www.theconnectionsnj.com
PAGE 34
Informal
Dining
Est. 1903
THE TAVERN ON MAIN
Open Six Days a Week - Closed Monday
Tues-Sat 11:30AM-10:00 PM - Sun 11:30AM-9PM
908-647-6919
www.TheStirlingHotel.com
www.paisanoswatchung.com
1511
Rt. 22, Watchung Square Mall, Watchung, NJ
908-755-1944 908-755-1877
Delivery Available • On-line Ordering Available
•
Gourmet Pizza
•
Pasta/Salad
•
Entrees
•
Dine In/Take Out
•
Catering
Monday Night
1/2
Price
Pasta Night
Includes Salad & Bread
Not to be combined.
Beverage not included. 4-9 pm only.
$
2
00
OFF
Any Large or
Jumbo Pizza
Cannot be combined with any
other special offer. Expires 1/31/14.
$
10
00
OFF
Any Order $60 or More
Before Taxes. Expires 1/31/14.
Mention coupon when ordering. Cannot
be used with any specials or promotions.
$
5
00
OFF
Any Order $30 or More
Before Taxes. Expires 1/31/14.
Mention coupon when ordering. Cannot
be used with any specials or promotions.
Place Your Holiday Catering Orders Now!
Holiday Markets
Revisited
By: Linda Seigelman
I am often asked about what to do in
New York City as the weather gets colder,
the days shorter, and the urge to hang
indoors harder to resist. There are many rea-
sons to venture into Manhattan this time of
year. Two excellent ones are the Union
Square and Columbus Circle Holiday
Markets. There is nothing better than spend-
ing a few hours outdoors browsing the mar-
kets, finding great gifts, and stopping for
some delicious eats along the way.
Designed in the tradition of holiday mar-
kets located in the public squares and piazzas
of major European cities, the Union Square
Holiday Market has been attracting crowds
of locals as well as tourists from around the
country and the world for 20 years. It marks
the official start of the holiday shopping sea-
son in New York City and is open from
November 21st to December 24th.
Over 100 merchants are arrayed through-
out the brightly lit and festively decorated
square. Each year sees the return of old
favorites and the debut of some exciting new
ones. Among the hot items this year are
handmade jewelry and leather goods, truffle
salts, olive oils and vinegars, stylish dog
leashes and pet accessories, wooden puzzles,
one of a kind art work and brew your own
beer kits. Take a break on a park bench and
watch the action as shoppers make their way
through this maze of holiday delights.
The Columbus Circle Holiday Market is
the younger sibling to Union Square and has
its own special flair. Located directly off
Columbus Circle near the entrance to
Central Park, it opens a bit later - on
December 4th. This market also has many
distinctive items for sale such as gingerbread
houses and kits, French truffles, shearling
clothing and accessories, and handcrafted
jewelry to name a few. There are numerous
food vendors offering snacks and holiday
treats from around the globe.
Be sure to leave time to explore the
streets beyond the markets. Union Square
and Columbus Circle are two very interesting
neighborhoods. Downtown, you can stroll
through the Village and NYU or to Madison
Square Park and Eataly. The shops in the
Time Warner Center, a walk through Central
Park, or a visit to Lincoln Center are excellent
add-ons uptown. Though the Holiday
Markets are filled with delicious food choic-
es, you might want to take a break from the
streets and head to a café for a comfortable
chair, a warm environment and a good meal.
Thus fortified, you can plunge back into the
fray one more time.
SOME FAVORITE SPOTS
NEAR UNION SQUARE
Blue Water Grill,
31
Union Square West (at
16
th) – long-time favorite of the area, seafood
specialties, always crowded, great brunch and
lunch choices, overlooks the square
Eataly,
200
Fifth Avenue (at 23rd) – shop
and eat day and night, from pizza to steak,
take out or eat in, always crowded but worth
a visit, great place for gifts too
Le Pain Quotidien,
801
Broadway (at
11
th) – a city staple, communal tables, good
soup, salads, sandwiches, delicious freshly
baked pastries and breads – take some home
Olives NY,
W Union Square, 201 Park
Avenue South (at 17th) – stylish spot with
Mediterranean influenced menu from Todd
English, terrific for breakfast, brunch, prix
fixe lunch or any time
Steak Frites,
9
East 16th Street (bet/ Fifth
&
Union Square) – French bistro with a pop-
ular prix fixe weekend brunch that’s a deal,
outdoor seating
SOME FAVORITE SPOTS
NEAR COLUMBUS CIRCLE
Arte Cafe,
106
West 73rd Street (bet/
Columbus & Amsterdam) – long-time casual
Italian spot, prix fixe options for lunch,
brunch and early dinner, good food at good
prices
Bouchon Bakery,
10
Columbus Circle (at
60
th) – Napa Valley, CA fave in NYC, take-
out bakery or sit-down café with great views
of Columbus Circle, excellent soups, sand-
wiches and more, the pastries are a must,
take home some bread and a treat or two
Café Luxembourg,
200
West 70th
Street (bet/ Amsterdam & West End) – French
bistro, an Upper West Side fixture that is still
great for lunch, brunch or pre/post-Lincoln
Center
Nougatine,
1
Central Park West (at 60th)
–
Jean Georges Vongerichten’s more casual
French spot (next door to Jean Georges),
great food, prix fixe lunch is the real deal
Telepan,
72
West 69th Street (bet/
Columbus & Central Park West) – lovely low-
key decor, excellent service, wonderful food
choices a la carte or as a tasting menu, a top
brunch spot
H
H
N
F
H
N
M
F