Witherspoon Grill to Open In Plaza by Next Summer

Candace Braun

Grill dining and outdoor seating will soon be available right in the midst of the downtown redevelopment project when Witherspoon Grill opens as part of the Witherspoon House in late spring or early summer, according to the new restaurant's owner, Jack Morrison.

A Borough resident and local businessman, Mr. Morrison is the proprietor of the Blue Point Grill and Nassau Street Seafood. He has signed a lease with Nassau HKT Associates to develop a restaurant in the new apartment building that will front the Princeton Public Library's plaza, at 57 Witherspoon Street.

Mr. Morrison presented his plans for the restaurant to Borough Council on Tuesday, December 14. The 142-seat restaurant will include a dining area, lounge, bar, and outdoor eating area that will serve up to 60 patrons. The grill menu will feature steaks, "chop house" style, as well as seafood, burgers, salads, and sandwiches, along with a childrens' menu, said Mr. Morrison. Menu prices are expected to range between $8 to $18 for lunch, and $16 to $28 for dinner.

"The higher price points are dictated by the high quality of meats we will serve," said Mr. Morrison, adding that the grill will be open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.

"The restaurant's bar will feature wines, cocktails, and beers from around the globe, in an effort to create a comfortable atmosphere to get together with friends and talk, or to watch a game on TV," according to a description that was part of Mr. Morrison's presentation.

Witherspoon Grill will be approximately 3,850 square feet on the first floor, with a 1,200 sq. ft. basement. The interior will have a "grill room" atmosphere, with warm woods, banquettes, and high ceilings "to give the diner a feeling of ease and comfort with just a splash of fun and sophistication," read the presentation. The interior was designed by Riscala Design of Jersey City.

Robert Powell, principal of Nassau HKT, is the developer of the project, which was first reviewed by the Princeton Regional Health Department in June.

The arrangement for outdoor seating, which will be on the perimeter of the plaza, was under consideration by Council at its meeting last Tuesday. In an attempt to adapt the style of European outdoor dining, the area will be closed in by mobile wrought-iron fencing, which will give diners privacy, as well as allowing the restaurant to serve alcohol in its outdoor area, said Mr. Morrison.

Linen-covered tables will make the dining experience "just a touch up from regular outdoor dining," he said.

Eucalyptus plants will be put on the inside of the fence to keep the foliage out of harm's way, and to serve as a deterrent to insects. As a precaution against fire, a retractable awning over the seats will be timed so that it comes out just as the restaurant opens in the morning, and retracts after the restaurant closes.

Mr. Morrison has asked for a full year's lease for the outdoor dining area, as patrons may want to sit outside on unseasonably warm days.

He added, however, that he anticipates bringing in the outdoor tables and chairs and stacking them in the basement from January to March.

The Borough approved the outdoor dining area as is, agreeing to go back and reexamine the layout if problems arise in the future.

"I think this is very exciting and exactly what we envisioned for the plaza," said Councilwoman Wendy Benchley.

Plans for the Witherspoon Grill are currently being reviewed by the State Department of Community Affairs, and construction is planned to begin in early 2005.