Wednesday Night is Bergen County's Hot Night Out at Sear House

About six months ago, one of my friends in-the-know told me that the owner of Dimora, Gino Gjevukaj, in Closter was going to open a super-chic new steakhouse called Sear House at the former location of the Peking Duck House, right down the road from, and practically in the same town as, Dimora.  Knowing that Bergen County hasn’t been too kind to steak houses in recent years, I thought to myself, "Wow, that's a pretty bold move."  And isn't it?  I mean, yes, Mr. Gjevukaj has an obviously successful Italian restaurant already (I think his family also owns another in Westchester County, NY), but to open up a new restaurant literally right in your own backyard?  Wouldn't you be competing for the customers that you have already won?  So, to make a long story short, it didn't make that much sense to me...

That was until two Wednesday's ago, when I finally had the chance to visit this new Bergen County hot spot.  First, let me start by telling you this place is beautiful.  I visited at night, and walking up to the double glass doors, you are met with more glass.  In fact, the whole feel is super lux contemporary.  Dark, highly-finished woods, funky textured walls, multiple and elegantly different seating areas to fit my multiple personalities, and a New York-boutique-hotel style lounge complete with a fireplace that continuously rolls sexy currents of fire up a glass chimney.   For Bergen County, this place is hot!

When we arrived, I was informed by sharply suited gentleman named Kenny (who I later learned was Gino’s brother and business partner) that Wednesday night was, in fact, Martini night and that the first one was on the house.  Did someone say free booze? What great news! Count me in!  We immediately worked our way over to the bar, took our seats and ordered our free drinks.  Three important notes here: 

1. The bar top is hollowed out white marble (or quartz?); it is lit from the inside and it is absolutely beautiful, eerie and cool.  According to the bartender, it can change be illuminated by up to 9 different colors.
2. The drinks were generous and well-crafted.
3. The people hanging out in the lounge/bar area were lively and attractive. 

Before we got ready to sit down for dinner, I was delighted by another surprise:  The music.  On Wednesday nights, vocalist/DJ Josh Baty transforms Sear House into one the hippest, swankiest night clubs outside of New York City.  I have seen Josh before; he is an amazing performer and I have reported in the past that his duo, Josh & Liza, absolutely deliver some of the best live music in Bergen County.  When we first arrived, and throughout dinner, Josh was singing music by Sinatra, Michael Buble, Elton John, Gavin Degraw, Maroon 5, etc and he did so effortlessly.  Josh was so good that the people sitting at the table near us thought that they were listening to the radio.   I would have been fine with that.  The food was good.  The drink was free.  Night out was a success in my book; and then around 9:30, the mood changed completely.

We were sitting in the main dining room when we heard the thumping of dance music, and then the squealing of women – apparently having a great time.  Of course we had to check it out.  When we turned the corner to follow the sounds back towards the bar, we were floored at the sight.  Are we in Bergen County?  Is this really Closter?  Is it really Wednesday night?  On the undersized, improvised dance floor there was a respectable knot of men and women DANCING their asses off!  Yes, I said dancing!  I could not believe my eyes.  I thought the night was winding down; I was wrong – it was just warming up.

from Josh Baty's website

For the next two hours, we danced to Usher, LMFAO, Pitbull and Lady Gaga.  We had a few more drinks, we made some new friends and we promised to tell everyone we knew how cool Sear House is.  So my advice to you:  If you can get the hall pass on a Wednesday night, get over to Sear House at 441 Piermont Road in Closter, NJ.  I want this steak house to stay around for a while.  This was the most fun night out I have had in while.  To Mr. Gino, Mr. Kenny and Mr. Josh – keep up the good work!  We’ll be back.


Update 1/7/2011: Since writing this, Sear House was reviewed in the Bergen Record and was given three stars!  Nice work guys.  (See everyone - I told you so.)  You can read the article here.