A rendering of the Ninety Acres Culinary Center at Natirar

Photo: courtesy of Natirar

Billionaire, hot-air balloon enthusiast and Knight of the Order Sir Richard Branson has converted Natirar, the King of Morocco’s former Peapack, NJ, estate, into a luxury resort, spa and culinary center. The first phase of the project, Ninety Acres Culinary Center, debuts December 1, with a restaurant, cooking school, wine school and working farm. Chef David C. Felton, formerly of the nearby Pluckemin Inn, will run the kitchen using ingredients from the estate’s farm to create dishes such as kabocha squash ravioli with ricotta, maitake mushrooms, duck confit and bouillon; and roasted Chatham cod with mustard spaetzle, braised cabbage and cracklings. The high-profile owner, and lush interiors designed by David Rockwell, are sure to be a draw for cityfolk looking to explore new foodie territory (2 Main St., Peapack-Gladstone, NJ; 908-901-9500).

– Kathleen Squires