Tabor Road Tavern, Parsippany NJ- trip report

[The Engineer]

This place looks like a couple of its sister restaurants, Huntley Taverne in Summit, and to a lesser degree, Trap Rock in Berkely Heights. The similarities don't end there... service, menu, and even clientele seem familiar, all adding to the idea that you've been there before.

Damn, the library's closing. I'll finish another time.... Sorry Hounds!

[bropaul]

My secretary was there last night and thought it was very good. I don't know the other places, so I can't compare.

[Breeze153]

I have visited the Tavern twice already and can say the food and service has been outstanding. Its about time we had such a restaurant in our own backyard. Despite being a busy place the food arrived in a timely manner and the wait staff very accomodating.

[janicef]

how was dessert? whats on the menu?

[thegoebs]

I read some early reviews that said that the Tabor Road Tavern was an upscale restaurant in the Parsippany/Morris Plains neighborhood which needed such an establishment? My friends and family have been planning to go since its opening and found a way to get there for a late Saturday lunch.

The restaurant was three quarters full and yet the staff seemed to be taxed. We waited an excessive amount of time at each step in the service process. We initially sat at the table replete with empty bread plates and water glasses and within the first 15 minutes the only thing we were offered was an opportunity to order a bottle of wine and some empty wine glasses. We were never offered the mysterious bread that might adorn the bread plates. This wine list is large, but offers very little at a reasonable cost. I know upscale means pricy, but less $70 and $80 wines and more $30 and $40 would be a great idea.

The one appetizer I ordered became as embarrassment to me because it took so long and I knew my extra order was holding up the main courses ordered by the rest of the hungry table.

The food was petite albeit good, but special requests were met with resistance and downright refusals. As the server put it, “The chef doesn’t like to do these sorts of things”. What we’d asked for, god-for-bid, was that the calamari salad be stripped of its leafy goodness and served family style as an appetizer. We were told that they were short of calamari in the kitchen and could not accommodate. I feel bad for the dinner rush, which will surely be disappointed that they may be out of one of the menu items on the already small choice menu. At an “upscale” restaurant, I am accustomed to receiving special request my way. In fact, I am used to that at Burger King where burgers don’t cost $15.

The teetering log pile for the real fireplace was a focus of conversation and concern for our table. The natural fireplace is nice, but when not attended offers an uncomfortable variation in temperatures for those seated nearby. With a busy staff, maybe gas fireplaces and a focus on the customer are more in order.

I hope this restaurant grown into it’s surrounding. The neighborhood could use a good, well run restaurant at any price point.

[SunnyNJ]

I was there last week for dinner (we were a group of 7) and I thought the service was beyond appalling. The staff seemed disinterested and confused. I mean what type of place brings out appetizers for 5 people and doesn't bring the other 2 until the first 5 are finished. Same with the entrees, 6 people got em, 1 sat there and waited till most of the others were finished. No refills of drinks, empty plates left on the table for what seemed like an eternity. Plus, that place is expensive. $27 for a 2 crabcake entree ain't cheap. For that price, I'll go elsewhere. Shame because an upscale restaurant is needed in those parts...

[The Engineer]

Yeah so anyway... now that others have commented...
The place LOOKS great. Beyand that, I've lost interest in trying to explain why I won't be back. It wasn't terrible, but for what they charge I can find better. But don't trust me, go see for yourself.

[shistymarma]

Ordered two steaks last night and both were of good quality but extremely overcooked. One was ordered rare and one medium rare. Both were medium well to well. The rest of the meal was very good, service was fair but very slow. If I do return I will not order any steak. We did not send anything back, we usually don't. A good restaurant server will stay at the table while you check you steak, that is the only time I will send it back.

[visacrum]

I know this is an older posting, but for a mid-2009 update: I went there last week. Most of the comments I've seen here still apply. We (a mere group of 2) did get bread. There was a lag for each 'step' of the ordering process, and it seemed different people were assigned different tasks - almost like having 2 wait staff people for our table, which should have been great, but amounted to unnecessary delays. Drink refills had to be begged for, and were still forgotten on one return (to clear the plates from the appetizer that, yes, sat there for a while). We had both ordered steak. Mine was medium, hers was well. We got delivered each others' steaks. Even divey diners don't mess up order deliveries, and anyone who isn't sure asks. Our plates were just laid without a word.

I'm not a wine drinker, but I order wines for events all the time. Their list seems to have gotten a bit more diversified than it was last year.

I think the only time the main waitress was courteous and smiling is when it came time to assign the tip on the charge slip.

As others have said, the place isn't bad, but for the prices they charge, I'll go elsewhere.