took my friend's kid and one of her friends for breakfast at the diner. The pancakes were really big! One of the kids got chocolate chip, the other apple! I couldn't believe the size of the apples or the amount of chips in their pancakes!
One of the kids got sausage with her pancakes, and I got bacon (but I had a Belgium waffle). Usually you'll get a couple of squawny sausages and two pieces of bacon. This morning it was 6 big fat sausages and 5 big pieces of bacon. Way more food then any of us could eat. The food was very good!
I should have just gotten one order of pancakes between the three of us and a half order of bacon, as well as sausages.
I spoke with the owner, letting him know how good the food and service was. I also let him know about this thread and how many people from MOL have been reading it and going to the diner because of all the positive feedback. He was already aware of this thread on MOL because someone else already told him about it.
I did make one suggestion, and that was if possible they might consider having a kid's menu. He told me it was in the works.
Now I have to figure out how to explain to my friend it cost $30 for the three of us for breakfast!!! |
Lisa Ebert
Citizen
Username: Boomie
Post Number: 75
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Friday, July 29, 2005 - 7:06 am: | |
JTA I was just there yesterday and there was a children's menu on the last page of the menu. |
shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 2840
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 29, 2005 - 7:46 am: | |
They've had a children's menu since the very beginning...but maybe you mean for breakfast? |
redY67
Citizen
Username: Redy67
Post Number: 2698
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 29, 2005 - 10:49 am: | |
There is definitely a children's menu for lunch/dinner, named after all the Nick Tunes. |
wendy
Supporter
Username: Wendy
Post Number: 1464
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 29, 2005 - 12:43 pm: | |
Since the Parkwood offers single eggs, a short stack, etc., maybe there's no real need for a children's breakfast menu. Pete is so accommodating, however, I'm sure you can order smaller quantities of bacon, sausage, et al and he'll adjust the prices accordingly. |
shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 2842
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 29, 2005 - 2:19 pm: | |
My finicky 7 year old finishes a whole cheese omelette, fries and english muffin...agreed, no need for a kids breakfast menu! |
BGS
Citizen
Username: Bgs
Post Number: 232
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, July 31, 2005 - 4:51 pm: | |
Hey-I am still researching the issue of private property parking lot and municipal parking regarding handicapped spaces- I know that I said that I would report on it.
I did want to mention that yesterday I went in for breakfast with my Mom and we only got two sausages with our breakfast...Just the Aunt---how did you get six? These were so huge that two were just fine but I wondered.
The sausage was outstanding...not your typical diner sausage...you could taste the sage in it and it was just delicious.
I love this place!!!!!! |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 1945
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, July 31, 2005 - 10:49 pm: | |
Yes, we were there for breakfast. They only had a breakfast menu, (it was about 10am) and there was no children's menu. BUT it wasn't his fault I wasn't smart enough to realize two 9 year old girls would never finish what they ordered. If it had been my nephew, it would have been a different story.
The food was really good! I couldn't even finish my belgium waffle! My sister called me an idiot for ordering each of the girls their own pancakes when I told her how big the portions were!
I know for the next time to ask for one chocolate chip, one apple and one plain pancake.
I don't know how she got six sausages! Maybe because before they brought our food I told our waitress I read a lot of good things about the diner on MOL!? Another thought (pointed out by the same sister who called me an idiot) maybe they were cut in half?
But I do know I had five pieces of bacon!
I'll be going back, that's for sure!
And I did find some of the information I had concerning handicap parking. But I
m not going to have time to post it tonight. I'll have to post it when I get home tomorrow night. |
Sgt. Pepper
Citizen
Username: Jjkatz
Post Number: 1305
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, August 1, 2005 - 10:09 am: | |
Speaking of parking, who laid out the parking spots in their lot? There are two spots that are completely surrounded; if you park behind whoever is in them, they're trapped. |
snshirsch
Citizen
Username: Snshirsch
Post Number: 379
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, August 1, 2005 - 12:13 pm: | |
Did anyone happen to notice that the newest issue of NJ Monthly has their other diner listed as people's choice for best diner in North Jersey. Not a bad addition! We've been at least 3 or 4 times and while the waitressing staff has seemed rather new compared to other diners I've been in, they've always tried hard to please and the food has been top notch diner fare. The appetizer salad that is delivered on arrival is a nice touch! |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 1959
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 1, 2005 - 9:23 pm: | |
My niece has told me she expects me to take her there for breakfast tomorrow morning. Uh, hello! I won't be awake for breakfast! And, get this! She expects me to let her drive!!!
Anyone want to take my 16 year old visiting niece to breakfast!? Well, at least I know one of the pancake orders will fill her up. I'm looking forward to a waffle and bacon. Yummy! |
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