Dom’s 35th Surprise Party

Event photography @ Rails Steak House Towaco, NJ

Lamide and Dom both have birthdays that are within a few days of each other. For everyone that knows Lamide, she loves to plan events.

This was one for the books. She rented out the Speakeasy and Rails Steakhouse, which is connected to the Towaco Station off the NJ transit.

I had no idea what I was walking into. My wife said it was “Grown, no sneakers". So I put my nicest floral shirt on and swapped my joggers for regular pants. Then she walks out in a silky gold dress, looking like the first lady. I think that I might have downplayed her expectations.

Secret bookshelf door - Event photography @ Rails Steak House Towaco, NJ

We get to the venue and they inform us to take the elevator down to the basement. Waiting for us inside, is someone to guide us through a series of secret doors that enter the speakeasy. This was definitely not the average private room in a restaurant.

We enjoyed 5 courses that night. During cocktail hour, we waited for Lamide and Dom to arrive. It was Lamide’s birthday, but we were also surprising and celebrating Dom's 35th. The hors d'oeuvres were getting pumped out at a rapid concession. I've been to plenty of cocktails, but never have I been offered so much food so quickly.

Dom realizing that the party was actually for him - Event photography @ Rails Steak House Towaco, NJ

After the birthday surprise, we began enjoying our next 4 courses. Lamide lead us with instructions on an ice breaking game for a cash prize, where we are to write the names of people that fit the descriptions on a list.

Table setting in the speakeasy- Event photography @ Rails Steak House Towaco, NJ

The courses were high end. Everything was really well crafted, but I think that's to be expected from such a luxurious establishment. And it also extended to the service as well. If you walked away from your table, they refold your napkin immediately after you leave. They also never let your water cup empty. I'm a heavy duty water chugger, and the aquatic ninjas that they hire is beyond me.

Karaoke around the table - Event photography @ Rails Steak House Towaco, NJ

Which bridges to when I had to use the restroom. Leaving the room was a bit of a challenge. There was a proximity sensor on the door, and I was unaware of this because of how dark it was. Once I was through I almost broke the emergency glass thinking I was in some sort of escape room. I'm glad that I didn't though, as it was real and the gate just simply pushes open. At one point Dom and I had pulled every book on the bookshelf with little success only to find it was a hidden doorbell. The puzzling nature of the place was alot of fun.

The food was phenomenal. I've heard that you can judge a place by it's calamari and it was the second appetizer. It was damn good. I comideering the entire plate from one of Dom's cousins seated next to me, who had a culinary degree. I ended up picking his brain for the better half of the evening.

Lamide had a series of games planned, and the night concluded in some impromptu karaoke. It was a wonderful evening, with wonderful people. I always appreciate when Lamide and Dom invite us to their parties and I wish both of them plenty of good fortune on this next trip around the sun.