Any news about Highland Place?

Going out for dinner or drinks in Maplewood has become a frustrating ordeal as the two venues are usually both packed at the times most want to go out.  There seems to be a huge need for a third establishment (with a license) in the village.    What's the word?

I miss Highland Place.  I am also curious to know the fate of the license. And the future of the establishment. 

Landlord now owns the license outright.

He made a bunch of repairs to the place and is looking for someone to take it over.

http://villagegreennj.com/towns/government/liquor-license-secured-highland-pl-property-owner-plans-lease-space/

I liked Highland Place as a bar, but wasn't a huge fan of the restaurant. I agree we desperately need a third watering hole in the village.

Years (and years) ago it was an Italian restaurant that we actually liked a lot... so who knows?  We may get lucky with a new bar AND a new restaurant that clicks.

Highland Place lasted longer there than just about any of its predecessors.  

I liked a lot of things about the place. The drinks were not overpriced.  You could get a $10 burger or a $30 steak with lots of options in between, and I thought it was all good.  I could have a conversation without yelling over loud music. We never had a long wait for a table.  The bar area never seemed to get rowdy. It had its own personality which was a nice contrast to Coda or the Gate.

A lot of people complained about the decor but that never bothered me. 

It was the Winolear before it was Cent'Anni, and I am fairly certain both lasted much longer than HP.

Ok. I don't remember well enough to argue. Plus I don't want to argue witj boomie.

mrincredible said:

Ok. I don't remember well enough to argue. Plus I don't want to argue witj boomie.

Plus, Boomie is correct, at least about the Winolear.

I miss Cent'Anni's fried calamari.

Jasmo said:

mrincredible said:

Ok. I don't remember well enough to argue. Plus I don't want to argue witj boomie.

Plus, Boomie is correct, at least about the Winolear.

I reject your reality and substitute my own. 

Actually at least 2 diff names between Winnolear and C'entAnni .  It was PJ Goodtimes in early 90s.  And then it was Nadia's, then it was C'ent Anni. 

Didn't C'Ent Anni and Highland Place have the same owner?

Of the building, yes.  Of the restaurant and license, no. 

i think someone else started Centanni, then Chris changed the name later.

I think we can all agree the world is better off without a restaurant named PJ Goodtimes. Sounds like you'd basically be hanging out at Drunky McAsshoIes. 

ffof said:

Actually at least 2 diff names between Winnolear and C'entAnni .  It was PJ Goodtimes in early 90s.  And then it was also some lady's name like Jasmine or Cecelia or something like that, then it was C'ent Anni. 

I think that name was Geovonnas' ( ia am sure I spelled it wrong, named after the wife of a short time owner, Tony, who owned/owns the Roman Gourmet.

We used to love sitting at the bar - circa C'Ent Anni's - and ordering appetizers and drinks on a Friday night with Stephanie behind the bar.

When it was PJ Goodtimes, it was managed by the son of the Petz, who owned it when it was called the Winnolear. 

emmie-  after my post, i remembered that it was Nadia's.  I was thinking there was one more name in there too, maybe Giovanna's after Nadia's?

.

It was the Wine-O-Lear for a long time! A old-timey hang out, for sure.

I went there when it was PJ Goodtimes once.   Once.   

ffof said:

Actually at least 2 diff names between Winnolear and C'entAnni .  It was PJ Goodtimes in early 90s.  And then it was Nadia's, then it was C'ent Anni. 

imonlysleeping said:

I think we can all agree the world is better off without a restaurant named PJ Goodtimes. Sounds like you'd basically be hanging out at Drunky McAsshoIes. 

I am not sure I agree .  I would be ok if it reopened as  PJ Goodtimes   

The Winolear was there for many decades.  My father used to call it "The Wino's Lair."