Editor’s Note: Denim American Bistro is now located at 116 King’s Highway East in Haddonfield.
If Denim sounds like an interesting name for a restaurant, that’s because there is a story behind it. Chef David Murray and his wife, Stacy, came up with it while standing in the Philadelphia airport. It was all thanks to a Cosmopolitan magazine cover featuring actress Mila Kunis in a denim jumpsuit. Now, Denim American Bistro is one of Cherry Hill’s newest eateries.
“I believe a restaurant’s name should define itself for the type of image it wants to represent,” says Murray. “The comfort and unstuffy nature of denim is what I’m going for.” As for the American bistro part, well, denim is as American as it gets.
Though the restaurant is new, open since October 2018, it is built on a foundation with old roots. In fact, the 1850s Colonial house formerly home to The Farmhouse and La Campagne is where you’ll find Denim.
Keeping consistent with the denim theme is extremely important to Murray; you’ll find the material on servers’ aprons (who also wear jeans), napkins on the tables and even in the artwork. For example, artist Ian Berry makes images like the ones of Marilyn Monroe and James Dean with bits of denim hanging on the wall. In addition, there’s a portrait of Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake; wearing the famous denim-on-denim outfits they wore in 2001 to the American Music Awards. Of course, art of Kunis in her denim jumpsuit also makes an appearance in the restaurant.
Denim has four separate rooms and can seat nearly 90 people. Additionally, the heated and enclosed outside patio that is open March through November can hold about 65 guests. They offer in-house private catering and off-premise catering, too.
Denim American Bistro: Good Food for a Great Cause
But there’s actually another, very important motivation behind Denim’s namesake. The restaurant offers a free dessert to anyone ordering from the pre-fix menu who donates a pair of jeans. These donations go to Joseph’s Fund of Camden, a counseling center, and Joseph’s House, a homeless shelter in Cherry Hill.
“My wife and I are trying to teach our children by example that when you’re able to give back to the community, you should,” says Murray. “The original goal was to get one pair of jeans per day the restaurant is open. We just donated 270 pairs after two months and already have enough jeans to surpass that number before the end of our third month.”
The menu offers modern takes and new interpretations on American classics. (Check their Instagram for menu pics!) You can start with some ahi tuna crudo, or try the thick slab bacon. Entrees include lobster ravioli, seared scallops and a Kobe burger. For dessert, they offer options like gluten-free flourless chocolate Nutella cake, apple tarte tatin and bananas foster bread pudding. On Sundays, they serve a buffet brunch. Murray says seasonal options will also be available.
Denim aims to accommodate everyone, serving both gluten-free and vegetarian choices. In addition, Murray says “We take allergies seriously and do anything we can to accommodate whenever possible.”
The restaurant is BYOB, offering select wines by the bottle from White Horse Winery in Hammonton. You can find Denim American Bistro at 312 Kresson Road in Cherry Hill. For more info, call 856-520-8114 or visit their website.
All Photos: © Denim American Bistro / Instagram
