Friday, August 23, 6:30–10:30pm
Vishal Pathak has been a farmer at Cherry Valley Cooperative in Princeton for three years, and later this week, will be showcasing local produce and meats at a Farm to Table Indian-style dinner. Granted, Friday’s dinner is relatively short notice, but if you’re in the area and can still snag a ticket (at $45 each), you should check it out. As Pathak puts it, it’ll be a “traditional Indian meal using farm fresh produce and ethically raised meats,” with some recipes borrowed from his own family traditions and others highlighting distinct regions of India. There will be vegetarian options as well as non-veg and two special cocktails, created just for the night. It’s a pop-up dinner, so the location will be given only after you purchase your tickets (rest assured, it’ll be convenient and local). Tickets at Eventbrite. Location TBD, Princeton; contact Cherry Valley Cooperative with questions at 732-606-2375
All-You-Can-Eat Shrimp Boil in Asbury Park
Saturday, August 24, noon–3pm
If you haven’t had your fill of summer seafood yet, Saturday’s a chance for one-stop redemption. Downtown Asbury Park’s own Cross & Orange is hosting a classic all-you-can-eat shrimp boil at Kennedy Park, located just adjacent to the restaurant. For those unfamiliar with the logistics of a shrimp boil, imagine a significant quantity of boiled, seasoned shrimp piled high on picnic tables (typically) along with segments of corn on the cob and boiled potatoes. Service is typically hands-on, as in serve yourself, peel-your-own, etc., so you can leave the suit jacket and high heels at home. There will be (as yet unspecified) drinks and music; tickets are $35 plus handling (as in transaction fee, not shrimp handling). Kennedy Park, 104 Grand Avenue, Asbury Park; 732-361-5502
Restaurant Week “Round Two” at The Pluckemin Inn
August 26—31, 5:30–9pm
The Pluckemin Inn is doubling down on the success of its original Restaurant Week earlier this summer with a second round of prix fixe dining. From Monday, August 26 through Saturday, August 31, they’re serving a $49 prix fixe menu (available in the main dining room and at the bar). Dishes are appropriately seasonal and polished; course options range from Tomato Gazpacho with Jalapeño, Crab, Cucumber, and Sourdough to (sustainable) Tilefish with Sweet Corn, Cherry Tomatoes, and Spinach, and Hanger Steak with Shishito Peppers, Wild Mushrooms, and Charred Eggplant. And since it is the end of summer, why not end the meal with their Tasting of Ice Creams or Sorbets (complete with Waffle Tuile, aka childhood all grown up). The regular menu will also be available all week long. Reservations are expected to go fast. The Pluckemin Inn, 359 Route 206 South (and Pluckemin Way), Bedminster; 908-658-9292
Heaven’s Door Bourbon Tasting at Blue Morel
Thursday, August 29, 5–10pm
With a little pre-launch publicity from co-founder Bob Dylan, Heaven’s Gate hit the market with a trio of distinctive marquee Tennessee whiskies in May of last year. And while Dylan isn’t scheduled to be at Blue Morel on Thursday, August 29, the local brand ambassador will be there to guide you through a tasting of the Heaven’s Door lineup (including their flagship eight-year, essentially double-the-minimum-aged bourbon). There will be a few signature cocktails made with Heaven’s Door whiskies and some snacks—possibly finished dishes?—from Blue Morel chef Dennis Mathews. Blue Morel, 2 Whippany Road, Morristown; 973-451-2619
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