Reach Over the Out... BRIDGE
Staten Island ... a closer look
By Jessica Jones Gorman
landmarked, the borough is dotted with several historic attractions and includes an eight-acre zoo with over 1,500 animals of over 350 speor many New Jersey residents, Staten Island serves as a gateway – a cies. On its North Shore there’s a minor league baseball stadium and a pass-through that they traverse on their way to work, school or the 350,000 square-foot outlet mall that just celebrated its grand opening – New York City’s first. occasional night out in Manhattan. Home to more than 475,000 residents, Staten Island is also credited But if you take a closer look, the borough offers more. with serving one of the best pizza pies in New York City (Goodfella’s), has Filled with parks (170 to be exact), respected cultural institutions and deep roots in maritime history and played an important role as a Loyalist several Michelin-rated restaurants, this smallish neighboring suburb has stronghold during the American Revolution. a little cache of its own. There’s a museum dedicated to Tibetan Art, a Chinese Scholar’s GarFeaturing some of New York City’s oldest buildings, 28 of which are den and Casa Belvedere, a center dedicated to Italian heritage. The Snug
F
A Rooftop Special Event Venue Just over the Bridge in Staten Island Nestled in 415 acres of protected woodlands, the Hilton Garden Inn Staten Island is a destination not only for overnight guests, but a gathering spot for those searching for a return to understated elegance with an upscale exciting twist. Since 2001, owners Lois and Richard Nicotra have filled the beautifully appointed property with art and flowers, most recently the iconic 40foot long, 10-foot-high LOVE sculpture and have created the perfect backdrop for a special event or weekend wedding just over the bridge. Above, the stunning rooftop wedding and event space attached to The Hilton Garden Inn, showcases panoramic views of Staten Island’s four bridges and the Manhattan skyline. Above Rooftop, a 9,600- square-foot, indoor-outdoor event venue with its open air terrace 12 • Bayonne Community News • Thursday, July 18, 2019
Reach Over the Out... BRIDGE
Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Gardens offers dynamic programming in arts and education; The Staten Island Children’s Museum, a hands-on interactive experience, features exhibits focusing on history, science and fine arts. No longer forgotten, it is New York City’s southernmost borough, known for more than just Mob Wives and the Fresh Kills landfill. Take another look–there a lot of unexpected things happening “Over the Bridge.”
STATEN STATEN ISLAND’S ISLAND’S ONLY ONLY COUNTY COUNTY FAIR FAIR
AUGUST 31ST TO SEPTEMBER 2ND
and heated draped cabanas, offers a modern cocktail hour with a dramatic 50-foot-long Calcatta marble bar. An open kitchen and upscale lounge seating are illuminated by fiber-optic bubble lights imported from England. Italian ceramic flooring is throughout. A stone wall with an 80-square-foot LED video screen and a state-of-the-art sound system make Above Rooftop a unique and modern event space. Above, a 9,600 square-foot, glassenclosed ballroom features a custom light installation with 4,000 Swarovski crystals, each with its own LED light. Twenty-foot, floor-to-ceiling windows are complimented by a single-slab, Carrera-marble candle wall, with built-in niches; a white Italian-marble dance floor; and Venetian-glass-infused wallpaper. Other unique features include three soft seating areas and an illuminated onyx bar with an 18-foot, silver-leaf frame. Above accommodates up to 300 guests in single banquet seating that serves modern, seasonal American cuisine. The newly renovated Nicotra’s Ballroom, the Hilton’s elegant garden level event space, can be customized for both intimate weddings or larger events for 1,000 guests. Nicotra’s Ballroom boasts woodland views and gorgeous gardens and fountains with a great lawn and Florentine gazebo for outdoor ceremonies and photos. The Tea House Garden is a magical
DGE
See page 14
12:00-6:00PM ADULTS $10
CHILDREN $5
RIDES • ENTERTAINMENT • GREAT FOOD F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N V I S I T H I S TO R I C R I C H M O N DTO W N . O R G
BAYONNE COMMUNITY NEWS • Thursday, July 18, 2019 • 13
Reach Over the Out... BRIDGE Japanese décor infused event space with a glass ceiling, wall of waterfalls, and an outdoor pagoda and koi pond. The silk-tented, Italian-piazza inspired Trevi Garden is filled with old-world charm and romance with its cobblestone flooring and lampposts from Venice. The Zagat-rated Lorenzo’s Restaurant, Bar and Cabaret serves modern Italian and American fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily with happy hour Monday through Friday, and a lavish Sunday Jazz Brunch Buffet. Cabaret shows are held on select Fridays, bringing Tony, Grammy, Emmy, and Academy Award winning talent to Lorenzo’s stage. “Our guests don’t have to battle the traffic and parking hassles of Manhattan to enjoy Broadway caliber entertainment,” say
owners Richard and Lois Nicotra. “It’s a wonderful, small, intimate setting, perfect for dinner and a great show. I wanted to keep that feeling of old Copacabana in a place where you can sit, have a great meal, and listen to some wonderful, live music.” The Hilton Garden Inn, with more than 800 free parking spots, is just over the bridge at 1100 South Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10314. The Nicotras would love to welcome you. For More information, call Susan Anderson at 718-477-2100 ext. 23 www.AboveRooftop.com www. EventAbove.com www.NicotrasBallroom. com www.LorenzosDining.com
QUALITY HEALTH CARE CLOSE TO BAYONNE Breast and Women’s Center
BEFORE
3-D Diagnostic and Screening Mammograms Screening and Diagnostic Breast Ultrasound Expert Breast Cancer Consultation Evaluation of Benign Breast Disease
1161 Victory Blvd. Staten Island NY 10301 FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 718-818-1161
Kristen, real patient Dr. Alex Barkan
Bariatric and Metabolic Institute Providing the most advanced, effective weight loss surgery treatments available. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 718-818-4020
TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH 14 • Bayonne Community news • Thursday, July 18, 2019
844-934-CARE • RUMCSI.ORG
THE MOMENT YOU SEE THE REAL YOU