Unveiling Scotch Plains’ New Cocktail Parlor: bernadette!
Nestled in the vibrant heart of Scotch Plains Living, bernadette opens as a unique destination for those wanting a bit of an elevated “going-out” experience. As the latest addition to the local dining scene, bernadette sets itself apart with a concept that breaks away from tradition, offering small bites, hand-crafted cocktails, and a lounge-like atmosphere. In an exclusive interview with 365 Cranford Westfield NJ,
Melody and Ryan, the visionary co-owners, share their journey behind bernadette’s inception, highlighting their passion for creating a space that celebrates community experience, exceptional cuisine, and the art of finely crafted cocktails. With a commitment to sourcing from independent distilleries and featuring seasonal, shareable plates crafted by renowned Chef Roxanne Spruance, bernadette promises an unforgettable dining experience. Read more in our latest blog article as you discover Scotch Plains’ newest culinary gem and why you need to book a table at the hottest place in town (although the spots at the bar are also perfection)!
What inspired the concept of bernadette, and how does it stand out in the Scotch Plains dining scene?
The core vision for bernadette was born out of the vision to bring something entirely unique to Scotch Plains. And it’s been affirming to receive overwhelming feedback from customers that there’s nothing else like it here. Our concept breaks away from the traditional expectations, embracing a non-conformist style that still resonates with the people in our community
What about the Scotch Plains community made it the best place to open your first restaurant together?
We saw both a need and a void in the market. We knew if we wanted it, and our friends wanted it, then other people must, too. Scotch Plains and surrounding communities’ openness to new experiences made it the perfect location for bernadette, our first venture.
Can you share the story behind the serendipitous meeting that led to the idea of opening a cocktail parlor in Scotch Plains, especially considering the unique connection between Melody’s coffee business and Ryan’s experience at Caymus Winery?
It began in the aftermath of severe Hurricane Ida flooding. I was salvaging the basement of my coffee shop, Black Drop Coffee, and Ryan was doing the same for his. Freshly back in town from Caymus Winery in Napa, he offered a generous helping hand. A casual exchange of some cold brew for wine during this time led to a friendship. Over the months, we often joked we needed a place to enjoy drinks in town, which in turn sparked the concept for bernadette. When we had the opportunity to buy a liquor license and lease space, we combined our experiences to bring life to this shared vision.
Chef Roxanne Spruance is renowned for her innovative and seasonal cuisine. How did the collaboration with Chef Spruance come about, and how does her culinary philosophy align with the vision of bernadette?
Ryan and Roxanne have a long-standing friendship of 15 years, dating back to when they worked together in New York. When we were fine-tuning our menu, we sought Roxanne’s advice, knowing her philosophy of ‘less is more’ would perfectly align with our vision. Her approach to cuisine—seasonal, simple, innovative, yet straightforward—mirrors bernadette’s ethos. We all love the approach of doing a lot with a little—elevating classic dishes and drinks with a new perspective.
Chef Roxanne Spruance’s background includes acclaimed restaurants like Blackbird and Kingsley. How does her journey and experience contribute to the overall identity of bernadette, and what unique elements does she bring to the culinary scene in Scotch Plains?
Chef Spruance’s journey and background bring a depth of culinary expertise and a knack for true innovation that we really appreciate because it’s so rare. We love that, for her, dining is not just about eating but about experiencing food in its most perfected form. Roxanne’s ability to transform simple, seasonal ingredients into sophisticated, shareable plates perfectly aligns with our vision for bernadette. We’re grateful to have her leading our kitchen.
The small plates at bernadette are designed for sharing. Can you highlight a couple of your personal favorite small plate dishes?
Truly, we’re proud of all our dishes. I don’t think we could choose! People just need to come try and choose for themselves!
bernadette takes pride in its exclusive collection of spirits from independent and family-owned distilleries. Can you share a standout cocktail from your menu?
Our cocktails, like our food, are classic with a bernadette touch. A fan favorite is the Angry Beaver and our off-menu espresso martini as well. We focus on very simple recipes, a spirit plus minimal ingredients and a garnish. Not overly sweet and never artificial. Everything—from thespirits to the mixers—is crafted, fresh, and sourced from the very producers. We make sure our cocktails are delicious without hiding behind artificial flavors.
Tell us a little bit about your curated wine collection as well!
Our wine collection follows the same philosophy as our cocktails. We feature wines that you won’t find on every shelf, often from wineries that either have a long history or use traditional, time-tested techniques. Our focus is on independently owned wineries that prioritize the grape and the organic or biodynamic processes over the name or label. Even our champagnes are naturally fermented with no added sugar, embodying our belief in natural goodness, just the grape and the yeast.
We love the vibe and lighting inside bernadette as well as the seating arrangements – How did you purposefully create an environment that elevates the dining experience beyond the norm?
Ryan and I knew that if we are going to spend a significant part of our lives here, it needs to be in a space we love. Ryan gave me a lot of trust in running with my vision for it. We aimed to create an environment where people feel invited to come, relax, and linger. Where disengagingfrom the outside world is easy. It goes without saying that being extremely meticulous about design, lighting, and seating is crucial to a comfortable dining experience that makes people want to come back.
365CWNJ: We hear Sunday Brunch is on the way! Can you give us a sneak peek into some brunch specialties patrons can look forward to?
b: Our brunch menu will echo the same principles of innovation and quality you’ve come to expect from us. We think it will be something worth getting out of bed for.
Visit bernadette soon… You won’t be disappointed!
My husband and I checked out bernadette a week after it opened. We loved the experience! The atmosphere was cozy and chic and we loved sitting around the bar and watching all of the action! Of course, we started with a round of cocktails and they were well-crafted and thoughtfully prepared classics. The highlights off the menu were the flake crudo, fried olives, and duck fat frites. We shared the bavette, 8 oz certified angus beef which was simply perfection! We will be back to bring friends and family – a great spot for conversation and celebration. Congratulations on your opening!
Location and Hours:
387 Park Ave
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
Monday — closed
Tuesday — closed
Wednesday — 4pm-11pm
Thursday — 4pm-11pm
Friday — 4pm-11pm
Saturday —4pm-11pm
Site by Ha Media
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