Stage House Tavern — Restaurant in Mountainside

I’ve eaten here about 5 years ago. So this is the 2nd time. We decided to sit out on the “patio”. Since it’s freezing inside. Fine. Gaby is our waitress. Nice young lady. However, Gaby appears to be overworked. As she was the only waitress there. She was accommodating with service until the food arrived. We did not see her for a long time after she brought our drinks. The servers brought our food. They both had food up their arm. And apparently it was too much for them. My husbands tartar sauce fell and spilled on my purse. As well as on the floor. They apologized. I understand those things can happen. I only asked for a wet towel to wipe my bag. A “manager” appeared. And asked if we needed anything I told him that I’m still waiting for the towel and showed him why. So he then realized what happened. Brought me one. Offered to pay for cleaning. I declined. The food server also brought wipes and a towel. No one cleaned the tartar off the floor. Which was now smeared in several places. It was disgusting to look at. We did not see Gaby at all. I ordered the beet salad which was good. Also the eggplant rollatini pizza. Mistake there. The sauce had absolutely no flavor. Eggplant was chopped and fried which I knew. Then sprinkled on top with the ricotta cheese. The eggplant was burnt. And very sparse. Crust was so hard. Arrived room temp. I kept trying to locate someone. Anyone to speak with. I even looked into the camera on the wall and asked for help. Much time has passed now. Not one person came to ask about the food or drink. I stopped a food server and asked him for red pepper flakes and explained why. He said sorry and brought it to me. Finally Gaby came and I explained everything. Meanwhile she was stepping in the spilled tartar sauce. Had no idea that happened. I explained to her all of the concerns. I told her I didn’t want anything except to let the kitchen know about the pizza. I also said that I was embarrassed and saddened that they did not clean the tartar sauce off of the floor and left it there for people to walk in. (I only have a pic of the spilled sauce near me.) I don’t eat like that at home. And certainly don’t expect this from a restaurant. So many food servers walked passed and saw this. Not one stopped to clean it. Gaby kept apologizing and I asked her to please stop. It really wasn’t helping me feel better about the experience. Actually worse. My husband only ate his fish as the “chips” or French fries were over cooked. Gaby gladly set the check folder down. Then came back quickly to retrieve it. Which we did not have ready for her as yet. (Hhhmmm. So quickly to collect the money but not quickly to see what we needed or if the food was ok ). No one removed the 4 plates in front of my husband but wanted to remove the salad plate which I was still eating from. We never tip 15% but this time we did. But Gaby’s un attentiveness combined with the spillage at the table warrants no more than 15%. Needless to say we will not be going back there. Nor can we...

Stagehouse Restaurant Review – A Truly Special Experience

If you're looking for a place that combines great food, fantastic service, and an unbeatable atmosphere, Stagehouse in Mountainside is the spot. From the moment you walk in, you're greeted by a cozy, inviting ambiance that immediately sets the tone for a great dining experience. The attentive staff is on top of their game, ensuring that every guest feels valued and cared for. But there's one standout element that truly elevates Stagehouse above the rest – the manager, Vania.

Vania is the heart and soul of Stagehouse. She’s a non-stop worker, constantly on the move, checking in with guests, making sure every detail is perfect, and ensuring everyone has an incredible experience. It’s clear that she genuinely cares about her guests' happiness, and her presence truly sets the tone for the entire restaurant. It’s rare to see a manager so hands-on, but Vania's dedication to ensuring everyone feels welcome and appreciated is what makes Stagehouse such a memorable place to dine.

Of course, the food and drinks are exceptional. Whether you're sitting on the beautiful patio or inside, the menu offers a delicious array of dishes, and the drinks are always on point. Whether it's a refreshing cocktail or a craft beer, everything complements the warm, welcoming vibe that Vania and her team foster.

But what truly makes Stagehouse stand out – and what will keep us coming back time and time again – is the way Vania made us feel like family. It’s not just about great food and drinks; it’s about the genuine care and attention to detail that makes a meal unforgettable. Vania’s commitment to creating a welcoming, joyful atmosphere is the reason Stagehouse will always be a go-to for us.

If you're looking for a restaurant that delivers exceptional food, amazing drinks, and top-tier service, Stagehouse is the place to be – but it’s Vania who truly makes it special. We can’t...

First time since years when family member got married there. We had family of 9 and the gathering was great but our server (female) was not pleasant, not hospitable at all. Working in the hotel service industry in management I see it all but this was unacceptable. It was packed, however service is service. She did not smile, NOT at all, wasn't welcoming NOT at all. My older brother had to start " making jokes" just so she could warm up and at least "smile" and show us some attention. Food came out and she did not even put in 1 order (salmon) so my brother in law had to wait until they cook his order. The gentleman another server started attending to our table with bringing us what we needed and he was very gracious, attentive and pleasant. She came right next to us attending to the other table behind and all we saw was smiles coming from her and asking was everything alright. By the time she turned around her face changed when she approached us. UNBELIEVABLE!! In times as such ALL should be treated fairly and with respect regardless of race, etc... By the end of the night like I said my big brother had her smiling and it was like pulling teeth but he's a comic for us all. With our family visiting from Atlanta, NY and we live locally down Rte.22 was embarrassing that the last time few of us was there our cousin was married there and had her reception as well years ago. I will definitely return because I will make sure I know not to sit in the back, booth area and if I do see our server I will not have...