Chatham Mainstay Restaurant Serenade Celebrates 20 Years This October

Many good restaurants have gone belly up trying to compete with a deluge of up-and-comers, but when you're consistently producing great food, like award-winning Restaurant Serenade in Chatham, food lovers just won't let you go.

Chatham's Restaurant Serenade, owned and operated by longtime couple Chef James Laird and Nancy Sheridan Laird, is celebrating 20 years come October. The restaurant attributes much of its success to the commitment the Lairds have made to utilizing handpicked ingredients of the highest quality in their dishes, as well their well-curated wine list and their attention to service.

Chef Laird has consistently been named among the top chefs in the New York metropolitan area for his mastery of contemporary American cuisine. The New York Times named him "one of the best classically trained chefs in New Jersey," and New Jersey Monthly has consistently ranked the restaurant among "the best of the best."

"It is amazing to us that it has been 20 years since we have opened Serenade," enthuses Nancy. "We so appreciate the support of our surrounding communities, our staff, and our wonderful customers. We hope for another 20!"

Restaurant Serenade has unique story, especially because of Chef Laird's quarter-acre garden located on the Laird property in Harding Township. James grows an extraordinary selection of produce and herbs that he and Nancy use in their home and restaurant kitchens, including broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, peppers, cabbage, beans, basil, thyme, and fennel. The Lairds also grow a variety of lettuce, an abundance of tomatoes, and about 500 heads of heirloom garlic.

The restaurant, which had a makeover this past year by the acclaimed design collective Studio 1200, will host a Beard House dinner in early 2017 and other celebrations, in honor of two decades of good food.

From a Beard House dinner in early 2017 to a series of customer appreciation dinners and events are in the works. For more information or to make a reservation at this Chatham gem, visit their website. Restaurant Serenade is located at 6 Roosevelt Avenue in Chatham. (973) 701-0303.