NEW JERSEY WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL
From March 15 to 17, Crystal Springs Resort, Hardyston will host the New Jersey Wine & Food Festival to benefit the James Beard Foundation, featuring guest of honor chef José Andrés, a James Beard Foundation Outstanding Chef Award winner. There will be many events throughout the weekend including NJ’s own David Burke along with other chefs presenting a five-course dinner paired with boutique wines on Friday night at 8 PM. A wine cellar dinner prepared by chef Andrés with wines from winemaker Philippe Melka, will also be held at 8 PM on Friday. On Saturday, there will be a book signing with chef José Andrés, NJ Marketplace lunch, Mac & Cheese Cook-off, wine tastings and much more with a Grand Tasting in the evening. On Sunday, a champagne brunch is planned. For tickets and information, log onto njwinefoodfest.com or call 888-881-6991.
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KUZINA BY SOFIA, CHERRY HILL
Kuzina by Sofia, Sawmill Shopping Center, 404 Rt 70 W, Cherry Hill, has introduced "Sunday Brunch in Santorini" a Sunday brunch menu, for $12.95, with dishes inspired from the Greek Islands. 11 AM to 3 PM. Along with their à la carte dinner menu, the restaurant also offers a 35-small-plates tasting dinner for $35. Reservations: 856-429-1061; BYO.
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ATLANTIC CITY RESTAURANT WEEK
Atlantic City Restaurant Week will be held March 3 to 9, with participating restaurants offering three-course lunches for $15.13 and dinners at $33.13. For information, visit acrestaurantweek.com/.
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DINING DEALS
Surf & Turf Tuesdays are featured at Braddock’s Tavern, 39 South Main St, Medford, with a three-course dinner for $29.95 from 5 to 9 PM. Reservations: 609-654-1604.
Through March 31, The Palm at The Quarter in Tropicana, Atlantic City, is offering a three-course menu for $49.95 Reservations: 609-344-7256.
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WINE CLASSES
On March 13, a Build Your Own Bordeaux wine class will be held at Fromagerie, 26 Ridge Road, Rumson with sommelier John McGinnis and wine professional Mike Barell of Trinchero Family Estates Wines. Prizes will be awarded in several categories; $100. For reservations, call 732-842-8088.
George Staikos, a wine educator, sommelier, and corporate speaker will host a Wine Class Series at 55 Main Restaurant, 55 Main St, Flemington with two new wine themes. On March 5, a Pinot Noir Celebration will be held and on March 12, the Best Values from California will be explored. Both two-hour classes will be held from 7 to 9 PM and will include seven wines, as well as three dishes and cheeses for pairing. One class is $75; two $135. To register go to http://TheEducatedGrape.com or call George at 973-699-2199.
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CHARITY EVENT IN MONTCLAIR
An Alimentary Affair, a dinner to benefit Toni’s Kitchen, a food ministry, will be held at the Woman’s Club of Upper Montclair, 200 Cooper Ave, Upper Montclair on March 9. 7 to 10 PM. For tickets and information, e-mail [email protected] or call 973-932-0768.
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LOOKING AHEAD
Table Hopping With Rosie was thrilled to hear that chef Gregory Torrech and his business partner, Noah Sexton will open Union Republic this spring in downtown Jersey City. If their names sound familiar, it is because they were the owners of MAE in Jersey City, which I wrote about here: http://njmonthly.com/blogs/tablehopwithRosie/2012/8/1/restaurant-news.html/ Their progressive American café/grocery will offer a coffee program using Intelligentsia, ramen, market sandwiches, including the MAE burger, salads and small plates.
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CONGRATULATIONS
The 2013 James Beard Foundation semi-finalists have been announced and New Jersey had a very good showing with Scott Anderson of Elements in Princeton and Joey Baldino of Zeppoli in Collingswood being nominated for Best Chef Mid-Atlantic and Thirty Acres in Jersey City for Best New Restaurant. New Jersey native Matthew Accarrino SPQR, San Francisco was a semi-finalist in the Best Chef West category. He got his start at Blue Sky in Montclair. Congratulations to all. The final awards will be announced on May 3 and 6 in NYC.
Demetrios Haronis was just named “Chef of the Year” by the Professional Chef’s Association of South Jersey. Haronis is director of culinary operations at Tropicana Casino & Resort, where he oversees all of the resort’s dining options.
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Please send press releases and restaurant news, including information on staff changes, wine tastings, and cooking classes, to [email protected].