In the summer, I like to vacation in my own "back yard" and I define that as the five boroughs and suburbs of New York. I always enjoy discovering new fun neighborhoods, restaurants by bodies of water (of which there are many!) and hidden gems. I found one such gem on the "Isle of Staten" as my dear friend Grae, a native Staten Islander, always calls the outer borough.

Casa Belvedere, located on a country-like windy road is not only a spectacular architectural structure, it is a not for profit cultural institution that celebrates all things Italian, from food, to music, to language lessons, and at the same time provides a stunning mansion available to rent for private functions.

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Source: http://www.thethreetomatoes.com/