Burns Night at Riverview Restaurant
Saturday, January 25
If you’ve never experienced a Burns’ Night, Saturday night at Riverview in Burlington is a great way to start. Burns Night itself revolves around the celebration of Scottish poet Robert Burns on his birthday, and at Riverview Restaurant that’ll include a menu with some Scottish treats, the ceremonial “Piping in” of a haggis (which you are not obligated to eat), and more than likely a few intoxicated toasts and odes, as well as plenty of Burns poetry. Expect whisky to flow (responsibly) and several people to attempt a Scottish accent. Admission is free and whisky and Scottish food prices will be a la carte. Riverview Restaurant, 219 High Street, Burlington; 609-614-6624
Tuesday Tastings with Tony at Eno Terra
January 28—February 25, 6:30–8pm
Tuesday, January 28 marks the return of “Tuesday Tastings with Tony,” aka Anthony Verdorni, aka “Il Professore” (the wine expert you’ll want to get to know). The tastings run from January 28 through February 25, and especially if you’re a fan of this series’ topic—French wine—you won’t want to miss any of the tastings. You’ll hit regions from the Loire Valley and Champagne to Burgundy and Beaujoulais, heavy hitter Bordeaux, Alsace and The Rhone Valley, and the Languedoc (pronounced like “long duck,” FYI). The tastings come with light hors d’oeuvres, but those who attend class will receive a 20 percent discount if you choose to have dinner. With a French wine, of course. It’s $180 for all five classes, which means your classmates will have as much dedication and serious thirst as you. Eno Terra, 4484 Route 27, Kingston; 609-497-1777
Stag’s Leap Wine Pairing Dinner at the Chart House
Wednesday, February 12, 7–10pm
February 12th will be a big night with big flavors at the Chart House in Weehawken, with Napa winery Stag’s Leap on hand for a four-course pairing dinner. Drink in the epic views of the New York City skyline while also drinking in a prim selection of Stag’s Leap wines: a sauvignon blanc to match the pink grapefruit in the watercress and chicory salad, a slightly weightier chardonnay with rich cedar-wrapped king salmon with smoked black pepper butter, a classic, tannin-framed meaty Napa cab to stand opposite (or side by side) with the rich, complex flavors of grilled lamb chops and a blackberry balsamic reduction. (Oh, and did we mention, a salty dark chocolate tart gets a Stag’s Leap “Hands of Time” red blend.) Tickets are $125 but considering the rich flavors (and the fact that this can double as a Valentine’s dinner), they’ll likely go fast. Chart House, 1700 Harbor Boulevard, Weehawken; 201-348-6628
“A Meal for Amiel” at Perona Farms
Friday, February 7, 6:30pm
This will be the fourth year for the quietly start-studded “A Meal for Amiel,” an annual benefit dinner organized by chef Florian Wehrli to honor his late son, Amiel and held this year at Perona Farms in Andover. The goal of the event is to teach kids about the food cycle, where food comes from, how it’s prepared, how (best) to enjoy it, etc. For that last part, especially, Wehrli counts on an array of New York and New Jersey celebrity chefs, who’ll work side by side with some of the students from Frankford Township School (where Amiel went), preparing eight courses, which will be served with wine and other beverages. Proceeds for the event go to fund the Frankford School greenhouse as well as student scholarships, and based on the talents involved, you’ll get more than your money’s worth: “Top Chef D.C.” alum Ed Cotton of Laurent Tourondel Hospitality, Jeffrey Galan of Annie Oakley in Nutley, AJ Capella of Jockey Hollow, Brad Boyle of Salt Gastropub in Stanhope, Martyna Krowicka of Felina in Ridgewood, Ben Del Coro of Fossil Farms, and Kirk Avondoglio of Perona Farms itself are among the chefs that’ll be cooking with the kids. Tickets are $100 per adult, plus handling fees. Perona Farms, 350 Andover Sparta Road, Sparta; 973-729-6161