Orchard Park By David Burke Offers High-End Fare In The Most Unassuming Of Locations

Celebrity chef David Burke is known across the world for his restaurant empire, but his latest restaurant receiving a whole lot of attention is very much about going back to his roots.

Burke’s roots are in the state of New Jersey. The celebrity chef grew up in Hazlet, New Jersey, which is in the Bayshore area of the state and his first job was at Fromagerie in Rumson. In a full circle moment, his restaurant Red Horse by David Burke now stands in that very same location. Another Jersey-area restaurant of his is THE GOAT by David Burke in Union Beach, which stands steps from where he grew up.

It’s all about sticking close to where it all started.

While we all know David Burke from his many worldwide accomplishments and television performances, the chef is at his heart a die-hard Jersey native. That is part of what drew him to the suburban location of Orchard Park at the Chateau Grande Hotel in East Brunswick. The fine-dining restaurant sits at the helm of a hotel most known for events and weddings, but has developed such a following, it’s become a destination in its own right.

Orchard Park and Chateau Grande opened with all sorts of odds against them – they opened at the height of the pandemic in December 2020, but has quietly become an incredible sought-after reservation – all at this quiet and unassuming location at the midway point between New York City and Philadelphia.

Burke has noticed that guests at the restaurants run a pretty wide range, from people who are staying at the property or live in the surrounding community to those who have even traveled a great distance to be there. “The guests are mostly from surrounding areas, Princeton, Freehold, Marlboro, New Brunswick, and Staten Island. Some drive an hour or more because they love my restaurants. I have fans that make a point of visiting all eight of my New Jersey restaurants,” said Burke. But sometimes, the guests will be visiting from far and wide. “They also have a wedding venue at Chateau Grande and wedding guests stay overnight and hold reception dinners at the restaurant,” said Burke.

Fans of David Burke who visit Orchard Park will find some of his most popular signature items are on the menu, and it’s part of that familiarity that draws them there in the first place. However, this restaurant, like all of his many restaurants, has its own unique personality as well. The fare, much like many of the other restaurants in his empire, has a feel of European finesse and fine dining excellence mixed with American approachability. The food is delicious while also feeling artistic and experiential.

Those of us who have visited many David Burke restaurants over the years will immediately be drawn to the familiar favorites, such as those popovers, ideal for starting any meal. But don’t sleep on the lobster dumplings, paired with chili oil, tomato miso, and preserved lemon. It’s among the best bites on the menu.

“Some signature items are on all menus, but each restaurant has a unique concept and a menu to match. Some signatures are lobster dumplings, pretzel crab cakes, pastrami salmon, clothesline bacon, cotton candy, U.S. patented pink Himalayan salt dry-aged steaks, and pizzas,” said Burke.

As of now, Orchard Park has limited daytime hours. They are open for dinner service as well as brunch on Sundays, and lunch hours with a bar menu available Thursday through Sunday as of noon. But expanding looks like it’s in the cards. “We opened during the pandemic and we’re still trying to catch up!” said Burke.