A great meal in a great setting. Isn't that what we all look forward to, as winter winds down and muy frio gives way to al fresco?

Our own New Jersey Monthly restaurant and food expert, Rosie Saferstein, knows where you can find the right combo platters. From north to south, she says, you’ll savor each bite as you take in the fabulous scenery.

Rosie says start at Arthur’s Landing, (www.arthurslanding.com) and eyeball the skyline across the Hudson. New chef Michael Haimowitz has managed a mouthwatering menu makeover.

Head down river to the Liberty House,(www.libertyhouserestaurant.com) in Liberty State Park. The food is gourmet American, you can toast Lady Liberty from the glass enclosed wine room in the lobby.

Another great site for sights is the Highlawn Pavilion (www.highlawn.com) atop the Eagle Rock Reservation in West Orange. It’s historic--Edison reportedly worked in a room upstairs in the villa-- and romantic-- a good place to pop the question.

If you prefer inland waterways? Rosie picks Zoe’s By The Lake (www.zoesbythelake.com) in Sparta. Excellent French food compliments your view out the windows onto Seneca Lake.

Go down to the river in Rumson -- reserve a table for two at the Salt Creek Grille (www.saltcreekgrille.com).. Rosie says its the best view and steak place on the Navesink.

Also down the shore, Rosie’s “A” list includes the sizzling hot Avenue (www.leclubavenue.com) in Long Branch-- it’s the picture of style on the boardwalk.

And cloned from Beantown's Newbury Street is Sonsie (www.sonsieac.com) on the Pier at Ceasar’s. The huge enclosed glass pier, with floor to ceiling windows, is the setting for this classy steak and fusion eatery.