WINE LABEL DESIGN CONTEST FROM AMANTI VINO
ARTISTS OF ALL AGES CALLED TO CREATE LABEL FOR "CUVÉE RUFUS"
"Rufus is the familiar face that’s greeted clients since we opened in October 2005," says owner Sharon Sevrens. "So it’s only fitting that his likeness and/or name be used for our first-ever private label wine."
Amanti Vino has partnered with the Montclair Art Museum to present the design competition, which will be judged by a panel of art-world professionals. A selection of submissions will be exhibited at the museum in the fall, when Cuvée Rufus will be unveiled at a release party. A percentage of proceeds from sales of Cuvée Rufus will be donated to Intensive Therapeutics Inc. and will help support exhibitions and educational programs at the Montclair Art Museum.
Four winners will be chosen, one from each of four categories: ages 5-8, 9-12, 13-18 and 19 & over. Deadline for submissions is Tuesday, March 31, 2015, and winners will be announced by April 30, 2015. The Wine Label Contest Application Form can be found here.
Rufus, the Amanti Vino mascot.
SCOTCH DINNER AT PLEASANTDALE CHATEAU
David Laird, The Balvenie Brand Ambassador from Glasgow, Scotland will be in attendance on March 18 at a four-course Scotch dinner that will be held at the Pleasantdale Chateau, 757 Eagle Rock Ave, West Orange. 6:30 PM; $140 tax and service charge included. Enjoy the complete chateau experience and have dinner for two with an overnight stay for $429; tax and service charge included. Reservations: 973-731-5600 ext 3016.
ST PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATIONS
ZEPPELIN HALL, JERSEY CITY CELEBRATES ST PATRICK’S DAY
FROM TUESDAY, MARCH 17 UNTIL SUNDAY, MARCH 22
To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, Zeppelin Hall, 88 Liberty View Drive, Jersey City (201-721-8888), is offering Irish classics such as corned beef and cabbage, or an Irish Reuben, with corned beef piled high atop Irish bacon, melted Swiss, sauerkraut and Thousand Island dressing on toasted rye bread. Other menu items range from creamy, potato-bacon soup, cod fish and chips and a Beef Guinness stew; a Guinness braised beef with potatoes, carrots, celery and tomatoes in a rich gravy.
ALCHEMIST & BARRISTER
St. Patrick’s Day at the Alchemist & Barrister, 28 Witherspoon St, Princeton, will include a brand new bar, 28 beers on tap, a large selection of craft beers, Irish fare. Celtic music, high-stepping dancers and a Long Beard Contest and charity benefit. On March 17, the festivities start at 5 PM as a bagpiper leads revelers into the A&B. Executive chef/owner Arthur Kukoda plans a menu of traditional Irish food with his own American touch, including lamb stew, Dublin spring rolls and the A&B’s fabled shepherds pie. Corned beef will be carved from a huge round. Reservations and information: 609-924-5555.
17 SUMMER ON RESTAURANT STARTUP TONIGHT
17 Summer in Lodi will be appearing on CNBC’s Restaurant Startup which airs tonight, Tuesday, March 10 at 10 PM. The press release stated:
“This week, two successful catering companies–both based in underserved markets–fight for the chance to score an investment from restaurateurs and investors Joe Bastianich and Tim Love. 17 Summer is owned by a young brother/sister team from New Jersey who believe they have the skills to make their fine-dining concept soar (hopefully high enough to leave the nest, as they still live with their parents). Peculiar Culinary is owned by a husband/wife team who hope to open the first gastropub in their part of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Which team will cater more to the investors and get a shot at their dream restaurant?”
OTHER FOOD EVENTS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11
HOLLORAN VINEYARD WINE DINNER AT AGRICOLA
A Holloran Vineyard Wine dinner with Bill Holloran will be held at Agricola Community Eatery, 11 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. 6:30 PM; $120 includes tax and gratuity. Reservations: 609-921-2798.
TAPAS AND CALIFORNIA BLENDS WINE TASTING
A tasting of California blends and tapas will be held at Mompou Tapas Wine Bar & Lounge, 77 Ferry Street, Newark; 7 to 9 PM. Reservations: 973-578-8114.
THURSDAY, MARCH 12
PRINCETON FARMERS’ MARKET
The Princeton Farmers’ Market will be held at the Community Room of the Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, from 11 AM to 4 PM. There will be 15 vendors offering a variety of goods including: local organic fruits and vegetables, free-range beef, poultry, pork, eggs, cheese, pickles, honey, baked goods (gluten free and vegan options available), granola, truffles, soap, candles, linens, hot chocolate, ciders and more.
NORTHERN ITALIAN WINE DINNER AT SATIS JERSEY CITY
A Taste of Northern Italy dinner hosted by wine enthusiast and wine writer Anthony Giglio, will be held Satis Bistro, 212 Washington Street, Jersey City. Information and reservations: 201-435-5151.
KING OF MONTALCINO DINNER
A King of Montalcino dinner with Victor Rallo and Giovanni Neri featuring the wines from Casanova di Neri Winery, Tuscany will be held at Undici Taverna Rustica, 11 West River Road, Rumson. 6:45 PM; $79 plus tax and gratuity. Reservations: 732-842-3880.
FRIDAY, MARCH 13
WINE DINNER AT THE FROG AND THE PEACH, NEW BRUNSWICK
A four-course Casanova di Neri Wine dinner will be held at The Frog and the Peach, 29 Dennis Street, New Brunswick. 7 PM; $125, all inclusive. Reservations: 732-846-3216.
SATURDAY, MARCH 14
PIZZA TIME COOKING CLASS
A pizza-making class will be taught by executive chef Ralph Romano with chef Cassandra Carlstrom at Red Knot Restaurant, Galloping Hill Golf Course, 3 Golf Drive, Kenilworth (908-686-1556). 3:30 to 5 PM; $35 per person, includes tax. Each student gets to bring home their creation. To sign up, visit the restaurant website.
BRICK FARM MARKET DINNER
A five-course, farm to table, Rustic Italian dinner, will be held at Brick Farm Market, 65 East Broad Street, Hopewell. 7 t0 10 PM; $75; BYO. Reservations: 609-466-6500 or e-mail [email protected].
FARMER’S MARKET
Enjoy the season’s best local foods at the West Windsor Community Farmers Market, Slow Food Central New Jersey, which will be held at the D&R Greenway Land Trust’s Johnson Education Center, One Preservation Place, Princeton. 10 AM TO 2 PM; $3 suggested donation to benefit the Central New Jersey chapter of Slow Food.
SUNDAY, MARCH 15 TO FRIDAY, MARCH 20
RESTAURANT WEEK
The South Jersey Hot Chefs will be celebrating restaurant week by offering a four-course dinner for $35 or $25.
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Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to [email protected].