11 May 2016 Balvenie Scotch Tasting and Dinner at Blue Morel Restaurant

Balvenie Scotch Tasting and Dinner at Blue Morel Restaurant

May 11, 2016 By

Balvenie Tun 1509Blue Morel Restaurant will host a Balvenie Scotch tasting and four-course dinner on Thursday, June 16, 2016 at 7pm for $99 per person all-inclusive. The first 12 guests to reserve will also have an opportunity to attend a 45 minute prelude tasting experience conducted by William Grant and Sons starting at 6:15pm featuring the rare Balvenie Tun 1509.

Lorne Cousin, Balvenie National Brand Ambassador, will feature an amazing journey into the Highlands of Banffshire, Home of The Balvenie–the most handcrafted Single Malt Scotch Whisky.  Lorne will take guests’ senses through a tour of The Balvenie 12 year Doublewood, 14 year Caribbean cask, 17 year Doublewood and 21 year Portwood.

Chef Bobby Varua will create a special menu pairing four courses with the single malts from the tasting.  Seating is limited.  The tasting begins promptly at 7:00pm, and guests are welcomed with a specialty scotch cocktail.  Reservation cutoff date is June 14, 2016.  For reservations and additional information please call 973-451-2619.

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3 May 2016 Celebrate Maifest at Pilsener Haus & Asbury Festhalle

Celebrate Maifest at Pilsener Haus & Asbury Festhalle

May 3, 2016 By

Bier TappingNew Jersey’s top two Biergartens kick off spring with Maifest, a month-long celebration featuring special menus, live music and bier (of course)!

The celebrations at Hoboken’s Pilsener Haus and its sister biergarten Asbury Festhalle kick off with keg-tappings and live music the weekend of Friday May 7th, and running through May 31.

Throughout the month, Pilsener Haus’ Chef Martin Schaub and Chef James Avery of Asbury Festhalle will offer very special Maifest menus featuring Roasted Suckling Pig, Schweinshaxen (roast pork shank), special spaetzles, salads, and desserts. See the Festhalle menu here. See the Pilsener Haus menu here.

Domestic and imported Maibock beers will be the special seasonal offerings during MaiFest: the maibock style is a helles lager brewed to bock strength, but lighter in color and with more hop presence. It is a refreshing beer, frequently associated with springtime and the month of May. NJ brewer Ramstein’s Maibock and premium imports Hofbraü and Hacker-Pschorr will be available. There will be a special Ramstein keg-tapping at the Saturday May 7th Hoboken kickoff, along with the popular masskrugstemmen (mug-holding contest).

Pork ShankAt Pilsener Haus, guests can also toast Springtime with a Radler de Blanche de Brussels, a housemade lemon sorbet/beer cocktail. Music is as much a part of MaiFest as the food and beer; located in towns with reputations for music, each biergarten has staked its place as a venue with unique weekly offerings. Maifest performers will include the biergarten-friendly Adlers; 4-time Grammy-nominated Polka Family Band and their old-school party music; New York’s Bavarksi, Pennsylvania rockers John Stevens & Doubleshot, and Mountain Xpress (see attachment for schedules).

Asbury Festhalle will also hold a StrasseFest (street festival) under a giant bier tent the weekend of May 20-22, with stein-carrying, best lederhosen/dirndl contests and more live music. A Maifest Bier Run will commence at 10am, Sunday the 22nd, with prizes for male and female winners.

Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten – 527 Lake Avenue, Asbury Park NJ. (732) 997-8767.

Pilsener Haus & Biergarten – 1422 Grand Street, Hoboken NJ. (201) 683-5465.

Prost!

Veronique

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2 May 2016 Meadowlands Battle for the Best Burger 5/14/16

Meadowlands Battle for the Best Burger 5/14/16

May 2, 2016 By

burger-battle_300x225On May 14th, I’ll have the pleasure of judging the Meadowlands Battle for the Best Burger. At the event, which runs from 6PM – 10PM in the Backyard, 10 of the area’s best burger makers, restaurants or food trucks, will compete to win $1,000.

Judging will take place at 8PM and two fans will be selected to be judges along with four of us judges. Fans will have an opportunity to sample some of the best burgers in the area starting at 6PM. There’s no admission fee and attendees are encouraged to purchase burgers from each food truck/restaurant.

Contestants Already Registered:

  • Taste of Brazil on Wheels
  • Escape Montclair
  • Cheech A’ Cini’s Italian Grill
  • South + Pine American Eatery
  • Little Bite of Paradise
  • Road Grub Mobile
  • Hero King
  • Kimchi Smoke

Judging will be based on 60% taste, 40% presentation.

Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment: Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment, 1 Racetrack Drive, East Rutherford, NJ  07073.

Hope to see you at the Meadowlands!

Cheers,

Veronique

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28 April 2016 Justin Pehowic Life Celebration Dinner at Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen

Justin Pehowic Life Celebration Dinner at Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen

April 28, 2016 By

Justin PehowicJockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen will host a very special dinner to celebrate the life of Chef Justin Pehowic who recently passed away. The dinner will be on Sunday June 5th at 6pm.

Join Chefs Thomas Ciszak of Chakra, former Jockey Hollow sous chef Christian Cruz, Bryan Gregg of Escape Montclair, Erica Leahy of Jockey Hollow and Kevin Sippel of Jockey Hollow for a dinner to celebrate the life of Justin Pehowic and to benefit Morristown Memorial Hospital.

There are a limited number of seats for this dinner and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Morristown Memorial. Tickets are $100/person and include wines paired by Chris Cannon of Jockey Hollow.

Menu:

Oyster Panna Cotta with Pumpernickel & American Caviar – Christian Cruz

Cured Trout with Potato, Roe & Nasturtium Oil – Bryan Gregg

Octopus with Boudin Rouge Ravioli & Charred Young Leeks – Thomas Ciszak

Lasagnette of Short Rib with Veal Tendon & Bone Marrow – Kevin Sippel

Dry Aged Duck with Pickled Rhubarb & Smoked Mustard – Bryan Gregg

Rack of Lamb with Tomato Tart Tatin & Ramp-Verjus Reduction – Thomas Ciszak

Marchpane Cake – Erica Leahy

Guests can purchase your tickets here.

Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen

110 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960.

Hope to see you there,

Veronique

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11 April 2016 Laurel Glen and Flowers Dinner at Ho-Ho-Kus Inn & Tavern

Laurel Glen and Flowers Dinner at Ho-Ho-Kus Inn & Tavern

April 11, 2016 By

A couple weeks ago, I was invited to a very exciting dinner held at the Ho-Ho-Kus Inn. It was a wine dinner featuring the lovely wines of Laurel Glen and Flowers. Executive Chef Hank Barrett created a menu worthy of the fantastic wines and Laurel Glen Proprietor, Bettina Siche, was in attendance to mingle with diners and offer insight on her wines and the industry.

The menu and pairings were:

1st Course

Flowers Chardonnay 2014

Boquerones-Ricotta Cavatelli, Grilled Romaine, Parmesan, Crisp, Cured Lemon-Garlic Sauce, Focaccia-Pine Nut Crumbs

2nd Course

Flowers Pinot Noir 2013

Seared Miso Marinated Black Cod, Bok Choy, Sushi Rice, Pickled Ginger

3rd Course

Laurel Glen Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Charred Rare Lamb Salad, White Truffle Dijon Mayo, Crispy Capers, Red + Green Lentils

4th Course

Laurel Glen Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Grilled Pheasant Breast, Glazed Fava Beans, Crispy Polenta, Wild Berry-Chocolate Demi Sauce

5th Course

Laurel Glen Counterpoint Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Chocolate Royal Cake, Dark Chocolate Mousse, Espelette Crème Anglaise

The Ho-Ho-Kus Inn holds incredible wine dinners throughout the year and to stay abreast of upcoming events, visit the restaurant’s events page or like its Facebook page.

Ho-Ho-Kus Inn & Tavern – 1 East Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423. 201.445.4115.

Cheers,

Veronique

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6 April 2016 Beers Eat Free at Office Tavern Grill on April 7th

Beers Eat Free at Office Tavern Grill on April 7th

April 6, 2016 By

On April 7th in honor of “National Beer Day”, beer enthusiasts nationwide will come together and rejoice in honor one of their favorite holidays – National Beer Day!  

The Office BurgerThe Office Tavern Grill, which boasts 40 rotating beer taps and an extensive craft beer selection, is officially joining the celebration by paying homage to anyone who is lucky enough to be named after one of the world’s favorite beverages. For one day only, on April 7, 2016, anyone who has any variation of the name “Beer,” or shares the same name as one of their favorite brands of beer, will receive a delicious burger pairing on-the-house at The Office Tavern Grill! 

All “Beers” will be able to choose a mouthwatering burger from The Office Tavern Grill’s popular menu when they present valid identification. Special guests can enjoy any burger on the menu including favorites such as the Tavern Burger, made with 100% Ground Chuck, Provolone cheese, stout braised onions, Applewood smoked bacon and Office burger sauce, or the Crusty Garlic Bread Burger, made with 100% Ground Chuck, fresh Mozzarella cheese, San Marzano tomato sauce and herbed garlic bread.  Both burgers are served with a choice of hand-cut fries, Quinoa salad or fresh greens. 

How fun is that!? Is your name beer-ish?

ABOUT THE OFFICE TAVERN GRILL

The Office Tavern Grill, serving modern twists of American classic comfort foods, paired with 40 rotating beer taps, an extensive craft beer and specialty cocktails selection, the reinvented relaunch of the iconic New Jersey restaurant brand known simply as “The Office.” Its newest incarnation, The Office Tavern Grill, is a crossroad where upscale and casual meet in a chic relaxed dining environment. Ideally located directly across from the train station in downtown Summit, and on “The Green” in Morristown, the exciting new Office Tavern Grill offers guests a completely revamped food and drink menu with a fresh new look and feel.  The Office Tavern Grill is owned and operated by Morristown-based, 40NORTH Restaurant Group.

Cheers,

Veronique

 

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4 February 2016 Masters of Mixology Dinner at Crystal Springs Resort

Masters of Mixology Dinner at Crystal Springs Resort

February 4, 2016 By

On 2/21, Crystal Springs Resort will host a Masters of Mixology Dinner featuring author Warren Bobrow and cocktail expert Christopher James.

Chris JamesThis exclusive event will feature a five-course menu by Executive Chef Anthony Bucco paired with cocktails from two of New Jersey’s premier mixologists. Bobrow will demonstrate a cocktail from his popular series of books then dinner and cocktails will follow in the resort’s award-winning Wine Cellar.

The menu and pairings:

First Course

Amberjack – blood orange/grapefruit/meyer lemon

Le Premier – Reyka vodka, grapefruit, tangerine, Champagne

Second Course

Octopus Chili – parsnip/pumpkin seeds

Sweet River – Glenfiddich 12, cachaça, lime, demerara, Regan’s no. 6

Third Course

Pheasant – fennel/pomegranate/chicory

Monkey Gland – Hendricks gin, orange, grenadine, absinthe

Fourth Course

Lamb – heirloom carrots/honey/clove

The Corsa Cocktail – Monkey Shoulder whiskey, Drambuie, Angostura

Dessert Course

Yogurt – poppy seed/streusel/oro blanco

El Ultimo – Ancho Reyes, Sailor Jerry rum, tawny port

The Masters of Mixology Dinner is $150 per person, inclusive of the food and cocktails; tax and gratuity extra. The event begins with a cocktail reception at 5pm followed by dinner at 6pm in the Wine Cellar. Reservations are extremely limited and can be made by calling 844-207-3203.

Crystal Springs’ Wine Cellar is located at 1 Wild Turkey Way in Hamburg, NJ.

Cheers,

Veronique

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25 January 2016 Valentine’s Day at Crystal Springs Resort

Valentine’s Day at Crystal Springs Resort

January 25, 2016 By

Crystal Springs Resort will be catering to guests of all types with various dining experiences at its many restaurants for Valentine’s Day weekend.

Restaurant Latour

Executive Chef Anthony Bucco has created a tantalizing 7-course tasting menu that will be served at the jewel-box like Restaurant Latour on both Saturday February 13th and Sunday February 14th ($165, $225 with wine pairing). The guests will enjoy the elegant setting and view, along with superb service and menu that will showcase decadent ingredients such as oysters, black truffles, caviar, uni and wagyu beef. The full menu is below.

The Wine Cellar

Couples can also opt to have a rare dining experience in the renowned Wine Cellar’s Bordeaux Room on February 14th at 7pm. Surrounded by verticals of wine from the storied houses of Bordeaux, the centerpiece of Crystal Spring’s award-winning 135,000 bottle wine collection, guests will enjoy a luxurious five-course menu ($150, $195 with wine pairing). The menu features Fluke Crudo with cara cara orange and poppy seed; Foie Gras Torchon; and Lamb with sweet potato and black truffle.

Crystal Tavern

On Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th, Crystal Tavern’s 5-course menu ($85, $120 with wine pairing) will feature Wagyu Beef Tartare with black truffles; Tenderloin of Beef with parsnip and brussels sprouts; and Muscovy Duck with turnips and lentils. The a la carte menu will also be available.

Springs Bistro

The menu at Springs Bistro ($75, $115 with wine pairing) will feature the flavors of Northern Italy with dishes like Chestnut Soup; Tagliatelle with saffron; Orechiette with hazelnuts and winter squash; and Duck Breast with mushrooms and polenta. The Valentine’s Day menu will be served from Friday the 12th through Sunday the 14th.

Kites at Minerals Resorts & Spa

Kites at Minerals Resort & Spa will serve a 4-course menu ($75, $110 with wine pairing) in addition to the regular a la carte menu. Dishes include Steak Carpaccio with shaved black truffles; Prosciutto-wrapped Lobster Tail; and Stuffed Roasted Squab with quinoa and squash. The prix fixe will be available Saturday the 13th from 5pm – 10pm and Sunday the 14th from 5pm – 9pm.

Reservations can be made by calling 844-207-3203.

Cheers,

Veronique

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23 January 2016 Terre à Terre Leap Year Dinner – February 29

Terre à Terre Leap Year Dinner – February 29

January 23, 2016 By

PrintOn Monday February 29th at 7PM, Chefs Bryan Gregg of Escape Montclair and Robert Ubhaus of Redux will join Terre à Terre Chef Todd Villani for a six-course dinner celebrating “leap year day”.

Menu details:

1st Course

Sautéed (make it hop) scallops / crispy prosciutto / Brussels / miso mushroom purée (Chef Villani)

2nd Course

“Spring” lamb carpaccio / pickled celery root / smoked apple vinaigrette (Chef Gregg)

3rd Course

Crisp frogs legs / parsley mousseline / black garlic chips / lemon powder (Chef Ubhaus)

4th Course

Rabbit confit vol-au-vent / prunes / root vegetables / grain mustard (Chef Villani)

5th Course

Pavé of “29th” day aged beef / trumpet mushrooms / parsnip purée / Bordelaise (Chef Ubhaus)

6th Course

Sweet corn bread pudding / caramel corn / popcorn ice cream (Chef Gregg)

The cost of the dinner is $92 plus tax and gratuity. Reservations can be made by calling 201-507-0500.

Cheers,

Veronique

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21 January 2016 Wine Events at Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas

Wine Events at Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas

January 21, 2016 By

SpuntinoSpuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas will offer a special Foods and Wines of Venice menu at its Clifton Commons location in Clifton, NJ. This menu will be available from January 27 through February 10.

Amazing wines will be paired with specialty dishes hand-crafted by Executive Chef Josh Bernstein.

Foods and Wines of Venice Menu:

SCALLOP CEVICHE BRUSCHETTA – Mint pesto, golden raisins, pine nuts red pepper and red onion.

Paired with a Bisol ‘Jeio’ Prosecco.

BEFF CARPACCIO – Lemon thyme aioli, baby arugula, capers, Maldon salt, shaved Pecorino Romano. Paired with a 2013 Filippi Castelcerino Soave Classico.

RISOTTO DI MARI – Vialone nano rice, shrimp, sea bream, mascarpone, Pecorino Romano, fresh herbs. Paired with a 2012 Bertani Valpolicella.

BRAISED BEEF CHEEKS – Slow-braised with Asiago polenta, fried Brussels sprout leaves.

Paired with a 2013 Zenato Alanera Baby Amarone.

TIRAMISU – Espresso-dipped lady fingers, house-made tiramisu, cocoa powder.

Paired with a Volpaia Vin Santo.

The tasting menu is $45 per person, or $65 per person including wine pairings. Menu items are also available a la carte, and the full menu and link to make reservations are available at www.SpuntinoWineBar.com.

Albert Bichot

Albert Bichot Wine Dinner – January 28

On January 28, the restaurant will host its Albert Bichot Wine Dinner, starring wines from the French wine region of Burgundy. The wines will be paired with a complementary five-course tapas-style tasting menu developed by Chef Bernstein, including dishes such as Crab Cake – upland cress, whole grain mustard, Berkshire Pork Cheek – asiago polenta, fried sprout leaves, and Old Chatham Camembert – black fruit compote.

Tickets to the wine dinner are $89 per person and can be purchased on the website, www.spuntinowinebar.com/albert-bichot-wine-dinner-clifton.

70 Kingsland Road, Clifton, NJ 07014. Tel: (973) 661-2435.

Cheers,

Veronique

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