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mayhewdrive
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 358
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 29, 2003 - 11:45 am: | 
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Can someone help me understand the difference between the South Orange Grille & the Maplewood Pub?
I read the "dining" thread here on MOL & see people raving about the pub in Maplewood & talking about how packed the place is. All I have heard about the S.O Grille is the bust for underage drinking.
Why is there no "buzz" about the S.O. Grille? Is it "packed" as well? If not, why not?
Can someone help me understand why Maplewood is going ga-ga over the pub, but I haven't heard much about the S.O. Grille?
I'd actually like to try both this weekend for myself to see with my own eyes, but I'm curious what I'm missing.
I may cross-post this on the "Dining" thread to get opinions from Maplewood, too. |
Jason & John
Citizen
Username: Johnh91011
Post Number: 59
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Friday, August 29, 2003 - 1:54 pm: |
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One reason for the hoopla over St James Gate is that it the only bar in Maplewood. I think the only other place with a liquor license is Centanni on maplewood ave and Verjus on Springfield Ave. Centanni is primarily a dining place but does have a bar.
South Orange on the other hand has Cryan's, Gaslight, Toro Loco in addition to South Orange Grille with significant areas devoted to a bar.
Secondly South Orange Grille just seems more like a restaurant than a bar so it must be perceived as a restaurant.
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noracoombs
Citizen
Username: Noracoombs
Post Number: 20
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Friday, August 29, 2003 - 2:12 pm: |
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Also, is South Orange Grille up to speed on the menu? Last I heard, they were serving a very limited menu. Perhaps when they are fully operational, there will be more buzz about the place. I hope so--I have gone to the bar part and it's a very nice place.
Does anyone know if the Village/Main St. will be doing a welcoming gala for S.O. Grille similar to what they did for the Kabob house or what they're doing for the Creamery tonight? |
susan1014
Citizen
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 41
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Friday, August 29, 2003 - 3:22 pm: |
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Just went to South Orange Grille the other night, and had a nice steak dinner. The menu is limited, but includes various steaks, a fish entry, etc, plus specials.
What I will say, is that two thirds of the space is the bar, with a large bar seating area. The restaurant is smaller, and nice, but nothing special as a space. With the size of the bar space, I'm assuming that they will work hard to make a reputation for themselves as a bar! |
Washashore
Citizen
Username: Washashore
Post Number: 59
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, August 30, 2003 - 9:19 am: |
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I do not like to trash busineses in S.O. - unless there is a valid reason to do so, in the hopes that the business "gets the message" and turns itself around.
My family and I ate at the Grille last night. The menu is, as stated above, limited at dinnertime because they are incrementally working up to a full menu. Understandable.
For reasons that are inexplicable, we did not check the correctness of the bill when it arrived (we usually do). After paying and departing the restaurant, on our way to the parking lot, I was recalculating in my brain what we ordered and what we paid, and realized that there was an error - we had paid 30% MORE than we should have.
I walked back to the restaurant, informed the waitress of the error, who found the Manager, who literally threw half of our overpayment at me. When I said that that amount was not right, he threw the balance at me, muttered "whatever" and walked away.
Unless the Grille changes its attitude, and perhaps some of its employees, I predict we will be staring at an empty storefront soon because
1: The Customer is always right. Especially when trying to entice a loyal following after having just opened. There was no effort to hear me or graciously deal with the problem at hand.
2. The issue I raised was factually verifiable - it wasn't that the food was too hot or too cold or arrived too slowly or the music was too loud. Based on their printed menu, and our order form, we paid 30% too much. An apology and a graceful return of the overpayment was in order, not a "whatever" and two throws of the money.
3. There are other places in town that serve alcohol, and the types of food it appears the Grille will be offering. You can find me at any one of these others in the future. |
sullymw
Citizen
Username: Sullymw
Post Number: 171
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, August 30, 2003 - 10:35 am: |
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I just think there are a lot of people who like BEER, especially in a somewhat authentic atmosphere with beers, ales, stouts, etc that are hard to find elsewhere. It's all about the beer!    |
ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 1821
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, August 30, 2003 - 11:39 am: |
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"Unless the Grille changes its attitude, and perhaps some of its employees, I predict we will be staring at an empty storefront soon"
Washashore, that's a shame.... Sullymw, I think in the big picture, it's always more about the attitude!
___________________________________________________________________
Waiting for an all-day Jitney, or a better way we can all get together & drink beer...
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Ed May
Citizen
Username: Edmay
Post Number: 1661
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, August 30, 2003 - 3:24 pm: |
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I agree with Jason and John that St. James Gate is the only business in Maplewood (Center) that is a "bar" first and a restaurant second; O'Reilly's is primarily a "bar" but not as conveniently located as is SJG in Maplewood Center. The best place for this discussion is down at SJG itself, and hope to see you all there soon.
Ed May
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deadwhitemale
Citizen
Username: Deadwhitemale
Post Number: 380
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, August 30, 2003 - 8:49 pm: |
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Cryans in SO is a smoker's iron lung, and Bunnys' charming booth seats are chiropractor made to order.
Each has plenty of atmosphere, hidden behind the described pollution.
The new place is, well, new.
DWM |
SoOrLady
Citizen
Username: Soorlady
Post Number: 1
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Monday, September 1, 2003 - 10:19 pm: |
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St. James Gate seems to be an attractive addition to Maplewood Center - it still has a few glitches to iron out though - we were there last night and were told that although there were empty tables, the hostess was asked not to seat anyone until the kitchen "caught up". Once we were seated and served, the fish n chips were quite good, but the shephard's pie was a disappointment.
We'll definately try it again, but we'll give them some time to work out the kinks. In the meantime, Cryan's may be smokey, but the staff is friendly, the pints are honest pints, and the burgers are tasty.} |
amandacat
Citizen
Username: Amandacat
Post Number: 214
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, September 4, 2003 - 3:40 pm: |
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If I may interrupt briefly with a dissenting opinion on SJG's shepherd's pie; I thought it was delicious! And huge -- order it along with two pints and a salad, and you have a perfect meal for two. |
SoOrLady
Citizen
Username: Soorlady
Post Number: 11
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 4, 2003 - 3:47 pm: |
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Well.. the kitchen WAS rather "stressed" the night we were there.. we'll have to try it again on your recommendation. We didn't order a salad that night, but the neighboring table did and it looked large, very fresh and delicious! Will definately get one of those next time. |
amandacat
Citizen
Username: Amandacat
Post Number: 215
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, September 4, 2003 - 4:26 pm: |
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Wow, that's a lot of pressure -- I sure hope you like it! I should mention that I am no shepherd's pie expert -- I've only eaten it once or twice before in my life -- but the rendition I had at SJG was easily my most scrumptious one yet. |
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