24 NJSL | JUNE/JULY 2010

Food, Wine and Song

Do you crave simple comfort food

and a brew or sophisticated fare ac-

companied by fine wine? Whatever

your taste, the Food Network Atlan-

tic City Food and Wine Festival has

more than 40 events that are sure to

please your palate.

Join Guy Fieri, star of “Diners,

Drive-Ins and Dives,” for a cheese

steak tasting competition on the

beach at Caesars or acclaimed chef,

Alexandra Guarnaschelli, an “Iron

Chef” challenger and judge, for

Castles and Culture

Discover what life was like for

the magnates and millionaires at

the turn of the 20th century when

names like the Vanderbilts, Guggen-

heims, Pratts and Phipps built lavish

country estates on the North Shore of

Long Island, now known as the Gold

Coast. These mansions, along with

their vast acreage and magnificent

gardens, became increasingly difficult

to maintain and many fell into disre-

pair or were demolished. However, a

handful of these private homes have

Fresh Air and Family Fun

From the pristine waters of its 75-

acre lake to its endless array of activi-

ties, the stately Skytop Lodge in Sky-

top, Pa., is an ideal destination for a

family gathering. There’s something

for everyone, from the tiniest tot

to Great Aunt Betty. Children ages

three to 12 can attend Camp in the

Clouds while mom and dad play golf

or tennis. Teens can unleash their

competitive spirit with geocach-

ing (a high-tech version of hide and

seek using GPS units), paintball, rock

climbing and laser tag.

Grown-up getaway, kid-friendly adventure or a combination of both? Whatever your choice and interests,

New Jersey Savvy Living has a destination for you.

Foodies can hobnob with their favorite Food Network stars in Atlantic City, the cultural set can explore

Gatsby-era mansions and spend the night in a castle on Long Island’s “Gold Coast,” and nature lovers can

enjoy their favorite outdoor pastimes at a stately mountain retreat in northeastern Pennsylvania.

By Judi Rothenberg

s a v v y t r a v e l

Clockwise from far left: Morton’s Steakhouse, courtesy of Caesars Atlantic City; red snapper, Prime Restaurant/Jim Lennon; Oheka Castle/Elliott Kaufman; biking and canoeing at Skytop Lodge

Summer Escapes: T h r e e D r i v e - T o D e s T i n aT i o n s

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26 NJSL | JUNE/JULY 2010

been rescued and are currently open to the public.

Among the more interesting to visit are Eagles Nest,

Old Westbury Gardens, Coe Hall and Oheka Castle

(where you can even spend the night).

Eagles Nest is the legacy of William K. Vanderbilt,

whose staggering inheritance (21 million in 1910)

from his great-grandfather, railroad tycoon Corne-

lius Vanderbilt, allowed him to indulge his passion

for traveling and collecting. The Spanish Revival

style home sits on a 43-acre complex that also in-

cludes a marine museum, natural history habitats,

artifacts and fine home furnishings. There’s also a

planetarium with traditional celestial programming

and laser light shows accompanied by a Beatles

soundtrack. Centerport, vanderbiltmuseum.org

The 200 acre campus of Old Westbury Gardens

includes the former Phipps home, a 23-room man-

sion replete with formal gardens, lovely landscaped

grounds, lakes and woodlands. A variety of educational programming, concerts, botanical arts and gardening classes are available,

along with in-depth tours. Old Westbury, oldwestburygardens.org

Large manors like Coe Hall at Planting Fields required huge staffs to maintain them. The “Upstairs-Downstairs” tour illuminates

the living and working conditions of the servants that kept this 65-room Tudor Revival mansion in tip-top shape. The estate is also

home to Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park, which features 409 acres of greenhouses, rolling lawns, formal gardens and

wooded trails. Oyster Bay, plantingfields.org

Want to experience the Gilded Age for yourself? Rooms can be booked at Oheka Castle, which at 109,000 square feet and 127 rooms

was once the second largest private residence in the United States. The French-style chateau has just 32 luxurious guest rooms and

each is uniquely decorated. If you can time your visit for a weeknight, take advantage of the Gold Coast Mansion Tour Package, $655

for two guests, which includes admission to three mansions, accommodations for one night, breakfast, two lunches and several other

amenities. Oheka does not have a restaurant, but arrangements can be made for an elegant catered dinner or you can drive into town

for fresh seafood and sushi on the water at the sleek and chic Prime Restaurant. Huntington, ohekacastle.com; primerestaurant.com;

historiclongisland.com, discoverlongisland.com

a Farm-to-Table Brunch at One Atlantic, Atlantic City’s newest venue, with

spectacular ocean views through floor-to-ceiling windows. At Claire Robinson’s

five-course Jersey Tomato Brunch, each course is paired with a specialty cocktail

made with Jersey tomatoes. If you’re bringing the kids, sign up for “Play With

Your Food,” a hands-on workshop with Food Network’s Melissa D’Arabian and

Pat and Gina Neely.

Other highlights include a Cigar and Whiskey Gala at Bally’s Bikini Beach Bar

and The Grand Market, a tasting event with more than 200 stations featuring

foods, wines, ales and spirits from world-renowned restaurants and brands. The

three-day festival will be held at Harrah’s Resort, Caesars, Showboat and Bally’s

from July 29 to August 1. A portion of the proceeds from the festival benefit

Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Be sure to take a time out from all the eating and scoot over to Trump’s Taj

Mahal for a nostalgic evening of music on July 31 as the beloved duo of Simon

and Garfunkel take the stage to perform. Atlantic City, acfoodandwine.com,

www.harrahs.com; Simon and Garfunkel, ticketmaster.com or trumptaj.com

Food, Wine and Song

Castles and Culture

Oheka Castle/Elliott Kaufman

Claire Robinson, courtesy of the Food Network

NJSL 27

Fresh Air and Family Fun

Less active guests can while away the

morning in a rocker on the sweeping

back porch, book a massage at the spa

or sign up for a cooking or watercolor

class. Families can wander on more than

30 miles of mountain trails in quiet and

solitude or join an organized hike with

a guide. Other on-site resort activities

include canoeing, kayaking, archery,

mountain biking and swimming (with

both indoor and outdoor pools).

The lakeside Fishing and Shooting Cen-

ter is equipped with instructors and gear

for fly-fishing and skeet shooting. Every-

one reunites at meal time (three bountiful

meals a day), either at the historic Windsor

dining room or the more casual Lakeview

dining room. Whichever you choose, the

cuisine is quite sophisticated. Accommo-

dations are available in the main lodge,

the inn by the golf course or in one of the

cottages with four interconnecting rooms

and the convenience of a washer/dryer

and refrigerator. $465+ per night. skytop.

com, 800.345.7759

Both photos, courtesy of Skytop Lodge

Geocaching at Skytop Lodge

Count on Christy’s It’s been 31 years now and Christy is still

here, serving the avant-garde woman

looking for the up-to-date fashions.

You’ll find everything from casual outfits

to high-end evening gowns in a full range

of sizes. Come to Christy’s for quality

fashions, personal old-world service,

and complimentary alterations.

CHRISTY’S ADDED TOUCH761 Bloomfield Avenue, West Caldwell973-226-6800ChristysAddedTouch.com

Appointments necessary for cocktail and evening wear.