MONTCLAIR FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL—GRAND TASTING
Melody Kettle, creator of the Montclair Food & Wine Festival, has announced that the following restaurants will be in attendance at the Grand Tasting on May 31, which will be held at the Montclair Art Museum, 3 S Mountain Ave, Montclair. Unless noted the restaurants are in Montclair. 100 Steps (Cranford), Asalt & Buttery (Little Falls), A Toute Heure (Cranford), Blue J Syrups (Bloomfield), Brick Lane Curry House, Escape, Fin, Fitzgerald’s (Glen Ridge), Fricassee, Halcyon Brasserie, Le Salbuen, Little Daisy Bake Shop, Mausam, Miss Nicky’s Toffee, Orange + Olive Caterers (Jersey City), Ruthie’s BBQ & Pizza, Ryland Inn (Whitehouse Station), Samba, Strip House (Livingston), The Pie Store, Uncle Momo, Upstairs and The Wood Pit. More to be announced soon. 7 PM; $95. VIP 6 PM; $125. Gary’s Wine & Marketplace will be presenting the wine. Tickets for the Grand Tasting as well as the Gala dinner on June 2 are available now.
DATE NIGHT AT THE FIG TREE PLUS UPCOMING WINE DINNERS
On Wednesday nights, through the end of April, The Fig Tree, 306-308 Park Ave, Hoboken, celebrates date night with a complimentary glass of Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc or their signature Fig Tree Cocktail with your dinner entree or the three-course seasonal prix-fixe menu ($38). The restaurant will also be offering French-themed wine dinners on April 17 (April in Paris); May 15 (A Night in Provence); and June 12 (Midnight in Paris); $75, plus tax and tip. Reservations: 201-420–0444.
CELEBRATING GRILLED CHEESE MONTH
In honor of April being Grilled Cheese Month, A Toute Heure at 232 Centennial Ave, Cranford, (BYO) is featuring a different grilled cheese sandwich daily on its lunch menu. Some of the recent offerings from executive chef Kara Decker have been: sliced pears, roasted-beet pesto and brie cheese; corned beef, caramelized onions, cabbage and Swiss cheese; caramelized onions, pepper jack and provolone cheese with stone fruit jam; and roasted pork butt, pickled green tomato relish, and provolone relish. Information at 908-276-6600.
MORE UPCOMING EVENTS
EVENTS FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 10
SINGLE MALT WHISKEY DINNER AT THE RYLAND INN
A four-course Highland Park Single-Malt Whiskey dinner will be held at The Ryland Inn, 115 Old Highway 28, Whitehouse Station. 6:30 PM; $100, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations: 908-534-4011.
WINE & MARTINI FUNDRAISER
A Wine & Martini Fundraiser will be held at Salt Creek Grille, 4 Bingham Ave, Rumson, to benefit Hope for Children Foundation. Along with wines, spirits and specialty martinis, there will be artisanal cheeses from Sickles Market, a raw bar by Lusty Lobster, and hors d’oeuvres, pasta and carving stations from Salt Creek Grill. Live jazz will be provided by The Bobby Boyd Trio. 7 to 10 PM; $150. For further information or to purchase tickets, visit the Hope for Children Foundation website or call 201-705-4544.
PRINCETON FARMERS & CRAFTERS MARKET
The Princeton Farmers & Crafters Market will be held at the Princeton Public Library Community Room, 65 Witherspoon St, Princeton with produce, fruits, meat, eggs, cheeses, honey, desserts, gluten-free products, crafts and more; 11AM to 5 PM.
SAKI WINE DINNER
A five-course Saki Wine Dinner will be held at Rat’s Restaurant, Grounds for Sculpture, 16 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton; 6 PM. Price information and reservations: 609-584-7800.
EVENTS FOR FRIDAY, APRIL 11
AROUND-THE-WORLD WINE TASTING
Taste your way around the globe at the walk-around wine tasting that will be held at The Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville. Along with sampling over 90 wines, hors d’oeuvres will be served and wines will be available for purchase. 6:30 to 8:30 PM; $55 with $20 credit towards the purchase of wine. Turn the event into an overnight getaway with the Go! Around-The-World package, which includes deluxe guestroom accommodations, a welcome amenity from the pastry chef, entrance to the event, $20 credit toward the purchase of retail wine, and a $100 gift certificate for use in the restaurant. Reservations: 908-766-0002.
TASTE OF SPRING IN RAHWAY
The Rahway Taste of Spring will be held at the Rahway Recreational Center, 275 East Milton Avenue, Rahway. 5:30 to 9 PM; $30; $40 at the door. For tickets visit the event website.
NOSE TO TAIL DINNER AT EBBITT ROOM, CAPE MAY
With the first harvesting of Beach Plum Farm’s own Berkshire Hogs a “Nose to Tail” dinner will be held at the Ebbitt Room, Virginia Hotel, 25 Jackson St, Cape May $75. Reservations: 609-884-5700.
EVENTS FOR SATURDAY, APRIL 12
BARBECUE 101
Executive chef Ralph Romano and his staff at Red Knot Restaurant, Galloping Hill Golf Course, 3 Golf Drive, Kenilworth will demonstrate how to make outdoor favorites on the backyard grill. Learn grilling techniques along with some simple, fun and delicious recipes that you can make for family and friends. Noon to 2 PM; $25. Reservations can be made here.
REGION TASTE OF THE TOWN FOOD & WINE TASTING
The Third Annual Skyland Region Taste of the Town Food & Wine Tasting will be held at Panther Valley Golf & Country Club, 1 Forest Drive, Hackettstown. 7 to 10 PM; $60; jackets required.
EVENTS FOR SUNDAY, APRIL 13
NEELY’S BOOK SIGNING AT WEGMANS, CHERRY HILL
A meet-and-greet book signing with Gina and Pat Neely, celebrity chefs, restaurateurs, and authors of Back Home With The Neelys: Comfort Food from Our Southern Kitchen to Yours will be held at Wegmans, 2100 Rt 70 W, Cherry Hill; Noon to 2 PM. Pick up a free ticket at any Wegmans service desk to reserve your space. One ticket needed per family (two adults and children). A copy of their book must be purchased at Wegmans to attend. Books may be purchased in advance or on the day of the event and are on sale at Wegmans for $22.99.
HEY BARTENDER DOCUMENTARY
Hey Bartender, a documentary about two bartenders trying to achieve their dreams through the world of bartending will be shown at the State Theater in New Brunswick; $10. Prior to the movie at 3 PM, there will be a “Hey Bartender Cocktail Contest” ($25 includes movie and cocktail contest), where attendees can have four, sample-sized specialty cocktails from New Brusnwick’s best bartenders. Information and tickets at the theater’s website. This event is sponsored by William Grant & Sons Ltd a family-owned Scottish company, established in 1887, which distills Scotch whisky and other selected categories of spirits.
SUNDAY APRIL 13 TO FRIDAY, APRIL 18
Participating restaurants in Bordentown will be celebrating Bordentown Restaurant Week with lunches or dinner for $19.95 to $29.95. For information, visit the event website.
TUESDAY, APRIL 15
BOURBON TASTING AT SATIS, JERSEY CITY
A Bourbon Tasting with hors d’oeuvres will be held at Satis, 212 Washington St, Jersey City. 8 PM; $45. Reservations: 201-435-5151.
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