The Manor philosophy: if you want it done right … do it yourself - and the Knowles family stands by that motto

Nation's Restaurant News, Dec 11, 1989 by Peter O. Keegan

After dinner of the buffet, many patrons retire to LeDome, a nightclub with live music and dancing under the stars. LeDome was adapted from a structure design planned for The White House during the tenure of President Benjamin Harrison.

Knowles plans on beginning a coffee and dessert service soon as part of a proprietary alcohol safety program.

Management tries to woo out-of-towners to The Manor by showing them that fine dining can be found outside of Manhattan. A recent ad for The Manor depicts a skewer of stuffed shrimp, a grilled veal chop and a solette of Dover sole and grilled salmon on a Manor plate. A carafe of wine and a Smith Atherton piano sit in the background. The copy reads, "Skewer - London 1790; Piano - New York 1890; Entree - New Jersey 1990.

The Manor was inducted into Nation's Restaurant News' Hall of Fame in 1984 and has received four stars from the Mobil Travel Guide for six consecutive years.

PHOTO : Above: The exterior of The Manor. To the right of the restaurant is Le Dome, modeled after a building planned for the White House during Benjamin Harrison's presidency. Right: Owner Harry Knowles, center, with sons Kurt, left, and Wade in front of The Manor entrance.

PHOTO : Austrian-born Hans Brueckl shows off some copperware pieces he creates in his workshop for The Manor.