Enjoy A Date Night at Chakra in Paramus

chakra pork tenderloinBefore the holidays, I was invited to go to a media dinner at Chakra, a restaurant and lounge located centrally off Route 4, in Paramus. Since Chakra has such a romantic atmosphere, I felt it was only right to bring along my boyfriend, Jason.

Chakra, certainly lives up to its romantic reputation with dimmed lighting and bungalows perfect for a couple to share a meal nice and close to each other. This is a rare find in New Jersey. The restaurant offers New American fare. The chef sent us some of their signature dishes to taste, perfectly paired with drinks from their cocktail menu.  Our meal started off with their tuna tartare which was our favorite dish of the night. It was a perfect consistency, not too heavy, which is ideal for a tartare.

The Portuguese Octopus was our second taste, which had a heavy pesto puree. The octopus was cooked well and the puree gave it a very interesting flavor. Our entree, the pork tenderloin with a sweet potato puree and seasonal vegetables, arrived next. I really loved how the flavors worked together with the pork and thought it was unique, which is exactly what Executive Chef Thomas Ciszak is going for!

chakra octopus

Our meal ended with a tasting of two of their signature desserts, the apple fritters and peanut dacquoise. Both were delicious and perfect for a romantic night out. The presentation of each dessert was remarkable, and both Jason and I really enjoyed them. Our favorite cocktail, hands down, was the Nutty Pear!

Looking for a perfect date spot to go with your love on Valentine’s Day?  Chakra is and excellent choice, and they are planning to celebrate Valentine’s Day weekend with various events. On February 14, 15 and 16, the restaurant will serve a romance-friendly three-course menu resplendent with oysters, lobster, caviar, truffles, foie gras, lamb, 40-day aged steak, chocolate, and other delicacies to ensure a delicious and memorable experience. The dinner is $85 per person plus tax & gratuity, and promises to be a wonderful evening for yourself and your Valentine. Reservations are required and can be made at 201-556-1530.

On Sunday February 17, the temperature will rise a few degrees and the clock will turn back to the 1940s with a special dinner and show. The even features the Va Va Va Venus Burlesque Show and a menu of 1940s classics such as Waldorf salad, beef Chateaubriand, and baked Alaska. The evening will begin at 6:30 PM with pre-dinner cocktails, courtesy of Brugal Rum, followed by a three-course dinner and a playful show at 7:00 PM. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 201-556-1530.

On Sunday Feb. 24 at 6pm at Chakra Six of New Jersey’s top chefs are joining together for a unique dinner to benefit Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. This once-in-a-lifetime event features some of the state’s most talented and acclaimed chefs, including Thomas Ciszak of Chakra, David Felton of Ninety Acres at Natirar, Humberto Campos Jr. of Lorena’s, Justin Huleatt ofThe Ryland Inn, James Laird of Serenade and Kevin Takafuji of Blue Morel. Each chef will serve one course paired with an outstanding wine.  Click here for more details.

Chakra, 144 W. Rte 4, Paramus, NJ

Sara Monica Gaona is a born and raised Jersey Girl and originally hails from Monmouth County. This past May she received her BA in Communication with a minor in Sociology and Public Relations from Fairleigh Dickinson University and is currently working for a public relations firm in Rutherford, NJ. She found her inner foodie during her Fall Semester of Senior year while interning at The Rachael Ray Show and was soon inspired to start her food blog, Small Chick Big Deals that has restaurant reviews covering New York City & all over New Jersey, recipes, and interviews with food writers and more! When she’s not working or blogging she enjoys hanging out with friends, cooking meals with her boyfriend & family, reading a good book, relaxing by the beach or escaping to New York City. You can follow Small Chick Big Deals @Smchickbigdeals on Twitter or follow Sara personally @Sierrax0x or both!