The Perch at Peacock Inn;
A Princeton, NJ Restaurant Review

The Perch at Peacock Inn is set in an Eighteenth-century mansion with a storied history of famed guests including Albert Einstein and F. Scott Fitzgerald.

This is a special occasion restaurant and a power scene for Princeton business and university people. The soft background music and subdued lighting provide an added touch for an elegant fine dining experience.

The Perch at the Peacock inn is run is owned by Genesis Hospitality and is run under the management of Shawn Thomas.

The kitchen is run by Executive chef Alex Van Dyke who oversees a well-executed, limited selection, menu with a commitment to using high quality food ingredients with emphasis on local seasonal farm-to-table produce, wild caught seafood, & meats without the use of antibiotics and growth hormones.

Chef Van Dyke received his formal culinary training at Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island. He later honed his culinary skills doing an internship at Daniel Boulud's Michelin-starred Restaurant Daniel in New York. Then onto working as sous chef at The Black Bass Hotel in Lumberville, PA, and finally as the executive chef at the Yardley Inn in PA, before joining The Perch at Peacock Inn.

The wait staff is well trained. professional, attentive and knowledgeable

The decor is "Old World," sophisticated, with a blending of elegance, comfort, and romance. The restaurant maintains excellent social distancing with tables spaced comfortably apart for quiet conversation.

There are three dining rooms on the main level with a capacity for 90 diners. All dining areas are done up to create an elegant blending of the inn's history with a upscale vibe.

Walls are done up in soft gray adorned by artwork, murals, and menus from the 1930ق│└s with large murals mounted above each of the room's original, non-functioning fireplaces. Soft lighting is amply placed in art modern sconces. Tables are well spaced for quiet conversation and for an intimate romantic dining experience.

Dining Room Three (back room) with a seating of 50, has subdued lighting and a burgundy ceiling implanted with tiny LED lights for a "dining under the stars" effect --- great for romantics. Chairs are comfortable and opulent with velvet burgundy seats.

The lower level is home to Peacock Alley, a private room with seating for up to 24 people. It's an intimate space with hand painted murals of sites in Princeton. Peacock Alley is believed to have been a speakeasy during the time of Prohibition that had a hidden side door entrance which now serves as a fire exit.

The bar area has a elegant touch with attractive lighting giving off an urban vibe. It's sophisticated and not loud. There is seating for twelve at the bar in addition to peripheral tables.

During the warmer months there is outdoor dining on the front porch overlooking a beautiful, landscaped entrance garden

They are open for dinner six days/week, Closed on Mondays, with Brunch served on Saturday and Sunday.

They are open for the winter holidays on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.

Updated October 2024