13 September 2015 Fall Happenings at Crystal Springs Resort

Fall Happenings at Crystal Springs Resort

September 13, 2015 By

9/26 Malus Domestica Dinner

Chef's Garden

Chef’s Garden

On Saturday September 26, Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg will celebrates Malus Domestica, the orchard apple, in all its forms from cider to spirits to use as an ingredient in savory dishes. Guests will explore the differences between varieties of apples and their unique flavors during a reception featuring local ciders and cocktails. Then they will enjoy a four-course dinner from Executive Chef Anthony Bucco paired with ciders and cocktails in the outdoor Chef’s Garden. Guests will receive a take away package of cider donuts after the event. Crystal Springs Resort Mixologist Stephen Thomas will lead the discussion and serve three signature cocktails including The Malus with Warwick Applejack, American Spirits Barrel Aged Liqueur, fresh apple and Doc’s Hard Apple Cider; Applejack Rose with Black Dirt Distillery Applejack, housemade pomegranate syrup and pomegranate bitters; and A Stroll Through the Orchard with Calvados, fresh cider and honey crisp apple.

Malus Cocktail. Photo by Michael Tulipan

Malus Cocktail. Photo by Michael Tulipan

Chef Bucco will showcase the versatility of different varieties of apples with a four-course menu of Ginger Gold Apple & Quinoa with parsnip and sage, Tuna with Cameo apple, argan oil and cilantro, Duck Liver with Cortland apple, peanuts and caramel, and Pork Shoulder with Macoun apple and squash. The reception will start at 6pm in the Chef’s Garden, the resort’s seasonal wood-fired restaurant set in a lush organic garden, followed by dinner at 6:45pm. The reception and dinner with all cocktails and cider pairings $55, tax and gratuity additional. Reservations can be made by calling 844-207-3203.

10/10 Karen MacNeil French Wine Dinner

On October 10, Karen MacNeil, the award-winning author of The Wine Bible, the highest selling wine book in U.S. history, will be honored at a dinner featuring French wines from Crystal Springs 135,000 bottle Wine Cellar. MacNeil will be signing copies of the second edition of The Wine Bible, which has been completely revised and updated for the new release, during a Champagne reception starting at 6pm in the Wine Cellar. Dinner in Restaurant Latour will follow at 7pm with a discussion of the wines of France. Executive Chef Anthony Bucco has created a five-course menu that will be paired with two wines per course, covering the breadth of French winemaking regions.

Amberjack Crudo – gala apples, habanero, shiso, textured barley

Sunchoke – cider vinegar, caviar

Paired with Ruinart, Blanc de Blancs, MV and Egly-Ouriet, Les Crayeres, Blanc de Noirs, MV

Stracciatella Tortellini – pastured hen egg, black trumpet mushrooms

Paired with Darviot-Perrin, Chassagne-Montrachet, La Bergerie, 2007 and Jean Louis Chave, Crozes Hermitage Blanc, Sybille, 2007

Vinegar Glazed Squab & Foie Gras – wild maine blueberries, parsnips

Paired with Baron Thenard, Givry, Cellier Aux Moines, 2005 and Dominique Laurent, Bourgogne Rouge, Cuvee Numero 1, 2005

7x Ribeye Cap & Short Rib – turnips, bone marrow, bordelaise

Paired with La Lagune, Haut-Medoc, 1983 and La Parde de Haut Bailly, 2009

Beet Sponge – goat cheese panna cotta, bitter chocolate, caramel

Paired with Cypres de Climens, Barsac, 2009 and Chateau De La Peyrade, Muscat de Frontignan, Languedoc, 1994

Each guest will receive a copy of The Wine Bible. Tickets are $195 (tax and tip extra).

10/25 An Afternoon with Gaia Gaja

On October 25, Gaia Gaja, scion of the legendary Italian winemaking family, will lead a tasting of her family’s wines during a five-course lunch. A pre-eminent producer of Barbaresco and Barolo, the Gaja family has produced wines for five generations dating back to 1859. Guests will meet Gaia Gaja at a Champagne reception at 2pm in Crystal Springs’ award-winning Wine Cellar and then enjoy a five-course menu in Restaurant Latour by Executive Chef Anthony Bucco paired with Gaja wines from Piedmont and Tuscany.

Reception

Browne’s Point Oyster – osetra caviar, apple granita, tarragon

Paired with Champagne Duval-Leroy Rose MV

Lunch

Crudo of Snapper – fennel, citrus, castelvetrano olives

Paired with Gaja Ca’marcanda Vistamare 2013

Crispy Veal Sweetbreads – caviar, albacore tuna, sea beans

Paired with Gaja Rossj-bass Chardonnay 2014 or Gaja Barbaresco 2011

Pheasant Agnolotti – carrots, hazelnuts, sage

Paired with Gaja Magari 2012

Roasted Lamb – salsa verde, autumn vegetables, polenta

Paired with Gaja Ca’marcanda camarcanda 2010

Dark Chocolate Torte – rosemary, pine nuts, caramel

Paired with Gaja Brunello Rennina 2010

The menu paired with wines is $275, tax and gratuity additional. Reservations for these events can be made by calling 844-207-3203. Cheers, Veronique

Filed Under: Food & Wine Events Tagged With: , , , , ,
11 September 2015 Gary’s Grand Wine Experience

Gary’s Grand Wine Experience

September 11, 2015 By

Gary'sNew for 2015, Gary’s Wine & Marketplace is expanding its annual fall fundraiser into a three-day event dubbed – Gary’s Grand Wine Experience.

Food and wine lovers now have three opportunities to explore their passions:

  • Meet top Napa Valley Vintnersand taste rare vintages at a symposium moderated by Karen MacNeil as she kicks off her book tour for the 2nd edition of The Wine Bible.
  • Attend wine pairing dinnerswith guest vintners at NJ’s best restaurants.
  • Partake in the biggest Grand Tastingevent ever!

A bigger celebration means more chances to support the beneficiaries. Gary’s Wine & Marketplace has raised more than $700,000 over the years and expects this to be the best year ever!

THREE DAYS OF WINE, FOOD & PHILANTHROPY

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24

In-store tastings with vintners and winemakers – FREE!
12 pm to 4 pm
Gary’s Wine & Marketplace (Madison, Bernardsville, Wayne and Hillsborough, NJ)

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25

Napa Vintners Symposium and Tasting 

4 pm 
The Madison Hotel (Morristown, NJ)

Panel discussion moderated by Karen MacNeil, author of The Wine Bible: 

  • Bruce Philips of Vine Hill Ranch
  • Kathy Simpson of Barbour Vineyards
  • Miles MacDonnell of Round Pond Estate
  • Hugh Davies of J. Davies & Schramsberg
  • Lindy Novak of Spottswoode Winery
  • Mike Reynolds of Hall Wines

Wine Dinners with Napa Vintners 
7 pm

  • The Bernards Inn (Bernardsville, NJ) w/ Round Pond Estate & Barbour Vineyards
  • The Ryland Inn (Whitehouse Station, NJ) w/ Hall Wines & J. Davies Schramsberg 
  • Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen at Vail Mansion (Morristown, NJ) w/ Vine Hill Ranch & Spottswoode Winery

MONDAY, OCTOBER 26

Grand Tasting 2015 

7 pm – 9:30 pm 

Park Avenue Club (Florham Park, NJ) 

* VIP Admission at 6 pm

Gary’s biggest wine tasting event of the year! Hundreds of fine wines, stellar selection of premium spirits & craft brews, savory & sweet pairings.

2015 BENEFICIARIES 

  • Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute (Atlantic Health System)
  • Atlantic Home Care & Hospice (Morristown Medical Center)
  • Interfaith Food Pantry of Morris County
  • Morris Museum
  • Morris Arts

TICKETS & PACKAGES

Starting at $80

(Receive a copy of newly released The Wine Bible, 2nd Edition with purchase of Wine Symposium and VIP Grand Tasting tickets.)

Tickets and info: www.garyswine.com/gwx

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Food & Wine Events Tagged With: , ,
7 August 2014 Chefs & Wine Weekend for Food Bank of NJ

Chefs & Wine Weekend for Food Bank of NJ

August 7, 2014 By

FoodBank_verticallogo_FULLThe second annual New Jersey Chefs Tableside Dinner will kick-off a new weekend of wine and chef events at the Westin Governor Morris Hotel (2 Whippany Road, Morristown) to benefit the Community Food Bank of NJ. Building on the success of last year’s Tableside Dinner, the event will expand into the Westin Governor Morris Chef & Wine Weekend Sept. 12 – 13 this year and will feature the NJ Chefs Tableside dinner on Friday Sept. 12, a Champagne Lunch and 100 Point Wine Dinner on Saturday Sept. 13. Wine is provided by Allied and Kobrand, with liquor support from Cross Vodka, Brugal Rum and Highland Park whiskey. The details:

New Jersey Chefs Tableside Dinner, Friday 9/12, Cocktails 6pm, Dinner 7pm

15 acclaimed New Jersey chefs will each create a unique five-course menu with wine pairing for 10 selected guests each. Chefs and guests will be matched at random by a lottery at the beginning of the dinner. Tickets are $200 each ($110 tax deductible). Confirmed chefs include Ariane Duarte (CulinAriane), Thomas Ciszak (Chakra), Kevin Takafuji (Blue Morel), Mark Farro (Uproot), Marty Kester (Ninety Acres), John Greeley (Crystal Springs Resort), Bryan Gregg (Escape), Bill Dorrler (Osteria Morini), Craig Polignano (Ryland Inn), Paul Kapner (CFBNJ), Eric LeVine (Morris Tap & Grill), Todd Villani (Terre a Terre), Corey Heyer (The Bernards Inn) and Scott Snyder (BoulevardFive72).

Champagne Lunch, Saturday 9/13, 1pm

Chef Kevin Takafuji will serve a three-course lunch paired with a comparative Champagne tasting of Charles Heidsieck, Moet Chandon & Veuve Clicquot. Champagnes will include Charles Heidsieck Blanc Des Millenaires 1995 and La Grande Dame 1995. $89 per person (excluding tax & gratuity). Menu below.

100 Point Wine Dinner, Saturday 9/13, 7pm

An exclusive opportunity to taste wines from Bordeaux, Rhone and California rated 100 points by Robert Parker and Wine Spectator paired with a special 5-course menu created by Chef Kevin Takafuji. $590 per person (excluding tax and gratuity). The menu is below.

Tickets for these events are now on sale and can be purchased at http://www.cfbnj.org/westinchefandwine/. The Westin Governor Morris has special overnight rates for attendees of $129 (plus tax) for a guest room including breakfast for two at Blue Morel. Overnight guests are also invited to meet the chefs for cocktails and light bites at the after party post Chefs Tableside dinner on Friday. Reservations may be made by calling 973-539-7300.

Champagne Lunch (Sat. 9/13, 1pm)

Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label NV

Watermelon & Tomato Salad, housemade ricotta, hazelnuts, macerated cherries – Moet Imperial Rose and Charles Heidsieck Rose

Organic Scottish Salmon, Jersey fresh corn polenta, coriander, brown butter vinaigrette – Charles Heidsieck Blanc Des Millenaires 1995 and Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 1995

Jersey Peach Pie, tonka bean Chantilly – Veuve Clicquot Demi Sec

100 Point Wine Dinner (Sat. 9/13, 7pm)

Sunchoke and Peanut Soup, poached shrimp, basil, mint, jalapeno, bibb lettuce – M. Chapoutier Ermitage, Blanc de l’Oree, Rhone, France 2010

Smoked Duck Breast, tasso ham, broccoli rabe, anise lacquer – Cos d’Estournel, St. Estephe, Bordeaux, France 2009

Coffee Roasted Lamb Rack, chickpea panisse, romesco – Ducru-Beaucaillou, St. Julien, Bordeaux, France 2009

Grilled Painted Hills Beef Ribeye, burnt tomato grits, crispy brussels sprouts – Dominus Estate, Napa Valley, California 2010

Toasted Almond “Crème Brulee” Panna Cotta, candied ginger, pineapple – Chateau Rieussec, Sauternes, France 2001

Tickets for these events are now on sale and can be purchased at http://www.cfbnj.org/westinchefandwine/.

It should be an amazing event with fabulous food and wines.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Food & Wine Events Tagged With: , ,
20 March 2014 Celebrity Chefs Announced for New Jersey Wine & Food Festival

Celebrity Chefs Announced for New Jersey Wine & Food Festival

March 20, 2014 By
Grand Tasting - Photo by Crystal Springs

Grand Tasting – Photo by Crystal Springs

A lineup of all-star chefs, including Guest of Honor Chef David Bouley (Bouley & Brushstroke, NYC), Michael Solomonov (Zahav, Philadelphia), Shirley Chung (Finalist Top Chef Season 11), Galen Zamarra (mas & mas la grillade, NYC), Ghaya Oliveira (Executive Pastry Chef, Daniel, NYC), Saul Bolton (Saul Restaurant, NYC), George Mendes (Aldea, NYC), David Santos (Louro, NYC) will be among the chefs cooking at the New Jersey Wine & Food Festival at Crystal Springs March 28 – March 30.

 

Saturday March 29 Featured Events (Complete list at www.thecrystalspringsresort.com)

The Battle of NJ Sous Chefs: NJ Sous Chefs from Chakra, Pig & Prince, Morris Tap & Grill, Giovanni’s Bistro and Restaurant Latour will battle it out in a Top Chef-like challenge. Guests will sample their dishes paired with wines. Panel of judges led by Chef David Bouley will name the winner. ($45)

Local Craft Cocktails: Mixologist Christopher James of The Ryland Inn will showcase some of the Northeast’s best small batch spirits such as NJ’s Laird’s Apple Jack, Brooklyn Gin, Bootlegger Vodka and Widow Jane Bourbon (NY) in creative cocktails. ($40)

The Art of Blending Bourbon: Distiller Wes Henderson will lead a tasting where attendees will make their own Angel’s Envy bourbon blend. ($40)

Bubble-Q: In the spirit of spring, James Beard Award-winning Sommelier Belinda Chang will lead a seminar pairing Ruinart and Veuve Clicquot Champagnes with barbecue. ($45)

Photo by Geoff Mottram

Photo by Geoff Mottram

The Grand Tasting: 30 restaurants and over 100 wines! New Jersey’s culinary stars with participating restaurants including Ninety Acres at Natirar, Restaurant Latour, Maritime Parc, CulinAriane, The Frog and The Peach, The Orange Squirrel, Boulevard Five 72, Agricola, Blue Morel, The Bernards Inn, Fascino, Escape, The Strip House, Axia Taverna, Ho Ho Kus Inn & Tavern, Pig & Prince and more. Wineries and Champagne houses participating in the Festival include Krug, Ornellaia, Stag’s Leap, Dom Perignon, Caymus, Belle Glos, Penfolds, Bruno Giacosa, Taken Wine Company and more. ($125/$250 VIP)

Sunday March 30

11am – 2pm     Champagne Brunch A lavish, decadent brunch buffet accompanied by Ruinart Champagnes ($60).

Additional details can be found at www.thecrystalspringsresort.com.   

Filed Under: Food & Wine Events Tagged With: , ,