Blindfolded dinners … comedy nights … whodunit murder mysteries … professional chef cook-offs … even brunch on a boat.
Sounds fun. Sounds crazy. It actually sounds like celebrity chef David Burke.
The internationally awarded Burke, known for pushing boundaries and starting trends, has raised the bar for fine dining yet again with his “experiential dining” experiences, bringing these concepts to his New Jersey restaurants.
Staying ahead in the very competitive hospitality industry is what has kept Burke successful – and people entertained.
“(People) often have only one night a week to enjoy themselves,” he said. “They don’t want to rush through a great dinner then drive to another location to catch a show. At my restaurants, they have the luxury of having a comfortable, designated table, a first-class dinner and entertainment. It suits today’s busy lifestyles.”
Burke said he gets his ideas from many sources.
There is his own imagination – he was dubbed the ‘Culinary Prankster’ as a young chef by New Yorker magazine for his whimsical presentations, like his Instagram-able Clothesline Bacon. And, of course, he’s a global traveler – so experiences out-of-the-box dining events all over the world, bringing the best back to Jersey.
To be sure, these events cost a little more. To the customers – and to him.
But he feels it’s worth it.
“We have to find ways to keep our customers coming back while also filling gaps created by our customers’ changing habits and demands,” he said.
“In the last two decades a couple of things happened: People don’t go out to lunch as much, and they no longer stay out as late. We don’t get 9:30 reservations anymore. In New York City we do, but not in the suburbs.
“So, we created dining experiences that satisfy our customers who are savvy diners with super busy lives. They want a great dinner and if they can get professional entertainment at one spot, that makes their night a huge success. It makes the most of their time. For us a ticketed event is funds we can count on. It allows us to budget and plan for the week. It works for them and us. And don’t forget my events are also perfect for singles, not just couples.”
Here are just some of the events that are taking place at Burke’s New Jersey restaurants:
Red Horse, Rumson
- October 8 – Meet & Greet Chef David Burke and his brilliant Pastry Chef Stu Marx. Enjoy a three-course dinner while enjoying a cooking demo.
- October 18 – Murder Mystery with professional actors.
THE GOAT, Union Beach
- Oct. 6 – The GOAT Boat, brunch at sea
- Oct. 18 – Comedy Night with headlining comics and dinner
- Oct. 20 – Drag Brunch with Pork Roll and Queens
Red Horse, Bernardsville
In THE BERNIE, a supper club with special BERNIE MENU, drink specials and wines from the Wine Spectator Award winning list. THE BERNIE featuring a series of live music performances and entertainment.
- Oct. 9 – Live music by Brynn Stanley, from New York City and Los Angeles
- Oct. 10 – Comedy Night Show and Dinner
- Oct. 24 – Live! Joe Piscopo and His Big Band
DRIFTHOUSE, Sea Bright
- Oct. 13 – Comedy Show & Buffet Dinner
- Nov. 15 – Live Music with The Nerds
- Dec. 6 – Live Music with Michael Ghegan.
Orchard Park, East Brunswick
- Oct. 10 – Rosé Fest, a variety of the best Rosés and a plethora of hors d’oeuvres and DJ on the gorgeous Orchard Terrace, which is fully protected with retractable roof, heat and its own bar.
- Oct. 25 – Jack Daniel’s Frank Sinatra Select and Cigars with buffet dinner on Orchard Terrace.The Fox & Falcon, South Orange
A la carte menu available; Weekly entertainment – Mondays Open Mic; Wednesdays Trivia; Thursdays Karaoke; Fridays Live Music - Oct. 11 – Whiskey & Sugar
- Oct. 18 – Brian Geiger
- Oct. 25 – Nahscha
- Nov. 1 – Last Night in Town
- Nov. 8 – Whiskey & Sugar.
VENTANAS Restaurant and Lounge, Fort Lee
- Oct. 17 – Cigar Experience
- Oct. 26 L- e Cirque Halloween Extravaganza.
Son Cubano, West New York
- Every Friday Salsa Dancing; Every Saturday Latin Dancing.
