EPICUREAN PALETTE, HAMILTON
Be sure to wear your walking shoes for the Epicurean Palette which will be held at the 42-acre Grounds for Sculpture, 18 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton on September 29. Food from area chefs will be served, and vintners and brewers will be in attendance.1 to 4 PM; $140; member $110; VIP experience, $225, starts at 11 AM and includes easy parking, early entrance, champagne and an exclusive tour of founder and sculptor Seward Johnson’s private studio; day of event, $175. For information, visit the event website.
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A GASTRONOMIC EXPERIENCE, RED BANK
From September 5 to 8, a Gastronomic Experience will be held at the Count Basie Theatre, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank with celebrity chefs, tastings, films, music and a food truck court (Saturday and Sunday). September 5 features Ina Garten; September 6, Anne Burrell; September 7, Eddie Huang, and September 8 Joe Bastianich, with special guest Victor Rallo. For information and tickets, visit the event website or call 732-842-9000.
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THE MANOR, WEST ORANGE RECEIVES "WINE SPECTATOR" AWARD
Congratulations to The Manor Restaurant, 111 Prospect Ave, West Orange, which received Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence for 2013. To receive this special recognition The Manor met and/or exceeded the requirements of having a wine list that is “superior in presentation” and displays either “vintage depth with several vertical offerings of top wines, or excellent breadth across several wine regions.” Additionally, recipients usually offer 400 or more selections. The Manor’s list has 800-plus wine choices. On Wednesday evenings in The Terrace Lounge, the à la carte dining room, diners can bring their own selection with no corkage fee, or choose from a specially priced, hand-picked list of unique wines from The Manor’s cellar. To view The Manor’s wine list, visit their website. Reservations: 973-731-2360.
The Manor Wine Cellar
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DINE UNDER THE STARS
On September 8, Kuzina by Sofia, Cherry Hill will cook and serve dinner under a huge canopy, rain or shine, at Spinella Family Farms, 115 Ehrke Road, Waterford Works. The meal will include freshly harvested vegetables from the farm incorporated into Greek dishes, as well as a complete lamb and goat roast. 4PM; $50 per person includes complimentary Greek wine samples from various importers. For reservations, call 856-429-1061.
Also on September 8, have an elegant al fresco seven-course wine dinner, plus passed appetizers, among the vines at Alba Vineyard and Winery, 269 Rt 627, Milford, to benefit the Foodshed Alliance. The following chefs will be in attendance: Mike Carrino, Pig & Prince Restaurant & Gastrolounge, Montclair; David Felton, Ninety-Acres, Peapack & Gladstone; Bryan Gregg, Escape, Montclair; Jesse Jones, private chef and caterer; George Mandakas, Innova Cuisine; Dan Rothman, Whole Foods regional metro chef for Northern NJ; John Sauchelli, Maritime Parc, Jersey City; and Alex Stotler, Due Mari, East Brunswick. 4 PM; $125. Reservations: 908-362-7967.
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ROBERT’S STEAKHOUSE, ATLANTIC CITY
On September 19, a Dick Vermeil Wine, NFL-themed dinner, will be held at Robert’s Steakhouse, Trump Taj Mahal Casino Hotel, Atlantic City. Vermeil was formerly a NFL coach and will be discussing the wine pairings throughout the dinner. Executive chef Will Savarese will present a five-course, Pigskin Classic menu that features pork in each course. 6 PM; $110, exclusive of tax and gratuity and includes a complimentary bottle of Vermeil Wines’ Zinfandel signed by coach Vermeil. For reservations, call 855-500-7623 or e-mail Kim Mullins, Robert’s director of sales and marketing, at [email protected].
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BOOK FARE
Hampton Weekends: Easy Menus for Casual Entertaining All Year Round by Ellen Wright is divided into four sections, with menus for each season, and recipes that include tips and modifications for guests who have dietary requirements. Some recipes that caught my eye are the lima bean and pea puree (I tried this one and it actually is delicious and better than it sounds) and baked rather than grilled steak.
Simple, tried-and-true recipes include deviled eggs, salmon mousse, tomato carrot soup, old fashioned meatloaf, buttered carrots, and red-velvet cake. Wright tells us to keep our meals simple and, when entertaining, it is better to have a few perfect dishes rather than trying to impress with many.
Wright has an impressive bio. She has written three cookbooks, taken classes from Julia Child and worked with James Beard for seven years. Proceeds from this book will be donated to the Joe and Ellen Prosthetic Fund at the Hospital for Special Surgery, New York.
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CONGRATULATIONS TO SNEH MEHTANI
In recognition of 30 years of innovation and service, the New Jersey Restaurant Association has named Sneh Mehtani Restaurateur of the Year, its highest distinction. The Mehtani Restaurant Group owns Mehndi (authentic Punjabi & Mughalai fare); SM23 Bar & Lounge (hip cocktail culture vibe) and Ming II (reinvented pan-Asian), all located in The Hyatt Morristown; Moghul (Northern Indian cuisine), Ming (Far Eastern/Asian Fusion), and Mirage Banquet Hall, all located in Edison. Mrs. Mehtani will be honored for her success at the NJRA gala on Monday, December 2nd at Mayfair Farms in West Orange.
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DINING DEALS
Braddock’s, 39 S Main St, Medford, is offering a two-course lunch for $10. Happy hour is celebrated daily from 4:30 to 6:30 PM. Reservations: 609-654-1604.
On Wednesday and Thursday evenings David Burke Fromagerie, 26 Ridge Road, Rumson, is offering a five-course tasting menu with choices featuring fresh seasonal ingredients. Each weekly tasting menu is $35 and can be paired with wines for an additional $25. Reservations: 732-842-8088.
Ram’s Head Inn, 9 West White Horse Pike, Galloway, is offering a three-course, prix-fixe dinner menu every Tuesday through Friday and Sunday for $29.95 and a three-course, prix-fixe lunch menu Tuesday through Friday for $25. Reservations: 609-652-1700.
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Condolences to the family of chef Joseph Romanowski, who previously owned Joe and Maggie’s Bistro in Long Branch and most recently Bay Avenue Trattoria in Highlands.
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Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to [email protected].