Orchard Park by David Burke Is an Elevated Date Night Out

We visited the celeb chef’s East Brunswick gem inside The Château Grande Hotel, where we spent a relaxing overnight.

DAVID BURKE HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT

If you’ve ever been to a David Burke restaurant, you know to expect his signature steaming hot popovers, clothesline bacon, Himalayan salt-aged beef and some pretty exceptional cocktails. Beyond the many dishes the New Jersey native chef is known for, the classic and mid-century modern vibe and décor in his restaurants are as artful as his cuisine.

DAVID BURKE HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT

In suburban East Brunswick, Orchard Park by David Burke anchors the upscale French-inspired Château Grande, a hotel popular for weddings and events. This is the place to be for special occasions with a next-level menu by the James Beard award-winning chef. The hotel has a wide open bar and lounge area just outside the restaurant along with a patio with outdoor seating overlooking the Middlesex County Fairgrounds. We recently had dinner at Orchard Park and stayed overnight at The Château Grande. One of the nicest things about a night out at Orchard Park is the expansive bar and lounge area, where there’s plenty of room to relax with a cocktail with your crew before dinner. We’re giving away a $200 gift card for dinner at Orchard Park today only. Head to our Instagram feed for a chance to win!

THE CHATEAU GRANDE HOTEL

We started our night with Field of Mars, a highly-recommended specialty cocktail made with Pueblo Viejo Blanco Tequila, almond, blood orange and habanero that’s got the perfect kick. The sangria here is among the best you’ll have and the mocktails are a fantastic option, too. My daughter loved the Jersey Slide, made with lime, pomegranate and sparkling ruby red grapefruit. The wine list is stellar and there’s a stunning wine room for large groups with a pink Himalayan salt brick wall that adds to the elevated yet relaxing vibe.

STAFF PHOTO

We began our meal with David Buke staple popovers, jumbo-sized warm rolls that are light and fluffy inside. The lobster dumplings, made with chili oil, tomato miso and preserved lemon, was a favorite appetizer and has also become a staple at his restaurants.

DAVID BURKE HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT

The clothesline bacon is a must not only for how decadent it is but also because of the spectacular way it’s presented. Each order comes with three thick slices of bacon hanging on a clothesline and cooked in front of you with a blowtorch. Part juicy and crunchy, you’ll taste the maple syrup and black pepper and bacon will never be the same for you again. This might be Burke’s most coveted dish and with good reason. Our waiter left a pair of scissors for each of us to cut the bacon off the clothesline. The pickle at the bottom is drenched in bacon fat and also is not to be missed.

DAVID BURKE HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT

There are so many excellent pasta and seafood options, but we went with a dry-aged porterhouse which was as good as any you’ll have at a top-tier steakhouse. The dry-aged burger served with dry-aged sharp cheddar and aioli did not disappoint. The sides are a must, too. We recommend the vanilla bean sweet potatoes and the Brussels sprouts roasted in a caramel soy glaze. The triple mac and cheese topped with crispy breadcrumbs is another decadent dish worthy of sharing.

DAVID BURKE HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT

If you love innovative tacos, plan on going on Taco & Tequila Tuesday, when you can choose from a Mexican-inspired prix fixe menu. On Date night Wednesdays, Orchard Park offers up a 3-course prix fixe menu as well.

STAFF PHOTO

Dessert here is so much fun. Burke’s cheesecake lollipop tree is filled with unique combos like bubblegum whipped cream, toffee crunch and cherry pistachio and is known for its flavors and presentation. My daughter loved the cotton candy. There are also lots of classics, too, like vanilla bean crème brulee, chocolate chip ice cream sliders and apple tart.

THE CHATEAU GRANDE HOTEL

After dinner, we had a relaxing stay at the hotel. Rooms are modern and comfy and we got a tour of a few of the rooms, including a luxurious bridal suite that has a kitchen and living area, a generous master bedroom and a salon area for hair and makeup. The special event rooms at the hotel have been home to corporate clients like Ferrari as well as weddings, showers and milestone birthdays.

THE CHATEAU GRANDE HOTEL

A breakfast area with Starbucks was just what we needed before our morning departure. If you’re staying in the area, there’s plenty to see and do by the hotel. The historic Middlesex County Fairgrounds is right across the road from the hotel and is known for its fair in the summer. On July 4, you can see fireworks from the outdoor terrace. Nearby Middlesex County Parks include Thompson Park in Monroe/Jamesburg and the public Tamarack Golf Course and the Crystal Springs Water Park. The State Theatre in New Brunswick and Plays in the Park in Edison are great local options if you plan a stay around a show. Coming from North Jersey, The Chateau Grande was a convenient spot for an overnight stay before we headed to Asbury Park, a 40-minute drive from the hotel.

Head to @newjerseyfamily on Instagram to see our reel!

Read More:
The Garden State of Food, According to David Burke
25 Iconic New Jersey Foods

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