Ariane Duarte at The Big M for Kentucky Derby

Craft Brewery Series at The Office

In a beer rut?  Here's the perfect opportunity to try some local craft beers.

The OFFICE Beer Bar & Grill will host their First Craft brewery showcase series starting This Tuesday April 17^th 2012 and every Tuesday until May 15^th!

Five breweries will be showcased over the five week period, including Dogfish Head based out of Gaithersburg, MD http://www.dogfish.com/, Kane Brewing based out of Ocean County, NJ http://www.kanebrewing.com/, FlyingFish Brewery, Cherry Hill NJ http://flyingfish.com/, Sixpoint Brewery, Brooklyn NY http://www.sixpoint.com and Weyerbacher Brewery, Easton PA http://www.weyerbacher.com   

Every Tuesday in each location from 7pm until the kegs are kicked, 1 of 5 breweries will be showcased,  allowing for the guests and beer community the opportunity to sample exclusive brews, from their favorite breweries for a great price, $4 a pint!

There will be a representative of each brewery and several other influential members of the industry each location during the 5 week event.

Montclair Fourth of July Fundraiser

Costanera Chef at Chef Central

Credit: Elizabeth Palmer Starnes (this dish will not be prepared at the demonstration)Hot From The Kettle is a big fan of Chef Juan Placencia, owner of Montclair's acclaimed Peruvian restaurant, Costanera Cocina Peruana. 

If you want to learn a few secret tips and recipes from Chef Placencia, he will be making an in-store appearance and cooking demo, at CHEF CENTRAL  - 240 N Route 17, Paramus NJ 07652  201-576-0100, on Thursday, March 29 2012, 6:30pm - 8:30pm.

Read Elizabeth's review of Costanera here.

 

4th Annual New Jersey Food & Wine Festival at Crystal Springs

If you enjoy great food, fine wine, and hob-nobbing with celebrity chefs, then the Fourth Annual New Jersey Food & Wine Festival is an event not to be missed.

Crystal Springs will host this star studded gastronomic extravaganza from March 30th through April 1, 2012.

This year the festival welcomes world renowned chef, Thomas Keller, of The French Laundry, Per Se, and Ad Hoc, as Guest of Honor.

Proceeds from the event benefit James Beard Foundation and Bocuse d'Or USA Foundation.

For more information, a full schedule of events, tickets and packages are available on the website at www.njwinefoodfest.com.  Resort reservations can be made by calling 973-827-5996 ext 3.

Taste of Montclair & Montclair Restaurant Week

The Montclair Rotary will be kicking off Montclair Restaurant Week  with The Taste of Montclair on Monday, March 19. Restaurant Week (or weeks as it may be), will begin on Tuesday March 20 and run through April 1, 2012.

Montclair Restaurant Week has raised almost $15,000 for the township's three largest food charities over the last two years.   The event helps the needy, celebrates one of Montclair's greatest resources - it's wonderful restaurants that are enjoyed by customers from northern NJ and beyond.  The financial success of the venture has been because of the dedicated volunteers who run the event, the financial support of sponsors and the diners who eat out in these wonderful Montclair restaurants.  

Click to read more ...

Bloomfield Restaurant Week

Bloomfield will showcase it's finest restaurants during Bloomfield Restaurant Week,  Sunday, March 4 through Saturday, March 10, 2012.

Participating restaurants will offer a prix fixe menu of $30 or less (not including drinks, tax and tip), and will raffle away a gift certificate to the guests that come during restaurant week dates.

Visit Bloomfield Restaurant Week to learn more about participating restaurants.

Valentine's Day Dining: The Manor

Here's an elegant Valentine's Day dining option from The Manor Restaurant, located at 111 Prospect Avenue, West Orange, NJ.

Check out the menu below:

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Valentine's Day Dining: Above

Valentine's Day Dining: Salute and Fin

 This just in from Gerry Cerrigone, co-owner of  Fin SaluteRaw Bar & Kitchen at 183 Glenridge Ave., Montclair,  and Salute at 173 Glenridge Ave., Montclair. 

In honor of Valentine's Day, Salute will be offering 3 courses from their regular menu for $50 per guest.   FIN is also offering 3 courses from their limited dinner menu for $55 per guest. 

 Fin Raw Bar & Kitchen