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James E. McGreevey |
William D. Watley |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Contact: Karen Wolfe - 609.292.2523 |
| DINNER WITH ‘LOVE’
ON VALENTINE’S DAY Trenton, N.J. (February 9, 2004)—What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than by cozying up over dinner in one of New Jersey’s romantic restaurants? With Cupid’s arrow aimed at Saturday, Feb. 14, 2004, this year allows for an entire weekend of togetherness – perhaps overnight in a cozy bed and breakfast or small hotel, with Saturday night repast of delectable cuisine. “Some restaurants are well known for their romantic settings and delicious food; others are well kept secrets just awaiting discovery,” says Nancy Byrne, executive director, New Jersey Office of Travel & Tourism. “Many chefs have yet to set their Valentine specialties, waiting until the last minute to utilize the freshest and most appealing ingredients, but they all assure that their menus will convey romance.” Some hotels include dinner with one-or two-night Valentine weekend packages and New Jersey’s Wine Trails have designed a special weekend Wine & Chocolate Trail, February 14th and 15th, no reservations necessary. For listings and directions, check the website, www.newjerseywines.com, or call 908-995-7800. Visitors will be steeped in wine lore, wine tasting and wine making. Participating wineries offer cellar tours, chocolates, foods for sampling with wine, live music and more -- all free. Participating wineries include Alba Vineyard, Amalthea Cellars, Amwell Valley Vineyard, Balic, Bellview, Cape May, Cream Ridge, Four Sisters, Heritage Vineyards of Richwood, Hopewell Valley Vineyards, Kings Road Vineyard, Renault, Silver Decoy, Tomasello , Unionville Vineyards, Valenzano and Westfall. For other romantic getaways, consider: The intimate Green Gables Inn and Restaurant in Beach Haven (609-492-3553; www.lbinet.com/greengables) where you can spend a Valentine’s overnight, and savor a five-course dinner for two and breakfast Sunday morning. Saturday night dinner only is also available. Whispers in Spring Lake (732-974-9755; www.whispersrestaurant.com), a cozy 19th-century Victorian mansion surrounded by rambling porches and manicured grounds with lake views, offers a Valentine’s dinner in its formal rose and white dining room, appointed with tapestry covered armchairs, plush carpets and curtains. Amidst the setting of old-world Renault Winery try a unique culinary experience at the Renault Gourmet Restaurant in Egg Harbor City (609-965-2111; www.renaultwinery.com). Reservations are required. Escape to Cape May’s Virginia Hotel (800-732-4236; www.virginiahotel.com) for a Valentine’s Day Getaway that includes $75 toward special dinner in the Ebbitt Room, three-nights accommodations (February 13 – 16), bottle of champagne, a dozen roses and daily continental room-service breakfast. Nearby Congress Hall Hotel (888-944-1816 or 609-884-8421; www.congresshall.com) charmingly renovated to reflect its turn-of-the-century origins, offers a two- or three-night Valentine Escape (February 12 – 15), with accommodations, bottle of champagne, a long-stemmed rose, dinner one evening with special dessert-for-two, and breakfast each morning. Rats at Grounds for Sculpture (609-584-7800; www.ratsrestaurant.org) is a romantic retreat for lunch or dinner anytime, with entrance to the Grounds for Sculpture (609-586-0616; www.groundsforsculpture.org) exhibit halls included. For Valentine’s Day, a special four-course gourmet lunch comes with champagne and dinner is a choice of a la carte or the chef’s seven-course tasting menu, with or without accompanying wines. Princeton’s Peacock Inn (609-924-170; www.peacockinn.com) is ideal for a cozy Valentine overnight, combined with a candle-lit Valentine a la carte dinner by the fireplace in its French restaurant, Le Plumet Royal Restaurant. Along the Delaware, Anton's at the Swan in Lambertville (609-397-1960 after 2pm; www.antons-at-the-swan.com) is legendary for its innovative use of seasonal ingredients and service in a romantic, antiques-filled historic hotel. For Valentine’s Day, the restaurant offers a four-course dinner. Harvest Moon in Ringoes (908-806-6020; www.harvestmooninn.com) specializes in fine American cuisine served in a candle- and fireplace- lit dining room. For Valentine’s Day, the chef has designed a special 4-course evening, topped off with a Sweethearts’ Dessert Sampler. At Madeleine's Petit Paris in Northvale (201-767-0063; www.madeleinespetitparis.com), award-winning classic French cuisine is complemented by a decor of plush Parisian intimacy. In perfect tune with its ambience, the restaurant offers a Valentine’s Day Dinner Dance, with a four-course menu and the Jon-Mar Band. The Manor in West Orange (973-731-2360; www.themanorrestaurant.com) is New Jersey’s premier place for elegance and romance. In a choice of two dining rooms, one features a special Valentine buffet, while the other offers a four-course dinner. A live band plays for dancing the night away. Adega Grill (973-589-8830; www.adegagrill.com) is one
of the hottest spots in Newark’s For information and brochures on touring, dining, places to stay, maps and a 2004 Travel Guide, contact the New Jersey Office of Travel & Tourism, at 800-VISITNJ (847-4865); or check the website at www.visitnj.org
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