The Digest | New Jersey Magazine
Issue link: https://magazines.vuenj.com/i/1023248
e town origin of Summit cites several dif- ferent theories as to how it got its name. Some general conclusions reference the Summit Lodge; others believe it's the town's position- ing which rests atop the Watchung Mountains. en there's the founder, Jonathan Crane Bon- nell, who gave the Morris and Essex Railroad line access to a route that runs through the "summit" of Short Hills. As unclear as its roots may be, Summit re- mains a city with a whole lot of charm and re- spect for its heritage. A reminder of that sits no further than the intersection of Springfield Ave and Maple Street, Summit House Restaurant + Bar. While the eatery itself is new, opening its doors in May 2017, the Summit House name and various incarnations date back to the 1840s. Today, the building in which the restaurant is located shines a bit brighter than its storied past as the city's first YMCA, thanks to owners, friends and Summit residents Dylan and Melis- sa Baker and Tyler and Sara Reeder. Aer moving to town nearly 10 years ago from Santa Barbara, California, Baker instant- ly felt the urge to fill the neighborhood's void for something fresh and contemporary. Baker, whose father was a professional chef, grew up in the restaurant industry and found himself wandering down a similar path years later as a food and beverage manager for Four Seasons Resorts, before moving on to wine and spirit sales. Alongside his now business partners and neighbors, the two couples took on the tumul- tuous task of restoring a 120-year-old building and laying out the plans for what is now known as the new Summit House. Taking almost five years from ideation to completion, what they envisioned was a concept that incited the imagination of visitors. What they ended up with was something resembling the likes of a Danny Meyer restaurant, where basic principles such as eye contact and a smile mean as much as the food that's coming out of the kitchen. Yes, ingredients and technique are of the utmost importance, though the overarch- ing mission is exceptional hospitality. BY ABBY MONTANEZ V U E N J . C O M 97