3 October 2017 Rocca Delle Macie Wine Dinner

Rocca Delle Macie Wine Dinner

October 3, 2017 By

 

Butternut Squash Gnocchi

Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas, specializing in small plates that put modern twists on Italian classics and world class wines, invites guests to enjoy its Rocca Delle Macie Wine Dinner at its location in the Clifton Commons on Thursday, October 12 at 7:00pm. 

Chef de Cuisine Michel Desjardins has developed a five-course tasting menu paired with Rocca Delle Macie Wines – one of the most well-established wineries in the Chianti Classico area.

Guest speaker Andrea Zingarelli, third generation winemaker, U.S. Ambassador of Chianti, will provide tasting notes throughout the dinner.

The full menu includes:

Striped Bass Crudo – Roasted garlic, chili oil and micro greens. Paired with a Moonlite – Straw-yellow color with pale green reflections. Intense aromas of white flowers with hints of flint.

Butternut Squash Gnocchi – Tomatoes and Pecorino Romano cheese. Paired with a Chianti Classico – Intense, mature fruit aromas. Rich, well-structured, berry fruit flavors.

Red Snapper – Pineapple, pepper coulis and Swiss char. Paired with a Classico Reserva –Rich, intense and complex aromas. Dry, soft, gently tannic with good structure.

Seared Duck Breast – Black currant gastrique and black pepper polenta. Paired with a Roccato – Full and persistent, with toasty oak from the barrique aging. Dry, elegant with a good structure on the tongue.

Chocolate Terrine– Black truffle gelato, candied walnuts and Luxardo cherries. Paired with a Sasyr – Features intense red fruit aromas of ripe cherry, blackberry and raspberry. A succulent, supple well-structured palate with a silky and smooth finish.

Tickets for the Rocca Della Macie Wine Dinner are $69 per person and can be purchased online by visiting http://spuntinowinebar.com/rocca-wine-dinner-clifton/.

Cheers,

Veronique

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2 October 2017 Heirloom Kitchen Dinner at the Farm

Heirloom Kitchen Dinner at the Farm

October 2, 2017 By

Last night, I was fortunate enough to attend the 4th annual fall dinner at Hauser Hill Farms in Old Bridge, NJ. The food was creatively crafted by one of the most talented chefs in the area, David Viana, of nearby popular restaurant, Heirloom Kitchen.

The setting was incredible – 110-person communal table in the middle of the farm’s apple orchard. With the open air mock kitchen Chef Viana was working with, you’d think he would keep the menu simple and the plating easy-to-accomplish…but, no. He designed a menu reflective of the season and the gorgeous setting for the dinner.

Guests were warmly greeted by Heirloom Kitchen’s Founder/Partner/General Manager Neilly Robinson and welcomed with a signature cocktail at a makeshift bar. Elegant bites were passed butler-style.

We found our way to our seats and found ourselves among loyal customers of Heirloom Kitchen, fellow groupies of Chef Viana and past attendees of the farm dinners. Great group of folks.

First course was the ultimate farm-friendly dish – Heirloom tomatoes, peach, marcona almonds, quinoa, mint crema. Vibrant colors on the plate, big flavors from the mint crema, great texture from the quinoa. Just a lovely dish and beautiful presentation.

Second course was – Pine Hill lamb, ricotta gnudi, delicata squash, sweet potato. Pure comfort on a plate with rich lamb, pillowy gnudi and sweet/earthy squash. This might have been my favorite of the evening.

Third was – Simply Grazin grass fed NY strip, apple cheddar potato gratin, broccoli, broccoli chimichuri. Perfectly-cooked beef (how does one do that in an open air kitchen for 110 people?), decadent cheesy potato gratin and the best example of broccoli I’ve had. Divine with the uber fruit-forward Pinot Noir poured from magnums (see my hubby excited about those magnums in the following pic).

Dessert was – Apple bread pudding. The perfect ending to an outstanding meal along with aged port.

The evening continued at a campfire under twinkling lights. Simply a magical night.

Cheers,

Veronique 

 

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23 September 2017 When Chef Peter Minaki Cooks For You

When Chef Peter Minaki Cooks For You

September 23, 2017 By

Chef Peter Minaki
Photo Credit: Kalofagas

One of the best things about food blogging is connecting with interesting people. One of these interesting people is Chef/Author/Blogger Peter Minaki. Peter’s based in Toronto, Canada and his niche is Greek food, libations and travel. You can read his popular food/travel blog at: www.kalofagas.ca

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Peter several times, both in New Jersey/New York where I live and also a couple times in his beautiful hometown of Toronto. For selfish reasons, I kept telling Peter he had to come host some of his cooking classes/pop up dinners in my area and a few years back, he did just that. Greek food is by far my favorite cuisine, so Peter’s food is right up my alley.

I’m part of a 4-couple wine group that meets every 6-8 weeks for dinner over glasses of stellar wines. A couple years ago, I proposed to the group that we have Peter cook for us when he came down to teach cooking classes and to host pop up dinners, and, to my pleasure, all loved the idea. Peter cooked at my home and we shopped for food together. The evening was a huge hit and thus, we decided to do it again in early summer this year.

Peter and I shopped for the food items together again, a fun activity in itself, and he cooked at fellow wine group friends Jen and Harry’s home. We voted on our favorite dishes and I worked with Peter to create a very extensive menu for the evening. Some of the dishes featured were: my favorite – grilled octopus, grilled lamb chops, branzino baked in a salt crust and Peter’s signature chocolate ganache tart. There were MANY other memorable dishes that evening with some spectacular wines.

I highly-recommend this experience, ideally with Peter. The cost per guest is very affordable, especially when wine comes from our cellars and not a pricy restaurant.

Get to know Peter on social media (yes, you’ll be drooling on your keyboard over the amazing food and travel photography he shares):

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kalofagas1

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kalofagas

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kalofagas  

Opa,

Veronique

Filed Under: Food & Wine Events, Other Neat Things Tagged With: , , ,
21 September 2017 Bird Dinner at Crystal Springs Resort

Bird Dinner at Crystal Springs Resort

September 21, 2017 By

Chefs Bucco & Viana

Award-winning Crystal Springs Resort is hosting a fun collaboration between its Chef, Anthony Bucco, and Chef David Viana of Heirloom Kitchen on Sunday October 8th at 7pm in the Chef’s Garden at the resort.

The three course menu will feature each chef’s unique preparations of different birds and fall seasonal vegetables, all cooked in the Chef’s Garden wood fired ovens and stoves. Dishes will be true collaborations with elements from both chefs on every plate.

Some dishes include Chef Bucco’s Pheasant Sausage paired with Chef Viana’s roasted pears and walnuts and Chef Viana’s Stuffed Quail served with Chef Bucco’s baked heirloom beans. Black Dirt Applejack cocktails, Naked Flock hard cider and wines from Alba Vineyard will be paired with the menu.

Seats for the dinner are $105 (tax & gratuity additional) and reservations can be made by calling 855.698.2283.

Chef’s Garden is located at 3 Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg, NJ; www.crystalgolfresort.com/dine/garden/.

Cheers,

Veronique

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13 September 2017 Paco & Lola Wine Tasting

Paco & Lola Wine Tasting

September 13, 2017 By

David Geary

A couple of weeks ago, I attended a wine pairing dinner featuring the wines of Paco & Lola from Galicia Spain. The dinner took place at a local restaurant and wine bar, Tree Tavern, and a representative from the winery, David Geary, was on-hand to offer interesting information about the wines, the winery and Galicia Spain, where the winery is located.

About Paco & Lola

Paco & Lola is a relatively young winery founded in 2005 that’s committed to making wine in a modern, fresh way and for exuding a sophisticated-yet-fun image for wine drinkers with its polka dot branding.

Paco & Lola was born from a business initiative of a group of independent winegrowers from O Salnés who wanted to take their production to a professional level. These winegrowers formed “Sociedad Cooperativa Vitivinícola Arousana” which is now the largest cooperative in the DO Rías Baixas with over 400 members.

Paco & Lola is a producer of Albariño, considered THE white grape variety grown in Galicia. It’s an early ripening grape variety with small, tightly-packed clusters of sweet, deep golden berries that are renowned for their outstanding sugar-producing ability and remarkable high acidity.

Some tasting notes from the wines we tasted at the dinner:

Paco & Lola 2016 Albariño – 100% Albariño ($29.99)

In the Glass

Light straw yellow with a touch of green.

Nose

Lovely fragrant aromas of juicy pear, green apple with a bit of tropical fruit and some floral notes.

Palate

Tropical fruit continues on the palate with some Meyer lemon notes. Medium-full bodied wine with nice amount of acidity on the long-ish finish.

Food Pairings

Fish, seafood, white meats

Nº12 by Paco & Lola – 100% Albariño ($19.99)

12 were the days that the must fermented in the tank number 12.

In the Glass

Light straw yellow with a touch of green.

Nose

Meyer lemon and floral aromas with a hint of tropical fruit.

Palate

Big mango/lychee fruit flavors with good acidity.

Paco Red 2014 – 50% Tempranillo, 50% Garnacha ($18.99)

While Paco & Lola focuses on Albariño, it produces this red out of the DO Navarra, where Tempranillo- Garnacha grapes from old vines are harvested in vineyards of the Valdizarbe subzone. It was recommended this wine be served a bit on the cooler side, at around 56 degrees and I completely agree.

In the Glass

Dark cherry red with some purple hints.

Nose

Big red berry aromas with some floral notes.

Palate

Juicy dark berries and cherry flavors.

Food Pairings

Solid Tuesday night wine ideal for pizza, red sauced pasta, grilled burgers.

 

Paco & Lola 2010 Vintage – 100 % Albariño ($54.00)

Special high-end wine made in a limited edition of the best harvest of 2010. There were 400 bottles produced, I wouldn’t expect to find this in stores.

In the Glass

Intense straw yellow.

Nose

Candied tropical fruit with notes of nutmeg/cumin spices.

Palate

In love with this wine from the first sip – mouth-coating texture with big ripe fruit flavors and yeasty/toasted bread notes. Great acidity on a long finish.

Food Pairings

Lightly spicy foods (Thai, Indian), seafood, fish, roasted chicken or grilled pork.

Paco & Lola is expanding its reach in the USA and I highly recommend you check its wines out.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Albarino, Food & Wine Events, Grenache, Spain, Tempranillo, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
16 August 2017 Chubby’s Sandwiches Opens at Exchange Place in Jersey City

Chubby’s Sandwiches Opens at Exchange Place in Jersey City

August 16, 2017 By

Chubby’s Sandwiches Food Truck is now officially opened in downtown Jersey City’s Exchange Place.  This state-of-the-art food truck, serving Italian butcher-style sandwiches for breakfast and lunch, is the brainchild of childhood friends turned business partners Chef Nick Daniele and Joe Buonsante.

The truck features a custom-built state of the art kitchen modeled after the kitchen of Chef Nick’s acclaimed Park Slope, Brooklyn restaurant, Bella Gioia. The 18-foot truck is also available for private party rental, has a video monitor on the outside and sound system ideal for entertainment at events where they can play slide shows, movies and music.

THE SANDWICHES

There is an emphasis on fresh, quality ingredients, Italian meats and cheeses and local, fresh baked bread from Calandra’s Bakery.

The menu offers an assortment of hot breakfast options “Rise n’ Shine” and lunch “Afternoon Delight” sandwiches along with other fun munchies. There is also a Lil’ Bites Kids Menu available to please the 11 and under crowd.

Rise & Shine

  • Egg & Cheeze eggs any style, shredded mozz $3.99
  • Bacon Egg & Cheeze thick cut bacon, eggs any style, shredded mozz $4.99
  • Sausage Egg & Cheeze breakfast links, eggs any style, shredded mozz $4.99

(above served on fresh, buttered and grill seared bread)

  • Egg Whites n’ Avocado egg white omelette, avocado spread & cherry tomatoes on whole wheat $7.99

Sausage Egg & Cheeze

Afternoon Delight

  • The Original Chubby – Hot roast beef, gravy, lettuce, tomato (add cheeze) $10
  • Not Your Philly Cheesesteak – NY strip steak, mozzarella, hot cherry peppers, red onion, oregano, poached cherry tomatoes, garlic sriracha spread $13
  • The Chris Christie -Chicken tenders, provolone, yellow American, mozzarella sticks, chopped lettuce, fried egg, chipotle mayo
  • The Southerner -Grilled chicken, Calabrian chili, Sicilian pesto, arugula, provolone cheese, pepperoncino, sun dried tomatoes

Location, schedule, event booking and menu can be found on the website and social media.

Tentative Hours: Monday – Saturday 7-10am breakfast (coming soon) /Lunch 11am – until sold out daily; Closed Sunday. Local delivery available. Truck is available for private event bookings.

Filed Under: Food & Wine Events, Restaurant News Tagged With: , , , ,
12 August 2017 Jersey Tomato Dinner with Todd Villani & Robbie Felice

Jersey Tomato Dinner with Todd Villani & Robbie Felice

August 12, 2017 By

I was thrilled to attend the first collaboration dinner between Chefs Todd Villani and Robbie Felice at Viaggio Ristorante earlier this year and super bummed to miss their August 20th Jersey tomato dinner again, held at Viaggio.

The dinner will feature:

Yellow tomato gazpacho

Heirloom tomato panzanella

Lemongrass meatballs with tomato jam

Spaghetti with blistered sungold tomatoes

Pork loin medallion with tomatillo and tomato granita.

The dinner is at 5:30PM and its price is $85/person plus tax and gratuity. Reservations can be made by VISITING THIS LINK.

Viaggio – 1055 Hamburg Turnpike, Wayne. 973-706-7277.

Filed Under: Food & Wine Events Tagged With: , ,

Chef Bryan Gregg Pop Up at Aquila

August 11, 2017 By

Chef Bryan Gregg

Chef Bryan Gregg will be hosting a one-night-only dinner at Aquila Pizza Al Forno on Sunday September 17th at 5PM.

The four-course dinner (plus a surprise) will be cooked and baked in the popular restaurant’s wood burning hearth and will feature the pristine produce of Bracco Farms.

The menu will be:

First Course

Goat whey glazed beets with toasted seeds and nuts

Second Course

Roasted trout basted in smoked apple jus and horseradish oil

Third Course

Hearth-roasted wagyu loin and marrow with tarragon butter

Dessert Course

Peach upside down cake with crème fraiche and almond crunch

Cost: $59 per person plus taxes and gratuity and MUST be paid at time of reservation.

To reserve for this dinner call (973) 826-9220. A credit card will be required to complete the reservation.

Note that Aquila is a BYO and guests are welcomed to bring beer or wine. 

Aquila Pizza Al Forno – 7 Paterson Ave, Little Falls, NJ 07424.

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9 August 2017 Jersey Shore Rising Star Dinner

Jersey Shore Rising Star Dinner

August 9, 2017 By

Two of New Jersey’s top young culinary talent are teaming up for a very special dinner to be held at Toast Asbury Park on September 9th at 6:30PM.

Robbie Felice, Chef and Co-Owner of Viaggio in Wayne, and A.J. Capella, recently Chef de Cuisine at Ryland Inn in Whitehouse, NJ, are partnering for a “Rising Star” pop-up dinner in Asbury Park.

The multi-course dinner will feature: fluke crudo, duck egg with roasted corn custard, Barnegat Bay tilefish, ricotta cavatelli with rabbit and beech mushrooms, bacon-wrapped pork on a bed of couscous and Manila clams and peaches and cream.

The price is $150 (gratuity included) per person. For reservations: 732-776-5900.

Toast, 516 Cookman Ave., Asbury Park.

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30 May 2017 Montclair Food & Wine Festival Bourbon + Biergarten Party

Montclair Food & Wine Festival Bourbon + Biergarten Party

May 30, 2017 By

Tickets are on sale for the July 15th Bourbon + Biergarten Party from the Montclair Food & Wine Festival!

WHAT: An indoor/outdoor urban BBQ and libation extravaganza featuring an array of tastings from the region’s favorite restaurants, along with wine, beer and spirits curated by the Amanti Vino team. Live music by Street Beat Brass; Barbecue Competition for $500 Grand Prize (featuring defending champion Halcyon Brasserie!), Bluff City BBQ, Gus’s Seafood Market and other local favorites. Much more to come.

WHERE: The Wellmont Theater, 5 Seymour St., Montclair, NJ

WHEN: Saturday, July 15, 2016, 7.00 – 10.00 pm

“Old Fashioned” Level: $95 (access to food, wine, beer + spirits tasting, live music)

“Manhattan” Level: $135 (entry one hour earlier, at 6.00 pm) 

“Pappy” Level: $1,850 (reserved indoor tables for eight guests … only nine available! Includes 6.00 pm admission,  table service and exclusive VIP cocktails)

To buy tickets to the event and for an updated list of participating restaurants and vendors, visit

MONTCLAIRFOODANDWINEFESTIVAL.ORG

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Food & Wine Events Tagged With: , , ,
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