Tablespoon Cafe

We went to the prix fixe New Year's dinner @$100/pp for what usually costs $65. It was seriously overpriced with a mandated 20% tip for the owner of the restaurant (who tips the owner of a restaurant?). The food was good, but it should have been breathtakingly fabulous for that price, far and beyond what it usually is instead of the same menu with a fixed price. The service included pointing at a coat rack so we could hang our own coats, and appearing eventually with the check. I would have passed this criticism on to them, but they have no email address. I probably would have been fine if only they weren't so greedy they needed a 20% tip for themselves. It just left us with a bad taste. Not what you want when you pay $240 per couple for dinner without wine.

Nice place in Cranford. Pleasant atmosphere and good service, but the food is completly uninspired. I ordered steak (good cut), but it had no taste at all. The funny thing is that I do not complain, the owner came out and asked me why I am not eating my steak, so I told him very nicely that the steak has no taste. The owner then tells me that this is how steak is prepared in France and I can add salt and pepper on the table to taste. I have been to France, and I can tell you that I had better steak (flavor) in most other places.

Nice little French influenced BYO restaurant. A little pricey (figure in the $30 range for an entree) but the food is good. Last time we went we were the only customers so everyone in the Cranford area should go at least once. BTW, I would recommend making a reservation since I think they close sometimes if they don't know there will be customers.

The food and service was excellent. The loss of 1 star was due to not accepting Amex. I brought my employees out to dinner, and when the bill came all I had was my Amex card. It made for an awkward end to the meal, and for what - a 1% fee difference? If you’re going to have an upscale restaurant with entrees in the upper $30’s, please work in the credit card fees to your pricing. Again, the food and service was great, but the $2 they saved in fees may keep me from returning.