100th Anniversary Celebration for Eagle Rock Reservation Restaurant
100th Anniversary Celebration for Eagle Rock Reservation Restaurant
Highlawn Pavilion To Host Special Dinner for Legendary “Casino” Building
Essex County Landmark – Thursday, August 05, 2010 .
100th Anniversary Celebration for Eagle Rock Reservation Restaurant
Highlawn Pavilion To Host Special Dinner for Legendary “Casino” Building
WEST ORANGE – July 20, 2010. The owners of Highlawn Pavilion, which is consistently named Essex County’s “Best Romantic Restaurant” for its fine dining and panoramic views of the New York City skyline by Suburban Essex, NJ Savvy Living and other media outlets, will host a 100th Anniversary celebration of the venue, open to the public (though reservations are required), on Monday, September 27, 2010.
The Casino
In 1910, the building of an open masonry shelter affixed with a series of arches and dubbed “The Casino” was completed on the crest of Eagle Rock Reservation with half of the structure residing in Montclair and the other half in West Orange. The term "casino" refers to an Italian-style county dwelling or gathering place.
After decades of neglect, the Knowles family acquired The Casino from Essex County in 1985 with the goal of turning it into a first-rate restaurant. The Knowles’ dedication, investment and vision resulted in a restored and fully functional and now popular public space that has gone on to win many prestigious awards and accolades including an “Excellent” rating in The New York Times and “Four Stars” from The Star-Ledger.
Anniversary Celebration
To honor the 100th Anniversary of The Casino, Chef Mitchell Altholz has created a three-course, prix-fixe menu featuring contemporary recreations of popular dishes from the turn of the century. A list of classic cocktails from that era, with a modern twist, will also be on the menu. Live music of the era, a photo gallery of the history of Highlawn Pavilion/The Casino and a wax cylinder recording session and discussion will add to the evening’s festivities. The dinner (with wines included) will cost $85 per person. To reserve a table for this dinner celebration, please call Christopher Gellings or Paul Keenan at 973-731-3100.
The Edison Connection
Edison spent years at Eagle Rock Reservation for both work and pleasure. In 1903, the park is known to have been used to film part of the “The Great Train Robbery”, arguably the first “motion picture”. He later conducted secret experiments for the US Military using the open expanse of the summit. Wade Knowles, co-owner of Highlawn Pavilion, is both Vice President of the Edison Innovation Foundation and Trustee of the Charles Edison Fund. He has acquired Thomas Edison’s personal Model-T (a personal gift from Henry Ford) for the evening of the celebration, which will be parked out front of the restaurant to recreate an old postcard from that era.
In 1914, Edison celebrated his daughter’s marriage with a party at The Casino – including decorative Chinese lanterns making for a colorful evening. The wax cylinder was one of Thomas Edison’s patents and was the precursor to modern recording devices.
Message from the Knowles
The Knowles family, owners of Highlawn Pavilion, The Manor and Pleasantdale Château (all located in West Orange) are thrilled to be the custodians of this remarkable structure formerly known as “The Casino” and encourage visitors to revisit the park and to enjoy the views of the NYC skyline from within the building and on its patio as well as for lunch, dinner or any special occasion.
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