Event details are subject to change without notice. Please confirm directly before heading out!
THIS WEEKEND:
November 22: European Holiday Wine Dinner at Mad Batter Restaurant. This four-course dinner begins at 7:30 p.m. and costs $75 per person. The courses consist of lobster bisque, baked goat cheese with walnuts, duck leg confit and more! There will be live music from 7 p.m. to midnight with Jim Doran. 19 Jackson St., Cape May. Call 609-884-5970 for reservations. Visit http://www.madbatter.com/events.html for more information.
November 22: Semerjian Shoes and Bibi’z Restaurant / Lounge in Westwood will host a happy hour and shopping fundraiser to benefit Alpine Learning Group of Paramus, a school for learners with autism. This event will be a happy hour with nibbles beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Bibi’z, 284 Center Avenue in Westwood, followed by holiday shopping at Semerjian Shoes (credit cards welcome) located just across the street. 15% of proceeds will benefit Alpine Learning Group. Contact Jodi for more information or to RSVP: jodi@rakergoldstein.com or 201.784.1818.
November 22: ATTENTION ALL CUTTING-EDGE, EXTREME COOKS! Casting Call for SPIKE TV! Television network SPIKE will hold a casting call for Frankenfood, an upcoming series, at Chef Central, on Route 17 in Paramus, on Friday, November 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you’re interested in being cast on the show, bring at least one serving of your best extreme, innovative dish and a photo of yourself. You must also fill out an entry form before the casting call. For more details, send an email to ffood@sharpentertainment.com. Chef Central, 240 Route 17 North, Paramus.
November 22: Viva South Jersey. This gala, an evening of chance, music and food, will raise money for the Food Bank of South Jersey’s No Kid Hungry in South Jersey program, which provides food and nutrition services to needy children in elementary and middle school. It will also benefit their No Senior Hungry in South Jersey program, so that seniors no longer have to make the difficult choice between paying for medicine and paying food. This gala will take place from 6 to 11 p.m. at 1501 John Tipton Boulevard. in Pennsauken. Tickets are $150 for individuals and $250 for couples. Click here to purchase tickets.
November 22: New Jersey Craft Beer Dinner. With breweries like Carton and Kane already well-established and new ones like The Village Idiot and Spellbound soon to open, NJ beer drinkers have plenty to be excited about! High Street Grill is celebrating NJ beers on Friday, November 22 at 7 p.m. There will be a NJ Craft Beer tap takeover and four-course meal and beer pairing upstairs. Call 609- 265-9199 to book your spot today. Hosted by beer expert Gary Monterosso. 64 High Street, Mount Holly. Tickets are $50 per person.
November 22 – 24: Beaujolais Nouveau Weekend. Gather in the historic Renault Gourmet Restaurant for a wonderfully prepared three-course gourmet dinner featuring wine tastings and, of course, an exclusive tasting of the latest vintage of Beaujolais Nouveau. $32 per person. Spending the night? Renault is offering one night hotel packages starting at $209 (plus tax). To reserve your place in history at the Beaujolais Nouveau Weekend at Renault Winery Resort & Golf 72 Bremen Ave., Egg Harbor City, call 609-965-2111. Visit www.RenaultWinery.com for more information.
November 23: Westfield will be holding a special pre-Thanksgiving farmers market this Saturday, from 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the South Avenue train station (located at the corner of South and Summit Avenues). The farmers market will sell New Jersey produce, as well as baked goods, eggs and butter.
AND BEYOND:
November 26: Chakra Five-Course Wine Dinner featuring special guest speaker Sara Maule. This event begins at 6:30 p.m. and costs $78 per person. Call 201.556.1530 for Reservations. There is limited seating. W. 144 Route 4, Paramus, NJ 07652. www.chakrarestaurant.com.
November 28: Celebrate Thanksgiving at Little Town Hoboken, where you can enjoy a festive three-course, prix-fixe dinner. Enjoy locally sourced farm-fresh turkey, hearty stuffing, house-made gravy, pumpkin pie and more favorites prepared by Executive Chef Jordan Andino. Little Town also offers a full holiday catering menu for you to enjoy at home. 310 Sinatra Drive, Hoboken, 201-706-7070. Visit Little Town’s website for details or to make reservations.
November 29 – December 1: Holiday Wine Trail Weekend. Kick off the holiday season by getting outdoors and visiting a winery here in New Jersey, and finding that special gift for someone on your list, as part of the Holiday Wine Trail Weekend Nov. 29 – December 1 at participating wineries throughout the state. These wine trails offer guests the opportunity to plan special day trips to New Jersey’s wineries. Create your own NJ Wine Trail! Start and finish wherever you’d like, and visit the wineries in the order that you choose! Please check to make sure each winery you plan to visit is participating before you start. For a complete list of participating locations, visit newjerseywinetrails.com.
November 30: Holiday Feast and Pig Roast. On the weekend after Thanksgiving, Geraghty’s Pub and Restaurant is throwing the party! They will be pouring all your favorite winter beers and big beers to keep you warm as winter approaches. They’ll also be roasting a whole pig for a celebratory feast! 148 West Broad Street, Burlington, 609-386-1121, geraghtyspub.com.
November 30: Sparkling Wine Open House. No beverage says “celebration” quite like sparkling wine. Passion Vine Wine Company’s Sparkling Wine Open House on Saturday, November 30 will help you find the ideal bottle of bubbly, whether you’re searching for the perfect sparkler to complete your holiday meal or looking to secure something special to ring in the new year. As a guest, you will have the opportunity to sample a broad selection of sparkling wines and Champagnes, from every day treats to high-end treasures. You are welcome to visit and taste any time between 2 and 4 p.m. for this casual open house event, and a tasting tour will be offered to the first 50 guests. Limited seating available and prepayment for this event is required. Call 888-601-VINE (8463) to reserve your seat or book online.
December 3: Unleash your wild side in this game tasting event on Tuesday, December 3, from 6:30 – 9 p.m. at newly opened Terre à Terre (www.terreaterre.biz) in Carlstadt. With a menu focused exclusively on locally grown and sustainable foods, Chef Todd Villani will prepare a multicourse wild game tasting, featuring local bison, duck, lamb and venison. For more information, pricing, and reservations, call 201-507-0500 or visit http://terreaterre.biz/events/
December 7 – 8: Crystal Springs Resort is hosting a Champagne Weekend with a Vintage Champagne Dinner on December 7, featuring guest Sommelier Laura Maniec. Dinner is $325 (excluding tax and gratuity). On December 8, there will be a Champagne tasting seminar from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $40. Menu and details can be found on their website, and reservations can be made by calling 973-827-5996 extension 3. Crystal Springs Resort, 1 Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg.
December 12: Celebrate the birthday of music legend Frank Sinatra on Thursday, December 12 at Little Town Hoboken with hits by tribute singer and swing band vocalist Eric DeLauro. This one-of-a-kind Jersey style bash celebrates the birth of Sinatra with live music, delicious food and cocktails.
February 15: The Big Beer Brew Festival is returning to the Morristown Armory and will feature more than 250 craft beer tastings. VIP ticket holders will enjoy another 25 special and rare beers, an extra hour of tasting per session and a gourmet buffet presented by Morris Tap and Grill of Randolph with menu designed by Food Network Chopped Champion (and Morris Tap & Grill Chef and partner) Chef Eric LeVine. The first session begins at 1 p.m. and the second begins at 7 p.m. Click here to purchase tickets. For a list of participating breweries, click here. Morristown Armory, 430 Western Ave., Morristown. Go to bigbeerbrewfestival.com or Facebook for updates.
