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Dining Out
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Rt. 202-206 South, Somerville Circle Somerset Shopping Center, Bridgewater, NJ www.kandsmarket.com Tel: 908-595-1606 • Fax: 908-595-1597 Catering for that “SPECIAL OCCASION” and more... Italian & Gourmet Specialties Freshly Prepared Foods Homemade Pasta • Specialty Cheeses • Fresh Sauces • Handcrafted Specialty Sandwiches • Rare Aged Balsamic Vinegars • Fine Extra Virgin Olive Oils from Different Regions • Full Line of Imported Quality Italian Products - Panettone, Torrone, Chocolates, Desserts • Porcini Truffles • Fresh Line of Air Shipped Fresh Cheeses From Northern & Southern Italy From Master Cheese Makers • Dessert Cheeses Hand Crafted from Alba, Piedmont The CONNECTory www.connectory.theconnectionsnj.com Be Seen In Scan here to visit The New York Botanical Garden Beckons By: Linda Seigelman The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) is a beautiful green oasis less than an hour and a half away. Founded in 1891, the Botanical Garden is a National Historic Landmark and a rich natural habitat – right in the middle of The Bronx. At 250 acres, with over one million living plants, it is a wonderful place to visit any time of year. Take the opportunity to stroll the many winding paths through arbore- tums and specialty gardens. Enjoy the spectacular colors and seasonal foliage. Explore the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, the nation’s largest Victorian-era glasshouse, home to tropical rain forests, deserts, carnivo- rous and aquatic plants, and an exten- sive collection of palm trees. Relax on a bench and savor the beauty and tran- quility of the surroundings. The Botanical Garden itself is enough of a reason to make the trip, but through November 1st, the NYBG is hosting a terrific exhibition: Frida Kahlo: Art – Garden - Life. The exhibi- tion focuses on Kahlo’s great apprecia- tion for the beauty and variety of the natural world as evidenced by her home and garden as well as the use of plant imagery in her artwork. The Botanical Garden has re-imagined and recreated the famous garden and stu- dio that Kahlo maintained at Casa Azul, the home in Mexico City that she shared with her husband, artist Diego Rivera. Also featured are more than a dozen of her paintings and works on paper which are rarely seen outside of Mexico. In addition, the vibrant culture and style of Frida Kahlo’s Mexico are brought to life at the Botanical Garden through a variety of ancillary programs of dance, music, food, and film. They include a host of lectures, Frida al Fresco evenings, Mexican-inspired shopping and dining experiences (love the Taco Truck) and hands-on art and cooking activities for kids. The sched- ule of events is available online at www.nybg.org. The New York Botanical Garden is easy to reach via the George Washington Bridge and the Henry Hudson Parkway North. It is located directly across the street from the Fordham University campus. Parking is easy and plentiful, either right outside the Botanical Garden on Southern Boulevard (check alternate side parking signs) or in the onsite lot. NYBG is open year-round Tuesday – Sunday and some holiday Mondays. Plan a day at the New York Botanical Garden. It is a lovely way to spend some time outdoors. WHERE TO EAT The Botanical Garden offers a num- ber of on-site dining options, from casual snacks and sandwiches to a wonderful prix fixe lunch.During the Frida Kahlo exhibition, diners can enjoy Mexican food and drink inspired by Kahlo’s own recipes. Stop by the Pine Tree Café for Mexican flatbreads, crisp and spicy sal- ads, sweet aguas frescas, and other specialty snacks. The Hudson Garden Grill offers a leisurely dining experience with a prix fixe, three-course menu influenced by the exhibit. Choices might include black bean soup, huevos rancheros and tres leches cake. At The Leon Levy Visitor Center is La Cantina, an outdoor bistro featuring margaritas, Mexican snacks, and more. La Casa Azul Taco Truck, located across from the library, has delicious tacos, quesadillas, chips and salsa and Mexican sodas. There are plenty of tables and chairs nearby for a bit of a rest and some people watching while you eat.