Chef Anthony Fiore of Trattoria Di Fiore presents a Wine Dinner at Alba Vineyard
Sunday, August 23, 6:30pm
Things might almost feel normal at this four-course wine dinner complete with seasonal goodies and Alba Winery pairings. With a menu from chef Anthony Fiore of Trattoria Di Fiore, you’ll go from a burrata appetizer that trades traditional tomato accompaniment for strawberries and baby arugula to pancetta, fig, peaches, and basil, to a Parmesan-crusted Halibut with Green Gazpacho and Summer Vegetables. If that’s not enough of a late-summer kaboom, dessert is sweet Italian Amarena Cherries with Burnt Honey, Almonds, and Vanilla Gelato. All of it, obviously, will be generously and creatively paired with summer-appropriate wines (there will be a red, FYI). Get your ticket while you can and forget the first two-thirds of 2020.
Alba Vineyard and Winery, 269 County Road 627, Milford; 908-995-7800
South + Pine Hosts Summer Beats on South Street
Monday evenings
South + Pine is daring diners to brave heat and humidity on Monday evenings with “ Summer Beats on South Street”—a reason to (responsibly) go out, with music, “light seasonal fare,” and a BYO bottle in their outdoor seating area. The cover charge is just $5, and seatings are at 5:45pm and 7:30pm (reservations are 1½ hours per table). The cover charge obviously doesn’t include food, though chef Leia Gaccione is staying on top of seasonality, which as of Sunday afternoon looked like some golden-brown seared scallops and tender little piles of pasta. Book a reservation ASAP.
South + Pine American Eatery, 90 South Street, Morristown; 862-260-9700
Half-Off Wine Night at Rooney’s Oceanfront
Mondays
If you haven’t been to Rooney’s Oceanfront in Long Branch yet this season, make it a Monday evening. Not only will there be less Shore traffic, but you’ll get your pick of their wine list for 50 percent off. Yes, as if that massive outdoor dining space with quite possibly the view to beat in Jersey isn’t enough, Rooney’s is giving us yet another reason to visit with half-priced wines by the bottle on Monday night—and they have a list big enough to match the space.
Rooney’s Oceanfront Restaurant, 100 Ocean Avenue, Long Branch; 732-870-1200
Taco Tuesday at Barrio Costero
Tuesdays
Another not-quite-event but something you should hit your Shore spot for: Barrio Costero is still honoring the immortal Taco Tuesday with a ridiculously good deal: two specialty tacos from chef Antony Bustamante that balance authenticity and technique with a bold POV (think Tacos Al Pastor with Pickled Onions, Grilled Pineapple, and something called Chipotle Milk). With all that culinary prowess you also can get a margarita for just $15. And what’s nice is there’s no major commitment with their Grab n’ Go window—though you can sit outside from 4pm onwards. (All reservations are 90 minutes and you need to fill out a waiver before coming for your table.)
Barrio Costero, 610 Bangs Avenue, Asbury Park; 732-455-5544
Socially Distant Karaoke at Death of the Fox Brewing Company
There are many reasons to visit Death of the Fox Brewing Company in Clarksboro, including a drinks menu with South Jersey-roasted coffees and beer, and impromptu socially distant karaoke? The brewery actually seems to have a lot of socially-distant outdoor music events (which you can keep up with on social media) but this is the first we’ve heard of karaoke making a Covid-era comeback.
Death of the Fox Brewing Company, 119 Berkeley Road, Clarksboro; 856-599-1655