A message from the founder
Dear Prospective Member,
For as long as I can remember, my life has been defined by a passion for exceptional food, fine wine, and great travel. As the founder of BestWeekends.com, my wife and I have spent years exploring the country’s culinary landscape, dining at some of the finest establishments in the United States—including 27 of the Top 100 restaurants ranked by La Liste.
This journey has given us a unique perspective on what transforms a simple dinner into a truly superior experience. In creating this private dining club, we drew direct inspiration from the welcoming energy, flawless service, and sophisticated ambiance of some of our favorite destinations: The Polo Bar and Aretsky’s Patroon in New York City, the East Hampton Grill, and the Honor Bar in Palm Beach.
But a spectacular meal is only complete when shared with spectacular company.
In our increasingly busy lives, it is far too easy to lose touch with the people whose company we value most. We wanted to create an intimate sanctuary that brings together individuals who share a common outlook: people who love to linger around a dinner table, share a great bottle of wine, dive into lively conversation, and, above all, truly enjoy life.
We built this club for you, and we look forward to welcoming you to the table.
Warm regards,
Jim Flynn
Founder
for those who appreciate great food, great wine & great service
Welcome to “ The Reeds ”
A sample of what’s to come
Menu Concept
The Club will specialize in hearty, comforting food, making use of local produce and other foods produced in New Jersey. The goal will be to offer a menu of classic dishes that will stand out for their quality, preparation and presentation.
A menu of snacks, appetizers and casual food will be available at the bar. A full service menu will be available in the dining room. The menu will contemplate the mood of the guest. Sometimes the member may be in the mood for a light, casual meal or snack. At other times a full meal may fit the bill.
returning to the spotlight
Private Dining Gains in Popularity
Private clubs have been filling a social void. Private dining venue are …in line with a broader national trend toward privacy in the post-COVID era. ZZ’s Club in Miami, a contemporary Japanese restaurant and lounge, is the first private resto-club from Major Food Group (the founders of the sublime Dirty French, among others, in New York City), and it has a waitlist in the thousands. It has been so successful, they are redeveloping the former home of The Tavern in Hudson Yards to be the second ZZ’s Club with a Japanese restaurant, as well as the first private Carbone, one of their flagship eateries.
And in Palm Beach, a resto-club opened last season: Carriage House is so shrouded in mystery you need a code to access its website. From reservations-only cocktail bars, like The Wells in D.C., to members-only co-working (-and-playing) spaces, such as the global chain of Soho Houses and Philadelphia’s Fitler Club (where James Beard Award-winning chef Marc Vetri was the culinary advisor), there is high demand for smaller crowds and meaningful encounters…
enjoying food, enjoying life
Why a Private Club?
Public dining has become a chore in many respects. Reservations are difficult to get in the better places, parking is hard to find, service is often indifferent and except for top tier restaurants food can be mediocre. Worst of all is the “entitled” attitude of many diners whose lack of respect for staff and other diners can quickly ruin the dining experience.
A private club, whose members have common goals and interests and a voice in the final product, can better control the process and deliver a superior overall experience. Click HERE for Private Club articles.