Start your year on a food-focused high note with New Jersey markets, wine pairings, free coffee and more this January. Check back for more food- and drink-related events as 2022 gets into full swing.
Ramsey Farmers’ Market • Ramsey
Sundays, 10 am-1 pm
Every Sunday through April, Ramsey is hosting a farmers market with an abundance of vendors, including Doc Pickle (fresh pickles and olives), Triboro Vegan (including the popular vegan lobster roll), Stella’s Empanadas and more. Open rain, snow or shine every week, the market is located at the Main Street train station.
2 W. Main Street (Ramsey Train Station), Ramsey; 201-675-6866
Free Coffee, PJ’s Coffee • Fairfield
January 6, 5-7 pm
To celebrate its grand opening, PJ’s Coffee is offering free original cold brew and freshly brewed drip coffee to customers while supplies last. The ribbon-cutting is taking place at 5:30 pm; the celebration includes pastry samples, T-shirts, raffles and more.
437 US Route 46 West, Fairfield; 862-210-8083
Beef and Bourbon Dinners by David Burke • Multiple Locations
January 13, 7 pm
Chef David Burke is hosting a three-course dinner to benefit people impacted by the Western Kentucky tornado that hit the state in early December. The Kentucky-themed dinner will serve bourbon from Woodford Reserve Distillery and Bluegrass F1 Wagyu beef. The event is slated to take place at all nine of Burke’s restaurants, including the five located in New Jersey: 1776 (Morristown), Orchard Park (East Brunswick), Red Horse (Rumson), Son Cubano (West New York) and Ventanas (Fort Lee). Tickets are $150pp and one-third of each ticket will go to the Team Western Kentucky Relief Fund.
Armenian Wine Pairing Dinner, Mado Restaurant • River Edge
January 18, 6-9 pm
A sommelier from Sarafian Vineyards will guide dinner guests through wines made from the Sereni grape. Each course will be paired with a different wine, with Armenian dishes such as labne (thick yogurt with walnuts, mint, garlic), chicken and lamb shish kebab, branzino and more. $75pp.
570 Kinderkamack Road, River Edge; 201-265-3629
Wine Dinner, Bistro D’Azur • South Orange
January 20, 7 pm
Join Bistro in celebrating the Piemonte Region of Italy with a special wine dinner. The meal will include four courses, with wines available for purchase by the bottle. The courses include bacalao and potato cake, taglierini, braised beef rib, and a dessert trio of chocolate hazelnut torte, robbiolo cheese and raspberry sauce. Book your reservation online.
14 Academy Street, South Orange; 973-327-9725
Dine2Donate, Smoke Shack BBQ & Burgers • West Milford
January 20, 11 am-8 pm
A percentage of January 20 sales will go directly to Tri-Boro Tots, an organization that supports parents of small children in Northern New Jersey. Whether dining in or taking out, be sure to mention the fundraiser for a portion of your meal to go to Tri-Boro Tots. Smoke Shack’s menu includes burgers and hot dogs, as well as BBQ favorites such as pulled pork and chicken, cornbread, coleslaw and more.
126 Airport Road, West Milford; 973-506-6769
Gourmet Italian Wine Pairing Dinner, La Mer Beach Resort • Cape May
January 21, 6 pm
A four-course menu will be curated by the Pier House chef at this beach resort. Each dish will be paired with an Italian wine to enhance its flavor. The courses include brown butter gnocchi, veal osso buco, blistered radicchio salad and dessert of panna cotta with orange-infused vanilla custard. $85pp, reservations required.
1317 Beachfront Avenue, Cape May; 609-884-9000
Makers Mark Pairing Dinner, Scarborough Fair Restaurant • Sea Girt
January 23, 4-7 pm
Enjoy a night of good food and bourbon at Scarborough Fair. The four-course meal includes a cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres, raffles and more. Each dish will be paired with a different Makers Mark bourbon. $110pp.
1414 Meetinghouse Road, Sea Girt; 732-223-6658
Gluten Free Donuts, Alfalfa • Hoboken
Starting January 24
From a donut stand to a brick-and mortar-eatery, Alfalfa has become a local staple for treats, wraps, salads and more. The spot recently announced all donuts will now be gluten-free. There will be seven new types, baked in-store every day, including blood orange, lemon thyme, mascarpone and chocolate sprinkles.
1110 Washington Street, Hoboken; 201-790-0491
Wine Tasting with Yves Cuilleron, Stage Left Steak • New Brunswick
January 26, 6:30 pm
This famous French winemaker from the northern Rhône is making his way to New Brunswick for a special night. Stage Left Steak, which has carried Cuilleron’s wines for nearly 25 years, will offer a sit-down tasting for $29. Tables will be socially distanced, and Cuilleron will discuss the wines’ seminar style, with a Q&A afterward. The night will include seven wines, red and white. Email [email protected] or call.
5 Livingston Avenue, North Brunswick; 732-828-4444
Chinese New Year Menu, Zhen Bang Noodle & Sushi (Ocean Casino Resort) • Atlantic City
January 28-February 15
To celebrate the Year of the Tiger, this noodle- and sushi-inspired restaurant will prepare a special menu. Chef Michael Leung will feature traditional Spring Festival dishes, including Golden Buddha’s Delight Roll (water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, mushrooms), Twin Crispy Squab, “Fierce as the Dragon and Tiger” Lobster (with glass noodles and minced pork), Poon Choi (prawns, roasted pork, chicken, sea moss) and more. Menu available until mid-February.
500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City; 609-783-8000
Black Wine Tasting, Above Art Studios • New Brunswick
January 29, 9 pm
Discover new spirits owned and crafted by people of color. Above Art Studios is hosting the event with a minimum of five wines to taste. Doors open at 8:30 pm and the event starts at 9 pm. Food will also be served. $30pp.
55 Morris Street, New Brunswick; 732-993-8096
Reggae Night, Bourré • Atlantic City
January 29
Reggae rock singer Kyle Smith, coming from California, will perform on the Bourré stage. His acoustic set will begin at 7 pm; tickets are $13 in advance, $17 at the door. During the performance, guests can enjoy Cajun delicacies from the kitchen, including fried green tomatoes, beef brisket, gator bites, wings, burgers and drink specials.
201 S New York Avenue, Atlantic City; 609-246-6670
Sugar Factory’s pink unicorn hot chocolate. Courtesy of Sugar Factory American Brasserie
National Hot Chocolate Day, Sugar Factory • Atlantic City
January 31
Enjoy a special hot chocolate on National Hot Chocolate Day. The Sugar Factory’s pink unicorn hot chocolate is made with white chocolate chips and pink milk. The unique drink is topped with whipped cream, colorful marshmallows and bright stars.
1000 Boardwalk Avenue (Hard Rock Hotel & Casino), Atlantic City; 609-428-7751