CRYSTAL SPRINGS CHEFS AT JAMES BEARD HOUSE, NYC
On September 22, chefs Michael Weisshaupt, John Benjamin, and Florian Wehrli; sommelier Susanne Lerescu; and wine director Robby Younes, all from Crystal Springs Resort, Hamburg, will be presenting the following Rare Italian Wine Dinner at the James Beard House, 167 West 12th Street, New York City.
Hors d’oeuvres: pork cheeks, duck prosciutto, cured Piedmont lamb, smoked red mullet, stewed octopus with San Marzano tomatoes
(2009 Bisol Cartizze Prosecco di Valdobbiadene, 2009 Tenuta Pederzana Lambrusco Grasparossa)
Monkfish cioppino with garden herbs and elephant garlic confit
(2009 Terredora di Paolo Campore Fiano di Avellino)
Rabbit saddle with Piedmont black truffle agnolotti, late-harvest corn, bacon, and roasted game jus
(2004 Castello dei Rampolla d’Alceo)
Roasted wild boar rack and braised belly with pancetta, eggplant gnocchi, hen-of-the-woods mushrooms, and jus à la niçoise
(1982 Giacomo Borgogno e Figli Barolo)
Aged taleggio zeppole, smoked buffalo mozzarella shooter, and fried parmigiano Cerignola olives
(2005 Le Salette Pergole Vece Amarone)
Semolina-crusted cannoli pudding with yellow raisin–black fig ice cream, 40-year balsamic zabaglione, and corkscrew sugar
(2003 Dal Forno Romano Vigna Seré Passito)
Assorted delights
7 PM; $205, James Beard Foundation members $155. For reservations, call 212-627-2308.
Also, on September 17, Crystal Springs will host its annual Oktoberfest celebration, with family activities including lumberjack contests, pie-eating contests, a magic show, pony rides, and much more. In addition to authentic German beers, the event will feature a genuine Oktoberfest menu that includes roasted pig and lamb, knockwurst, weisswurst, potato pancakes, Black Forest cake, and strudel. Noon to 9 PM, rain or shine; free admission. For more information, call 973-827-5996 ext 2.
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TASTE OF MONTCLAIR HARVEST FESTIVAL
On September 23 from 3 to 9 PM and September 24 from 10 AM to 10 PM, the Taste of Montclair Harvest Festival to benefit the Human Needs Food Pantry of Montclair will be held in the Immaculate Conception parking lot, Park Street and Cottage Place, Montclair. Admission is free, and attendees can purchase tickets for food, beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and candy. A canned food drive is also being held, and patrons will receive one ticket per can. For more information and tickets, log on to www.thetasteofmontclair.com.
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EAT AND DRINK FOR A REASON: PHILANTHROPY FOR FOODIES
On September 24, a Farm to Table culinary experience and wine tasting will be held at 17 Highlander Drive, Scotch Plains, to benefit the Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation. This event is sponsored by Eat and Drink for a Reason: Philanthropy for Foodies, a New Jersey–based nonprofit organization that raises money for various charities. It will be catered by Chef Brian Walters, owner of Flannery’s Bar and Grill in Fanwood, as well as by Alan’s Orchard, the Savory Spice Shop, and CoolVines, all in Westfield. 7 to 11 PM; $150. For tickets, log on to www.philanthropyforfoodies.org or call 908-477-0390.
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TAPASTRY, MONTCLAIR
A variety of appetizers or a whole meal can be had at Tapastry, 12 Church Street, Montclair, a casual restaurant where Chef Gonzalo Fernandez is manning the stoves. Tapas dishes are available in small and large portions that are meant to be shared. Serrano ham, grilled Spanish sausage, marinated skirt steak over spinach, barbecued spare ribs, and spicy chicken skewers are some of the meat choices, while fish lovers can opt for garlic shrimp, mussels with fresh tomato and onions, boiled octopus, grilled sardines, or squid in black ink over rice. Vegetarians can also have a feast with the various Spanish cheeses, spicy potatoes, sautéed string beans with garlic, endive spears with Spanish blue cheese, rice dishes, and warm omelet of potato, eggs, Spanish onion, and peas. For dessert there’s always room for flan, or try the gluten-free apple tart or poached pear. The restaurant is BYO but will supply a sangria mix to add to your own bottle of wine. Live flamenco is featured every Friday. For reservations, call 973-233-0216.
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EPICUREAN PALETTE, HAMILTON
On September 25 at the Epicurean Palette, stroll the Grounds for Sculpture, 18 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, and sample offerings from more than twenty of the region’s chefs while tasting wine and spirits from beverage purveyors. Participants include Bobolink Dairy, the Brothers Moon, Chez Alice Catering, Eno Terra, the Heldrich Hotel, and Ruth’s Chris Steak House. 1 to 4 PM, rain or shine; $110, members $99. VIP tickets are $350 and include a special tour of Seward Johnson’s studio, a “meet, greet, and treat” with culinary experts, and more. For tickets, call 609-586-0616.
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