The coffee and biscuits are worth the wait. I love the atmosphere. The service is always great.read more

Lindsey our server, saved the experience…read more My family and I have been to this location countless times since it opened in our neighborhood. Today it seemed the Triple F squad was staff today. I am glad I didn't take any names (save for Lindsey) because knowing names would make it so much worse for this review. I arrived before the rest of my family expecting the normal craze that N.J. has on pretty much any given day. It was surprisingly slow. Walked in, went to the Host desk and stated I had a party of 4 adults and a child. I asked if I could have the "half and half" table by the door leading to the patio. I should have taken heed by the "deer in headlights" look i received that I was not dealing with a full deck of cards person. The table was empty, but she tried to convince me that i should take one of the crescent tables. Trying to remain calm at the total incompetence before me; I finally stated that I'll take a table outside...to which I received the reply: "I don't think we can do that because the tables are worked in a diagonal" I know at this point I had a, "Tha Fook" look about my face. I also got a text that the group had grown by an adult and a infant; knowing this was going to confuse the hostess even more, but best to update the count. She then said she would have to go and check with the manager if it would in fact be possible to move tables that are not bolted down, outside to fit 5 adults and 2 children. Thinking, "I'm glad I showed up early", the restaurant then began to get busy. Not too long later she returned with the manager...who explained it would not be a problem to put some tables together. He informed me that they would get it set up, but they they would wait to seat when the rest of the party arrived; rules I understand and stated as much...I did ask the manager though, why the hostess said it would be an issue...He honestly replied he didn't know why she had said that. So kudos to the Manager with the blonde hair and light colored shirt. So I sat down in the waiting area for everyone to arrive. About 5 minutes elapsed when they finally arrived. As my party entered the restaurant, i stepped up to the host stand and informed them everyone had arrived and that the party had reduced back down to the original number (4 adults and 1 child). The male host informed me that it would be another 5 minutes...not so they could set up the table...but so that the server would not be overwhelmed by a third table. Yes, that look came across my face again. The female hostess walked away to go talk to the server as I was explaining to the male host that its fine to seat us; we can wait for the server for when she was ready. At this time he was confused. Which made no sense. I mean this is a restaurant that if normally PACKED...with a line that wraps around the building and cars are fighting for a spot to park. So to say the server needed time to acclimate from two tables, to three...THAT is a major problem for your restaurant that is always busy. Well, a few minutes had gone by and we were still waiting to be taken to our table. The male server noticed (which I had noticed the whole time) that the female hostess was still talking to the server. He proceeded to run back there and they and a different manager came to the front. The manager asked confusedly if I wanted to be sat down...I replied, "Yes, we never expected to be immediately tended to by the server, we just wanted to sit down and get out of the way of all the people now coming in. He showed us to the table and asked if there was anything else (wrong question). So I told him that the hostess was incompetent. How I had originally asked for the half and half table, etc. Then the whole diagonal thing and now about the server needing time to acclimate from two tables to three. Now, the worst thing you can do as a manager of any installation is stand there and look stupid (this is not the same manager as before, mind you, this guy had brunette hair and a blue shirt). Whish was exactly what he was doing, and giving responses that sounded like he went into default mode. They didn't address the situation, they didn't acknowledge the situation...They were literally "filler talk". My reaction was again, that look. We sat down and the original server finally came out, provided us with menus and took our drink order, and left. Maybe 5 minutes later Lindsey came out with our drinks. THAT is when the experience turned for the positive. She was jovial, polite, informed us of the special (which I ordered; they need to rename it the Wilford Brimley - iykyk). She gave us the perfect amount of time. Never rushed to refill coffees or anything...and the BEST part: she didn't ask when everyone has food in their mouth how everything was...I HATE THAT!!!!. Truly, Lindsey saved the day. She needs a raise and a promotion (she should take the second manager's job because he was useless). I hope next time is better... from the beginning.