| Author | Message | |||
     bets Citizen Username: Bets Post Number: 409 Registered: 6-2001  |
Mark, I'm hopeful that "they" will sell the business quickly instead of condemning that prime property into another indefinite quagmire. It's in this area that I expect my elected reps to step in and move the ball - welcome, embrace, advise. Enforce. | |||
| Brett Citizen Username: Bmalibashksa Post Number: 412 Registered: 7-2003 |
The chef's name was Mark. I'm 100% sure of this. he is. as we speek. running the place. | |||
| Dave Ross Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 5650 Registered: 4-1998  |
The menu did say James | |||
| bets Citizen Username: Bets Post Number: 410 Registered: 6-2001 |
Referred to above, 7 posts up, and culled from here, James was not the head chef, but the chef di cuisine. I just heard about Chef Mark today, in fact. And his brother. And their poor dog. This failure is a clear indication that the need for a full-time redevelopment presence is crucial. It has to be obvious to everyone that the current situation is intolerable to both businessman and consumer. It took this business TWO YEARS to just open their doors, and 6 months later they're gone. | |||
| mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 497 Registered: 5-2001 |
I really wish I had saved a copy of that menu, which most definitely DID say "James Hartwyck" as the "Chef di Cusine". Again, I cannot say whether or not "James" is related to any other Hartwyck's in town, but his name absolutely was on the paper menu when the place first opened. | |||
| bets Citizen Username: Bets Post Number: 411 Registered: 6-2001 |
Your mention of that name made me ask everyone I know. And I finally found the answer. Like I say, always follow your insinct. | |||
| lseltzer Citizen Username: Lseltzer Post Number: 1884 Registered: 5-2001 |
What is a "Chef di Cusine"? | |||
| vermontgolfer Citizen Username: Vermontgolfer Post Number: 177 Registered: 12-2002 |
Assuming that you all are correct about the 'Hartwyck" connection, can you explain how that forced the SO Grille to not succeed? | |||
| mary032 Citizen Username: Mary032 Post Number: 16 Registered: 8-2001 |
Chef di cusine = italian hebrew for "chef de cuisine".  | |||
| mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 498 Registered: 5-2001 |
No idea what that specifically means in the restaurant business, but that is what was printed on the menu. | |||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 753 Registered: 4-2002 |
Bets: The old stuft shirt was put up for auction. Highest bidder purchased the building and renovated it (and it took him three years for some strange reason). There was virtually no fanfare because it took so long and I don't think anyone was confident that there was not going to be operational issues given the length of time they had been taking. You could hire all the redevelopment people you want and it still would not have changed who the high bidder for the property was or the fact that the owner and manager were not interested in advice on how to run a restaurant. I have frequented a lot of businesses right after they open (cold stone creamery, Dancing Goat, etc) and yet I do not hear any negative comments. I think it is a good thing to see the elected officials and village employees eat and shop in S. Orange. A person cannot be discriminated against because of his last name or his relatives. I am sure there were other local people that were hired too. I just don't get the connection you are trying to make. A lot of restaurants name a dish for people who work in the kitchen or favorite customers. It is nothing new and does not mean that there is corruption (or whatever you are hinting at). I worked in and was part owner of a restaurant. We never used the term chef di cusine, we always used the phrase short-order cook. Not as glamorous, but in a place that is a grill, not much else to call the position. The fact is we had a buyer for the restaurant (well known name) and they turned it down. The point is that this failure has little (if not nothing ) to do with the redevelopment effort. That location has always generated interest from resataurateurs and I have no doubt that the current owners will be getting offers. | |||
| NCJanow Citizen Username: Librarylady Post Number: 1070 Registered: 5-2001 |
PatJoyce, I called Todd Leavitt this morning at your suggestion and he will be calling Taste of Asia today. What is heartening is that the owner has already made contact with the village, first thing Monday morning. Guess South Orange doesn't have such a bad and widespread reputation of being hostile to new business after all. NCJ aka LibraryLady On a coffee break..or something like it. | |||
| argon_smythe Citizen Username: Argon_smythe Post Number: 91 Registered: 5-2001 |
Why tear into the Gaslight Brewery on this thread? What's the point? A business is failing -- let's point out others we wish would too! The Gaslight is not and never will be Chuck E Cheese, and for some reason they seem to get bad press for that. You gotta be careful because the bar corners have sharp edges too. What a hip town we live in! | |||
| mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 499 Registered: 5-2001 |
Argon, You are right...Chuck E Cheese has much better food than the Gaslight. | |||
| lseltzer Citizen Username: Lseltzer Post Number: 1886 Registered: 5-2001 |
And I've never had such rude service in a Chuck E Cheese. BTW, hands off Taste of Asia! Maplewood wants them for Springfield Ave! | |||
| woodstock Citizen Username: Woodstock Post Number: 475 Registered: 9-2002  |
Lselter, Then I guess it's war! (see the thread in Soapbox...) "My fellow Americans, I am pleased to tell you I've just signed legislation which outlaws [Maplewood] forever. The bombing begins in five minutes." Waiting For The Electrician, Or Someone Like Him | |||
| Soda Citizen Username: Soda Post Number: 1080 Registered: 5-2001  |
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| kevin Citizen Username: Kevin Post Number: 114 Registered: 2-2002 |
I heard a rumor that the owner of the grill still wants to give it a go with different management in place. Anyone else hear this? | |||
| vermontgolfer Citizen Username: Vermontgolfer Post Number: 185 Registered: 12-2002 |
That's what was reported at the BOT meeting last night, assuming I heard correctly, since the audio, while greatly improved on TV, still needs some work! | |||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 772 Registered: 4-2002 |
The rumor is that they hired a new manager. There has been some offers by other restauratuers to buy or rent the building. VG: I think the audio problem is sometimes some of us still don't talk into the microphone or have the mute button pushed down (that minimizes feedback) and you have to push again before you speak. |
Bring 'Em On Ron