2019 New Jersey Wine & Food Festival Best Bites

Another successful New Jersey Wine & Food Festival (https://njwinefoodfest.com) at Crystal Springs Resort is in the books.

About Saturday Night

I’ve been vocal about what an outstanding festival this is and beyond what others in the area can produce. One of the reasons I feel that way is the Grand Tasting on Saturday night. Where else can one taste dishes by more than top 40 chefs paired with wines and spirits from leading wineries and distilleries from around the world?

Some of my favorite bites of the evening (I liked MANY others plus note that I didn’t access the VIP room, so I’m unable to judge what the bites were in that room):

• Mike Carrino – Rabbit Rabbit: Bianco of Rabbit with Hazelnut and Porcini. Chef Carrino is launching a new venture called Rabbit Rabbit (https://rabbitrabbitnj.com) and if his rabbit dish is an indication, it’ll be THE place to dine in NJ. Fantastic dish and our favorite of the evening.
• Phil Deffina – Char Steakhouse: Prime Dry-Aged Strip Steak with Soft Scrambled Eggs with Kaluga Caviar and Crème Fraiche. Perfectly-cooked beef, huge beefy flavors…this is why I can’t cut red meat out of my diet. Extremely well-done, especially for an event this size.
• Leia Gaccione – South + Pine: Duck Taco with Rhubarb Hot Sauce. Duck tacos…come on!
• Craig Polignano – Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen: Pristine mackeral – way to (re) introduce folks to this flavorful fish.
• Emanuel Miranda – Smoke Rise Village Inn: Roasted Rohan Duck with Foie Mousse and Juniper Berry Chutney and Croquette. Yes, I’m a sucker for duck on duck…this was super.
• Francesco Palmieri – Calandra’s Il Vecchio Café: Ham and Cheese “Cream puff”. Whipped Mortadella and Mascarpone-filled profiterole with Meyer lemon frosting and pistachio powder – another top bite by this talented chef.
• Josip Franc – Lunello: Vittelo Tonnato with Crispy Capers. Would it have been rude to have five of these?
• Sam Freund – White Birch Restaurant: Moroccan Lamb with Quinoa Tabbouleh and Sheep Yogurt. Very special dish and lovely presentation. Loved it.

So many other dishes were also very tasty that it was difficult to determine which ones I enjoyed best. Well done and congrats to all the chefs who participated.

Cheers,

Veronique