Eating Out in Rumson Has Never Been More Appetizing

A night out with family, friends, or maybe a quiet dinner for two is appealing. There’s something about having someone else cook and clean up the mess afterward that draws some to a restaurant.

For the month of March, there is even more of a reason to leave the cooking to someone else—namely, the chefs at the seven Rumson restaurants.

March 1st kicks off the third year of Rumson Restaurant Month, an event that aims to draw residents and those from the surrounding areas to Rumson Restaurants. Each restaurant has specials for the month, ranging from prix fixe menus, to half-priced wines, to affordable priced dinners and brunch specials.

“It’s the only event we’re aware of that restaurateurs get together in a joint effort,” said Rumson Mayor John Ekdahl. Since the restaurants all compete for customers, Ekdahl said it is nice to see them join together in this event.

Aside from Rumson residents, “we’re hoping to get folks who don’t live in Rumson to come in and try one of our seven restaurants.” He said the event will hopefully draw customers who live in a 20- to 25-mile radius of Rumson. “We encourage them to come to town and experience one of the restaurants,” said Ekdahl.

Advertising for Rumson Restaurant Month is split between the restaurants and the Rumson Endowment Fund, a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization. This year, each restaurant kicked in $400 for advertisements and the fund picked up approximately $3,000 of the tab, according to Ekdahl.  

Some restaurateurs said that the event does increase business.

The Salt Creek Grille’s Managing Partner Steve Bidgood said the event in the past has worked very well for all restaurants involved. “It most definitely increased numbers for all of Rumson,” said Bidgood, adding that many restaurateurs “all recognized it brought customers in.”  

Salt Creek Grille’s specials for the month include three-course prix fixe dinners all under $20. Customers can choose a soup or salad, a main course of meatloaf, chicken, salmon or pasta with shrimp, and dessert. In addition to Restaurant Month specials are Salt Creek’s normal weekly specials that include half-priced wines on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays, its happy hour weekdays, and numerous others all still offered during March. You can view those at www.saltcreekgrille.com.

Another restaurateur said the event brings people into town, but most important it’s about the community spirit that evolves from Rumson Restaurant Month.

“It’s a good idea, it gets all the restaurant people together and brings people into town,” said Todd Sherman, co-owner of Barnacle Bills. “I notice a sense of community spirit. It’s the talk of the town. People come in and ask about it—it’s a good conversation piece. That’s what I like about it.”

Barnacle Bills’ specials include its popular brownie a la mode at half price on Thursdays with a dinner, a Sunday brunch special and 1 ½ pound lobster, potato and salad for $19.95 on Tuesdays. Its entire list of specials is attached, and its regular menu can be viewed at www.barnaclebills.com.

On the other side of town, Fromagerie is excited to be part of the event and to be “joining all of Rumson’s other restaurateurs in this community effort to bring diners to Rumson,” Chef and Owner David Burke said in an email. The event is an opportunity that Fromagiere has to “offer diners a variety of ways to experience our restaurant.”

Fromagerie specials include two sides for the price of one with dry-aged steak dinner and affordably priced dinner options. On St. Patrick’s Day, Chef Burke is planning on wearing a kilt in a showdown with former co-owner Huber Peter, who will be in lederhosen.

“Chef Burke applauds Mayor Ekdahl and the Rumson Endowment Fund for supporting Rumson Restaurant Month, and he wishes everyone great dining,” the statement said. Fromagerie’s specials are attached, and its full menu can be viewed at www.fromagiererestaurant.com.

Murray MacGregor’s Publik House is running daily drink, lunch and dinner specials. Every day is happy hour until 6 p.m. and on Monday and Wednesday kids eat free. Murray’s also has reverse happy hour every Friday and Saturday, a St. Patrick’s Day celebration, and NCAA basketball tournament specials. The restaurant has other specials that include “Burger and Brew Night” on Mondays, “Pasta and Vino Night” on Tuesdays with a complete dinner for $10.95, and “Irish Night” on Thursdays featuring corned beef and cabbage for $9.95. All their specials can be viewed at www.murraymacgregors.com

Over at What’s Your Beef, they are offering 10 percent off a food check of $50 or more on Tuesdays and Prime Rib dinner for $19.95 on Sundays, in addition to other specials.

Val’s Tavern, www.valstavern.com, has Two for Tuesdays, which offers two burgers and two beers, or two philly’s and two pints, for $15 a couple. It also is offering Rib Night on Thursdays for $15 and family style dinners on Sundays. Speaking of family time, kids under ten eat free on Mondays with purchase of two adult dinners.

Undici’s specials include ½ price bottles of seasonal wine on Wednesdays, 1/2 price glass of wine on Thursdays and Napoletana pizza for $12 on Sunday. Its complete menu can be viewed at www.undicirestaurant.com.