A Peapack-Gladstone resort caters to guests hungry for rest, education, and the delights of the seasons
by Marisa Procopio
At first glance, the retreat seems a bucolic slice of Eden, the perfect refuge from the city world. Further examination brings to light opportunities to learn and stretch the mind and the legs, and have fun doing it. At Natirar, which features a cooking school, farm, restaurant, park, and private club, relaxation and exploration are on the menu.
The 500-acre estate was created in the early 20th century and at one point was owned by King Hassan II of Morocco. (Natirar, incidentally, is an anagram of Raritan, a nod to the Raritan River, which spans two miles of the property.)
“The resort was envisioned back in the early 2000s,” said Bob Wojtowicz, its founder. The grounds were eventually purchased by Somerset County, and “we took out a 99-year lease on 90 acres,” which included the main buildings. He had a vision for “more than just a restaurant,” he said, chose to name the eatery Ninety Acres, and opened in 2009.
Over the years, the resort has grown to include a 12-acre farm. Fresh, organically-grown produce, meat from sheep and pigs, and eggs from laying hens on the property supply the kitchen with ingredients. (“We’re a table at the farm model, as opposed to farm-totable,” said Wojtowicz. )
“Bob envisioned a property that embraces the all-natural, sustainable, mind-and-body centered lifestyle,” said Natirar marketing associate Alicia Savoly. “It just feels good when you’re doing it that way,” agreed Wojtowicz.
The farm in autumn also provides bounty for Natirar’s cooking school. Over 1,200 square feet, the state-of-the-art facility offers guests small-group cooking classes as well as large-scale interactive lectures, hosted by vintners as well as chefs. Work tables can be adjusted to dining height, so afterward, guests can sit and enjoy the meal they’ve prepared.
The estate’s mansion is currently being renovated and additional facilities constructed, including a ballroom and events venue. Soon a spa, boutique hotel, wellness center, and private homes will round out Wojtowicz’s vision for luxurious and healthy living.
With holiday time quickly approaching, gift-givers can stop by to purchase gift cards or visit online. The cards may be used for anything available at the resort, whether dinner and drinks, events, or cooking classes.
Natirar
2 Main Street, Peapack-Gladstone
Ninety Acres Culinary Center / 908.901.9500
The Cooking School / 908.901.4714
Club at Natirar / 908.901.4733
natirar.com