LOOKING AHEAD
FRIDAY, APRIL 4
SPEAKEASY DINNER SHOW, RAM’S HEAD INN, ABSECON
On Friday, April 4, take a musical and educational journey through the 1920’s when prohibition existed, at the Ram’s Head Inn, 9 West White Horse Pike, Galloway. The evening will consist of a three-course dinner along with entertainment by Beth Tinnon and a four–piece Atlantic City Showroom Band. During the production there will be three costume changes to reflect the fashion trends of the era as well as an authentic stage set plus a video backdrop with a 74-image slideshow that complements the dialogue between songs. Some the of the artist/songs covered are Fannie Brice, Bessie Smith, Duke Ellington, Al Jolson, Louie Armstrong, Cole Porter and many others. 6:30 PM; $65 plus tax and gratuity. Reservations and password: 609-652-1700.
SATURDAY, APRIL 5
BLUE JEAN BALL—LET THE SUNSHINE IN
Wear your psychedelic best (tie dye, love beads, fringes, bell bottoms, mini-skirts, and flowers in your hair) at the 18th Annual Blue Jean Ball, to benefit the Community FoodBank of NJ, whose theme this year will be “Let the Sunshine In.” Held at 31 Evans Terminal, Hillside some of the participants include: Blue Morel Restaurant; Eric LeVine from Morris Tap & Grill; Ninety Acres Culinary Center at Natirar; Restaurant Serenade; Upper Montclair Country Club; the Huntley Tavern & Harvest Restaurant Group and the Community Food Bank of NJ Food Service Training Academy. 7 PM; $250. For tickets, visit the website or call 908-355-3663.
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MORE UPCOMING FOOD EVENTS
EVENTS FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26
GIL FAMILY ESTATES WINE DINNER
A five-course Gil Family Estates Spanish wine dinner will be held at Pig & Prince, 1 Lackawanna Plaza, Montclair. 7 PM; $69. Reservations: 973-233-1006.
DELECTUS WINE DINNER
A five-course Delectus Wine Dinner will be held at Boulevard Five72, 572 Boulevard, Kenilworth with winemaker and owner Gerhard Reisacher of Delectus in Napa Valley.
Reisacher has an impressive background. He is an eighth-generation winemaker, who grew up in a small wine village south of Vienna and attended winemaking college in Austria, graduating with four degrees, including winemaking and viticulture. He moved to Napa Valley after tasting numerous wines from the region, and worked for Monticello Cellars, Far Niente, Pine Ridge and Clos Du Val before starting Delectus. Executive chef/owner Scott Snyder will be presenting the following menu:
Citrus smoked big eye tuna & organic salmon "sashimi" with heirloom beet confit, crispy potato lardons, and ginger-balsamic gastrique
(Delectus "Mine" Sparkling)
Roasted New York squab & Hudson Valley foie gras with French lentil daube, parsnip mousse and toasted-almond "mole" sauce
(Delectus Merlot)
Free-range, milk-fed veal osso bucco with porcini agnolotti, black truffle and lemon-thyme gremolata
(Delectus "French Wedding” Cabernet)
Hickory-wood, grilled Colorado lamb chop with artichoke barigoule, vanilla cauliflower puree and bordelaise reduction
(Delectus Cuvee Julia)
Dark chocolate "French toast pudding" with raspberry coulis, spiced candied bacon and mascarpone gelato
(Delectus Petite Sirah)
7 PM; $150; tax and gratuity excluded. Reservations: 908-709-1200.
SCOTCH TASTING IN ROCKY HILL
A Scotch Tasting will be held at One 53, 153 Washington St, Rocky Hill. 6:30 PM; $65. Reservations: 609-921-0153.
THE HUNGRY GIRL DIET BOOK SIGNING
A meet-and-greet book signing with Lisa Lillien, chef and author of The Hungry Girl Diet will be held at Wegmans, 15 Woodbridge Center Drive, Woodbridge. Lisa will sign copies of The Hungry Girl Diet, which is on sale at Wegmans for $21.99. 6 to 8 PM; free, but attendees need to pick up a voucher at any Wegmans service desk to reserve a space.
EVENTS FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 27
NIGHT OF CALIFORNIA WINE DINNER AT FROMAGERIE
A four-course Night of California Wine dinner will be held David Burke Fromagerie, 26 Ridge Road, Rumson with Phillip Ward, wine educator and Fromagerie icon, Markus Peter. The following menu will be served: ants on a log (burgundy snails, snail croquette, parsley, and garlic chips); beef cheek coq au vin (celery-root puree, lardon, mushrooms and pearl onions); roasted lamb loin (charred tomato & spring gratin and) and goat cheese; and candy bar (salted caramel, toasted peanuts, ganache, shortbread and orange sherbet). 7 PM; $95. exclusive of tax and tip. Reservations: 732-842-8088.
SPRING CLEANING CHEESE CLASS
Sickles Market, 1 Harrison Ave, Little Silver will host a Spring Cleaning Cheese Class, where participants will learn how to use the bits of cheese left in your refrigerator. 6:30 to 8 PM; $30 person; $50 couple. Reservations: 732-741-9563.
FRIDAY, MARCH 28
CAKEBREAD CELLARS WINE DINNER
A Cakebread Cellars five-course wine dinner will be held at Pleasantdale Chateau, 757 Eagle Rock Ave, West Orange. 6:30 PM; $165, includes tax and service charge. Reservations: 973-731-5600 ext 3016. Overnight accommodations are available at the Chateau. Inquire when making your reservations.
FRIDAY, MARCH 28 TO SUNDAY, MARCH 30
NEW JERSEY WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL
The Sixth Annual New Jersey Wine & Food Festival will be held at Crystal Springs Resort, 1 Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg with guest of honor chef David Bouley. Proceeds will benefit James Beard Foundation. Tickets at their weibsite. Resort reservations: 888-881-6991.
FRIDAY, MARCH 28
WINE TASTING, SWEETS AND EATS
More than 90 wines will be available for tasting as well as foods at the 8th Annual Wine Tasting hosted by Hudson County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and Wine Library of Springfield will be held at the Atrium at Harborside Financial Center, 34 Exchange Place, Jersey City. Along with live and silent auctions, bottles of wine can be won in a “cork pull.” 6 to 9:30 PM; $75; $85 at the door. Call 201-795-9855.
EVENTS FOR SATURDAY, MARCH 29
CAPE MAY WINE SCHOOL
The Cape May Wine School will be held at the Washington Inn, 801 Washington St, Cape May. 1 PM; $40. For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit the website.
GRAVY OR SAUCE?
Executive chef Ralph Romano and his staff at Red Knot Restaurant, Galloping Hill Golf Course, 3 Golf Drive, Kenilworth will demonstrate how to make home-style tomato sauce (or is it gravy?). Students will learn how to make a great pot of gravy (or is it sauce?), complete with meatballs, Italian sausage and braciole. Then sit down and eat the results of your efforts. Noon to 2 PM; $25. Reservations can be made here.
MERCER COUNTY PARK FOOD TRUCK FIESTA
The Mercer County Park Food Truck Fiesta will be held at 334 S Post Road, West Windsor. 11 AM to 7 PM; $5. Information at their website.
EVENTS FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 30
FARM TO FORK DINNER AT ANDRE’S
A Farm to Fork Dinner to Benefit the Foodshed Alliance will be held at Andre’s Restaurant & Wine Boutique, 188 Spring St, Newton (973-300-4192) with the following chefs: Andre de Waal, chef/owner: Andre’s Restaurant; Kirk Avondoglio, chef/owner, Perona Farms, Andover; Brad Boyle, chef/owner, Salt Gastropub, Byram; Jesse Jones, private chef for celebrities, caterer, cost of Chef Jesse Live; John Sachelli, Maritime Parc, Jersey City; Florian Wehrli, Triomphe Restaurant, NYC; and Jonathan White, owner/cheesemaker: Bobolink Dairy & Bakehouse, Milford. 4 PM; $125. Tickets: available here.
BEER AND CHEESE TASTING
A Unibroue Beer and Cherry Grove Farm Cheese Tasting will be held at High Street Grill, 64 High Street, Mount Holly. 1 to 3 PM; $30. Reservations: 609-265-9199.
EVENTS FOR MONDAY, MARCH 31
THE RYLAND INN TAKES MANHATTAN
For one night only, on March 31, The Ryland Inn will serve a five-course dinner with wine pairings at the Lofts At Prince, 177 Prince St, New York. Executive chef Anthony Bucco will present the following menu: hamachi crudo with beets, horseradish, and foie gras; day-boat halibut with baby carrots, foraged mushrooms, lobster and carrot emulsion; dry aged duck breast with black barley, roasted parsnip and lemon marmalade; Niman Ranch deckle with sweetbreads, rhubarb jam and endive; and “for dessert, pine and citrus. 7 PM; $100. Reservations: 866-683-3586.
GALA TASTING FOR CULINARY SCHOLARSHIPS
Sample signature dishes from 30 of the area’s eateries and enjoy pairings with selected wines and spirits at the JoCEF (Joe Romanowski Culinary Education Foundation) Inaugural Gala Tasting at the Navesink Country Club, 50 Luffburrow Lane, Middletown to benefit the JoCEF scholarships for the Brookdale Culinary Education Program. Some participants include: Danny’s Steakhouse, Drew’s Bayshore Bistro, Fromagerie, The Lusty Lobster, Mumford’s Culinary Center, Piccola Italia, Salt Creek Grille, Sickles Market, and Tre Amici. chef Romanowski was the chef/owner of Bay Avenue Trattoria in Highlands who died from cancer last August. 6:30 PM; $75. For tickets, visit their events page.
TUESDAY APRIL 1
CHARITY WINE TASTING
A wine tasting and silent auction, Whiskers, Wags & Wine, will be held at Jacques, 500 Palmer Ave, Middletown to benefit the Little Silver Animal Hospital Foundation for Animals. 7 to 10 PM; $65; $70 at the door. Purchase tickets at their website.
EVENTS FOR WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2
COCKTAIL CREATION CLASS
Food & beverage director Richard Spaulding of Red Knot Restaurant, Galloping Hill Golf Course, 3 Golf Drive, Kenilworth will review basic bartending concepts, then students will make 3 contemporary yet classic cocktails. Learn how to use all natural, fresh ingredients to make delicious drinks that can easily be made at home for friends and family. Students cannot bring home what they make and will have to drink them there! This class is open to adults at least 21 years of age. 6:30 to 8:30 PM; $25. Reservations can be made here.
COOKING FOR KIDS: GOURMET FARE FROM EVERYWHERE
Sample delectable dishes and drinks at the Seventh Annual Cooking For Kids: Gourmet Fare From Everywhere, which will be held at Westmount Country Club, 728 Rifle Camp Road, Woodland Park to benefit St Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, Paterson. Some familiar chefs participating at this event are: former Chopped winner Michael Carrino of Pig & Prince Restaurant & Gastro Lounge, Montclair; former Chopped contestant, Ryan DePersio of Fascino, Montclair, Batellos, Jersey City and Nico Kitchen & Bar, Newark; Top Chef contestant Ariane Duarte of CulinAriane, Montclair; Chopped winner Eric LeVine of Morris Tap & Grill, Randolph; and Cutthroat Kitchen winner Francesco Palmieri of the Orange Squirrel, Bloomfield. 6 PM VIP ticket includes admission to VIP reception, featuring an exclusive gourmet food and wine tasting hosted by Gary Fisch of Gary’s Wine & Marketplace; $275. Reception; 6:30 to 9:30 general admission $195. For information or tickets, visit their website.
SCOTCH TASTING IN ROCKY HILL
A Scotch Tasting with Master of Whiskey, Kevin Loser will be held at One 53, 153 Washington St, Rocky Hill. The tasting list includes: Benromach 10 year Speyside -Sherry Aged, Lightly Peated; Glenlivet 12 year; Speyside-Bourbon Barrel Aged; Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban Highlands-Port Barrel Aged; Glen Goyne 15 year Highlands-Sherry Barrel Aged; Oban 14 year Western Highlands-Bourbon Barrel Aged; and Laphroaig 10 year Islay-Bourbon Barrel Aged. 6:30; $65. Reservations: 609-921-0153.
CARLA’S COMING TO MORRISTOWN
Carla Hall, a Top Chef All Stars fan favorite and co-host on ABC’s daily show The Chew, will be at the ShopRite of Greater Morristown, Village Food Garden Culinary Center, 178 E Hanover Ave, Cedar Knolls from 5 to 7 PM, for a meet-and-greet and to sign copies of her brand new cookbook, CARLA’S COMFORT FOODS: Favorite Dishes from Around the World. The cookbook was written with author Genevieve Ko who was senior food editor at Good Housekeeping. The book goes on sale April 1, (Atria Books $29.99) but ShopRite is selling it at a special price of $20.99, a 30% savings. Information: 973- 829-6825.
FRIDAY APRIL 4 TO SUNDAY APRIL 13
JERSEY SHORE RESTAURANT WEEK
The Jersey Shore Restaurant Week will be held throughout the Jersey Shore with participating restaurants offering three-course dinners for $20.14 or $30.14. For information, log onto the event website.
Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes to [email protected].