EPICUREAN PALETTE, HAMILTON
On Sunday, September 14, the Fourteenth Annual Epicurean Palette at Grounds for Sculpture, 18 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton will offer food from area chefs, vintners and brewers. Feast on the culinary offerings of more than 20 chefs, as well as tastings of a large selection of wines, craft beers, and exclusive spirits from regional purveyors. All of this will take place at the impressive 42-acre Grounds for Sculpture arboretum with its 270 contemporary sculptures. There will be a silent art auction of vacation packages, one-of-kind jewelry and more. All proceeds support the exhibitions, educational programs, and visitor experience that Grounds For Sculpture offers to more than 155,000 visitors annually. 1 to 4 PM; $150; members, $120; VIP, $150. The VIP fee 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 website or call 609-586-0616.
BLIND WINE TASTING AT ROSIE’S WINE BAR, GARWOOD
On Wednesday, September 17, Rosie’s Wine Bar, 514 North Avenue, Garwood, is hosting its first annual Grand Blind Wine Tasting Contest. Eight wines will be tasted blind; around 9 PM winners will be revealed and prizes awarded.
Grand Prize: $400 gift certificate to Rosie’s and a double magnum of wine
Runner-Up: $100 gift certificate to Rosie’s and a magnum of wine
Third place: $50 gift certificate to Rosie’s and a bottle of wine
Fourth through Tenth place: a free glass of wine coupon.
7:30 PM; $25; all food ordered by participants during the event is 15% off. RSVP [email protected] or 908-518-9463.
OTHER FOOD EVENTS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
POP-UP DINNER WITH CHEF MICHAEL MERIDA
A pop-up dinner with chef Michael Merida, previously from Cravings Tapas Bistro in Ridgewood will be held at Trattoria Rustica, 517 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair. A ten-course tapas menu will be featured for $50. Reservations: 973-783-3436.
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 12 TO SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
CAPE MAY FOOD & WINE CELEBRATION
The Cape May Food & Wine Celebration will be held throughout the city with winery tours and tastings, a beer-tasting dinner, a Harvest Food & Wine Tasting, luncheons, Chefs’ Dine-Arounds, and much more. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). Events may be attended separately. On September 14, 15 and 18, a five-course Chefs’ Dine-Around will be held throughout Cape May’s restaurants with a course served in each restaurant. A representative from the sponsoring winery wil be on hand to explain the pairings. A trolley shuttle between restaurants will be provided. 6 to 10 PM; $125). For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit the event website.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
AS IT GROWS FARM TO TABLE CHARITY EVENT
“As It Grows” A Farm-to-Table event to Benefit Monmouth County Historical Association and The Parker Homestead-1665 will be held at The Parker Homestead-1665, 235 Rumson Road, Little Silver. A farm-to-table menu created by celebrity chef David Burke will be served under a sweeping sailcloth tent. 6:30 PM: $250. Both individual tickets and sponsorships can be purchased at the event website, or by calling 732-462-1466.
FARM TO TABLE CHARITY EVENT
A farm-to-table event catered by David Burke Group will be held at the Parker Homestead, 1665, Little Silver sponsored by Bob Sickles & Monmouth County Historical Association. $250 each.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 AND SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 14
APPLE DAY AT TERHUNE ORCHARDS VINEYARD AND WINERY
Fresh apple pies, juicy roast pork, fresh apple cider and apple cider donuts will be available as well as a wine tasting during Apple Day at Terhune Orchards Vineyard and Winery, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton. Some family-friendly farm activities include wagon and pony rides, face painting, pumpkin painting, make your own scarecrow and more. Pick-Your-Own and a corn stalk maze will be available and a Daisy Jug Band will provide musical entertainment. 10 to 5 PM; $5 admission to festival, $5 for tastings. For more information, call 609-924-2310 or visit the website.
ATLANTIC CITY SEAFOOD FESTIVAL
Over 50 restaurants will be in attendance at the Atlantic City Seafood Festival, which will be held at Bader Field, 600 Albany Avenue in Atlantic City. Admission is free; onsite parking is $10. For more information, visit the event website.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
TASTE OF THE ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS
Classic trolley or party buses will shuttle you around the town to over 30 participating businesses for the Taste of the Atlantic Highlands. Noon to 5 PM; $35; children under 12 free. For tickets, visit the event website.
HARVEST CELEBRATION SAMPLING DINNER
The Carriage House Café & Tearoom at the Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St, Cape May, will host a sampling dinner to celebrate the harvest inspired by local products, co-sponsored by the Seaside Cheese Company and the Cape May Winery. Representatives from both sponsors will be on hand to discuss products and pairings. The evening includes butlered hors d’oeuvres, cheese sampling, a salad course, and a sampling of three dinner entrees and two desserts. Each course is paired with wine from the Cape May Winery. 6 PM; $85. For information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
HARVEST COOKING CLASS
A Harvest Cooking Class, taught by Andre deWaal, will be held at Dre’s, 188 Spring Street, Newton. 6:30 PM; $65 includes three-course meal, lecture and demonstration. Reservations: 973-300-4192.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
FORK & CORK DINNER AT TERRE A TERRE, CARLSTADT
A Fork & Cork five-course dinner will be held at Terre à Terre, 312 Hackensack St, Carlstadt, featuring seasonal ingredients and wine pairings from Unionville Vineyards. 7 PM; $79. Reservations: 201-507-0500.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
WINE DINNER AT MEDITERRA, PRINCETON
A La Roncaia and Fantinel Wineries dinner will be held at Mediterra Restaurant, 29 Hullfish St, Princeton. 6 PM; $75 plus tax and gratuity. Reservations: 609-252-9680.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
COOKING CLASS AT HEIRLOOM KITCHEN, OLD BRIDGE
A four course “Soulful Italian Cuisine” cooking class from Emilia-Romagna region paired with Domenico wines, will be held at Heirloom Kitchen, 3853 Rt 516, Old Bridge, with Kevin Knevals of Osteria Morini Bernardsville. 6:30 PM; $125. Reservations: 732-727-9444.
GRAND OPENING PARTY AT JOCKEY HOLLOW BAR & KITCHEN
A grand opening party will be held at Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen, 1917 Vail Mansion, 110 South Street, Morristown to benefit the Community Soup Kitchen and Outreach Center of Morristown. 6:30 PM; $50 cocktail reception; $350 cocktail reception and five-course wine pairing dinner hosted by special guest chef. Tickets can be purchased here.
FOUR-COURSE BEER TASTING DINNER
A Four-Course Beer Tasting Dinner with pairings by Belgium brewery Palm Ale, will be held at Salt Creek Grille, 4 Bingham Ave, Rumson. 7 PM; $56 excludes tax and gratuity. Reservations: 732-933-9272.
STEERS AND SUDS DINNER, CAPE MAY
A “Steers and Suds” Dinner hosted with the Cape May Brewery featuring grass-fed organic beef from the Rosenkranz Farms in the Finger Lakes region of New York, will be held at the Ebbitt Room, Virginia Hotel, 25 Jackson St, Cape May. $75. Reservations: 609-884-5700.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
WINE DINNER AT THE FROG AND THE PEACH, NEW BRUNSWICK
A Campania and the South of Italy wine dinner will be held at The Frog and the Peach, 29 Dennis St, New Brunswick.7 PM; $115 including tax and tip. Reservations: 732-846-3216.
MUSHROOM DINNER AT ESCAPE, MONTCLAIR
A five-course mushroom dinner will be held at Escape at 345 Bloomfield Ave,
Montclair; $65 plus tax and gratuity. For reservations, call 973-744-0712.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
DINNER AT GREAT ROAD FARM, SKILLMAN
Dinner at Great Road Farm, 1459 Great Road, Skillman, will be hosted by Agricola Eatery, 11 Witherspoon St, Princeton. 3 PM; $145. For reservations, call 681-2977.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 AND SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
OKTOBERFEST AT MOUNTAIN CREEK RESORT AND GRAND CASCADES LODGE
Oktoberfest will be celebrated at Mountain Creek Resort, 200 Route 94, Vernon with dozens of German beers, spit-fire roasted whole animals, German sausages, live music and games for children. Special guest chef and author Francis Mallman will be in attendance on September 20 signing his cookbook, Mallmann on Fire. He will also take part in a “Mallmann on Fire Dinner” in the Chef’s Garden at Grand Cascades Lodge featuring recipes from the book served family style and paired with wines from Bodega Garzon in Uruguay ($95 plus tax & gratuity, includes a pre-release copy of the book). The multi-course feast will be prepared by Crystal Springs’ Executive Chef John Greeley using the Chef’s Garden wood-fired grills, oven and smoker. Five wines will be paired with the menu, including three from Bodega Garzon in Uruguay. The event will start with cocktails at 5 PM. Oktoberfest hours are Saturday from 11 AM to 9 PM and Sunday from 11 AM to 6 PM. Admission is $7 per person (children 5 and under: free)—food, drink and rides are priced separately. General parking is $5, preferred parking $20. Tickets and information can be found at the event website.
*********
Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to [email protected].