On Sunday, October 11, Amanti Vino, 30 Church Street, Montclair (973-509-9463), will host a Sunday afternoon of family fun at the Montclair Art Museum, 3 South Mountain Avenue, to celebrate their 10th year in business. Events include tastings of their first private-label wine (Cuvée Rufus named for store mascot, Rufus, a gentle Labrador), an art exhibition, hands-on art workshops for children (think cork art and dog origami); tastings from Ani Ramen, Mish Mish and Villalobos as well as a special, custom Rufus Birthday Cake from Kimmy’s Kakes, live music and much more; 2 to 5 PM.
Tickets may be purchased at Amanti Vino, MAM, or the MAM website. Family Tickets (2 adults and up to 2 kids) MAM Member Family, $25; Non-Member Family, $35; Adult Tickets (Ages 15+) MAM Members, $10; Non-Members, $15; Children Tickets (Ages 2-14) $5 per child (Under 2 years old free).
A generous portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit the Montclair Art Museum and Intensive Therapeutics, an organization specializing in therapeutic programs for children with special needs.
BIG BREW FALL FESTIVAL
On Saturday, October 10, 200-plus Craft Beers featuring Pumpkin Brews for Fall and food from Morris Tap & Grill, Nicole’s Ten, The Cow & The Curd, Handsome Devil BBQ and more will be featured at the Big Brew Fall Festival, which will be held at the Morristown Armory, 430 Western Avenue, Morristown. Noon to 4 PM or 5:30 to 9:30 PM; $60; designated driver $15. Ticket prices will increase on October 3. Information at the event website.
OTHER NJ FOOD EVENTS
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
CRAFT BEER TASTING AT HO-HO-KUS INN
Just in time for Oktoberfest, the British-inspired, artisanally produced ales from Yards Brewing Company (Philadelphia, PA), will be tasted at the Ho-Ho-Kus Inn & Tavern, One East Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus. Bar bites included. 6.30 PM; $25 exclusive of tax and gratuity. Reservations at this address or call 201-445-4115.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1
JOSEPH PHELPS WINEMAKER DINNER
A Joseph Phelps winemaker dinner will be held at Restaurant Nicholas, 160 Route 35 S, Middletown. 7 PM; $165 plus tax and gratuity. Reservations: 732-345-9977.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2
BURGUNDY DINNER AT THE PLUCKEMIN INN, BEDMINSTER
An educational Burgundy dinner with sommelier Brian Hider will be held at the Pluckemin Inn, 359 Route 206 South, Bedminster. 7 PM; $115, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations: 908-658-9292.
SEASONAL WINE HARVEST DINNER
A Seasonal Wine Harvest Dinner will be held a The Farm Cooking School, GPS address, 1925 Daniel Bray Highway (Rt 29), Stockton. Their wine guru Carol A Berman, owner of Class in a Glass, and a renowned wine educator will be in attendance and pouring her picks. The following is a sample menu: grilled oysters with compound butter; lily soup stuffed pumpkins with Parmigiano and mushrooms; venison with celery root and tart apples; bitter greens with pears and blue cheese; and grape-fennel seed tart. 6 to 9 PM; $150. For information or reservations call Shelley at 646-236-0605, Ian at 516-840-4891 or visit their website.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 2 AND SATURDAY OCTOBER 3
MURDER MYSTERY DINNER
Aleathea’s Restaurant, 7 Ocean Street, Cape May, will host a four-course murder mystery dinner; 7 PM; $50. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit this website.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3
APPEL FARM MUSIC & WINE FESTIVAL
Spend the day sampling wines while listening to music at the Appel Farm Music & Wine Festival, which will be held at Appel Farm Arts & Music Center, 457 Shirley Road, Elmer. Fifteen wineries from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland will be in attendance. Noon to 6 PM; adult advance: $30, adult gate: $35, reduced ticket prices: designated drivers and children 4-20, children 3 and under admitted free of charge. For tickets or information, visit their website or call 856-358-2472
FARM TO FORK DINNER WITH CHEF ANTHONY PINO
A Farm-to-fork, four-course dinner prepared by chef Anthony Pino (owner of AD Catering Events, Anthony David’s and Bin 14, all in Hoboken) will be held at City Green Farms, 171 Grove Street, Clifton, to benefit the City Green food education programs. 5:30; $100. For tickets, visit this website.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 5
SIGNATURE CHEFS AUCTION CHARITY EVENT
The March of Dimes will honor Tim McLoone, president and founder of McLoone’s Restaurants, along with his wife Beth at its Signature Chefs Auction at McLoone’s Pier House 1 Ocean Drive, Long Branch. 6 PM; $100. All proceeds from the event benefit the March of Dimes. For more event information and to purchase tables or tickets, contact Monica Santos at (732) 952-9018 [email protected] or visit this website.
SAVE THE DATE
CRU VS BREW
On Thursday, October 22, Amanti Vino in Montclair, will host a Cru vs Brew event at the Woman’s Club, 200 Cooper Avenue, Upper Montclair, to benefit Intensive Therapeutics. A five-course dinner by top NJ chefs will include Skurnik Wines & Beers from Firestone Walker Brewery. 7 PM; $170. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit this website or call 973-509-9463.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7
FAUSTINO FIVE DECADES RIOJA DINNER
A Faustino Five Decades of Rioja Dinner will be held at Mompou Tapas Bar & Restaurant, 77 Ferry Street, Newark. 7 to 9 PM; $100, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations: 973-578-8114.
Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to [email protected].