TRINITY, KEYPORT
The term church supper takes on a new meaning at Trinity, 84 Broad Street, Keyport, where there are no offerings of old, tired potluck recipes but rather divine assemblages that wowed us. Executive chef Michael d’Ennery offers eclectic cuisine in this beautifully restored 100-year-old-plus church. The menu cleverly lists the dishes with a religious slant. Small plates are Small Offerings; appetizers are In The Beginning; entrees are Out of the Fire, Revelations, and Pure and Simple; and desserts are Last Rights.
Some recommended dishes are the pork empanadas (get a large order, as these are addictive and you can’t have just one); roasted Jersey corn bisque with applewood bacon and mini corn fritters (if you don’t want soup, get an order of the crispy corn fritters); the rich four-cheese mac and cheese, which is listed as a side and is the perfect size for the table to share; baby spinach salad with Asian pears, candied walnuts, goat cheese, and blackberry champagne vinaigrette; fennel-dusted Alaskan halibut with cold cucumber and radish salad, roasted baby tomatoes, and heirloom tomato gazpacho; flat-iron steak served with chimichurri sauce and chorizo-and-tomato-smothered Yukon gold potato chorreadas (a Costa Rican staple similar to a potato or corn pancake); and a combo of roasted chicken breast and lump crab cake. For our Last Rights, we shared a duet of local fruit cobblers, peach and blueberry. If you agonize over what to have, a “Can’t Decide” dessert is available, consisting of chocolate cake, vanilla pot de crème, and blueberry shortcake. Trinity is open for dinner Tuesdays through Sundays. For reservations call 732-888-1998. Be sure to check out the second level of this restaurant, where a spiral staircase leads to a private dining room in the bell tower.
Baby spinach salad with Asian pears, candied walnuts, goat cheese, and blackberry champagne vinaigrette.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein.
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JAMES BEARD EVENT
On November 14, a New World Wine Lovers’ Dinner will be held at the James
Beard House, 167 West 12th Street, New York City, with chef Eric LeVine from Encore Catering, East Hanover. 7 PM; $125, James Beard Foundation members $100. For reservations call 212-627-2308.
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CHRISTOPHER’S, NEW BRUNSWICK
Friday-night jazz has returned to the bar at Christopher’s, 10 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, from 8:30 PM to midnight on Friday nights. After a cocktail, dine at Christopher’s Restaurant, where a three-course prix fixe is $39.99. For reservations call 732-214-2200.
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GRAND CRU, ENGLEWOOD
Every Wednesday night is Restaurant Night at Grand Cru Wine Bar, 36 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood. This dining experience features a sparkling wine aperitif and a prix-fixe four-course dinner for $39.95. The regular menu is also available. Additionally, every Wednesday the restaurant features a great-value white and red wine by the glass and bottle. For reservations call 201-568-3939.
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UPCOMING CHARITY EVENTS
On November 6, the Fourth Annual Harvest Wine Festival with light hors d’oeuvres, antipasto, and cheese, bread, and pasta stations will be held at the Hilton Short Hills, 41 John F. Kennedy Parkway, Short Hills, from 7 to 10 PM. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Inter-Religious Fellowship for the Homeless of Bergen Country. Three wine classes consisting of side-by-side tastings of five special wines will be conducted in a special tasting area, at 7:15, 8:15, and 9:15 PM. Advance reservations for the classes must be made during the ticket purchase. For more information and to purchase tickets call 866-811-4111.
On November 6, a wine tasting with hors d’oeuvres will be held at the Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, to benefit the St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center. 6 to 9 PM; $45. For tickets call 973-377-7094.
On November 9, Eat, Drink & Share, the thirteenth annual fundraiser for Rotary District 7510, will be held at the Pines Manor, 2085 Route 27, Edison. 6 to 9 PM; $50. For tickets call 609-586-2693.
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JERSEY SHORE RESTAURANT WEEK
Jersey Shore Restaurant Week will be celebrated from November 6 through 15 with participating restaurants offering a three-course meal, with choices from three appetizers, three entrées, and three desserts, for $20.09 or $30.09. For more information log on to www.jerseyshorerestaurantweek.com.
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RESTAURANT NICHOLAS COOKBOOK
Restaurant Nicholas, 160 Route 35, Middletown, announces the release of the Restaurant Nicholas Cookbook. To celebrate, the restaurant is offering advance signed copies at dinners on November 4, 5, 10, 11, and 12. The evenings will begin with an hors d’oeuvres reception, which will be followed by a four-course dinner with wines to accompany each course. 6:30 PM; $95 plus tax and gratuity, $45 per cookbook. There is a limited amount of advance signed copies, so tell them how many you’d like when you make a reservation (732-345-9977).
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GET READY FOR THE HOLIDAYS
On November 5, learn to prepare some make-ahead treats for the holidays at a Sweet and Savory Baking for Holiday Entertaining demonstration class that will be taught by Nick Malgieri at Viking Culinary Center, 4 Sperry Road, Fairfield. 6:30 to 9 PM; $69. For more information log on to www.vikingcookingschool.com or call 973-244-1580.
If you’re thinking about catering for Thanksgiving but don’t know what to order, Fruited Plain Caterers, 48 Stiles Lane, Pine Brook, is offering free tastings from November 2 through 7. For more information call 973-808-8862.
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DINING DEALS AT LANGOSTA LOUNGE, ASBURY PARK
Langosta Lounge, 1000 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, has announced the following specials.
Tapas Tuesdays: Choose four small plates, which range in style from seared duck with stuffed ravioli to Asian beef satay, and a flight of four red or white wines for $18. Guests can opt for wine or food only for $12. At the bar, enjoy a flight of lagers or ales for $5.
Latin Wednesdays: Latin music and food are featured. Specials include overstuffed burritos, Mexican pasta, and handmade empanadas, along with $5 margaritas.
Farm-to-Table Thursdays: Chef Marilyn Schlossbach uses local ingredients to create a menu and offers organic wines for $5 a glass.
For reservations call 732-455-3275.
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