Chef Daniel Brunina (left) and general manager Jes Taylor. / Photos courtesy of the Sergeantsville Inn

Originally named for the Sergeant family, the Sergeantsville Inn has seen numerous renovations, businesses, and owners, but its resilience and charm have never wavered. The historic site has served as everything from a private residence to a grain and feed store and, most recently, a restaurant.

Daniel Brunina and Jes Taylor crossed paths while working at Roots Steakhouse within Harvest Restaurant Group in Morristown, and immediately struck up a partnership. The Sergeantsville community was quick to welcome the new owners and executive chef. more

Teresa’s Pizza and Wine Bar at 23 Palmer Square East in Princeton will host “The Joy of Pizza,” a dinner and book signing with Dan Richer, on March 7 starting at 5:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in half-hour increments from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at https://www.teresacaffe.com/store/product/thejoyofpizza/. Tickets are $65 per person, which includes a signed copy of The Joy of Pizza, dinner to taste Richer’s pizzas, antipasto, and salad. more

Image Source: Mediterra Restaurant and Taverna

Taking place from March 5 through March 11, Princeton Restaurant Week is an annual celebration of the town’s vibrant culinary scene. Featuring some of Mercer County’s most popular restaurants, diners can check out a new spot, catch a quick bite at a familiar favorite, or enjoy a curated meal at a sought-after eatery during this special week. Best of all, many participating restaurants offer not only special Restaurant Week menus, but also prix fixe and reduced pricing during the event. more

Join MarketFair Mall on February 10 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. for a special Galentine’s Night Out with your favorite friends. This fun evening combines shopping, drinking, dining, and laughter.

Each participant will receive gift bags valued at over $100 compliments of Mystique Hair & Skin, OrangeTwist, and The Lash Lounge. more

Montclair Hospitality Group has announced the launch of Ani Ramen House’s ninth location in downtown Princeton at 140 Nassau Street. The brand is excited to bring its popular ramen concept to Mercer County.

In Princeton, Ani Ramen will be open seven days a week, with takeout and delivery options. The restaurant will serve its signature craft ramen featuring custom-made noodles from Sun Noodle, flavorful proteins, and a variety of extras for guests to customize their ramen, including Ani’s “Umami Bomb.” The menu also offers delicious appetizers for sharing: Bao Buns, Kurobuta Sausage, Chili Charred Edamame, and Chicken Karaage. more

COVID-19 has had a major impact on food supply chains and the ways we shop, dine, and eat. Restaurants have had to revamp their menus, while many families have learned to stretch the amount of money they typically spend on groceries due to rising food costs.  more

Skil-Lit Cafe, located at 113 South Warren Street in Trenton, has been voted the best restaurant of 2022 by the Trenton Eat Local Club. Praised for its high-energy atmosphere, friendly staff, and delicious brunch and lunch menu, Skil-Lit Cafe is a new community favorite. To view the complete menu, visit https://skillitcafe.commore

Take part in Atlantic City’s most exciting New Year’s Eve celebration at the Showboat Hotel. The bash comes complete with a five-hour open bar (six hours for VIP ticket holders), multiple party venues, live concerts and performers at the House of Blues, live band room with a light show, catered buffets for VIP members, and a just-refurbished elegant lounge for all to enjoy (the former Foundation Room). Guests will dance the night away at the Harlem Room and relax on huge lounge furniture at the Restaurant Room. The official ball drop from New York City’s Times Square will be projected live on the big screens. more

Chef Kris Welz and his team at The Fox & Falcon have come to the aid of stressed Thanksgiving cooks — just make the turkey and the rest is done. Order four delicious sides and fresh baked pies by 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 20 for pickup between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23. Orders can be made by calling the restaurant Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 973.419.6773. You can also visit https://www.thefoxandfalconnj.com/menus/#holiday-catering-menu, download the menu form, and email it to events.thefoxandfalcon@gmail.commore

The 47th Annual Apple Festival returns to Peddler’s Village in Bucks County, Pa., on Saturday and Sunday, November 5 and 6 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Peddler’s Village Apple Festival is a yearly favorite and draws crowds from throughout the tri-state area.  more

On Thursday, November 3 at 6:30 p.m., sip your way into a deliciously festive fall dinner at Osteria Morini, located at 107 Morristown Road in Bernardsville, with wine selections provided by Amanti Vino of Morristown. 

Osteria Morini Executive Chef Bill Dorrler and Chef di Cucina Jonathan Rice will work alongside Amanti Vino Sommelier Sharon Stevens for the ultimate combination of Old World food and wine. Four courses of Morini specials will be paired with wine. The dinner menu includes grilled octopus, scallops in almond and sage brown butter sauce, Barolo braised short rib with roasted root vegetables, and fried sweet cheese ravioli with figs. more

Join Lambertville Station Restaurant and Inn in downtown Lambertville for the first annual Fall Fest on Saturday and Sunday, October 22 and 23 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This free festival is open to all, rain or shine. 

Experience two days full of fall fun along the banks of the Delaware River. The Station’s Fall Fest community celebration will offer games, family activities, delicious food, a beer garden, and live music. more

The Mercer Museum’s annual fall fundraiser, Cocktails at the Castle, returns to Doylestown, Pa., on Saturday, October 15 from 6 to 10 p.m. for a night of culinary delights and cocktails, all in support of the Mercer Museum’s education programs, exhibitions, and community initiatives. 

Guests will enjoy a lively evening on the grounds of Mercer Museum with delicious food options from Bucks County culinary purveyors, along with craft cocktail creations and exceptional entertainment. more

Standing on the plot of land once owned by Joseph Bonaparte — former King of Naples and Spain and brother of Napoleon – garden steward Lara Periard shares her enthusiasm for developing the Point Breeze Historic Garden.

“This project is unique for several reasons,” Periard says. “Unlike a standard vegetable garden or farm, its purpose is to represent the history of the land, as well as to grow food for donation to the community. We are growing historic crops, primarily what would’ve been grown by Bonaparte’s gardener at the time.” more

Friends of Princeton Open Space (FOPOS) presents its annual Oktoberfest fundraiser on October 2 from 5 to 7 p.m. The event will be held at Mountain Lakes House, 57 Mountain Avenue in Princeton, rain or shine. Attendance is $50 per person and tickets can be bought online here: https://bit.ly/3BzXD03.

The 2022 Oktoberfest promises to be better than ever. Enjoy local craft beer, hard cider, Jammin’ Crepes sweet and savory crepes, and live music. The covered terrace of Mountain Lakes House will be available for socializing outdoors. more

When the temperature begins to drop in New Jersey after a long, hot summer, some people might think to reach for a glass of hard cider. What they may not know is that Burnt Mills Cider Company is serving up some of the best cider around and they are also proudly based in Bedminster. more

Image Credit: https://www.morven.org

On Thursday, September 1 from 5 to 7 p.m., celebrate “Grazin’ in the Garden” at Hopewell’s most beautiful organic garden, Van Dyke Farm. Live music will be provided by Grant Peterson, an artist, musician and teacher based in Hopewell. The music will be complemented not only by the late summer scenery, but also by the food and wine.  more

The 2022 Surf & Turf Seafood Festival at Monmouth Park will take place on Saturday and Sunday, August 13 and 14 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Presented by 107.1 The Boss, Thunder 106, and Kona Brewing, the Jersey Shore’s freshest seafood festival features lobster rolls, crab cakes, calamari, and more. Expect live music from 12 to 4 p.m. and lots of family friendly activities and entertainment. Participating food vendors include Cousins Maine Lobster, Four Boys Concessions, Kiersten’s Creations, Highway Ohana, Sherri’s Crab Cakes, Point Lobster, Green Dog Mobile, Playa Bowls, Star of the Sea Seafood, Sweetpepper Venezuelan Specialties, L’Acquario Seafood Italiano, and Wild Bill’s Old Fashioned Soda. more

Have you ever wondered about the history of Atlantic City, which was once a melting pot of newly arrived immigrants and even bootleggers during the prohibition era? 

On Saturday, July 23 at 2:30 p.m., Atlantic City Food Tours will be talking about all that and more during their walk through Ducktown, a district of Atlantic City that was heavily settled by Italian immigrants during the 20th century. Over the years, the neighborhood has gone through changes, but many of the historic culinary institutions have survived.  more

Hoboken native Brad Finkel never set out to enter the food business. In fact, back in the 1990s, he was more interested in touring the country with his musical group, trying to make an impact in the world as a working artist. 

However, when Finkel left Hudson County, he noticed that his fellow bandmates were homesick for fresh mozzarella, meats, homemade bread, and tomato sauce like the Italian Grandma’s made it. That meant nothing but the freshest ingredients and no additives like sugar. Nothing is dried and everything is bottled at the peak of freshness. In this way, Finkel sought to make his friends a little more comfortable.  more

Picklelicious has been a regular vendor at the Princeton Farmers’ Market since the Market’s inception when it was just a few vendors on Hinds Plaza. Now located at the Dinky Train Station lot at 172 Alexander Street in Princeton, Picklelicious is a hands-down favorite and much-loved local product. 

Pickelicious founder Robyn Samra was raised on pickles and bagels. As a mother of two small children back in 1993, she sought to leave her waitressing job and start her own small business. The question was, what kind of business? Drawing on her Jewish heritage and love of pickles, she decided that she would invest her time and energy into producing pickles and selling them at local flea markets and farmers markets. more

Enjoy the ambience of Crossing Vineyards and Winery on Thursday, June 2 at 7 p.m. while you are guided through a tasting of 10 wines. At the same time, guests will be able to feast on artisanal cheeses, cured meats, and more. After the tasting, stay a while at McAvoy’s Bar and order a glass of wine from your favorite selection. This is a great introductory class on wine and cheese pairings for anyone who has ever been interested in assembling their very own charcuterie boards for family gatherings, events, and holidays. more

A 30th anniversary is an impressive milestone for any business, but a restaurant? After two years of a worldwide pandemic, it’s even more extraordinary. That is why Stage Left Steak owners Mark Pascal and Francis Schott (best friends who met at Rutgers University in the early 1980s) will be throwing fabulous events all summer long. 

At Stage Left Steak, you can always expect great steaks and the finest cuts of meat dressed in a Neapolitan-Based, Brooklyn-influenced Italian cooking. Pare your steak with perfectly balanced wines and cocktails in the restaurant’s pleasant outdoor space.  more

Located at 15 Church Street in the bustling town of Montclair, Fresco Da Franco has attracted a lot of attention for its vibrant, party-like atmosphere combined with authentic Italian cuisine that is always fresh, and always made with love. 

Created by chef/owner Franco Porporino Jr., a first generation Italian American, Fresco Da Franco is a destination for brunch, lunch, and fine dining. The success of the place is owed a great deal to authentic cucina all nonna — delicious comfort food that it always satisfying and refined.  more

Photo Credit: Julia Child in her kitchen as photographed ©Lynn Gilbert, 1978, Cambridge, Mass. (wikipedia.org)

On Tuesday, May 24 at 6 p.m., Hopewell Theater presents never-before-seen archival footage, personal photos, first-person narratives, and cutting-edge food cinematography that traces Julia Child’s 12-year struggle to create and publish the revolutionary Mastering the Art of French Cooking (1961), which has sold more than 2.5 million copies to date, and her rapid ascent to becoming the country’s most unlikely television star. It’s the empowering story of a woman who found her purpose — and her fame — at the age of 50 and took America along for the whole delicious journey.  more

Rock out to a good cause on Thursday, May 12 at 7 p.m. at the Princeton Airport Hangar, 41 Airpark Road in Princeton, in a benefit for Greenwood House. Live music will be accompanied by dinners prepared by award-winning chef Max Hansen and desserts from featured food trucks, Glazed & Confused Fresh Mini Donuts and Rita’s Italian Ice. Guests will also be able to eat, drink, and bid on auction items such as rock star-autographed guitars and world-class vacations.  more

Image Source: https://www.facebook.com/peacepieworld/

Everyone has their favorite ice cream shop and ice cream flavor, but have you ever tried a Peace Pie? With locations in Cape May and Lambertville, .(among others), Peace Pie has established itself as a unique ice cream destination.

According to founder and creator Jerry Klause, Peace Pie began Thanksgiving night 2010, over a delicious batch of pie filling and a forgotten pie crust. Klause baked the pie filling and two giant shortbread cookies, then combined it all in layers with vanilla ice cream. Thus, he served a Pecan Pie Lasagna for dessert and it was a hit with the whole crowd. The following summer, the Klause family decided to take their delicious idea and put it into action with the design and production of Peace Pie, an ice cream sandwich with a layer of pie filling! more

Heated rooftop igloos at Asbury Biergarten

By the time February rolls around in the Northeast, many residents may be experiencing a little bit of cabin fever. Thankfully, Valentine’s Day shines a bright spot on an otherwise wintery month with dating, dining, and travel options for you and your significant other. more

Scarborough Fair Restaurant, located at 1414 Meetinghouse Road in Sea Girt, invites the community to a unique Maker’s Mark pairing dinner on Sunday, January 23 from 4 to 7 p.m. Door open at 3:30 p.m. The event will begin with a welcome cocktail and hors d’oeuvres followed by a four-course pairing dinner, and raffle prizes. Tickets are $110 per person and can be purchased at https://bit.ly/3ncKDpd.  more

Image Source: bryantpark.org

The European inspired open-air market curated by Urbanspace in New York City’s Bryant Park hosts artisans from New York and around the world. Enjoy world class shopping, eats, and drinks as you stroll through the shops, which are housed in custom-designed kiosks. The Winter Village operates from now through January 2, 2022. Monday-Friday hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekend hours are Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Face coverings are strongly encouraged for all Holiday Shops staff and visitors. It is estimated that over 170 holiday shops will participate in this year’s Winter Village. more