The Connection Bernards-Ridge Edition January February 2015

Dining Out www.theconnectionsnj.com PAGE 22 Warm up this winter at Red Oak Grille 579 Allen Road | Basking Ridge, NJ | (908) 781-9400 | www.RedOakGrille.com Happy Hour Live Entertainment Open to the Public Winter Specials (January-March) Tuesdays: Enjoy half price bottles of wine from select vintages on our wine list every Tuesday night during dinner. Choose from a large selection including sparkling, white or red, with purchase of an entrée. View these selections and our regular wine list at www.RedOakGrille.com. Wednesdays: $20 and under dinner specials with a variety of entrees to choose from. Thursdays: Taco Thursdays , with choices like our famous fish tacos, blackened chicken tacos and steak tacos. Other Mexican options will also be available. Valentine’s Day Saturday, February 14 th Enjoy a delicious meal with that special someone! We’ll also have a DJ providing entertainment after 9:30 p.m. St. Patrick’s Day Saturday, March 14 th Celebrate early and enjoy our authentic specialties like Corned Beef & Cabbage, Irish Stew and more! Located on the grounds of New Jersey National Golf Club In e Hills , directly across from the Highlands Mall 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily 9:30 p.m. Saturdays Tuesday-Saturday (Winter Hours) Happy Hour menu online. The Empire State Building By: Linda Seigelman Living in close proximity to New York City, it is easy to take for granted some of the iconic landmarks that are so integral to the skyline and dismiss them as something just for tourists. I recently had such an experience when my family came for a visit. We had planned a day in Manhattan, and there were two things at the top of my five- year-old grandson’s “To Do” list: ride the subway and go to the top of the Empire State Building. It was a beautiful, clear and crisp day. We parked on the West Side near the Lincoln Tunnel and began our walk across town. Along the way, we visited Bryant Park (between 40th - 42nd St. and Fifth - Sixth Ave) to stroll through the gardens and take a ride on Le Carrousel. Around the corner on Fifth Avenue, we stopped in front of the New York Public Library to ogle the famous lions and run up and down the steps. Then it was off to the Empire State Building, a few short blocks away. I had been looking forward to being in the City with my grandchildren, but I confess that I was nonplussed about the Empire State Building. Having been there a few times, though not in many years, I thought I had seen it all. How wrong I was. The wait on the entrance line was a very quick 20 minutes (the shortest wait times are before noon). We ascended the elevators and walked through the spectacular Art Deco hallways – the building has recently undergone extensive restorations and is absolutely beautiful – on our way to the Observation Deck. Once outside we gasped in delight. It is easy to forget what makes Manhattan special, but the 360 degree, bird’s eye view from the top of the Empire State Building made it all clear: Central Park, Times Square, water on all sides (it is an island after all), lots of bridges, New Jersey, Staten Island and the other boroughs, incredible architecture, a maze of streets, the Statue of Liberty, sailboats, freighters, air- ports in the distance, helicopters and planes in the air. It was mesmerizing – exciting, beautiful and serene all at once. I realized then that every so often, on a bright and sunny day, one should go to the top of the Empire State Building and removed from the hustle and bustle of the streets, gaze down and take in all that makes New York City a truly special place. I highly recommend the experience. WHERE TO EAT The immediate area around the Empire State Building is fairly commercial so restau- rant choices are limited, but it is a short walk to great eating spots like Grand Central Terminal, the Flatiron District and Madison Square Park, Bryant Park, or Chelsea and the Village. A few options are listed below. Aldea, 31 West 17th Street (bet/ Fifth & Sixth) – intimate, charming Mediterranean/ Portuguese restaurant, delicious small plates, wonderful cocktails, try sitting at the bar Bryant Park Cafe, 245 West 40th Street (bet/ Fifth & Sixth) – causal offshoot of the Bryant Park Grill, enjoy a light menu, outdoor seating and great people watching Bryant Park Grill, 245 West 40th Street (bet/ Fifth & Sixth) – an oasis in the park, huge windows with great views that are worth experiencing year-round, diverse menu satisfies all tastes, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch Eataly, 200 Fifth Avenue (at 23rd) – Italian food options galore at this high end emporium, pizzas, antipasti, gelato, light bites to full meals, pricey but you can’t go wrong, take some home for later too Europa Cafe, 350 Fifth Avenue (at 33rd) – a chain with many locations in the city, good for a quick snack, salad or sand- wich, basic but meets a need, prime ESB location Shake Shack, Madison Square Park (Madison at 23rd) – the original Danny Meyer burger joint that started it all, fans still line up for the burgers, dogs and cus- tard shakes Smashburger, 10 West 33rd Street (bet/ Fifth & Broadway) – a new burger chain has come to town, quality meat and fixings, good shakes and fries, chicken and salads too Uncle Jack’s Steakhouse, 440 Ninth Avenue (bet/ 34th & 35th) – popular chop- house, many loyal steak fans, seafood and salads as well, prix fixe lunch, gluten-free menu, very kid friendly