STRIP HOUSE SCOTCH AND STEAK PAIRING
If you’re keen on scotch and steak, you can have them together in the pairing promotion that will be held from September 8 through October 31 at the Strip House, Westminster Hotel, 550 West Mount Pleasant Avenue, Livingston. There will be two single-malt scotch flights available. The $30 flight features Laphroaig 15-Year-Old Islay, Highland Park 18-Year-Old Orkney, and Macallan Fine Oak 21-Year-Old Highland. The $50 flight features Macallan Fine Oak 15-Year-Old Highland, Macallan 18-Year-Old Highland, and Macallan 25-Year-Old Anniversary Highland. The scotch is served neat and with Fiji water. Chef Bill Zucosky recommends adding a small splash of water as you’re enjoying the food. He will be serving all of Strip House’s classic steaks, including New York strip, filet mignon, bone-in rib eye, and classic Châteaubriand. For reservations call 973-548-0050.
Strip House New York strip steak.
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UPCOMING BENEFITS
Here are some events that animal lovers, lovers of the environment, celebrity-chef lovers, art lovers, vegetarians—everyone, in fact—can partake in:
On September 19, say farewell to summer, enjoy the ocean, and take pleasure in the sunset at the Sunsational Event for the Ocean to benefit Clean Ocean Action’s work to protect and purify the waters for today and tomorrow. The event will be held at the Sea Gulls’ Nest, Sandy Hook, and will feature specialty cuisine and desserts from more than twenty Jersey Shore restaurants and caterers along with beer, wine, and live music from the Thom White Band. 6 to 11 PM; $100. For tickets call 732-872-0111 or log on to www.cleanoceanaction.org. Casual attire.
On September 21, the Epicurean Palette will be held at Grounds for Sculpture, 16 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, to benefit Grounds for Sculpture. Stroll the impressive 35 acres while sipping wine and tasting gourmet creations. Some of the participating restaurants are: Blue Bottle Cafe, Hopewell; Blue Point Grill, Princeton; the Bridgetown Mill House, Langhorne, PA; the Brothers Moon, Hopewell; the Cafe at Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton; the Ferry House, Princeton; Hamilton’s Grill Room, Lambertville; Hannah and Masons, Cranbury; Mediterra, Princeton; the Metuchen Inn, Metuchen; Piccola Italia, Ocean; Provence Catering, Hamilton; Rat’s, Hamilton; Restaurant One 53, Rocky Hill; Spargo’s Grille, Manalapan; Szechuan House, Hamilton; and the Yardley Inn, Yardley, PA. 3 to 6 PM; $109; $99 for Grounds for Sculpture members. Tickets can be purchased online at www.epicureanpalette.org or by calling 609-584-7760.
On September 22, a five-course vegetarian tasting dinner with wines will be held at Anton’s at the Swan, 43 South Main Street, Lambertville, to benefit the Hunterdon Humane Animal Shelter. 6 PM; $100. For tickets call 609-397-3552.
On September 22, Will Mooney, chef/owner of the Brothers Moon, Hopewell, will teach a cooking class at Elijah’s Promise, 211 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, to raise money for Elijah’s Promise, a multiservice agency that helps to lift people out of poverty. Chef Mooney, who is known for his use of locally grown seasonal products, will demonstrate the following: roasted tomatoes and cheese tarts; roasted Griggstown Farm chicken; quick, fresh, and local corn “polenta”; sautéed rainbow chard; and sweet wontons layered with berries and white chocolate sauce. 6 to 8:30 PM; $40. For reservations log on to www.elijahspromise.org or call Norna at 732-545-9002 ext 124.
On September 22, cruise around Manhattan with Food Network star Sara Moulton at a Culinary Stars tasting to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Some of the 23 participating restaurants are: Basilico, Millburn; Chart House, Weehawken; Copeland, Morristown; Liberty House, Jersey City; Lua, Hoboken; LuNello’s, Cedar Grove; Madeleine’s Petit Paris, Northvale; Mantra, Paramus; Morton’s the Steakhouse, Hackensack; Restaurant Serenade, Chatham; and the Melting Pot, Westwood. The yacht leaves from 1301 Sinatra Drive, Hoboken. 6 to 9:30 PM; $125. For tickets call 201-967-5599.
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DINNER THEATER FEATURING TV GAME SHOWS
On September 20, a dinner theater event with audience-participation versions of favorite game shows will be held at Braddock’s Tavern, 39 South Main Street, Medford. The following menu will be served: tomato soup with grilled cheese croutons; chilled iceberg salad with cherry tomatoes; traditional chicken and dumplings; and chocolate banana cake. 6:30 PM; $48. For more information and reservations call 609-654-1604.
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CAPE MAY FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL
If you’ve been wanting to visit Cape May, then September 20 through 25 would be the time, as the Cape May Food & Wine Festival will be held throughout the city. Visitors can enjoy winery tours and tastings, a five-course beer tasting dinner, a gourmet marketplace, luncheons at select Cape May restaurants, Chefs’ Dine-Arounds, a people’s-choice chowder contest, and numerous seminars and classes. Participating restaurants include: 410 Bank Street, A Ca Mia, Aleathea’s Restaurant, Axelsson’s Blue Claw, Bella Mangiata, Black Duck at Sunset, Blue Pig Tavern, Cafe Promenade, Carriage House Tearoom & Cafe, the Ebbitt Room, Godmothers, Harbor View, Lucky Bones, the Mad Batter, Moonfish Grill, the Merion Inn, Tisha’s, Union Park, and the Washington Inn. For more information log on to www.capemaymac.org or call 800-275-4278.
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DINING DEALS
Amici Milano, 600 Chestnut Avenue, Trenton, serves an early bird menu Mondays through Fridays from 4 to 6 PM and on Sundays from 1 to 4 PM that includes a house salad, vegetable or pasta, and main dish. Prices range from $7.95 to $10.95. For reservations call 609-396-6300.
Europa at Monroe, 146 Applegarth Road, Monroe Township, offers several deals to save you money. Tuesdays feature tapas at $4 each from open to close in the bar; on Wednesdays from 4 PM all wines under $40 are half off with the purchase of two entrées; on Thursdays from 4 PM a tapas trio appetizer, two paellas (Valencia, meat, veggie, or seafood), and two flans are $35.95 for two people; and on Sundays all pastas are priced between $9.95 and $13.95. For more information and reservations call 609-490-9500.
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