Restaurant News

This week Rosie tells us about an Opus One wine dinner at Smoke Chophouse in Englewood, dinner and a show at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, cooking classes with Chef Jesse Jones, and much more news about NJ restaurants.

CHEFS’ INVITATIONAL DINNER AT THE PARK STEAKHOUSE, PARK RIDGE
A five-course wine tasting dinner with Chef John Halligan and four of his closest chef friends (Jason Avery of Pera Restaurant, NYC; John Benjamin of Restaurant Latour, Hardyston; Giorgio Ali, owner of LuShe’ann Catering, Montvale; and Wayne Ricco, owner of Maxwell’s 35, Colonia) will be held at the Park Steakhouse, 151 Kinderkamack Road, Park Ridge, with each chef preparing his own signature dish. 6:30 PM; $80. All proceeds will benefit the Footprints in the Sand Foundation, to assist local families whose lives have been affected by illness or who have experienced a recent death. To register for the dinner log on to www.footprintsfoundation.org or call 201-930-1300.

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OPUS ONE WINE DINNER
On October 18, an Opus One wine dinner will be held at Smoke Chophouse, 36 Engle Street, Englewood, with Jerry D on the trumpet and his four-piece band. The following menu will be presented:

Passed hors d’oeuvres
(Henriot Brut Rosé)

Jumbo lump crab cake with almond remoulade
(2006 Robert Mondavi Chardonnay)

Butter-poached langostinos
(Château Coutet Sauternes)

Agnoletti with ragù of veal
(2005 Twomey Merlot)

Herb-encrusted loin of lamb with grilled polenta
(2005 Opus One, Napa Valley)

Sliced prime aged filet with haricots verts and potato croquette
(2007 Opus One, Napa Valley)

Poached pears in Madeira wine sauce

7 PM; $125. For reservations call 201-541-8530 or e-mail diane@smokechophouse.com.

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DINNER AND A SHOW AT THE MCCARTER THEATRE, PRINCETON
It’s not too early to subscribe to the McCarter Theatre, Mediterra (Princeton), and Eno Terra (Kingston) dinner and theater packages being offered on select Wednesdays (October 13, November 3, February 9, March 23, and June 1). Each package includes a 5:30 PM reservation at Eno Terra or Mediterra; a three-course chef’s tasting menu; non-alcoholic beverages, tax, and gratuity; and a 7:30 PM theater performance. To subscribe to the five-play package call 609-258-5050; to order individual dinner and theater packages call 609-258-2787.

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COOKING CLASSES WITH CHEF JESSE JONES
Chef Jesse Jones, who won the 2010 Ultimate Chef of Bergen County competition held by Chef Central in Paramus, will be teaching cooking classes at South Orange Middle School, room 387, 70 North Ridgewood Road, South Orange. On October 14, learn the secrets of Southern Barbeque, and on November 11 get ready for Thanksgiving with a Let’s Talk Turkey class. Each class will be held from 6:30 to 9 PM and costs $47. To enroll log on to www.ssreg.com/som or call 973-378-7620.

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HARVEST GALA OPERA AND DINNER
On October 3, 17, and 31, a Harvest Gala Opera will be held at Tomasello Winery, 225 White Horse Pike, Hammonton. This four-hour event features a four-course gourmet dinner prepared by Chef Peter Farinella and paired with Tomasello wines, and music will be provided by four singers with piano accompaniment. 2 PM; $65 (non-refundable) including tax and gratuity. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 800-666-9463.

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DINNER AND AN ARTIST SERIES
Georgian Court University, 900 Lakewood Avenue, Lakewood, is holding a Dinner and an Artist series of lectures and themed multicourse dinners in the north dining room, with Lisa Festa, PhD, assistant professor of art. The following will be offered: October 1, Russian dinner with Marc Chagall; November 5, French dinner with Henri Matisse; and December 3, Tuscan dinner with Leonardo da Vinci. 6:30 PM; $37. For more information and reservations log on to www.georgian.edu or call 732-987-2263.

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UPCOMING WINE FESTIVALS
On October 9 and 10, the Cape May Wine Festival will be held at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal. Noon to 5 PM; one day $18, both days $30. For tickets log on to www.newjerseywines.com/festivals.html or call 609-588-0085.

On October 10, the Friends of the Delaware Gap National Recreation Area’s Wine & Cheese Festival will be held at Westfall Winery, 141 Clove Road, Montague. All proceeds from the event will benefit the continued restoration of the Montague Grange No. 140, the historic Foster-Armstrong House, and the Nelden-Roberts Stonehouse. For reservations and more information call 973-293-3503 or 570-426-2435 ext 2510.

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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.