24 February 2020 Tickets on Sale for NJ Wine & Food Festival

Tickets on Sale for NJ Wine & Food Festival

February 24, 2020 By

The 12th annual New Jersey Wine & Food Festival at Crystal Springs Resort returns May 1-3 and tickets are now on sale for all events!

Photo Credit: Rob Yaskovic

About the Festival

The Festival is a celebration of some of the world’s best wines and food from around the nation with events designed to allow food & wine lovers to meet and mingle with chefs and winemakers. The weekend’s events include the signature Grand Tasting, a luxurious Wine Cellar dinner featuring wines from renowned winery Chateau Latour, the Top Chefs & Top Wines dinner, plus many exciting seminars with chefs, distillers and winemakers.

Charity Partner Info

The Festival’s charity partner and beneficiary is the Blind Ambition Coalition, a New Jersey-based organization whose mission is to promote a higher quality of life to individuals with disabilities by providing social networking opportunities, creating disability awareness, and establishing a strong community of disabled and non-disabled support.

Wine Cellar by Crystal Springs Resort

Schedule of Events:

Friday May 1

7pm Fire in the Garden, a dinner in the resort’s outdoor Chef’s Garden restaurant featuring Crystal Springs Executive Chef Aishling Stevens and Chef James Gop of Heirloom Fire, $150 (tax & gratuity additional)

8pm Top Chefs & Top Wines, a dinner featuring three cheftestants from Bravo TV’s Top Chef – Eric Adjepong, Jos Sasto and David Viana, along with the culinary team of 4-star Restaurant Latour, $295 (tax & gratuity additional)

8pm Wine Cellar dinner with Frederic Engerer, CEO of Artemis Wines & the legendary Chateau Latour winery in Bordeaux, France, $495 (tax and gratuity additional)

Saturday May 2

9am – 4pm Seminars and tasting featuring a who’s who of the wine and spirits world including Gaja Winery, Veuve Clicquot, Duckhorn, Cantine Bertani, Hendrick’s Gin, Johnnie Walker, Hennessy Cognac and more. A full list can be found here: https://njwinefoodfest.com/events/categories/2020/seminars-cooking-demos-more/ ($30 – $150)

7pm The Grand Tasting (6:30pm VIP) features 40 restaurants from New York City and New Jersey with top wineries and distilleries. The event features two VIP sections with Champagne and premium wines as well as dishes from NYC hotspots Del Posto, Manhatta, Freemans, Bluebird London NYC, Batard along with Felina, Vesta Chocolate and Restaurant Latour. The regular Grand Tasting continues to showcase New Jersey’s best including Café Chameleon, Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen, Faubourg, Brick Farm Tavern, Halifax, Fascino, Viaggio, South + Pine, Ani Ramen, Il Nido, Bell Market and more (Grand Tasting $125: VIP $300 early bird & $325 after March 5)

10pm Biosphere After Party with DJ, open bar, live entertainment and more ($150)

Sunday May 3

10am Champagne Brunch featuring Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Champagne and a buffet of fresh baked goods, eggs and more brunch treats, $50 (tax & gratuity additional).

More information on the 12th annual New Jersey Wine & Food Festival: www.njwinefoodfest.com and Crystal Springs Resort: www.crystalgolfresort.com.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Food & Wine Events Tagged With: , ,
24 May 2019 Spend Father’s Day Weekend at 10th Annual NJ Beer & Food Festival

Spend Father’s Day Weekend at 10th Annual NJ Beer & Food Festival

May 24, 2019 By

It’s back!!!! The 10th New Jersey Beer & Food Festival will once again take place over Father’s Day weekend at Crystal Springs Resort. On Saturday June 15, attendees can sample more than 200 beers from around the world and on Sunday June 16 there will be a Father’s Day Brews Brunch in the Chef’s Garden.

Photo Credit: Crystal Springs Resort

Detailed schedule:

Saturday June 15

Starting at 3pm (2pm VIP access). Beer aficionados can sample over 200 beers, including many craft brews from around the world. Resort Executive Chef Aishling Stevens and her team will fire up open pits for a BBQ feast, featuring favorites like pulled pork, homemade sausages, spit-roasted Berkshire pork and more.

Live music by Lima Bean Riot, hot air balloon rides and grown up games will make for a fun afternoon for adults 21 and over. Tickets are $75 for regular admission and $100 for VIP access (early admission at 2pm and a special gift). Designated Driver tickets are $35. North Jersey residents can skip the drive and take a bus from Hoboken, departing from the corner of Washington St. & 3rd St., $100 including regular admission and round-trip transportation.

Golfers can get an early start to the day with the Brews & Birdies Tournament at 9am on the resort’s Wild Turkey course. The 18-hole tournament includes beer tastings along the fairways and top teams will win prizes. $195 per person, including entry to the Beer Festival.


Photo Credit: Crystal Springs Resort

Sunday June 16

The seasonal outdoor restaurant Chef’s Garden welcomes families for a Father’s Day Brews Brunch featuring a 3-course menu and tastings of Sam Adams beers (10am – 3pm). Guests will enjoy a Garden Salad of greens and herbs from the organic Chef’s Garden, and then choose from entrees like Grilled Fish Taco with chipotle crème and charred salsa; Beer Can Chicken; and Smoked Beef Brisket with corn bread, cabbage slaw and pickles. $43 for adults, $16 kids ages 4 – 16. Reservations can be made by calling 855-977-6473

Tickets for Beer Festival events are available at www.njbeerfoodfest.com. The Festival takes place on Festival Field at the corner of Route 94 and Wild Turkey Way.

Filed Under: Food & Wine Events Tagged With: , ,
15 April 2019 2019 New Jersey Wine & Food Festival Best Bites

2019 New Jersey Wine & Food Festival Best Bites

April 15, 2019 By

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?

Photo by Crystal Springs Resort

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.

  • Francesco Palmieri
  • Mike Carrino
  • Phil Deffina
  • Emanuel Miranda
  • Josip Franc
  • Sam Freund

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

Filed Under: Food & Wine Events Tagged With:
28 February 2019 2019 NJ Wine & Food Festival

2019 NJ Wine & Food Festival

February 28, 2019 By

Tickets are now on sale for the 2019 New Jersey Wine & Food Festival (https://njwinefoodfest.com) at Crystal Springs Resort, taking place April 12 – 14. This prestigious showcase for top culinary talent, winemakers and distilleries from around the world is celebrating its 11th year with a weekend of dinners, wine and spirits tastings, chef demos and more.

The weekend’s events offer something for everyone, from fun, interactive activities incorporating culinary elements such as Wine Yoga and Paso Paint and Sip, to tastings like Rose Champagne with Krug, Dom Perignon and Ruinart or 97 & Above, highlighting top-scoring wines (97 or more on a 100 point scale) to educational seminars such as The Art of Napa Cab to cocktail workshops like Mix it Up with Sagamore Spirits.

Event highlights:

Friday 4/12:

Top Chefs & Top Wines dinner at the newly redesigned Restaurant Latour featuring Crystal Springs Executive Chef Aishling Stevens and two chefs from the current season of Top Chef, David Viana of Heirloom Kitchen and Eddie Konrad of Philadelphia’s Laurel Restaurant, along with new Crystal Springs Resort Pastry Chef Matthew Siciliano. (4/12, 8pm, $295 plus tax & gratuity)

Wine Cellar Dinner with Chef Gabriel Kreuther, chef/owner of Michelin 2-starred Gabriel Kreuther in NYC. Chef Kreuther will be joined by his pastry chef Marc Aumont for an amazing dinner paired with back vintage wines from Crystal Springs’ award-winning Wine Cellar. (4/12, 8pm, $495 plus tax & gratuity)

Saturday 4/13:

9am Wine Yoga Start your day with some morning yoga. After the class, relax with a glass of sparkling wine from Domaine Carneros, refreshed and ready for the day. ($30)

10am Chandon & Donuts learn how to create doughnuts and dress them with the perfect toppings. ($30)

11am The Age of Wines Sommelier Tali Dalbaha will share tips on the practical side of home wine storage, as well as how to source and age wines. A tasting of six wines will showcase a variety of aged wines. ($35)

11am Paso Paint & Sip Learn how Hope Family Wines helped put Paso Robles wines on the map with Jason “JC” Diefenderfer, then create your own masterpiece with hands-on guidance from local artists. ($40)

12pm-3pm Marketplace Lunch Enjoy a feast of seasonal fare prepared by a team of chefs serving up spring dishes, fresh oysters, pasta, carved meats, artisanal cheeses and more, accompanied by the best of New Jersey wines. ($45)

12pm Bistro di Montalcino Follow Alessandra Angelini, proprietor of Wine Spectator Top 100 Winery Caparzo, on a walk through Tuscany’s most celebrated Sangiovese producing wine region, Montalcino, along with a spread of Italian small plates from Springs Bistro Chef Matthew Mulligan. ($40)

1pm The Art of Napa Cab with Nickel & Nickel Through a flight of 6 single-vineyard Nickel & Nickel Cabernets, learn and taste for yourself how vineyards that are in some cases less than a mile apart and growing the same varietal may produce wines of remarkably different character. ($65)

2pm 97 & Above Taste highly rated wines all 97 points or above (on the100 point scale) from Wine Spectator and Wine Advocate ($75)

3pm The Pursuit of Pinot Join Calera winemaker Mike Waller to learn what’s truly special and age-worthy about the Pinot Noirs of Mt Harlan and why the Wine Advocate called Calera “California’s Romanée-Conti.” ($35)

3pm Secrets of the Cellar Explore the secrets of the incomparable Crystal Springs Wine Cellar with C.O.O. Robby Younes during this 90-minute seminar and tasting of some very rare and special wines. ($150)

3pm Rose Champagne Krug, Ruinart, Dom Perignon. Need we say more? ($65)

3pm Mix it Up with Sagamore Spirits Maryland Rye Whiskey is making a comeback – and here’s your chance to mix it up! Taste the line of Sagamore Ryes and try your hand a mixing a classic cocktail. ($30)

4pm Glenfiddich / Balvenie Higher Marks A rare treat for single malt lovers as we taste marks that are 15 years and older from Balvenie and Glenfiddich. ($70)

6:30/7pm – 10pm The Grand Tasting is the Festival’s signature event featuring more than 200 wines from over 50 wineries and bites from 40 top restaurants ($150; VIP $295; VIP admission 6:30pm, General Admission 7pm). Highlights of The Grand Tasting:

  • VIP Experience: two floors featuring top restaurants and premium wines, Champagnes and spirits
  • Restaurant participants highlight New Jersey’s best including: Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen, Ryland Inn, Batello, Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas, Crystal Tavern, Osteria Morini, Common Lot, Viaggio, Halifax, Montclair Bread Co, Pig & Prince, 17 Summer Restaurant, Andre’s, Saly G’s, Piattino Neighborhood Bistro and more
  • A wide range of wineries and Champagne houses from around the world

10pm – 1am Meet the Chefs and Winemakers After Party at the Biosphere tropical pool complex with open bars, DJ, buffets and more. ($150)

Sunday 4/14:

Champagne Brunch – the Festival wraps up with a Champagne Brunch featuring a sumptuous feast and lots of Champagne (4/14, 10am-1pm, $50 plus tax & gratuity)

The current schedule of events + tickets can be found at www.njwinefoodfest.com. Events take place at Crystal Springs Resort’s Clubhouse at Grand Cascades Lodge located at 1 Wild Turkey Way in Hamburg, NJ.

Filed Under: Food & Wine Events Tagged With:
18 October 2018 Exclusive Cellar Dinners at Crystal Springs During Latour Renovations

Exclusive Cellar Dinners at Crystal Springs During Latour Renovations

October 18, 2018 By

Some very exciting news out of Crystal Springs Resort.

Renovations at Latour

Restaurant Latour at Crystal Springs Resort (https://www.crystalgolfresort.com/dine/latour) will be undergoing a complete renovation this fall. The restaurant will serve its last dinner in the current configuration on October 21, close the upstairs space for construction, and then reopen to the public in December.

The renovations and changes will be substantial – they will be reinventing the entire guest experience and space. The aesthetic will be modern but still pay homage to Restaurant Latour’s roots as a showcase for seasonal, local ingredient focused cooking that relies on foraging as much as it does on area farms. The well-known NYC firm INC Architecture & Design, which has done projects like the trendy 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge Park and the hip LINE hotel in D.C., as well as commercial and residential spaces in the city and abroad, has been engaged for the project, the first NJ hospitality initiative for this highly regarded company.

Exclusive Latour Dinners in the Wine Cellar

During the renovations, diners will have the unique opportunity to experience Restaurant Latour’s menu for six weeks in the Wine Cellar starting October 25!                                                                                                                                      

This will be a very special experience as guests will have the rare opportunity to enjoy a four-course dinner menu while dining in Crystal Springs’ award-winning cellar – and all that comes with that – without having to book a private event at the cellar.

Wine Cellar by Crystal Springs Resort

The format will be a bit different than traditional dinner service. Guests will arrive at 6:30pm for a tour of the Wine Cellar and a welcome glass of bubbly (complimentary); they will then be seated at 7pm for dinner service, which will include a four-course prix fixe menu, special wine pairings and Latour’s fantastic wine list. This special dining experience in the Wine Cellar will available Thursday – Sunday from October 25 until December 2nd.

The four-course menu with multiple options for course is $115 – here’s a sample menu.

In addition, each week in November, a different winery will be highlighted for the featured wine pairing ($55);

  • November 1 – 4 wines from Husic Vineyards in Napa Valley, CA. On Nov. 3, Frank and Julie Husic will be in attendance for a special dinner.
  • November 8 – 11 highlighting New Jersey’s own Alba Vineyard.
  • November 15 – 18 the famed Napa Valley producer Far Niente.
  • November 22 – 25 the legendary Chateau de Beaucastel from the Rhone Valley in France.
  • November 29 – December 2 the award-winning New Jersey winery Unionville Vineyards.

When it reopens in December, Restaurant Latour will be completely reimagined, from the room’s aesthetics to the configuration of the floor itself. The inspiration for the new design by INC Architecture & Design is the surrounding Sussex County landscape and its flora and fauna. The dining room will be paneled in conifer bark and the design features white oak, grey granite, moss green mohair and natural linen. The goal is to make fine dining warm, convivial and more connected to the natural agrarian landscape of the area.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Food & Wine Events Tagged With: , , ,
21 August 2018 Robby Younes on Wine Enthusiast’s 2018 40 Under 40

Robby Younes on Wine Enthusiast’s 2018 40 Under 40

August 21, 2018 By

Crystal Springs Resort’s Robby Younes (a Passaic County resident) has been named one of Wine Enthusiast’s 2018 40 Under 40 Tastemakers! The Wine Enthusiast 40 Under 40 list recognizes the winemakers, beverage directors, brewers, grape growers, and other movers and shakers who are changing today’s beverage industry – he is the only tastemaker from New Jersey this year! The print issue announcing this year’s Tastemakers will be out in October.

Photo credit Scott McDermott

For more than a decade, Robby has overseen the renowned Crystal Springs wine program. Since 2008, his career path at Crystal Springs Resort has led from Director of Food & Beverage to Wine Director and Vice President of Hospitality and Resort C.O.O. but along the way he has continued to build the award-winning wine program, which holds Wine Spectator’s highest honor, the Grand Award, and was recently inducted in the Wine Enthusiast Restaurant Hall of Fame. Though the Wine Cellar is known for its collection of Bordeaux, Burgundy and California wines, in recent years Robby has looked to new regions, becoming a passionate advocate for up-and-coming wine regions like Georgia and his native Lebanon.

Educated in France, Robby spent years working in renowned boutique hotels as well as for Starwood and Hilton. He rose quickly through the ranks to become an executive in his mid-twenties. In 2008, he joined Crystal Springs Resort as Food & Beverage Director of Grand Cascades Lodge. He worked closely with owner Gene Mulvihill to expand the Wine Cellar, building it into the foremost collection of fine wines in the country. As Regional F&B Director and Wine Director, Robby reinvigorated the entire restaurant portfolio, personally overseeing the appointment of new chefs for the Resort and four-star Restaurant Latour, as well as opening Chef’s Garden, a unique garden to table seasonal dining experience.

More on Robby and his latest accolade:  www.winemag.com/content/40-under-40-2018-robby-younes/

Crystal Springs Resort – 

Filed Under: Food & Wine Events, News Tagged With: , ,
25 May 2018 NJ Beer & Food Festival June 15-17 at Crystal Springs

NJ Beer & Food Festival June 15-17 at Crystal Springs

May 25, 2018 By

The 9th Annual New Jersey Beer & Food Festival will take place on Father’s Day weekend, June 15-17, at Crystal Springs Resort (https://www.crystalgolfresort.com). Three days of festivities include pop-up beer tastings, a golf tournament, Father’s Day Brunch and the signature Beer Festival grand tasting with over 200 brews, open-fire cooked meats, live music and more.

NJ Beer & Food FestivalFriday June 15

On Friday June 15, the festivities kick off with pop-up beer tastings throughout the resort 3pm – 9pm and the launch party for Samuel Adams’ Sam ’76 release in the Crystal Tavern 10pm – 1am with Samuel Adams specials, live music and more.

Saturday June 16

On Saturday June 16, the Brews & Birdies golf tournament kicks off the day at 9am on Crystals Springs’ Wild Turkey course. The tournament will feature 18 holes of golf with craft beer tastings on select holes and prizes for the top scorers. Registration for the golf tournament can be made at GolfGenius.com and includes admission to the festival tasting later that day.

Saturday’s showcase event is the grand tasting from 3pm – 7pm under a soaring tent where beer aficionados can sample over 200 brews. Crystal Springs’ culinary team will grill delicious Berkshire pork, homemade sausages, pulled pork and more over open fire pits. Live music by The Benjamins. Activities for all ages include human foosball and hot air balloon rides. Tickets are $75 for general admission & $100 for VIP which includes early admission at 2pm.

Afterwards, the fun continues at the Festival After Party from 7pm – Midnight on the Biosphere Lawn with a live DJ, party games and a cash bar featuring Corona, Red Bull & Absolut Elyx.

NJ Beer & Food FestivalSunday June 17

On Sunday June 17 – Father’s Day – Dads who love beer and brunch can head to the Brews Brunch in the Chef’s Garden, which offers a unique “garden-to-table” al fresco dining experience. Guests will enjoy family style dishes paired with beers from Great Lakes Brewing. Two seatings are available at 10am and 12:30pm. The menu with beer pairings is $39 for Adults (tax & gratuity additional), food menu is $19 for kids 11 & under.

Tickets for Beer Festival events are available at www.njbeerfoodfest.com. 

Filed Under: Food & Wine Events Tagged With: , , , ,
22 March 2018 New Jersey Restaurants Easter Celebrations

New Jersey Restaurants Easter Celebrations

March 22, 2018 By

Photo by Crystal Springs Resort

Celebrate with friends and family in style this Easter at some top New Jersey restaurants. On Sunday April 1st (it’s no joke), the following local restaurants are offering brunch and/or sit down meals.

Agricola (11 Whiterspoon Street, Princeton, NJ) will offer a brunch from 9am-3pm on April 1st. Cost is $45/adult; $20/children under 10.  Reservations can be made at http://agricolaeatery.com/reservations.  

Blue Morel Restaurant & Wine Bar (2 Whippany Road, Morristown, NJ 07960) will offer a three-course menu for $59 adults and $29 children under 12 years old from 12 noon to 9pm. Call 973-451-2619 for reservations. http://bluemorel.com.

Calandra’s Mediterranean Grill (118 U.S. Highway 46 East, Fairfield, NJ 07004) Easter Buffet on Sunday, April 1st, 2018.  Seating at 11:30 AM, 2:30 PM, and 5:30 PM. Adults: $46.95 Children 12 & Under: $23.95 (toddlers 4 & under: no charge) NJ sales tax and 20% Gratuity will be added automatically. For reservations, call: (973) 575-6500. https://www.calandrasmedgrill.com.

Cargot Brasserie (98 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540) will offer a brunch from 9:00am – 3:00pm on April 1st. Cost is $40/adult; $20/children under 10, plus tax and gratuity. Menu and reservation info at http://www.cargotbrasserie.com/menus.

Catherine Lombardi (3 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901) is celebrating Easter with a full, a la carte dinner featuring Easter specials. More details at https://www.catherinelombardi.com/reservations.

Chakra (W. 144 Route 4, Paramus, NJ 07652) will offer a three-course prix-fixe menu from 12pm to 5pm on Sunday April 1st. Cost is $42 per person (plus tax & gratuity). Children’s a la carte menu available. Visit http://www.chakrarestaurant.com for reservation info.

Chevys Fresh Mex® (Clifton and Linden) Saturday March 31 kids can participate in an egg-cellent Easter Egg Hunt at 10:30am. Families can also enjoy a kids eat free special following the Easter Egg Hunt from 11am-12pm. April 1, families who dine in at Chevys Fresh Mex will receive one free kid’s meal with each adult entrée purchase. More details at www.chevys.com.

Crystal Springs (1 Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg, NJ) is a great place to spend the holidays. With six options for Easter celebrations on Sunday April 1st. Visit www.crystalgolfresort.com for menus and reservations.

Haven Riverfront Restaurant & Bar (2 Main Street, Edgewater Harbor, Edgewater, NJ 07020) is offering a three-course menu costing $65 on April 1st. More information at http://www.havenedgewater.com/menu.

Restaurant Serenade (6 Roosevelt Avenue, Chatham, NJ 07928) is offering a three-course menu at a cost of $75/person and $35/child 10 (exclusive of sales tax and gratuity). Details and menu at www.restaurantserenade.com.

Ryland Inn (115 Old Hwy 28, White House Station, NJ 08889) is offering an Easter brunch on April 1st from 12pm-6pm. Costs is $79 per adult, $29 per child (not inclusive of tax & gratuity). Details and menu at https://rylandinnnj.com/menu.

The Shannon Rose Irish Pub (Clifton and Ramsey) is hosting a family-friendly brunch on Sunday April 1st complete with an Easter egg hunt and pictures with the Easter Bunny. Cost is $32 for adults and $14 for children 12 and under. Reservations can be made via phone at 973-284-0200 (Clifton) or 201-962-7602 (Ramsey), or online at www.TheShannonRose.com.

 Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas (Clifton and Garden City, NY) is offering its a la carte brunch menu on April 1 from 11:30AM – 3:00PM. Note that the restaurants’ Taste of Tuscany menu will also be available on Easter. Menu and more info at http://spuntinowinebar.com

Stage Left is offering a 3-course brunch with an unlimited dessert bar on April 1st from 11AM-2:30 PM at a cost of $39.95; kids 12 and under $19.95. More details at http://www.stageleft.com/reservations.

Summit House (395 Springfield Avenue, Summit, NJ) is offering an Easter Sunday meal from 12PM – 5PM. The 3-course menu includes four options per course and two tiers of optional wine pairings will be available. Pricing (tax + gratuity not included) Adults (15+): $65, Children 8-14: $35, Children 0-7: a la carte kids menu. http://www.summithousenj.com.

Happy Easter?

Veronique

PS: Is your restaurant offering Easter? Email me at veronique@foodandwinechickie.com to alert me!

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

10th Annual New Jersey Wine & Food Festival at Crystal Springs Resort

February 16, 2018 By

Grand Tasting – Photo by Crystal Springs

This year marks the 10th annual New Jersey Wine & Food Festival at Crystal Springs Resort. The weekend-long Festival takes place May 4 – 6, 2018. To mark this milestone, Crystal Springs has partnered with ment’or to jointly celebrate the 10th anniversaries of both organizations. Ment’or was founded by Daniel Boulud, Thomas Keller and Jérôme Bocuse to support the next generation of chefs and to fund a team to compete in the biannual Bocuse d’Or competition, which the U.S. team won for the first time in 2017.

This year’s Festival will be the largest collection of chefs and winemakers yet, featuring renowned Chefs Thomas Keller and Daniel Boulud, as well as the complete Bocuse d’Or USA teams from 2007 to 2017, which include highly regarded chefs like Michael White, Gavin Kaysen (a James Beard award nominee) and Bryan Voltaggio (Top Chef).

2018 New Jersey Wine & Food Festival Schedule

Friday May 4

7pm     Champagne Reception Guests meet the chefs while enjoying Krug Champagne and hors d’oeuvres from Restaurant Latour ($50, included in Wine Cellar dinner).

7:30pm Wine Cellar Dinner with Chef Thomas Keller and Marc Perrin of Chateau de Beaucastel
($1,000 inclusive of accommodations, tax and gratuity).

8pm    Ment’or Anniversary Dinner with Gavin Kaysen (Spoon and Stable, MN; James Beard Award nominee), Bryan Voltaggio, (VOLT, MD; Top Chef & Top Chef Masters), Matthew Kirkley (Team USA 2019), Justin Cogley (Aubergine, Carmel, CA), and Martyna Krowicka ($295 plus tax & gratuity).

8pm     Chef’s Garden Dinner with Chef Anthony Bucco and Chef Michael White ($295 plus tax & gratuity).

Saturday May 5

8am     Chef & Winemaker Golf Tournament Play 18 holes with chefs and winemakers ($149, includes lunch)

8:30am & 10am Sip, Stretch & Sparkle Start the day with a yoga session and a glass of sparkling wine ($30)

10am   Doughnuts & Coffee – Doughnuts from Montclair Bread Co. paired with coffee from NJ’s own Coffee Afficionado ($25)

11am   Spring Foraging with local forager Heather Housemaker ($25)

12pm – 3pm   Marketplace Lunch with local New Jersey wines and products served ($45)

12pm   Perfect Pizza Pairings Build your own pizza! ($35)

12pm   Pasture to Table with Fossil Farms and Trinchero wines ($40)

1pm      Sake and Ramen featuring New Jersey’s own Ani Ramen ($40)

1pm      Rose All Day Kick off rose season with selections from around the world ($45)

2pm      97 & Above Taste highly rated wines – all 97 points or above in Wine Spectator and Wine Advocate ($75)

2pm     The Art of Charcuterie Take a peek inside Crystal Springs’ charcuterie program and enjoy wines from The Hess Collection ($45)

3pm     Krug Vertical Tasting This unique tasting will highlight three recent vintages – 2002, 2003, 2004 and the current release of Krug Grande Cuvee ($95)

3pm     Uruguay Wines & American Beef Tastings of farm raised beef paired with the wines of Uruguay’s Bodega Garzon ($45)

3pm & 4pm   Garden State Culinary Throwdown (2 sessions) In each throwdown, 3 NJ chefs compete by cooking a dish from a basket of secret ingredients with the audience choosing the winner ($35)

4pm     Raising the Bar cocktail seminar with cocktail enthusiast and author Beth Ritter Nydick of Blue Barn Kitchen ($45)

6:30 / 7pm – 10pm  The Grand Tasting is the Festival’s signature event featuring more than 200 wines from over 50 wineries and bites from 50 top restaurants ($150; VIP $250; VIP admission  6:30pm, General Admission 7pm). Highlights of The Grand Tasting:

  • The VIP Experience: two floors of outstanding wines and spirits with tastings from Michelin-starred restaurants including Per Se, Daniel, Restaurant Latour, the upcoming Felina and more.
  • Restaurant participants highlight New Jersey’s best including: Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen, Fascino, Mistral, Ani Ramen, Agricola, Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas, Crystal Tavern, Heirloom Kitchen, Blue Morel, Osteria Morini, Common Lot, Viaggio, Halifax, Montclair Bread Co, Pig & Prince, 17 Summer Restaurant, Bell Market, Andre’s, Saly G’s, Orama, Piattino, Cardinal Provisions and more.
  • A wide range of wineries and Champagne houses from around the world.
  • Live entertainment by the thirty-two piece David Aaron Orchestra

10pm – 1am   Meet the Chefs and Winemakers After Party with open bars, DJ, buffets and more ($150). 

Sunday May 6

10am – 1pm   Champagne Brunch A lavish, decadent brunch buffet accompanied by Champagne ($50).

Tickets for the 2018 New Jersey Wine & Food Festival are available at www.njwinefoodfest.com. Resort reservations are available as well at 855.977.6473.

About Crystal Springs Resort   http://www.crystalgolfresort.com/

Located in Hamburg, Hardyston and Vernon, NJ, Crystal Springs Resort is the only four-season resort of its kind in the Tri-State Area. Comprised of two luxury hotels – Grand Cascades Lodge and Minerals Resort & Spa; six renowned public golf courses; four-star Restaurant Latour; a Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning wine cellar since 2006; two full-service spas ranked #19 in Spas of America’s Top 100 Spas; the state-of-the-art Minerals Sports Club; and multiple indoor and outdoor pools, including the distinctive Biosphere Pool Complex with an underground aquarium, tropical foliage and free form nature pools.

About Ment’or   http://www.mentorbkb.org/

The ment’or BKB Foundation is a nonprofit that aims to educate and inspire excellence in young culinary professionals and also preserve the traditions and quality of cuisine in America. Ment’or is led by Founders Chefs Daniel Boulud, Thomas Keller and Jérôme Bocuse, as well as an esteemed Culinary Council of over forty renowned chefs. Educational grants and internships are offered to culinary professionals through the Continuing Education Program. The Young Chef and Commis Competitions offer yet another opportunity for them to further their careers. Ment’or is also responsible for recruiting, training, and financially supporting the promising young American talents who represent Team USA in the prestigious biennial Bocuse d’Or competition, held in Lyon, France. For the first time in history, Team USA 2017 won the coveted Gold Medal at the Bocuse d’Or.

Filed Under: Food & Wine Events Tagged With: ,
1 December 2017 Holiday Festivities at Crystal Springs Resort

Holiday Festivities at Crystal Springs Resort

December 1, 2017 By

crystal springs resortCrystal Springs Resort is offering special events and activities throughout the holidays.

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

Crystal Tavern’s three-course Christmas menu ($69, $98 with wine pairing) features starters such as the creamy Pheasant Veloute with root vegetables; House-Cured Salmon with black radish and salmon roe or Fried Mackerel with oyster mayonnaise and pickled cucumber. Entrée options include Rib Roast with parsnips and natural jus and Ocean Trout with swiss chard and rosemary, followed by Eggnog Panna Cotta or Warm Apple Crumble. The holiday menu will be offered 5pm – 10pm on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (the full menu is also available).

Springs Bistro will offer a three-course Italian feast ($69, $98 with wine pairing). After an amuse of Bolognese Arancini, guests can choose pasta, surf or turf with Tortellini en Brodo, Scallops with cauliflower and hazelnuts or Beef Carpaccio with apple and arugula. For the entrée, Porchetta with fregola or Roasted Bass accompanied by clams, fennel and olives and for dessert – a rich Budino with whiskey cherries or Winter Citrus with white chocolate and pistachios. Springs Bistro will be open 5pm to 10pm on Christmas Eve and 3pm – 8pm on Christmas Day.

Restaurant Latour’s festive Christmas Brunch on Dec. 24 will highlight the flavors and ingredients of the season like chestnuts, pheasant and caviar in dishes such as Scrambled Eggs with crispy oysters and caviar, Pheasant on a stout waffle, Cured Salmon on ab everything bagel and Poached Eggs with pork belly. Chocolate Cake or Chestnut Cheesecake with cranberry and graham cracker round off the celebratory meal. The special brunch will be $55 for 2 courses and $75 for 3 courses, Dec. 24 hours: 11am – 3pm.

Holiday Activities

Every night until January 8, the night sky comes alive during the Winter Light Walk as hundreds of thousands of lights shimmer outside the resort’s Grand Cascades Lodge. Complimentary hot chocolate will keep guests warm and toasty (dusk to 10pm nightly). Indoors, a candy land comes to life in the Gingerbread Village in the Crystal Springs Clubhouse.

Crystal Springs Resort is located at 1 Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg NJ; www.crystalgolfresort.com.

Filed Under: Food & Wine Events Tagged With: , , ,
Next Page »