BENCHMARK HOLIDAY DINNER
On Thursday, December 11, Benchmark Hospitality, the management company of The Heldrich Hotel and Christopher’s restaurant in New Brunswick, will host a dinner at The James Beard House, 167 West 12th Street, New York. The following seasonally driven menu will be presented by Benchmark chefs: Jordan Mackey, Hotel Contessa, San Antonio; Bobby Moore, Willows Lodge, Woodinville, WA; Ender Oktayuren, World of Whirlpool, Chicago; Timothy Ralphs, Cheyenne Mountain Resort, Colorado Springs, CO; Jason Smith, The Inn at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA; and Sommelier Max Kiebach, The Inn at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.
Hors d’ oeuvres: Oregon elk tartare with charred Walla Walla onion jam on lavash; Humboldt Fog–Medjool date-jam grilled cheese sandwiches on brioche with truffled butternut bisque; Broken Arrow Ranch Dorper lamb shoulder rillette cigarillos with Brazos Valley Eden fonduta cheese and Texas barbecued pecans; sous-vide Pleasant Meadows Farms goat cheeks with Yukon Gold potatoes, caramelized onions, and dijonnaise; and juniper and pomegranate–marinated, spice-crusted venison on rosemary skewers. (The Manhattan Holiday Signature cocktails and Wölffer Estate Noblesse Oblige Sparkling Rosé 2009)
Maple and miso–marinated Neah Bay black cod with cedar, whiskey, Brussels sprouts, dates, bacon, and pears. (Weingut Eugen Wehrheim Niersteiner Bildstock Riesling Kabinett 2011)
Forest fed Tamworth pig belly with Byrd Mill Virginia stone-ground grits, lacinato kale, cheddar, stout, parsnips, and huckleberries. (Prince Michel Barrel Select Chardonnay 2010)
Bear Mountain bison short ribs with parsnip–celery-root soup, quail egg, bacon whipped cream, buttery brioche crumbs, and black truffles (Mark Ryan Winery Lost Soul Red Willow Vineyard Syrah 2012)
Roasted mint Creek Farm veal loin with braised veal cheek, crispy veal sweetbreads, charred leeks, roasted garlic aïoli, carrot purée, pickled shallots, mustard seeds, veal jus, and micro-herbs. (Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro Chianti Classico 2007)
Pleasant View Farm foie gras–stuffed doughnut holes with vanilla bean gastrique and candied bacon jam. (Champagne Moët & Chandon Nectar Impérial NV)
7 PM; $170; members $130. Reservations: 212-627-2308.
OTHER FOOD EVENTS
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28
YAPPY HOUR AT THE REEDS, STONE HARBOR
The Reeds at Shelter Haven, 9601 Third Ave, Stone Harbor, a luxury boutique hotel, will host a Yappy Hour from 2 to 4 PM. Watch the Stone Harbor pet parade or march in it with your four-legged friends. After the parade, treat yourself and your pets to great food and treats at the Water Star Grille from 2 to 4 PM. A “Best Coordinated Pet Owner” with prizes contest will also be held! Rain or shine. Information: 609-961-3010.
STAGE LEFT, NEW BRUNSWICK
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29
A Walk-Around Wine Tasting from 4:40 to 7 PM ($25 which will be credited toward the purchase of your first case of wine) followed by a Shibumi Farm Mushroom dinner will be held at Stage Left, 5 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick. 7 PM; $99. Ten dollars for each diner will be donated to Mushrooms With a Mission, an organization that helps impoverished people (landmine victims in Vietnam in particular) to learn to farm mushrooms. Reservations: 732-828-4444.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3
GAME DINNER AT DAVID BURKE FROMAGERIE, RUMSON
A four-course game dinner will be held at David Burke Fromagerie, 26 Ridge Road, Rumson. 7 PM; $90 exclusive of tax and gratuity. Reservations: 732-842-8088.
WINE & BRINE DINNER AT MORRIS TAP AND GRILL, RANDOLPH
A five-course Wine & Brine dinner featuring Benziger Wines will be held at Morris Tap and Grill, 500 Rt. 10 West, Randolph. 7 PM; $65. Reservations: 973-891-1776.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4
WHITE TRUFFLE DINNER
A four-course White Truffle dinner with wines from the Piedmont region of Italy will be held at Rat’s Restaurant at the Grounds for Sculpture, 16 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton; 6 PM. For pricing and information, call 609-584-7800.
HOLIDAY FLAVOUR, RED BANK
An evening featuring food samplings, entertainment, prizes, tree lighting and much more will be held at the Molly Pitcher Inn, 88 Riverside Ave, Red Bank, to benefit the Parker Family Health Center & Visiting Nurse Association. 6:30 to 9:30 PM; $35 online; $45 at the door. Tickets at the event website.
*********
Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to [email protected].