The Order — Restaurant in South Orange

Never again. I've been stewing on whether or not to write this review for months because I don't really like writing bad reviews especially of local businesses. While I think the food here is amazing, the service is so awful that it seems to be an intentional part of the experience and since this is not a fancy French restaurant in an 80's movie, that kind of service is unacceptable. The final straw for me with that came last Spring. I was talking to someone about this place and they said "I can't go back there again, the service is horrible" to which I replied, "Yeah, that's a thing there, just don't go at peak hours though."

So, since I had been talking about The Order, it wasn't peak hours and I hadn't had breakfast yet, I decided to head down there. When I got there the hostess saw me, didn't say "hi" or "I'll be with you in a minute" and took something into the back. At that point I was on board with things, because that's the kind of service you can expect when coming to The Order. While I was waiting for her to come back, I could see that there were very few people inside and no one outside. There was at least 1 member of the waitstaff team, but it looked there may have been 2. So I thought, this will be fine, gotta come when it's not peak hours, you know. When the hostess returned I was standing right by her station and once again she didn't say hi. Then someone walked in the door and she greeted them. So I looked at her and said "hi, one please" and she said "a table?" and I'm thinking that's what I thought, but since it's your job to start this conversation and you clearly have no interest in doing that, I'm just trying to get to my portion of the conversation. But hey since we're being silly here, what other "ones" do you offer besides tables? Rocketships? Talking dogs? You tell me.

Anyhow, after I said yes to "a table?", I asked if I could sit outside. She said yes and I asked if I could pick any table out there since they were all empty. She said yes. So I went outside sat down and waited and waited and waited. After 20 minutes went by without me getting even a menu, I left and joined my friend in the world of "I can't go back there, the service is terrible." I could understand if this was the first day for the hostess (it wasn't I've seen here there before) or if I was ungroomed and/or being rude (I wasn't) or if the times I have been there I tipped poorly (also no, I always tip well). So it had to be the whole too cool for customer service that is part of the "charm" of The Order that my friend was complaining about and I just can't put up with...

This was my first time at The Order after googling “brunch near me”. The food was great but the check in process definitely needs some work. When it’s crowded with people getting drinks and pastries it’s hard to understand which line is for bakery items and which line is for putting your name in to sit down to eat. It is a small front area for this so it makes sense but there should be signs saying to wait in one line or the other, or just allow online or call in reservations. Either way we came at 11 am on a Sunday and waited about 30 minutes for a table outside.

Everything we ate was great- we shared a cheddar biscuit (must try!) with strawberry jam, I got an oven baked omelette and my husband got a spicy egg dish (the royal). We also tried the red pepper hummus and naan. They kind of nickel and dime you there, and you have to purchase the naan as an added cost when ordering the hummus which seems silly. What else would you eat the hummus with? They also upcharge for strawberry jelly or blueberry compote with the biscuit. The jelly was worth the .95 upcharge but I would skip the blueberry compote next time at 1.85 extra.

While we were sitting outside the wind knocked the restaurants patio umbrella onto me and it knocked my head down onto our table. It would have been a lot worse if my friend hadn’t seen it happening slowed it down with his hand, so they should probably look into securing the outdoor umbrellas so that won’t happen in the future. I could have been seriously hurt if my friend didn’t have quick reflexes and long arms. The staff noticed the umbrella issue but did not apologize for it or ask if I was ok, despite my sore neck from being smacked onto my table.

Overall I would come back because all of the food was good, but I couldn’t bring people who don’t like to wait without reservations or get overwhelmed in small waiting areas. I also noticed a lot of disgruntled customers coming out complaining about the wait time and lack of reservation system so they should look into implementing a better system than the handwritten waiting list they have. It was also interesting that we had to scan into a QR code for our tables tab, order tip and pay all at the same time on our phones all before receiving the food. A little odd but could be worse- I think older folks would have a hard time with the ordering and...

I recently had a delightful breakfast experience at this charming little spot, and I just had to share it! This breakfast joint is all about fresh, amazing food, and it's evident from the moment you walk in.

First and foremost, let's talk about the staff. They're some of the friendliest folks you'll ever meet. It's the kind of place where the servers greet you with a warm smile and make you feel right at home.

Now, onto the food. Since they make everything fresh, you might have to wait a bit longer for your order, but trust me, it's absolutely worth it. The freshness is evident in every bite. I opted for the combination breakfast, and it was a plate of pure breakfast bliss. Eggs cooked to perfection, crispy bacon, and fluffy toast - it was the breakfast of champions.

But if you're more of a sweet tooth, their pancakes are to die for. They're light, fluffy, and drenched in maple syrup. Pair them with a side of crispy bacon or fresh fruit, and you've got yourself a winning combo.

Surprisingly, this breakfast spot also offers a great salad. I know, who orders salad for breakfast, right? But let me tell you, it's a refreshing option, especially if you're looking for something lighter to start your day.

Now, let's not forget the drinks. They serve up some amazing beverages. I highly recommend trying their special breakfast concoctions. I went for the morning mimosa, and it was the perfect way to kickstart my day. They also serve tea in these adorable, cute cups that add an extra touch of charm to your meal.

The ambiance is cozy and inviting, making it a great spot to catch up with friends over breakfast or simply enjoy a leisurely morning on your own. It's the kind of place that feels like a hidden gem.

In conclusion, if you're in the mood for a breakfast that's made with love, served by friendly staff, and worth the slight wait for freshness, this place is a must-visit. Whether you're craving a hearty combination breakfast, fluffy pancakes, a surprising salad, or delightful morning drinks, this breakfast joint has it all. So, grab your friends or bring a book, and enjoy a delightful breakfast experience that'll start your day off just right!...