Vegan Wine Dinner at Amanda’s
Thursday, April 25, 7 pm
If Thursday’s your day to kickstart the weekend, here’s a good option. Amanda’s on Washington Street in Hoboken is hosting a special vegan wine pairing dinner; each of the night’s five entirely plant-based courses (including dessert) will be paired with a different wine. Vegan doesn’t mean lacking in extravagance: the night kicks off with bubbly to accompany the “Spring Velouté” with spring black truffles, market snow peas, and porcini mushrooms. And yes, they’re dressed with a very of-the-moment ramp pesto, but the chestnut agnolotti anticipate spring and even summer with sweet corn, not to mention the Cotes de Provence rosé pairing. If you’re looking for a lighter kind of extravagance, call to see if any tickets remain. $75 per person, plus tax and tip. Amanda’s, 908 Washington Street, Hoboken; 201-798-0101
4th Annual Rosé Tasting at Grand Vin
Saturday, April 27, 1–3 pm
Temps may still fluctuate here and there, but it’s rosé season and you can’t tell us otherwise. That’ll be the spirit at Grand Vin in Hoboken, anyway. This Saturday, they’re hosting their fourth rosé tasting to usher in all the warm weather and pink drinking to come. Tickets are $45 at the door ($40 if you buy them by Friday) and include unlimited access to the array of rosé. Considering it’s midday, you can balance things out with some passed Hors D’oeuvres and free cotton candy (pink, of course). Grand Vin Kitchen & Bar, 500 Grand Street, Hoboken; 201-656-0012
The Taste of South Orange Food Stroll and Pub Crawl
Sunday, April 28, 4–7 pm
The South Orange Village Center Alliance just cured your Sunday blues with the return of the Taste of South Orange Food Stroll & Bar Crawl. It’s an easy way to treat you and yours just one more time before Monday: all you do is slap on your wristband (more on that in a minute) and stroll a short section of South Orange Avenue to the 20 or so participating bars and restaurants. Bars will have specials going, but restaurants will have tables set up with specially-prepared bites for the occasion (Ethiopian Doro Tibs, Veggie Empanadas, Liege Waffle Stuffed with Dark Chocolate, the list goes on). The food is part of your ticket but you’ll have to bring cash for the pub crawling part. You can buy wristband tickets in advance at Kitchen a la Mode, Sparkhouse, and General Store’s “Pop-up Kid Shop” in Maplewood. Advance tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for Seton Hall students, and $5 for kids ages 3 to 8. Here’s a map of participating venues. Adding to the night’s good vibe, 20 percent of ticket sales go to MEND, or Meeting Essential Needs with Dignity, an Essex County-based hunger relief network that emphasizes getting fresh, healthy foods to all those in need. South Orange Village Center, South Orange; 973-763-6899
The 8th Annual Asbury Park Restaurant Tour
Sunday, April 28, noon – 4 pm
The Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce is putting on the city’s eighth restaurant tour this Sunday at noon. There are over 25 participating restaurants, which helps you get a sense for Asbury Park’s restaurant scene. You’ll get specially prepared bites from Kula Urban Farm, Proven Poke, southern-inspired bites from Modine, MOGO: Korean Fusion Tacos, Asbury Oyster Bar, the Bonney Read and more. General admission is $50. You can buy your tickets on site or pre-purchase them and bring valid ID (or purchase receipt) to Press Plaza to pick up your wristband. As for the touring itself, it’s self-guided, though organizers do discourage repeat visits to the same place. There’ll be Restaurant Tour-specific transportation circling the area throughout the day, and you can get on and off as your appetites dictate. Press Plaza, 600 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park; 732-775-7676
Five-Course Wine Pairing Dinner at Circa
Monday, April 29, 7:30pm
Riverside Wines and Circa in High Bridge are joining forces to put on a five-course pairing dinner that arguably wins for best way to spend a Monday night. Riverside owner Michael Cedro brings his pairing skills to the seasonal New American cuisine of Circa—and the pairings are global, and creative. You’ll get a California Pinot Noir alongside Pepper-Crusted Pan Seared Tuna with Stir Fried Quinoa, a Columbia Valley Cabernet with Hangar Steak and Garlic Compound Butter, even Tres Leches with Moscatel Port. Tickets are $100, and the last chance to claim your seat is Sunday. Circa, 37 Main Street, High Bridge; 908-638-5560