Spring Portfolio Tasting at Hawk Haven Winery
Sunday, May 19, 1–5 pm
Hawk Haven is playing host, but there will actually be wines on offer from the five wineries of the Winemakers Co-Op at Sunday’s Spring Portfolio Tasting—over 40 wines total for your Sunday sipping pleasure. Not only will the five wineries present some of their favorite of the spring portfolio, but a winemaker from each winery will present their favorite wine in the new 45-minute “Winemaker’s Showcase” installment. Also new this year, special guest and influential wine consultant Clark Smith will give two wine education presentations. VIP tickets are $70, get you in an hour early, tastes of reserve wines, and a special presentation from the Co-op. Regular admission is $39, $10 for children. Food and music will round out the afternoon. Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery, 600 South Railroad Avenue, Rio Grande; 609-846-7347
A Taste of Little Silver
Saturday May 18, 2–7 pm
Put on by the Little Silver Charitable Foundation, A Taste of Little Silver is returning this Saturday for its third year in a row. Kind of like a block party for the whole town, it’s taking over a section of Markham Place, with local restaurants lining the street to showcase some specially made bites for the day. There’s no admission fee, but restaurants and businesses might charge depending on what’s on offer. Alcohol, FYI, isn’t on tap for the afternoon’s festivities. Markham Place, Little Silver; 908-675-7646
The Beer BBQ Bacon Showdown
Saturday May 18, 1–5 pm
As much a New Jersey craft beer lover’s event as a food event, Saturday’s “showdown” gathers 30 Garden State breweries and an arsenal of local food and barbecue vendors on Doe Meadow Field in Lewis Morris Park. Each brewery will bring three beers, including one beer that’s either rare or brewed specifically for the day. Food vendors include places like El Lechon Negron, Bearded Pigs BBQ, Ma & Pa’s Tex Mex, and Glazed and Confused (they do doughnuts, FYI). Ticket prices don’t include the cost of food, FYI, but they do include beer samples. VIP tickets are $100 (vs. $70 for General Admission), get you in an hour early, and grant access to brewers, pitmasters, and first tastes of special suds. Lewis Morris Park, 270 Mendham Road, Morristown
Gin Cocktail Class at The Winston
Tuesday, May 21, 7:30–9 pm
The Winston’s cocktail classes tend to sell out quickly, so if you’re a gin lover, or just looking to sharpen your shaken-not-stirred skills, act soon. (If you miss this one, they tend to have a lot, updated regularly on their Instagram.) At Tuesday night’s class you will learn all about Alibi Gin and spring cocktails from none other than The Winston’s Beverage Director and Head Mixologist Hector Noel. Tickets, as long as they last, are $35 and include some light sipping and snacks. The Winston, 72 Hudson Street, Hoboken; 201-683-6188
Lunch & Learn with Wolfgang Puck’s Executive Chef at the Borgata
Saturday, May 25, 11:30 am
Aram Mardigian is the Executive Chef of Wolfgang Puck’s American Grille at the Borgata, and this Saturday he’s hosting a special three-course prix fixe lunch where he’ll share some of his own seasonal recipes with guests while you dine. The timing’s perfect if you consider Memorial Day Weekend a kick-off to summer—Mardigian’s menu includes things like Chilled White Corn Vichyssoise with Marinated Littleneck Clams and Meyer Lemon Tarts (all three courses come with wine). Tickets are $65 per person, including tax and tip. Wolfgang Puck’s American Grille, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City; 609-317-1000
Anthony Bourdain Memorial Dinner at Denim American Bistro
Tuesday June 25, 6:30pm
Details are scant so far—it’s a ways away—but keep an eye out for more specifics from Denim American Bistro on its Anthony Bourdain Memorial Dinner on June 25th (the late chef’s birthday). What we do know: the dinner will be five courses with all recipes taken from Bourdain’s Les Halles and Appetites cookbooks, and each course will come with a wine pairing. Tickets are $75 per person, before tax and tip. Call the restaurant for more information. Denim American Bistro, 312 Kresson Road, Cherry Hill; 856-520-8114