Restaurant News

This week Rosie tells us about Valenca in Elizabeth, a Glenfiddich scotch tasting dinner at Copeland in Morristown, a Southern Rhône wine dinner at Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange, Halloween happenings, and much more news about NJ restaurants.

VALENCA, ELIZABETH
Patrons were dancing between the tables while the mariachi musicians were playing at Valenca, 665 Monroe Avenue, Elizabeth, a Portuguese restaurant that has been family owned for twenty years. You will be well fed here. A generous salad of greens, carrots, tomatoes, olives, and onions was placed on the table before we got a menu. Shrimp in a lip-smackin’ spicy garlic sauce, which we mopped up with the bread, was enough to share as an appetizer. Four hunks of tender roasted suckling pig, a house specialty with crackling skin, was one of the best renditions of this dish we’ve had in a long time. The usual seafood dishes were available, including paella, lobster, snapper, and mariscada. We opted for the mariscada in green sauce, served in a clay pot swimming with ingredients. We couldn’t finish either entrée, but we did devour a plate of crispy and greaseless Spanish fries. Another specialty that we saw passing by was filet mignon brought out raw on a hot stone, to be cooked at the table. The reasonably priced, satisfying food is worth a trip here, but be forewarned that the restaurant can get noisy, as it is popular with families. Still, the worst thing that could happen is that you end up dancing with the crowd. For reservations call 908-354-2525.




Mariscada in green sauce.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein.

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GLENFIDDICH SCOTCH TASTING
On October 28, a four-course Glenfiddich scotch tasting and dinner will be held at Copeland Restaurant, Westin Governor Morris, 2 Whippany Road, Morristown. Tastings will include the 12-year, 15-year, 18-year, and 21-year versions. 6:45 PM; $50 all-inclusive. Stay at the Westin Governor Morris that night and receive a special rate of $129. Contact Robin at 973-451-2609 for accommodations. For reservations call 973-451-2619.

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FESTIVAL OF FLAVORS
On November 1, the Eleventh Annual YCS (Youth Consultation Service) Festival of Flavors will be held at the Park Ridge Marriott, 300 Brae Boulevard, Park Ridge, to benefit the YCS Autism Division and five new residential programs for children and young adults with developmental disabilities. 6 to 9 PM; $75. For tickets call 201-678-1312.

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ITALIAN WINE AND FOOD TASTING
On November 1, Alla Salute: An Evening of Italian Wines, Foods and Travel will be held at the Bernards Inn, with 150 wines to taste that will also be available for retail purchase, along with Italian foods prepared from the Mamma Agata cookbook, highlighted by the special appearance of Agata’s daughter, Chiara Lima. Marlene Iaciofano of Gourmet Getaways will present information on an upcoming travel opportunity sponsored by the Bernards Inn. 6:30 to 8:30 PM; $60 plus tax and gratuity. For reservations call Tracey Mancini at 908-766-7300 ext 155.

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WINE AND CHEESE PAIRING CLASSES
On October 27, November 3, and November 10, a Wine and Cheese Pairing class will be held at Amanti Vino, 30 Church St, Montclair, taught by Sharon Sevrens, proprietor of Amanti Vino; Will Sugerman, certified sommelier; and cheese monger Michael Trullinger. For questions call the Montclair Adult School at 973-746-6636 and to register log on to www.adultschool.org.

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CHEZ CATHERINE, WESTFIELD
Through Thanksgiving, to celebrate an impressive 31 years in business, Chez Catherine, 431 North Avenue West, Westfield, is offering a special three-course prix-fixe menu at lunch for $19.79 and at dinner for $31. The regular lunch and dinner menus will also be available. For reservations call 908-654-4011.

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RAISE YOUR STEIN AT NATIRAR
On October 30, the Wine School at Ninety Acres Culinary Center at Natirar, 2 Main Street, Peapack-Gladstone, will celebrate Oktoberfest with a three-hour interactive beer class with food. Noon to 3 PM; $65. For reservations call 908-901-9500.

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HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS

On October 26 and 27, a wine and spirits tasting with author and medium Craig McManus will be held at the Ho-Ho-Kus Inn and Tavern, 1 East Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus. McManus will discuss wine and ghosts while he guides attendees through a tasting of six wines. 7 to 9 PM; $65. On October 30, a Treat Before You Trick celebration will feature creepy cocktails in the tavern and library bars all evening long. On October 31, families are invited to enjoy a Gobbling Goblins Lunch before the late-afternoon trick-or-treating begins. Costumed goons and goblins will decorate petite pumpkins and take home special Halloween cookies. For reservations call 201-445-4115.

On October 30, a Halloween costume party will be held at Meadowlands Racetrack, 50 Route 120, East Rutherford, with complimentary snacks and candy, plus drink and beer specials. 6 to 10 PM; free admission with costume. Racing starts at 7 PM. For more information and reservations call 201-THE-BIGM (843-2446).

On October 31 from 8 AM to 8 PM, fully costumed kids ages fourteen and under will eat free from the Squirts menu with the purchase of any adult entrée at the Pop Shop, 729 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood. Children are also invited to trick-or-treat at the Pop Shop and all along Haddon Avenue on Halloween from 1 to 5 PM. For more information call 856-869-0111.

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Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to rosie@njmonthly.com.