Paper Mill Playhouse Opens New Carriage House Bistro & Bar Today

Paper Mill Playhouse previously announced the opening of The Carriage House Bistro and Bar on Paper Mill's beautiful, brookside campus in the F.M. Kirby Carriage House. The Carriage House Bistro and Bar features a full bar and seasonal American cuisine created by Executive Chef Holly Guber. A large-scale renovation of the space which began during the summer of 2012, was recently completed.

The Carriage House Bistro and Bar will be open for dinner five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday from 4:30pm until 10:00pm, and brunch will be offered on Sundays from 11:00am until 2:00pm. The Carriage House Bistro and Bar will also be open prior to matinee performances at the theater on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. On performance days the restaurant will offer a unique, three-course prix fixe menu. When the theater is dark, The Carriage House Bistro and Bar will offer an exciting "intermezzo" à la carte menu featuring seasonal favorites. The Carriage House Bistro and Bar will open today, November 14, 2012.

"We are thrilled to add fine dining to Paper Mill Playhouse's list of amenities," stated Paper Mill Playhouse Managing Director Todd Schmidt. "One of the discoveries that came out of Paper Mill's extensive market research is that theater patrons are looking to continue their theater excursion after the show is over. The Carriage House Bistro and Bar will offer the opportunity to dine prior to the show and continue their evening out at our full service bar following a performance. When the theater does not have a show, it will bring additional people to our beautiful, brook-side campus to enjoy fantastic food in a great setting."

Early in the summer of 2012, the F.M. Kirby Carriage House underwent a major renovation led by designer Mary LaVecchia of Creative Wall Coverings in New Providence, New Jersey. "It's important for me to be surrounded by design and color. If you looked at me as an artist, my fabrics and furniture are my paint and paintbrush, and I create a new painting every day," stated LaVecchia. The new 60-seat restaurant features new floors, wall coverings, lighting, furniture, accents, ornamental ceilings and a beautiful custom-built bar with a rustic stone backdrop. The walls are covered with custom art courtesy of Greg Smith of Contemporary Art and Editions in Downtown Millburn.

Executive Chef Holly Guber has created a unique menu of seasonal American cuisine that Gail Gerson-Witte of The New York Daily News' Wine, Dine and Leisure Time calls "Northern New Jersey's best new restaurant". Current à la carte entrées include: "Fresh Salmon Filet, White Bean, Fennel & Olive Ragout Tomato-Orange Vinaigrette," "Pappardelle, Veal Short Ribs, Wild Mushrooms, Braised Carrots & Parsnips, Lemon Essence," "Boneless Chicken Breast, Sweet Potato Hash with Chicken Sausage & Chestnuts, Apple-Bourbon Sauce," "Breast of Duck, Celery Root Puree, Shiitakes & Hazelnuts, Fig Demiglace," "NY Strip Steak, Fingerling Potatoes, Broccoli Rabe," along with a number of small plate offerings.

In 1986, Holly Guber opened Terra Cotta Restaurant in Maplewood, New Jersey. For more than twelve years, Guber worked as both chef and owner of the popular restaurant. For the last fifteen years, Guber worked as a private chef and caterer. Guber is also an instructor at Kings Cooking Studios.

"The Carriage House Bistro and Bar is truly a special addition to Millburn's restaurant community," remarked Executive Chef Holly Guber. "Paper Mill Playhouse is celebrated for its fantastic shows, outreach and tremendous education programs. Now the not-for-profit theater has an on-campus restaurant it can be proud of. I am thrilled to be here and look forward to greeting the community as they dine in our brookside bistro by the fireplace."

To make a reservation for The Carriage House Bistro and Bar, call 973-609-2429. Reservations are highly recommended. The Carriage House Bistro and Bar is the perfect venue for your special event, party or corporate meeting space. To book your special event at The Carriage House Bistro and Bar, call 973-609-2429.

Paper Mill Playhouse, a not-for-profit arts organization, is one of the country's leading regional theaters. Paper Mill Playhouse programs are made possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, A partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support is provided by the generous contributions of numerous corporations, foundations, and individuals. Paper Mill Playhouse is a member of Theatre Communications Group, the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, the Council of Stock Theatres, and the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.

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