9 January 2016 Boston Wine Expo Ticket Giveaway

Boston Wine Expo Ticket Giveaway

January 9, 2016 By

Boston Wine Expo LogoIt’s the 25th year of the Boston Wine Expo and the event and seminars are going to rock Seaport Hotels and World Trade Center! The 2016 Boston Wine Expo is bigger and better than ever! The 2016 Boston Wine Expo will be pouring more than 1,800 wines from over 200 wineries from around the world, as well as featuring amazing food from some of Boston’s best restaurants, making this anniversary year a feast for the senses. There are events for all – The Grand Tasting, The Vintners’ Reserve Lounge, Chef Demonstrations, the VIP Experience, Seminar Series and more!

Grand Tasting Discounted Tickets!

Admission to the Grand Tasting includes:

  • As you walk into the Grand Tasting, you receive the famed Boston Wine Expo souvenir glass that is yours to keep.
  • You will also receive a 4-color glossy show guide outlining all the exhibitors that are present and where to locate them, celebrity chef demos and guided tastings/seminars along with other show facts. There’s room in the magazine to take notes on the wines that you taste at the Expo.
  • Access to wine samples from over 200 producers
  • Complimentary food samples from scores of providers
  • A chance to view live cooking demonstrations on two big stages (free, 1st come, 1st seated)

Please use this link in order to get $10 off Grand Tasting tickets on either Saturday or Sunday – available for purchases made in the month of January.  

January Grand Tasting Ticket Giveaway!

I have two pairs of tickets to give away to the Sunday Grand Tasting. For a chance to win a pair of FREE tickets:

  • Leave a comment after this post to let me know which exhibiting winery you’d most like to see at the event. Comments must be received by January 24th, 2016.
  • You can also leave that same comment on my Facebook page
  • Tweet me the winery name on Twitter with the hashtag #BWE2016

Two winners will be select on January 25 and their tickets will be available to them at the expo will call/VIP registration desk. Hope to see you there! Veronique

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1 January 2016 Gregg and Ryan Chefs Collaboration Dinner at Escape Montclair

Gregg and Ryan Chefs Collaboration Dinner at Escape Montclair

January 1, 2016 By

Chefs Bryan Gregg and Ehren Ryan of Common Lot, opening in February 2016 in Millburn, will collaborate at Escape Montclair on a five-course dinner on Wednesday January 13 at 7PM.

The menu is as follows:

1st Course

Hirame / puffed rye / smoked apple – Chef Gregg

2nd Course

Celery root / chicken skin / pickled celery – Chef Ryan

3rd Course

Hapuka / sunchoke / mustard seeds / fish jus – Chef Ryan

4th Course

Venison / ash cooked beets / buttermilk bleu – Chef Gregg

5th Course

Sorghum spiced financier / malted vanilla ice cream / oat streusel crumbs – Chefs collaboration

The cost of the dinner is $59 per person plus tax and gratuity and is BYO to allow guests to bring special bottles.

Seating for this event is very limited and guests should reserve online to secure seats via Eventbrite.

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30 December 2015 Terre à Terre Supper Club: The Art of Local Cuisine Collaboration Dinner

Terre à Terre Supper Club: The Art of Local Cuisine Collaboration Dinner

December 30, 2015 By

In the Terre à Terre kitchen, Chefs Todd Villani and David Viana will present a 6-course dinner showcasing the art of locally-sourced cuisine. The dinner is January 12th at 7PM.

~  First  ~

Liver and Onions – chicken liver mousse and caramelized onion bread pudding (Chef Viana)

~  Second  ~

Beet Ménage – goat cheese mousse, wasabi walnuts (Chef Villani)

~  Third  ~

Local Trout “Puttanesca” – tomato confit, black olive emulsion (Chef Viana)

~  Fourth  ~

Smoked  Pork Tenderloin  – aerated parsnip, pomegranate jerk (Chef Villani)

~  Fifth  ~

Slow Braised Short Rib – glazed carrot, maple black sesame sauce (Chef Viana)

~  Sixth  ~

Sweet Potato Pound Cake “Brulée” – roasted marshmallow gelato, cinnamon potato skins (Chef Villani)

Cost is $92 p/p (not including tax & gratuity).  Reservations required by calling 201.507.0500. Please call Terre à Terre at 201-507-0500 to hold your spot. Terre à Terre – 312 Hackensack St, Carlstadt, New Jersey 07072

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13 December 2015 Montclair Food and Wine Festival’s Frost Bites – January 28

Montclair Food and Wine Festival’s Frost Bites – January 28

December 13, 2015 By

Frost BitesThe Montclair Food & Wine Festival will host its inaugural Frost Bites Winter Party in January with special guest Jersey girl and Food Network star, Amanda Freitag. During the VIP reception, attendees can meet & greet the Iron Chef competitor and Chopped judge who will sign copies of her new book, The Chef Next Door: A Pro Chef’s Recipes for Fun, Fearless Home Cooking (HarperCollins, 2015) will be available.

PLUS, some of the area’s hottest chefs and top artisanal purveyors will be in attendance for passed-around small bites that will be paired with plenty of bubbly courtesy of Taittinger and wine from Amanti Vino. There will be live music from Julie’s Party and Bob McHugh on the piano.   

Door prizes include a certificate for a recreational class at the International Culinary Center in New York.  

Where: Woman’s Club of Upper Montclair, 200 Cooper Ave., Upper Montclair, NJ  

When: Thursday, January 28, 2016, 7:30 to 10 pm   

Who: Confirmed list of participating restaurants (which keeps growing) includes: 

  • Ani Ramen
  • Applegate Farms
  • Ariane Bar & Kitchen
  • Blue Jay Syrup
  • BURG
  • Costanera
  • Dolce
  • Escape
  • Fascino
  • Federica
  • Fitzgerald’s
  • Highlawn Pavilion 
  • Java Love
  • Mish Mish
  • Miss Nicky’s Toffee
  • Pig and Prince
  • The Orange Squirrel
  • Villalobos
  • Vital Dining

To purchase tickets or get additional info, visit: http://montclairfoodandwinefestival.org/frostbitesjanuary282016

Cheers,

Veronique

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5 December 2015 Christmas at Crystal Springs Resort

Christmas at Crystal Springs Resort

December 5, 2015 By
Image by Crystal Springs Resort.

Image by Crystal Springs Resort.

The holidays are right around the corner and there aren’t many more festive places to celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas Day than at Crystal Springs. The resort will be offering three options for dinner at the restaurants of the Grand Cascades Lodge (1 Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg, NJ).

Restaurant Latour

A five-course menu will feature luxury ingredients to indulge in: truffles, foie gras, chestnuts, lamb and more. Dinner starts with Amberjack Crudo with toasted pecans and blood oranges, followed by Acquerello Risotto topped with white truffles. Hudson Valley Foie Gras is accompanied by spice bread and quince, while Saddle of Lamb is served with endive, olives and herb jus. For dessert, Roasted Chestnuts are paired with caramelized white chocolate, bitter chocolate sponge and preserved cherries. (The regular 5-course menu will also be available.) Restaurant Latour will be open 3pm – 9pm on Christmas Eve and 3pm – 7pm on Christmas Day. ($125, $190 with wine pairing)

Crystal Tavern

Crystal Tavern will offer a three-course menu ($65, $94 with wine pairing) featuring Shrimp and Grits with red eye gravy, Rib Roast with Yorkshire pudding and spinach, and a Yule Log with chestnut cream. Crystal Tavern will serve this special menu from 5pm – 10pm Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The a la carte menu will also be available from 11am to 10pm each day.

Springs Bistro

Springs Bistro will serve a four-course menu inspired by the Feast of the Seven Fishes ($69, $98 with wine pairing). A Seafood Salad of shrimp, tuna, cuttlefish, squid and octopus is an aquatic feast while Roasted Branzino is accompanied by fennel, olives and arugula. For dessert, a rich Budino is served with whiskey cherries. Springs Bistro will be open 3pm to 8pm on Christmas Eve and closed Christmas Day. The regular a la carte menu will also be available.

Reservations can be made by calling 844-207-3203. For more information and online menus: http://www.crystalgolfresort.com/dine/holidays/christmas-holiday-weekends/

Cheers,

Veronique

 

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9 November 2015 Thanksgiving at Crystal Springs Resorts

Thanksgiving at Crystal Springs Resorts

November 9, 2015 By

Crystal ApringsLast year, we had the loveliest time dining at Crystal Springs Resort (1 Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg, NJ, 844-207-3203) for Thanksgiving so I thought I’d share all the options available to you if opt to dine out and let others do all the heavy lifting!

Crystal Springs Resort has five options for Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday November 26, from family-friendly ballroom buffets to casual prix fixe menus in the Springs Bistro and Crystal Tavern to a creative five-course menu in Restaurant Latour.

Grand Cascades Lodge will host a Thanksgiving buffet with live music from 11:30am – 4:30pm in the Emerald Ballroom. Guests can enjoy a seafood bar, salad bar, Honey glazed Smoked Ham, Herb-roasted Heritage Turkey with cornbread stuffing, and more, as well as all-American desserts like Apple Pie and Pumpkin Pie. The buffet is $49 for adults, $24 for kids aged 4 – 11, kids under 4 are free (tax & gratuity additional). The full menu is here.

Restaurant Latour will serve a five-course Thanksgiving tasting menu from 5pm – 10pm for $129 (tax and gratuity additional). Executive Chef Anthony Bucco has created a menu full of fall flavors and twists on the traditional holiday ingredients: Chestnut Agnolotti topped with white truffles, Heritage Turkey served in a croquette with a “gravy sponge” and Roasted Venison accompanied by beets and black walnuts. For dessert,Pumpkin is roasted in hot ashes and served with honey and spice bush berries.

Thanksgiving at Restaurant Latour

Orchard Apples – Caviar, Uni, Browne’s Pt. Oysters

Chestnut Angolotti – White Truffles

Heritage Turkey Croquette – “Gravy Sponge”, Autumnal Vegetables, Stuffing Crumble

Split Roasted Venison – Beets, Black Walnuts, Curds

 Pumpkin Roasted in Hot Ashes – Honey, Milk Skin, Spice Bush Berries

Springs Bistro at Grand Cascades Lodge offers an Italian take on Thanksgiving with a three-course menu for $59 from 5pm – 10pm (Kids 4 – 11 $18, under 4 free). The menu starts off with a Carrot Salad with pistachio, capers and parmesan or an Autumn Squash Soup with pancetta and sage. The main course is Traditional Turkey Dinner with all the fixin’s. For dessert, guests can choose a Ricotta Crostata or Apple Pie. The a la carte menu is also available.

Springs Bistro Thanksgiving Menu

Shaved Carrot Salad – Pistachio, Capers, Parmesan

or

Autumn Squash Soup – Pancetta, Sage

Traditional Turkey Dinner

Ricotta Crostata

or

Apple Pie

Crystal Tavern will serve a traditional three-course prix fixe menu for $59 (kids 4 – 11 $21, under 4 free) featuring Oyster Chowder,Brussels Sprout Salad with cranberries, walnuts and pecorino, a Traditional Turkey Dinner with all the fixin’s, and a choice of either Bourbon Pecan Pie or Apple Turnover. Crystal Tavern will be serving from 11am – 10pm and the a la carte menu is also available. A wine pairing is available for $30 and the a la carte menu will also be served.

Crystal Tavern Thanksgiving Menu

Oyster Chowder – House-Smoked Bacon, Peanut Potatoes

or

Brussels Sprout Salad – Cranberries, Walnuts, Pecorino

Traditional Turkey Dinner

Bourbon Pecan Pie

or

Apple Turnover

The Diamond Ballroom at Minerals Resort & Spa (Rte 94 Vernon) is another option for families with a buffet from 11:30am – 4pm for $45 (Kids 4 – 11 $25, under 4 free).  A calvacade of meats will be carved including Bourbon Barrel-Aged Maple & Thyme Glazed Turkey Breast, Rosemary & Garlic Encrusted Sirloin, Roulade of Pork with fennel and sausage and more. Kids have their own corner of the buffet with mac ‘n’ cheese, chicken fingers, pizza bagels and more. The full menu is here.

Cheers,

Veronique

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8 October 2015 Frog’s Leap Dinner at Spuntino Wine Bar 10/29

Frog’s Leap Dinner at Spuntino Wine Bar 10/29

October 8, 2015 By

frogs_leap_logoSpuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas is hosting a Frog’s Leap Wine Dinner at its location in the Clifton Commons on Thursday, October 29 at 7:00 p.m.

The evening will highlight wines produced by Frog’s Leap Winery, grown organically since 1988. The wines will be paired with a complementary five-course menu developed by Executive Chef Josh Bernstein, which includes: 

FOIE GRAS BUDINO – Roasted fig, Sauvignon Blanc wine gelee. Paired with a 2014 Sauvignon Blanc.

KABOCHA SQUASH RAVIOLLO – Browned butter, black trumpet mushrooms, hazelnuts, sage. Paired with a 2013 Chardonnay.

PAN ROASTED CHILEAN SEA BASS – Duck confit, parsnips, savoy cabbage, beet coulis. Paired with a 2013 Zinfandel.

DRY AGED RIB EYE – 28-day dry aged rib eye, grilled trumpet mushrooms, carrot puree, cocoa demi. Paired with a 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon.

PEAR AND GORGONZOLA STRUDEL – Walnuts, honey, vanilla gelato, Merlot Vincotto. Paired with a 2012 Merlot.

Tickets for the Frog’s Leap Wine Dinner, which has limited seating, can be purchased in advance for a cost of $99/person by clicking here, where the full menu along with wine tasting notes can also be viewed.

For more information, visit www.SpuntinoWineBar.com or at Facebook.

Cheers,

Veronique

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19 September 2015 Whiskey Festival of New Jersey Contest

Whiskey Festival of New Jersey Contest

September 19, 2015 By

Whiskey Festival LogoThe inaugural Whiskey Festival of New Jersey will take place at Taphaus in Jersey City on October 15th and we have a pair of tickets to give away (value $150)!!

Whiskey Festival of New Jersey offers attendees the opportunity to taste from a selection of more than 100 whiskies from around the world. Many of these whiskies are rare and exclusive. There’s also a chance to meet the whiskey distillers, master blenders and other whiskey experts who will be in attendance.

Some of the Whiskey vendors participating:

 

The event benefits York Street Project and tickets are priced per the below:

  • General Admission – $75.00
    General Admission Discount for 2 – $70.00 per ticket
    General Admission Discount for 4 – $65.00 per ticket

For a complete list of participating spirits vendors and to buy tickets, CLICK HERE or visit www.whiskeyfestnj.com

For a chance to win the two tickets, please leave a comment on this post letting us know what Whiskey brand you’re most looking forward to sample. Winners will be announced on 10/10/15.

Cheers,

Veronique

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13 September 2015 Fall Happenings at Crystal Springs Resort

Fall Happenings at Crystal Springs Resort

September 13, 2015 By

9/26 Malus Domestica Dinner

Chef's Garden

Chef’s Garden

On Saturday September 26, Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg will celebrates Malus Domestica, the orchard apple, in all its forms from cider to spirits to use as an ingredient in savory dishes. Guests will explore the differences between varieties of apples and their unique flavors during a reception featuring local ciders and cocktails. Then they will enjoy a four-course dinner from Executive Chef Anthony Bucco paired with ciders and cocktails in the outdoor Chef’s Garden. Guests will receive a take away package of cider donuts after the event. Crystal Springs Resort Mixologist Stephen Thomas will lead the discussion and serve three signature cocktails including The Malus with Warwick Applejack, American Spirits Barrel Aged Liqueur, fresh apple and Doc’s Hard Apple Cider; Applejack Rose with Black Dirt Distillery Applejack, housemade pomegranate syrup and pomegranate bitters; and A Stroll Through the Orchard with Calvados, fresh cider and honey crisp apple.

Malus Cocktail. Photo by Michael Tulipan

Malus Cocktail. Photo by Michael Tulipan

Chef Bucco will showcase the versatility of different varieties of apples with a four-course menu of Ginger Gold Apple & Quinoa with parsnip and sage, Tuna with Cameo apple, argan oil and cilantro, Duck Liver with Cortland apple, peanuts and caramel, and Pork Shoulder with Macoun apple and squash. The reception will start at 6pm in the Chef’s Garden, the resort’s seasonal wood-fired restaurant set in a lush organic garden, followed by dinner at 6:45pm. The reception and dinner with all cocktails and cider pairings $55, tax and gratuity additional. Reservations can be made by calling 844-207-3203.

10/10 Karen MacNeil French Wine Dinner

On October 10, Karen MacNeil, the award-winning author of The Wine Bible, the highest selling wine book in U.S. history, will be honored at a dinner featuring French wines from Crystal Springs 135,000 bottle Wine Cellar. MacNeil will be signing copies of the second edition of The Wine Bible, which has been completely revised and updated for the new release, during a Champagne reception starting at 6pm in the Wine Cellar. Dinner in Restaurant Latour will follow at 7pm with a discussion of the wines of France. Executive Chef Anthony Bucco has created a five-course menu that will be paired with two wines per course, covering the breadth of French winemaking regions.

Amberjack Crudo – gala apples, habanero, shiso, textured barley

Sunchoke – cider vinegar, caviar

Paired with Ruinart, Blanc de Blancs, MV and Egly-Ouriet, Les Crayeres, Blanc de Noirs, MV

Stracciatella Tortellini – pastured hen egg, black trumpet mushrooms

Paired with Darviot-Perrin, Chassagne-Montrachet, La Bergerie, 2007 and Jean Louis Chave, Crozes Hermitage Blanc, Sybille, 2007

Vinegar Glazed Squab & Foie Gras – wild maine blueberries, parsnips

Paired with Baron Thenard, Givry, Cellier Aux Moines, 2005 and Dominique Laurent, Bourgogne Rouge, Cuvee Numero 1, 2005

7x Ribeye Cap & Short Rib – turnips, bone marrow, bordelaise

Paired with La Lagune, Haut-Medoc, 1983 and La Parde de Haut Bailly, 2009

Beet Sponge – goat cheese panna cotta, bitter chocolate, caramel

Paired with Cypres de Climens, Barsac, 2009 and Chateau De La Peyrade, Muscat de Frontignan, Languedoc, 1994

Each guest will receive a copy of The Wine Bible. Tickets are $195 (tax and tip extra).

10/25 An Afternoon with Gaia Gaja

On October 25, Gaia Gaja, scion of the legendary Italian winemaking family, will lead a tasting of her family’s wines during a five-course lunch. A pre-eminent producer of Barbaresco and Barolo, the Gaja family has produced wines for five generations dating back to 1859. Guests will meet Gaia Gaja at a Champagne reception at 2pm in Crystal Springs’ award-winning Wine Cellar and then enjoy a five-course menu in Restaurant Latour by Executive Chef Anthony Bucco paired with Gaja wines from Piedmont and Tuscany.

Reception

Browne’s Point Oyster – osetra caviar, apple granita, tarragon

Paired with Champagne Duval-Leroy Rose MV

Lunch

Crudo of Snapper – fennel, citrus, castelvetrano olives

Paired with Gaja Ca’marcanda Vistamare 2013

Crispy Veal Sweetbreads – caviar, albacore tuna, sea beans

Paired with Gaja Rossj-bass Chardonnay 2014 or Gaja Barbaresco 2011

Pheasant Agnolotti – carrots, hazelnuts, sage

Paired with Gaja Magari 2012

Roasted Lamb – salsa verde, autumn vegetables, polenta

Paired with Gaja Ca’marcanda camarcanda 2010

Dark Chocolate Torte – rosemary, pine nuts, caramel

Paired with Gaja Brunello Rennina 2010

The menu paired with wines is $275, tax and gratuity additional. Reservations for these events can be made by calling 844-207-3203. Cheers, Veronique

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11 September 2015 Gary’s Grand Wine Experience

Gary’s Grand Wine Experience

September 11, 2015 By

Gary'sNew for 2015, Gary’s Wine & Marketplace is expanding its annual fall fundraiser into a three-day event dubbed – Gary’s Grand Wine Experience.

Food and wine lovers now have three opportunities to explore their passions:

  • Meet top Napa Valley Vintnersand taste rare vintages at a symposium moderated by Karen MacNeil as she kicks off her book tour for the 2nd edition of The Wine Bible.
  • Attend wine pairing dinnerswith guest vintners at NJ’s best restaurants.
  • Partake in the biggest Grand Tastingevent ever!

A bigger celebration means more chances to support the beneficiaries. Gary’s Wine & Marketplace has raised more than $700,000 over the years and expects this to be the best year ever!

THREE DAYS OF WINE, FOOD & PHILANTHROPY

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24

In-store tastings with vintners and winemakers – FREE!
12 pm to 4 pm
Gary’s Wine & Marketplace (Madison, Bernardsville, Wayne and Hillsborough, NJ)

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25

Napa Vintners Symposium and Tasting 

4 pm 
The Madison Hotel (Morristown, NJ)

Panel discussion moderated by Karen MacNeil, author of The Wine Bible: 

  • Bruce Philips of Vine Hill Ranch
  • Kathy Simpson of Barbour Vineyards
  • Miles MacDonnell of Round Pond Estate
  • Hugh Davies of J. Davies & Schramsberg
  • Lindy Novak of Spottswoode Winery
  • Mike Reynolds of Hall Wines

Wine Dinners with Napa Vintners 
7 pm

  • The Bernards Inn (Bernardsville, NJ) w/ Round Pond Estate & Barbour Vineyards
  • The Ryland Inn (Whitehouse Station, NJ) w/ Hall Wines & J. Davies Schramsberg 
  • Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen at Vail Mansion (Morristown, NJ) w/ Vine Hill Ranch & Spottswoode Winery

MONDAY, OCTOBER 26

Grand Tasting 2015 

7 pm – 9:30 pm 

Park Avenue Club (Florham Park, NJ) 

* VIP Admission at 6 pm

Gary’s biggest wine tasting event of the year! Hundreds of fine wines, stellar selection of premium spirits & craft brews, savory & sweet pairings.

2015 BENEFICIARIES 

  • Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute (Atlantic Health System)
  • Atlantic Home Care & Hospice (Morristown Medical Center)
  • Interfaith Food Pantry of Morris County
  • Morris Museum
  • Morris Arts

TICKETS & PACKAGES

Starting at $80

(Receive a copy of newly released The Wine Bible, 2nd Edition with purchase of Wine Symposium and VIP Grand Tasting tickets.)

Tickets and info: www.garyswine.com/gwx

Cheers,

Veronique

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