Our latest story for WHYY’s Newsworks New Jersey by John Howard Fusco.
What are your favorite food memories? For many, they are the wonderful dishes from childhood, prepared with love by parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles.
Using these family favorites as the basis for a restaurant is not a new concept. But, for Mexican restaurants in South Jersey, it is a trend that is creeping across the region. The food at these eateries is a far cry from the chain-restaurant simplifications or inventions that many South Jerseyans had been accustomed to (run for the border, anyone?).
And the new style is finding an audience among diners who have become more adventurous themselves — “foodies” who have had their tastes widened by influences like the Food Network, which launched in 1993.
The Cordova family moved to New Jersey from Puebla, Mexico, and 10 year ago opened La Esperanza in Lindenwold. Members of the family, including father Saul Cordova, had been working in the restaurant industry in New York for several years. At the urging of the family, Saul made the decision to take a chance on his own.
Why South Jersey?
Read more on Newsworks New Jersey.
Don’t miss this opportunity to sample over 760 wines from over 190 winemakers from around the globe in the Grand Tasting. The Expo is open on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon allowing consumers to take a tasting tour around the world. Several seminars will be available as well.
Atlantic City Restaurant Week, March 4th – March 10th. During the week, fine restaurants throughout Atlantic County will offer value priced three-course lunches and three-course dinners. A full list of participating restaurants, menu items, chef biographies and other details are available online. Restaurant Week hotel packages will also be available through the site, as well as the ability to book reservations online through Open Table at restaurants that use the Open Table reservation service. 
Garden State Cake Show, Saturday & Sunday, March 10th & 11th. The Garden State Cake Show will be held at Burlington Township Middle School at Springside to benefit the Burlington Township Food Pantry. This two-day event will offer classes, cake competitions, vendors, demos and much more. Ages twelve and up: $10 for one day/$15 for both, or $5 plus two canned goods for one day/$10 plus four canned goods for both days. Ages four to eleven: $2 for one day/$3 for both days. Ages three and under are free. For more information, log on to www.gscakeshownj.com.
Belmar Restaurant Tour, Sunday, March 11th from 11am-4pm. Sample chefs creations at many of Belmar’s fine restaurants. Buy tickets early and save. For tickets and more information: 
29th Annual Atlantic Cape Restaurant Gala, Thursday, March 22nd at 6:30pm. Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel & Casino. The event celebrates food by highlighting thousands of hors d’oeuvres prepared by students at the Academy of Culinary Arts and showcasing the specialties of 40 of the area’s best restaurants at a progressive dining experience. The Gala raises money for student scholarships. There will be 3 lucky winners will share up to $15,000 in the 50/50 raffle. For tickets and raffle tickets, please contact Lauren Canzanese at (609) 463-4672, 
Beers on the Boards, Saturday, March 24th. Two sessions: 12:30pm-4pm & 6pm-9:30pm. A craft beer tasting festival on the boardwalk! With over 20 breweries and an all day gourmet buffet. Taste a tremendous variety of beer flavors. Buffet to include some cool beer inspired fare and different beer/food pairings to sample. Held Indoors at Martell’s Tiki Bar.For more information and tickets: 
The focus of The Atlantic City Beer Festival is the promotion of craft beers and the brewers that create them. Now in its 7th year the festival has taken a truly organic turn with the addition of original music from artists across the Tri-State area.
Let me let you in on a little secret. New Brunswick, an already dynamic and exceptional dining destination, just got even better. No, more parking lots weren’t added, but what has happened just might get you on the turnpike and over to the home of the Scarlet Knights! Under new Executive Chef and partner Zod Arifai, 
We began the evening with many appetizers to share. The tuna tartare ($14) was executed well and beautifully plated. The fish was fresh and simple, which allowed us to admire its quality. The duck meatballs were exceptional. Juicy, seasoned just right, and portioned perfectly for a beginning course. Another star of the appetizer round was the seafood dumplings. The delicate nature of the pasta was incredible while the seafood placed inside was bursting with flavor. Not to mention, the transformative nature of the broth: it began sweet from the coconut then ended with heat and spice. It was a dish that clearly displayed Arifai’s talent and attention to detail.
After clearing off our table, dessert menus were presented to us and we all, somehow, made room! And thank goodness we did, they were unbelievable! I was totally in love with my butternut squash-apple cake ($8) with walnut-raisin ice cream. The little loaf cake was beyond moist while the sprinkling of extra walnuts and raisins displayed the kitchen’s thoughtfulness when plating. The chocolate cake ($9) with peanut butter ice cream was outstanding. It was served warm and sported a fudgy molten-like middle that, when spooned with the peanut butter ice cream, created pure bliss. I was truly in awe, not only with the quality of the cake, but with the ice cream as well. The other dessert that had many smiling was the frozen mocha mousse ($9). And although I was not a particular fan, the dish was commendable in that the bottom was creamy and solid yet the top was brothy and silky. A dynamic dish that, if you’re not a traditional cake-eater, you would enjoy.
Road Sips begins a series of wine destination articles that we know you will find informational.
If you live in South Jersey, then you probably know that The Sweet Life Bakery in Vineland makes cakes very well. You don’t win “The Best Wedding Cake in South Jersey” from the readers of SJ Magazine, or “Best of SJ” from The Knot and Wedding Wire without a delicious cake and stellar designs. So it may come as a surprise that The Sweet Life has branched out into new territory – Saturday Brunch. Owner Stephen Wilson says, “It was inspired by many yummy brunches that we’ve gone to…in both Philly, NYC, and San Fran. I wanted to do something a little more fancy, kinda fun. It’s a work in progress.” The brunch menu changes seasonally with ingredients sourced from local farms as much as possible. Entrees are served with a side salad, a different spin on the usual brunch fare. “Jill’s Aunt Reg turned us onto that. She’s a great cook,” adds Wilson. Jill McClennen is The Sweet Life’s co-owner, pastry chef, and Stephen’s “better half.”
My recent visit to The Sweet Life Bakery began with a Cafe Americano, made from coffee roasted in Millville by Kaffe Magnum Opus. It’s hard to find an Americano in the Vineland area, and The Sweet Life does it well. After ordering at the counter, we were lucky to find seats in the small dining area. This is a popular place, and it fills up quickly! My husband ordered the Crab Cakes Benedict – two bakery made biscuits topped with poached eggs, (real!) crab cakes and Hollandiase sauce. After trying a bite of this savory entree, I don’t think I could ever eat “regular” eggs benedict again. The crab cakes make such a big difference! I had Huevos Rancheros – 3 corn tortillas topped with spiced and shredded chicken, beans, white cheddar, guacamole, sour cream and poached eggs. Whew! It was a generous portion with just the right spiciness. I didn’t need to eat again until dinner. Finally, my son had a made-to-order egg sandwich which he proclaimed was “perfect.” Other brunch entrees include French Toast (which looked amazing), Apple Pancakes, and a Veggie Frittata.
The Sweet Life Bakery is located at 601 East Landis Avenue in Vineland and offers brunch every Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm. Reasonable prices from $3.99 for an egg sandwich to $8.99 for the eggs benedict. Eat-in or carry-out. Baked goods and pastries also available (and highly recommended).
An annual St. Patrick’s Day contest at Princeton’s 
3rd Annual Chili Cook-Off & Homebrewing Contest, Saturday, February 25th from 2pm-6pm. To support HOPES CAP, Inc. and their adult services that provide clients assistance with employment, self-sufficiency and education, Hoboken Volunteers holds this event. For more information: 
Atlantic City Restaurant Week, March 4th – March 10th. During the week, fine restaurants throughout Atlantic County will offer value priced three-course lunches and three-course dinners. A full list of participating restaurants, menu items, chef biographies and other details are available online. Restaurant Week hotel packages will also be available through the site, as well as the ability to book reservations online through Open Table at restaurants that use the Open Table reservation service. 
Belmar Restaurant Tour, Sunday, March 11th from 11am-4pm. Sample chefs creations at many of Belmar’s fine restaurants. Buy tickets early and save. For tickets and more information: 
Beers on the Boards, Saturday, March 24th. Two sessions: 12:30pm-4pm & 6pm-9:30pm. A craft beer tasting festival on the boardwalk! With over 20 breweries and an all day gourmet buffet. Taste a tremendous variety of beer flavors. Buffet to include some cool beer inspired fare and different beer/food pairings to sample. Held Indoors at Martell’s Tiki Bar.For more information and tickets: 
The focus of The Atlantic City Beer Festival is the promotion of craft beers and the brewers that create them. Now in its 7th year the festival has taken a truly organic turn with the addition of original music from artists across the Tri-State area.
Garden State Brewfest, Saturday, May 12th from 2pm-6pm. Support your local community! Come on out to sample great beers from local breweries while supporting charities. Enjoy music from live local bands. For more information and tickets: 
It was one of those rare weekends where no commitments loomed on the horizon. This turned out to be a good thing, since I never would have gotten the opportunity to attend the wonderful “Cooking With Nunzio” class that I attended if my dance card had been full. When my friend Allison called to offer me her spot in the Saturday morning cooking class which she has been raving about, I was there in a New Jersey minute.
Nunzio Patruno’s eponymous Collingswood restaurant (
The last dish that Nunzio demonstrated was a traditional Venetian pastry known as Chiacchiere di Carnivale . What was fascinating about this dish is the fact that one of its main ingredients is 3 cups of dry white wine. So save your Pinot Grigio, friends-it will be worth it to use it as a base for this dish.
Every season offers its own mix of irresistible fresh gems. Think of a gorgeous summer peach and fat juicy melons, autumn’s luscious golden pears, bright spring asparagus. Winter’s root vegetables and leafy greens, in comparison, can sometimes seem a little dull. But shining there among those nutrient-rich but slightly pizzazz-free options are winter’s ace in the hole … truffles.
A beautifully prepared Snapper Consume that made me swoon. Tipped from a pitcher over an artful mound of chick pea fritter swirled with red snapper mousseline, the fishy broth was soothing and rich. Shaved truffles and a few scattered greens added to the combination of textures, and the result was a delectable treat.
My two friends and their husbands joined us for the Vegan Valentine dinner buffet prepared and served by the culinary students under the supervision of their faculty; and while the women were excited about the night’s offerings, the men were a little apprehensive but willing. It was Valentine’s Day after all! The dining room was abuzz with people and the music for romance was performed by Dylan Martello on acoustic guitar in the backround. Everyone was talking and laughing, it had a party atmosphere almost. The menu was extensive for the event, which impressed the men. The more food the better, bring it on. They thought they would never be filled up on veggies.
