Whole Foods Opens Local Tap Room
A new tap room at Corner Table entices South Orange and Maplewood shoppers and diners
Whole Foods opened a nearby tap room, right down the street from South Orange and Maplewood. "Corner Table" offers some 20 beers on tap, including a gluten-free option, a dozen wines, and a menu that includes smaller options, classic sandwiches, and a kids' menu.
The Corner Table, which opened Thursday, takes the space that was previously Osteria, now painted green and decorated with photos of beer makers, including the Brooklyn Lager folks and the Yards Brawler brewers. Local beers are prominent on the menu and the restaurant offers daily happy hour (4 p.m. until 7 p.m.) specials on food and drink.
The menu is likewise pub grub-oriented, with fish and chips, burgers served with house-made potato chips, a cheese plate and daily pickle jar. Patrons order at a counter in traditional British pub style, pay, and the food is brought to the table. In the meantime, hungry diners can nibble on complimentary popcorn. The Kids' menu has choices that range from pizza to hummus, with the most expensive at $6. The adult menu ranges from $5 hot dogs to $14 fish and chips.
"I wasn't planning to eat," said Kathy Carson, munching on a Beer Hall Soft Pretzel with her son. "But I was hungry and I thought the place looked welcoming. I like it so far." Her son sampled lemonade and a pulled-pork sandwich.
Three flat-screen televisions hang on the walls, all ready for coming events. The Corner Table will host Olympic gatherings in the coming weeks, with more events to follow:
- 2012 Summer Olympics—Not just any viewing party, the Corner Table will be holding a number of fun, family-friendly games focusing on Olympic trivia. Winners can expect to receive medals, just like the real Olympians.
- Team Trivia Nights—Winning teams will be put to the test and handsomely rewarded with a Corner Table gift certificate.
- Meet the Brewer—Customers will have the opportunity to sample local beers and meet their favorite brewers from around the area
- Educational Activities—From flower arranging and children’s book swaps, to wine &cheese pairing classes, there will be a variety of activities for everyone in the family.
- Live Music—Hang out for the live Jazz music on Friday nights.
M OKeef
1:45 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
Seriously first tap room in state?? Plenty of bars have beer on tap?
Marcia Worth
3:35 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
That's what their menu says.
Barry Kaufman
3:41 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
Not so sure the lead-in photo heralding the news, was of a youth bit'n down. Caught me off guard. Whaddya think?
Lando Calrissian
4:11 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
honestly, went there and the menu is underwhelming. it's more of a mcdonalds with higher prices and beer on tap. the lines were unruly and the wait time fairly high. I really wanted to like it but I just left.
Lando Calrissian
4:12 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
Also, it claims to be a sports bar yet they were running a replay of the Yankee game from the night before while there was a Met game in progress. Very little attention to detail.
bill
8:36 am on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
That shows good sense, since the way the Mets play hardly qualifies as sport these days.
Dick Stuart
9:46 am on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
What is the address
Marcia Worth
12:14 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
You can click on the blue or 2245 Springfield Ave, Vauxhall, NJ | Get Directions »
Shari
11:39 am on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
For the record, the place just opened, so its working out the kinks. The wait was probably slow for that reason. I've already been there twice, and the food is incredible. Between the diners, we've had Turkey, Veggie and Hamburgers, a kiddie hamburger meal, the cheese, pickle and meat plates, and a few assorted beers. I'll be going back for the Olympics event.
whole foodz
2:09 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
The place didn't really just open, it's been there for a few years just with a different menu and no beer on tap. Once the dust settles, it seems like a good place if no one's there. if it's crowded its bad news because the service sucks.
MainSt07041
9:09 pm on Saturday, July 28, 2012
Food was decent when it showed up.....terrible service, to no fault of the wait staff, how long does it take to cook up kiddie meals ? While I welcome any restaurant with a kids menu (American Joes, Millburn Diner, Tinga), Corner table is not worth it.