Tashmoo Redux: A Conversation with Rich Schneider

I revisited recently at the request of Rich Schneider, the self- described “guy with the keys” who is the go-to in this Morristown bar/restaurant.

He sent me an email asking me to come in and discuss and how I could help him make it “better than it has to be” and therefore make Tashmoo’s Bloody Mary the best in Morristown. 

As I said , the Bloody Mary at Tashmoo is not one of their strong points. They do have one of the best selections of single malt Scotch anywhere in Morristown. Their beer selection, chock-full of handcrafted micro-brews including the Sixpoint beers (no one else has this delicious beer in town) and Dale’s Pale Ale is carefully chosen. Their taps are clean and the Guinness flows freely, served in the correct glass. I even saw Dogfish Head on tap!  

Rich speaks with a smile; he genuinely wants to improve his Bloody Mary and he is the only bar person who has reached out to me, wanting to do better! 

This is precisely why I took on the task of reviewing bars for what they do. Not all the places are successful. But the simple fact that Rich reached out to me to help him become better speaks to his desire not only to make money (important) but more importantly to attract customers who may order a Bloody Mary and who might tell several of their friends just how delicious this drink was and can become, given the use of better ingredients and … the proper glass, which is a highball glass.

We also discussed using freshly sliced citrus fruits to give the drink more spark. Finally, I promised Rich that when I’m in New Orleans for the Tales of the Cocktail, I hoped to find some interesting and cost effective mixers to make the Bloody Mary at Tashmoo the best in town. 

Tashmoo has proven itself to be classy, even in the face of a decidedly difficult review on my part. My intention with this column is to help bartenders do a better job and to help restaurant/bar owners serve a better product, without incurring more expense. I have no agenda other than excellence! 

I’m leaving on Wednesday (publication day of this article) for New Orleans where I will be participating in the yearly “Tales of the Cocktail” event. We will be reviewing another Morristown bar when I return. Meanwhile, stop in to Tashmoo, ask for Rich and please tell him that you read about him and his friendly little bar in Morristown Patch.