"Farm" to Bistro to Restaurant Depot, Nutley, NJ

[sixelagogo]

After a few online menu looks and a good review from the NYTimes Jersey section, we decided to give it a chance- total waste of time, energy and money. We walked in as the only customers and were greeted by a wafting smell of mildew (I know- that should have been a total tip-off, but we stuck to it)

He ordered: 4 cheese sandwich w/ waffle fries (7$)
My order: BBQ pulled pork tacos with black bean rice. ($10)
After a 30 minute wait, refreshed only by the canned ice tea (come-on, farm2table, just-add-water iced tea ???? Not even the diner serves that crap!), we received our entrees.
His sandwich: American and montey -jack cheese on texas toast bread with waffle fries. No pickle...What part of this sandwich is from a Jersey cheesemaker? What part is from a local baker? Not to harp on it, but with all the local picklers at EVERY farmers market in the area, don’t you think they could have slapped a pickle on that plate?But I digress…

The BBQ pulled pork taco came straight outta a slow cooker and was topped with bottled sauce- Great for Rachael Ray, but not for 10 bucks. Accompanying beans and rice were just that, long grained rice speckled with rinsed canned black beans. lame

So while waiting (again, we are the ONLY CUSTOMERS 30 minutes for a taco and grilled cheese) the owner pulled up with his truck full of supplies from the farm? NO - Restaurant Depot !!! FARM to Bistro? Seeing my “farm” cheese coming in the 5 lb wrap as well as many other goodies like the pre-made pastries, really took the cake. Come on there are at least 6 pastry shops in the area that produce a better product. Cliched Greenscaping is all I can say about this place. Take your money elsewhere.
Grade: D-

[phDuh]

I have not been there, but a good friend went, and was turned off by the overbearing owner who hung over their every bite proclaiming how wonderful it all was. That was enough to take it off my list.

[Curlz]

phDuh--was that Market in Montclair, or Farm to Bistro in Nutley? What you're quoting is what I've heard about the place in Nutley (which is the topic of this thread); now I'm curious to know if there are two places with the same problem, or if you've confused them.

[phDuh]

No confusion, I'm replying about Nutley. It's sad that there might be two local restarants with the same problems.

[Curlz]

Wow! Go figure.

[sixelagogo]

I think "greenscaping" is a sad fact of life in the 21st century

[menton1]

Anyone tried Market/Montclair? Baristanet gives it the kind of review that it seems "Farm to Bistro" was talked up as having. Only thing I can't find out about is the look of Market. No photos or discussion about that aspect anywhere.

[Jill Brazil]

I have been to Market Restaurant in Montclair a few times - and it is pretty good and sometimes very good. They have a special market plate - you can choose up to 4 different veg dishes for about $17.00. Most of the dishes were creative and well seasoned with a good use of fresh herbs. Fish dishes were quite good as well.

[tommy]

it's interesting that the menu on their website makes no reference to the pedigree of any of the ingredients. you would think they'd list farms or sources or something to set the restaurant apart from those that are presumably less farm-to-table oriented. i've not seen their actual menu, so perhaps since they could possibly source from many places, depending on the week or month, this info might be on their printed menu.

did you notice if this was the case?

getting some foodstuffs from a large supplier isn't necessarily a bad sign. certainly there are staples that need to be bought that cannot be provided by a farm.

[sixelagogo]

no, nothing was sourced on the menu. Staples (flour, oils, sugars, etc..) have every right to be on the large food supplier list.....However, when vegetables (25 lb. bag of carrots), cheese (aforementioned 10 lb log), and bread (texas toast and el paso flour tortillas) are not sourced locally, yer playing a game with the consumer.

[tommy]

ah, if you know for sure the cheese came off that truck and it wasn't notable in the least then that's suspect. not sure if we grow carrots locally, or what they were using them for. if they're using them for stocks and whatnot, i wouldn't hang them from the cross just yet.

but the fact that they don't list any farms is kind of odd.