“Pays Basque” Dinner at Brick Farm Tavern
Wednesday, February 26, 6:30pm
Savor one idyllic countryside through the lens of another: Brick Farm Tavern in Hopewell is hosting a Pays Basque dinner, the second in their “Taste a Place” series that runs January through May. For $99, you get four courses showcasing the flavors of the Basque region of Spain, which means dishes like Tomato and Serrano Ham Tart with Boquerones (heavenly Spanish sardines), Wood Fire-Grilled Veal with Crispy House Chorizo, Warm Chocolate Sea Salt Cake with Olive Oil Ice cream. Ticket prices include tax, tip and beverage pairings with each dish. Add aforementioned bucolic historic surroundings, and it’s a pretty great deal. Reserve tickets online. Brick Farm Tavern, 130 Hopewell Rocky Hill Road, Hopewell; 609-333-9200
Asbury Park Vegan Pop-Up Shop
Sunday, February 16, 10am–5pm
The Asbury Park Vegan Pop-up Shop is sprouting up in the Asbury Park Convention Hall the Sunday after Valentine’s Day. Over 50 vendors will be there this year, and while not all of them are food (House of Cork Handbags with Diana, Velobar CBD, Gosbags), but so many are. Vegans and non-vegans alike should have no trouble finding something to nosh on: Mexi Boys, Lady and the Shallot, Cinnaholic, Samosa Shout, Sesame Satori, Yeahdawg (vegan hot dogs), the list goes on. Tickets are $5 in advance or $10 at the door. Asbury Park Convention Hall, 1300 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park.
The Balvenie Scotch Pairing Dinner at Blue Morel
Friday, February 28, 7–9:30pm
It’s called “The Balvenie,” FYI, and it’s going to be front and center at Blue Morel’s Scotch pairing dinner on February 28. If Scotch sounds intimidating, don’t worry: you’ll get to know The Balvenie in several expressions over four courses, plus a welcome cocktail made with Monkey Shoulder Single Malt. Like many Highlands region Scotches, The Balvenie specializes in its single malts, and the menu from chef Dennis Mathews has created a menu to coax out the range of flavors on display—Cold Smoked Dayboat Scallop, Vanilla-scented Carrot Tortelli, Dry-aged Duck, and Warm Toffee Pudding Cake, with accenting flavors like black truffle, maitake, salt-baked beet, pumpkin ice cream, grapefruit segments, etc. Tickets are $110 plus tax and tip, and likely to go fast. Call for reservations and round out February with something swirl-worthy. Blue Morel, 2 Whippany Road, Morristown; 973-451-2619
Sangiovese Wine Dinner at Tomasello Winery
Saturday, February 29, 7pm
Tomasello Winery is hosting a series of winemaker dinners in February, March and April. Charles Tomasello, the third generation at the helm of the family winery, will lead each. The Leap Day menu will be “Sangiovese Beyond Chianti,” with three courses and dessert showcasing four non-Chianti wines from the Sangiovese region. To give you a sense of the complimentary flavors in the red wines, you’ll get Mediterranean cod stew with briny green capers, mini ravioli with fruity sun-dried tomatoes, and slow-braised veal osso bucco with creamy, smoky grilled polenta. Dessert is salted caramel crème with a highly complex bittersweet orange and herbal/almond Italian amaro. Tickets are $75 per person, all inclusive, and space is likely to go fast. (If you can’t make this one, they’re also doing March 21 and April 25.) Tomasello Winery & Banquet Hall, 225 North White Horse Pike, Hammonton; 800-666-9463