I recently moved cross country to Maplewood. Early on I discovered this adorable shop that serves…read morecoffee and brunch on the weekends and has a wonderful assortment of goods for the home. They also have a wide variety of nonalcoholic spirits. I meet with other writing folks regularly on Thursday mornings. Imagine my delight when I found the perfect gift for my daughter's 36th birthday at perch. I'm a regular and in intended to stay that way.

Stumbled in here during one of the coldest days of the year, primarily just to warm up. Had no…read moreexpectations because, like I said, it was cold, they were the closest place to take shelter and I saw a coffee bar. Anyway, since then I've been back 3 more times; once for breakfast and twice for brunch. And while I'm confessing, the two times for lunch were on subsequent days. Yeah, they're that good. Actually, their chicken salad on a croissant is the best I've ever had and in my advanced years I've had a crapload of chicken salad. The have a nice sized coffee bar, decorated beautifully with some pretty delicious looking pastries. I'm on an anti-sweet phase so I'm basing my opinion on only on appearance. Then there's a seating area when you can eat, served by a friendly attentive staff and an adjacent boutique area where you can purchase housewares, clothing and other cool stuff. I'm not in Maplewood all that often, generally when I'm shopping at the equally awesome City Workshop but when I do, I always make sure to hit up Perch. You should too. 1/2 star deduction because they don't offer fake sugar, just that Stevia crap which is gross.

Tucked into the southwest corner of Essex County's South Mountain Reservation, this historic…read more28-acre public garden -- with its carefully curated and terraced gardens, fountains, and winding paths -- feels like a trip to another time and place. After spotting a social media post about the garden's Cascade fountain reopening after a 16-month restoration, my walking companion and I decided to check out this hidden gem. Greenwood Gardens was a private family estate until 2003, when it opened to the public under the auspices of a non-profit organization, and you can really feel that rich tapestry of the families' history as you wander through the grounds. The highlight of our visit was the Cascade fountain, which now features water flowing through it for the first time since the early 20th century! If you're looking for a peaceful, historic, and beautiful place to stroll, Greenwood Gardens is absolutely worth the visit. We'll definitely be back! Pro Tip #1: Plan on about 75-90 minutes for a self-guided walking tour, buy tickets online in advance ($15 for adults aged 14 to 64; $10 for Seniors aged 65+; $5 for children aged 5 to 13), and wear weather-appropriate attire/walking shoes. Pro Tip #2: Leave your tripod at home. Casual photos on your phone are welcome, but portrait or staged photography (for events, engagements, graduations, etc.) requires prior permission and special facility booking.

A dreamy, charming little escape with tons of greenery, statues, structures, and fountains. Even on…read morea weekend it wasn't crowded, so my fam could take pictures without cropping out strangers. Really friendly staff gave the kids a scavenger hunt page that turned our visit into part garden tour, part treasure hunt. Between the terraces, tile work, grottoes, and gardens, the whole place blends European formality with a whimsical, art nouveau vibe. Plenty of benches invite you to sit and talk, while fenced-in chickens, geese, and beehives bring the grounds to life. The gardens feel peaceful, playful, and magical all at once. The beauty here is truly un-beleaf-able! NOTES/TIPS: **Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors/students, and $5 for kids, with free parking close by. **Very limited wheelchair-accessibility: okay for the Main Terrace and some flat areas, but most paths are sloped or uneven, so access is limited. **Restrooms near the entrance.

We wanted to go on a date night and after some research we decided to try this place . This is how…read moreit went : Upon entering I told the hostess I had reservations for 6 pm but since we were about an hour early we would have a drink at the bar first . She didn't look so happy about that . We sat at the bar where there were 3 bartenders , one of them was busy , another wasn't very friendly and completely ignored us after I explained it was our first time there and we needed some time . We ended up with Matt , and he was the ONLY one who made it worth while staying at that bar . We had questions in regards to the food ( he was very knowledgeable of the menu . And he also made the best lychee martinis I've had in a long time . The food was very good , well seasoned and served with great presentation. If you're looking for good food I would definitely recommend the place. If you're looking for good service I would not recommend . Un less they clone Matt . And I don't think what will happen . They honestly need to train the staff , because from the door and beyond they certainly don't know how to make you feel welcomed .

One of the best places for a Sunday brunch. Came here for a family gathering. And this was the…read moreprefect place locally. Big place, noise level is not quiet, but far from to loud. The decor is nice. The outside for patio goes out to a lake and a couple mile walking / bike path. The brunch was exceptionally good. Their's plenty of choices to pick from. The pasty table was not that good though. The fruit was fresh. If you do not want buffet brunch. You can order from the plentiful menu. The buffet comes with a free Mimosa or Bellini. But I had a cranberry and pineapple juice mixed. I would recommend this place. If you want to make a day out here. This place is next door to The Turtle Back Zoo. Another great place to visit.

Good was absolutely fantastic. Our favorites were the catfish, yams, Mac & cheese, cornbread and…read moreturkey wings. Though something tells me everything in the menu is excellent. The service was attentive, knowledgeable and such an absolute pleasure. We definitely plan to return

The food was great, and the live band was fantastic. BYOB at this fantastic place. The vibes of…read morethis place are perfect for a group gathering or if you're looking for something more intimate. Very nostalgic in there. Their catfish nuggets are absolutely delicious! The service was fine, but it could improve with time and feedback. Overall, it was a wonderful experience, and I'm looking forward to seeing what the future holds for this place.

Back in May, we had our 7 year old daughter's bday party here, about 14 kids and it was great! The…read moreplace is new, clean, owner and staff were so friendly, and best of all there's a private room in the back. The party coordinators were friendly and the party flowed well with a special painting surprise that the group did together. We had a photographer provided who took some great shots and allowed us parents to enjoy the day. Was a great experience, however, the one thing that was missing is they do not offer glazing that other pottery places like Color Me Mine do. However we will be back as it's close by and good selection of pottery to choose from as well as being clean.

From the owner: Award winning Paint-Your-Own Art Studio and Party Place for kids and adults with multiple painting…read moresurfaces such as Canvas, Ceramics, Rocks and Pottery. Come host your kids birthday party, graduation, bridal shower, girls night out, corporate event or other special event at our Creatif studio and have a great time. No appointment needed and no time limit for Walk-In sessions. No studio fee. Our Summer Camps are very popular amongst the families in the community.

I have followed Wildly Floral on Instagram for a while and was excited to stop by the shop when in…read moreSouth Orange recently. Along with the beautiful fresh flowers you would expect to find there is a fantastic range of vases of all sizes, most of which are very affordable. I bought a lovely green vase with a tapered top that I could not be more happy with. Josie (the owner) told me she has a buy back program for vases purchased from Wildly Floral. You can bring back any vase you purhased there for $5 off a new vase. There is also a large assortment of dried flowers in the store and tools like flower snipers, frogs, and wire. I purchased a small sized arrangement which was around $40 and a vase. The flowers lasted about 2 weeks and were really cheerful and uplifting with a good variety in the bouquet.

My friends and I ordered birthday flowers for a girl friend here. Wildly Floral provided great…read moreservice and a beautiful arrangement! Would highly recommend.

The ice cream cart that doesn't require dry ice is awesome. Lizzy was great to deal with and quite…read moreresponsive.

Booking, delivery, set up and pickup all without a hitch. Would definitely recommend their services.read more

Our family recently celebrated our son's wedding at Crystal Plaza, and we could not have been…read morehappier with our experience. From our very first meeting through the wedding day itself, Max and his entire team were an absolute pleasure to work with. They were professional, organized, responsive, and genuinely cared about making sure every detail was perfect. Planning an orthodox wedding comes with many moving parts, and the Crystal Plaza team was incredibly accommodating every step of the way. No request ever felt like an inconvenience, and they consistently went above and beyond to ensure everything ran smoothly. Their experience, flexibility, and attention to detail gave us complete confidence throughout the planning process. When the weather required us to pivot to an indoor cocktail hour, Max and his team handled the change seamlessly. They were incredibly accommodating and creative in finding the perfect location for the Chassan's Tisch, ensuring that everything flowed beautifully without compromising the experience for our guests. Their ability to adapt quickly while maintaining such a high level of professionalism was truly impressive. On the day of the wedding, everything was executed flawlessly. The venue looked stunning, the service was exceptional, and the staff worked seamlessly behind the scenes to make sure our guests had an outstanding experience. We were able to relax and truly enjoy the celebration because we knew we were in such capable hands. We are so grateful to Max and his entire team for helping make our son's wedding such a beautiful and memorable occasion. We wholeheartedly recommend Crystal Plaza to anyone looking for an elegant venue with outstanding service and a team that truly cares about making your special day perfect.

If you're thinking about having your wedding at the Crystal Plaza, stop searching and book it now…read more This was the third wedding our family has celebrated there in the past 15 years, and there's a reason we continue to return. The experience is consistently exceptional. Planning a wedding in less than a year felt doable, calming, fun, and absolutely worth it--all because of the Crystal Plaza staff and their unmatched professionalism. Every single person who works there is an expert. They are warm, welcoming, and dedicated to making your wedding not just a day, but a memory that lasts forever. Allan, Max, Ryan, Nannette, Issac.. (really everyone) are the absolute best people. They make you feel like Crystal Plaza is your home away from home...you may never want to leave! They are ALL helpful and attentive, answering every question with impressive promptness. On the morning of our wedding, I walked into the penthouse to get ready with my large bridal party (13 bridesmaids), and tears immediately filled my eyes. The ambiance in the penthouse is stunning--beautiful, calming, relaxing, and so spacious. This feeling continued as I entered the ceremony room, cocktail hour and reception!! Throughout the entire day, both my husband and I felt completely at ease and didn't need to think about anything except enjoying ourselves. This wouldn't have been possible with our bridal and groom attendants. Alejandra, Estivalys and Gerald, G, were phenomenal. During the day Alejandra repaired a bridesmaids dress and made sure I ate and stayed well hydrated. Estivalys was with me the entire wedding, helping me bustle my dress, and even helped me get my shoes on when I wanted to do a shoe change. She thought of everything and reminded me to enjoy all the moments. My husband will not stop raving about Gerald, G. He is attentive, friendly and was on top of everything. He went above and beyond to make sure the groomsmen had everything they needed from the morning to the evening. Then we met our Maitre'd', Mikheil--and he was OUT OF THIS WORLD. He runs the show, and he runs it flawlessly. You don't have to think about a single detail because Mikheil has it covered before you even know you need it. His experience and intuition make the entire event seamless. And the food... beyond incredible. The presentation, the quality, the flavors--everything is superb. Your guests will be talking about it for weeks. The available enhancements are the perfect way to make your day feel personalized and unique. Crystal Plaza made our wedding unforgettable!!!! Wish we could relive 1/31/26 every weekend.

I've been a party guest here, but this was a lovely experience as a party host!…read more We had my daughter's third birthday here and it was a seamless planning experience. For an extra fee you can add on balloons and catered food, so you really just need to show up with goodie bags and cake. The space isn't huge, but I would say it's perfect for a 2/3/4 year old birthday party. There are lots of slides and play areas toclimb, and for an extra $100 charge they will blow up a bounce house. Leading up to the event - it was extremely easy to communicate and ask questions via email. Everyone was so responsive which was really amazing. At the party there were four staff members onsite to assist for around 20 kids. They handled absolutely everything and I hardly had to lift a finger. The party length is 1.5 hours which I thought was perfect. An hour of play time and half an hour of pizza and cake. Only knocking off a star because you can't bring in your own balloons, and the balloons they sell are incredibly expensive for what you get. Ballon cost aside, it's a great place for a party and I really appreciated having to do minimal work with a wonderful outcome. Most importantly - the birthday girl had the best time.

I just had my daughter's birthday party here and it was great!! The staff went above and beyond. I…read morehighly recommended!!!

I sign my son up to a Tennis Clinic at West Orange Tennis. They have a beautiful outdoor facility…read moreconsisting of clay courts. The indoor courts are really nice. They have a nice locker room. A really good place to play Tennis. Surface in the indoor courts are fast as hell. The ball skids off the court.

Loved this place. Nice facility, covid friendly, and good courts. They only take cash for court…read moretime, a little sketch.