| Author | Message | ||
     bets Citizen Username: Bets Post Number: 402 Registered: 6-2001  |
I read in the Arts & Entertainment section that the South Orange Grille is closing (unpaid employees, repossessed equipment). If this is true, can we please get an explanation as to what happened here? The place was under renovation for nearly 2 years and was hailed by the BOT as evidence of a renaissance in downtown. I never set foot in the place as the length of time it took to open and the enthusiasm spouted by the BOT made me very uneasy. The owners were never really identified, and I didn't understand the secrecy. Is this space reverting back to "Coming Soon?" Any ideas on what we can expect, and how long it will take? How embarrassing for South Orange! | ||
| Guesswho Citizen Username: Guesswho Post Number: 52 Registered: 9-2003 |
Bets..why would enthusiasm for a new business in South Orange,whether from BOT or anyone cause you NOT to patronize an establishment in town? Were you hoping it would fail so you could say How embarrassing for South Orange! Let's blame the trustees for everything, encouraging businesses, and discouraging business, wanting growth and preventing growth..etc and etc and etc. What a joke!!! | ||
| Dave Ross Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 5617 Registered: 4-1998  |
It seemed like there were internal problems among the owners. And the jukebox was too loud. And they didn't' have food for months. Something like Shanghai Jazz in Madison would do well there. | ||
| bets Citizen Username: Bets Post Number: 403 Registered: 6-2001 |
No, Guesswho, I was really looking forward to another good dining choice for the village. But as the grand opening time arrived and I read reports on this board of mismanagement, heavy patronization by trustees and village administrators, underage drinking, and the lack of food service, I was quite turned off. Then I heard the name "Hartwyk" associated with the place and that sealed my decision. | ||
| Guesswho Citizen Username: Guesswho Post Number: 53 Registered: 9-2003 |
Anyone know how Hartwyck" was associated with the Grille? I'm pretty well in tune with the Village and I must of missed it, somehow> | ||
| Guesswho Citizen Username: Guesswho Post Number: 54 Registered: 9-2003 |
Anyone know how Hartwyck" was associated with the Grille? I'm pretty well in tune with the Village and I must of missed it, somehow> | ||
| mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 487 Registered: 5-2001 |
I made a post back in August questioning "at the bottom of the menu, it says that James Hartwyck is the Chef di Cuisine. Is he by any chance related to the Hartwyck family that already is involved in Code Enforcement, Parking, and formerly a Trustee and "special attorney"? It was a question that never received an answer from anyone. Perhaps bets simply took that as a "yes". | ||
| Guesswho Citizen Username: Guesswho Post Number: 55 Registered: 9-2003 |
But is that an assumption? We all know what assuming does..it makes an ass of you and me  | ||
| tototoo Citizen Username: Tototoo Post Number: 145 Registered: 1-2002 |
What a clever, clever comeback. I, like Bets, was wary of SO Grille from the beginning, especially about opening the bar and not the kitchen, of course, with promises of great things to come. When the kitchen finally did open, on a limited basis, the grand chef Hartwyk had arrived (at least on a limited basis). Then there were the continuous problems with underage drinking, an apparently incompetent staff, the ultimate undercover bust, and a very mediocre menu. I don't mean to make an "ass of you and me" but gee, guesswho, did you have any other assumptions, hopes or aspirations for or about this latest failure in South Orange? It's a very nice piece of property in the heart of the village. Can we hope for something successful to be "coming soon"???? | ||
| Guesswho Citizen Username: Guesswho Post Number: 58 Registered: 9-2003 |
I.indeed. have many hopes and aspirations for South Orange. I have lived here a very long times, seen trustees come and go, seen businesses come and go and I don't think it is fair to blame the demise of an establishment on the governing body. One doesn't like our trustees and therefore doesn't patronize a local grille. Don't patronize it if the food or service is bad, but because you have a grudge against a trustee. Boy, is that poor. The South Orange Grille failed because of the South Orange Grille, Not the South Orange Board of Trustees. | ||
| peteglider Citizen Username: Peteglider Post Number: 328 Registered: 8-2002 |
...i heard many stories from the very beginning from a teen friend (who bussed tables there) of my daughter's. now i took them all with a grain of salt, but apparently what they did to buy supplies over the last weeks was somewhere between laughable and absurd. and no, their employees did not get their recent paychecks. let's hope someone takes it over with better business and restaurant skills Pete | ||
| mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 488 Registered: 5-2001 |
While it is sad to see another South Orange business depart, I am amazed that the Gaslight continues to survive. I never heard any better reviews for the Gaslight than I have heard for the SO Grille, but the Gaslight has been around for years & the So Grille couldn't survive a few months. | ||
| Dave Ross Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 5626 Registered: 4-1998 |
Just accept the Gaslight for what it is. If they don't cater well to families, perhaps it's just not a "family place." It's a brew pub that features some interesting brews from time to time. Ayingers on tap now. Great cheese platter, too. | ||
| newtoallthis Citizen Username: Newtoallthis Post Number: 72 Registered: 2-2003 |
Gaslight's tuna steak/avocado club sandwich and pear/blue cheese salad are both great. Not a big winner on decor, but it does have some decent food and beer selections. | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 752 Registered: 4-2002 |
My opinion was this place failed due to poor management. For the record, the chef's name was not Hartwyk. I do not know the names of any other employees and I only went there once (right after they opened) and it was pretty obvious this place was in trouble. The good news is that the building is in now in good shape and they should be able to sell the business quickly (although I am not sure they want to do that). | ||
| bets Citizen Username: Bets Post Number: 405 Registered: 6-2001 |
Though I agree the BOT is not responsible for the success or failure of any local business, the fanfare and jubilation that accompanied the opening of the South Orange Grille went on for months (mostly because the grand opening began in May and ended in August). The failure of the police to deal with the obvious underage drinking probably contributed more to said failure than anything else. I personally know of one incident where drunk underage patrons of the South Orange Grille were stopped for DUI, and were allowed to drive away from the scene after the officers were told to call in on a land line. What's the story there? Why did it take an ABC sting, not 4 months after opening its doors, to crack down on the flagrant abuse of the law? I'm sorry. I trust my instincts. Something about that place stank to high heaven from the onset. Mark, I'm surprised you found the establishment so lacking "right after they opened;" I was under the distinct impression that you believed the South Orange Grille would be an anchor establishment for the village. I stand corrected. As to the Hartwyck reference, I have no idea if James is a relative. It's a knee-jerk bad reaction. | ||
| greeneyes Citizen Username: Greeneyes Post Number: 408 Registered: 8-2001 |
I don't know if the underage drinkers were allowed to drive away but.. I went in for a quick drink about two weeks after "the bust". There were about 8 patrons at the bar, all way past the age of 21 and the owner was giving the bartender a hard time about checking IDs at the bar. This was at about 7PM on a Saturday night and those industrial lights around the bar were all the way up. The bartender looked around and said, "you're kidding right? Look at these people. The owner said, I don't give a flying #$%# ask for IDs from everyone. The bartender asked us all for IDs. We, with gray hair and bifocals. It was good for a laugh. I only went in once. The music on the jukebox was very loud, Mob hits type music, not my favorite, but it was a bit piercing with the bright lights and all. I knew at that visit that the place wasn't going to be around long. Who wants to sit at a sterile brightly lit bar? I want to be cozy and comfy and not lit like a roman candle. The staff was friendly enough. It's a shame. I like to hang out locally when I can, I guess it's back to Toro Loco and Robertos' Margaritas for me. | ||
| NCJanow Citizen Username: Librarylady Post Number: 1068 Registered: 5-2001 |
Don't know if there is a possibility of this working out, but..went to Taste of Asia in Montclair last nighjt and had some truly incrediable Malayasian food. They also have a place in Chatham. It seems that they have lost their lease in Montclair and are looking for a new place to open. I spoke to the manager and suggested that South Orange would be the perfect place.The service and cuisine are wonderful We really could use such a fine eating establishment. I told them that the Grille was closing and maybe they could make a quick rental. the location is perfect, near parking and trains . Hope they at least investigate S.O. They would be a great addition to the community. NCJ aka LibraryLady On a coffee break..or something like it. | ||
| bets Citizen Username: Bets Post Number: 408 Registered: 6-2001 |
Found out today that James Hartwyck is, indeed, Mark & Joanne's son. Brother Mark "Executive Director of the Parking Authority" and wife Joanne "The Code Enforcement Officer" Hartwyck surely had no influence on any goings on at the South Orange Grille. Nah, everything is way above-board here in South Orange. Mr. Rosner, I'm sure you're shocked! Welcome to South Orange! Honesty and communication: That's our motto! Open 9:30-4:30 weekdays for your convenience! (Really, why are these positions full-time?) | ||
| patjoyce Citizen Username: Patjoyce Post Number: 38 Registered: 7-2001 |
LL - Please contact Todd Leavitt of Main Street tomorrow and get him whatever info you have on the Montclair restaurant. Todd has been very good at getting out info to prospective retailers and I think he'll to a good sell for SO. Patrick |
