The Highlawn Pavilion was an iconic location in West Orange, thanks to its iconic, panoramic views of the NYC skyline. Now, the venue atop Eagle Rock Reservation has a new owner, chef, renovated interior design, and executive team; as well as a new (yet familiar) name: Moving forward, it will simply be known as The Highlawn.
After 35 years of ownership under the Knowles family, Caldwell residents Anthony and Jennifer Frungillo purchased The Highlawn. “We took over a year after COVID. We understood what we were getting ourselves into,” says CEO and managing partner Anthony. In addition to renovating the space, Executive Chef and Culinary Director Sam Hazen has created a new menu. The Highlawn also moves away from a strict dress code in favor of business casual.
More from Best of NJ
The New Venue
The Grill Room, which is the main dining room, seats 160. “We did a major overhaul of the space,” Anthony says. They opened up the area to make it brighter, while also adding more colors with white marble and gold accents. “It has an amazing view of New York City and we didn’t take away from that,” Anthony mentions. Click here to learn the history of The Highlawn.
The Highlawn always had an upper patio, but now there’s a main floor patio as well, seating 80 diners. The exterior boasts new landscaping and stonework. Meanwhile, an upper terrace will open in the spring to offer additional seating.
The Skyline Ballroom is a catering hall ideal for weddings and other large events, holding up to 200 guests. Starting in spring 2022, they’ll be able to host events in an outdoor tent. But their long-term plan is to build a glasshouse atrium to showcase the stunning panoramic views.
The New Menu
The Highlawn menu features New American fare. “Our cuisine is slightly different than fine classic fine dining,” Anthony explains. “But it’s the same dedication to the food in an upscale and well-serviced atmosphere.”
Anthony raves about the Sicilian ahi tuna crudo and the meatballs. For entrees, they serve prime, dry-aged steaks, house-made pastas, and fresh, local-caught seafood. “Some of the items may seem steakhouse-ish,” he says. “But we use a wood and charcoal grill, which adds different depths of flavors.”
Vegans and vegetarians have high quality options at The Highlawn as well. For instance, the olive oil poached summer squash and whole roasted maitake are “beautiful-looking dishes,” Anthony says. “They have amazing flavor profiles and textures. I didn’t realize a vegan menu could be like this.” Click here to see the full menu.
Even the children’s menu offers an upscale twist to classic options. For example, chicken fingers come with multiple sauces for dipping and vegetable crudites are served with various dips. “We make kids’ food fun, exciting, and colorful,” Anthony says.
Likewise, the pastry chef serves a rotating, seasonal menu of desserts. Options range from pistachio crème Brule with fig cookies to blueberry crumble with toasted almond ice cream. While the restaurant menu reflects the business casual atmosphere, the bar area and patio menu is more casual.
About The Team
Chef Sam Hazen has experience from restaurants like La Côte Basque, the Quilted Giraffe, and Terrace on the Sky; as well as Cascabel and Tavern on the Green in New York City. He is also credited with building TAO New York and TAO Las Vegas. Chef Hazen graduated from The Culinary Institute of America, returning as a chef-instructor later in his career.
Meanwhile, Anthony’s brother Mike and father Al run Gourmet Dining, which serves 17 colleges and universities in New Jersey.
The Highlawn is now open at 1 Crest Drive in West Orange. (Click here to see them on Google Maps.) To learn more, click here to visit their website or you can click here to give them a call.
Click here to find the latest restaurants open in New Jersey.
The Highlawn FAQs
Yes they do accept reservations.
They offer gluten-free options, yes.
The Highlawn has vegan and vegetarian options, yes.
No, they do not offer takeout.
No, they do not offer delivery.
Yes, they serve alcohol.
Yes, they have a children’s menu.
All Photos: © The Highlawn
