Foodie Things to Do This Weekend and Beyond

 

Event details are subject to change without notice. Please confirm directly before heading out!

THIS WEEKEND:

Through May 1: Chakra Executive Chef Thomas Ciszak puts his spin on some old Chakra favorites for three days only. Each dish will be $20.04 and include selections like coconut shrimp with mango chili sauce, skate wings with fennel, capers and lemon vinaigrette, and short ribs of beef with glazed cipollini onions and mousseline potatoes. Both appetizers and the dark chocolate tartuffo with black Perigord truffle will be served. The full regular menu will be available as well. Also during the anniversary celebration, General Manager and Beverage Director Evelyn Ciszak will pull some special older wines from the cellar (that would not otherwise be poured by the glass), many from the 2004 vintage, to serve by the glass for $20.04. Also, all wines by the bottle from the 2004 vintage will be 20.04% off. Seating is limited so call 201-556-1530 for a reservation. Chakra, 144 W. Rt 4, Paramus.

May 2:  The Grand Café in Morristown will host its Qupé Leap Wine Dinner at 7 p.m. The Grapeful Palate continues its popular wine dinner series with a five-course meal accompanied by Qupé wine, named one of the Top 100 Wineries in America. Courses include Chef Quang’s Spring Roll with Hoisin Sauce, Soft Shell Crab with Ramps and Beurre Blanc and Garlic Sausage with Warm Green Lentil Salad. Cost is $88 per person, plus tax and gratuity. For reservations call Walter at 973-540-9444. Click here for more information. The Grand Café, 42 Washington St., Morristown.

May 3: Pilsener Haus & Biergarten kicks off Maifest and keeps the springtime festival going throughout the month: pig roasts and all. Grammy-winning polka rocker Alex Meixner & His Band performs on Saturday. NJ craft brewer Ramstein will provide a keg of seasonal Maibock beer for Saturday’s ceremonial keg-tapping. Pilsener Haus’s Viennese Chef Thomas Ferlesch has created a menu of Maifest specials to be served all month. 201-683-5464. 1422 Grand Street, Hoboken.

Through May 4: The Montclair Film Festival kicks off Monday, April 28, at 7 p.m. with Chef, the new comedy directed by and starring Jon Favreau. In the film, Favreau changes pace from his blockbusters like Iron Man, portraying a chef who gets fired by his restaurant’s owner (Dustin Hoffman) after running afoul of an influential critic (Oliver Platt). Party ticket holders are invited to an Opening Night Reception after the screening to enjoy free-flowing drinks and food. The festival will host more than 90 films and special events. Ticket prices range from $25 to $125. Tickets can be purchased here.

May 4: April 30 marks the one-year anniversary of Escape, and to celebrate, Escape host a casual BBQ with a ton of delicious, a la carte comfort food, prizes and festivities. To reserve a table, call 973-744-0712. Escape Montclair, 345 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair.

AND BEYOND:

May 5: To celebrate the book, eNJoy: A Taste of New Jersey, the students who created the restaurant guide are hosting a Chef’s Night at Branches Catering in Long Branch, where attendees can sample exclusive dishes from top chefs and their respective restaurants along with a tasting of some of New Jersey’s finest wineries. The event will be held  from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Along with exceptional food tastings, guests will enjoy live entertainment. Chef’s Night tickets for students and Monmouth University faculty members are $15 and all non-student tickets are $35. 123 Monmouth Rd, West Long Branch.

May 5: To preview his soon-to-open Villalobos, Chef and owner Adam Rose hosts a Cinco de Mayo pig roast with all the traditional fixings at Pig & Prince Restaurant and Gastro-Lounge. The event, which will everything from tacos to chicharrones to churros, is from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. and costs $45 per person, with wine, beer and cocktails sold separately. For reservations, call  973-233-1006 or email villalobosnj@gmail.com to add your name to the guest list. 1 Lackawanna Plaza, Montclair.

A Toute HeureMay 7: A Toute Heure opens its doors earlier for guests to enjoy a “community hour” menu from Wednesday through Friday. This will include a special dinner menu which will include ATH’s burger. The restaurant will donate $1 from the sale of every burger to support community organizations. A Toute Heure, 232 Centennial Ave, Cranford.

May 7: Chef Eric LeVine (Chopped), and Morris Tap & Grill host Savoring the Shore to benefit ongoing New Jersey Shore Sandy recovery efforts. In addition to their regular menu, the evening will feature special dishes and a ‘tap takeover’ by Flying Fish Brewing Company, NJ’s largest craft brewing company. Call 973-891-1776 with any questions. Morris Tap & Grill, 500 New Jersey 10, Randolph. 

May 8: Terre à Terre hosts a farm-to-table Spring Foraging Dinner from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Chef Todd Villani and his culinary team have crafted an innovative multi-course dinner inspired by the vibrant flavors of spring. Anthony Bracco of Bracco Farms and Rob Nicolosi of Nicolosi Berkshire Pork will mingle with guests so they can meet their farmers. The dinner is $49 per person for a four-course meal. Terre à Terre, 312 Hackensack St, Carlstadt.

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May 10: Pay a visit to America’s Grow-a-Row’s Farm-to-Fork Fundraiser from 5 to 10:30 p.m. at the Life Camp in Pottersville. Former Governor Christine Todd Whitman will make an appearance as the guest speaker. This unique fundraiser features local food artisans, a farm-fresh dinner and fine auctions. To participate or attend, visit americasgrowarow.orgLifeCamp, 67 McCann Mill Road, Pottersville.

May 10:  Unionville Vineyards’ Spring Wine Festival. Speakers tent will feature Jersey Bites’ own Deb Smith, mozzarella demonstrations from Fulper Family Farms, worldwide wine trivia, and career reflections from winemaker Cameron Stark. Bring chairs or a blanket, enjoy 90 acres of sprawling New Jersey farmland. Tickets include a wine tasting flight and Unionville logo wine glass. General admission: $20. Youth, 13-20 years old, and designated drivers: $10. 12 and under: free. Click here for tickets. Unionville Vineyards, 9 Rocktown Road, Ringoes. 908-788-0400.

2014_poster_smMay 10: Spirit of the Jerseys History Fair will take place at Washington Crossing State Park in Titusville from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are partnering with I Run New Jersey to bring food trucks to the event, along with a 5k race in the morning. Participating food trucks include ahh! Le Cart, Chimney Cake Factor, Empanada Guy, Zinna’s Bistro and many more. Visitors will find a wide selection of foods from hot dogs to lobster to ice cream and cupcakes. Washington Crossing State Park, 355 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, Titusville.

May 13: Temple Beth Am is hosting a wine tasting at the Knoll East Country Club from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The event will feature a  fascinating lesson on sensory perceptions, as well as hors d’oeuvres, food stations and raffles. Tickets are $70 and need to be purchased in advance. To reserve your spot for this special event, mail your check to: Temple Beth Am PO Box 5305, Parsippany. 25 Knoll Lane, Boonton.

May 24 to 26: Food Trucks Showdown returns to Monmouth Park Racetrack, featuring 26 of the best trucks in the NJ-NY-PA area. The event begins at 11:30 a.m., and admission is $3, parking $4 and children under 12 enter for free. Join “Party Marty” from Rockin’ Country Thunder 107.1 on Saturday and then Sunday is Family Fun Day. Monmouth Park Racetrack, Oceanport Avenue, Oceanport.

May 31: The Montclair Food & Wine Festival kicks off with a Grand Tasting at the Montclair Art Museum. Event tickets are $95 (general admission) from 7-9 p.m. VIP tickets are offered at $120 (6 p.m. early admission). The museum’s stunning galleries will be open to attendees for viewing. Approximately 30 restaurants from Montclair (and beyond) will be on hand with samples of choice bites. Tickets and details can be found here. Use promo code JerseyBites (case sensitive) for 10% off admission into any session! Montclair Art Museum, 3 South Mountain Ave., Montclair.

May 31: Jersey Fest featuring Food Truck Mash Up. Specialty Food Trucks (15+), Beer Garden, Live Music, Family Entertainment, Great Vendors and Harness Racing. Free Admission and free parking. Meadowlands Racetrack, 1 Racetrack Drive East Rutherford, NJ 07073

June 9The Jersey Shore Partnership will host its Summer Celebration, the Foundation’s annual friend raising/fundraising activity in a huge open tent at Fort Hancock, Sandy Hook overlooking Sandy Hook Bay.  More than 450 guests attend the event representing elected officials, the educational community, corporations, not-for-profits and individuals from Cape May to Monmouth County to enjoy fantastic food prepared by New Jersey chefs with seafood contributed by Jersey coast fisheries. Local restaurateur, Tim McLoone, will be honored with the Tom Gagliano Leadership Award for his commitment to the Jersey Shore. Tickets are $100 and may be purchased in advance on www.jerseyshorepartnership.com

seasideposter3_29June 29: Hot Rods and Food Trucks. Hundreds of cars, music, prizes, vendors, and fun for the whole family. Free admission for spectators! Plus…an extreme Food Truck Showdown…come hungry and leave satisfied! Bay Boulevard and Grant Avenue, Seaside Heights.