Highlawn Pavilion is the proud recipient of the: - DiRoNA (Distinguished Restaurants of North   America) Award;

HIGHLAWN PAVILION VOTED MOST ROMANTIC DINING IN ESSEX COUNTY!

AOL City Guide© asked consumers to determine which restaurants they would choose as #1 for Best Romantic Restaurants in their areas. The restaurants were nominated by AOL City Guide© and then put to a vote by readers who log on to this free guide.

Highlawn Pavilion came in first, followed closely by The Manor, both restaurants owned by the Knowles family and both located in West Orange (Essex County, New Jersey). The Guide said, Highlawn Pavilion "exquisitely rivals the competition from its hilltop views to the Tuscan-flavored menu." Culinary treasures are prepared in a striking exhibition kitchen, which caps the restaurant’s stunning décor. Accolades from food writers include Gourmet Magazine’s Top Tables and an "Excellent" rating from The New York Times.

The Knowles Family is proud of the honor bestowed on its restaurants and wishes to thank all the voters.

HIGHLAWN PAVILION RECEIVES RATING OF EXCELLENT
- New York Times

An early Christmas present was brought to Highlawn Pavilion and its staff this December as it received an overall rating of “EXCELLENT” by the New York Times. The reviewer was obviously impressed with Executive Chef, Mitchell Altholz, who joined Highlawn after selling his renowned Maplewood restaurant, Jocelyne’s. To quote David Corcoran, New York Times reviewer, “When word got out that he (Mitchell Altholz) had moved up the mountain to Highlawn, there was instant rejoicing…” The atmosphere was described as “spacious, comfortable and opulent, with views for the ages.”

General Manager, Jan Zimmermann, attributes this great review to his hard working staff and wonderful Executive Chef, Mitchell Atholz.

HIGHLAWN PAVILION - BEST OF THE BEST! - NEW JERSEY MONTHLY

WEST ORANGE, NJ: Readers of New Jersey Monthly magazine have voted Highlawn Pavilion among the Best of the Best restaurants in North Jersey.

To quote New Jersey Monthly, "Highlawn Pavilion placed a fairly close second (to The Manor), winning as well in the categories as Best Romantic Dining and Best Atmosphere - due no doubt…to its magnificent view of the Manhattan skyline. Both establishments (Highlawn Pavilion and The Manor) are …owned by the Knowles family, whose stellar reputation for pleasing customers routinely lands them at the top of our list." 

The Knowles family is proud of the honor bestowed on Highlawn Pavilion, the historic building in Eagle Rock Reservation which they restored fourteen years ago from what the County of Essex then called an "eyesore" to a magnificent Italianate villa.

Highlawn Pavilion, "The Restaurant with a Different Outlook," has been given the AAA Four Diamond Award, one of the first Essex County winners of the new century, announces the AAA New Jersey Automobile Club.

"The Knowles family, who own and operate Highlawn Pavilion, take quality, consistency, and customer service to a higher level," said Frederick L. Gruel, president of the Florham Park-based Club.  "They have never lost sight of their first priority - their guests," he added.

This year, only four percent of the 11,000 rated restaurants received the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Award.  The Four Diamond rating is included in the restaurant's listing in the 2000 AAA New Jersey TourBook® - one of a series of popular travel guides published for AAA's 40 million members.

The Manor and Highlawn Pavilion in West Orange, NJ have once again been awarded the coveted AAA Four Diamond Award from the American Automobile Association.  This is the eleventh consecutive year for The Manor and the second consecutive year for its younger sister Highlawn Pavilion.  Only four percent of the estimated 11,000 restaurants attain this high level of excellence.

In addition, The Manor, Highlawn Pavilion, and Ram's Head Inn (Absecon, NJ) were top favorites in the New Jersey Monthly Magazine "Best of the Best" Reader Poll.  In "Best of the Best, North," The Manor was voted the number one favorite and Highlawn Pavilion took the number two spot.  Ram's Head Inn received the number three position in "Best of the Best, South."  In the North, The Manor also received the "Best Service" award, while Highlawn Pavilion received both "Best Atmosphere" and "Best Romantic Dining."

Discussing the winners, New Jersey Monthly's editors stated that "all the Knowles restaurants share superb management and a special ambiance."

The Knowles family prides itself on constantly striving to maintain its high standards of quality and is grateful to readers of New Jersey Monthly for recognizing the fruits of its unceasing efforts to provide first-class products and service in every area of the restaurants.