If you’ve ever wanted to eat where George Washington ate, then the Bloomfield Steak + Seafood House is the place to go. This colonial-era building at 409 Franklin Street in Bloomfield has served many purposes throughout time and today serves a delicious menu. Read on to learn about the history and cuisine at Bloomfield Steak + Seafood House.
Three Centuries of History
Bloomfield Steak + Seafood House wasn’t always a restaurant. It was first built in 1676 by Thomas Davis and remained in the Davis family until 1903. Several of his grandchildren built and occupied homes in Maplewood which are still standing, including the Ezekiel Ball Home at 250-254 Elmwood Avenue, the Spring House at 88 Tuscan Road, and the Timothy Ball Home at 425 Maplewood Avenue.
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Over three and a half centuries, the historic Davis Home has served as a private residence, farmhouse, hospital, and church, and is currently a restaurant. The main walls of the home are two feet thick at the base and eight to ten feet thick in the cellar. During the Revolution, these walls coupled with small windows were intended to give occupants maximum protection from enemies. Both George Washington and Henry Knox visited and dined in the home on their way to Morristown. It is not certain what either ate here, but it might have been something from the Davis farm. In the basement of the house is a tunnel that was used during the American Revolution to transport women and children looking to escape British soldiers. During the following decades, these tunnels were used as part of the Underground Railroad to help enslaved people escape.
The Joseph Davis Homestead is also where townsfolk met between 1794 and 1796 to organize the Presbyterian Church on the Green. In 1796, Joseph and his wife Anna sold the congregation the land to erect a church. It was at this house too that in 1796, General Joseph Bloomfield and his wife Mary were guests of the Davis Family. Later, a group of leading citizens selected the name of Bloomfield for the community. Joseph Bloomfield served as state governor and two terms in the United States House of Representatives.
After the Davis Family left the home in 1903, it welcomed numerous residents till about 1969 when the space opened as Franklin Arms. By 1977 a venue called Proud Mary’s Restaurant and Lounge took over the space. The Bloomfield Steak & Seafood House came to the space in 1991.
The Bloomfield Steak and Seafood House Today
Located at 409 Franklin Street, the Bloomfield Steak + Seafood House serves appetizers, soups, salads, pasta, burgers, and of course steak and seafood. Appetizers here include Buffalo Wings, Honey Garlic Wings, Grilled Oysters, Steak Crostini, and Steamed Clams. Seafood lovers can choose among dishes like King Salmon, Shrimp Scampi, and Crab Stuffed Atlantic Flounder. This spot has a variety of land animal dishes like Ribeye, BBQ Ribs, Prime Rib, Filet Mignon, and Steak Frites. Other dishes include a Smokehouse Burger served on a brioche bun, a Caesar Salad, French Onion Soup, Meatloaf, and Angry Fish Tacos served with rice and beans. Sides to pair with your meal include Creamed Spinach, a Loaded Baked Potato, Mac-N-Cheese, Sweet Potato Fries, and Steamed Broccoli. MG suggests sampling the Fried Calamari, Empanadas, Penne Ala Vodka, Grilled New Zealand Lamb Chops, Crab Cakes, and a side of Crispy Onions.
The beer and wine menu here features selections like Budweiser, Corona, Homemade Sangria, Meiomi Pinot Noir, and more. Bloomfield Steak + Seafood House also features beers brewed in North Jersey like the crisp and bright Hoboken Day Beer from Hoboken and the tart and funky Four City La Baie Noir Sour from Orange.
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The Bloomfield Steak + Seafood House also offers catering, is closed Mondays, and has guest parking. The catering menu offers options like Chicken Marsala, Chicken Fingers, Yellow Rice, Clams Oreganata, and Seafood Pasta. From 3PM to 6PM every Tuesday to Friday, this spot hosts a Happy Hour with half-priced appetizers and drinks.
