Walk-Around Holiday Wine Tasting at Restaurant Nicholas
Friday, November 22, 7–8:30pm
The fee for Friday’s walk-around wine tasting at Restaurant Nicholas is $75, but $50 of that goes toward your wine purchases. And chances are you’ll be making a few purchases, since the 16 wines for the occasion have been carefully chosen by executive chef Nicholas Harary to provide the range of big flavors, elegance, subtle grace notes, and showstopping power of required from the holiday table. The emphasis is “crowd-pleasing varietals,” since character is the name of the game during the holiday season, including a sparkling cabernet franc produced in the traditional method, a 2018 “Petit Grains” (i.e. tiny grape) California Chardonnay, a flavor-packed 2016 late-ripening sangiovese, a beautifully structured Chateauneuf-de-Pape, etc. Don’t worry, you’ll have a full hour and a half to mull your choices—plus some passed light hors d’oeuvres. Restaurant Nicholas, 160 Route 25 Red Bank; 732-345-9977
Cigar & Rum Tasting at Sofia Steakhouse in Englewood
Tuesday, November 26, 6pm
Here’s a way to unwind before Thanksgiving: head to Sofia’s in Englewood, where they’ll be hosting another of their Cigar & Liquor pairing nights in the cigar lounge. Next week’s event features cigars and rum—specifically El Dorado 12 Year, Dos Maderas and Diplomatico. Tickets are $50 per person and all pours are one-ounce. Call for a reservation. Sofia Steakhouse, 36 Engle Street, Englewood; 201-541-8530
Pies N’ Sides at Rooney’s Oceanfront
Tuesday, November 26, 7pm
If you’re still struggling with side dish options on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, $25 buys you a seat at this class at Rooney’s Oceanfront in Long Branch. Not only will Rooney’s chef demo some of his own favorite sides, but you’ll make a pie—Amaretto Pumpkin Brulee Pie with Biscotti Crust. You don’t even have to walk away with an exact recipe (maybe you’ll incorporate a biscotti crust into your pie recipe), but chances are very high you’ll have a fun, relaxing food night to build up confidence and inspiration just in time for Turkey Day. Rooney’s Oceanfront, 100 Ocean Avenue North, Long Branch; 732-870-1200
Champagne Pairing Dinner at Faubourg
Wednesday, December 4, 7pm
Why wait for New Year’s Eve to let the bubbly flow? Head to Faubourg on Montclair on December 4 for a Champagne pairing dinner, including a Jeroboam (3-liter bottle) of Veuve Clicquot to a vintage Dom Perignon Rosé and a Grande Cuvee Krug, 168th Edition. If demand is too high for the sparkly supper, try to snag a ticket for the Truffle Dinner with Italian Wine on December 18. If you do make either dinner, you’re in good hands: Champagne expert Nicole Burke will be on hand to guide you from pearl to beautiful pearl in the first dinner; Martina Mirandola Mullen is the Italian wine maven tasked with guiding diners dish to truffled dish in the second dinner. Tickets are a hefty $175, but you can count on a lavish night—and a limited number of seats. Email [email protected] ASAP to get your spot. Faubourg, 544 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair; 973-542-7700