There are, as always, myriad food events on the horizon, so here goes:
A series of ethnic food demonstrations are planned at various branches of the Asian Food Markets: Filipino food will be featured at the N. Plainfield store on Oct. 9 and 10, and on the same dates, in the Piscataway store, shoppers can sample Japanese foods.
Photo: David Liittschawager
On October 6, Mediterrarestaurant hosts a tasting event with the foods of Portugal, part of their Wherever the Olive Grows Series. The menu sounds fantastic: Portugese Olive Oil, Clams & Chorizo, Linguica Sausage, Bacalao Croquettes, Caldo Verde Soup, Grilled Sardines, Cocido Portugues. Information is on the website, and call (609) 252-9680 to reserve.
On October 11, at Eno Terra, enjoy a very special New World Harvest Luncheon with Teresa Azario Momo, esteemed mother (think Teresa Caffe in downtown Princeton) of owners Carlo and Raoul Momo. She is a native of the northern Italian province of Bergamo, and will be preparing some “Old World” recipes with New World ingredients. Teresa will share the kitchen with Eno Terra Executive Chef Christopher Albrecht and staff. Not to be missed, be sure to reserve in advance by calling 609-497-1777. And just two days later, on October 13, Eno Terra hosts a dinner featuring the German-influenced foods of Trentino Alto Adige, part of their regional Italian series. More information on the Eno Terra website, or Facebook.
Meanwhile, two food world luminaries are in town to talk at Princeton University that same week: Carlo Petrini, founder and president of the Slow Food movement, speaks on October 10, at 5:00pm in McCosh 50, and on October 14 Alice Waters (pictured above), champion of sustainability and locally-grown fresh ingredients, will be the Belknap Visitor in the Humanities, giving her talk, also at 5:00pm, also in McCosh 50.
Don’t forget about the Autumn Culinaire to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mercer County. It’s October 21, 6:00-9:30pm, at the Trenton Country Club, and you’ll enjoy tastings from twenty of the area’s finest restaurants along with an eclectic collection of fine wine and international beers from Glendale Liquors. Tickets are $85, 609-656-1000 (or see website).
The month closes with a special afternoon Oktoberfest event up north (yet, amazingly, still in Somerset County), at Natirar – A “Raise Your Stein” event at The Wine School at their acclaimed restaurant, Ninety Acres, on October 30. You will learn from the best at their craft about small-production, hand-crafted beers from the Tri-State area. And Ninety Acres Executive Chef David C. Felton will prepare farm fresh items to complement the beverage menu. Then you can burn off the indulgences with a stroll through their gardens. $65, reserve your glass by calling 908-901-9500.
And oh, in case you still have too much time on your hands, do get out to Terhune Orchards, where their new wine tasting room is open! Yup, they’ve been growing grapes and working on this for years, so go give it a try, I can’t wait myself!
NJ SPICE 