Blue Rooster in the NY Times

[Guest]

May 5, 2010
Irish Inspiration; French Twists

By KELLY FEENEY

It’s tempting to make a meal of the crusty breads at Blue Rooster Bakery and Café in Cranbury — at least until you try a sandwich with fillings like chicken salad flecked with pears and walnuts ($10). Soups and salads are also among the offerings at this elegant yet casual cafe situated in a Victorian house.

Bob and Karen Finigan opened the Blue Rooster in the fall of 2008, inspired by their experiences in Ireland, where they had lived and worked, he in technology and she in consulting. In Dublin, Mr. Finigan ended up enrolling in culinary school and studied baking, something he had always wanted to learn, he said.

Mr. Finigan, 55, makes his loaves by hand, including baguettes, olive levain and Irish soda bread ($3 to $5.50 a loaf). Ms. Finigan, 51, manages the bakery and the cafe, which seats 32 (plus 10 on the porch).

The menu is somewhat French-influenced — “it’s driven by food that I like personally,” Ms. Finigan said — with mostly breakfast and lunch choices, some that change daily. Savory quiches, pâtés and crepes are made, when possible, with local eggs and vegetables and herbs from Blue Rooster’s backyard garden. Dinner is served Thursday through Saturday, with entrees like lobster ravioli and steak au poivre (priced from around $18 to $25).

http://events.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/nyregion/09qbitenj.html?sq=cranbury&st=cse&scp=1&pagewanted=print

[Guest]

They have this over priced less than mediocre place but won't let anyone put up a convenience store. Makes no sense.

[Guest]

I don't know about that but its a crime that there is no handicap ramp. My mother in law can't go in.

[Guest]

[Guest]

No, Cranbury Pizza is the same way as are many other restaurants. However, the bathrooms must be ADA compliant so figure that rule out.

[Guest]

Considering the amount of seniors that go in there, you would think that they would want to be accessible whether they had to or not. You can see they added on a lot to that building so they had the opportunity. Just poor planning. Blame the town for allowing it along with no parking. The owners just took advantage ofwhat they could as any new business would. I thought there is a approval process in place for restaurants so they need to be accessiblre for all people? I don't think the pizza place changed the existing building.

[Guest]

There is no code that requires ramps. However, if existing bathrooms are touched then they have to be made ADA compliant. If bathrooms are left alone then they do not need to be ADA compliant.

That is a separate issue from whether a business should want to have a ramp or not.

I still don't see the parking issue people complain about. Even on rainy days I am fine getting a spot in that area. One day there was a large funeral and I had to park by the lake. It was still a 2 minute walk to the Chinese restaurant.

[Guest]

I agree that parking is not a problem. But for seniors there should have been some accomodations made. There is no doubt that they make up the majority of the patrons at the Blue Rooster. Yet they are were not taken into consideration. They cannot walk as far or climb as many steps. Those who are able to get in will, but there are many who just can't. I just feel that there should have been more consideration of what SHOULD be done for seniors, not what HAD to be done.

[anothe rguest]

It might be possible that the HPAC didn't allow them to change the front of the building because it is in the historic district, and it looks like the only other exit is in the kitchen.

[Guest]

[Guest]

Parking is definately a problem again. Since the bank parking lot went away everyone parks on Scott Ave and along both sides of Maplewood, apparently to go to the Blue Rooster. Both streets are narrow and traffic now has to stop to let cars get by each other, it is so annoying. Meanwhile the bank parking lot sits completely empty with a small sign saying it's private. too bad.

I am complaining, but here's a solution for a few more parking spaces on Main St. - make them vertical to the curb instead of horizontal on at least one side of the street, it's wide enough in the middle of town to do this.

[Guest]

Apparently no one told the Sunday morning biking club that they can't park in the bank parking lot anymore. It's full of cars this morning.