The region is flourishing with wineries, restaurants from noted chefs, and event halls. Here are five new places for functions within two hours of the city.
1. A Wine Country Retreat
For wine enthusiasts, Sparkling Pointe, a 10-acre vineyard and winery, opened last October on Long Island’s North Fork. The sparkling wine producer offers a French chateau-style facility with indoor and outdoor areas for events. The grand tasting room is modern and airy, with room for as many as 200 people. The lawn and terrace can be tented to accommodate 320.
2. Casino Eats
In November, Food Network star Bobby Flay opened his second Bar Americain, inside Connecticut casino Mohegan Sun. Much like the Midtown location, this 276-seat American brasserie was designed by the Rockwell Group and includes custom glass, wood, and metal wine towers and curved banquette seating. A 50-seat semiprivate dining room is available.
3. Waterfront Sights
Scheduled to open in late May, the Maritime Parc restaurant and event space will occupy 30,000 square feet in Liberty State Park. Owned by Chris Siversen, former executive chef of the Glazier Group, the trilevel waterfront site will include a 90-seat eatery designed by Goto Design. The second floor will seat 500 or hold 600 for receptions and include a wraparound terrace.
4. A Historic House
Following an extensive renovation, the Chelsea Mansion opened last year for corporate retreats and private events. On the 550-acre Muttontown Preserve in Long Island’s Nassau County, the 40-room house designed by William Delano contains the 30-seat Wellington dining room, a 600-square-foot ballroom, and the 80-person Sert Gallery. The face-lift also restored the grounds, preserving the details created by landscape architect Umberto Innocenti; the courtyard can be tented and seats 300 or holds 400 for receptions.
5. A Players Club
The members-only Space Port, a 32,000-square-foot entertainment venue in Paterson, New Jersey, doesn’t require membership for companies to use the facility for teambuilding activities or events for as many as 850. Spread across two levels, the venue includes glow-in-the-dark bowling alleys, a large gaming arcade, and areas for paintball and laser tag. For groups that need privacy, Space Port offers two suites—each with access to a terrace—and three penthouses.