Red Horse by David Burke to Open at Former Fromagerie Site

By: Community Magazine | March 18, 2021 |  Dining , Local , Events |  Fair Haven , Rumson , Sea Bright

Despite the challenges of the pandemic and the severe restrictions facing restaurants, renowned Chef David Burke managed to open three new restaurants in New Jersey over the past year. And now he’s preparing to open the fourth – Red Horse by David Burke, on the site of the former Fromagerie in Rumson. The prospective opening date is March 24.

“It’s a landmark property in a really great community,” Burke said of the site on the corner of Ridge Road and Avenue of the Two Rivers. “It’s a part of the fabric of the community without a doubt and I’m very happy to bring it back to the highest level of dining in New Jersey.”

The name Red Horse was inspired by a painting of a red horse that Burke purchased in New Hope, Pennsylvania while visiting his son who resides there. “It was at the beginning of the pandemic and all the panic was setting in,” explained Burke. “I loved the painting and my dad’s name is Big Red,” explained Burke, who is an avid collector of contemporary art. “Then it hit me. That’s going to be the name of my next restaurant Red Horse.” The restaurant’s logo is also based on the red horse painting.

The elegant Victorian building that will house Red Horse is also home to where one of David’s first culinary jobs while he was in high school.  The longtime home of the legendary French restaurant Fromagerie and more recently, the Rumson House. Burke said Red Horse will deliver a superior, sexy and exciting dining experience and the restaurant will feature a full-service bar-lounge with 40 seats, a main dining room with 60 and a new sushi bar on the second level, The Loft at Red Horse, will offer 40 seats. The menu is a Modern-American Steakhouse with Asian influence under the direction of Burke and the restaurant’s Executive Chef Andrew Riccatelli. The restaurant is currently undergoing cosmetic changes and plans for additional outside dining are being explored. Artwork by five contemporary artists will be part of the décor, including paintings by a Rumson artist. Red Horse will be open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Future plans call for an American style dim sum Sunday brunch. Until then, the restaurant is available for private parties on Sunday.

Red Horse will host a novel and fun theme nights like “Red Carpet Wednesday”, which will invite guests to glam-it-up up for an indulgent dining experience in the main dining room.

“We’ve been dressing and hunkered down for a long time,” said Burke about Red Carpet Night. “We want people to splurge for a night and in an exquisite, sexy setting. We will roll out the red carpet with a step and repeat; so, ladies get your hair done, put on your jewels, lipstick and heels; and men, it’s time to take your jackets out of the closet and don those cufflinks.”

For this latest project, Burke has assembled a culinary staff he proudly calls “one of the greatest teams in the state”, along with Corporate Executive Chef and Partner Carmine Di Giovanni, Corporate Pastry Chef Stuart Marx, and welcoming back to the group, Executive Chef Andrew Riccatelli, who worked with the Burke team to open VENTANAS in Fort Lee.

Chef Riccatelli has worked for many great chefs including Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and also has led the kitchens of James Beard Award winners Stephen Starr and Bobby Flay. He also has had his own TV fame; Riccatelli won the “Something Dumpling” episode of Chopped.

“I have experience with David Burke’s food, and I have a Modern Asian background,” said Riccatelli. “Red Horse will be a steakhouse menu, but I have a passion for Asian flavors and I am looking forward to bringing some bolder flavors to the menu.”

Riccatelli, who grew up in Marlboro, is a farm-to-table advocate and is looking forward to working with local farmers and fishermen.  “I really value working locally and sourcing the best ingredients possible,” he said. “Jersey produce is the absolute best. And we are super close to the shore for seafood, so being able to pull from those sources is fantastic.”

Burke has also named Chris James to the position of corporate mixologist. James has worked with culinary greats like Tom Collechio and Anthony Bucco, among others. “We have hired local managers and we have a level 2 certified sommelier,” Burke said. “Red Horse will boast a very strong and accomplished team.”

The return to the Rumson site of the former Fromagerie, where he worked early in his career as a line cook, brings back fond memories for Burke, who now resides in Atlantic Highlands. The owners back then – Markus and Hubert Peter – saw promise in the talented Burke and served as mentors to the young chef.

“To work there you had to be very good,” Burke recalls. “The jobs were coveted and it was a privilege to work there. It was at the top of its class, a quintessential restaurant that focused totally on the guest experience. Even under construction when I walk in there now, I feel the greatness that was once there like an old stadium or theater. I think, wow if these walls could talk.”

Later in his career, Burke was part of a group that purchased and operated the Fromagerie to rave reviews for 11 years until it was sold in 2015. The corporation dissolved and Burke formed his own group several years ago and was on an upward trajectory with a restaurant empire of 18 restaurants around the country when the pandemic struck. All of his restaurants were closed. Most have reopened to limited seating capacity and Burke forged ahead to open additional new restaurants.

“We have a very tight organization now,” said Burke about the team leading Red Horse, and whose unofficial company slogan posted in his kitchens is “Failure Is Not An Option.”

Burke’s other New Jersey restaurants are Beach Haus Bar and Grill by David Burke, Belmar; DRIFTHOUSE by David Burke, Sea Bright: and Orchard Park by David Burke, East Brunswick, and Asbury Kitchen in Asbury Park (closed). He is the culinary director for Son Cubano, West New York and VENTANAS, Fort Lee. Burke has restaurants in Charlotte, North Carolina; Manhattan, Long Island City, Syracuse, Poughkeepsie, New York; and Breckenridge, Colorado. Opening soon are restaurants in Morristown, NJ and Saudi Arabia.