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“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” —Socrates
THE • VIEW
Becoming A College Town
W
ith a check for $18 million, the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey is going back where it came from — and neither college president Herman Saatkamp nor Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian could be happier. In 1971, with construction of its first classroom building behind schedule on its bucolic Pinelands campus in Galloway Township, school trustees leased the rundown Mayflower Hotel on the Atlantic City Boardwalk as a temporary campus. Forty-four years later, Stockton, which is on the verge achieving university status, is returning to the Boardwalk, albeit in a much swankier setting. On his seventh attempt to establish a campus in Atlantic City, Saatkamp hit the jackpot. Using money from its $100 million endowment fund and not taxpayer dollars, Stockton purchased the former Showboat Casino Hotel from Caesars Entertainment in an all-cash deal. Stockton will repurpose the 26-acre property as its Island Campus and University Park. By fall, juniors, seniors, and graduate students will be learning in classrooms where there were once slot machines and blackjack tables. The school will generate income by using one of the building’s towers as a public hotel; the other guest rooms will be become student housing. The school will likely install restaurants that will be open to the public and probably dedicate some space in the 1.6-million-square-foot building to retail outlets. Saatkamp says there are examples throughout the country of how the expansion of colleges and universities has sparked a renaissance in a community in cities like Tampa, Florida and Columbus, Ohio. As Stockton’s Island Campus grows and matures, he expects the area surrounding it on the fringe of Atlantic City’s Inlet section to take on a new look and life. Still, spending cuts and layoffs are in the city’s future. The Atlantic City Alliance, which has been marketing and advertising Atlantic City with its DO AC campaign with a casino-funded yearly budget of $30 million has already been disbanded. However, Stockton’s purchase of Showboat, along with the sale of the former Atlantic Club casino hotel to a successful residential and commercial real estate developer, are signs the city may be slowly turning the corner as it continues its transition into something more than just another gaming town. Another positive sign is the sale of The Pier Shops at Caesars to Philadelphia developer Bart Blatstein, who has a solid track record of success in that city. Like Stockton, which all but stole Showboat for a fraction of its true value, Blatstein grabbed the pier for just $2.5 million, about 10% of what it cost to build nine years ago. Change doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s often painful. But as long as there are people like Saatkamp and Blatstein willing to invest their time and reputations in the future of Atlantic City’s, there’s plenty of reason for optimism.
Dar la Hendricks Publisher
njlifestyleonline.com
LIFESTYLE | March Issue 2015
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CONTENTS FEATURES First Person
16
A sitdown with local broadcaster Harry Hurley.
Lifestyle Travel
8
A visit to enticing Arizona.
14
On Wheels The luxury SUV invasion.
Lifestyle Art
20
Making art history in Atlantic City.
D EPA RTME NTS the Scenes 12 Behind Meet the talented local icons of NJ Lifestyle. Legends 24 Lifestyle The top 10 casino films. Gallery 28 Dining All the details on the area’s great dining venues.
In Lifestyle Travel, we visit a one-of-a-kind resort, where there is something for everyone to enjoy. Page 16.
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March Issue 2015 | LIFESTYLE njlifestyleonline.com
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Lifestyle Report is published by New Jersey Lifestyle, LLC. The entire contents of Lifestyle Report are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the express written consent of the publisher. New Jersey Lifestyle, LLC assumes no liability for products or services advertised herein. New Jersey Lifestyle, LLC reserves the right to edit, rewrite or refuse editorial material and assumes no responsibility for accuracy, errors or omissions. All correspondence should be sent to:
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First Person
The Ultimate Morning Person Photo by Gregg Kohl
A sitdown with local broadcast personality Harry Hurley
Left, Harry Hurley with Governor Christie. Above, Harry Hurley at the microphone.
South Jersey’s “mayor of the morning,” is not a politician.
Harry Hurley, morning talk-show host on WPG-AM 1450, has entertained and informed area residents for more than two decades. His daily program covers politics, business, health, and just about anything that people want to know about. The show airs weekday mornings from 6 to 10 AM. Hurley began his radio career in 1992, after working at The Press of Atlantic City and Trump’s Castle Casino Resort. In November 2013, he was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame. Hurley, 54, lives in Egg Harbor Township with his wife, Margie. They have three grown children — Kristin, Lauren, and Robert — and one grandson, Noah. New Jersey Lifestyle met with Hurley in WPG’s Northfield studio. LIFESTYLE: HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN BROADCASTING? Hurley: This is a remarkable story. I was running for mayor of my hometown, Ventnor. I didn’t win the election, but in the end, I really did win the race. I did appearances as a candidate on the two local radio talk shows that were around at the time and I fell in love with the business. I talked to my wife and said, “I think I can be good at this, and I want to give it a try.” I approached Dick Taylor and John Speeney, who were general manager and program director (at what was then WFPG). I was a decent public speaker, but I had no background in radio. So I put together this incredible binder with a proposal for my program, and I said that my first guest would be Governor Jim Florio. The truth be known, I didn’t have Governor Florio scheduled. That’s not usually my approach in life, because I believe in being honest. I had a bit of rapport with the governor from my service on the Ventnor Board of Education and I took the shot that if I got the show, I’d get the governor. Much to my absolute shock, I was hired on the spot. I was pleasantly surprised, but I had to go to work and I had to get the governor. I called Governor Florio, and asked him to appear on the program, which was two hours in the beginning. He agreed to be a guest, and said he wanted to come to the studio. I had thought this interview would be on the phone and for a
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March Issue 2015 | LIFESTYLE njlifestyleonline.com
By ELAINE ROSE
few minutes. He agreed to do an hour and came all the way to Atlantic City, which no governor had ever done before. After the first hour, he asked “Harry, can I stay for the second hour?” I said, “Of course, you’re the governor.” My career was made, because if on your first show, you deliver the governor, then any level below that was easy. I’ve always been very fond of Governor Florio, because I truly believe he was integral in my career. I am also very proud of my current relationship with Governor (Chris) Christie. My wife surprised me with a twentiethanniversary special, and all these people from my past and present called in. Governor Florio was one of those people. I said, “Governor, it’s twenty years now, the statute of limitations has ended, and I want to come clean.” I told him on-air the story of how I promised him before I had him confirmed.
LIFESTYLE: WHAT IS THE SHOW’S FORMAT? Hurley: For those who think I only talk politics, that’s not true. We do a combination of things. The program has staying power because we give diversity. We have Governor Christie on one minute, then we have a financial advisor on the next. We try to make half the program of each day “open forum,” where people can call in and talk about whatever they want. We have more than twenty-five presenting advertisers on the program. We mix a combination of segments. For example, once a month, we do “all about your pets,” “ask your financial advisor,” or “ask the mortgage expert,” and so on. The other thing we do is that I only have one of each vocation on my show. You can’t love Coca-Cola at eight o’clock in the morning and Pepsi Cola at nine o’clock. I have a lot of loyalty because I’m loyal to my presenting sponsors. You won’t hear competing messages on the program. LIFESTYLE: YOU SEEM TO HAVE ACCESS TO A LOT OF INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SOUTH JERSEY, SOME NOT REPORTED IN OTHER MEDIA. HOW DO YOU DO IT? Hurley: I have great sources who trust me. I have never burned a source, even when that requires I take a lot of heat for it. I aggressively go after news. I’m not saying other people don’t work hard, they do. But over almost twenty-five years, I have been able to cultivate relationships with people who know I can be trusted. Another thing, my program became a home for people that nobody else would give an ear to, and I would try to help them. Somebody might be being taken advantage of, either by government or by circumstance, and we give them an opportunity to be heard. Then it becomes self-fulfilling. People would say, “If you want to get the word out, call Harry.” I have an expression, “learned and confirmed.” It means it’s almost a hundred percent I will not have to take it back. I’ve only had to retract once. It was my false announcement that Jean Webster had died. Two county-level officials confirmed it for me. Three other people in the media reported it before I did. But I learned as a little boy from my dad and my mom, if you
make a mistake, own up to it. So I apologized and then I raised $8,000 for Sister Jean’s Kitchen and brought it over to her. She said, “You can say I died every day.” LIFESTYLE: WHO ARE SOME THE MORE INTERESTING GUESTS YOU’VE HAD ON THE SHOW? Hurley: Governor Chris Christie immediately comes to mind. I just enjoy him. In a day when everybody measures every word, every sentence, before they say it, (he’s unrehearsed). He is the same guy I met before he was a candidate for governor. I interviewed Newt Gingrich when he was the sitting Speaker of the House in 1994. He only picked a couple of (talk hosts) in the whole country. Republicans hadn’t been in the majority (in Congress) in forty years, and to be selected by the Speaker, it was a big deal and a huge honor. I interviewed mentalist Uri Geller. He did an on-air experiment. He told people to get a broken clock, a broken watch, and gave people a couple of minutes to get it. He then did his thing. My wife’s watch that hadn’t worked in a decade started to run. I heard from dozens of other listeners that Uri Geller started their broken watches and broken clocks. This happened live on the air. I was selected to interview President Bill Clinton. But, unfortunately, his decision to bomb Iraq got in the way. I had a scheduled interview. I was really looking forward to it, but it got cancelled, literally right before air time. LIFESTYLE: ON MAY 31, 1996, YOU GUEST-HOSTED OLIVER NORTH’S NATIONAL SHOW. WHAT WAS THAT LIKE? Hurley: It was incredible. He was on 148 radio stations in all 50 states. Ollie had been a guest on my show. He was running for the United States Senate, and while he was running, he had to take (an occasional) break from his show. He called me one day and said, “Harry, I want you come down to do my show.” I couldn’t believe it, a little guy in the Atlantic City — Cape May metro New Jersey market, being asked to host a national show. It was one of the crown jewels of my broadcasting career.
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LIFESTYLE: TELL US ABOUT YOUR CHARITY WORK. Hurley: Eight years ago, I started the Hurley in the Morning charity. People often came to me when there was a need. I decided that, rather than do it adhoc, let me start a charity and do it in an organized manner. I’m very proud that in less than eight years, we’ve raised over $500,000. We have donated to more than a 100 charities. LIFESTYLE: ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO TELL OUR READERS? Hurley: You never know where life is going to take you. I never dreamed that I’d have this blessing of an almost twenty-five-year career in broadcasting. My father told me when I was a little boy, find something you love to do and you’ll never work a day in your life. It’s been a great ride. I hope we’re just at halftime. n
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LifeStyle
behind the scenes
Meet the talented local icons of New Jersey Lifestyle Magazine. They are the creators and innovators that make our luxurious magazine and website current, vibrant, and successful. Each icon has their own star quality, giving New Jersey Lifestyle its unique image.
Robin Stoloff
Health Reporter Robin Stoloff had recently joined Townsquare Media with her Health Update features and new program, Living Well with Robin Stoloff, Sundays from 9-11 AM on Lite Rock 96.9 WFPG FM. Robin was host, creator, and producer of the longest-running health series in New Jersey, the award-winning Health Update medical series which aired on NBC 40 for almost 30 years. A certified fitness instructor and fitness competitor, Robin produced her own workout video on the beaches of Atlantic City, called Rock Hard with Robin, to encourage an active lifestyle. Robin also writes her own health column for New Jersey Lifestyle. A fitness enthusiast, she plays on a USTA tennis team and works out almost every day. Originally from the Philadelphia area, Robin has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from Villanova University, where she graduated cum laude. She resides in Atlantic County with her husband, attorney Richard Stoloff and two children.
David Spatz
David Spatz, the Emmy Award-winning news director for Longport Media, is a veteran print, television, and radio journalist. Born in Atlantic City, David spent 22 years as a news reporter, senior staff writer, and columnist for The Press of Atlantic City, where he became known for his coverage of casino entertainment. His columns currently appear in The Courier-Post in Cherry Hill and in Atlantic City Weekly. He has hosted and produced a variety of local, regional, and nationally-syndicated television series and specials. He is the host and co-producer of the entertainment series Curtain Call, which won an Emmy Award for outstanding interview/discussion series. On News Talk 1400 WOND, David anchors The South Jersey Edition at noon and The South Jersey Edition PRIME at 6, the only live midday and evening broadcast news programs in southern New Jersey. He also produces and hosts special programming for several of Longport Media’s five radio stations.
Harry Hurley
Michelle Dawn Mooney
South Jersey native Michelle Dawn Mooney has been working in the media world since she was a teenager. Her wealth of experience in journalism and broadcasting started with her first job in radio when she was just 19. Her first stint as news director and radio news anchor served as a launching pad for a successful career that has included hosting several radio morning shows, authoring numerous articles in local and national publications, and more than 15 years in broadcast television, most recently with the NBC affiliate in Atlantic City. Michelle is also a highly-acclaimed singer/songwriter and is currently working on her first album. As a wife and stepmother to three teenagers, she can also often be found in the kitchen following her other passion, whipping up new recipes and baking some of her favorite sweet treats. Her favorite way of burning off those dessert calories, Mixed Martial Arts.
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Atlantic City-born Harry Hurley began his broadcasting career in 1992 on WFPG 1450 AM, when he created the program, “Hurley in the Morning.” Hurley has been known as The Mayor of the Morning in South Jersey for more than two decades. He is presently the senior programming consultant for Townsquare Media, Atlantic City's WPG Talk Radio 1450, as well as the host of the “Hurley in the Morning” Radio Program. Hurley was the former afternoon talk show host for News Talk 1400 WOND Radio, and the former vice president of programming & operations for WIBG 1020 AM Radio (talk format) and Wibbage FM 94.3 Radio (Oldies Music) stations. In 2013, Hurley was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia's Hall of Fame. This gave him the distinction of being the only person from South Jersey ever elected to this prestigious Hall of Fame.
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Eternitys Breath by Francis Mesaros
Diary of Discoveries by Vladimir Kush
An Artist’s Dream Making art history in Atlantic City
David Holtzman
By MOLLY GOLUBCOW
A
s a local artist and art lover, David Holtzman has been creating and displaying art since he was eight years old. Art is in his blood; part of his genetic makeup. He grew up in the 1960s watching his father, also an artist, buying unique art such as Peter Max’s work and displaying them around their Philadelphia home. Holtzman went on to become a book and magazine cover illustrator working for the Philadelphia Inquirer, Good Housekeeping, and many other publications. In addition to his illustrator career, he also created numerous sculptures and portraits over the last 30 years, including James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Muhammad Ali, and other celebrities. As an evolving artist, he always seeks out new things for his own art. According to Holtzman, “I am always trying new and different types of images and media, as did Picasso and other versatile master artists from around the world.” If David Holtzman could be a famous artist, he would be “a
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March Issue 2015 | LIFESTYLE njlifestyleonline.com
Picasso with a touch of Van Gogh and a splash of Gauguin.”
Quinn, a very 1928 Deco piece by Louis Icart, and a moody Salvador Dali.
“I chose Ventnor as a SoHo by the Beach for the location of my first gallery.”
“The Holtzman Gallery at The Claridge will be a one-of-a-kind creative art venue.”
In 2012, Holtzman opened a gallery on Atlantic Avenue in Ventnor featuring his own work, as well as some of his favorite artists. Why Ventnor? Holtzman, a transplant from Philadelphia to Ventnor explains, “I see Ventnor as having more character than Margate or Longport with a touch of city feel … just a block from the beach, with major window visibility and the only high-end, fine art gallery on the island — and in Atlantic County for that matter.” Offering new and exciting art is what Holtzman Gallery does best, featuring Peter Max, Dali, Erté, Icart, John Lennon, Anthony Quinn, and many more. Although Holtzman loves many of the pieces in his gallery, some of his favorites include a self-portrait of Anthony
Holtzman’s vision for his gallery is becoming a three-fold reality: 1. Creating a museum setting where people are welcome to look and enjoy over 1,000 works of art, but, in the nature of a true fine art gallery, offer what is exhibited for sale. 2. Displaying the works of world-renowned artists — some that are sold exclusively at the gallery, and 3. Offering works by local artists, well-known or budding, added to the versatile collection of fine-quality art “never seen together under the same roof.” Featuring something for everyone’s tastes, the gallery will display oil, acrylic, and water color paintings, museum quality limitededition prints, and one-of-a-kind original pieces by Anthony Quinn, Francis Mesaros, Burt Young, Vladimir Kush, Nicola Simbari,
Lifestyle Art Artist Anthony Quinn
Artist Burt Young
“If I could have any piece of art in the world, I would want a Vincent Van Gogh self-portrait — he was a painter’s painter.”
David Holtzman, and many more. There will be no two artists with any art similar to each other. In addition to paintings, the gallery will offer a mix of sculpture, from huge bronze pieces to marble, stone, metal, glass, and mixed media art. After a soft opening in late January, Holtzman hopes to host a grand opening in the spring. Located off the first floor lobby of the Claridge Hotel, the art exhibits will be free to the public Monday-Thursday, 10:00 AM-5:30 PM and Friday-Saturday 10 AM-10 PM. In the future, the gallery may offer more extended weekend hours to accommodate late-night art enthusiasts. Additionally, there will be a free, gallery-only parking lot directly outside its entrance doors at Park Place and Pacific Avenue. “The Holtzman Gallery will be the hip place to have special high-end events, such as black tie cocktail receptions, and we are getting requests for wedding ceremonies too.” The Claridge Hotel, one of the last holdouts still standing from the old, classic Atlantic City skyline, decided to close its casino floor last year and concentrate on rebirthing itself into a boutique setting with fine dining and other amenities. Following that new philosophy, Holtzman has transformed the area where hundreds of slot machines once clanged 24/7 into a 20,000-square-foot art gallery. He hopes and feels that his vision will become “…the largest fine art gallery space in the world.” The museum will have a sleek, contemporary feel, but retain some of its 1930s traditional touches reminiscent of the
times when the Claridge was built. All walls are white with subtle touches of gold and brass railings illuminated with extravagant chandeliers. Vaulted ceilings create a multilevel space — the upper level, steps up from the main floor, houses the “Holtzman Collection.” The “Alex & Doris Collection” (named after Holtzman’s parents who passed in 2012) is located on the lower level. The art pieces will be displayed on uniquely designed, diagonal nine feet high walls, allowing for plenty of ”breathing space” throughout the gallery for the art and sculptures. The gallery is Holtzman’s baby, his love, his life, and he has carefully hovered over every detail, from architectural plans to carpet colors. He meticulously controls the horizontal and the vertical to create a unique venue for art and art goers. Holtzman explains, “I exclusively designed all the floor plans in order to avoid cookie-cutter designs as if it were an art expo or trade show. I am creating a high-end museum atmosphere.” In addition to being a space to exhibit fine art, The Holtzman Gallery will also serve as a venue for special occasions like wedding receptions and other events where the art will serve as a backdrop. Already scheduled for February, Burt Young — actor, painter, writer, and director — will speak at a Greater Chamber of Commerce event at the gallery. Young, who made his name playing rough-edged, working class Italian-American characters, is best-known for his signature role as Sylvester Stallone's brother-in-law Paulie in Rocky. Holtzman is excited to have Young as one of the first speakers at his gallery because Young’s art has been displayed in galleries throughout the world.
In March, the Garden State Film Festival — New Jersey's premiere independent film festival — will hold festival events in the Holtzman Gallery. Hosting the festival is a much-needed feather in Atlantic City’s cap and for the new gallery as well. In the past, the Garden State Film Festival has attracted a host of famed actors, including Glenn Close, Celeste Holm, Ed Asner, and the late James Gandolfini. “I believe I will be the city’s engineer and torch holder, to finally make Atlantic City a true place for the arts.” Why build his gallery in Atlantic City? Holtzman feels the city is entering a new era, a “rebirth.” He sees Atlantic City becoming a resort where beach, boardwalk, ocean, art, entertainment, dining, shopping, and gaming blend into a positive experience that draws people to AC. Holtzman is a huge proponent for reinventing Atlantic City, but with a touch of art. According to Holtzman, “Many venues already exist, and are not known. The Gallery at Claridge will be a champion of such, and will get the word out internationally about our gallery, what exists now, and what is still to come.” Like a true master, a perfectionist, and artist, Holtzman aims high. He believes his idea will help draw people to his gallery to see and/or buy amazing pieces of art. If the city is a blank canvas ready for reinvention, Holtzman feels his art selections and the gallery itself will paint an exciting and new “portrait” of the city that will “… help put Atlantic City on the map as far as fine art goes.” n njlifestyleonline.com
LIFESTYLE | March Issue 2015
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Lifestyle Travel
Enticing
Arizona
Visit a one-of-a-kind desert resort, where there's something for everyone to enjoy By DAN SCHLOSSBERG Patio off the lobby
Mother of Pearl pool
Phoenix spring training Outside mountain view
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I
n The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy steps from the black-and-white world of her storm-tossed farmhouse into a land ablaze with color. A similar metamorphosis occurs when guests arrive at The Phoenician, a sprawling Arizona resort where flowers, shrubs, and smiling staff members bloom all year. The five-diamond retreat is a living kaleidoscope, with vast carpets of well-manicured green lawns lined by palms, cacti, and flora of every description. Somebody must be laying out paths of petals to welcome new arrivals and question the sanity of anyone with the audacity to leave. Both the view and the aroma are enticing. No wonder so many guests make a Phoenician vacation an annual event. Some come for the subterranean spa, a 22,000 square-foot complex creatively called the Centre for Well-Being. With 24 treatment rooms, massages of all types mix with vigorous fitness classes to present a wide variety of options. Other visitors come to eat, choosing among Il Terrazzo (contemporary Italian), J & G Steakhouse (modern American), and Relish Burger Bistro, a sports bar and lounge overlooking a golf course that looks inviting even to guests who don’t play. The Phoenician also features five casual dining options and eight private ones, though it’s still possible to have a poolside hot dog. No request is too big or too small at this resort. Nestled at the base of Camelback Mountain, just beyond the border between Phoenix and Scottsdale, The Phoenician blends desert scenery with plush accommodations. Its 643 rooms range from individual casitas to the Canyon Suites, a boutique hotel within a hotel, though some guests prefer staying in the main building. All are spacious, with a minimum of 600 square feet. Both celebrities and civilians welcome the seclusion, plus the proximity to tony Scottsdale, just a quick hop down Camelback Road (upscale Fashion Square is less than one mile away). It’s easy to get lost at the Phoenician, by accident or on purpose. It has 27 holes of championship golf courses; nine pools, including a kiddie area added only recently; a myriad of tennis courts; and dozens of other recreational activities ranging from the kidfriendly Funicians Club to a desert explorers program, digital center, and something called the Whole Lotta Hole Golf Gala, which is
Lou Marchiano FOR MEN
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LIFESTYLE | March Issue 2015
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offered during peak holiday periods. A water slide sends a siren call to guests of all ages while a well-stocked koi pond is filled with photogenic fish so friendly that they actually beg for food. The savvy Phoenician concierge helps guests plan such activities as hot air balloon trips, wagon rides, and baseball games — especially during the six-week spring training period that runs from mid-February to the start of April. Just 15 minutes from Sky Harbor Airport, the Phoenician is little more than a stone’s throw from Old Town Scottsdale. Visitors who venture off campus for breakfast will enjoy the Breakfast Club, across the street from the Scottsdale Visitors and Convention Bureau, and windowshopping in the same area. Even though the frenzy has subsided from the February Super Bowl — played at the University of Phoenix in Glendale — fans of both spectator and participation sports won’t be disappointed. All four major sports have teams in the area, which also hosts the home office of the Society for
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American Baseball Research [SABR]. Many rave over the food and the decor at Don and Charlie’s, an upscale steakhouse dripping with signed memorabilia. During the 2011 All-Star break hosted by the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, notable guests included baseball Commissioner Bud Selig and Hall of Fame manager Joe Torre. Phoenician guests never run out of ideas for day trips. Ideas range from a walk on Mill Avenue, a five-block boat blend of off-beat bistros and boutiques catering the college crowd to a boat ride on nearby Tempe Town Lake. Changing Hands Bookstore, also in Tempe, has shelves of unusual titles plus a regular schedule of appearances by celebrity authors. Other options include a stroll through the Native American art at the Heard Museum and visits to Taliesin West, a home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and the Musical Instrument Museum (the MIM). The lengthy must-see list also includes the Scottsdale Historical Museum, a seasonal
(September-May) enterprise in a historic red schoolhouse; the Scottsdale Center for Performing Arts, where venues range from jazz and dance to classic music and theater; and guided tours on pink jeeps, helicopters, or on foot (hour-long walks through Old Town). An adobe mission, erected in 1933 with 6,000 bricks, is one of the oldest in the state. There are museums dedicated to contemporary art, broadcasting in Arizona, and even the annual Fiesta Bowl. Since the benign climate inspires artists and sculptors, strollers on Marshall Way will find a quartet of worthy works: Horseshoe Falls, Jack Knife, Fifth Avenue Horse Fountain, and Passing of the Legacy. Not to be overlooked, the Phoenix Zoo features a safari train; the Hall of Flame Fire Museum has hundreds of artifacts; and the Arizona Capitol Museum, where admission is free, showcases the evolution of the state’s history from its free-wheeling territorial days. Wild Horse Pass has a motor sports park and casino. Out of Africa offers humans
a chance to see lions, tigers, and zebras in spacious habitats. Don’t ask why there’s a planetarium at the Arizona Science Center; the natural altitude of the high desert makes for perfect viewing of the stars, albeit without the omnipresent pointer. To best commune with nature, hiking, biking, and photography are passions for many visitors. Echo Canyon Trail on Camelback Mountain is challenging, while South Mountain is the largest municipal park in the country. For superb sunset shots, Papago Park’s Hole in the Rock forms a natural skylight. Pinnacle Peak Park has a scenic trail that climbs to 2,889 feet less than a mile in. Although the Grand Canyon is four hours away, the 145-acre Desert Botanical Garden has proximity to the Phoenician and a plethora of different plants and species. The Japanese Friendship Gardens, a downtown Phoenix oasis, even has its own koi pond, plus a traditional teahouse. Restored structures from Victorian times stand in Heritage Square, the only spot
where 21st century guests can sample 19th century architecture from the city’s early days. Still in use, they house an education center, a pub, and a restaurant. Seeing everything would require multiple return visits but few Phoenician guests complain. The resort encourages business and leisure travelers, families, and convention groups. All seem to enjoy the resort’s latest feature, called Flight of the Phoenix. Launched just months ago, the sunset ritual — scheduled for Friday and Saturday nights — features Master Falconer Robby Sinkler and some of the wild birds that live on the premises. Robby recounts the tale of the Phoenix, a Mayan Fire Spirit that ancient civilizations believed was their protector. According to legend, the bird could live for 1,000 years but then ignites its own feathers to rise from the ashes as a symbol of rebirth and renewal. The Phoenician has finished its own renewal, spending $100 million for a resort-wide upgrade over the last six years.
It obviously worked: though more than 25 years old, it looks like it just opened. That is just another reason why people keep coming back. Most rent cars but that’s not essential; the local light-rail system links Sky Harbor Airport with several surrounding communities. It even has a stop at the front gate of Chase Field, home of the baseball Diamondbacks from April through September. During spring training, however, 14 other teams also play in Greater Phoenix. For further information, contact The Phoenician, 6000 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251, Tel.: 480-941-8200, ThePhoenician.com. n Former AP newsman Dan Schlossberg of Fair Lawn, NJ is travel editor of New Jersey Lifestyle and The Maggie Linton Show on Sirius XM Satellite Radio. He is also host and executive producer of Travel Itch Radio, a 30-minute weekly podcast, and president emeritus of the North American Travel Journalists Association.
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LIFESTYLE | March Issue 2015
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On Wheels By ELAINE ROSE
Porsche Cayenne
The Luxury SUV Invasion The elite automotive manufacturers are entering the SUV market with sleek and sexy alternatives THE STOCK MARKET WAS VERY GOOD TO INVESTORS in 2014. If you have an extra hundred grand or more burning a hole in your portfolio, many car dealers are more than willing to take it off your hands in exchange for a fine machine. But it might be wise to let those funds grow for just a little longer, as some of the top automakers across the pond are preparing to introduce SUVs that will have you driving in the lap of luxury â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and drooling while you wait
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for them to appear in a showroom. These SUVs are based on cars, instead of being modeled after trucks. They promise better handling and fuel efficiency than the huge vehicles that have taken over American roads in the last twentyfive years. Think Porsche, Maserati, Bentley, and maybe even RollsRoyce. Porsche entered the sport-utility market in 2003 with the
Maserati Levante Cayenne. Now in its second generation, the Cayenne comes in about half a dozen models, including a twin-turbo V8 and a hybrid. The base Cayenne is a five-seater with six-speed automatic transmission and 300 horsepower. The bells and whistles — and the power — only go up from there. The center console has fifty buttons, Edmunds reports, but they are laid out in such a way to be easy to master. The luxurious interior is made of sumptuous materials and has “ample standard features and as many options as your bank account can handle,” states Edmunds. The rear seats both recline and can move back and forth. The only drawbacks are limited cargo space, at 62.9 cubic feet, and that it doesn’t handle well on rough terrain. The 2015 Cayenne comes equipped with a USB port, Bluetooth for hands-free cell-phone conversation, a navigation system, a 7-inch touch screen, and luxurious wood and leather furnishings. Optional upgrades include state-of-the-art audio, an entertainment system for rear-seat passengers, and cameras and other devices to improve safety. Motor Trend’s test drive of the 2015 Cayenne SUV reports a very quiet ride, even at the high speeds of the German Autobahn. Don’t even think about driving that fast in the United States unless you want to attract serious attention from the highway patrol. If you like the concept but prefer a smaller vehicle, the Cayenne Coupe could be on the market as early as the 2016 model year,
though 2017 or 2018 is more likely. The base price is slated to be about $60,000. Motor Trend reports that the coupe will be closer to the ground and have a lower center of gravity than the Cayenne SUV, and have a sleek appearance resembling the 918 Spyder. Buyers will have a choice of several different engines. Maserati, the Italian luxury sports car manufacturer, is scheduled to begin production on its first SUV later this year at its plant in Turin. The Levante will start at about $60,000, and share many aspects of the Maserati Ghibli and Quattroporte. Many photos of
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LIFESTYLE | March Issue 2015
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Bentley Bentayga
the Levante have been taken on the sly and posted online, as the model is not yet listed on the company’s official website. It is scheduled to be introduced in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show and be available for sale shortly thereafter. The buyer will have a choice of three engines, two gasoline and one diesel, mylovelycars.com reports. Rolls Royce The twin-turbo 3.0-liter, V6 engine will have 530 horsepower. For more oomph, the 3.8-liter V8 engine is similar to that of the Quattroporte, and will have 530 horsepower. The V6 diesel engine will be less powerful, but may be available only in Europe. Drivers will be able to operate the Levante with a ninespeed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic. If you’re fond of British automotive technology and money is no object, The United Kingdom’s two most pricey automakers are considering adding an SUV to their lineups. After whetting the appetites of the luxury-car loving public for three years, Bentley — the maker of choice for Queen Elizabeth II — introduced its first SUV at the North American International Auto
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Show, that kicked off January 17 in Detroit. The SUV will be called the Bentayga, named after a rugged peak in the Canary Islands. With prices starting at about $150,000, Bentley is touting the Bentayga as the priciest SUV on the planet. “The Bentley SUV will be the most exclusive, most luxurious, and most expensive SUV in the world,” Wolfgang Duerheimer, head of the Crewe, England company said at a press conference in January. “The level of luxury will be extraordinary.” Despite the hefty price tag, about four thousand potential buyers have already expressed interest in the Bentayga, Bloomberg News reported. It will compete with the Porsche Cayenne and the Land
ON WHEELS
Rover. Promotional videos on the company’s website show leather being hand-cut, exterior trim applied with loving hands, a moon roof, and a fancy grille, to name a few features. The driver will feel safe and confident on all terrains and all kinds of weather conditions. “In this serene space, you can look beyond the topography of the world outside to the fine and beautiful details of the landscape,” one video states. But there is one vehicle above a Bentley, and that’s a Rolls-Royce. It is not yet certain that Rolls will produce an SUV, but if it does, expect it to appear in the 2018 model year. Count on paying at least $300,000 for the privilege of driving it on the Garden State Parkway. Also plan to drive a distance to purchase one, as the only South Jersey dealer is in Palmyra. The Rolls-Royce SUV would have a twelve-cylinder engine based on one made by its parent company, BMW. Top income earners must have been doing well since the recession, as Rolls-Royce announced record sales for five years in a row, The Telegraph of London reported in January. CEO Torsten Muller-Otvos told the newspaper that Rolls-Royce will announce by the end of 2015 whether or not it will begin production on an SUV. “For me, the main question has always been, ‘Is this the right segment for Rolls-Royce, does Rolls-Royce fit into that segment, and how will we look in that segment?’ We are working on that intensively and we are making progress,” MullerOtvos told The Telegraph. But if this SUV does come to fruition, expect the ultimate in luxury and the opportunity to custom-order it according to your exact specifications. Rolls-Royce offers 44,000 standard paint colors, and can mix even more hues to meet the demands of its discriminating customers, The Telegraph reported. There are five thousand possible interior design combinations available just from standard options, and the veneers on the wooden trims “are more individual than fingerprints.” “A Rolls-Royce is a piece of art admired by many people,” Muller-Otvos told the British newspaper. “We have a broad set of bespoken opportunities that no one else offers you ... customers get all their dreams fulfilled.” n njlifestyleonline.com
LIFESTYLE | March Issue 2015
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Lifestyle Legends
By SHERRY HOFFMAN
TOP 10 Casino Films There are literally dozens of films with casino scenes and themes, ranging from comedies (Vegas Vacation) to sci-fi (Mars Attacks) to heart-pounding dramas (21). Some were filmed in Atlantic City, others in Las Vegas. In no particular order (except perhaps number one), here’s our list of Top 10 favorite or most memorable films where casino gambling was one of the characters.
1. Atlantic City (1980)
Director Louie Malle didn’t falsely glamorize Atlantic City in his treatment of this gritty tale of drugs and murder, shot in Atlantic City in 1979. Malle’s film earned him nominations for Oscar’s “big five” trophies. Unfortunately, it didn’t win any of the honors. The film centers on One-time gangland errand boy Lou Pascal (played to perfection by Lancaster) had the film’s most memorable line when he was trying to describe the “old” Atlantic City to a newcomer: “Yes, you should have seen the Atlantic Ocean back then.” Bet you didn’t know: The Boardwalk Regency Hotel & Casino (now Caesars Atlantic City), one of just two casinos opened during principal photography, was Malle’s first choice to shoot. But since the casino only had a temporary New Jersey gaming license — and portions of the plot revolved around cocaine — the casino passed and the movie was filmed at Resorts, which had a permanent gaming license.
2. Casino (1995)
Sharon Stone was nominated for best actress in this violent but fairly accurate film of casino life in Las Vegas in the 1990s, although the mob influence angle was probably very exaggerated; the Strip had pretty much cleaned up its act by then. Casino was another brilliant piece of filmmaking for Martin Scorsese, but the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences ignored him just as they did for Atlantic City. The movie featured an all-star cast (Robert DiNero, Joe Pesci, James Wood and a great turn by Don Rickles as a casino manager). Bet you didn’t know: In Casino, actors dropped the f-bomb 435 times, a Hollywood record at the time. During one two-minute scene between Pesci and DeNiro, Pesci used the naughty word — and its various permutations — 18 effing times.
3. Ocean's 11 (1960)
George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, and company did a great job with their 2001 remake (Ocean’s 12), but nothing tops the original with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop, and Peter Lawford. Danny Ocean (Sinatra) and his pals pull off the biggest heist in the history of Las Vegas as they simultaneously rob five casinos at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve. Some mistakenly believe the film gave rise to the term “Rat Pack,” but it wasn’t used until the mid-1960s, and never by its members. They referred to their appearances as “the Summit,” a term Sinatra borrowed from the 1961 Vienna Summit. Bet you didn’t know: Jack Golden Russell was a gas station attendant in Las Vegas in the late 1950s. When Frank Sinatra pulled in to fill up, Russell sensed an opportunity and handed Ol’ Blue Eyes a movie script he’d just completed. The title? “Ocean’s 11.”
4. 21 (2008)
In this true story, Micky Rosa (Kevin Spacey) is an M.I.T. math professor who teaches a team of his best students how to count cards in blackjack. The team makes weekend trips to Las Vegas, where they use their skills to relieve casinos of hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash. What never made it into the movie is that the team successfully tested and perfected their system in Atlantic City’s casinos. Bet you didn’t know: Laurence Fishburne, who plays a casino security chief, doesn’t like card-counters. After working over a cheater with a bloody beating, he sends him on his way with the admonition, “You wanna count cards, you do it in Atlantic City!”
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5. Rain Man (1988)
Only a small portion of this film was shot at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, but it was pivotal to the plot. Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise) is a luxury car dealer who needs to repay $80,000 in deposit money to keep his business from collapsing. During a cross-country trip with his long-lost and severely autistic brother Ray (Dustin Hoffman), Charlie discovers Ray is a math and memory savant. He teaches Ray the basics of blackjack and, thanks to his brother’s ability to count into a six-deck blackjack shoe, proceeds to win the $80K he needs. Bet you didn’t know: The scene in which the brothers are jammed into a phone booth and Hoffman breaks wind was improvised, but director Barry Levinson kept Cruise’s f-bomb reaction in the film. Hoffman has said that of all the films he’s made during his career, the fart scene was his all-time favorite moment.
6. Snake Eyes (1998)
A good portion of this film was shot in Atlantic City, where Ricky Santoro (Nicholas Cage) is a corrupt but flamboyant Atlantic City cop whose dream is to get elected mayor. Meanwhile, he becomes involved in the investigation into a political assassination that happens during the middle of a big championship boxing match on the Boardwalk. During the course of the probe, Ricky discovers his best friend is involved in the killing. Now he has to make a choice — turn the other way and continue to live his comfortable life, or do the right thing, which could cost him his political ambitions. The original ending which involved a tidal wave sweeping through an Atlantic City casino was cut in post-production. Bet you didn’t know: At the end of Snake Eyes, the mayor of Atlantic City presents an award. It was state Sen. Jim Whelan, who at the time was mayor of Atlantic City.
7. Rounders (1998)
Mike McDermott (Matt Damon) loses his whole bankroll of $30,000 in one hand against a mobster (John Malkovich) who runs an illegal poker room. Mike promises his girlfriend (Gretchen Mol) he’s giving up poker to focus on becoming a lawyer. But then his childhood friend (played by Edward Norton), who is also a card shark, is freed from prison and still owes an outstanding debt that pre-dates his jail term. Mike tries to help his friend by getting back into “rounding,” a poker expression that means traveling around looking for high-stakes games. Ultimately, Mike beats the mobster, wins enough to pay off his buddy’s debt and drops out of law school to go to Las Vegas to play in the World Series of Poker. Bet you didn’t know: Edward Norton ad-libbed many of his lines in Rounders, including “she crossed her legs too fast,” a slight variation on a line used in by Jack Nicholson in 1974’s Chinatown.
8. National Lampoon's Vegas Vacation (1997)
In the fourth edition of the movie franchise, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase), wife Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo) and their kids come down with a severe case of “Vegas fever” and decide to vacation there. It’s every Vegas cliché including appearances by magicians Siegfried & Roy, Wayne Newton as himself, and a tour of the Hoover Dam. Our favorite character is Marty, a blackjack dealer played to shifty perfection by veteran character actor Wallace Shawn. Bet you didn’t know: Wayne Newton, once known as “Mr. Las Vegas,” didn’t have to travel far to film the scene in which he and Ellen Griswold have dinner in his opulent living room. The scene was actually filmed in the living room of Newton’s Casa de Shenandoah estate in Las Vegas.
9. Casino Royale (2006)
Daniel Craig takes on the role of James Bond in this updated version of the 1967 spoof that starred both Peter Sellers and Ursula Andress as 007. Bond takes on a wealthy arms dealer in a high-stakes poker game at Casino Royale, where things aren’t what they seem. The movie begins before Bond earns his “007” rating and his license to kill, but he quickly earns his stripes. His missions take him around the globe, and ultimately to the European nation of Montenegro where the marathon poker game takes place. Bet you didn’t know: One afternoon of filming cost the producers $1 million of its $150 million budget just in the number of cars it trashed. Three of James Bond’s favorite sets of wheels — the Aston Martin DBS, each worth over $300,000 — were destroyed during a car roll sequence.
10. Owning Mahowny (2003)
Although it wasn’t filmed in Atlantic City, the casinos play a key role in this true story of Canadian bank manager and gambling addict Dan Mahowny (played by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman). Mahowny’s betting interests expand from horses and sports to casinos, and he eventually sets up dummy accounts at his bank and uses the money to fly to Atlantic City and play in the casinos. He’s so hooked on gambling that he doesn’t know when to quit even after he wins a huge amount of money and continues to play until he loses it all back. Mahowny’s bank scam remains the biggest one-man bank job in Canadian history. Bet you didn’t know: The real person behind this true tale was named Brian Molony. His Atlantic City exploits — and the fact that a casino didn’t do any kind of background check resulted in large fines for several casino employees. He now works as a business consultant.
Sherry Hoffman, a freelance writer and show runner for Sherry Hoffman Public Relations, lives in Camelot II and is very proud to be a part of the Lifestyle family since its inception. njlifestyleonline.com
LIFESTYLE | March Issue 2015
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DINING Gallery Ram’s Head Inn
9 W. White Horse Pike, Galloway, NJ 609-652-1700 ramsheadinn.com The Ram’s Head Inn continues the long-standing tradition of superior quality food and service that the Knowles family brought to Southern New Jersey in 1979. This started at the Manor in the 1950s, and also continues at the Highlawn Pavilion and Pleasantdale Chateau (all located in West Orange, NJ). Traditional food and beverage is served with a contemporary flair at various venues within this one-of-a-kind restaurant. Executive chef Elio Gracia has provided outstanding culinary excellence for seventeen years, incorporating as many seasonal organic and locally-grown foods as possible. Walk-ins are always welcome.
Library IV
1030 N. Blk Horse Pike, Williamstown, NJ 856-728-8064 libraryiv.com The area’s greatest steakhouse under the direction of owner Brian O’Keeney. Offering quality prepared food and friendly service. Serving hand-cut steaks by the ounce, prime rib, seafood, veal and chicken. The Library IV restaurant has been the area’s top steakhouse for 30 years. A recently completed remodel includes a new kitchen, new 30-foot long salad bar and dining rooms. A casual and cozy atmosphere sets this restaurant apart from the others, and their commitment to top quality has stood the test of time.
Crab Trap
2 Broadway, Somers Point, NJ 609-927-7377 thecrabtrap.com Overlooking the Great Egg Harbor Bay in Somers Point is the Crab Trap Restaurant. Flourishing as a 400-seat full service restaurant serving the finest seafood in South Jersey. As many businesses expand, they often lose touch with the quality and small personal touches that made them special. At the Crab Trap, they don’t believe that has happened, or ever will.
Smithville Inn
Ventura's Offshore Cafe
2015 Shore Road, Northfield, NJ 609-641-5158 venturascafe.com Ventura's is a family restaurant and sportsman's bar with a cozy hometown atmosphere that makes you want to come back again and again. From their famous mussels marinara to their award-winning filet mignon, to their simply delicious gourmet pan pizzas, they offer fresh homemade meals to please everyone's palate.
A Touch of Italy
6629 Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Twp. 609-641-1855 touchofitaly.net A Touch of Italy offers the finest quality of food and service. Each meal served is cooked to order. A friendly and pleasurable atmosphere will make your visit a memorable one. Established in 1981 with more than 31 years of experience, this restaurant, banquet facility, and lounge serves only the finest natural veal, steaks, poultry, pasta, seafood and brick-oven pizza.
1 N. New York Road, Smithville, NJ 609-652-7777 smithvilleinn.com A lovely historical inn on 40 acres of pristine gardens and lakes. The Smithville Inn offers a wide selection of cuisine and is one of South Jersey’s premiere restaurants. Minutes away from Atlantic City, in the Historic Towne of Smithville. Serving sophisticated comfort food in a warm environment. Specialties include Chicken Pot Pie, Crab Cakes, and Osso Bucco Frico. A tradition of hospitality that has been carried on since 1787, remains. Banquets and private parties offerd, plus Sunday brunch.
Maplewood
470 White Horse Pike, Hammonton, NJ 6126 Black Horse Pike, Mays Landing, NJ 609-561-9621, 609-625-1181 maplewood.me For almost 70 years, Joe Italiano’s Maplewood has been known for its consistently great food! They believe that freshness and loving preparation are keys to satisfied customers. They have high standards for their food. Consistency can and should be expected. Food is fresh, salads are made to order, and pasta is boiled right before sauce is poured over it. “Gravy” or red sauce is made fresh daily and is loved by the locals in the area. They only use the finest ingredients at the Original Maplewood. Two locations — Same Great Food. Your Choice.
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Sofia
9314 Amherst Avenue, Margate, NJ 609-822-9111 sofiaofmargate.com Exhibiting classical Greco-Mediterranean design, Sofia invites you to enjoy her dinner table and share in a celebration of a wholesome cuisine built on homestyle cooking expressed by exceptional chefs and recipes acquired from past generations. Thus making Sofia a truly extraordinary South Jersey Greek restaurants.
The Melting Pot
2112 Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 609-441-1100 meltingpot.com At The Melting Pot, fondue truly becomes a memorable four-course dining experience. Patrons can dip into something different — and discover all the ingredients for a unique dining experience including a relaxed atmosphere, private tables, attentive service, fine wines and signature fondue dinners.
“Home of The World’s Best Spaghetti for over 70 years, and so much More!” Angeloni’s II
2400 Arctic Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 609-344-7875 angelonis.com Offering the finest Italian-American cuisine in the Atlantic City area. This family owned and operated businesses have been preparing the finest ItalianAmerican entrees in the greater NJ area for over 40 years. Angeloni’s II surrounds you in a warm and elegant ambiance fitting the fine dining you will be sure to enjoy.
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Roberta’s by Joe Muldoon
1205 Tilton Road, Northfield, NJ 609-677-0470 robertasbyjoemuldoon.com A young Joseph Muldoon found his passion for food early on; while still at a tender age he began to work in the kitchen of New Jersey country club, Scotland Run. It was through this experience that Chef Joseph knew he wanted to pursue a career in the culinary field, but wasn’t sure what institution would allow his creativity to flourish. Almost in time to celebrate his 28th birthday, Muldoon opened his first independent restaurant, Roberta’s, at the intersection of Tilton and New roads in Northfield. Named for his mother, a home economics teacher whom he credits for instilling in him a love of cooking.
For almost 70 years Joe Italiano’s Maplewood has been known for its consistently Good, GOOD Food! We believe that freshness and loving preparation are keys to satisfied customers! We have high standards for our food. Consistency can and should be expected. Our food is fresh, salads are made to order, and pasta is boiled right before sauce is poured over it. Our “Gravy” or red sauce is made fresh daily and is loved by the people in the area. We only use the finest ingredients. The Original Maplewood. Two locations — Same Great Food. Your Choice.
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Tomatoes
9300 Amherst Avenue, Margate, NJ 609-822-7535 tomatoesofmargate.com A favorite of chefs and foodies who are impressed with the location, food, and view of the Margate Bay. The elegant and refined atmosphere includes a bar area, sushi bar, private meeting and dining rooms in addition to the main dining room. Trendy with a high-end, eclectic American fare and sushi, plus a happening bar scene. Excellent fresh fish, wonderful sauces and impressive desserts.
Barista’s Coffee House
199 New Road Ste. 10, Central Square, Linwood 609-904-2990 baristascoffeehouse.com Owners Mark and Debbie Becker have created the perfect “neighborhood” atmosphere coffee house. Brewing up more than just coffee, customers come back time and time again for Barista’s espresso, tea breakfast, Liege waffles, Brussels waffles, gourmet desserts, and Italian gelato. Once you walk through the doors, you instantly become part of the “Barista’s Family”. Open Mon. - Fri., 7 AM-6 PM and Sat., 8 AM-6 PM. njlifestyleonline.com
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CASINO DINING RESORTS
Gallagher’s Steakhouse
N. Carolina & Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 609-340-6555 gallaghersresorts.com Gallaghers is located on the 2nd floor of Resorts Casino. A classic steakhouse serving hearty salads, dry-aged meats, wonderful fish and shellfish. Their glass-enclosed meat locker is in the front of the restaurant for all to view; and all of the beef is dry-aged for 21 days at a constant 36 degrees to insure tenderness. Offering the finest selections of seafood as well. An ambiance of warm woods and deep reds. Friendly, efficient and gracious service. Open for dinner Sunday thru Thursday 5-9:30 pm, Friday 5-10 pm, Saturday 5-11 pm.
Capriccio
N. Carolina & Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 609-344-6000 resortsac.com No passport needed for this Italian experience. Capriccio’s all new menu features gourmet Italian cuisine in an exquisitely comfortable Mediterranean atmosphere, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Capriccio’s has beautiful murals on the walls featuring Old World Italy. Try the lobster with shiitake mushrooms and sweet peppers served on a baked polenta round; or the Costolette di Vitello alla Lombardese; or absolutely the Ossobuco di Vitello alla Lombardese, braised in a red wine and tomato sauce served with saffron risotto. The food is as spectacular as the view.
THE PIER AT CAESARS
TROPICANA (THE QUARTER)
Phillips Seafood
Broadway Burger Bar
Pier at Caesars, Atlantic City, NJ 609-348-2273 phillipsseafood.com Phillips Seafood brings guests a classical American seafood menu boasting an array of fresh seasonal fish and Phillips’ famous jumbo lump crab cakes. Renowned chef Robbin Haas has designed a menu that offers guests the freshest, finest seafood available, complete with a rolling oyster cart where regional varietals are shucked tableside and a double-decker live lobster tank stocked with 3-10 pound lobsters. Experience an upscale, interactive dining experience with their exhibition kitchen and sweeping ocean views.
The Quarter at Tropicana, Atlantic City, NJ 609-317-4660 broadwayburgerbar.com Ark Restaurants introduces Broadway Burger Bar at the Quarter in Tropicana Casino & Resort, Atlantic City serving up fresh ground, grilled, prime beef burgers and a large selection of tapas style appetizers. Order from a full bar featuring 60 Craft Beers, specialty cocktails, adult milkshakes as well as your traditional favorites. Live Acoustic acts every Friday and Saturday add to the vibrant and unique atmosphere. Fun for families, a quick lunch or an intimate dinner. At Broadway Burger Bar, they make burgers great.
Souzai Sushi & Saki
Pier at Caesars, Atlantic City, NJ 609-348-4443 souzaisushi.com.com Simple… seasonal… sensual… Souzai features a diverse menu of hand-rolled sushi, fresh sashimi and traditional Japanese dishes, as well as a wide range of innovative cocktails, Japanese sake and beer. Showcasing stunning views of the beach, ocean sunsets and the sparkling cityscape from its perch high above the famed Atlantic City boardwalk, Souzai has become one of the hottest spots in town to mix and mingle. Grab a seat and discover Souzai for yourself.
Cuba Libre
The Quarter at Tropicana, Atlantic City, NJ 609-348-6700 cubalibrerestaurant.com Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar is dedicated to a continued exploration of Cuban heritage, art, music, flavors and traditions. The open-air setting, tropical ambiance, vintage décor, upbeat Latin music and Concept Chef/Partner, Guillermo Pernot’s delectable menu of ‘Nuevo Cubano’ dishes and traditional favorites, make this restaurant a must-see, must-experience dining destination.
BALLY’S Buddakan
Arturo’s Ristorante
Bally’s Casino, Atlantic City, NJ 609-340-2300 ballysac.com Bally’s own Little Italy! Chef Maurizio prepares Milk fed Veal any way your heart desires; Picatta, Marsala, Francese, and of course, their famous Veal Parmigiana. Vibrant Italian mosaics abound as this restaurant offers tranquil views of the boardwalk and the Atlantic Ocean.
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Pier at Caesars, Atlantic City, NJ 609-674-0100 buddakanac.com Buddakan's dreamlike ambiance makes an enchanting setting for hosting special events. Guests are instantly transported to an ancient Chinese village complete with rock gardens, thatched roofs and a dramatic twilight sky. The menu portrays an innovative interpretation of Modern Asian cuisine that matches the decor in terms of creativity and inspiration. Guests will feel relaxed and indulged in this exotic and comfortable environment.
Casa Taco & Tequila Bar
The Quarter at Tropicana, Atlantic City, NJ 609-343-9938 tropicana.net Featuring up to 100 different Tequilas, a private party room, indoor and outdoor seating and a full Mexican menu ranging from tacos to fajitas and more! Breakfast is served 7 AM to Noon Daily. The Tropicana Difference: Guacamole prepared table side, is a fresh and delicious way to enjoy this classic appetizer.
Il Verdi
The Quarter at Tropicana, Atlantic City, NJ 800-345-8767 tropicana.net Specializing in Northern Italian cuisine, Il Verdi serves meticulously prepared gourmet dishes in an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere. Dine on your choice of hot and cold antipasti, soups, salads, pastas, fish and meat entrees, and desserts. Il Verdi’s award-winning wine list features Italian wines selected to complement the food. Have a truly unique dining experience at the Chef’s Table, set amidst the action of the Il Verdi kitchen, where you can enjoy a customized menu of six or seven courses with wine pairings.
BORGATA
Wolfgang Puck American Grille One Borgata Way, Atlantic City, NJ 609-317-1000 theborgata.com The man who revolutionized the culinary industry carries an undeniable cachet, synonymous with bold, innovative cooking and an unmistakable panache and passion that redefined dining in America. Offering contemporary American cuisine, the restaurant offers two distinctive dining areas ranging from casual and relaxed to elegant and upscale.
Old Homestead Steak House
One Borgata Way, Atlantic City, NJ 609-317-1000 theborgata.com Their domestically-raised, hand-massaged Kobe beef is not only the envy of the trade, it’s trademarked. But that isn’t the only reason the venerable Old Homestead has been a New York City landmark for 137 years. “It’s consistency on all fronts,” says Marc Sherry who, with brother Greg, opened their second location at Borgata. The menu nearly mirrors New York’s — and for good reason.
DINING GALLERY ADVERTISING RATES $95.00 per month
Izakaya
One Borgata Way, Atlantic City, NJ 609-317-1000 theborgata.com A modern Japanese pub that defies comparison. Extraordinary sushi, sake, and robatayaki served in a sensual, yet modern atmosphere. Izakaya’s tempting cocktails and sharable plates make it the premier spot for an after-hours nosh and drinks, or a delicious late night meal.
All units in full color. Rates include all production. All rates are based on a 12-month period from the date of the first insertion.
NJ LifestyLe MagaziNe CALL 609-404-4611 FOR RESERVATIONS njlifestyleonline.com
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$29.95 Prix Fixe Three-Course Dinner At Barista’s Coffee House “Great Coffee is what Life is All About” Bagels Bagel Sandwiches n Brussels Waffles n Liege Waffles n Espresso n Gelato n Cocoa Drinks n Breakfast
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