Stage House Restaurant & Bar

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mikies

Joined 8 years ago

Good value. We went to the stage house for our anniversary, mid December 2006. The place got really humming at around 7 with quite a few customers. The atmosphere is nice, the tables are not too close to each other so everyone can have a nice conversation without impacting other guests. We had some appetizers. My wife had foie gra, which was a bit disappointing, pretty much any other place I had foie gra at was better than this one, a bit of disappointment. To give kudos where they are due, the figs in that dish were yum. The open ravioli of braised ribs was quite nice. Good flavors, very tender meat, nice job. For main courses we had tuna and venison. The rare tempura tuna was nicely cooked, crispy on the outside, nice and rare on the inside. It had a nice sauce. The tuna itself was a bit plain though. The venison was decent. The waiter did say it was a loin, but it was a bit more chewy than I expected of a loin even though it was cooked medium rare. The berry desert was good. The wine and cordial selections are nice, especially if one wants to surprise someone for their birthday with a bottle of wine or a cordial. Here is the bottom line, the place is a good value in light of places like Huntley tavern, which are much better food wise, but also cost 50% more. However, when places like 3 west (exit 33 from I-78) come into the picture, then this place is just ok. I would not shy away from it in the future, but I would not sing praises of it either. It is a good solid dinner place, with upscale feel and prices that won't destroy the credit card balance ;)

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nyebaby37

Joined 8 years ago

Landmark Built to last, great food & ambiance. Visited Stage House on a busy Saturday night in December, peak holiday season. I'd read a few mixed reviews online and called the restaurant to clarify if a "singles bar" really was on the other side of this expensive restaurant. First, let me say the maitre 'd was extremely helpful and described the place over the phone. Stage House was built in 1737, has outside seasonal dining near its parking lot, you can enter here or in the front off of Park Avenue Scotch Plains. The restaurant is divied into a tavern (3 floors), and separated by a large foyer is a fine dining establishment. You are greeted by a fireplace and then there are 3 separate rooms, wood floors, we sat in the main room next to another fireplace -- lovely. i had requested by the fireplace but when we were 1st seated we weren't immediately granted that until i requested again. No problem though, we were moved. Food is excellent. VERY good apple/arugula/cheese salad, perfect balance of dressing. Short rib ravioli appetizer excellent -- yes a ravioli stuffed w/ shortrib meat & sauce. Full rackoflamb, cooked as ordered, to perfection. Short rib dinner a tad bland but very tender. i liked the short rib apptz sauce better. Lovely wine & cocktail, pricey though. Pecan pie very tasty, not too sweet and a hint of bourbon. Service was very very good, until the end when it got busy, I think the server got a bit overwhelmed with more than 3 tables nevertheless not rushed, but not ignored either. Neatly decorated, ample parking, clean restrooms. *Note the restaurant has a separate bar from the tavern bar if you are waiting for your table. I did not feel the tavern interfered in anyway with the ambience of the more expensive dining area. Tavern has a separate less expensive menu. They do have live music but it wasnt' on yet, so I cant judge if you can hear it next door. I would definitely recommend and revisit. Umm. Romanic, good for small groups too - kids happier at the tavern.