Festival of the Sea, Saturday, September 15th from 10am – 7pm. Presented by the Asbury Park Press is a street fair located in the heart of downtown Point Pleasant Beach, on Arnold & Bay Avenues, where visitors sample dishes by area’s finest restaurants (from clam chowder to lobster to steak); wine garden, arts & crafts, pony rides, antiques, health, business and non-profit booths, kiddie games and live entertainment.
Living Social’s Craft Beer & Food Truck Festival, Saturday, September 15th. Brooklyn, NY. I don’t normally post NY events but this one is big and for a great cause! Unlimited 5-ounce tastings of craft beer, top-notch food trucks, DJ dance party, art, games, and more—all at Skylight One Hanson. A portion of all proceeds will go to benefit Move For Hunger. There are two sessions: 12-4pm & 6-10pm. Click here for all the great details.
Sickles on the Road: Discover the Best of Edible Princeton, Saturday, September 15th from 9am-6pm. Spoil yourself this fall and join Sickles On The Road for a day of culinary discovery in Princeton! Hosted by Kirsty Dougherty, On The Road Tour Director and Sickles’ Chef Carol Maxwell, this is an insider’s look at the burgeoning culinary scene of Princeton and a chance to try your hand at mozzarella cheese making! More info. here.
Wine Tasting Fundraiser, Saturday, September 15th from 12pm-3pm. Creative Heartwork, an organization that utilizes the power of the arts to heal children who have experienced trauma, loss, serious illness, or disabilities, will hold a fundraiser at Ninety Acres Culinary Center, 2 Main St, Peapack. The event will include wines from Argentina, a lamb roast, lecture, and tasting of four wines followed by a walk-around wine tasting of more than 50 wines from Argentina. Casual attire. Tickets are $165. For tickets, contact [email protected] or call 973-889-0809.
Wine Tasting Fundraiser, Saturday, September 15th from 6pm-9pm. A Blueprints & Blue Jeans reception will be held at Union Vineyards, 9 Rocktown Road in Ringoes, to benefit the Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity. Along with wine and drinks, Matt’s Red Rooster Grill will be serving hors d’oeuvres and desserts. There will also be music and live and silent auctions. Tickets are $125. For more information, contact Warrie Howell at 908-704-0016, ext 14 or [email protected].
Fall Family Festival, Saturday, September 15th from 9am-4pm. JFK Blvd. & Promenade, Sea Isle City. Sand Sculpting: Demonstration & Contest, 9am to 12pm; Seaside Market & Food Court, 9am to 4pm; Children’s Activities and Live Music, 10am to 3pm.
Atlantic City Seafood Festival, Saturday & Sunday, September 15th & 16th. A two day extravaganza of fun, food and entertainment celebrating the treasures of the Atlantic Ocean while highlighting our sea side city. The festival will offer event goers the opportunity to treat their taste buds to a large variety of dishes prepared by area restaurants and culinary personalities. Click for more details.
WineFest 2012, Saturday & Sunday, September 15th & 16th from 12pm-5pm. Held at Valenzano Winery in Shamong, NJ. Sample award winning, local, wines from seven New Jersey wineries, while enjoying live entertainment. There will also be local restaurants providing food and cheese tastings, try grapes right from the vine, children’s activities, helicopter rides and much more.
Bellview Winery Harvest Party, Saturday & Sunday, September 15th & 16th from 11am-5pm. There will be wine tasting, live music, grape stomping, tie dying, and tasting different varieties of wine grapes. Light fare and sangrias by the carafe will be available to enjoy indoors or out. The winery green will also be host to local food and crafters. Click for more info.
Delicious Orchards Apple Fest, Saturday & Sunday, September 15th & 16th. Colts Neck, NJ. Applefest is fun for all ages! Some of the things pla
nned are: Live Music, Antique Car Show, Free Food Samplings, Clown Entertainment, Fun Games and more.
Champion of the Grill | BBQ & Blues Festival, Sunday, September 16th from 12pm-5pm. Sussex County Fairgrounds, Augusta. Get your ears and appetites ready for bbq tastin’ and the blues. Free admission, free parking, free tasting, and free music plus a classic car show, motorcycle show, vendors and exhibitors.
And Beyond…
Hoboken Tasting & Gala | Turn Back to the 20’s, Thursday, September 20th from 7pm-10pm. Held at the Kolo Klub. The 1920’s themed evening included delicious fare from top local restaurants, wine, champagne, cocktails, live music, dance lessons, giveaways and more.
Fall Fun | Cocktail Class, Thursday, September 20th at 7pm. Held at Stone House at Stirling Ridge, Warren. Learn how to make fun fall cocktails at this class. There will be complimentary hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are $40. RSVP at 866-683-3586 and save $5.
South Jersey Food Swap, Friday, September 21st from 7pm-9pm. Held at Bellview Winery. Swap locally produced foods with your community. All items must be homemade, homegrown or foraged. You can bring all the same item or several difference items. Click for more details.
Great Grape Harvest Celebration, Friday, September 21st. Renault Winery. Enjoy a cooking of the goose dinner. This is a multi course tasting menu featuring various wine tastings. This event is highlighted by the rare opportunity to taste the grape, the juice and the wine. For more information and to RSVP, call 609-965-2111.
SJ Oktoberfest, Friday, September 21st from 7pm-10pm. Held at Wedgwood Country Club in Turnersville. This event will feature German craft beers and wines from the region’s top beverage distributors and festive food sampling from the area’s finest restaurants, food suppliers and chefs. Look forward to great German-inspired foods and libations, Oom-Pah music, DJ party and dance songs, contests and prizes and much more.
QUE by the SEA, Friday – Sunday, September 21st – 23rd. Grant Ave, Seaside Heights. The highlight of the event, the Barbeque State Championship will exemplify good, old-fashioned American fun. This competition will feature contestants from throughout the tri-state, who provide the best overall BBQ in four categories including chicken, ribs, pork, and brisket. Large food vendors will be selling tasty barbeque specialties along Grant Avenue, artists and crafters, as well as retail vendors will contribute to the experience of the event. All day musical entertainment includes Seaside Heights’ favorites, Little Bit of Heaven and Shorty Long to name a few. Beer will be available for purchase. Click for more details.
Greek Festival, Friday – Sunday, September 2st – 23rd. St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, Toms River. There will be authentic Greek food and Greek pastries, loukoumades, Souvlakia, and Gyros. There will also be drinks, dancing by GOYANS and youth groups, music, rides and games. Click for more info.
Summit Wine & Food Festival, Friday- Sunday, September 21st – 23rd. This event features Food Network & Bravo celebrity chefs, Sommeliers, top winemakers and wineries. Enjoy chef’s demonstrations, wine expert seminars, wine tastings, food and wine dinners, mixology cocktail, spirits and beer presentations. Click for more info.
Wildwood Crest Seafarers Celebration, Saturday, September 22nd at 10am. A vibrant street festival featuring live music, family and children’s entertainment, dozens of craft vendors, food and more. Along Sunset Lake from New Jersey to Miami Aves. during the day. Cap off the day with a live concert and fireworks display at the beachfront. Click for more information.
Ultimate Tasting 2012, Saturday, September 22nd from 4pm-7pm. The Washington Township Land Trust of Morris County is hosting this event at Schooley’s Mountain Lodge in Long Valley. Proceeds from the event will benefit land conservation and historic preservation projects. There will be beer and wine tastings and food tastings from local restaurants. There will also be door prizes. Click for more info.
Festa Italiana | In-Store Event, Saturday, September 22nd from 12pm-3pm at Chef Central, Paramus. Johnny “Meatballs” DeCarlo and Megin DeCarlo of Johnny Meatballs Catering will be at Chef Central as part of the Festa Italiana. “Johnny’s Meatballs In Sunday Gravy,” will be for sale, along with other food items. There will also be a pizza, sausage, pasta, and fresh mozzarella demonstrations. All Italian products will be 20% off all day. For information call chef Central at 201-576-0100.
Oktoberfest at Crystal Springs Resort, Saturday & Sunday, September 22nd & 23rd. Vernon, NJ. This year the event with have a bigger location, more events, more bands, more food, more beer… but this is still the same Oktoberfest you’ve come to love! Click for more info.
Wine & Beer Fest at Heritage Vineyards, Saturday & Sunday, September 22nd & 23rd from 12pm-5pm. Enjoy wine tasting, beer tasting, live music, craft vendors, activities for kids special discount on Heritage wine during the event. Click for tickets and more info.
Red Bank Guinness Oyster Festival, Sunday, September 23rd from 12pm-7pm. This is a huge food and music festival. Enjoy delicious food from Red Bank’s excellent restaurants and live music from some of the shore’s best bands. Click for more info.
Locally Grown | Sunday Supper Series, Sunday, September 23rd from 4pm-7pm at the Hyatt in Morristown. Enjoy a multi-course dinner tasting celebrating Morris County chefs, farms and food innovators. There will be Grassroots Awards, a silent auction, organic wines, artisanal spirits, craft beer and live music. This event benefits Sustainable Morristown. For tickets click here.
Jersey Shore Culinary Classic, Monday, September 24th from 5pm-9pm. Held at The Mill at Spring Lake Heights. One of the shore’s largest, most widely known tasting event. Enjoy food and beverages from over 36 of the area’s finest restaurants, caterers, wineries and breweries. There will also be live entertainment. This event benefits the FoodBank of Monmouth & Ocean Counties. For tickets and more information, click here.
Jersey Harvest Dinner | Vegan Dinner, Tuesday, September 25th at 6:30pm. The American Vegan Society will host a dinner this year at Carême’s Gourmet Restaurant, the Academy of Culinary Arts, Atlantic Cape Community College, Mays Landing NJ. The public is invited to experience a meal of exceptional quality prepared and served by culinary students under the direction of their chef-educator. Tours of the ACA kitchens and Atlantic Cape’s organic greenhouse begin at 5:45 p.m. Guests are encouraged to pair dinner with their favorite bottle of wine. For tickets, click here.
The Chester Lions Oktoberfest Fundraiser, Saturday, September 29th from 12pm-8pm. Keeping with tradition, the Oktoberfest will focus on celebrating traditional music, native dress and a special Oktoberfest beer only available for a short time. There will be a nice selection of German food as well. Click here for more details.
Italian Festival, Saturday, September 29th. Enjoy the many great shops at Smithville while experiencing everything Italian.
Golden Nugget Beer Festival:
Chowderfest, Sunday, September 30th from 11am-4pm in Beach Haven, LBI. This family fun festival features live music, activities and unlimited Chowder tasting with the opportunity for each ticket holder to vote for their favorite red and white chowder. The event is nestled in Beach Haven surrounded by beautiful views of the bay and plenty of year end discounted shopping. It has become a tradition for family and friends to gather together to say good bye to summer and welcome in the fall.
A Taste of Bergen | The (201) Restaurant Week Party, Monday, October 1st from 7pm-10pm. Sample dishes from Bergen County’s top restaurants. Enjoy beer, wine and cocktails. Tickets must be purchased online in advance.
Lunch Break’s Fall Gala, Friday, October 5th from 6pm-10pm at Two River Theater in Red Bank. Enjoy wine and beer tastings, food by Red Bank Flavour, a special guest entertainer, live and silent auctions, raffles, and a presentation. Click for more info and tickets.
Robert Irvine Live, Friday, October 5th at 8pm. Red Bank, NJ. This show, with Chef Robert Irvine (Food Network’s Restaurant Impossible) is a high-energy, multimedia and multi-sensory theatrical experience. More than just a cooking demo, “Robert Irvine Live” is an interactive culinary show that provides multiple opportunities for audience participation while witnessing the challenging nature of the TV show come to life right before your eyes. Click for more details and tickets.
Italian Street Festival, Friday – Sunday, October 5th – 7th in Seaside Heights. The Italian festival features performers straight from Italy. Savor a weekend of delectable Italian specialties, arts and crafts, entertainment, and a parade that is bound to delight young and old alike. The festival begins Friday at 4:00 p.m. and continues through Sunday. The Columbus Day Parade starts at 1:00 pm Sunday on the Boulevard.
RHO Oktoberfest, Saturday, October 6th at 3pm. This is a cultural event that will be held at Rho Waterfront in Trenton celebrating the German culture with authentic German food, German beers, live entertainment, and more! Click here for more info and tickets.
Medford Oktoberfest, Saturday, October 6th from 3pm-7pm. Held at Ironstone Village. Enjoy a beer garden, food, live music, entertainment, local vendors and more.
Howell PBA Oktoberfest, Saturday, October 6th from 1pm-6pm. Support the Howell PBA with this fun event for the whole family. There will be unlimited beer and wine, all you can eat food and drink, authentic German cuisine and brews, family fun, music, raffles, prizes, kids entertainment and more.
Historic Smithville Oktoberfest, Saturday & Sunday, October 6th & 7th. There will be over 100 Juried Crafters, an International Food Court, Music, Kids Activities, non- Profit organizations and more… All of this is on top of the over 60 shops, Carousel ride, Train ride, Paddleboats, 7 eateries, and antique arcades that are already located at the Village year round.
Grape Stomping Wurst Festival, Sunday, October 7th from 12pm-5pm. Renault Winery, Egg Harbor City. This is the last chance to stomp grapes for the season. Renault chefs will also prepare German food. Fun for the whole family. Click for more info.
Food Network NYC Wine & Food Festival, Thursday – Sunday, October 11th – 14th. The sister festival to the South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE. The festival will bring together the world’s greatest chefs, winemakers, spirits producers and personalities to educate palates and entertain patrons in high style—all while helping to fight hunger. For event information, click here.
Jersey Shore Wine Weekend, Friday – Sunday, October 12th – 14th. Asbury Park, NJ. From the creators of Jersey Shore Restaurant Week comes four great events to enjoy wine and food. Learn more about the event details here.
Our Lady of the Lake Oktoberfest, Saturday, October 13th from 6pm-11pm. Verona, NJ. The Oktoberfest festivities begin with a ceremonial beer tapping, followed by German music, great food and other live entertainment. There are also raffle baskets, 50/50 tickets and the Kinderfest. For tickets and more info, click here.
Porktoberfest, Saturday & Sunday, October 13th & 14th. Philadelphia, PA. Pig out on a plethora of porcine pleasures—and toss back some tasty German beer while you’re at it—with this seasonal Adventure: entry to Porktoberfest: an Oktoberfest-themed afternoon filled with all-you-can-eat pork barbecue, live music courtesy of CTO Entertainment, games, and more.
Brielle Oktoberfest, Wednesday, October 17th from 6pm-9pm. Held at the Brielle Fire House, there will be samplings from local restaurants, seasonal beer, door prizes, music, oh and BYOB too! Click for more info.
Crystal Springs Resort is giving fall a true Deutschland welcome with the 
There is truly something remarkable about restoring turn-of-the-century buildings into twenty first century pristine locations. By pristine, I mean leaving just the right amount of age to the foundation while updating seating and architectural elements. Think exposed brick walls combined with leather lounge chairs or perhaps shiny subway tiles in conjunction with dramatically high hardwood ceilings. Sounds worthy of a visit, right? Indeed it is, as Hoboken’s newest events loft Kolo Klub is ready for your next party or just a night out. Advertised as, “A Culinary & Celebratory Destination,” this aged building turned opened loft is quite the place to be!
As one of the most important parts of hosting events is having great food, I think it’s appropriate to start there. Chef Pino did a remarkable job delivering the guests with some impressive small bites. The snack-size crab cakes were encased in a crunchy shell yet had a seasoned and light seafood filling. The lobster toast option was our favorite of the night, as the lobster meat was definitive while the bacon bits atop provided the perfect amount of crispiness. Another hit of the night was the crab with mint puree, a novel twist for the more adventuresome eater. Finally, what also caught our attention was the lamb meatball with a cool tzatziki sauce. It was decently hearty but still small enough to help us enjoy more while lingering around. Where do you think we lingered to I must ask? The cheese table, of course! After three hours of revisiting that attraction, I continued to find more to admire. The breads and crackers were full of not only variety but freshness and the cheeses: top-notch. From sharp and pungent to creamy and crumbly, they satisfied all in attendance.
We were lucky enough to be given a tour and listen to a few ideas about how to use this location. There was a smaller room, known was as the screening room, for smaller parties or as one couple did, used as a Chapel. The bar area was large enough to cater to large parties but also quaint enough not to be displaced among a more intimate gathering. Chef Pino’s attention to detail and pride in his work is quite evident so we weren’t surprised to find out he is both flexible and understanding with his customers. And even though the room is quite spacious, it can be separated and refigured to certain requests. While we were there, the arrangement of lounge “corners”, high top tables and small seating trios were just right for what was somewhat of an “extended cocktail hour” party. Fittingly, this type of party seems to be quite popular these days as we learned about current Kolo customers requesting this. Picture passed hor d’oeuvres and small plates all night, but miraculously moving from lighter to heavier options as the hours pass. Not a bad idea at all, as I think we all agree the best part of a wedding is the cocktail hour (well, aside from the dancing!)!
Known for his southwestern favors like chipotle and jalapeño, one would think celebrity chef Bobby Flay had western roots. Not so much. He was born and raised in New York City. And like most New Yorkers spent his summers on New Jersey beaches and boardwalks. “I spent my first five or six summers at the Jersey Shore,” said the 47-year-old Flay, who noted his mother lives in Spring Lake. “I’ve always had a connection with Jersey.”
“Hence, I’ve been a burger guy,” he said, noting after working in the kitchen all night long, he would go out for a burger, his favorite go-to food. “It’s always been my go-to comfort food. I was always interested in one day opening my own burger place, that’s how Bobby’s Burger Palace was born.”
The Napa Valley turkey burger I had, which had a generous glob of goat cheese was good and moist when it came, but since it was a press event, I didn’t get to eat it in its ideal state when it came fresh off the grill because I was so busy taking photos and talking to folks!
My only two tiny complaints would be the Meyer lemon sauce that came with the burger was disappointing because the Dijon flavor overpowered the lemon and the bun had sesame seeds all over it and I’m not a sesame seed bun kind of gal, but that’s purely a preference of mine.
Every shake in the menu contains a whopping 11 ounces of premium ice cream, which accounts for the super thick texture and whole milk adds additional creaminess.
BBP menu includes 10 signature burgers such as the Philadelphia Burger with Provolone cheese, griddled onions and hot peppers; the Buffalo Style Burger with red hot sauce, blue cheese dressing and watercress; the Dallas Burger spice crusted with coleslaw, Monterey Jack, BBQ sauce, and pickles; the Santa Fe Burger with queso sauce, pickled jalapeños, and blue corn chips; and the Palace Classic Burger with American cheese, lettuce,tomato and red onion – are all served on a sesame seed bun.
Hoboken Italian Festival, Thursday – Sunday, September 6th – 9th. This is the 85th year of the feast in Hoboken. The origin of the feast dates back over 800 years in Molfetta, Italy. The procession through the streets is how we honor that tradition. Enjoy the feast fun! The vendors, the entertainment and the procession, but the real highlight of the feast has to be our famous fireworks. 
Feast of San Gennaro at the Jersey Shore, Saturday & Sunday, September 8th & 9th. Downtown Belmar. The festival will feature plenty of Italian foods, wines, games and activities, starting with the traditional procession of the statue of San Gennaro, benefiting The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Look for eating contests, dancing, games for young and old, live entertainment and exciting special guests. 
Seafood in Seaside Festival, Sunday, September 9th from 10am – 7pm. Grant Ave, Seaside Heights. Mouth watering seafood specialties from local restaurants. They will be serving a variety of seafood, such as, sushi, clams, shrimp, calamari, crab cakes, seafood kabobs, and blackened scallops just to give you a sampling of what will be offered. The festival features all day musical entertainment from bands such as local favorite, Shorty Long. Shoppers will be able to browse artists and crafters merchandise and a flea market with over 80 vendors.
Living Social’s Craft Beer & Food Truck Festival, Saturday, September 15th. Brooklyn, NY. I don’t normally post NY events but this one is big and for a great cause! Unlimited 5-ounce tastings of craft beer, top-notch food trucks, DJ dance party, art, games, and more—all at Skylight One Hanson. A portion of all proceeds will go to benefit 
Fairway Market
Until recently, my idea of Brazilian fare included images of meat—and lots of it. Since I don’t eat red meat, I’ve always considered Brazilian food something that’s probably really great, but just not for me. That all changed one night this summer when I made my first visit to Samba in Montclair.
The nine-table dining room is compact, to say the least, but does not feel crowded. The décor is richly-appointed, the linens are of fine quality and the conversations are muted and relaxed. Even the butter is served in an elegant way.
Must-try entrees are the Wild Caught Local Barnegat Sea Scallops with Bacon and Butter Braised Napa Cabbage and Chive Spaetzle, the 14-Hour Braised Boneless Black Angus Beef Short Ribs, Gorgonzola and Local Mushroom Polenta Cake, Glazed Baby Carrot and Beef Braising Jus and the Black Olive and Yuzu Glazed Rack of Lamb, Goat Cheese and Rosemary Bread Pudding and Lamb Jus. The scallops were ultra-fresh and sweet and complimented perfectly by the bacon and Napa cabbage. The short ribs were served as if a solid piece of tenderloin, but melt-in-your-mouth, flavorful and decadent. The lamb was masterly-cooked and its sides were delectable.
Less than one week left! Have you voted for your favorite NJ Crab Cake yet? Here is the second half of our contestants spotlight and their tantalizing entries.
McLoone’s Pier House, Long Branch: McLoone’s Pier House has made quite a name for itself since its opening in 2005. With dazzling oceanfront views, delicious cuisine and friendly service, McLoone’s Pier House has become THE place for weddings, parties, entertainment and scrumptious indoor & outdoor dining! Chef Joe Racioppi is well-known in the two river area as the former owner of Racioppi’s restaurant in Red Bank for more than 15 years. The Entry: McLoone’s Crab Cakes: Pan seared lump crab cakes served over a spicy remoulade & citrus tartar sauce with grilled asparagus & broccoli slaw.
Nicole’s 10, Randolph: Nicole’s Ten offers casual dining with an upscale feel; emphasis is placed on personal service, creativity, and above all, taste. From a delightfully fresh seasonal menu to the additional variety of nightly specials, every lover of inspired cuisine will assuredly find a classic favorite or a new… temptation to stimulate their palate. Our eclectic menu also boasts a selection of Certified Angus Beef steaks, Black Waygu, fresh seafood, sustainable, natural & organic options, sautés, sushi rolls, & fresh oysters. Chef Christopher M. Masey, Executive Chef / Manager calls upon his background in fine art & photography on a daily basis throughout the restaurant, be it through some of the original art and décor or in the kitchen as a Chef. His artistic vision can be seen through his style of cooking, utilizing a variety of methods through the fusion of multiple ethnic preparations.The Entry: Hakka Style Crab Cake: Lump & Snow Crab Hakka style sauteed and crested by Rainbow Microgreens with a grained mustard Champagne-Sriracha sauce.
Sweet Waters Steak House
The Barge
Windansea Restaurant
Coconut Lemon Lime Bars Melissa Baratta (Ocean County)
