9 September 2015 1st Annual NJ Taco Festival – Saturday, September 12

1st Annual NJ Taco Festival – Saturday, September 12

September 9, 2015 By

Taco Festival LogoThe 1st Annual NJ Taco Festival is taking place from 10Am – 8PM on Saturday at Sussex County Fair Grounds (37 Plains Rd, Augusta, NJ 07822).

For one day only, bring your New Jersey pride to the Sussex County Fair Grounds for the 1st Annual NJ Taco Festival.

The 1st Annual NJ Taco Festival brings together 40 of the best New Jersey artisanal taco proprietors; the largest collection of taco-makers ever assembled for a single event. All tacos cost $2 each, and vendors will compete for the “Best Tacos in New Jersey” award voted on by an esteemed panel of judges.

The 2015 New Jersey Taco Fest Awards will honor the Top 3 proprietors as they vie to win “Best Tacos in New Jersey” in the following categories: Best Beef Taco, Best Chicken Taco, Best Pork Taco, and Best Seafood Taco. Additionally, one honorary award will be cited for the most Tastefully Unique Taco. The judging panel features a team of chef personalities, media, food writers, editors, and enthusiasts.

Participating vendors at the event will include: Carlito’s Taco Wagon, Cold Stone Creamery, Damn Good Chicken, Empanada Guy, Giuseppe’s BBQ, Heartbreaking Dawns, High River Sauces, HotSauce4Good, Jersey Barnfire, Juan Grande, Kath’s Catering, Kona Ice, Matador Mexican Deli, Ma Pa’s Tex-Mex BBQ, MiniTacoShells.com, Mexi-Flip Taco Truck, Moe Mountain, Taberlaine Farm, The Guac Spot, Villalobos, Voodoo Chile, Vera Cruz, Whitehouse Sauces, and many more!

A portion of the proceeds from the 1st Annual NJ Taco Festival will be directly donated to Fighting Children’s Cancer Foundation.

Ticket Information:

General Admission to the NJ Taco Festival is only $10 (day of tickets are $15). $40 tickets for the Taco & Hot Special includes 2 bottles of hot sauce, 5 taco tickets, and 2 drink tickets (advance sale only via the Official Website). The El Gato Gordo VIP tickets ($100, available only via Official Website) include access to a private VIP lounge, unlimited sampling from liquor sponsors, craft beer, hard ciders, and specialty food vendors with full access to the NJ Taco Festival, access to special events, and VIP Goody Bag.

For complete event info: http://www.njtacofestival.com/

I’ll be one of the “esteemed” judges at the competition and hope to see you there!

Cheers,

Veronique

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14 August 2015 Italian Beer Dinner at Escape Montclair

Italian Beer Dinner at Escape Montclair

August 14, 2015 By

On Wednesday night, I attended an Italian beer dinner at Escape Montclair that was the first in a series of beer dinners to be held at the popular farm-to-table restaurant.

Chef Bryan Gregg partnered with Amanti Vino for this exclusive dining experience featuring the award-winning beers of Italy’s Birrificio Maeilla, Birrificio Rurale and Retorto Birrificio Artigianale.

While I consider myself somewhat well-versed when it comes to beers, I’d never sampled these fab brews prior to the dinner. The small-batch beers are crafted in Italy using unconventional methods and ingredients….the results – incredible flavors and food-friendliness.

These were the food and beer pairing:

First Course

Marinated fluke, citrus, garlic scapes

Paired with Rurale Scarliga

Second Course

Shellfish, giardiniera, chilies

Paired with Birrificio Maiella

Third Course

Duck “coppa style” puffed barley, broccoli blossoms

Paired with Retorto Morning Glory

Fourth Course

Lamb roast, orange peel, gnocchi

Paired with Maiella Matthias

Dessert Course

Raw cow’s milk “pot cheese” honeycomb, chestnuts cookies

Paired with Rurale Oasi

The tanginess of the marinated garlic scapes was a perfect match to the ultra-fresh fluke and kicked the evening on a very positive note. The shellfish and house-made picked vegetable “salad” was likely my favorite dish of the evening – rich yet balanced beautifully by the zip of the veggies and the bit of heat from the chilies. The duck was cooked properly with the fat rendered, skin crispy and the flesh juicy and tender. The lamb was fork-tender and served with pillowy orange-scented gnocchi. The dessert was the perfect ending to that great meal with ingredients not too sweet – chestnut “cookies/crackers” paired with light-as-a-feather cheese and not cloyingly-sweet honey – a super pairing with the slightly malty beer laced with honey notes. I’ll be reviewing the beers in a future post.

The beers we enjoyed by Birrificio Maeilla, Birrificio Rurale and Retorto Birrificio Artigianale are available for sale at Amanti Vino.

Something new that Escape is also doing is offering discounts to New Jersey Craft Beer Club members – 25% off on Mondays and 10% off any other day (excluding prix fixe dinners).

I’m already looking forward to the next beer dinner at Escape and hope the pairings are as wonderful as the ones we were presented with.

Cheers,

Veronique

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13 August 2015 Chef Todd Villani at James Beard House

Chef Todd Villani at James Beard House

August 13, 2015 By

This week, I was invited to attend the “Jersey Bounty” dinner at the prestigious James Beard House. The event was the brainchild of Chef Todd Villani of Carlstadt’s Terre à Terre.

The menu featured seasonal dishes showcasing the state’s peak summer produce. The cocktail hour was peppered with Jersey fresh hors d’oeuvres:

  • Juniper-Cured Goffle Road Poultry Farm Duck Prosciutto with Ginger Mustard on Pretzels
  • Vietnamese Crab Spring Rolls with Rice Noodles, Spiced Peanuts, and Micro-Shiso
  • East Coast Oysters with Borage, Riesling Mignonette, and Cucumber Caviar
  • New Jersey Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho with Lovage and Pickled Ramps

The 6-course dinner included:

  • Tuna with Beet Mousse, Melon, Radishes, and Microgreens
  • Viking Village Scallops with Charred Corn, Shibumi Farm Mushrooms, and Corn Milk
  • Duck Confit with Seeds-and-Grains, August Lettuces, Blackberry Confiture, and Nutmeg Vinaigrette
  • Nicolosi Fine Foods Berkshire Black Pork Belly with Sumac Grits, New Jersey Peaches, and Wild Basil
  • Elysian Fields Farm Lamb with Caramelized Leek–Lamb Bacon Gratin and Rapini Purée
  • Lavender–Raspberry Crostata with Lemon–Mascarpone Gelato, Raspberry Curd, and Frangipane

It’s always exciting to see even the most seasoned chefs in awe in the Beard House kitchen and it was no different seeing Chef Villani and his support team.

A great evening made even better with Jean Edwards Cellars wines in my glass.

Cheers,

Veronique

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2 August 2015 Foraging and Dining Events at Crystal Springs Resort

Foraging and Dining Events at Crystal Springs Resort

August 2, 2015 By

Crystal Springs Resort is hosting two events showcasing local foragers and a local brewery in August. The first event, Foraging Trip & Dinner, takes place on 8/16 and the second, Angry Erik Brewery Dinner, happens on 8/20. The Crystal Springs Chef’s Garden, a wood-fire outdoor restaurant surrounded by a lush one-acre organic garden, will be the location of both dinners (see a recent article I wrote on the gorgeous Chef’s Garden).

8/16 Foraging Trip and Dinner

NJ Chanterelles

NJ Chanterelles

Crystal Springs Executive Chef, Anthony Bucco, works closely with Sarah Berman and Corey Finck of Sussex County foragers to bring locally-foraged goods to the resort’s Restaurant Latour twice each week. On 8/16, guests will be able to participate in a foraging expedition with Chef Bucco and the folks at Sussex County Foragers. Upon returning from foraging, guests with make their way to the Chef’s Garden to enjoy cocktails and canapés prepared with ingredients foraged on the trip, This will then be followed by a four-course dinner by Chef Bucco paired with local wines.

Foragers Dinner Menu

Chanterelles/ NJ Corn / Basil

Lubina/ Plankton / Purslane

Mangalitsa Pig/ Wood Sorrel / Stone Fruit

Chocolate/ Anise Hyssop / Wine Berries

The foraging trip and dinner costs $115 including food, wine and transportation to the foraging location and back to Crystal Springs (tax & gratuity additional). Foraging trip begins at 4pm followed by dinner at 7pm. Reservations can be made by calling 855-977-6473.

8/20 Angry Erik Brewing When We Were Kings Dinner

On 8/20, Crystal Springs will host a dinner showcasing Angry Erik Brewing beers in the Chef’s Garden. The dinner will feature seven different beers including The Dainty Viking, an elderflower blonde ale; Hop-n-Awe double IPA; and Mary Shroom, a mushroom and rosemary saison.

The event will begin at 6pm with passed canapés and cocktails made with Angry Erik beers, followed by a four-course, beer-paired dinner crafted by Chef Anthony Bucco.

Angry Erik “When We Were Kings Dinner” Menu

Heirloom Grains – tomatoes / cucumbers / dill (Paired with Angry Erik Two– Shoe Brew, Copper Ale)

Day-Boat Scallops – grapefruit / coriander / corn (Paired with Angry Erik Hop-n-Awe)

 Roasted Duck – mushrooms / pine / wild blueberries (Paired with Angry Erik Mary Shroom)

Chocolate – coffee / yogurt / lavender (Paired with Angry Erik Freaky Freydis)

Dinner costs $65, inclusive of food and beer tastings. Reservations can be made by calling 855-977-6473.

Cheers,

Veronique

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23 July 2015 Win a Trip to Venice with Valdo Prosecco

Win a Trip to Venice with Valdo Prosecco

July 23, 2015 By

ProcessoValdo, the #1 Best Selling Prosecco in Italy for 15 years, is giving consumers a chance to win a trip to Venice this summer.

The Grand Prize consists of 3-night/4-day trip to Venice, Italy for two people. Prize includes the following:

  • Roundtrip (coach class) air transportation from a major airport nearest the winner’s home address to Venice Italy.
  • Three nights’ hotel accommodations.
  • Ground transportation to and from airport/hotel.
  • Ground transportation to visit the VALDO winery.

Approximate retail value of this prize package not to exceed $5,000 USD.

To enter Valdo’s Golden Summer contest, simply log into Facebook before August 9th and click http://bit.ly/1CAJPQ6. The winner will be selected on August 10th, 2015.

Good luck (not really as I want to wine!)!

Veronique

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3 July 2015 Express Lunch at The Orange Squirrel

Express Lunch at The Orange Squirrel

July 3, 2015 By

TOS Express Lunch Photo Credit overhead view- The Orange Squirrel

Francesco Palmieri, Chef/Owner of the popular The Orange Squirrel in Bloomfield, is now offering a new weekday lunch menu.

The $13, Three-Course Express Lunch is available from Monday through Friday between 12:15PM – 2:45PM for dine-in or pick-up. 

A great value at just $13, lunch includes a choice of soup, a salad and a choice of specialty sandwich (all are served with fries or giardiniera pickled vegetables). 

410 Bloomfield Avenue, Bloomfield, NJ 07003 / phone: 973-337-6421/ www.opentable.com

Cheers,

Veronique

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26 June 2015 Supper Club at Terre a Terre – Italian Godfather Dinner

Supper Club at Terre a Terre – Italian Godfather Dinner

June 26, 2015 By
Todd Villani

Todd Villani

UPDATED 6/29/15

Twice a month, join others who have a passion for local, seasonal foods for themed dinners in the heart of Bergen County. Terre à Terre is taking the underground Supper Club concept above ground with its own monthly events that are open to members only.

To get the Supper Club started, Chef Todd Villani selected the initial menus – but over time, members will weigh in on themes, speakers and guest chefs, entertainment, special trips and featured wines.

The next Supper Club dinner is named “Italian Godfather Dinner”. It will take place on July 15 at 7:00 p.m. and Chef Villani will prepare his own version of a “meal you can’t refuse”.

The menu will feature:

Housemade Focaccia with herb and roasted garlic oil for table

~  Appertivo   ~
Summer vegetable bruschetta

~  Antipasto  ~
“Insalata Caprese” fresh local mozzarella, basil, cappicolla, and Jersey tomato

~  Primo  ~
“Sunday Gravy” with sausage, meatballs, bracciole and spare ribs over Sfoglini  pasta

~  Il Secondo  ~
Veal with Shibumi cultivated mushrooms and aged Marsala

~  A Dolce  ~
“Leave the gun and take the cannoli”

The 5-course dinner is $69 per person (not incl. tax & gratuity) and seating is very limited. To reserve call 201.507.0500 or CLICK HERE.

Terre à Terre is BYO but serves local wine from Unionville.

312 Hackensack Street, Carlstadt, NJ. 201-

Cheers,

Veronique

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24 June 2015 Bastille Day Wine Dinner at Crystal Springs

Bastille Day Wine Dinner at Crystal Springs

June 24, 2015 By

Bastille DayCrystal Springs will celebrate Bastille Day with a French wine dinner in the resort’s Wine Cellar on July 16.

An American Chef in Paris – Bastille Day Wine Cellar Dinner will feature a reception, four-course dinner by Executive Chef Anthony Bucco and wines showcasing the breadth of French winemaking regions with selections from Alsace, Loire Valley, Bordeaux, Rhone Valley and Champagne from the resort’s award-winning fine wine collection. Wine Educator Becky McNulty will lead a discussion of the wines during dinner.

The event kicks off with a wine and canapé reception in the Wine Cellar at 6:30pm before guests sit down to dinner at 7:30pm.

Canapés

Lucien Albrecht Cremant D’Alsace Rosé Brut, NV — Reception Wine

Langoustine, Tomato/Saffron/Summer Squash

Domaine de la Perrière Sancerre 2013

Colorado Lamb, Byaldi/Garden Herbs

Château Moulin de Duhart 2011

Epoisses, Sour Plums/Almond Sable

Château La Nerthe Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2011

Wine Berry Mille Crepes, Rosé Wine Sorbet/Rose Petals

Domaine Baron de Rothschild Rosé Champagne NV

The full menu with wine pairings ($129 including wines, tax and gratuity additional) is below.

The dinner takes place at the award-winning Crystal Springs Wine Cellar (1 Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg, NJ). Reservations can be made by calling 855-597-7357.

 

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15 June 2015 Mind of a (Mad) Chef at Blu and Next Door

Mind of a (Mad) Chef at Blu and Next Door

June 15, 2015 By

BluThis Wednesday, June 17, Zod Arifai, the beloved Chef/Owner of Blu and Next Door in Montclair will host what he dubs “Eat What You Want, Pay What You Want”.

Chef Arifai, known to combine modern cuisine with French, Italian and Asian influences, has wanted to bring this eating concept to fruition for a long time. With the impending closing of Blu and Next Door this summer, the acclaimed Chef has decided to take the plunge.

This is how the concept will work:

  • As guests arrive, they’re handed a menu which features some of popular Blu and Next Door dishes.
  • Diners then order whatever is on the menu that’s appealing to them. They can eat as many things as they want but must finish everything ordered, ensuring no food waste occurs, and can’t take food home.
  • At the end of what’s sure to be a memorable meal, customers are given a check listing what they ate and the dishes’ associated costs. There, the guest will enter what he/she wishes to pay and what the gratuity amount is and tax is then added by the restaurants. The goal is to have the guests take ownership of determining what he/she wants to pay for the meal.

Chef Arifai tells me he’ll repeat this dining concept again if he receives good customer feedback.

The ones of us who have been patrons of Blu and Next Door understand and appreciate the slightly mad scientist-ish techniques and ingredients used by Chef Arifai to produce some of the best food in the area. Time will tell if the mad scientist has truly gone mad, or if he’ll teach his peers a thing or two about hospitality.

Blu and Next Door – 554 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, NJ. 973-509-2202.

Cheers,

Veronique

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9 June 2015 Montclair Food & Wine Festival Gala Dinner Recap

Montclair Food & Wine Festival Gala Dinner Recap

June 9, 2015 By

TablesettingLast night, I was invited to attend the Montclair Food & Wine Festival Gala Dinner at The Manor in West Orange. The Gala Dinner is an exclusive night of collaborative culinary magic showcasing a six-course dinner designed and prepared by some of the area’s most talented chefs.

A fun part of the event this year was the new Amuse Bouche Series that each guest was treated to from four of the most creative chefs in the area. From the Caesar Salad Ice Cream by Chef Zod Arifai (Blu & Next Door) to Chef Meny Vaknin’s salmon on beet focaccia to Chef Francesco Palmieri (The Orange Squirrel) serving an outrageously-tasty smoked corn and goat cheese panna cotta with pickled asparagus and popcorn shoot stem, smoked sea salt and popcorn petal served in a river stone to Chef Thomas Ciszak (Blue Morel & Chakra) offering a perfect bite of foie gras in a puff pastry with quince and black truffle-Balsamic glaze – the amuses set the tone for the meal to come.

 

The rest of the meal went as follow:

Chef Ariane Duarte (Ariane Kitchen & Bar) started off the meal with her Perfectly Poached Shrimp, Toasted Garlic Lemon Aioli, Avocado Corn Salad. In her words “elevated shrimp cocktail”. I could have used a whole bowl of the avocado corn salad – fresh and tasty.

Chef Ryan DePersio (Fascino) had the fish course and served Pancetta-Wrapped Bronzini, Filled with Tomato Confit, Crispy Couscous, Asparagus Salsa Verde. Bronzino is likely my favorite fish, so the dish was right up my alley. The crispy couscous – clever, very clever.

Chef Mitchell Altholz (Highlawn Pavilion) served what the folks at my table and some guests I spoke with called the dish of the evening – Spring Lamb Ravioli, Merguez Jus, Fresh Mint, Brunoise of Heirloom Carrots. Great lamb flavor, bright punch of mint – a winner.

Chef Kevin Sippel (Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen) had the meat dish and served Veal Cheeks, Bone Marrow Gremolata, Fava Beans, Pecorino. The veal cheeks were melt-in-your-mouth.

Chef Michael Carrino (Pig & Prince Restaurant & Gastrolounge) ended the meal with an elegant dessert of Lemon Sponge Cake, Goat Cheese Mousse, Lemon Meringue, Cucumber, Melon, Herb Flowers.

Wine pairings were expertly-selected by Sharon Sevrens of Amanti Vino. Here were the wines served (available for sale at Amanti Vino):

  • Gobelsburger Rosé 2014 – one of my favorites for summer – dry, light strawberry flavors, served with the amuses.
  • Patrick Piuze – Chablis Terroir de Courgis 2014 – simply gorgeous wine we were told would be a very sought-after name in Chablis in a few years.
  • Huet Vouvray Demi-Sec Le Mont 2007 – loved this demi-sec wine but was my least favorite pairing with the light bronzini.
  • Graci – Etna Rosso 2012 – a natural match to the flavorful lamb ravioli.
  • Tenuta di Trinoro le Cupole 2010 – tart with lovely acidity to cut through the richness of the veal cheeks and marrow.

Dessert was paired with an ultra-refreshing rum cocktail by Busted Barrel Rum.

For those of you who missed the Gala Dinner, you’re in luck as the Montclair Food & Wine Festival goes into next weekend with two must-attend events held at the Montclair Art Museum (3 South Mountain Avenue, Montclair):

Bourbon & Biergarten – Friday June 12, 7PM – 9PM.

The fun event will feature food samplings from over 25 local restaurants and food artisans. Each attendee will receive a commemorative sampling glass. Beers and bourbons curated by Amanti Vino. A portion of the proceeds from this evening will go to support education and exhibition programs at Montclair Art Museum.

Click here for a list of participating restaurants at the Bourbon & Biergarten.

Grand Tasting – Saturday June 13, 7PM – 9PM.  

At the Grand Tasting, guests will enjoy an evening of diverse culinary offerings from many of the state’s finest restaurants.

Click here for a list of all the restaurants participating in the Grand Tasting.

Plus, Amanti Vino has an incredible list of wines being poured. For my fellow wine aficionados, here’s the list of wines for this event.

Want an exclusive experience? The VIP ($135) hour, hosted in Lehman Court of the Montclair Art Museum, from 6PM – 7PM, will feature select restauranteurs and curated wines, as well as galleries open for viewing.

VIP Lounge Participants: Escape Montclair, Fresco da Franco, Restaurant Latour, Samba Montclair.

While the events are fun and tasty, the goal of the festival is to raise funds for three very worthy charities. Click here to learn about them.

Hope you’re able to join the rest of the festivities!

Cheers,

Veronique

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