How One Upscale Bergen Restaurant Succeeds in Trying Economic Times
By Paramus Post Tuesday, June 30, 2009, 06:03 PM EDT
“We have seen a growth of 70% in bar and bat mitzvah celebrations, and a 30% increase in Sunday weddings,” Chakra’s party planner Debbie Gilmore said. “Business is continuing to grow, with multiple events already booked for 2010.”
With an interior that rivals New York City’s hottest restaurants and private party venues, Chakra’s elegant, exotic built-in ambiance offsets the need for additional expensive decorations. Flexible Sunday schedules allow party planners to book the entire venue for the day without the hassle of time constraints or multiple events at one site.
When it comes to dining, Gilmore added that sit down dinners are the most popular, although grazing stations setup throughout the restaurant are a smart choice for planners who want to emphasize continual socializing and movement throughout the event.
While formal party event business continues to grow at Chakra, the restaurant’s lounge has become host to more happy hour parties for corporations opting for low-key get-togethers. “Our lounge space is easily expanded or made smaller, creating a customizable space and intimacy level for a variety of events, whether after-hours team motivational meetings for 20 executives, or meet and greets for professional associations that need to accommodate up to 80 guests,” added Gilmore.
Chakra can accommodate up to 250 for a standing cocktail reception and 150 for private party events. A 24-seat private dining room is also available, ideal for smaller scale gatherings such as customized wine dinners, sweet sixteens and more.
Chakra’s Sunset dinner menu, available weekdays between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m., provides patrons with a sumptuous three course prix fixe course meal for $20.09 (not including tax and gratuity) and the option to add a glass of wine for only $5. Three separate choices for an appetizer, entrée and dessert are updated weekly and made from scratch with fresh, local and imported ingredients. “Chakra’s Sunset dinner offers exceptional value in terms of price point, and enables us to start filling our dining room weeknight by 5:00 p.m., when the program starts,” said Gilmore. “We are seeing more young professionals take advantage of this, and follow their meal with a long stay in our lounge to socialize. Chakra offers the perfect mix of menu flexibility, sophisticated ambience and price points to appeal to discerning customers who want a top-tier dining experience that is also cost-sensitive.”
About Chakra Restaurant
Chakra Restaurant, located in Paramus, New Jersey, features an inviting menu focused on New American cuisine with European and Asian influences. Dominated by candlelight, the restaurant features a low-lit stone water wall, soft, velvet pillow-backed banquettes, Asian throw rugs, a mahogany bar, as well as romantic, silk-tented bungalows. Raised fire crevices fill the old brick walls, which were built from bricks that are over 120 years old.
The 187-seat dark, dramatic restaurant, located 10 miles from New York City, in the heart of Bergen county New Jersey, is open for dinner Monday through Wednesday from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m., and Thursday through Saturday from 5:00 to 11:00 p.m. Chakra’s $20.09 three-course prix fixe sunset dinner menu is available Monday through Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The inviting lounge is open until midnight Monday to Wednesday, and until 2:00 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. Happy Hour is offered from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with drink specials and $2 bar snack menu.
Chakra’s monthly wine dinners celebrate wines from a variety of regions and vineyards. A private dining room is available for special events during the day and night.
Chakra is a four-time recipient of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.
Chakra Restaurant is located at W. 144 Rt. 4 (eastbound), Paramus, NJ.
For more information, visit www.chakrarestaurant.com or call (201) 556-1530.
