If you’re a frequent visitor to Jersey Bites, you’re probably familiar with Jersey Fresh. If you’re new to the term, here’s a quick 101:Jersey Fresh began in 1984 as a government-sponsored radio ad campaign informing consumers about the availability and variety of fruits and vegetables throughout the Garden State. Over the years, it has evolved into one of the premier state-grown agricultural marketing programs.
We’ve got a partnership with the brand, exploring a variety of all things Jersey Fresh in our #JerseyFreshFriday posts, from CSA (community supported agriculture) initiatives, to recipes, farms, fisheries and much more. The following restaurants are active members of the local food sourcing community, and their upcoming events encapsulate what it means to be Jersey Fresh.
Terre à Terre
Located in Carlstadt, Terre à Terre offers a sustainable way to dine. Featuring fresh, locally grown produce and meat, owner and chef Todd Villani offers diners with a true farm-to-table experience. Next month, Villani will show off his culinary skills at Garden State Bounty, a special five-course dinner featuring local, farm-fresh foods, held at the James Beard House in Manhattan.
Heirloom tomato gazpacho, fresh lamb caramelized in a leek & bacon gratin, and juniper-cured duck prosciutto are just some of the delectable options that will be available at this unique dining experience. A showcase of some of the best produce and fresh food of the summer that New Jersey has to offer, tickets cost $170 each, and they can be purchased here.
New Brunswick’s The Frog and The Peach is another restaurant that embraces what it means to be Jersey Fresh. This summer, the restaurant gives a grand stage to one of the state’s tastiest fruits: the peach. The Festival of Peaches tasting menu is now in effect, and runs through mid-September. The Frog and the Peach ensures that every peach is locally grown.
For just $64, you can treat yourself to a variety of peach-infused dishes like duck carpaccio and braised suckling pig. The dessert menu has the potential to be the highlight of the meal, though, with poached peaches and cinnamon peach empanadas providing a perfect ending to a great dinner. Wine pairings are also available, at an additional cost. To book a reservation, click here.
Sparky
A one-night-only pop-up dinner event, Sparky will be hosted at Ristorante Giorgia in Rumson on Tuesday, September 15. The ten-course menu will be seafood-focused, showcasing seasonal produce and game from across the Garden State. All ingredients will be sourced from local farms or day boats. Dinner is $95 a person, and tickets can be purchased at the bottom of Sparky’s webpage.
According to Jordan Anderson, founder and head chef of the project, the experience will feature “casual fine dining with sophisticated service, but playful and ambitious food.” Jordan also told us the menu is supposed to be a surprise, but was able to share that each course “highlights an ingredient that represents something about New Jersey.”
Terre à Terre
312 Hackensack Street
Carlstadt
201-507-0500
The Frog and The Peach
29 Dennis Street
New Brunswick
732-846-3216
Sparky
102 Avenue of Two Rivers
Rumson
