Asbury Ocean Club Closes Record-Breaking Penthouse, Its Highest Listed Residence

Listed for $5.9 million, the residence is the most expensive home sold in Asbury Park history

Asbury Ocean Club (AsburyOceanClub.com), the 17-story residential property that introduced luxury living to the Jersey Shore last summer, recently closed on its largest residence. Listed at $5.9 million, the sale marks a record in Asbury Park’s history and is a testament to the luxury design and lifestyle of the oceanfront oasis, which includes a full suite of amenities and luxury services. Asbury Ocean Club is just 70 minutes from Manhattan and less than an hour from many prominent New Jersey communities. Residents soak in coastal surroundings from every corner of the property, all while being at the center of Asbury Park’s vibrant city by the sea, offering miles of boardwalk and beaches, an active arts culture, and an established and growing restaurant scene. more

ALTO Rooftop at Montclair’s MC Hotel Now Welcoming Guests

Boutique Property Reopens Rooftop with Stunning Views of New York City Skyline

The MC Hotel, in the heart of Montclair, has reopened its doors to its popular ALTO rooftop, the city’s only rooftop bar. Located on the ninth floor of the hotel through the building’s Bloomfield Avenue entrance, the spacious rooftop space is now open for drinks Wednesdays-Sundays, with reservations encouraged through opentable.com. Guests can sip on a glass of sparkling rose or a handcrafted cocktail while enjoying sweeping views of the New York City skyline. more

Peach Month at Peddler’s Village

August is peach month at Peddler’s Village, and every day the Bucks County location will offer special peach-themed food and drinks at restaurants and eateries. There will also be live entertainment on select weekends. On Saturdays and Sundays, guests can enjoy made-to-order sandwiches and burgers at the Water Wheel Food Tent. more

“Sunday with Dorie” Friends of PPL Fundraising Event

Cook along with five-time James Beard Award winner and New York Times best-selling cookbook author Dorie Greenspan in this special virtual fundraising event for Princeton Public Library (PPL) on Sunday, July 12 from 4 to 5 p.m. more

Claire Ptak’s Rhubarb Cobbler with Cardamom and Ginger

Photo Credit: Kristin Perers/The Guardian

Dating back to the early British settlers of North America, cobblers are based on a tradition of baking seasonal fruit and covering it with a sweet, dry scone-like mixture. The result is a cousin to the humble pie, but somehow even more satisfying. Perfect for an early summer barbecue, Claire Ptak’s cobbler makes for a crave-worthy sweet, tart dessert.  more

Spring Offerings from The Meeting House

The Meeting House restaurant at 277 Witherspoon Street is offering a tantalizing spring menu for takeout that will elevate any mealtime. Their Family Supper is now offered daily, with Family Brunch on weekends. Throw in a great bottle of wine at a reduced price. The Meeting House is happy to deliver all orders to your home. Better yet, order a spectacular meal for your social distancing friends! more

Terra Momo: Box to Table Brings Italian Classics to Your Dinner Table

For $85 per box, Terra Momo will provide family-style Italian culinary classics, ensuring plenty of great food and good memories despite the current climate. more

Carryout Specials at Yardley Country Club

Catering by Thomas at Yardley Country Club offers delicious, gourmet meals to go with curbside pickup available Wednesday-Friday, April 22-24 from 2 to 6 p.m. more

Cook Pasta with Nonna – Live!

One 84-year-old Italian grandmother has taken matters into her own hands now that Italy has gone into lockdown. Nonna Nerina usually runs pasta-making workshops in the countryside around an hour north of Rome, but due to the current isolation measures, she had to cancel all her upcoming classes. However, thanks to her granddaughter Chiara, Nerina has made her classes available online to anyone at https://nonnalive.com/.  more

Hop Over to Cape May’s Congress Hall This Easter

Beautiful spring flowers in the Ballroom, Easter eggs laid out on the Grand Lawn — hop on over to Congress Hall in Cape May on Easter Sunday for a day filled with exciting holiday festivities. Grab an Easter basket and start the morning with a traditional egg hunt, as well as fun lawn games and rides on the Congress Hall Express. After you’ve worked up an appetite, head inside for a delicious buffet in the Ballroom. Be sure to bring a camera — the Easter Bunny will make rounds with Blue the Pig for perfect family photo-ops! more

Bernardsville’s Osteria Morini Reopens

Just in time for spring, Osteria Morini reopened on March 6 following a décor and menu reinvention.

Somerset County diners and Italian food lovers are in for a treat, with a number of changes to the menu such as large-format selections for sharing, charcuterie boards (prepared at a new Chef’s Counter), grilled entrees, and more. But rest assured that guest favorites like Chitarra with shrimp and lobster is still on the menu. more

Wine and Chocolate Weekends at Alba Vineyard

By Taylor Smith

Located in the rolling hills of Warren County, two miles east of the Delaware River in Milford, N.J., Alba Vineyard is the perfect February getaway. The winery is hosting Wine and Chocolate Weekends on February 8, 9 and 15, 16 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tasting experiences are priced at $20 per person (21 and older) and include a flight of Alba’s estate wines paired with cheeses, flatbread, and a sampling of gourmet truffles, chocolate caramels, and a selection of French macarons. The price also includes an etched wine glass. more

Eno Terra features Tuesday Tastings Series, Valentine’s Day Menu

By Taylor Smith

Tuesday Tastings with Tony: An Education Series Featuring the Wines of France

January 28 through February 25, 6:30-8 p.m.

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Share a Romantic Valentine’s Day Dinner at Bistro d’Azur

By Taylor Smith

Bistro d’Azur at 14 Academy Street in South Orange (www.bistrodazur.com) is offering a memorable and delectable Valentine’s Day 2020 prix-fixe menu, priced at $79 per person/$15 foie gras supplement. The 4-course event (https://www.bistrodazur.com/specialevents) includes your choice of amuse bouche, first course, main course, and dessert paired with BYOB or Unionville Vineyards wines (https://unionvillevineyards.com/). With choices like Oyster Mignonette, Tuna Cru, Butter Poached Maine Lobster, Butternut Squash Risotto, Lamb Rib Chops, and Warm Brie with Apple, how could you go wrong? more

Philadelphia-Founded Two Robbers Hard Seltzer

By Taylor Smith

Looking for something fresh and new to serve at your next cocktail party? Two Robbers Hard Seltzer just announced the launch of its fourth flavor, Peach Berry, due to be released in January 2020. more

Delicious Hanukkah Gifts from See’s Candies

By Taylor Smith

Celebrate the Festival of Lights with Hanukkah candy and chocolates from See’s Candies. Like all of See’s products, the bite-size Toffee-ettes, Pecan Buds, Almond Royals, Café Latte Little Pops, and Peanut Brittle are made from scratch. See’s Toffee-ettes are, in fact, a year-round treat and one of the company’s very best sellers. And they still use Mary See’s original recipe! more

Scottish Burns Supper and Whisky Tasting at Brandywine River Museum of Art

By Taylor Smith

Each year, Scots from around the world gather in the darkest days of winter for a traditional evening meal and celebration to commemorate the birthday of one of their favorite native sons, Robert Burns. Born on a tenant farm on January 25, 1759 in the village of Alloway, near Ayr, Burns’s early life was marked by back-breaking work on a succession of small family farms. With an ear for Scottish folk songs and traditional stories passed down by his mother, Burns grew to become a widely-respected poet and lyricist. more

What to Buy at Your Local Farmers Market this November

By Taylor Smith

November is still a fantastic time to find fresh fruits and vegetables at area farmers markets. Here are just a few to look for: more

MUSE: Life in Morris, Union, Somerset, and Essex Counties

Morris Canal and Smith's General Store at Waterloo Village, New Jersey. (Photo by Zeete, Wikimedia Commons)

By William Uhl

MORRIS

Morris County is making old new again, starting with the Morris Canal. A relic of its time, the historic commercial waterway fell into disrepair over a century ago. Recently, however, the canal has found a new life in bits and pieces: passionate volunteers are restoring sections as hiking trails and bike routes for public use, a project known as the Morris Canal Greenway. Currently stretching just over 4 miles, it will eventually extend between the New Jersey Transportation Heritage Museum and Waterloo Village, a historic canal town.

On the eastern edge of Morristown, the Schuyler-Hamilton House preserves another important part of history — the wartime romance between Alexander Hamilton and his wife Betsy Schuyler. In the late 1700s, General Washington sent Hamilton to Morristown to prepare the townspeople for the second winter encampment. Within the walls of the house, Hamilton and Schuyler met, and later courted, before marrying in Albany in 1780. Though its outside appearance is everyday, the interior is filled with historical artifacts such as portraits, furniture, and tools from centuries ago. more

Beneduce Vineyards Offers Aromatically Intense, Food-Friendly Wines

By Taylor Smith

Beneduce Vineyards in Pittstown, Hunterdon County, is a passion project of Michael Beneduce Sr. and his son, Mike Beneduce Jr. As a family rooted in farming for multiple generations, the Beneduces have a distinct love and understanding of the Garden State’s soil. more

Fifth Annual Columbus Day Weekend Oktoberfest in Asbury Park

By Taylor Smith

This year’s Oktoberfest Celebration at Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten  (asburybiergarten.com) will take place on Saturday and Sunday, October 12 and 13. Beginning each day at noon, the tented biergarten celebration offers plenty of food, beer, live polka bands, and Oktoberfest fun. more

Uptown Crullers at Daily Provisions

By Taylor Smith 

Stepping into Daily Provisions at 103 East 19th Street in Manhattan brings to mind gourmet trick-or-treating.  more

Discover Karla’s Restaurant in New Hope

By Taylor Smith 

Serving lunch, dinner, brunch, and cocktails in quaint New Hope, Pa., since 1978, Karla’s Restaurant at 5 West Mechanic Street features a European flair and an open-air setting that offers plenty of opportunities for people watching. Yelp reviewers repeatedly recommend both the outdoor seating and sunroom dining experiences. 

Tasty brunch offerings include a quiche du jour and house salad, Bananas Foster French Toast, multiple variations of Eggs Benedict, and a tantalizing lineup of omelettes (fresh herb and cream cheese, anyone?). more

A Summer Treat: Russ & Daughters’ Babka Ice Cream Sandwiches

Photo Courtesy of Russ & Daughters

By Taylor Smith 

It’s hot in New York City, but have no fear — Russ & Daughters’ (https://www.russanddaughters.com) original Babka Ice Cream Sandwiches are available at their shop at 179 E Houston Street, and at the Brooklyn Navy Yard (141 Flushing Avenue), for $7. The sandwich treats can also be purchased after 5:30 p.m. at their Cafe at 127 Orchard Street.  more

New York City Wine & Food Festival, October 10-13

By Taylor Smith 

Tickets for the 2019 New York City Wine & Food Festival (NYCWFF), to be held October 10-13, are on sale now at https://nycwff.org. 

Since its beginning, NYCWFF has raised over $12.5 million to help fight hunger. One hundred percent of the net proceeds from the event benefit Food Bank for New York City and the No Kid Hungry Campaign to end childhood hunger in America and the five boroughs of New York City. Every year, NYCWFF raises nearly $1 million for these charities, effectively aiding in the quest to end the hunger gap in our country.  more

Summer Food Festivals at the Jersey Shore

Photo Credit: Point Lobster Company in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ

By Taylor Smith

Something about ocean air and salt water brings to mind the satisfaction of enjoying a cold drink and tasty meal on the boardwalk. Before the summer ends, be sure to take advantage of these upcoming food festivals at the Jersey Shore! more

ROOT: All-Natural Crafted Cocktail Mixers

By Taylor Smith 

Trish Pepe Lauden and Diane Aemisegeo are two moms who wanted to be able to craft a fresh, natural, non-syrupy or sugary cocktail at home. Both admittedly enjoy the challenge of cooking locally and seasonally, and wanted this to be reflected in at-home drink offerings. Tired of having to frequent the same restaurants for a health-conscious cocktail, the two women created ROOT, which uses all-natural, organic ingredients to formulate the perfect cocktail (or mocktail) for your next neighborhood barbeque.  more

The Restaurant at Maritime Parc at 10

A Culinary Destination Reimagined

By Hope Casey

Since first opening in 2010, The Restaurant at Maritime Parc has been known for its sophisticated space, award-winning food, and enviable views of the Hudson. Now, in its 10th year, chef/owner Chris Siversen steps up this Jersey City gem’s game with a new interior and menu to die for.

Known for its picture-perfect views, positive guest reviews, and its smartly curated menu, many would wonder why executive chef and partner Chris Siversen would close The Restaurant at Maritime Parc’s doors for a complete overhaul of its space in advance of its 10-year anniversary. However, in February 2019, that is exactly what he did.

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The Ins and Outs of Alfresco (or Close to Alfresco) Dining

By Wendy Greenberg

A sure sign of summer is when tables and chairs are set outside at restaurants, frequently brightened by colorful umbrellas and accompanied by succulent summer menus. Whether you prefer an awning, an old-fashioned porch, or are a purist who shuns any barrier to the elements, now is the time to take advantage of the many alfresco options offered in the Northern New Jersey area.

One patron put it this way: “Why would I want to sit and eat in a place with artificial lighting, when I am in an office all day?” Area restaurateurs report that they field many requests for reservations at tables in the open air, even when clouds hang low.

“Alfresco dining creates a different energy and vibe,” says Chris Perez, general manager of Albariño in Shrewsbury. “It’s a more natural, rustic space in which to break bread.” more

New York’s PQR Square Pizza is a Roman Import

By Taylor Smith 

Pizza in New York City is a hotly-contested subject, as everyone has their favorite. However, a Roman-style import on the Upper East Side is winning over new fans for its airy, crispy, square pies. 

PQR (Pizza Quadrata Romana), at 1631 2nd Avenue, uses “high hydration and long fermentation” to create a chewy, delightful pie crust that is based on the pizza of Rome. The mastermind behind PQR is Angelo Iezzi, who also happens to be president of the Associazione Pizzerie Italiane. more