After closing for the winter, Burg, a popular new restaurant located in Military Park, is scheduled to re-open in April.

Chris Siversen, executive chef and co-owner of the burger spot, said the crowds diminished when the weather turned cold.

“We thought it would be better if we closed for the winter in order to put full effort into the spring time,” Siversen said.

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The restaurant opened in late 2015 as part of a complete renovation of the six-acre Military Park, undertaken by Dan Biederman, the prominent space manager who worked on the iconic Bryant Park.

“Clearly there is something happening for real in the city, so we developed a concept that was good for the wide mix of people in the area.” Siversen said.

Located between NJPAC, Rutgers Law School, PSE&G and Prudential Financial’s new office tower, the eatery is conveniently situated for lunchtime crowds as well as those seeking an after work happy hour hangout.

The restaurant focuses on hamburgers and features a full bar with an outdoor seating area that became a go-to spot during the warmer months.

Given the nature of Burg, it is still in question whether temporary closings during the winter months will become a habitual thing.





When it opens in the spring, the restaurant will resume its popular happy hour and open its garden and outside seating.

An annual music festival, Guard D’avant, hosted in Military Park and curated by local artist Peter Winstead Jr., could prove to be beneficial to the burger spot as it was last summer.

“I would like Burg to be the stage B to the show,” said Siversen. “Other people can perform there, and it can be a great spot to hang out.”

Other future possibilities include the installment of fire pits, furthering catering possibilities within the area, or developing an independent brand name for the garden.

Siversen partially based the essentials of Burg from his older restaurant, Maritime Parc, located in Liberty State Park in Jersey City.

“We put together this burger special on Thursdays, which gave us such great press,” said Siversen, who opened the fine dining restaurant seven years ago. “That feedback solidified our thinking with Military Park.”

Siversen, who is originally from New York, has more than 25 years of experience in the restaurant industry, studying at the French Culinary Institute and working with various places throughout New York City such as the Glazier Group or the 21 Club.

As a relatively new restaurant, Siversen said Burg represents a ground for new ideas and possibilities that have certainly received positive feedback since it opened. Siversen said he hopes Burg will become a destination to try those new ideas when the restaurant reopens.