AMERICAN WHISKEYS DINNER AT STRIP HOUSE, LIVINGSTON
On October 5, a five-course American Whiskeys Dinner with seasonal steakhouse specialties will be held at the Strip House, Westminster Hotel, 550 West Mount Pleasant Avenue, Livingston. Chef de cuisine Bill Zucosky will present the following menu:
Lobster bisque with Maine lobster and crisp red pepper ravioli
(Gentleman Jack)
Strip House bacon salad with heirloom tomatoes and wild arugula
(Woodford Reserve)
Lump crab cake with potato salad, haricots verts, corn salsa, and remoulade
(Bulleit Bourbon)
Filet mignon with black truffle creamed spinach and ripped potatoes
(Blanton’s Cherry Infused Manhattan)
Apple strudel with whipped cream
(Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel)
7 PM; $95 plus tax and gratuity. For reservations contact Christine Wood at 973-548-0050.
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FARM DINNER AT STONE HOUSE AT STIRLING RIDGE, WARREN
On September 26, a farm dinner using local meats, vegetables, dairy products, and wine from Hopewell Valley Wines in an open-air, family-style setting will be held at Stone House at Stirling Ridge, 50 Stirling Avenue, Warren. The menu includes figs with speck and Gorgonzola, Dancing Goat Farm amuse bouche, garden vegetable soup, stuffed roast pork with sautéed bitter greens and sweet leeks, and peach crostada. 2 PM; $75. For reservations call 908-754-1222.
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GOT BRUNCH?
Have you brunched at Elements, 163 Bayard Lane, Princeton, yet? This Farm to Table restaurant offers only the freshest locally grown ingredients, such as radish salad with pesto, cavatelli, herbs, and goat cheese; French toast with vanilla ice cream, candied pecans, and maple syrup; ricotta and asparagus salad with yogurt, granola, and citrus; corned beef hash with house-cured beef, potato, foie gras, and hollandaise; steak and eggs; and house-cured salmon with brioche, pickled onion, and burrata. Sundays from 11 AM to 2 PM. For reservations call 609-924-0078.
Restaurant Lorena’s, 168 Maplewood Avenue, Maplewood, is now offering Sunday brunch from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Some menu items are smoked salmon roulade with celery root, green apple, cucumber, and orange emulsion; eggs Benedict with duck confit hollandaise; hand-cut fettuccine with braised pork and fresh herbs; warm crêpe of lump crab, field mushrooms, and herb emulsion; and poached Atlantic salmon with haricots verts and whole-grain mustard sauce. For reservations call 973-763-4460; BYO.
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WAR OF THE WORLDS WEEKEND
The Carroll Villa Hotel/Mad Batter Restaurant, 19 Jackson Street, Cape May, has a haunting way to celebrate Halloween. On October 30 and 31, a War of the Worlds weekend will be held with two teams of guests, Martian invaders, and earthling defenders. A vital Martian supply ship has crashed in Cape May, and the success of the Martian invasion depends on who first recovers the cylinders on the ship. Prices start at $588 plus tax and include two nights’ lodging at the hotel, a wine and cheese reception on Friday evening, breakfast and dinner on Saturday, breakfast on Sunday, a souvenir, and related festivities. Extend your weekend and stay Sunday night for $70, including 30 percent off dinner on Sunday night and a voucher for a full breakfast on Monday morning. Prizes will be awarded for best Martian prop and costume, best Halloween costume, and best throw in the eyeball toss. For more information and reservations call 877-275-8452 or 609-884-9619.
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SINATRA FAMILY ESTATES DINNER
On October 3, a Sinatra Family Estates dinner with Nancy Sinatra will be held at Zylo Tuscan Steak House, W Hotel, 225 River Street, Hoboken. The following menu will be presented with wine pairings: market amuse; love letters in charcuterie consommé; monkfish “saltimbocca,” roasted Brussels sprouts, and exotic mushroom ragù; Dolcetto d’Alba–braised veal cheeks and black truffle potato purée; and pumpkin ricotta cheesecake. 7 PM; $150 plus tax and gratuity. For reservations call 201-253-2502.
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UPCOMING OKTOBERFESTS
Get your dirndls, lederhosen, and beer steins ready for the following celebrations held throughout NJ:
On September 27, Oktoberfest will be held at the Ho-Ho-Kus Inn & Tavern, 1 East Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus; 6 to 10 PM. Call 201-445-4115 for more information and reservations.
On October 1, an Oktoberfest: Beer, Wine, and Food Festival will be held at Wedgwood Country Club, 200 Hurffville Road, Turnersville. 7 to 10 PM; $20. One hundred percent of the event’s proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross, Gloucester County chapter. The event will feature oompah music, Bavarian foods and wines, and German-inspired bottled and tapped-keg beers. For more information log on to www.oktobeerwinefest.com or call David Long at 856-848-4346 or 856-651-7233.
Oktoberfest will be held at Westfall Winery, 141 Clove Road, Montague, on October 2 and 3, with complimentary brats and dogs, discounted wines by the glass, and live music. Noon to 4 PM; $5. Reservations not required. For more information call 973-293-3428.
On October 2, Oktoberfest will be celebrated at the Headliner, 1401 Route 35 South, Neptune. 1 to 5 PM; $35 in advance, $45 at the door. For tickets log on to www.jerseyshoreoktoberfest.com.
On October 9, Oktoberfest will be held at Forest Lodge, 11 Reinman Road, Warren, featuring live music, a food pavilion, carnival booths, and more. Noon to 5 PM; $6 (children under ten years old free).
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DINING DEALS
The ChopHouse, 4 South Lakeview Drive, Gibbsboro, is offering a three-course prix-fixe dinner on Sundays for $35; add a wine course for $5. For reservations call 856-566-7300.
The Little Tuna, 141 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield, has a four-course menu Sundays through Fridays from 3 to 6:30 PM for $20. For reservations call 856-795-0888; BYO.
Family-Style Sundays are celebrated at Ristorante Nicchio, 1000 Main Street, Belmar, from 3 to 9 PM for $39.95. Included on the family-style platter, which serves four, are pork braciole, meatballs, and a choice of pasta, plus a carafe of red or white wine. For reservations call 732-280-1132.
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