14 September 2018 Major NJ Wine Dinners Happening on September 20

Major NJ Wine Dinners Happening on September 20

September 14, 2018 By

Thursday September 20th will be a huge night for New Jersey wine lovers as two outstanding dinners are taking place in the northern part of the state.  

Wines of Portugal Dinner at Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas

Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas (http://spuntinowinebar.com), specializing in small plates that put modern twists on Italian classics and fine wines from around the world, invites guests to enjoy its Wines of Portugal Dinner at its location in the Clifton Commons on Thursday, September 20 at 7pm.

Mussels

Portugal offers a variety of climates from north to south that differentiates its wine from those produced in other countries. With over 200 varieties of grapes and a wide range of appellations, Portugal has developed impressive wines. To highlight some of the world-class wines produced in the region, Spuntino Wine Bar is pairing a selection of Portuguese wines with a five-course tasting menu to complement the flavor profiles of each. The full Wines of Portugal dinner menu includes:

  • Steamed Mussels – Mussels, pepper vinaigrette. Paired with Twin Vines Vinho Verde. 
  • Cod Fillet – Chickpea purée, onion, peppers. Paired with Periquita White 2017.
  • Roasted Pork Belly – Orange pepper salad. Paired with Periquita Reserva 2016.
  • Goat Osso Bucco – Rustic mashed potato. Paired with Jose Maria Da Fonseca Domini Douro 2014.
  • Doce Da Casa – Condensed milk, Chantilly cream. Paired with Alambre Moscatel de Setubal 2012.

Tickets for the Wines of Portugal Dinner are $69 per person and can be purchased online by visiting http://spuntinowinebar.com/wines-of-portugal-clifton/

Sommelier Steel Cage Wine Pairing Death Match at Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen

Paul Grieco

Sommelier Steel Cage Wine Pairing Death Match at Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen (https://www.jockeyhollowbarandkitchen.com) on Thursday September 20th, 2018 at 6:30 pm. Paul Grieco, famed Sommelier and Owner of Terroir Wine Bar in NYC and Jockey Hollow’s Chris Cannon will face off in a Blind Wine Pairing Dinner. Five Courses, Ten Wines, One Winner.

Menu offered by Chef Craig Polignano:

  • Chilled Rhode Island Mussels – Green Curry, Coconut and Thai Basil
  • Chilled Corn Soup, Smoked Steelhead Trout, Jalapeño and Bronze Fennel
  • Sunchoke and Kale Pansotti – Brown Butter, Walnuts and Sherry
  • NJ Skate Wing – Oven Roasted Tomato, Dandelion Greens and Pine Nuts
  • Wagyu Flatiron Steak – Potato Pave, Crispy Maitake and Roasted Shallots

$110 pp plus Tax and Gratuity. Call 973-644-3180 to reserve.

Cheers,

Veronique

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8 January 2018 Spuntino Wine Bar Offers Taste of Piedmont Menu

Spuntino Wine Bar Offers Taste of Piedmont Menu

January 8, 2018 By
Tagliatelle Tartufo

Tagliatelle Tartufo

Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas, specializing in small plates with modern twists to Italian classics and fine wines from around the world, is offering a special “Taste of Piedmont” menu at its locations in the Clifton Commons in Clifton, NJ and The Gallery at Westbury Plaza in Garden City, NY, now through January 20.

Guests are invited to take a journey through the Piedmont region of Italy, known for rich, savory food like truffles and slow-braised beef, which pair well with the powerful and tannin-heavy wines produced in the region. Piedmont is ideal for growing wine where the Nebbiolo grape thrives. The full three-course Taste of Piedmont menu includes:

Piccolo Peppers – Arancini stuffed, mozzarella, tomato jam.

o   Paired with a Damilano Arneis – Pale straw yellow with a delicate, enjoyable nose of fresh fruit, peach and apricot. Dry and fresh with elegant flavors and a moderate acidity. It’s a smooth and juicy sip suitable for appetizers, fish courses and white meat.

Tagliatelle Tartufo – Truffle pesto, pine nuts, shaved black truffles.

o   Paired with a Falesco ‘Ferentano’ Roscetto – Rich gamut of aromatic sensations ranging from banana to pineapple. The flavors are assertive, rich, soft and full with a superior, long and lingering finish.  

Brasato Al Barolo – Veal short rib, parsnip puree, Barolo reduction, sage gremolata.

o   Paired with a Pico Maccario ‘Lavignone’ Barbera – Bright and aromatic with aromas and flavors of red cherries, violets and wild herbs.

The tasting menu is available for $30 per person, or $45 including wine pairings. Menu items are also available a la carte. For more information or to make reservations, visit www.SpuntinoWineBar.com.

Cheers,

Veronique

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2 August 2017 Grilled Peach Mascarpone Bruschetta

Grilled Peach Mascarpone Bruschetta

August 2, 2017 By

In celebration of National Peach Month in August, Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas, shared this easy and tasty recipe for grilled peach bruschetta.

Makes 12 bruschetta

Ingredients

    • 1 loaf of rustic bread, cut into 12 slices about 3/4-inch thick 

 

    • 3/4 cup mascarpone cheese

 

    • 3 peaches, thinly-sliced and grilled

 

    • 3 tsp Maldon Sea Salt

 

    • 1/4 cup honey 

 

    • 1/4 cup of chiffonaded basil

 

  • 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Preparation and Cooking Instructions

    • Place the bread slices on a hot grill for 1 – 2 minutes per side until toasted with some char but not burnt. 

 

    • Spread the mascarpone cheese on each piece of bread.

 

    • Place grilled peach slices on top of the mascarpone with Maldon sea salt.

 

    • Drizzle honey on top of peaches.

 

  • Garnish with the basil and almonds.
Filed Under: Appetizers, Cheese, Fruits, Italian, Snacks, Starters, Vegetarian Tagged With: , , ,
19 July 2017 Berries & Ricotta by Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas

Berries & Ricotta by Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas

July 19, 2017 By

July is National Blueberry Month and Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas will feature specialty cocktails and dishes starring the little blue beauties as their juicy flavor come into full seasonal swing.

This summery dish will be served at the popular restaurant throughout the summer.

Berries & Ricotta

Makes 6

Ingredients:

Whipped Ricotta:

  • 16 oz of Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese
  • 8 oz of Whipped Cream Cheese
  • 1/4 Cup of Confectionary Sugar
  • 3 Tbsp of Honey
  • 1 Tbsp of Simple Syrup
  • 1 tsp of Vanilla Extract
  • 1 tsp of Orange Zest

To Plate:

  • Strawberries
  • Blueberries
  • Raspberries
  • Honey
  • Mint (for garnish)

Preparation:
Blend ricotta, cream cheese and remaining ingredients in food processor until smooth. Transfer to bowl. Cover bowl and refrigerate until set, about 2 – 3 Hours. Divide whipped ricotta mixture among six wine glasses or coupe glasses.  Top with fruit and drizzle with honey.  Garnish with mint. 

Enjoy!

Veronique

Filed Under: American, Breakfast, Cheese, Desserts, Fruits Tagged With: , ,
12 March 2017 National Pi Day at Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas

National Pi Day at Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas

March 12, 2017 By

On Tuesday, March 14 in celebration of Pi Day, Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas will offer $3.14 personal pizzas all day long.

This offer is valid  for dine-in guests at the Clifton, NJ and Garden City, NY locations.

Happy Pi Day! Veronique

Filed Under: Food & Wine Events Tagged With: ,
29 November 2012 Northern NJ Wine MeetUp Visits Spuntino Wine Bar

Northern NJ Wine MeetUp Visits Spuntino Wine Bar

November 29, 2012 By

Last night, the Northern NJ Wine MeetUp Group had a gathering at Spuntino Wine Bar in Clifton. This diverse group of wine fans meets about every six weeks at various places in northern New Jersey. I’ve belonged to the group for about three years and the events are always fun and insightful. I’ve written about Spuntino in the past, so I was pleased when I received a notification that the November event would be there.

Our group of about 30 members, including friend and fellow New Jersey food and blogger Peter Conway of Mano A Vino, met for drinks in the spacious bar area then met in a private room near the open kitchen. Spuntino’s Sommelier, Jane, graciously walked us through the extensive menu and wine list. The restaurant offers forty two Italian wines by the glass, over one hundred Italian wines and a reserve wine list with several gems I’d like to sample.

When I say the menu is extensive, I mean it! Spuntino features a tapas menu, small plates meant to be shared. My party sampled a plate of Salumi and Formaggi, cured Italian meats and cheeses served with perfectly grilled crostini that was perfect paired with our first bottle of wine.

Bruschetta come in nine variations (one for $3, three for $8 and five for $14) and our table tried the Prosciutto di Parma and fresh Mozzarella version. The Italian bread was grilled to a crunchy exterior while the interior was still moist. We also sampled the Carciofo – flash-fried artichoke hearts served with a tangy lemon aioli.

Meatballs ($6) are king at Spuntino and last evening, we opted for the lamb variation. The three meatballs were served with a Parmesan wafer and were good, albeit a bit bland.

There are five pastas ($8) on the menu and on this visit, we devoured the pasta with wild boar ragu. The sauce was rich and flavorful and the pasta was topped with freshly-grated Parmesan cheese.

The pizzas are thin-crusted and hand-stretched and the meaty Salumi ($11) topped with Prosciutto, crumbled sausage, Capocollo and Cacciatorini made it to our table, once again.

If you’ve not experienced Spuntino, make a point to visit soon. It serves delicious, affordable food and the wine list would please any fan of the grape.

Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas

94 Kingsland Road

Clifton, NJ, 07014

(973) 661-2435

HOURS

Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. – 1 a.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. -10 p.m.
Monday –Thursday: 11 a.m. – Midnight.

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27 July 2012 42 Wines by the Glass at Spuntino Wine Bar and Italian Tapas

42 Wines by the Glass at Spuntino Wine Bar and Italian Tapas

July 27, 2012 By

Arancini

With less than six months under its belt, Spuntino Wine Bar in Clifton has garnered positive accolades from locals and northern New Jersey wine lovers. The well-appointed space is divided in a lounge area with table and bar seating and a comfortable dining room with an open kitchen concept. There are even private rooms for small gatherings.

Spuntino offers a clever and affordable wine list, including 42 Italian wines by the glass, over 100 Italian wines and a reserve wine list of stellar, sought-after bottles.

The extensive menu features small plates ideal for sharing.  The larger-than-usual portions offer some old school favorites and creative, modern fare.

On my last visit, my guests and I sampled a plate of Salumi and Formaggi, cured Italian meats and cheeses, that was excellent.  Diners can opt for one selection for $4, three selections for $10 and ten for $18. Some of the choices are the Prosciutto di Parma – aged for 18 months, the Fontina – paired with honey and the Hot Sopressata – imported from Central Italy. All were served with perfectly grilled crostini.

Antipasti ($5) options range from an olives plate to pan-seared goat cheese wrapped in Mortadella to mussels steamed in white wine sauce.

Salumi Pizza

Bruschetta come in nine variations (one for $3, three for $8 and five for $14) and are mounded with toppings like Ricotta cheese and roasted grapes, goat cheese and caramelized onions and Gorgonzola cheese, apple and walnuts.

Must-try fried choices ($6) are the Arancini – fried risotto balls stuffed with peas and Mozzarella and the Carciofo – perfectly fried artichoke hearts served with a tangy lemon aioli.  The Arancini are super-crunchy on the outside with perfectly creamy risotto on the inside – a truly delectable treat.

Meatballs ($6) are a labor of love at Spuntino and come three to an order.  The classic version is served with either a rich tomato sauce or a spicy marinara sauce – try the latter, it is delicious. Diners can opt for pork, chicken, vegetable or lamb variations.

There are five pastas ($8) on the menu at Spuntino and our favorite was the Perciatelli Con Pesto – thick spaghetti with rich, herby pesto sauce.

The thin-crusted and hand-stretched pizzas are truly some of the best around these parts.  Whether in the mood for a simple basil and Mozzarella Margherita ($9) or a decadent and meaty Salumi ($11) pizza topped with Prosciutto, crumbled sausage, Capocollo and Cacciatorini, do not pass up ordering a pie.

Tapas-style food allows diners an opportunity to try many different dishes they might not otherwise order. Spuntino is a perfect place to share a romantic meal or for dining with a group.  Add it to your list of places to try for delicious and affordable food and wine in northern New Jersey.

Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas

94 Kingsland Road

Clifton, NJ, 07014

(973) 661-2435
HOURS

Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. – 1 a.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. -10 p.m.
Monday –Thursday: 11 a.m. – Midnight.

 

Filed Under: Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,