Restaurant News

This week Rosie tells us about Nick Stellino’s new cooking show on NJN, a BYO dinner at the Frog and the Peach in New Brunswick, a Taste of the Nation charity event in Princeton, and much more news about NJ restaurants.

NICK STELLINO COOKING WITH FRIENDS 2 ON NJN
Premiering Sunday, April 3, at 1 PM on NJN and continuing for several months is Nick Stellino Cooking With Friends 2. Stellino’s previous shows include Cucina Amore, Nick Stellino’s Family Kitchen, Nick Stellino Cooking With Friends, and Nick Stellino: Food, Love & Family. Stellino comes from a family of farmers and grew up in Palermo, Sicily. He moved to the U.S. as a teen and found his way to Wall Street. In 1991, he made the dramatic decision to restart his life and follow his longtime dream of becoming a chef. He is now celebrating his fifteenth year on television.

Each half-hour episode of Cooking With Friends 2 features two simple and elegant recipes with step-by-step directions, including arugula and romaine salad with prosciutto chips; steak and salad with balsamic-Parmesan dressing; spaghetti and meatballs; and meatball sandwiches. Stellino also shares his kitchen with many fine chefs from across the country, including Rick Moonen (RM Seafood, Las Vegas), Jason Wilson (Crush, Seattle), Gale Gand (Tru, Chicago), John Tesar (Dallas Restaurant Group), Michael Galata (Osteria del Circo, NYC), Kevin Rathbun (Rathbun’s, Atlanta), and Maria Hines (Tilth, Seattle). Stellino’s mantra is that the family that eats together stays together. The chef says cooks should make delicious, easy-to-prepare, healthy recipes for friends and family and should support local growers.

A companion cookbook ($45.95) will be published in late April, so viewers and fans can re-create Stellino’s recipes in their home kitchens. To order, log on to www.nickstellino.com or online retailers such as Barnes & Noble and Amazon. And don’t forget that Mother’s Day and Father’s Day will be here soon!

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BYO DINNER AT THE FROG AND THE PEACH, NEW BRUNSWICK

If you’re waiting for the right time to open a great bottle of wine that has been gathering dust, consider attending the BYO wine dinner that will be held at the Frog and the Peach, 29 Dennis Street, New Brunswick, on April 8. Each guest may bring one bottle, and a menu is posted here along with recommended wine pairings: www.frogandpeach.com/BYOB_Wine_Dinner_Menu_1_31_2010.aspx.
7 PM; $120 all-inclusive. For more information and reservations, call 732-846-3216.

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TASTE OF THE NATION PRINCETON
On April 11, Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation Princeton, a benefit that supports efforts to end childhood hunger, will be held at the Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village, 201 Village Boulevard, Princeton. Beneficiary organizations include Mercer Street Friends, Isles, HomeFront, and the Food Bank of South Jersey. Participating restaurants include Anton’s at the Swan, the Brothers Moon, Eno Terra, the Frog and the Peach, Salt Creek Grille, and Tre Piani. 6 to 9 PM; $85. For tickets, log on to http://strength.org/princeton.

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MATZOH-MAKING WORKSHOP AT BOBOLINK DAIRY, MILFORD

Matzoh-making workshops will be held at Bobolink Dairy & Bakehouse, 369 Stamets Road, Milford (Hunterdon County), on April 10, 17, and 19, with sessions at 1 and 3 PM; $10. Bread- and cheese-making workshops are also offered, as are farm tours. Be sure to stop at the farm store, which features seasonal suckled veal, beef, and pork from Bobolink’s own herd as well as a selection of products including local honey, duck products, butter from grass-fed cows, milk, eggs, and chicken. For more information, log on to http://shop.cowsoutside.com, call 908-86-GRASS, or e-mail [email protected].

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EMPANADAS AT CUBA LIBRE, ATLANTIC CITY
Through April, Cuba Libre, the Quarter at Tropicana Casino and Resort, 2801 Pacific Avenue, Atlantic City (609-348-6700), will offer, in addition to the Cuban menu, a special menu featuring ten sweet and savory empanadas in honor of National Empanada Day. Some of the special empanadas will be: Langosta Eclipse, Maine lobster and coral butter–filled black corn–dough turnover with mango-escabeche salad and passion fruit–citrus mojo; Torta Pasqualina, vegetarian tart with olive oil–roasted artichoke, Swiss chard, ricotta, and hard-boiled egg with roasted green zucchini salpicón; Gallega, tuna with tomato confit, sweet bell peppers, onions, and hard-boiled eggs with saffron-tomato sauce and cucumber salad; and Arroz con Leche de Coco, coconut–rice pudding brûlée with rum raisin–chocolate ganache empanaditas. Also, on April 8, the restaurant’s popular Mama Amelia’s empanadas will be available for $1 each during happy hour, from 5 to 7 PM.

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FRENCH WINE TASTING
On April 3, Due Terre Enoteca, 107 Morristown Road, Bernardsville, will host a walk-around French wine tasting featuring more than 35 wines with finger foods. Noon to 4 PM; $25. Wines will be available for purchase at retail prices after the event. For reservations, call 908-221-0040.

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RESTAURANT WEEKS IN NJ
More than 70 restaurants will be participating in Jersey Shore Restaurant Week, which will be held from April 1 through 10, with restaurants offering a three-course prix-fixe meal for $20.11 or $30.11. For more information, log on to www.jerseyshorerestaurantweek.com.

New Brunswick Restaurant Week will be held from April 3 through 16, with participating restaurants offering special dinners. For more information, log on to www.newbrunswick.com.

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WE’RE ROOTING FOR YOU, CHEF PRESILLA

Congratulations to Maricel Presilla, chef/owner of Cucharamama and Zafra in Hoboken, who is a James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic. We’re anxiously awaiting the announcement of the winner on May 9.

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SAVE THE DATES

On May 2, Dominique Filoni, executive chef at Avenue, Pier Village, 23 Ocean Avenue, Long Branch, will host a gourmet five-course dinner plus hors d’oeuvres and wine at the James Beard House, 167 West 12th Street, New York City. 7 PM; $170, James Beard Foundation members $130. For reservations, call 212-627-2308.

On June 27, Chef’s Night 2011 will be held at the Palace at Somerset Park, 333 Davidson Avenue, Somerset, to benefit the Elijah’s Promise Culinary School. For corporate sponsorships, contact Michelle Wilson at 732-545-9002 ext 126.

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Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to [email protected].

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