Let's Eat

By Jackie Hanusey
Staff Writer
January 23, 2008

Berkshire Grill is more than a steakhouse

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – The Berkshire Grill is a steakhouse at heart, but with so much more to offer.
Besides prime steaks grilled to order, the menu at the Berkshire boasts a number of seafood, chicken and pasta dishes, prime rib, baby back ribs, gourmet salads, desserts and other items.
Owner Brian O’Keeney worked at Zaberer’s on the Black Horse Pike and then went on to buy the Library IV in Williamstown, which he has had for 25 years.
His general manager, Michael Lese of Egg Harbor Township, has a bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management from Pennsylvania State University.
“We became friends and decided to go into this business venture together,” said Lese, who has been with the independent restaurant since it opened eight years ago.
He said they converted the building formerly occupied by the Ground Round before the area became a haven for the chain restaurants popping up all over.
“We try to be a step above all chains and deliver a personalized dining experience,” the manager said.
Lese said one of the restaurant’s attractions is the pricing. Diners can probably eat at the Berkshire twice for what one meal would cost at a steakhouse in Atlantic City.
He said that when the restaurant started offering its $14.95 prime rib dinner special on Sundays, it brought in new groups to take advantage of the deal.
The restaurant is casual and seats close to 200. It is only open for dinner. However, the space can be booked for daytime events and luncheons.
And the high booths offer a degree of privacy generally unavailable outside the posh casino restaurants.
“You get to have the buzz of the restaurant but in your own private space,” Lese said.
Seasonal items and specials are added to keep the menu from getting stale. This winter choices include Parmesan Crusted Chicken or Scallops, Maryland Style Crab Cakes and a French Onion Filet.
The restaurant, which has a full bar in the center, has an extensive wine list and offers 100 different martinis.
The website lists the menu and offers a virtual walk-through tour of the restaurant.
 

If You Go
Berkshire Grill
6105 Black Horse Pike
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
(609) 272-8808
Website: www.berkshiregrill.net

Hours are 4 to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 4 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, and 3 to 10 p.m. Sunday
Reservations welcome
Gift cards available
All major credit cards accepted

Customer Favorites
Seafood Pescatore ($18.95) Shrimp, mussels and clams piled high on a bed of linguine with homemade marinara.
Tuscan N.Y. Strip ($24.95) A grilled 14-ounce New York strip steak with a balsamic glaze and gorgonzola cheese melted over the top. Served over golden-crisp potato pancakes and garnished with sautéed spinach.
Fresh Black Angus Steak Burger ($7.50) A half-pound of fresh ground beef steak served with French fries and a pickle. Various toppings are extra.

Seasonal Favorites
Parmesan Crusted Chicken ($15.95) Chicken breasts coated with a mixture of Panko bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and a hint of honey dijon mustard. Baked to a golden brown and served with a touch of hollandaise sauce, red potato crisps and roasted vegetables.
Parmesan Crusted Scallops ($18.99) Baked, then finished with a topping of lemon and Parmesan cheese. Served with wasabi mashed potatoes and corn.
Grilled Mahi-Mahi ($19.95) Fresh mahi-mahi filet grilled and drizzled with a creamy horseradish sauce and served with wasabi mashed potatoes and corn salsa.