Experience exceptional views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island on a free ferry ride to Staten Island. Staten Island itself also offers tourists a multitude of activities and attractions while visiting the Big Apple. History lovers enjoy strolling through Historic Richmond Town, a living museum situated on more than 100 acres of working farmland featuring life from colonial times. The Alice Austen House celebrates one of America's first female photographers. On display at her historic seaside home are some of the more than 8,000 photographs she took her in her lifetime. After a full day of sightseeing, enjoy one of the seafood or Italian restaurants of Staten Island.
WaterFalls Restaurant, a family-owned business, serves Italian cuisine and is open for lunch and dinner. The trellised entryway leads to a dining room complete with a hand painted Italian mural. Dinner, lunch and drinks are also served on the brick-lined outdoor patio. Entrees consist of traditional Italian fare such as chicken parmigiana and lasagna. Or try one of the Chef's Signature Specials like the Salmon di Cognac, pan seared salmon served on a bed of Italian risotto and topped with a cognac dijon mustard sauce. Order a glass of wine or enjoy a pitcher of homemade Italian sangria with dinner. Special menus and a party room are available for private events.
WaterFalls Restaurant
2012 Victory Blvd.
Staten Island, NY 10314
718-815-7200
waterfalls-restaurant.com
Located on the water in Staten Island, lunch and dinner is served in the window-lined dining room or on the patio overlooking the water at Cole's Dockside. Start with a plate of fried calamari or oyster shooters. For dinner, a variety of seafood dishes are available, such as stuffed shrimp, pecan-crusted mahimahi and lobster tails. There are several non-seafood options as well, like stuffed pork chops and the Filet Mignon Gorganzola. Catering is available for special events on the private dining patio. The restaurant also has a full bar and offers daily happy hour specials.
Cole's Dockside
369 Cleveland Ave.
Staten Island, NY 10308
718-948-5588
colesdockside.com
Indoor and outdoor dining are available at the dockside Marina Cafe. The restaurant has been serving the Staten Island community since 1980 and guests can enjoy views of the harbor from any spot in the glass-enclosed dining room. Special menus are available for holidays along with catering options for wedding receptions and other private parties. Try the Dragon Shrimp to start, popcorn shrimp breaded with tempura and served with truffle micro greens and a kim chee aioli. A raw bar menu is available as are entrees such as salt and pepper seared yellow fin tuna served with baby Swiss chard, wild mushrooms and a green onion ailoi. Finish off the meal with the drunken bananas soaked in Myers rum and served with toasted almonds and vanilla bean ice cream.
Marina Cafe
154 Mansion Ave.
Staten Island, NY 10308
718-967-3077
http://www.marinacafegrand.com
