Earlier this year, American Dream welcomed Marcus LIVE! In a mall that has plenty of eating—and entertainment—options, Marcus LIVE! definitely stands out. Founded and led by Chef Marcus Samuelsson, Marcus LIVE! is located in Court A, on the third floor, right in the center of the action.
Chef Marcus is a renowned chef with an impressive culinary career. He appeared on the hit Food Network show Chopped, served as the head judge of Top Chef Family Style, and competed as an Iron Chef on Netflix. He has also won eight James Beard Foundation Awards.
This new spot brings to New Jersey a menu that is truly symbolic of Chef Marcus’s cooking style, featuring southern flair dishes such as fried chicken and cornbread waffles, shrimp and grits, ribeye, and more. Plus it adds to the rich culinary culture of fine dining in the Garden State.
My Visit
We received top-notch service. And our server’s name was also Marcus. The ambiance is all about music and vibes, with live performances on the weekends and a great collection of vinyls on the wall. During my visit, the band was fantastic, playing Tina Turner and Whitney Houston classics.
A Fresh Meal
Let’s talk food. Everything was fresh, from the appetizer to the dessert, and to be completely honest, my favorites were the accompanying sauces. I ordered M’s Cornbread, which came with a seasonal jam (blueberry, blackberry, and raspberry). The fried calamari came with a delicious Thai chili and romesco sauce—a pleasant change from the usual tartar or cocktail sauce.
The drinks were also incredible. Each cocktail bursts with flavor. The presentation was excellent, and check out the names: All the Smoke, Not So Hoochi, and Pretty in Pink.
Finally, the recommended dessert was the sticky toffee pudding—the best I’ve had so far. As our server Marcus explained, everything is prepped fresh and in house. Now back to the dessert. I am not exaggerating when I say the combination of the toffee pudding and the ice cream covered with whipped honey butter was awesome!
But don’t take my word for it. Check out Marcus LIVE! next time you are at American Dream.
Marcus LIVE!
1 American Dream Way
East Rutherford, NJ
201-340-0076