Bernards Inn, Bernardsville, NJ: A Restaurant Review
The Bernards Inn is an upscale, "Contemporary Casual Dining" experience
set in a charming Historic Hotel.
Bernards Inn
27 Mine Brook Road
Bernardsville, NJ
908-766-0002
Website
Bernards Inn: Restaurant Highlights
Fare: New American
Price: Moderate - Expensive
Food Quality: Serves a well executed menu of lighter fare.
Service: Friendly, attentive.
Ambiance/Decor: Attractive, contemporary chic
Overall Rating: 2 1/2 Stars
Note: Four star Rating System from
1/2 Star = poor to Four stars = Best in Class
Noise Level: Moderate
Dress: Casual
Recommended For: Diners who enjoy a well executed menu in an upscale casual setting with a good alcohol selection.
Not Recommended For: Diners who enjoy "Old World" fine dining, or for diners who enjoy a casual family style setting with traditional tavern food.
Recommended dishes: When available, The Faroe Island Salmon; The Char-grilled Flat Iron steak; and for a more casual entree, The Red Dragon Burger..
Liquor: Full selection of cocktails and extensive wine selection, specialty cocktails, and craft & seasonal beers.
Restaurant Review
The Bernards Inn, set in a restored, historic Circa 1907 hotel, is an upscale dining experience, popular with millennials who enjoy meeting up with friends or family for drinks and food.
The Bernards Inn has undergone a multi- million-dollar renovation. This is an upgrade from being stuffy "Old World" formal, to having a more casual, contemporary, chic, vibe. The decor transitioned from the old Edwardian manor theme to a less homey, more chic atmosphere.
In addition to their main dining room, they have an attractive wine vault dining area with seating for up to 50 people, The bar area has been upgraded to a more casual vibe, complete with TVs for game watching.
During the warmer summer months, there is outdoor dining on the Terrace.
The kitchen is under the direction of Executive Chef Brian Fuller.
Chef Fuller received formal culinary education at the famed Culinary Institute of America before honing his culinary skills at Pleasantdale Chateau, The Park Avenue Club in Madison, and at David Ellis Catering before joining Bernards Inn as Sous Chef.
Chef Fullers style of cooking features a lighter fare, with an occasional offering of local seasonal, fresh farm to table ingredients. The restaurant also has its own garden that the chef uses to cook seasonal dishes.
The menu has a limited selection of high-end entrees, it also has a good variety bar-friendly items i.e., snacks, and small plates.
A pleasant start the dining experience is the artisanal bread accompanied by the sun-dried tomato-based spread.
While Bernards Inn is known as a venue for weddings, and corporate events, the quality of the food in the public dining rooms are at a level above the typical banquet room venues.
In the cooler months, snuggle up to the cozy fireplace with a cocktail before dinner.
The Bernards Inn is open seven days/week for dinner, six days/week for breakfast and their a la carte brunch on Sunday. Lunch is served five days/week, Monday-Friday.
They are also open for the winter holidays on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and New Year’s Eve, with a special holiday menu.
(updated May 2023)
