THE BERNARDS INN AT THE JAMES BEARD HOUSE
On August 9, the Bernards Inn, Bernardsville, will be at the James Beard House, 167 West 12th Street, New York City. Executive chef Corey Heyer will present the following menu, with wines paired by sommelier Terri Baldwin.
Hors d’oeuvres: smoked bluefish with Gruyère on thyme crackers; Cape May salt oysters with cucumber relish; clam shooters with horseradish-tomato water; blue crab–zucchini tarts; lobster summer rolls with glass noodles, mint, and yuzu mayonnaise
(Zardetto Brut Prosecco NV)
Fluke crudo with charred cantaloupe, crispy prosciutto, red pepper marmalade, and balsamic reduction
(2011 Domaines Ott Château de Selle Côtes de Provence Rosé)
Barnegat Inlet scallops with baby arugula, garden vegetables, radishes, fried shallots, and citrus-basil emulsion
(2011 Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc)
Seared skate with cauliflower purée, honshimeji mushrooms, fava beans, summer squash, and brown butter–caper sauce
(2010 Wente Vineyards Riva Ranch Chardonnay)
Striped bass with potato galette, sweet corn, melted leeks, oven-roasted tomatoes, and lemon thyme
(Belle Glos Meiomi Pinot Noir 2010)
Peach tarte tatin with local honey and lavender ice cream
(2010 Quady Essensia Orange Muscat)
7 PM; $170, James Beard Foundation members $130. Call 212-627-2308 to reserve.
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KOLO KLUB, HOBOKEN
A view of the Empire State Building, a handmade vaulted wood ceiling, rows of windows, a private screening room with plush seating, a spacious bar, a private elevator, and room for 25 to 200 people make the recently opened Kolo Klub, 1422 Grand Street, Hoboken (201-683-5465), a “must check out” event space. The 4,000-square-foot second-floor loft, in a turn-of-the-century building, is owned by Andrej Ivanov and Ladislav Sebestyan, who are also proprietors of the Pilsener Haus & Biergarten, located on the first floor of the building. Chef/caterer Anthony Pino of the Dining Room at Anthony David’s, Bin 14 Wine Bar, and AD Catering, all in Hoboken, is at the helm. Check the website at www.koloklub.com, as Kolo will be hosting food and wine events and will be open on weekends as a cocktail lounge.
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NICO KITCHEN + BAR AND “AMERICA’S GOT TALENT”
Celebrate summer at Nico Kitchen + Bar at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center Street, Newark, with America’s Got Talent summer cocktails, new dishes, and outdoor dining. Throughout the summer, two nights a week, the NBC program America’s Got Talent will be broadcast from NJPAC, and guests at Nico can opt for the following cocktails, named for the show’s host and judges: the Cannonball (brandy, light rum, triple sec) for host Nick Cannon, the Redheaded Sharon (Absolut Peppar, grenadine syrup, lime juice) for Sharon Osbourne, the Howie Zowie (vodka, Kahlua, tonic) for Howie Mandel, and the Sternermeister (Jägermeister and Red Bull) for Howard Stern. Cocktails are $9 to $11 each and are available through September 19.
New summer menu additions from executive chef Ryan DePersio and chef de cuisine Adam Rose include pan-roasted PEI mussels with Sardinian fregole; Portobello and English pea pizza; branzino with oven-dried tomatoes and Niçoise olives; shrimp scampi with fra diavolo purée; chilled strawberry-rhubarb soup; and Bellini parfait. Nico is also open for lunch, and outdoor dining is available. Reservations: 973-642-1226.
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COOKING CLASS AND MIXER FOR SINGLES
On August 7, the Courtship Coach, a dating expert and matchmaker, will host a Love at First Bite cooking class/mixer for singles over 40 at the WannaBee Chef cooking studio, 18 Union Avenue, Cresskill. The evening will include an aphrodisiac-inspired cooking demonstration as well as hands-on instruction from Chef Rama Ginde, owner of WannaBee Chef, and a presentation on the connection between love and food by Julianne Cantarella, the Courtship Coach. The evening’s menu includes oysters on the half shell mignonette, risotto balls with arrabbiata dipping sauce, shrimp and avocado bruschetta, and cheesecake-stuffed strawberries. 7 to 8:30 PM; $50; BYO. This event is limited to the first fifteen men and fifteen women who register. For reservations, call WannaBee Chef at 201-503-0335.
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BOOK FARE
You don’t have to have celiac disease or be a vegan to find Great Gluten-Free Vegan Eats by Allyson Kramer a valuable cookbook. This 101-page book with photos for each recipe covers the gamut, including what to have in a vegan pantry, a gluten-free substitution guide, and recipes for breakfast, pasta, bread, main courses, and desserts. We’re always looking for new and unusual vegetable preparations and were enticed by recipes for Korean-inspired eggplant and cucumber salad; pumpkin chickpea chili; cinnamon-roasted cauliflower; and rosemary, leek, and potato pie. Tempting desserts include chocolate hazelnut brownie cheesecake, pineapple carrot cake, and coconut rice with peaches and rum raisins. Recipe notes scattered throughout the book provide helpful tips on food pairings, preparations, and possible variations. Signed copies are available on Kramer’s website at www.manifestvegan.com
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LOOKING AHEAD
On August 26, a six-course Sustenance on the Farm dinner with organic and sustainable wines will be held at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown, to benefit Slow Food Northern NJ’s school garden programs and Fosterfields’ school programs. In attendance will be farmer Ron Kibbe, Chef David Felton of Ninety Acres at Natirar, Chef Dan Richer of Arturo’s in Maplewood, and jazz guitarist Paul Meyers. 5 to 8 PM; $160. For tickets, visit http://sustenanceevents.com/2012farm-dinners.html.
Chef/co-owner Scott Anderson and co-owner Steve Distler of Elements in Princeton will be opening Mistral this October/November at 66 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. The casual restaurant will offer small plates with Chef Anderson’s signature “interpretive American” style of cuisine. Plans are for about 45 seats inside and 40 outside, a wood-fired oven, a raw bar, an in-house charcuterie program, and several different pastas.
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“A VERY NOIR PINOT OR SOUR GRAPES” MYSTERY DINNER
On August 5, a three-course murder-mystery dinner, “A Very Noir Pinot or Sour Grapes,” by local playwright Jeanne-Andree Nelson, will be held at the Palm Restaurant, 2801 Pacific Avenue, Quarter at Tropicana Casino and Resort, Atlantic City. 5:30 PM; $75 plus beverage, tax, and service charge. The show will also be produced on August 20 at 6 PM, August 27 at 6 PM, September 9 at 5 PM, and September 23 at 5 PM. Reservations: 609-344-0483.
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VACATION TIME
Rob’s Bistro and Resto, both in Madison, will be closed for their annual vacation, through Tuesday, July 31.
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Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to [email protected].