STONE HOUSE AT STIRLING RIDGE, WARREN
Eat, drink, and be merry at the new Star Room Patio at Stone House at Stirling Ridge, 50 Stirling Avenue, Warren. This eye-catching venue nestled in the Watchung Mountains was recently opened by Jeanne and Frank Cretella, owners of Landmark Hospitality, the parent company to Stone House at Stirling Ridge, Liberty House Restaurant, Crave Caterers, Valiant Yacht Charters, Celebrate at Snug Harbor (Staten Island), and Landmark Destination Weddings. The patio features a dramatic eighteen-foot water table with floating candles and flowers that guests may sit around while sipping drinks (try the newest summer cocktail, an orange fennel martini) and savoring executive chef Jerry Villa’s menu. Additional design elements include an outdoor “wall” of mirrors and alluring, and private, little draped cabanas with dozens of silk pillows and comfortable seating. Guests can also opt to toast marshmallows in the fire pit after dinner. For reservations call 908-754-1222.
Water table on the patio at Stone House at Stirling Ridge.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein.
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FARM TO TABLE DINNER AT FOSTERFIELDS FARM, MORRISTOWN
If you missed the Farm to Table dinner on July 18 at Plaid Piper Farm, you have another opportunity to experience this culinary delight on August 22, when a five-course Farm to Table dinner sponsored by Slow Food Northern NJ will be held at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown. This event will benefit the farm’s educational programs for schoolchildren. Chef Scott Cutaneo, owner of Equus Tavern and Claremont Tavern, both in Bernardsville, will prepare an elegant dinner centered around Fosterfields’ heirloom vegetables, grass-fed meat and poultry, and food from artisans based within a small radius of the farm. Dessert will be prepared by Chef Diane Pinder of Donna & Company Artisan Chocolates. Organic/sustainable wines will be paired with each course. Connor Dugan will perform period music on the fiddle, and farmer Rob Kibbe will conduct a horse-drawn hayride tour. 5 to 8 PM; $155. Tickets can be purchased at www.sustenanceevents.com.
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OUTSTANDING IN THE FIELD
On September 4, an Outstanding in the Field dinner will be held at Mosefund Farm, 315 Mattison Reservoir Avenue, Branchville, with executive chef Scott Anderson of Elements, Princeton, preparing the meal. Outstanding in the Field is a roaming culinary adventure, a restaurant without walls, that reconnects diners to the land and the origins of their food and honors local farmers and food artisans. Long tables are set up outside, and local ingredients are prepared by a chef from the region. 3 PM; $220. For tickets log on to www.outstandinginthefield.com.
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WINE DINNER AT ELEMENTS, PRINCETON
On August 20, a Mouton Noir wine dinner with Andre Mack will be held at Elements, 163 Bayard Lane, Princeton. The night will begin with hors d’oeuvres in the kitchen at the chef’s table, which will be followed by a five-course dinner in the private wine room upstairs. The wines to be featured: 2009 Love Drunk Rosé, Oregon; 2007 Other People’s Pinot, Oregon; 2007 Ante Up Pinot Noir, 7 Springs Vineyard, Oregon; 2008 Montgomery Place Red, Napa Valley; and a special wine to end the evening. 6:30 PM; $160 all-inclusive. For reservations call CoolVines at 609-924 0039, or buy tickets online at www.coolvines.com.
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LAST TASTE OF SUMMER AT SALT CREEK GRILLE
Through August, Salt Creek Grille, 1 Rockingham Row, Princeton Forrestal Village, Princeton (609-419-4200), and 4 Bingham Avenue, Rumson (732-933-9272), is presenting a “last taste of summer” on its daily specials menu. These dishes will feature the best local peaches, tomatoes, corn, and other NJ-grown vegetables and fruits, and the menu will provide the names of the local farms that grow the produce.
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SHORE CHEF CRAB CAKE COOK-OFF
On August 21 and 22, the Shore Chef Crab Cake Cook-Off will be held at Monmouth Park, 175 Oceanport Ave, Oceanport. Chefs will be competing for the best crab cake award and the people’s choice award. Food from local restaurants, such as crab cakes, fried catfish, and clam chowder bread bowls, will be available. 11:30 AM to 4:30 PM; grandstand admission of $3 allows access to the Cook-Off area; charges for food range from $5 to $12, depending on the vendor. For more information log on to www.monmouthpark.com.
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HAVE ONE WITH YOUR DOG
On August 18, an Ice Cream Social to benefit the St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center will be held at St. Hubert’s Madison Animal Welfare Center, 575 Woodland Avenue, Madison. 6:30 to 8 PM, weather permitting; $5, $3 per child, $2 per dog (limit one dog per adult). For more information log on to www.sthuberts.org.
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FULL MOON TOUR AND DINNER AT RAT’S, HAMILTON
On August 24, September 23, and November 21, Rat’s, 16 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, will be offering a three-course dinner for two followed by a docent-led group tour, lit by the light of a full moon, at Grounds for Sculpture. 7 PM; $55 all-inclusive. For more information and reservations call 609-586-0616.
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DINNER AND BOOK SIGNING AT IL MICHELANGELO, BOONTON
On August 18, a four-course dinner and signing of the cookbook Skinny Italian with author Teresa Giudice and her family from The Real Housewives of New Jersey will be held at Il Michelangelo Restaurant, 91 Elcock Avenue, Boonton; reservations taken from 5 PM; $39.95 plus tax and gratuity. For more information and reservations call Dominic at 973-316-1111.
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DINING DEALS
Through September, McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant, 175 Riverside Square, Hackensack, is offering “five for $5” on Thursdays starting at 10 PM, with teriyaki-glazed wings, buffalo chicken tenders, Cajun chicken wrap, chili and cheese nachos, or fried calamari for $5. For more information and dinner reservations call 201-968-9410.
Throughout August, to celebrate National Panini Month, Pasquale’s, 1655-200 Oak Tree Road, Edison, is offering featured panini with soup or half a salad for $8 for lunch or for takeout anytime (732-947-3010).
Through Labor Day, Steakhouse 85, 85 Church Street, New Brunswick, is offering a three-course dinner and a bottle of wine for $99 per couple. For reservations call 732-247-8585.
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