HAPPENINGS AT THE BERNARDS INN, BERNARDSVILLE
From September 20 through 26, the Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville, along with restaurants nationwide, will be participating in the Great American Dine Out to benefit Share Our Strength, an organization that works to end childhood hunger in the United States. To make reservations for lunch or dinner and support this very worthwhile cause, call 908-766-0002. For a list of other NJ restaurants involved in this charity event, log on to www.strength.org/apps/dineout/index.php/Google/DisplayMap.
On September 27, enjoy fresh-picked produce from the Bernards Inn garden at a garden harvest dinner. This family-style event will be accompanied by cardamom-mint lemonade, blood orange iced tea, Canyon Road wine, and craft beer. 6 PM; $125 plus tax and gratuity. For reservations call Tracey Mancini at 908-766-7300 ext 155.
Executive chef Corey Heyer in the Bernards Inn garden.
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SUBLIME, GLADSTONE
Is it a sign of the economic times that the newly opened Sublime, 12 Lackawanna Avenue, Gladstone (908-781-1888), does not offer bread? Are they looking to save money, or is the chef doing us a favor by not allowing us to fill up before we start our meal? What are your preferences? Do you prefer bread served with your meal, or not?
Scott Howlett, previously at Sushi Lounge, Totowa, is the executive chef at Sublime, and he had many light, summery starters on the menu when we were there last month, including watermelon gazpacho, heirloom tomato salad, and tuna tataki. Spinach salad with Granny Smith apple, warm applewood-smoked bacon, and vanilla bean vinaigrette was topped with fried celery root, a pleasing mixture of flavors, colors, and textures. Baby artichokes, deep-fried in the Roman style and presented artistically, were topped with shaved Parmigianino Reggiano. The accompanying roasted garlic/Meyer lemon aioli gave the dish vivacity. Some of the entrées seemed more appropriate for the fall and included venison chops, braised short ribs with oven-roasted root vegetables, and chicken fricassee with lentils. Fish options included deep-fried tuna, sea scallops, salmon paillard, and swordfish. We were told that there would be some changes to the menu in September. Dessert, which was big enough for two to share, was a fig tart on puff pastry with cinnamon/lemon crème fraîche and is now on my “best” list. Wine was very reasonably priced, with many bottles around $20. An extensive cocktail menu is also available.
Chicken fricassee with lentils from Sublime, Gladstone.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein.
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GREEK WINE DINNER AT NISI ESTIATORIO, ENGLEWOOD
On September 22, a four-course Greek wine dinner will be held at Nisi Estiatorio, 90 Grand Avenue, Englewood. Executive chef/partner John Piliouras will present the following menu.
Kavouri Me Ahinious: crab salad, sea urchin, marinated beets, and trout caviar
(2008 Gentilini Robola, Rhodes, Greece; 2007 Serramarrocco Grillo “Grillo Del Barone,” Sicily; 2006 Pellegrini Chardonnay, North Fork, Long Island)
Melon Feta Salata: seasonal melon with feta, sweet and sour tomatoes, and mint
(2005 Domaine de la Courtade Rosé “L’Alycastre,” Île de Porquerolles, Côtes de Provence, France)
Arni Yuvetsi: braised lamb shank with orzo and kefalotyri cheese in a clay pot
(2004 Spadina Nero d’Avola “Una Rosa,” Sicily; 2007 Gentilini Syrah, Rhodes, Greece)
Nisi Sundae: spiced walnut cookie dough ice cream, Samos caramel, and shredded halva
(NV Etko Commandaria St. Nicholas, Cyprus, Greece; NV Tsantal Muscat of Samos, Samos, Greece)
7 PM; $75 plus tax and gratuity. For reservations call 201-567-4700.
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CLAMBAKE AT THE PARK STEAKHOUSE, PARK RIDGE
Toast the end of summer on September 24 at an old-fashioned clambake at the Park Steakhouse, 151 Kinderkamack Road, Park Ridge. Steamed Maine lobsters, littleneck clams, Prince Edward Island mussels, black tiger shrimp, jumbo lump crabmeat, Jersey corn, and red bliss potatoes will be served family style, along with wine and beer. 7 PM; $55. For reservations call 201 930-1300.
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DULCE CANDY BOUTIQUE, MONTCLAIR
Life just got a little sweeter in Montclair, with the opening of Dulce Candy Boutique at 17 Church Street (973-509-2221). With more than 100 different types of sweets, including traditional goodies (lemon drops, gummy bears, sesame bars, Mary Janes, licorice) and nostalgic ones (Necco wafers, which have been made since 1847, plus wax lips and candy necklaces), there’s plenty to choose from. Fresh-spun cotton candy and healthy, organic, allergen-free, and sugar-free treats are also available. Looking for a gift, or having a party? Owners Melissa Tripoli and Diana DiMonda, who are sisters, create custom gift baskets, candy gift towers, and edible “candy topiary” arrangements as well as a candy buffet to complement a theme, season, or occasion.
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OYSTER PROMOTION AT LEGAL SEA FOODS
Through October 17, oysters are being celebrated at Legal Sea Foods, 1 Garden State Plaza, Paramus (201-843-8483), and 1200 Morris Turnpike, Route 24 and JFK Parkway, Short Hills (973-467-0089). Every two weeks the restaurant will highlight different dishes, from pickled and fried oysters to po’ boy sandwiches to oyster stews. The featured drink throughout the promotion, the Belvedere Deadrise cocktail, named after the type of boat used to fish the flats for oysters, is made with Belvedere vodka scented with cucumber, lime, and grapefruit bitters.
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APPLE PIE CONTEST
Do you have a winning apple pie recipe? Chef Central, 240 Route 17 North, Paramus, is having an apple pie contest on October 10 from noon to 3 PM. For more information and to register log on to www.chefcentral.com.
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OKTOBERFEST IN RED BANK
On September 27, an Oktoberfest hosted by the nonprofit German School of Monmouth County will be held at the Elks Lodge, West Front Street, Red Bank. Events for the day include “the tapping of the keg,” German music and folk dancing, a Swiss alphorn player, yodeling lessons and contest, a beer stein race, sack races, a pretzel toss, and more. A traditional German buffet will feature wursts, leberkäse, potato salad, spätzle, red cabbage, sauerkraut, and homemade desserts, as well as Spaten beers imported from Munich. Noon to 5 PM. Advance tickets, which include the German buffet and all activities, are $25 for adults and $10 for children ages sixteen and under. Tickets at the door are $30 for adults and $10 for children. Call 888-368-5300 or e-mail [email protected] for more information.
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DINING DEALS
Happy hour is celebrated Mondays through Fridays from 4 to 7 PM at Brick City Bar and Grill, 35 Edison Place, Newark (973-596-0004), with half-price appetizers, $3 Bud or Bud Light, $4 for all other beers, and half-price specialty martinis.
One 53, 153 Washington Street, Rocky Hill, offers 25 percent off bottled wine Mondays through Wednesdays. For reservations call 609-921-0153.
The Tortilla Press, 703 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood, offers a special three-course twilight menu Mondays through Thursdays for $16.50 per person. For reservations call 856-869-3345.
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Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to [email protected].