28 May 2017 Happy National Burger Day

Happy National Burger Day

May 28, 2017 By

Now & Tater Burger

Today’s National Burger Day, thus one of my favorite food-dedicated days of the year! While I’m typically a fan of ‘normal’ burgers, I couldn’t allow this day to go by without showing you what CALLAHAN’S Hot Dogs in Norwood, NJ is doing – wild, right? The Owner Daniel DeMiglio says the popular restaurant’s motto is So Big, So Good and after seeing these photos and sampling the Stuffed Truffle Gouda Mac N’ Cheese Burger, I buy into that concept!

Now & Tater Burger – House made tater tot bun – caramelized onion, queso dip, bacon, smoked whiskey ketchup, lettuce, tomato and pickle

 

Stuffed Burger

Stuffed Truffle Gouda Mac N’ Cheese Burger – smoked Gouda mac n’ cheese, white truffle oil, bacon, & two fresh Angus chuck burger patties

So Big Signature “BBQ Burger (see headline photo) – Angus beef, onion ring, caramelized onions with bacon, house made cheddar cheese and BBQ sauce

Callahan’s Hot Dogs: 10 Broad St. Norwood / (844) 468-3641.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Food & Wine Events, Other Neat Things, Restaurant News Tagged With: , , ,

Tito’s Handmade Vodka to Give Back During New Jersey Pride

May 22, 2017 By

Image may contain: plantI love Tito’s and its branding efforts. Very worthy cause/event – hope you can all join!

WHO: Tito’s Handmade Vodka +  Garden State Equality (GSE), New Jersey’s largest advocacy and education organization for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.

WHAT: As part of New Jersey Pride, Tito’s will host a pre and post parade party at Johnny Mac’s on Sunday, June 4. For every Tito’s cocktail purchased throughout the day,  $1, up to $5,000, will be donated to GSE. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for the Love is Love float in the parade.

WHEN:  Sunday, June 4

  • 10A.M. – 3PM: Pre-Party featuring $3 Bloody Mary’s & free omelets for Parade Volunteers

*$1 of every bloody mary purchased will be donated to GSE

  • 12 P.M – 2PM.: Parade

  • 7 P.M.: Post-party celebration with live music by The Nerds for parade-goers

*$1 of every cocktail purchased will be donated to GSE

WHERE: Johnny Mac

208 Main St.,  Asbury Park, NJ 07712

WHY: To encourage our fans to spread the love within our local communities.

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20 May 2017 Tailgating Party by Denville Meat Shop

Tailgating Party by Denville Meat Shop

May 20, 2017 By

I’ve written about Denville Meat Shop (see past post here) in the past and how amazing it is on all levels: to-go foods, meats, service, classes, etc….the past weekend, I was privy to its delicious, meaty catering via a tailgate party at MetLife Stadium.

The private tailgate party served about 15 of us with lots of leftovers. Denville Meat Shop owner, Jeff Orel, personally manned the grill, which was a treat, and served a variety of meats: ribs, brisket, steak, pulled pork, sausages, hot dogs and burgers. There was also potato salad and coleslaw. Note that the package of store-bought cookies and the bags of burger and hot dog buns in the photos were brought by me and NOT short cuts by Orel.

Not sure how this was possible, but the brisket was perfectly tender and juicy, not an easy thing to do via catering. The ribs were meaty and flavorful; the burger meat with bacon-packed; the hot dogs snappy and some of the best I’ve had; the steak was expertly-grilled and med-rare; the pulled pork was juicy with great porky flavors.

Denville Meat Shop offers tailgating packages, so don’t feel like this amazing lineup can’t happen to you too! Orel also offers a variety of catering options and even ‘rents’ himself out as a chef for private events – he was, after all, an executive chef before opening the shop.

Just a great experience with some amazing foods that my group is still talking about!

Denville Meat Shop – 28 Diamond Spring Rd, Denville, New Jersey 07866.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Culinary Travel Tales, Food & Wine Events, Other Neat Things, Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
16 May 2017 2017 NJ Beer & Food Festival 6/16 – 6/18

2017 NJ Beer & Food Festival 6/16 – 6/18

May 16, 2017 By

Photo by Crystal Springs Resort

Now in its 9th year, the New Jersey Beer & Food Festival will once again take place at Crystal Springs Resort from June 16 – 18. Crystal Springs’ annual celebration of all things beer happens over Father’s Day Weekend with a Chefs & Brews Dinner, beer tasting featuring over 150 beers, a golf tournament and the Brews Brunch in the Chef’s Garden. Here are the details:

Friday 6/16

Chefs and Brews Dinner at 7pm featuring beer pairings from Jersey Girl Brewing Co., a local craft brewer from Mount Olive, NJ that launched in 2014. Executive Chef Anthony Bucco’s four-course menu features Mangalitsa Charcuterie with whisky soaked cherries, stout mustard and artisan breads; Berkshire Pork Belly with olives, pistachios and avocado; and Porcelet Porchetta with Pine Island potatoes, dandelion and romesco. For dessert, NJ Strawberries hit the sweet spot with lavender, shortbread and whipped yogurt. Dinner starts with a reception of passed canapés and beer cocktails. Tickets are $125.

Saturday 6/17

Brews & Birdies Tourney will be at 9am on the resort’s award-winning Wild Turkey course. The tournament will feature 18 holes of golf with stops for craft beer tastings on 4 different holes. Tickets are $195 and include admission to the Beer Festival tent. Registration for the golf tournament can be made at GolfGenius.com.

Saturday’s showcase event is the Beer Festival, will take place under a soaring tent where beer aficionados can sample over 150 beers, including many craft brews. Crystal Springs’ culinary team will grill delicious Berkshire pork, grass-fed beef, lamb, free range chickens, rabbit and more over open fire pits. Popular cover band Lima Bean Riot is a perennial favorite returning to rock the house with everyone’s favorite hits. Tickets are $75 for 3pm admission ($100 for VIP; early 2pm entry); $35 for designated drivers.

Sunday 6/18

Brews Brunch will be in the Chef’s Garden, a unique “garden-to-table” al fresco dining experience. Guests will enjoy family style dishes like Wood-Fired Mushroom Frittata, Jerk Goffle Road Chicken, Smoked Berkshire Pork Shoulder, 7X Beef & Mangalitsa Sliders and more with growlers of beer. The full menu can be found here. There will be two seatings at 10am and 12:30pm. Brunch is $39 plus tax & gratuity ($19 for kids 4-12, free for 3 and under).

Tickets for Beer Festival events are available at http://www.crystalgolfresort.com/dine/beer-fest

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Food & Wine Events Tagged With: , , , ,
27 April 2017 Todd Villani Featured Chef at Viaggio

Todd Villani Featured Chef at Viaggio

April 27, 2017 By

Fans of Chef Todd Villani who are still withdrawing from Terre à Terre closing last May (some of you may remember my rant) should rejoice! Chef Robbie Felice (get to know this talented young chef) of the very popular Viaggio in Wayne, NJ has invited Chef Villani in his Viaggio kitchen to serve up a six-course meal on Sunday June 4.

This is the proposed menu:

Guests will arrive at 5:30PM and will be greeted to a collaborated amuse-bouche followed by dinner at 6PM.

Seats are $75 per diner and available on a first come first serve basis. Costs of the dinner must be paid at reservation time.

Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.toasttab.com/viaggio-ristorante/menu  Simply select the 6/4 at 5:30PM dinner.

Instructions for purchasing tickets
1. Schedule order for 06/04/17 @ 5:30pm
2. Add desired quantity of “Guest Chef Dinner”
3. Follow prompts to check out

Viaggio is a BYO.

ADDRESS: 1055 Hamburg Turnpike Wayne, NJ 07470.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Food & Wine Events Tagged With: , , ,
25 April 2017 Boedecker Cellars Wine Dinner at Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas

Boedecker Cellars Wine Dinner at Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas

April 25, 2017 By

Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas, specializing in small plates that put modern twists on Italian classics and world class wines, invites guests to enjoy its Boedecker Cellars Wine Dinner at its location in the Clifton Commons on Thursday, May 4 at 7:00pm.

Special guest Stewart Boedecker, creator and owner of Boedecker Cellars – founded in 2003 by husband and wife team, Stewart and Athena Boedecker, and located in the heart of Willamette Valley in the Pacific Northwest– will provide tasting notes as guests sample their way through a five-course tapas-style tasting menu, developed to complement each wine selection. Boedecker Cellars crafts wines focused on quality, finesse and locality, and loves Pinot Noir, recognizing and appreciating different aspects that make these wines very elegant.

The full menu includes:

Fig & Burrata – Speck, basil, chili oil, balsamic glaze. Paired with a Boedecker Cellars Pinot Blanc 2013.

Seared Mackerel – Escarole, vine-ripe tomato, saffron broth. Paired with a Boedecker Cellars Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2014.

Gorgonzola Risotto – Braised lamb, Pinot Noir braising liquid. Paired with a Boedecker Cellars Stewart Pinot Noir 2013.

Pork Chop – Sweet potato puree, Boedecker reduction, fried leeks. Paired with a Boedecker Cellars Athena Pinot Noir 2013.

Chocolate Tart – Grand Marnier, strawberries, raspberry sauce. Paired with a Boedecker Cellars Cherry Grove Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012.

Tickets for the Boedecker Cellars Wine Dinner are $79 per person and can be purchased online by visiting http://spuntinowinebar.com/boedecker-wine-dinner-clifton.

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15 April 2017 Vegas Uncork’d – April 27 Through 30

Vegas Uncork’d – April 27 Through 30

April 15, 2017 By

Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit is the premier culinary and wine event in Las Vegas with a culinary lineup that is unparalleled in scale.

The Cosmopolitan, Caesars Palace, The Venetian, The Cromwell and MGM Resorts International roll out the red carpet for food devotees with exclusive dinners, the must-attend Grand Tasting and chances to meet some of the culinary industry’s biggest names from April 27 through 30. Some of the chefs and culinary personalities in the lineup are Think Gordon Ramsay, Giada De Laurentiis, Bobby Flay, Nobu Matsuhisa, Scott Conant and Alain Ducasse.

Bigger and better than ever, Vegas Uncork’d features exclusive one-of-a-kind experiences over four days that embodies the spirit of Sin City and the imagination of any culinary enthusiast. It’s hard to say which event I’d most like to attend but the Lunch Like a Spaniard with Chef José Andrés, the Picnic in The Park with Alain Ducasse, Charlie Palmer, Julian Serrano, Tom Colicchio, Shawn McClain, Roy Ellamar, Akira Back, and Michael Mina or the Ultimate Teppan Experience with Nobu Matsuhisa top my list!

There are a zillion Las Vegas travel deals available via Vegas.com to get you there – what are you waiting for?

Tickets to the events vary in price and can be purchased at http://www.vegasuncorked.com.

Cheers,

Veronique

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

The Halal Guys Opening in Union

April 8, 2017 By

The burgeoning nationwide brick-and-mortar expansion of New York City’s world-famous halal food cart concept continues with the opening of The Halal Guys Gyro and Chicken at 2317 US Route 22 in Union, NJ, slated for an April 22, 2017 debut.

The Halal Guys will be a highly-anticipated neighborhood destination serving the same delicious halal food that first gained acclaim at the corner of West 53rd Street and Sixth Avenue, more than 25 years ago. The finest quality Chicken, Beef Gyro or Falafel sandwiches and platters, or Chicken over Rice, all complemented by The Halal Guys’ renowned White or explosive Hot Sauces, will quickly become a neighborhood staple. All ingredients are fresh, never frozen, including high quality, responsibly sourced halal meats; marinated and seasoned overnight, they are cooked on the sizzling grill right in front of guests’ eager eyes. Sides include house-made hummus, baba ganouj, tahini, falafel or fries; flaky baklava provides a sweet ending to any meal.

Located conveniently on Route 22, minutes from Union County retail centers, Kean and Seton Hall Universities and more, The Halal Guys in Union promises to be as immensely popular among families, students and business people as the team’s recent East Brunswick, NJ opening, delighting each and every one with unparalleled hospitality and mouthwatering food at great prices. Delivery and catering will also be available.

The Halal Guys Gyro and Chicken / 2317 US Rt 22, Union, NJ 07083. 908-623-3521.

Filed Under: Food & Wine Events, Restaurant News Tagged With: ,
6 April 2017 2017 New Jersey Wine & Food Festival Recap

2017 New Jersey Wine & Food Festival Recap

April 6, 2017 By

The 9th annual New Jersey Wine & Food Festival at Crystal Springs Resort that took place last week is officially over. Renowned Chef Daniel Boulud was the Guest of Honor and proceeds benefited Ment’or, a leading nonprofit organization devoted to inspiring culinary excellence in young professionals and preserving the traditions and quality of cuisine in America.

About Friday

Friday night was a food and Krug extravaganza with a cellar dinner by Chef Boulud and his team and a Top Chefs & Top Wines Dinner featuring three chefs from the season of Bravo’s Top Chef that just concluded: Katsuji Tanabe, Silvia Barban and Casey Thompson. Those three popular chefs cooked alongside uber talented Chef Martyna Krowicka of Restaurant Latour and Pastry Chef Miro Uskokovic of Gramercy Tavern. The feedback about both dinners is out of this world with people who attended raving about it.

About Saturday Afternoon

Saturday was fun-filled with various classes and demos. I attended, as a guest of the festival, the Daniel Boulud Foie Gras Challenge where five NJ chefs competes to produce a foie gras dish worthy of Chef Boulud’s approval. The aromas that greeted me as I entered the room were intoxicating and five busy chefs and their teams were busy concocting praise-worthy dishes for judge, Chef Boulud.

After walking around for a few minutes to take in the sights of each participant’s table, I was approached by festival organizers along with Chef Boulud himself to co-judge the event. What? Me? Chef Boulud himself actually asked me – what a thrill! I joined Chef Boulud and a volunteer judge, Meghan Walker, at the judges table to sample dishes from five talented chefs: Ehnren Ryan of Common Lot, Francesco Palmieri of Calandra’s Il Vecchio Café, David Viana of Heirloom Kitchen, Mike Carrino of Pig & Prince and Matt Laurich and the kitchen staff at Crystal Springs.

While all the dishes were creative and delicious, there could only be one winner: Mike Carrino of Pig and Prince with his take on a French traditional foie presentation and a pour of 1941 Courvoisier. 

About Saturday Night

I’ve always been very vocal about what an amazing festival this is and beyond what others in the area can produce. One of the reasons I feel that way if the Grand Tasting on Saturday night.

Some of my favorite bites of the evening (I liked MANY others and didn’t visit all the tables):

Porcelet Head Taco – Felton

David Felton – Natirar/Ninety Acres: Porcelet Head & Shoulder Taco.

Greg Vassos – Brick Farm Tavern: Beef Tartare.

Chris Siversen – Maritime Parc: Octopus a la Plancha.

Phil Deffina – Char Steakhouse: Prime Dry-Aged Strip Steak.

JR Belt – Stage Left: Pork Belly Terrine.

David Viana – Heirloom Kitchen: Octopus Bolognese with Masa Harina.

Josh Bernstein – Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas: Pasta with Preserved Lemon, Fennel and Shrimp.

Rob Ubhaus – Redux: Venison Carpaccio with Shaved Foie Gras.

Leia Gaccione – South + Pine: Burrata with Roasted Baby Carrots, Sunflower Sprouts and black pepper+cardamom vin.

About Sunday

This was the first time I attended the famous Champagne Brunch as part of the festival. Wow, just wow. Chef Anthony Bucco and his talented team pulled no punches with this spread. As soon as we sat down, we were greeted by the always-lovely Sommelier, Susanne Lerescu with a choice of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label or Ruinart Blanc de Blanc Champagne. Ruinart it was for me and my guest. The room, which held the Grand Tasting the evening before, was completely transformed into a beautiful room with various buffet stations and brunch drinks bar. A lot of hard work went into transforming that room from what it was the previous night. While the options were plentiful, we enjoyed the raw/seafood station, the wild mushroom eggs, the breakfast sandwich station and the carving station. The R&B singer was outstanding and entertaining, nice choice.   

I know I’ve written about this in all my yearly recaps of this Crystal Springs event but it’s a must-attend for any wine and food aficionado in the NJ/NY area. Nobody does it better in a more gorgeous setting.

To stay abreast of events at Crystal Springs Resort, sign up for its newsletter or like its Facebook page.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Food & Wine Events Tagged With: , , ,
4 April 2017 Taste of Roma Limited Time Menu at Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas

Taste of Roma Limited Time Menu at Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas

April 4, 2017 By

Espresso Tiramisu Trifle

Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas, known for its small plates with modern twists to Italian classics and fine wines from around the world, will be offering a special Taste of Roma menu at its locations in the Clifton Commons in Clifton, NJ and The Gallery at Westbury Plaza in Garden City, NY from April 3 – 16.

The five-course Taste of Roma menu includes:

  • Zucchini Flowers – Ricotta cheese, tomato jam. Paired with a 2015 Fontana Candida Frascati.
  • Carciofo alla Roma – Artichoke hearts, garlic butter, Pecorino Romano. Paired with a 2011 Falesco Ferentano Roscetto.
  • Bucatini Amatriciana – Pancetta, spicy tomato sauce. Paired with a 2015 Poggio Ai Lupi Sangiovese.
  • Braised Oxtail – Chianti-braised oxtail, tomatoes, Asiago polenta. Paired with a 2012 Di Majo Norante “Ramitello’ Montepulciano Blend.
  • Expresso Tiramisu Trifle– Amaretto mascarpone, hazelnut cake, bittersweet chocolate. Paired with a 2015 Ca’Bianca Moscato.

The tasting menu is available for $45 per person, or $70 including wine pairings. Menu items are also available a la carte. For more information or to make reservations, visit www.SpuntinoWineBar.com.

Cheers,

Veronique

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