A Winter Night (or Three): Robert Burns Suppers in South Jersey

When biting Boreas, fell and doure,                      
Sharp shivers thro’ the leafless bow’r;
When Phoebus gies a short-liv’d glow’r,
Far south the lift,
Dim-dark’ning thro’ the flaky show’r,
Or whirling drift:

Ae night the storm the steeples rocked,
Poor Labour sweet in sleep was locked,
While burns, wi’ snawy wreeths upchoked,
Wild-eddying swirl,
Or thro’ the mining outlet bocked,
Down headlong hurl.

List’ning, the doors an’ winnocks rattle,
I thought me on the ourie cattle,
Or silly sheep, wha bide this brattle
O’ winter war,
And thro’ the drift, deep-lairing, sprattle,
Beneath a scar.

Ilk happing bird, wee, helpless thing!
That, in the merry months o’ spring,
Delighted me to hear thee sing,
What comes o’ thee?
Whare wilt thou cow’r thy chittering wing
An’ close thy e’e?

Ev’n you on murd’ring errands toil’d,
Lone from your savage homes exil’d,
The blood-stain’d roost, and sheep-cote spoil’d
My heart forgets,
While pityless the tempest wild
Sore on you beats.

– “A Winter Night” by Robert Burns

It’s that time again. Time to get your haggis-lovin’, poetry-readin’, scotch whiskey-drinkin’, och-scotland-self into gear. Robert Burns’ birthday is on January 25, and celebratory dinners will be happening all over the world. And all over the world includes us here in little ol’ South Jersey.

High Street Grill in Mount Holly will start things a little early with their Robert Burns Dinner taking place on January 13. Originally scheduled to be held at the Burlington County College Culinary Arts Center, it will now be taking place in the upper floor of their own restaurant. The fun begins at 7PM, and the cost is $75 per person. Here’s the menu:

Passed Hors D’ouerves
Crab Cakes, Duck Confit & Mushroom Tapenade on Crostini,
Scottish Smoked Salmon on Potato Cake

Seated Dinner
Cock a Leekie Soup

Haggis & Clapshot
(alternative: Herb Roasted Pork Tenderloin with
Irish Whiskey Demi Glaze)

Herb Roasted Rack of Lamb
With roasted potatoes and sautéed spinach

Caramel Short Bread with Drambuie Ice Cream

Ceremonial Parade of Colors ~ Highland Scottish Dancers
Toast to the Haggis ~ Toasts to the Lassies & Lads
Reading of the Tam O Shanter ~ Auld Lang Syne

On the 25th, The British Chip Shop in Haddonfield will have their own Robert Burns Night from 6PM to 9PM. The cost for the evening is $25 per person, and the prix fixe menu will include cockaleekie soup, haggis, neeps and tatties, and a whiskey trifle.

And then it’s down to Cape May on the 26th for the Exit Zero Burns Supper, which is held annually at The Ugly Mug on Washington Street. The evening starts at 7PM, and the price is $30 per person. They’re promising all the essentials: haggis, bagpipes, the reading of Burns’ poetry…and, of course, kilts!

Please note: for all three events, you must reserve in advance.