Lifestyle Report March 2016

LifeStyle Report MARCH 2016

We’re all of this and More!

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THE • VIEW

“When it snows, you have two choices: shovel or make snow angels.” —Anonymous

Beating the Winter Blues

I

t’s back to reality. The holidays are long gone, and we’re trudging along through days that are short and cold. In fact, the outdoor weather is about as inviting as stepping into a freezer, and that’s when the sun isn’t missing in action. We’re in the midst of winter, and with it, the winter blues.

It seems as though the winter blues are almost inevitable. They even have an official name, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), due in part to a lack of sunshine-inspired vitamin D. We lack energy. We’re moody and irritable. And we eat and sleep more.

But that doesn’t mean that we have to let the winter blues take over the wonderful lifestyle we’ve come to enjoy at the Jersey shore. Here are some of my favorite treats and tactics, perfect for this time of year.

Schedule a spa day. What better time to luxuriate in a hot tub than in the middle of winter? This is a wonderful time to try that hot stone massage, soothe that dry skin with essential oils, or slather yourself with seaweed. We have some terrific day spas in south Jersey, and plenty of places within a short drive if you’d prefer a spa weekend.

Venture outside for some Vitamin D. It may be cold, but that doesn’t mean you should be stuck inside. Bundle up and get outside in the sunshine whenever it’s feasible. Walk any of our area boardwalks and watch the crash of the winter waves. Visit the parks and bike paths, which are open year-round. Take the kids (or grandkids) ice skating or to the playground. Then warm up afterward with a cup of hot cocoa or your favorite hot toddy.

Get creative. Winter is a wonderful time to unleash your inner artist. Reconnect with your love of photography by bringing your camera (or smart phone) along on a nature walk. Document the beautiful Jersey shore in pastels, acrylic, or oil paints. Take a pottery class or dabble in seashore-inspired jewelry making. Craft some music; write some poetry. We’ve got some wonderful art centers and community programs where you can explore your creativity year-round. Use winter as your muse and you’ll be inspired well beyond the season.

Travel someplace tropical. Some of us escape the winter by traveling to warm climates, whether in or out of the U.S. It’s a wonderful way to get your burst of summer sunshine during the winter months. Plus, I’ve found that a tropical drink in hand does wonders for one’s morale.

Plan your summer vacation. If you can’t get away this winter, do the next best thing. Use this time to research your next vacation. Make it to some place warm, and you’ll bask in the possibilities.

Find an indoor waterpark. It may not be the Caribbean, but trust me when I say that spending an afternoon in a humid, fun-filled indoor waterpark will chase away the winter blues. South Jersey has several within a short drive. You don’t even have to have kids to enjoy it, but it’s certainly a plus if you do.

Enjoy some real winter fun. Embrace the season by planning a weekend ski or snowboard trip. Have a snowball fight. Take a ride on a snowmobile. Make snow angels. Then relax by a roaring fire. We’re in the perfect geographic location in southern Jersey to enjoy all of this, and more.

Get a head start on spring. A bouquet of flowers or a beautiful plant can add the perfect hint of spring inside your home. Get seed and grow your own herbs on your kitchen counter. If you don’t have a green thumb, consider adding some bright spring colors to your home décor.

Remember to open your blinds and let the sun shine in!

As for me, I’ll be doing what I enjoy most during the winter season — spending time with my children, my family, and my dear friends. Unlike the hectic pace of summer at the Jersey shore, the winter brings its own beauty because of the opportunity to reconnect.

May you too be able to make this winter a memorable one. I hope you enjoy this issue of NJ Lifestyle at the spa, on your tropical or ski vacation, or wherever this blustery season may take you.

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LIFESTYLE REPORT | March Issue 2016

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CONTENTS FEATURES Architecture A coastal house in Margate is featured.

8

18 Travel

Finding the Louisville Slugger.

D EPA RTME NTS Home 12 Lifestyle The deal with dens.

Watch 14 Health Logging your diet and fitness regime helps you reach your goals.

22 Entertainment A night with Sophia Loren and Tony Orlando.

26 Legends Atlantic City Bigger, First and Only.

37 Cooking Tips for a simpler life.

Gallery 36 Dining All the details on the area’s great dining venues.

4

March Issue 2016 | LIFESTYLE REPORT njlifestyleonline.com

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On Wheels Three for the family.

Restaurant Report All-you-can-eat elegance.

34

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LifeStyle Report Publisher / Creative Director

Darla Hendricks darlabh2@gmail.com Associate Publisher

Barbara Scarduzzio barbaras1@comcast.net Editor

Bill Henry Copy Editor

Alyson Boxman Levine Contributing Writers

Candice Adler Sherry Hoffman Alyson Boxman Levine Marjorie Preston Elaine Rose Will Savarese David Spatz Robin Stoloff Travel Editor

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P.O. Box 787, 174 S. New York Road Oceanville, NJ 08231 Telephone: 609-404-4611

Because I don’t want to miss a thing.

Your heart has been there for all those special moments. Protect it with a Coronary CTA scan.

For many people there are no warning signs of heart attacks. Half of the people who suffer heart attacks have normal levels of cholesterol and/or normal blood pressure. For over 150,000 Americans per year, the very first sign of coronary artery disease is sudden death.

In 2001, Atlantic Medical Imaging (AMI) was the first imaging center in South Jersey to introduce Coronary CT angiography, technologically the most advanced CT exam for detecting coronary artery disease available in the world. Since then, AMI has accumulated one of the world’s largest case experiences of more than 10,000 examinations, setting the standard of excellence in Coronary CTA.

WHAT IS CORONARY CTA? Coronary CTA is a test that images the coronary arteries. It is non-invasive, involves injection of intravenous contrast, and can be done at very low levels of radiation. AMI pioneered the prospective gating technique which allows us to perform Coronary CTA with radiation doses ranging from 70-90% less than that of a SPECT nuclear medicine stress test. Coronary CTA has an outstanding sensitivity for coronary artery disease. It detects disease in patients that have it in greater than 95%, but most importantly, it has a 100% negative predicted value. This means that the test will be negative 100% of the time when the patients have normal coronary arteries.

Coronary CTA can detect eccentric soft plaque. 86% of heart attacks come from the rupture of eccentric plaque that is not causing a blockage in the coronary arteries. These plaques are invisible to stress tests until there is greater than a 70% stenosis and usually invisible to a coronary artery catheterization for the same level of disease. Coronary CTA can offer an early warning of coronary artery disease decades prior to it potentially causing a heart attack.

KNOW YOUR RISK Many patients suffer under the burden of a significant family history for decades before knowing that their coronary arteries are normal. Relieving patients of this emotional burden is a tremendous benefit. More importantly, Coronary CTA is highly accurate for determining the degree of coronary artery disease and coronary artery stenosis.

Statins and aspirin medications are available to modify a person’s risk of having coronary artery disease, as well as stroke. Imaging may play a key role in determining the level of coronary artery disease and ruling out whether a patient has or doesn’t have this disease. The level of disease can be determined by coronary artery imaging prior to a potential myocardial infarction and this level of disease is only detectable by Coronary CTA, when compared to stress test and coronary catheterization.

Before having an imaging test, it is highly beneficial for patients to see their healthcare provider, have their risk factors examined, and determine whether they should proceed further with imaging.

If it is determined that Coronary CTA will benefit you, call our office at (609) 677-XRAY (9729) to schedule an appointment.

www.atlanticmedicalimaging.com amiradiology GALLOWAY • EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP • MAYS LANDING SOMERS POINT • NORTHFIELD • CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE HAMMONTON • MANASQUAN • BRICK • TOMS RIVER

Fresh Air It’s assertive in scale, but subtle in detail – short on embellishment, but really long on style.

This coastal house in Margate offers a modern take on the Key West tradition.

H

ere are the three rules of great style: “Start with impeccable basics, add a few exquisite details — and stop.”

Andrew Klose of Luxuria Builders may have perfected that formula with this residence, on the corner of Ocean and Thurlow avenues in Margate. At a soaring three stories and 3,400 square feet, the home has a commanding presence, with nary a hint of affectation. Its splendor is its sheer unpretentiousness — the clean lines, muted colors, and zero frou-frou embellishments.

This place is clearly built for comfort — after all, it’s a beach house, just a short dash from sand, surf, and Lucy the Elephant. With an airy, Key West-inspired style and prime coastal New Jersey setting, it’s not 8

March Issue 2016 | LIFESTYLE REPORT njlifestyleonline.com

only the ideal summer getaway, but the perfect four-season retreat or year-round home.

Living Large Outside, a wraparound porch with mahogany-plank floors overlooks a fountain with three splashing water displays. Four balconies up and down provide the perfect place to watch the sun rise and set over the Atlantic. Those views, by the way, can never be compromised, as the house faces a street end that leads right to the beach.

Inside, the airy, fresh feel continues. With banks of generously sized windows, the light-filled first floor is a wide-open space that transitions

easily from living space to kitchen to dining area. At first glance, the most notable feature is right under foot, in the expanse of distressed hickory flooring.

“It’s gorgeous, it’s unique,” says Mark Arbeit, of Mark Arbeit Real Estate of Margate, who represents the property. “Go into 99% of homes, and you’ll see the same flooring. Honestly, I’ve never seen this floor anywhere.”

And it’s durable: actually, hickory is harder than oak. It can stand up to years of use, and of course, housefuls of guests, in everything from sneakers to stilettos to sandy feet.

All in the Details The house gives the impression of effortless simplicity, but a closer look reveals deliberate, imaginative touches that are the hallmark of Klose’s craftsmanship: A mahogany entrance door with intricately hand-carved panels. A transom-like “shutter” effect that separates the entranceway from the living area. A herringbone pattern woven into the brick foundation. Klose even rotated the center spindles of a balcony railing, setting them at an angle to the others — just for visual interest.

“Andrew gives such attention to detail — it’s got to be just the right doorknob, just the right light fixture,” says Arbeit. “He’s fastidious and so committed to the build.”

That commitment is reflected in a hundred other details, seen and unseen. Twin Navien heaters mean hot water on demand throughout the house, with no tank. And yes, that looks like split-shake siding, but it’s actually HardiPlank, an environmentally responsible, fireresistant cement “lumber” that’s been described as “a dead ringer for wood”; it’s fire-resistant and comes with a 50-year warranty. The twoby-six insulated exterior walls ensure optimal sound buffering — vital for a home on a busy thoroughfare.

The house features a wraparound porch with mahogany-plank floors

LIFESTYLE

ARCHITECTURE

In-ground Gunite pool with waterfall and Bluestone coping

By MARJORIE PRESTON

Luxury kitchen

Oversized oak staircase and distressed hickory flooring

njlifestyleonline.com

LIFESTYLE | Winter 2016

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Mahogany entrance door with intricately hand-carved panels

Master bath with subtle nods to the oceanfront locale

Light-filled first floor is a wide-open space

10 March Issue 2016 | LIFESTYLE REPORT njlifestyleonline.com

LIFEST YLE ARCHITECTURE Now You’re Cooking Of course, the kitchen includes all the appliances you’d expect in a luxury home, including a SubZero refrigerator, Wolf range, and 24-inch Bosch dishwasher. The centerpiece is a dramatically angular 11-foot center island, topped with a black-matte Apollo granite counter. “This is a very rare, very dark granite,” says Klose. “There are only so many stones they can cut that big. I really sought out this stone.” The island contrasts beautifully with the kitchen’s bright white cabinets and a back wall of gleaming dove-gray subway tiles.

The woodwork throughout has a bold, assertive look, says Klose. “We went with oversized everything on the oak staircase: oversized balusters, oversized hand rail, oversized posts … They make it feel really nice.”

The second level master suite features double doors to a private deck and windows artfully placed for maximum light and views. Wondering where to put the TV? Klose mounted a flat-screen television above an arched window; it drops down for viewing, and then folds easily out of sight.

The Perfect Finish The master bath includes subtle nods to the oceanfront locale, with driftwood-style cabinets in a pearly hue, and a porcelain back wall with the slightest wave pattern. The fine finishes include a deep air-jet tub of white Thassos granite; a white quartz sink; a tile floor with custom inlay; and a countertop of Calacatta marble, “a step up from Carrara,” says Klose.

The master shower is fitted with Kohler Margaux fixtures: four body sprays, a handheld spray, and rainhead, all in polished nickel. “It’s much nicer than chrome, which tends to be brassier; you’ll see the nickel has a little gold in it,” Klose adds. “We used the same top-of-theline Margaux fixtures throughout the house; we didn’t change and go cheaper for the secondary bathrooms.”

Other “wow” features: a spacious third floor with two bedrooms and full-height ceilings; an in-ground Gunite pool with waterfall and Bluestone coping; and an elevator to all floors, an important accommodation for older residents or guests. All in all, it’s the perfect gathering place for multiple generations.

“This is a contemporary look based on a classic tradition. It’s not overdone, it’s not busy, busy, busy,” says Arbeit. “Nothing is not going to take away from whatever you bring to the home.”

And that’s always in style. n

LIGHTING

eye

CANDY

ARTISTIC DECORATIVE HARDWARE 430 Tilton Road, Northfield, NJ 609-407-7200 www.artistichardware.net

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Lifestyle Home

The Deal with Dens Tips for maximizing comfort

By Candice Adler

T

he den is your family’s gathering place. It cries out for total comfort. It’s the place where your family comes together to watch TV, play games, catch up on day’s events, and lounge around together.

Much more relaxed than the formal living room, the den entertains friends when they come for a visit. It is nice to fill the den with board games, a great media area, and other fun details. There are den essentials required to ensure it functions as your family’s lifestyle dictates. It is a cluster of seating, lighting, and casual casegoods.

The den is a place to experiment with a fun color or possibly a unique wall covering. I like to display collections of family pictures and perhaps special memorabilia that reminds one of the special times shared together as a family. It is the perfect place to display the things you enjoy as you spend significant time relaxing with those you love most.

Ideally, bookshelves work very well in a den, for not only display, but for storage as well. Place some attractive bins and baskets under a console or sofa table to give ample space for a throw or extra toss pillows.

Photo by Eric Weeks If young children spend time in the den, it is always nice to have a specific place to store their games or art supplies. There are also unique storage ottomans, which not only provide hidden storage, but serve double duty as added seating when entertaining guests. It’s always a plus when the space can be versatile.

The den is the go-to room, whether you’re enjoying a quiet evening for two or a 10-person gathering for a special occasion. For large families, I would suggest adding some oversized pillows on the floor to provide a soft spot for the younger children. This way everyone can be together to create the memories we all cherish. If there is ample space, think out of the box.

Maybe add an area with a mini fridge for water and beer so you have chilled drinks right there when you desire. Maybe a wet bar, if that’s a possibility. It’s nice to entertain in the den without ever having to run to the kitchen.

A question I am often asked is; “How big the TV should be?” These rules of thumb should be helpful.

• A 32” TV should be 7 feet from the viewing area • A 36” TV should be 8 feet from the viewing area • A 42” TV should be 10 feet from the viewing area • A 50” TV should be 12 feet from the viewing area • A 60” TV should be 12 to 14 feet from the viewing area 12 March Issue 2016 | LIFESTYLE REPORT njlifestyleonline.com

If you have a massive TV, work around that focal point to ensure it fits into the room appropriately. I tend to decorate around the TV, as it usually is the main draw to the room. Flat panels seem to serve a space nicely, while not intruding into the room and overwhelming it. If the space is awkward and does not dictate a clear TV space, an alternative may be to use a hinged arm. This would allow the TV to be accessible to the different places within the same space. Keep components out of sight if possible, as they can be a real eyesore. It is possible to keep your den aesthetically pleasing and functional if planned properly from the beginning.

Some easy den updates can really make big changes if carefully selected. By changing something simple, like a lampshade, your room will instantly be given a new glow. Try a different color, material, or shape. An easy update I do often is to change out old, dated toss pillows.

This is an easy quick fix to making tired, old furniture appear new and refreshed. Some people change them seasonally just to keep things new and fun.

If you’re not looking for a hefty price tag but need a new couch, try having a slipcover made for your existing couch.

It’s like buying a new couch without a long-term commitment. If you have a green thumb, add some plants to your den. They not only bring life to a room, but are wallet friendly and add style to any space. Odd numbers of plants always work best.

Thirty percent of what you see in a room is the rug, so use this to your advantage. Change it up with a new color or texture and pattern. Coordinate it with your new toss pillows and, voila, all of a sudden your den has a whole new look.

Swap out the old photos displayed with new current ones. Maybe black and whites photos will give a new feel to the display area.

Everyone really enjoys looking at photos and reminiscing about the special times shared together. It is what makes your home yours. Just remember … you should love your home and the times you spend together in it. Now is the time to channel your inner stylist and add that personal touch to make your den the living space of your dreams. n Candice Adler is the owner and designer of Candice Adler Design in Cherry Hill, NJ, candiceadlerdesign.com, 856-216-8170, serving South Jersey, Philadelphia, and the surrounding area.

Lou Marchiano FOR MEN

CLOTHING • SPORTSWEAR • SHOES Terra Mar Plaza | Tilton Road | Northfield, NJ | 609-641-2088

Track It and Achieve It Logging your diet and fitness regime helps you reach your goals

WANT TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN ACHIEVING YOUR fitness and nutrition goals? Track it. Activity trackers and fitness and nutrition apps have exploded in popularity, but can they actually help you lose weight, even get healthier? The answer is yes, but only if you use them.

Even before the “tracking revolution” I was a believer. I wore a Polar heart rate monitor with a chest strap for years, and I have since switched to other trackers. Every time I play tennis, jog, or go to the gym, I check my tracker periodically to make sure I am in my

target heart rate zone. Too low, I pick up the pace. Too high, I make sure it doesn’t stay there for long. When I finish and hit the stop button, I know how long I exercised, my average heart rate and, the one I really like, how many calories I burned.

I was always aware that singles tennis burned more calories, but I never knew just how many more. I discovered that a hard singles match was about two times the calorie burn of a moderate doubles match.

This inspired me to play more singles. I also

14 March Issue 2016 | LIFESTYLE REPORT njlifestyleonline.com

learned to limit rest between sets of weight training to keep my heart rate in a higher zone, giving me some cardio benefits as I lift weights. At the end of the week, I could see how many times I worked out, how many calories I burned, and how often I was in my target heart rate zone. It is an amazing sense of satisfaction to quantify your efforts and actually reach your goals.

I have since switched to the Apple Watch and I am now trying the Garmin Vivofit HR (heart rate) Fitness Band. The advantage is

Health Watch

By Robin Stoloff

that I don’t have to wear the heart rate chest strap. It also monitors my heart rate, steps, miles, and calories throughout the day. In addition, it vibrates every hour during my work day to remind me to get up and move.

It also tracks my sleep, which is a hugely underrated and important piece of overall health. Both the Apple Watch and Vivofit sync with an app on my cell phone or computer, so I can see everything by numbers, percentages, and in graph form. Most trackers have that feature.

In addition to the activity tracker, I also use the “Lose It” app to track my daily food intake. For anyone who has not kept a food journal, either on paper or digitally, it is an eye-opening experience. Like almost everyone else, I underestimated my amount of calories and portion sizes. When you measure and weigh, you get a much clearer picture of your intake. When you know you are logging every bite, you hesitate to grab that french fry off your kids plate or “taste” your friend’s desert.

You also learn better alternatives — canned tuna has less fat and calories than canned salmon and a pear has more carbs than an apple for example. There is also a scanner to scan bar codes on food labels for easy tracking. Plus, it offers an online community with challenges you can join (such as “Lose 5 pounds by Spring”) and motivational ideas from other people.

You have heard people say, “I don’t know why I can’t lose weight, I am eating right, I am exercising.” What does “eating right” mean?

Does that mean they cut out cheesesteaks and donuts? That is a step in the right direction, but to really make a change, they should know the whole picture. If they are not tracking, how can they be sure if they are eating the correct combination of fat, protein, and carbohydrates? How can they know what four ounces of meat looks like if they never weighed it? How do they know how many calories they burned during their workouts and if they need to pick up the pace?

We are masters of fooling ourselves into thinking we are doing what it takes to reach our goals, but the reality is, we can make

better choices with the proper information.

All of this information can be tracked and recorded. With so many options, it is easier than ever. However, just like buying a treadmill that turns into a coat rack, buying a fitness tracker only works if you use it correctly and consistently.

For me, I have discovered how to make my workouts more effective. I have learned healthier food choices and have made better decisions. I have found I often fall short of the eight hours of sleep I aim for each night, so I have made a conscious effort to get to bed earlier. I also understand how many times and how intensely I need to exercise to get to burn my target number of calories. Finally, by quantifying my efforts, I feel great knowing I am on target to reach my fitness goals and that I am an active participant in my overall health. “Yeah me, I did it this week!” is my quiet cheer to myself. On weeks when I miss the mark, and it does happen (can you say Christmas dinner?), I just move on and try to do better the following week.

In addition, I just got my blood work back from the doctor and, thank goodness, I had all great results. I have to admit, I feel very proud, not to mention relieved, that I made the choices that helped me reach these results.

Since I had kids late in life, I am an older mom. I have two teenage kids and I want to be here for them. I do it for them as much as for me.

If this sounds like a lot of work and effort, I have to be honest, in some ways it is. But doing the jean wiggle to squeeze into a pair of Levi’s, holding your breath, and struggling to get the zipper up is a lot of work too! I prefer to put the effort into exercising, eating a nutritious diet, and getting the sleep I need.

Once you get started, it becomes a way of life and it really is not that much effort.

If you are not tracking your fitness or diet, start with one or the other. You can use an app or paper and pencil if you prefer. One suggestion, and I have learned this the hard way, track it right away. Take two minutes to record your meal as soon as you eat so you don’t leave anything out. Be brutally honest or

you are cheating yourself. As I am writing this, I just took a quick break to log my breakfast into my “Lose It” app. It saves the meals and foods I eat often, so all I had to do was click on them. It took about 60 seconds. If you are not using a fitness tracker, you can get total steps from an inexpensive pedometer or approximate number of calories burned from your activity through many online sites. However, an activity tracker is the most accurate.

The good news is there are many fitness/ activity trackers available today, and they are getting more and more sophisticated every year. The bad news is there are so many choices, it can be a little overwhelming. Some things to consider include: various features, how it looks as feels, battery life, and of course, price. They can range from about $50 to $500, but you can probably get a good one for $100 - $150. Do your homework, check online reviews, and ask other people what they use.

There are also a variety of fitness and food journal apps. Many are free and some have a nominal charge for the upgraded version.

Again, check the reviews, try the free version, and see what works for you. It really comes down to individual preference.

The bottom line — keeping track of your daily activity and diet helps you to see the big picture and provides you with important information that can help you make better health decisions. When you track your progress every week, it motivates you to achieve your goals and gives you a road map for success. So start today, track it and achieve it! n Robin Stoloff, Health Reporter for NBC 40 for more almost 30 years, is now hosting her own radio program, “Living Well with Robin Stoloff” on Lite Rock 96.9 WFPG FM (A Townsquare Media Company) on Sunday mornings from 9-11 AM. You’ll also hear her “Health Update” segments throughout the day, on air and online at literock969.com. Learn more, live better — follow Robin on Facebook at “Health Update with Robin Stoloff” for more health tips and videos.

njlifestyleonline.com

LIFESTYLE REPORT | March Issue 2016

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H E A LT H W AT C H

On Track

There are a variety of fitness trackers and diet apps on the market today. In addition, there are many websites and blogs that offer different reviews and even videos, and most of them do not completely agree. Once you establish the product actually works, the rest is mostly personal preference. We suggest you research the different options. What is the best choice? The one that is right for you.

Top Fitness Trackers, according to BestReviews.com • Fitbit Surge Fitness Superwatch • MIO Alpha I Strapless Continuous Heart Rate Monitor • Polar FT4 Heart Rate Monitor • Garmin Vivofit Fitness Band • Times Mid-Aize T5G981 Personal Trainer Heart Rate Monitor Watch Best Food-Tracking Apps, according to TheGuradian.com • MyFitnessPal

Android / iOS / Windows Phone

• Lose It!

Android / iOS

• Noom Coach Android / iOS

• HAPIcoach

Android / iOS

16 March Issue 2016 | LIFESTYLE REPORT njlifestyleonline.com

Lifestyle Travel

By DAN SCHLOSSBERG

Finding the Louisville Slugger The hats. The horses. The mint juleps. The fireworks that kick off two weeks

of frivolity.

That’s a lot of hoopla for an event that takes five minutes but lasts all year.

The Kentucky Derby is more than just “the running for the roses.”

It’s Louisville’s Mardi Gras, with a sprinkling of New Year’s Eve, Independence Day, and St. Patrick’s Day thrown in. Both a spectator and a participation sport, it is by far the biggest event in a city with much to celebrate. To locals, it may be the true Louisville Slugger in a city known for the Louisville Slugger.

There are plenty of contenders: • The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory is hard to miss: a 120-

foot, 68,000-pound steel version of a Babe Ruth model bat guards its West Main Street entrance.

• Two blocks away is the Muhammad Ali Center, named for the most famous of the four Louisville natives who won heavyweight boxing titles.

• Fashions, artifacts, and footage of every Kentucky Derby since 1918 are on display in a museum near Gate 1 at Churchill Downs.

• Although San Francisco might argue, the nation’s largest historic preservation district devoted exclusively to Victorian homes (more than 1,400) is packed into the 48-block Old Louisville district.

• The cast iron facades of the buildings on West Main Street give the city the largest collection of its type outside of New York’s SoHo.

We uncover the beguiling lure of Louisville

• The nation’s oldest operating sternwheeler steamboat, the Belle of Louisville, continues its century-plus tradition of cruising the Ohio River.

• Louisville Waterfront Park, one of 122 city parks in the metro area, features a former railroad bridge that spans 547 feet and provides a pedestrian link to Jeffersonville, Indiana.

• The “Urban Bourbon Trail” showcases 20 bars, 50 labels, and the local drink that became a national sensation — with Louisville providing one-third of the nation’s supply.

• Local drinking water is so good that the Louisville Water Company once won a “Best of the Best” award from the American Water Works Association.

• Coming soon is the Louisville Loop, a paved walking and biking trail that meanders around the city for 110 miles.

Churchill Downs. Photo courtesy of the Louisville Convention Bureau.

Founded by explorer George Rogers Clark before he embarked on the Lewis & Clark Expedition, Louisville was named for French King Louis XVI after his troops helped colonials win the Revolutionary War. Its position at the Falls of the Ohio River made it an obvious stopping point for merchants and pioneers headed west.

River commerce, coupled with the coming of the railroads, spurred growth and the city became an industrial center and shipping port,

It’s all about the hat at the Kentucky Derby. Photo courtesy of the Louisville Convention Bureau.

Big Four Bridge. Photo by Nick Roberts.

LIFEST YLE TRAVEL

Above, the Ali Center at night.

Left, the World’s Biggest Bat at the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory is an exact-scale replica of Babe Ruth’s 34-inch Louisville Slugger bat.

Below, a view from the harbor.

Photos courtesy of the Louisville Convention Bureau.

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plus a haven for runaway slaves hoping to cross the Ohio into the free state of Indiana.

Often called the northernmost of the southern states and southernmost of the northern states, Louisville was on the Union side in the Civil War, but welcomed so many returning rebels that pundits said the city joined the Confederacy after the war had ended. All was forgiven by 1875, when 10,000 spectators watched the first Kentucky Derby at the Louisville Jockey Club, now known as Churchill Downs. The winning horse had the aristocratic name of Aristides.

There are all kinds of unusual attractions around town. The photogenic Louisville Water Tower, a white obelisk erected in 1860, is the nation’s oldest.

Thirty years later, it survived an F4 killer tornado so devastating that a memorial was erected on Main Street.

Happier memories were created at the historic Seelbach Hotel, which F. Scott Fitzgerald included in The Great Gatsby, and the Brown Hotel, original home of the Hot Brown sandwich. Those properties, and the Galt House, were frequented by Al Capone and conspiring criminal cohorts during Prohibition days.

Thomas Edison left his mark on Louisville too; as a Western Union telegrapher shortly after the Civil War, he spent his spare time tinkering with new concepts. The Edison House that stands on Washington Street today features an early movie projector, phonographs, dictating machines, primitive light bulbs, and a more illuminating 18-minute video.

Unlike Edison, Harold (Pee Wee) Reese was actually born in Louisville.

A boyhood marbles champion who became a Hall of Fame shortstop, it was Reese who publicly befriended beleaguered Brooklyn Dodgers teammate Jackie Robinson while the latter was battering the baseball color barrier in 1947 (the public gesture was depicted in the movie 42).

The largest American city outside Texas without a major-league team in any sport, Louisville does have Triple-A baseball — the well-named Louisville Bats play in Louisville Slugger Field as the top affiliate of the nearby Cincinnati Reds — plus a slew of successful college teams. The Louisville Cardinals, a college basketball power, routinely sell out their games, played in the new KFC Yum! Center, and the city always tops the attendance charts for the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. The University of Louisville has also done well in football, sending Johnny Unitas and other stars to the professional ranks.

Because of its benign climate, Louisville has a long golf season and an appeal as a destination for tournaments. The Valhalla Golf Club hosted the PGA Championships as recently as 2014.

Horse-racing is king of the seven Louisville sports that draw spectators.

The Kentucky Derby Festival includes not only the celebrated race but the Kentucky Oaks, another highlight of the two-week prelude to the rose-colored finale. In all, there are more than 70 events — including steamboat and hot-air balloon races.

The fun begins with Thunder Over Louisville, a fireworks display worthy of July 4, and features flirtatious female fans whose flamboyant and colorful fashions suggest a return to the flapper era of the Roaring ‘20s. The parade of pastels is a bigger hit than the thoroughbreds — maybe because they have more staying power.

Louisville is also home to the world’s largest Beatles festival (Memorial Day weekend), the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival (July), and the St. James Court Art Show, an October event that draws crowds dwarfed only by the Kentucky Derby.

Beyond the Derby, Louisville is also a mecca for culture, with ballet, opera, and symphony performances in the handsome Kentucky Center, where an informative half-hour multi-media show is narrated by Louisville native Ashley Judd. The Louisville Orchestra gives more than 100 concerts per year in a venue called The Louisville Palace, a distinctive structure in the downtown theater district. Every spring, the Actors Theater of Louisville, in a nearby venue, hosts the Humana Festival of New American Plays.

The Speed Art Museum, the oldest and largest in the state, returns to the active roster of attractions this year after a three-year makeover that makes the 1927 institution both the newest and the oldest in town. Located near the University of Louisville campus, its collection is so vast that visitors should allow enough time to see even half of its 12,000 pieces.

It’s faster to peruse the art galleries that stretch along the East Market District, known as NuLu to locals. More galleries reside in the section of West Main so dense with museums that it is known around town as “Museum Row.” Beyond the structures of the culture zone are architectural treasures that have stood the test of time. Thomas Jefferson designed Farmington, a 14-room Federal-style home finished in 1816. Union Station, built in 1891, has been restored to its former glory even though Louisville lacks passenger service. The Filson Historical Society, showcasing Kentucky history, is housed in a 1905 Beaux Arts Mansion. Locust Grove is even older: the one-time home of city founder George Rogers Clark is a restored Georgian mansion dating back to the late 18th century.

The Filson, best of a handful of Louisville history museums, features 50,000 volumes and 1.5 million manuscripts. There’s even a steamboat museum across the river in Jeffersonville.

Robert Mills, designer of the Washington Monument, left his legacy in Louisville; he also built the United States Marine Hospital, called the country’s best remaining antebellum hospital by the National Park Service.

The four-floor Frazier History Museum, which once restricted its collection to armaments, has an original Daniel Boone bible and a Teddy Roosevelt club that remind visitors of his famous phrase, “Walk softly but carry a big stick.”

History also lives at the Old Louisville Visitors Center and the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, where lost arts are still practiced.

After dark, the Fourth Street Live! entertainment complex is a magnet for a crowd that can tolerate music at questionable decibel levels. Bardstown Road, a mile-long strip of cafes, bistros, and shops, is a place to indulge in independent art, music, and alternative lifestyle options. More earthly exhibits abound at the Kentucky Science Center, where IMAX movies are shown on giant screens.

Louisville has certainly come a long way since its humble beginnings.

An aircraft production center during World War II, it has blossomed into a thriving and picturesque metropolis of more than 750,000. Its focus has shifted from tobacco and hardware to medical research, museums, and tourism.

It is a place that begs to be walked — by people as well as horses. Walkers will love the long spring season, which often starts before the cherry blossoms bloom in Washington, and the natural scenery, including Kentucky’s fabled blue grass.

Since becoming the 15th state in 1792, Kentucky also has given the world Abraham Lincoln (born in 1809), songwriter Stephen Foster (penned “My Old Kentucky Home” in 1853), and Colonel Harlan Sanders (created his legendary Kentucky Fried Chicken in 1939). Visitors who want to make maximum mileage out of minimum time can take an hour-long narrated tour that highlights the history and architecture of the delightful downtown.

Among the prominent buildings are the convention center, which hosted the huge American Bus Association (ABA) travel convention in January, and the freshly-renovated Louisville Marriott Downtown, a 17-story, 616-room, four-diamond convention hotel linked to the center by covered walkway.

For further information, contact the Louisville Visitor Information Center, 301 South 4th Street, Louisville, KY 40202, Tel. 800-626-5646, www. gotolouisville.com or the Louisville Marriott Downtown, 280 West Jefferson Street, Louisville, KY 40202, Tel. 502-627-5045, www.marriottlouisville.com. n

A sign depicts the ways to pronounce ‘Louisville’. Photo courtesy of the Louisville Convention Bureau.

Louisville is know for its mint juleps.

Photo courtesy of the Louisville Convention Bureau.

Derek Jeter sculpture at the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory.

Photo courtesy of the Louisville Convention Bureau.

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 president emeritus of the North American Travel Journalists Association and author of the new book When the Braves Ruled the Diamond: Fourteen Flags Over Atlanta. njlifestyleonline.com

LIFESTYLE | Winter 2016

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Lifestyle Entertainment

A Night with Sophia Loren

By David J. Spatz

Spend an enchanting evening with this iconic beauty THE BIGGEST WINTER HEADLINER AT BORGATA Hotel Casino & Spa isn’t some hot young singer with a string of chart-topping hits, or a cutting-edge band with a stack of Grammy nominations.

Nor is it an explosively funny comedian who can fill a mid-sized arena and is on tour promoting Hollywood’s next big box office bonanza.

It’s an 81-year-old Italian grandmother who’s never appeared in Atlantic City — well, not live, anyway.

But this is no ordinary grandma. This one has an Academy Award on her mantle and was once considered one of the most beautiful women and talented actresses ever to grace the silver screen.

Sophia Loren, the first actress to win an Oscar for a foreign language film, the 1960 drama Two Women, will bring her presentation, simply titled “An Evening with Sophia Loren,” to Borgata for a one-night-stand on March 11.

“She’s doing a small run throughout the country,” says Joe Lupo, Borgata’s senior vice president of operations. “We’re very fortunate to have her, and we’re really looking forward to this event.”

During her appearance, Loren will offer an intimate career retrospective as seen through the eyes of one who lived it and will spend time answering audience questions.

Hollywood heavyweights aren’t the usual casino showroom fare, but they do occasionally pop up with shows like the one Loren will bring to Borgata. Most recently, Oscar-winning actor Al Pacino made a similar type of appearance at Caesars Atlantic City.

If it seems like there have been fewer shows in Atlantic City this winter, that’s not an illusion. Casinos tend to scale back on entertainment during the off-season months for several reasons. For starters, there aren’t as many acts touring now as there are during the spring and summer, Lupo said. And, given the drop in casino revenue because of increasing regional competition since 2008, Atlantic City’s casinos are being cautious about how they spend their entertainment budgets.

The proof was never clearer than in

mid-December. While other cities around the country were hosting major events marking the centennial anniversary of the late Frank Sinatra’s birth, there were no public celebrations in Atlantic City, which Sinatra always considered one of his favorite places to perform anywhere in the world.

With the exception of an invitation-only high roller party at a casino where Sinatra never performed, the closest thing to a public celebration may have been at Planet Rose in The Quarter at the Tropicana, where a few of Ol’ Blue Eyes younger fans performed his music karaoke style.

The drop in gaming revenue — it’s now half of what it was in 2007 — plus cost-saving measures designed to boost profitability, is the biggest reason why casinos weren’t willing to invest in a public celebration. There’s no way to guesstimate the ROI — return on investment — on an event like that, according to one casino executive who asked not to be identified.

“Unless we can prove, without a doubt, that it would drive significant revenue, we won’t do it,” the executive said. “At least with a (high-roller) event, we can theoretically predict an aggregate revenue.”

Even though it’s been leading the market in casino revenue virtually since opening its doors in 2003, Borgata is spending its winter entertainment dollars wisely while still maintaining an eclectic schedule. For instance, the same weekend that Loren will be at Borgata, the casino will also present former teen singing idol Donny Osmond and rhythm and blues trend-setters the Isley Brothers, who have been around, in one form or another, for more than 60 years.

Borgata will also continue its policy of presenting newer or emerging artists who are just beginning to make names for themselves.

The goal, Lupo said, is to bring new people to the casino in particular and to Atlantic City in general.

“The thing about Borgata is that we have such wide and diverse demographics that walk in our building,” he said, “so it’s important to have people like the Beach Boys and Tony

Bennett, as well as The Killers and new great artists like Gary Clark Jr.” Borgata has even scheduled a show called “America’s Drag Stars” for March 20. The show is an obvious effort to appeal to an LGBT crowd.

“We want to enlighten (new visitors) to what Borgata and Atlantic City has to offer,” Lupo explained. “So it’s really important to continue to drive new business and continue to get those new demographics in here.

Entertainment’s a great way to do that.” *** KING OF NEW YEAR’S EVE When Tony Orlando welcomed 2016 from the stage of Resorts Casino Hotel, he merely added to his unprecedented string of end-of-year performances in Atlantic City.

Out of the 38 New Year’s Eves Atlantic City has seen since the beginning of the casino era in 1978, Orlando has worked 25 of them at six different casinos. No other entertainer even comes close; none has even reached double digits.

Orlando, who’ll turn 72 in April, considers it a major honor — and a genuine challenge — when a casino asks him to perform on one of the most important nights of the year.

“It’s a big responsibility,” Orlando said. “My job that night is to present a party. To make sure when that midnight moment comes, it has the energy and excitement that you would see on television at Times Square. When they call me back to do New Year’s Eve, it’s a big compliment for any performer. The casino is trusting you to entertain their people on the biggest night of the year. And (the audience) is the boss, they’re the people who are really in charge. I owe them a great deal of gratitude for all they’ve done for me and my family.”

Orlando may have an advantage over other artists because of the type of high-energy show he presents all year. Out of the 135 shows he does each year, Orlando plays each one as if it’s New Year’s Eve. Orlando is also one of the few performers to successfully transcend the theory that a

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LIFESTYLE REPORT | March Issue 2016

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L I F E ST Y L E E N T E R TA I N M E N T performer is only as good as his last hit recording. It’s been years — decades, actually — since he and his former group Dawn had a chart hit. But during the intervening years, Orlando’s popularity has never waned.

That’s because he’s gained a reputation for performing one of the best live shows of any entertainer, past or present. Orlando’s concerts — which are more like variety shows because of how he features different

Tony Orlando

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members of his band and an occasional surprise guest star — have become as much of a signature as any of the hits.

He’s also one of the rare artists who works without a set list, which is like daredevil Nik Wallenda walking the high wire without a safety net.

Backed by the same band for 18 years, Orlando and his musicians know how they’ll open the show and close the show.

But in between, Orlando improvises, and his band is skilled enough to follow along with him. Even if they don’t know a particular song, they’re so good and making it up as they go that the audience will never know the difference.

After 54 years in the business, Orlando can accurately gauge the mood of the crowd and respond accordingly. In many respects, he plays his show the way many professional football quarterbacks play the game. The quarterback will occasionally call an “audible” by changing a play at the line of scrimmage if he sees that the defense knows what’s coming.

That adaptability is never more important for Orlando than on New Year’s Eve. It’s the only show of the year he has to play just a little differently because of the emotions of the crowd. Some people become reflective and even melancholy as they mark the passage of another year.

“The year might have sucked (for some of the audience) and they’re looking forward to the next year to make it great,” he said. “Or maybe they lost somebody that year. Maybe they got divorced that year. There are all kinds of dynamics that enter the picture as you approach midnight. And you have to be a pied piper to bring them into a positive sense when that clock strikes midnight.”

While he and the band have some ballads in their repertoire, one New Year’s Eve adjustment is to keep the entire show’s rhythm on an up note. But even that’s not etched in stone.

“I’ll try to make it a party, so I’ll be up-tempo most of the night,” he said. “But if I feel like there’s a moment when there’s a couple out there that want to hold each other or kiss before the stroke of midnight, I’ll go for a ballad. I can’t prepare (a New Year’s Eve) show. I have to shoot from the hip.”

Although it’s considered a premium pay day for entertainers, some entertainers want no part of working New Year’s Eve. They don’t want to deal with amateur drunks who rarely drink all year but go overboard on December 31.

But Orlando said he’s only missed one yearend celebration during his career. And he didn’t like sitting on the sidelines. “(My wife) Frannie and I started hitting the pots and pans when Dick Clark was on TV and I said, ‘This is ridiculous, we can’t let this happen any more,’” he said with a laugh. “And I’ve worked every (New Year’s Eve) since.” n

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Atlantic City Bigger, First and Only

By SHERRY HOFFMAN

E

ver since visionary entrepreneurs booted the Absegami Indians off the island and out of their swampy, mosquito-infested summer homes in the mid-19th Century, Atlantic City has found seemingly endless ways to put itself on the world stage.

Originally developed as a restorative resort where the sickly could get well by filling their lungs with healthy ocean breezes, the original re-settlers quickly discovered there was even more money to be made by pandering to the healthy and wealthy. As a city grew out of fields of phragmites, so did ways of attracting the attention of the curious masses.

In addition to hotels that offered guests three types of running water in which to bathe — hot, cold, and salt pumped right out of the ocean — clever promoters came up with a seemingly endless series of stunts, gimmicks and one-of-a-kinds, many of which led to lots of firsts, biggests, onlys, and world records.

Here’s our look at just some of the things that made Atlantic City the world’s playground: Atlantic City probably never would have evolved into the destination resort it is today without its single biggest and most significant manmade attraction: the world’s first Boardwalk. If you consider the city a giant bicycle wheel, then the Boardwalk was the center out of which all spokes grew. The original wooden way was first laid down in 1870 and was merely a series of planks temporarily laid across the sand in the summer (and packed away in the winter). Its origin can be traced to a hotel owner and a grumpy train conductor.

Their intention wasn’t to use the “board walk” as a home for commercial enterprises designed to separate tourists from their money.

All they wanted to do was keep people from tracking the damned sand into the hotels and onto the trains, where it had to be swept away every day.

Over the next 30 years, the Boardwalk — it’s a proper name because it’s technically considered an Atlantic City street — was widened, elevated, railings were added, the familiar herringbone board pattern emerged and businesses sprang up on both the land and beach sides. Soon, other seashore communities began adding boardwalks of their own — Wildwood, Ocean City, and Coney Island. The concept spread overseas, too; many a visiting British entertainer has said the Atlantic City Boardwalk reminds them of the one in Brighton, England. “Except you people have the ocean on the wrong side,” the late Davy Jones of the 1960s band The Monkees once quipped during an interview.

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In 1978, the Atlantic City Boardwalk added another first to its resume; it was where the first legal casino east of the Mississippi River would open — right on the world’s first board walk.

In 1910, just seven years after the Wright Brothers flew the world’s first airplane on a North Carolina beach, a facility opened on Albany Avenue that offered a place where airplanes could land and take off from a runway and seaplanes could do the same from the bay waters that surrounded field. In 1919, the term “air-port” was first used to describe what was known then — and is still today — as Bader Field.

Eventually, the hyphen was dropped and Bader Field became the first facility to use the term “airport.”

The medical field can claim Atlantic City as a first, and not for what you might think — the incubator baby exhibit on the Boardwalk. No, that distinction went to Coney Island; Atlantic City — never one to allow another resort to have a monopoly on making money – merely capitalized on a sure bet when it copied the incubator baby display.

But medicine can claim that the first surgery on broadcast television took place in Atlantic City in 1949. Operations performed at the Atlantic City Hospital (now AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center) were broadcast — in color, no less — to doctors attending the American Medical Association’s annual meeting at Convention Hall (now Boardwalk Hall) and were televised on stations in New York and Baltimore, where some viewers reportedly fainted when they watched the actual surgeries.

Not all of Atlantic City’s firsts date back decades. In 1992, the rap group Detroit’s Most Wanted shot the first rap video ever filmed in a casino when it made “The Money Is Made” at Trump Taj Mahal.

Atlantic City has seen more than its share of “biggest” and “largest” attractions and stunts, too.

For instance, anyone who wanted to see the world’s largest typewriter could find it on the former Garden Pier. The Underwood typewriter was 1,728 times larger than standard size machines of its type. It was so big promoters would often have women sitting on the keys, and it remained a Boardwalk attraction until World War II, when it was scrapped for metal.

One of the most stubbornly enduring attractions in Atlantic City since the early 1930s has been the largest organ in the world, the Midmer-Losh pipe organ in Boardwalk Hall. Although it was damaged by the Hurricane of 1944 and was never completely repaired, portions of the organ, which officially has 33,112 pipes, have been restored and it is mostly functional today. Efforts are underway to raise the millions

Lifestyle Legends

Top right, Strollers on the boardwalk near Million Dollar Pier in 1942. Photo courtesy of Atlantic City Public Library, Fred Hess, photographer.

Middle, Atlantic Ave. near Tennessee Ave. in 1945.

Homberger’s, M.E. Blatt Building and McCrory’s 5 and 10 are visible. Photo courtesy of Atlantic City Public Library.

Bottom, an Atlantic City Jitney when service was 10 cents. of dollars needed to fully restore the massive instrument, which is so big it has four listings in The Guinness World Records.

The organ’s home, now known as Boardwalk Hall but originally built in the 1920s and opened as the Atlantic City Auditorium before becoming Convention Hall, had a remarkable run of its own. When it opened in 1929, it was the world’s largest building without roof posts or pillars.

With a vaulted barrel ceiling that topped out at nearly 140 feet, a 13-story building could fit inside the hall. In fact, the room was big enough to actually accommodate a helicopter, and indeed a Bell Jet Ranger helicopter took off, made a short flight around the room and then landed inside the hall.

And for those who thought the Astrodome in Houston was the first indoor stadium for football, think again. The 1964 Liberty Bowl between the University of Utah and the University of West Virginia was played inside Convention Hall. (Utah won, 32-6.)

Not all of Atlantic City’s claims to fame are mired in the past, either.

The longest craps roll in the history of gaming happened in 2009 at Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa. A Morris County, N.J. woman broke the world record when she held onto the dice for a staggering four hours and 18 minutes.

Patricia DeMauro bought into a game for $100 at about 8:15 PM and didn’t “seven out” until just after 12:30 AM the following morning. All told, she tossed the bones 154 times. In a sense of true Atlantic City irony, DeMauro beat the previous record for the longest craps roll — which was three hours and six minutes — that had been set in 1989 at the California Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, which just happens to be owned by Boyd Gaming, which owns Borgata.

Finally, one of the most enduring records in broadcasting — and one that’ll likely stand forever — was set in Atlantic City.

Prior to his final broadcast last May, each time Pinky Kravitz fired up his WOND-AM 1400 microphone, he merely added to his own record of America’s longest-running daily radio show on one station. Kravitz, who was 88 when he died in October, spent 59 years on radio, with the final 57 at WOND, where he literally logged tens of thousands of hours on the air. n Sherry Hoffman is the owner of Sherry Hoffman Public Relations and has been a contributing Lifestyle writer since its first issue. njlifestyleonline.com

LIFESTYLE REPORT | March Issue 2016

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On Wheels By Elaine Rose

Three for the Family

2016 Dodge Journey

Pack your gear and hit the road in one of these familyfriendly choices

YES, WE GET IT. Your car is an expression of your personality. You love to slide behind the wheel and sink into luxurious leather and then hit the gas pedal for premium performance on the highway.

But sometimes you have to be practical. A Chevy Corvette or Porsche Spyder won’t cut it when you have to take your son and all his equipment to a hockey game; your daughter and her teammates to basketball practice; two large dogs to the veterinarian; or your entire family for an extended weekend at a relative’s house. In those cases, an SUV or a mid-size sedan is definitely in order.

Detroit has graciously provided several vehicles that fit the bill for daily use. The Dodge Journey, the Chevrolet Equinox, or the Chrysler 200 may suit your needs for ordinary family activities. And the good news is, these babies are all quite affordable.

That means you can hold on to your cash for when the kids are grown, and you can spend it on that dream machine you’ve coveted since the day you got your driver’s license.

If you have a large family or a lot of stuff to haul, you’ll want to consider the SUV crossover Dodge Journey. Dodge has consolidated the Journey into five trim levels, with a starting price of $20,895. You can get the better-appointed Crossroad trim starting at $29,995.

Dodge calls the Journey the “Swiss Army knife of crossovers,” as it offers a choice of a four- or six-cylinder engine, seating for five or seven people, and front- or allwheel drive. A unique feature is the various storage bins within the passenger cabin, including spaces under the rearseat floor that can hide valuables from the view of thieves while the car is parked.

The standard 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine comes with a four-speed automatic transmission and delivers 173 horsepower and 166 foot-pounds of torque. This gets a respectable 26 mpg on the highway. The 3.6-liter Pentastar six-cylinder engine, optional on the higher trim levels, has a six-speed automatic transmission and 283 horsepower and 260 foot-pounds of torque. Most reviewers recommend that you spring for the six-cylinder engine, especially for buyers who will carry heavy loads or a lot of passengers.

A review by Edmunds notes that the Journey has not changed much in the past several years, and competitors are leaving it in the dust. The engine is outdated, and not as powerful as those of other crossover SUVs. Handling can be rough, especially on turns. But the Journey has some plusses, especially given the low price.

“Its suspension provides a smooth ride even over the roughest road surfaces,” the reviewers wrote. “That, in combination with supportive seats and a quiet interior, makes the Journey an ideal companion on long road trips.”

Interior comforts include dual climate controls, reclining second-row seats, a 4.3-inch touch screen, and a six-speaker sound system, Edmunds noted. There is plenty of head and legroom, though the optional third-row seats are not very comfortable for adult passengers.

The Journey is a “solid family pick, and one of the least expensive ways to get a third-row seat,” wrote Bengt Havorson of The Car Connection. “If space is important, you’re getting more vehicle for the money” than with competing crossovers.

If you don’t need quite that much cargo space, you may want to consider the Chevrolet Equinox, a leading contender in the ever-growing compact-SUV segment of the auto market. The five-seater comes in four trim lines, starting at $22,600. While it has escaped the attention of the automotive press in recent years, the Equinox is Chevrolet’s second-best-selling model.

Most changes in the Equinox for 2016 are in the exterior and technology, including a redesigned grille, projector-beam headlights for better nighttime visibility, a seven-inch touch screen and a rear-view camera for the entry levels, and LED running lights and upgraded interior fabrics for the higher trims. These changes had the result of injecting a youthful flair into a vehicle that already sells quite well, wrote Justin

2016 Dodge Journey’s suspension provides a smooth ride over the roughest road surfaces.

2016 Dodge Journey with all-wheel drive

Dodge Journey offers many interior comforts.

2016 Chevrolet Equinox LT in patriot blue metallic

“The 2016 Chevrolet Equinox stands out for its ability to deliver a smooth ride over almost any road surface.”

LT’s interior view

2016 Chevrolet Equinox in siren red tincoat

LT’s aluminum wheel

2016 Chrysler 200 ON WHEELS Cupler of Top Speed.

The Equinox is quite generous with its cargo space, offering 31.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats, and 63.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. Reviewers say it offers a comfortable ride for backseat passengers.

Though not quite as imaginative as the Dodge Journey, the Equinox has several storage bins inside the passenger cabin, including an oversize glove box and a space under the center armrest large enough to hold a laptop.

There are also four power outlets to keep all your devices charged, and eight cup holders for drinks.

One option that parents will appreciate, especially on long road trips, is a tablet holder that mounts on the backrests of the front seats, notes Andrew Wendler of Car & Driver.

Built-in Wi-Fi at all trim levels is sure keep the kiddies entertained.

On the performance side, the Equinox

comes equipped with an Ecotec 2.4-liter direct-injected, four-cylinder engine with 136 horsepower and an estimated 32 mpg on the freeway. All-wheel drive is optional on all but the base entry level. A 3.6-liter, six-cylinder engine is available for the two higher trim levels, delivering 301 horsepower and 272 foot-pounds of torque. Both engines come with a six-speed automatic transmission.

“The 2016 Chevrolet Equinox stands out for its ability to deliver a smooth ride over almost any road surface,” Edmunds reports.

“The base engine, however, lacks the pep necessary to rapidly accelerate this heavy SUV,” and once again, the V-6 engine is recommended.

For those set on a sedan, the Chrysler 200 is billed as “the mid-size sedan for customers who have earned a little luxury in their life, but demand value for their money.” Targeted customers are in their mid-thirties, college

graduates, and with no children.

Built in Sterling Heights, MI, the Chrysler 200 comes in four trim lines, including a special 90th Anniversary edition with unique accoutrements. The base model starts at $21,995. All models are equipped with ninespeed automatic transmission.

Purchasers have a choice of the standard 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine with 184 horsepower or upgrading to a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine with 295 horsepower.

Plenty of tech options and 60 safety features are available to customize the 200 to meet your needs. The car has a 16-cubic-foot trunk, more than competing mid-size sedans, and a split folding rear seat for even more cargo room.

The Chrysler 200 was completely revamped for the 2015 model year, so you can forget about any negative comments you heard from owners of earlier versions, wrote Kate McLeod of The New York Daily News.

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LIFESTYLE REPORT | March Issue 2016

31

ON WHEELS “Based on looks alone, the 200 is now one of the flashier options in a family car market that isn’t usually brimming with look-at-me choices,” McLeod wrote. And it is the only mid-size sedan that offers fourwheel-drive, a big plus for winter-weather driving.

Like most family cars, the Chrysler 200 is not built for speeding around a twisting road, McLeod wrote.

“For normal driving, however, the

200’s suspension sucks up the rumble and grumble afforded by nasty bumps and poor road surfaces … and the general driving experience is steady and comfortable at any speed,” she wrote. “Sportier drivers can always extract an extra measure of fun by using the paddle shifters, if they’re feeling racy during their morning commute.”

But Car & Driver pans the Chrysler 200 for its cramped rear seats and heavy weight that impairs handling and performance. But

32 March Issue 2016 | LIFESTYLE REPORT njlifestyleonline.com

the interior is comfortable and elegant, with easy-to-use controls, the reviewer wrote.

The 200 is good for city driving and running errands, but comes short of being a top choice in the competitive field of mid-size sedans, Car & Driver concluded.

So now it’s time to hit the dealerships and decide which of these cars is the right fit for your family. And once the kids are grown and on their own, it will be time to look for the car of your personal dreams. n

Join the Club. Reap the RewaRds! A Golf outinG for 2 At renAult Winery & Golf Course!

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Borgata Buffet’s dessert display

All-You-Can-Eat Elegance ATLANTIC CITY’S HIGH-END BUFFETS OFFER A FLAVOR FOR EVERY TASTE

Golden Nugget’s buffet

34 March Issue 2016 | LIFESTYLE REPORT njlifestyleonline.com

RESTAURANT REPORT

Tropicana’s Fiesta Buffet

By Alyson Boxman Levine

Whether you call them smorgasbords or buffets, the allure of endless displays of delicious food appeals to everyone. Forget the long lines and trays of cold chicken and pizza; the buffets of today are truly gourmet and offer high-end services only a casino dining establishment can offer. From locally-sourced foods, to wine kiosks and award-winning chefs, Atlantic City casino buffets are truly a cut above the rest.

So how did the great idea of buffets come about anyway? Well, according to historians, Sweden and France were the first countries to formalize the buffet concept. In Sweden, the smorgasbord originated as a way to feed hungry out-oftown visitors who popped in unexpectedly. Starting with just bread and butter — the term translates as “buttered bread board” — the smorgasbord display grew to include several courses, beginning with salted fish, eggs and boiled vegetables, then moving on to cold cuts, warm entrees and salads, and ending finally with dessert and coffee. With a focus on entertaining rather than cooking, the French offered a more refined model, filling their lavish “buffet” tables as a sign of prominence.

When it comes to gaming establishments, the man credited with creating the first all-you-can-eat casino buffet was Canadian-born Herb McDonald. In the 1940s, McDonald worked as a publicist at the El Rancho Vegas, one of the first hotels on the Las Vegas Strip. According to historical accounts, late one night he wandered into the kitchen, brought out some cold cuts, cheese and bread, and spread them out along the bar for hungry customers. The late-night selection was a hit, and McDonald eventually evolved the menu into a 24-hour all-you-can-eat “Buckaroo Buffet.” For just $1, people could choose from a selection of cold cuts, salad, and seafood. Unfortunately, the hotel lost money on its buffet, but gained it back by promoting customer loyalty and enticing new patrons. Soon after, other casinos along the Strip were copying the idea, until nearly every hotel had their own version of the “midnight buffet.” Presently, these all-hours establishments are still a big draw throughout Las Vegas, and range from the inexpensive to the incredibly lavish.

Offering plenty of food variety at a reasonable price, buffets are still gaining in popularity today. These establishments afford people the opportunity to try new types of food they would not typically order from a menu in a traditional restaurant. For many, buffet eating is a science all its own. Some patrons go straight for their favorites; crab legs and prime rib. Others opt for the traditional meal; first starting with a soup or salad, then their entrée with vegetables, followed by dessert. And I’ve seen others go straight for the dessert area, and begin their meal with a sweet treat. One thing is for certain; there are no rules when dining at a buffet. Simply relax and enjoy the bevy of offerings before you.

One of the Atlantic City area’s top buffets is the Waterfront Buffet at Harrah’s Resort. Featuring nine diverse food stations, guests relish in a seeminglyendless selection of delights from across the globe. The Waterfront focuses on fresh ingredients and offers made-to-order dishes such as steaks, custom salads and fried chicken, as well as plenty of dishes with an international flair. From a beautiful hand-rolled sushi station to Mongolian barbecue and steamed mussels, you just may not have room for their delectable desserts.

Bring your appetite to the Borgata and feast at an award-winning restaurant.

Named Best Buffet in Atlantic City by The Star-Ledger, Borgata Buffet offers the best of the best: a wide variety of food to fit your style, prompt attention and service, and most importantly, time well spent. Located on the casino floor, Borgata Buffet is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and was designed to reflect an old-world Italian feel. Chat with the chefs while they carve BBQ ribs, or create a bowl of pasta on the spot. Hot or cold, simple or exotic, there’s something for

The Palace Court Buffet at Caesars

Harrah’s Waterfront Buffet

Borgata Buffet’s chefs Photo courtesy Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa njlifestyleonline.com

LIFESTYLE REPORT | March Issue 2016

35

R E STAU R A N T R E P O R T every craving. And if you have a fetish for freshness, ingredients come straight from local Garden State farms for a salad bar par none using the best of seasonal New Jersey produce. An array of mouthwatering desserts by former White House pastry chef, Thaddeus DuBois, will delight every sweet tooth.

Bringing more than 20 years of experience to Borgata’s award-winning culinary program, Chef Biglan oversees the buffet. In his role as Executive Chef, Biglan also oversees in-room dining and catering programs for both the AAA Four-Diamond Borgata and The Water Club hotels, as well as the property’s talented team of chefs and culinary personnel.

At the Golden Nugget, visitors can enjoy allyou-can-eat action as well. Their well-stocked buffet is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but go on Friday for their special seafood buffet. Indulge in unlimited crab legs, clams, and mussels, along with their regular favorites; kielbasa with onions and peppers, roast turkey with gravy and stuffing, mashed potatoes, and Osso Buco. The chefs use top meats and seafood and — to maintain maximum freshness — cook many of the dishes in small batches. Build your own sandwich from piles of cold cuts, or create the sundae of your dreams at the frozen yogurt machine. Whether grabbing a quick lunch with the family or settling in for an epic meal, this location certainly makes the short list.

If you’re at the Tropicana, the Fiesta Buffet will impress with an endless array of selections and a stellar view of the beach and boardwalk. This surf and turf buffet caters to carnivores, with seafood delights such as snow crab legs, shrimp, and fresh fish and turf specialties that include hand-carved beef, meatballs, chicken, and more. Enjoy all-you-can-eat seafood specials featuring a multitude of selections from the American, Asian, Italian, and hand-carved beef stations.

A favorite of locals and visitors alike is the buffet at Caesars Atlantic City. Superb seafood, decadent desserts, a fresh salad bar, stone-fired pizza, a selfserve wine station, impressive seasonal selections, and plenty of international cuisine; the Palace Court Buffet has it all. Pile your plate high with grilled swordfish, beef fillets, lasagna, oysters, crab, and much more. As an added bonus, check out the DIY Bloody Mary bar, a self-serve wine kiosk, seasonal food, and an everchanging menu.

The restaurant was recently expanded to approximately 7,500 square feet, with seating for 350 guests in a warm, modern design. There are intimate tables, large tables for parties, and high-top bar seating in the center to add a hip flare to the space.

The buffet is set up in stations so that guests need not stand in a long line.

All these decadent buffets offer boundless options to perfectly match any appetite. So, whether you’re in the mood for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, a delicious meal awaits. Now comes the difficult decision … deciding which one to choose. Bon appetit! n 36 March Issue 2016 | LIFESTYLE REPORT njlifestyleonline.com

Lifestyle Cooking With Chef Will Savarese

Tips for a Simpler Life I

’m sure I’m not the only one that says it … Where did the time go?

Hopefully you accomplished many things this past year. As we look forward to another year, what is in store for ourselves?

With the beginning of a new year, compile a list of what you want to accomplish. It’s a good way to reflect on your goals and get yourself to think about today, as well as the year ahead. Give yourself different types of goals to accomplish, some easier than others. Succeeding feels good and will make you relish your sense of accomplishment. While having my morning coffee, I write down what I need to get done that day. As I go through my day, I check off each task with enthusiasm. Believe me, even the small things feel good when they get done.

At the beginning of each year, I also make a “yearly” list of goals. I, for one, would like to get more exercise than I did last year. I would also like to focus on better eating habits (not all the time, mind you, but in moderation).

My motto is to take baby steps, which can lead to a healthier lifestyle.

Make healthier meals a part of your day, everyday. This can be achieved by just eating simpler, shop local and cook more seasonal. Leave the fuss for when you want to showcase to friends and family over a dinner party. For the everyday routine, keep it simple and enjoy the free time with your loved ones.

Keep flavorful stocks on hand. Make

and freeze chicken, beef, veal, and clam (use different variations and seasonings). Make these on a Sunday and pull as the week goes, adding to them to save time. You will definitely see a difference in taste and time. It’s all in the prep and being organized.

Have a well-stocked pantry. Include the following: roast garlic (confit) in EVOO; fresh made aiolis, dry beans; cheese, nuts, lots of fresh veggies; and lean proteins. n

Recipes for your pantry Garli Confit • 2 heads of garlic peeled • 1 cup EVOO • 1/2 c blended oil 75/25 • Place garlic and oil in sauce pot.

• Put on the lowest heat possible on the stove.

• Cook low and slow, the longer the better until garlic begins to turn golden.

• Turn off heat and let it sit till cool • Place in air tight container and refrigerate.

Quick Preserved Lemon Rind • Take two lemons, with a spoon take off the rind, then cut into 1/4 inch strips.

• 50-50 salt to sugar mix, and sprinkle on lemon rind.

• Let sit for a couple of days in fridge.

• Then rinse off and blanch in boiling water 3 times. Changing the water each time.

• When cool, store in fridge.

• To use, dice and add to stocks to make sauces or to vinaigrettes. njlifestyleonline.com

LIFESTYLE REPORT | March Issue 2016

37

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.

Blue Water Grille

60 N. Maine Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 609-343-7447 fantasearesorts.com Located on the 7th floor of FantaSea’s Flagship Resort, the Blue Water Grille is reinventing itself under the direction of Yianni Papaspanos, Director, Food and Beverage, and Executive Chef A. Juliano Cannuscio. Amazing views abound as the well-trained servers offer American Mediterranean cuisine with Italian influences. Dine on their delicious selections as you enjoy the magnificent ambiance.

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.

Joseph's Restaurant at Renault Winery A Touch of Italy 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.

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.

72 Bremen Avenue, Egg Harbor City, NJ 609-965-2111 renaultwinery.com Open since 2001, Joseph's Restaurant at Renault Winery has become a local favorite of the Atlantic County area. The continued patronage speaks volumes to the flavors that Chef Joe DeGennaro creates, which combines his unique flair and traditions. The food quality and atmosphere are surpassed by none. The Milza family commits themselves to the highest level of service and customer satisfaction. Whether you choose Italian, seafood, premium steaks or a burger, you are sure to be pleased. Try their diverse flavors and experience their amazing ambiance in a unique setting.

Maplewood

470 White Horse Pike, Hammonton, NJ 6126 Black Horse Pike, Mays Landing, NJ 609-561-9621, 609-625-1181 joesmaplewood.com 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.

38 March Issue 2016 | LIFESTYLE REPORT njlifestyleonline.com

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 restaurant.

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!”

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.

Joe Italiano

Jimmy Italiano

Tomatoes

9300 Amherst Avenue, Margate, NJ 609-822-7535 tomatoesmargate.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.

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.

470 White Horse Pike Hammonton, NJ 609-561-9621

6126 Black Horse Pike Mays Landing, NJ 609-625-1181

www.joesmaplewood.com

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 business has 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.

We’ll be the first to admit our name doesn’t tell the whole story.

Bountiful Seafood.

Succulent Steaks.

Perfect Pastas.

And yes, Award-Winning Crab Cakes.

2015 Best of Press Awards: “Best Seafood Restaurant”

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.

Somers Point 609-927-7737 www.thecrabtrap.com Serving from 11am Children’s Menu Available Lunch • Dinner • Cocktails Live Music • Deck Bar

njlifestyleonline.com

LIFESTYLE REPORT | March Issue 2016

39

casino dining

TROPICANA (THE QUARTER) Broadway Burger Bar

PLAYGROUND AT CAESARS

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.

Cuba Libre

Phillips Seafood

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.

Playground 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.

At Barista’s Coffee House “Great Coffee is what Life is All About”

HAPPY HOUR In our Tavern & Courtyard Tues - Fri & Sun, 5 - 7 p.m.

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40 March Issue 2016 | LIFESTYLE REPORT njlifestyleonline.com

Barista’s Coffee House Central Square, Linwood, NJ 08221 609-904-2990 baristascoffeehouse.com

HARRAH'S Sammy D's Harrah's Resort, 777 Harrah's Blvd, Atlantic City, NJ 609-441-5402 sammyds.com Sammy D’s is an all-you-could-ask-for eatery from culinary sensation Chef Sam DeMarco. At Sammy D’s, a retro restaurant, bar and lounge, Chef DeMarco takes East Coast favorites to the next level with his Philly Cheese Steak Dumplings, Lollipop Wings, SAM-'Whiches and Craft Drafts.

Before hitting the boardwalk, or the jackpot, pull up a chair or grab a stool and relax at Sammy D's in Harrah's Resort.

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.

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LIFESTYLE REPORT | March Issue 2016

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AtlantiCare LifeCenter has been the preferred health and wellness resource in our community for more than 10 years. Located in Egg Harbor Township and in Atlantic City at the Tropicana, we’re southeastern New Jersey’s premier fitness destination. We offer the combination of equipment options, classes and amenities you want most, with highly trained fitness pros who can help you maximize every minute you’re in the gym — whether you work out in a group or with a personal trainer.

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