I will back Showtime's post regarding brunch: not very good at all.

bacon was standard cut, nothing impressive... and fried? super crispy, not my style. sausage was the best thing i tried. omlette was"ok" but nothing special (i can prepare better eggs at home across the board).

I had the benny... ug. "smoked ham"? seemed like regulation ham to me, nothing of note, and i detected not smoke. the eggs were not poached in water, they were done in one of those poacher mold things. no thanks. was like a just under hard boiled egg, no run to the yolk. The hollindaise was good though (real holindaise, unlike the wack sauce they try to pass at the Merchant). And as showtime mentioned, the muffin was one of the bigger variety, and barely toasted. not good.

love love love the dinner menu and bar menu, no real interest in going back for brunch. ingredients and prep were pretty unispiring.

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i think it's safe to say most of the folks bothering to mention it on here are not basing it on 1 or 2 experiences, rather an extended period of exposure.

Honestly, there is no question for me at this point: Ox owns the grove area dining scene at this point. Have not had a bad dish yet (including specials), bar menu is worth repeat use, beers are great etc etc etc....

went twice over the weekend, once for drinks and bar food the other for a sit-down meal. Was satisfied in both cases and surprised at how casual and reasonable the place is considering it's "look". As Alb commented, the exterior, interior, menu etc do not reflect the overall vibe once inside. friendly attentive staff, great service (hate to continue with the comparison, but what a relief after years of Marco Pepe).

Had the pasta/rabbit dish which was an ample portion, delicious and well worth the price ($19?). Also had the boston leaf salad, excellent quality of ingredients and preparation. A really tasty salad. Others at the table had scallops which were very good and the oxtail app which was pretty much perfect. At the bar Sunday we sampled a variety of cured meats, the venison sliders, cheeses and some of the better deviled eggs I've ever had. All worth the price (except maybe the sliders, which were damn good but a bit much at $3.50 per).

Anyway, I will certainly go back for a beer/small plate at the bar or a quick entree. With a max entree price of $23, I'm not sure why there are so many complaints. And calling out this place in the greater argument for "Casual family dining" is ridiculous. They are not obligated to provide that kind of environment or serve that kind of food. Maybe the complainers should move to Newport and frequent the Chili's? I'm guessing there are other fun family options in the mall there as well.

Oh, an dthey have some excellent drafts and bottles. The Southhampton Double Whitte on tap is reason enough to go... not to mention the dogfish 90. ok now I'm thirsty...

Have not been satisfied with takeout from Brownstone lately. Burgers border on "terrible" at this point. And adding insult to the injury of a dry overcooked lifeless patty, they keep forgeting the cheese.

breakfast always seems ok there, though.

alright, finally went last night. the place is fine, service at the bar was adaquit and the small plates we ordered came out promptly. did't go crazy, but enjoyed the chips the brocoli raub/sausage (raub was cooked perfectly) and the cheapo chicken tenders which were about as good as you could ask tenders to be (subtle coconut flavor, nice dipping sauce and super moist meat). Everything else I saw served while there looked and smelled great.

No doubt I will go back again... and again and again and again.

oh, and the tall mug of Fullers ruuuuuuuuuuulez

I guess it is somewhat new or recently renovated (new ownership?)... looks great, per the the notes and pics on Off The Broiler

Anyone been? Likes? Dislikes?

On Newark between Coles & 2nd/Mamouth

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Was hoping to at least try this place, but you unfavorable comparison to Wild Fusion just scared me away.

Is this a reasonable comparison? Would love to hear some opinions, because my experience with WF is that a lot of their food is borderline inedible.

Tough break on having to actually see "undesirables", Peabody... what a wonderful world it would be if simply none existed, huh?

Don't know if they still do, but for years they cooked all the soups/broths outside in back of the restaurant (freinds lived in the apt that is now the psychic/tarrot cart reader, we would smoke out back and see it). Always put me off, especially when they renovated the building next door and they were still out there every day.

This is about 3 years ago at this point, no idea if they still do it.

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Got to say the husband and wife are two of the nicer people I have met in town, going back to taco truck days. so I think you should leave the "we" out of it, cuz there is nothing to put up with. something tells me your experience is very unique to you, and it effects your impression of everyone around you

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their service is far from "aweful"... order at the counter and they bring it to you or call you when it is done. nothing to it. it is a very casual place so do not go expecting 5 star service.

regarding racist comments... i find it VERY hard to believe that this came from the folks that own/run it, they are the nicest small business owners in town. So does this aply to the kitchen staff? doesn't make sense either way...

in other words, sounds like someone on this other bord is full of it.

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or take it to go and have it with SC Guac and chips at home!