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VUE | Fall 2021

The Digest | New Jersey Magazine

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boardwalk. In the museum store you're welcome to buy fresh goat milk, cheese, and honey that is produced on-site. Last, but surely not least, the estate is commonly used as a wedding location because of its picturesque scenery, architectural preservation, and generous amounts of space. Upon walking through Manchester we could tell that luxury is not simply a lifestyle, it's a gurantee. Beyond its spired colonial churches, small country stores, and comforting main street, is an underbelly packed with sophistication. It turns out that many of the people who vacation and live in Manchester are transplants from New York, New Jersey, and beyond which explains some of the influences found within the town's walls. We swayed through the streets that were all literally lined with marble, a quality not found even in Manhattan's illustrious Upper East Side. Located inside the historic town library, in the heart of Machester is The Silver Fork, a family-owned restaurant helmed by award-winning chef Mark French and his wife Melody, who acts as the in-house mixologist and sommelier. Before opening The Silver Fork, the Frenches lived in Puerto Rico where they operated another restaurant called Mark's at the Melia for 13 years. After having a successful run, they decided to move back to the states. Mark's brother notified them of a quaint restaurant space that was newly available in Vermont. It turned out that the quaint space was the remodeled and landmarked Mark Skinner Library, established in 1897. The couple snatched the space up and have been in operation since 2011. They've also been crowned the Best Spot for a Date Night by Tripadvisor's 2021 Best of Best awards. Mark's experiences learning under an award-winning chef in Germany, and living in Puerto Rico, have allowed him to create an eclectic Latin-European-inspired menu that is not normally found in New England. Due to his imaginative nature, and the use of fresh, local produce, the menu at The Silver Fork changes often. However, Mark isn't the only visionary, as Melody is equally skilled at crafting playful cocktails to complement the dishes featured on the menu. Our dinner here was the most memorable of the entire trip. New England isn't only known for its lush mountain and outdoorsy activities, but rather it has a growing community of craft beer makers and distilleries. At The Crooked Ram, we indulged in local farmhouse dishes made from locally sourced ingredients. Recently named Esquire's Best Bar in America, The Crooked Ram offers an extensive menu of both local and imported beers as well as an eclectic array of wine accompanied by a carefully organized charcuterie board. Chef Nevin Taylor whips up luxurious dishes like butter-poached swordfish and king crab meat accompanied with béarnaise sauce. No need to worry if you're not a beer and wine connoisseur as hosts are ready to help you select the perfect drink to accompany a sumptuously prepared dinner. Perfect for an autumnal getaway there's nothing better than playing a round of golf, enjoying an off-road adventure, or indulging in a long hike surrounded by the warm colors of turning trees along Green Mountain National Forest. The Equinox Golf Resort and Spa is a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of the city with no limit of activities and food to enjoy. V U E N J .C O M 105

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