Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, the East Coast’s fastest growing collection of brewpubs, has announced their annual “Burger Month Menu,” featuring a different burger every day during the month of May to celebrate National Hamburger Month.

These delicious burgers will be available at all nine (9) Iron Hill locations. And for guests who really can’t get enough of a good thing, Iron Hill is offering diners “Five for $15.00”; eat five of the 31 burgers throughout the month and receive a $15.00 gift card.

The tasty burgers include…

May 1: Napa Valley Burger with balsamic glazed onions, black pepper chevre, tomato and arugula

May 2: Au Poivre Burger with gorgonzola cheese, caramelized onions and mushroom spread

May 3: Black and Blue Burger, blackened with gorgonzola cheese, caramelized onions, tomato and bacon

May 4: South of the Border Burger with sautéed onions and poblano peppers, bacon, guacamole, jack cheese and spicy chipotle ketchup

May 5: Smokehouse Burger with applewood-smoked bacon, smokedgouda cheese and barbequed onions

May 6: Brewmaster’s Burger with beer-braised onions, bacon, Swiss and cheddar cheeses and roasted garlic aioli

May 7: Hickory Burger, topped with house-smoked pulled pork, sharp cheddar cheese and barbeque sauce

May 8: South Philly Burger with garlicky broccoli rabe, roasted long hots and provolone and asiago cheeses

May 9: The Bumble Burger with pastrami, bacon, gruyere cheese, caramelized onions and Larry’s secret sauce

May 10: The PittsBurger with tomato, coleslaw, cheddar cheese and house cut fries piled high on a soft bun

May 11: Saltimbocca Burger with prosciutto, provolone cheese, sautéed spinach and caramelized onions

May 12: Bistro Burger with boursin cheese and herb-roasted exotic mushrooms

May 13: Mom’s Burger with exotic mushrooms, brie cheese and vine-ripened tomato

May 14: Pizza Burger with pepperoni, mozzarella and asiago cheeses and tomato sauce

May 15: Portobella Burger with fontina cheese, arugula, marinated tomatoes and horseradish sauce

May 16: Hell Fire Burger with fried green chiles, onions, pepper jack cheese and chipotle ketchup

May 17: Jammin’ Marley Burger with pineapple chutney, bacon, cheddar cheese and Jamaican barbecue sauce

May 18: Alpine Burger with fried onion rings, bacon, Swiss cheese and horseradish sauce

May 19: The Ode to Jerry Garcia Burger with “shrooms,” jack cheese, caramelized onions and roasted garlic aioli

May 20: French Onion Burger with gruyere cheese, caramelized onions, bacon and french onion dip

May 21: Yogi Bear Picnic Burger with onion rings, bacon, barbecue sauce, potato salad and American cheese

May 22: Big Haas Burger with avocado, jack cheese, red onions and roasted garlic mayonnaise

May 23: The Paris Burger with brie cheese, apples, rosemary onions, bacon and spinach

May 24: London Pub Burger, a double-decker with caramelized onions, mushrooms, cheddar cheese and brown gravy

May 25: Fresno Burger with Haas avocado, applewood-smoked bacon, gorgonzola cheese and green chile aioli

May 26: The Catalonia Burger with romesco sauce, chorizo, caramelized onions and provolone cheese

May 27: Caprese Burger with fresh mozzarella cheese, vine-ripened tomato, balsamic glaze and basil pesto

May 28: Vermont Burger with white sharp cheddar cheese, applewood-smoked bacon and maple glaze

May 29: Mediterranean Burger withGenoa salami, tomato-roasted pepper relish, pickled hot cherry peppers, feta aioli and provolone cheese

May 30: Red, White and Blue Burger with tomato jam, grilled onions, gorgonzola cheese and roasted garlic mayonnaise

May 31: Sonoma Burger with red onion jam, baby arugula and goat cheese-artichoke spread

In the GardenState, Iron Hill is located inMaple Shade.Pennsylvania outposts include Chestnut Hill,Lancaster, Media,North Wales, Phoenixville, andWest Chester. InDelaware, you may feast on burgers inNewark andWilmington.

Bon Appétit!

TAD

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On Saturday, May 5th, at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA, Philadelphia magazine and Pennsylvania Wine & Spirits Stores will present the Eleventh Annual Philadelphia Wine Festival, benefiting the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, one of the leading pediatric hospitals & research facilities in the world. 

The only wine festival of its kind in the region, this event will showcase nearly 200 of the world’s finest wineries. Guests will interact with winemakers & brand ambassadors of wineries fromItalytoSouth America, fromAustraliatoNew Zealandto thePacific Northwest, and numerous points in between.

Throughout the evening, guests will taste hundreds of wines. In addition, a silent auction, benefiting the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, will take place during the entire evening. And guests can bid on rare and spectacular items throughout the night – all for a great cause.

The VIP Tasting, offering exclusive tastings of selected rare wines, will take place from 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.; tickets are $225.00 per person. The Grand Tasting will take place from 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.; tickets are $125.00 per person.

Tickets are on sale at (800) 595-4TIX or at www.philadelphiawinefestival.com.

Bon Appétit!

TAD

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On Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 13th, Chakra Restaurant in Paramus, New Jersey, will be serving a special three course prix fixe from1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

First Course (Choice of): Lobster Provençal, Baby Arugula, Tomato Vinaigrette; Caesar Salad, Romaine Hearts, Lemon Confit, White Anchovies; Mesclun Greens, Fine Herbs, White Balsamic Vinaigrette; Tuna Tartar, Tapioca, Coconut, Kaffir Lime; Horseradish-Crusted Crab Cake, Snow Pea Shoots, Mustard Seed Vinaigrette; Fried Calamari, Crispy Cherry Peppers, Aioli, Sofrito; Lobster Bisque, Cognac-Marinated Lobster, Tarragon Chantilly; House-Made Linguini, Spring Mushrooms, Truffled Broth, Parmesan Foam

Main Course (Choice of): Lightly-Smoked Salmon Medallions, Ramps, White & Green Asparagus, Carrot-Cumin Purée, White Asparagus Velouté; Chili-Cinnamon-Glazed Chilean Sea Bass, Potato-Wrapped Shrimp, Lemongrass Nage; Trout Amandine, Cauliflower Purée, Fennel Salad; Goffle Road Chicken, Morel Mushroom Dust, Spring Vegetables, Natural Chicken Jus; Filet Mignon, English Pea Purée, Truffled Crostini, Asparagus, Pinot Noir Reduction; Pork Tenderloin, Ramps, Spring Mushrooms À La Crème; Roasted Leg of Lamb, Potato Gratin, Grilled Mediterranean Vegetables, Au Jus; Vegetarian Eggplant Tart, Sacred Chow Tofu, Tomato-Bell Pepper Coulis

Dessert (Choice of): Coconut Tapioca, Golden Pineapples, Passion Fruit Sorbet, Cilanto; Cheesecake, Rhubarb-Strawberry Ragout; Peanut Dacquoise, Caramelized Bananas, Jivara Milk Chocolate Chantilly, Hawaiian Sea Salt; Valrhona Chocolate Brioche Bread Pudding, Macerated Berries, Vanilla Ice Cream

The cost of the Mother’s Day prix fixe is $52.00 per person (plus tax & gratuity). A children’s à la carte menu will also be available 

For more information, or to make reservations, please call (201) 556-1530.

Bon Appétit!

TAD

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On Monday, May 7th, in conjunction with Gary’s Wine & Marketplace, Resto Restaurant in Madison, New Jersey, will be hosting a special wine dinner featuring the fine vintages of Barnett Vineyards of the Spring Mountain District of California’s NapaValley. 

Special guests of the evening will be vintners Fiona & Hal Barnett, who will be on hand to introduce their extraordinary vintages crafted by winemaker David Tate. 

First Course: House-Cured Madagascar Vanilla Bean Scottish Salmon Gravlax, Ruby Red Grapefruit & Fennel Salad; Wines: 2011 Barnett Andrews Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (DryCreekValley; 2010 Barnett Sangiacomo Vineyard Chardonnay (Carneros); 2010 BarnettSavoy Vineyard Chardonnay (AndersonValley) 

Second Course: Cedar-Smoked Niman Ranch Pork Loin, Crisp Brussels Sprouts, Pancetta Fricassee; Wine: 2010 Barnett Donnelly Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir (AndersonValley)

Third Course: Cabernet-Braised Short Ribs, Caramelized Carrot Purée, English Peas; Wine: 2009BarnettSpringMountain Cabernet Sauvignon (NapaValley)

Fourth Course: Artisanal Cheese Plate, Herb Tartines, Chestnut Honey, Marcona Almonds; Wine: Rattlesnake Hill Cabernet Sauvignon (fromGary’s Cellar 

Tickets for the Barnett wine dinner are $125.00 per person, all-inclusive. Seating is limited. To make a reservation, please contact a Gary’s wine associate or email maggie@garyswine.com

Bon Appétit! 

TAD

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In celebration of Main Line Restaurant Week, April 24th – 28th, the Silverspoon ,503 West Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, Pennsylvania, will be offering a culinary tour of the region’s finest, freshest fare in “ThreeCounty” courses… 

Chester County First Course Choices: Kennett Square Mushroom & Onion Tart, Shellbark Hollow Farms Chevre; Warm Curly Endive Salad, Bacon, Pickled Onions, Highspire Farm’s Poached Egg; Doe Run Farms “7 Sisters” Croque-Monsieur, Pickled Vegetables, Mustard Vinaigrette 

Lancaster Country Entrée Choices: Slow-Roasted Semi-Boneless Poussin, Spring Pea & Mushroom Risotto, Roasted Garlic Jus; Hand-Rolled Egg Pasta “Fazzoletti,” Charles Family Farm Prime Angus Beef Chuck Ragù; Braised Pork Belly, Spring Onions, Creamy Sage Grits 

Philadelphia Dessert Choices: Bassetts Vanilla Ice Cream, Warm Chocolate Hazelnut Cookie; Philadelphia Blue Apple Strudel; Spiced Parsnip Cake, Philadelphia Brewing Company’s “Walt Wit’ Beer, Caramel 

The cost of the special restaurant week menu is $30.00 per person (plus beverage, tax & gratuity; the Silverspoon is a BYOB restaurant). For more information, or to make a reservation, please call (610) 688-7646.

Bon Appétit!

TAD

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VB3 Restaurant & Bar, a modern, seasonal Italian restaurant with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, is scheduled to make its debut on Jersey City’s “Gold Coast” early in May 2012.

The restaurant, located in the Monaco Building, 475 Washington Boulevard, will major in small plates of fresh, seasonal Italian cuisine that will include antipasti, salads, pizza, pastas, meat, seafood, and vegetable dishes. A full bar crafting home-spun Italian cocktails and other select beer, wine, and liquors will be available. Adjacent to the restaurant will be VB3 Pizzeria, creating artisanal pies and dinners available for eat-in, take-out, or delivery.

Chef/partner Michael Colletti (Le Cirque, Good Stuff Eatery) will be the power behind the stove. Here’s a brief preview of Chef Colletti’s menu…

Antipasti: Roasted Eggplant”Meatballs,” Passata di Pomodoro, Fried Basil; Steamed Clams, Allagash Beer, Garlic, Zenzero, Thyme, Lemon Leaves 

Salads: Shaved Raw Baby Artichokes & Local Arugula, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Lemon, Caciocavallo Cheese; “Peas & Carrots,” Pea Spouts, Snap Peas, Local Baby Carrots, Pecorino Cheese 

Pizza: Wild Mushrooms, Pecorino, Truffle, Thyme; Guanciale, Ramps, Egg, Parmigiano-Reggiano 

Pasta: Rigatoni, Spring Lamb Sausage Ragù, Mint, Pecorino; Ravioli di Uova, Favas, Morels, Truffle; Ricotta Gnudi, Melted Tomatoes, Basil, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Meat: Berkshire Pork Belly, Swiss Chard, Chanterelles, Watermelon Agrodolce

Fish & Seafood: Pan-Roasted Cod, Asparagus, Caponata, Spicy Prosciutto Vinaigrette (Mr. Colletti made this recipe on the Iron Chef program)

Vegetables: Roasted Local Carrots, Raisins, Pine Nuts, Capers; Favas, Mint, Pecorino, Black Pepper

Lunch: VB3 Burger, Crispy Pork Roll, American Cheese, Fried Egg, Salt, Pepper, Ketchup; Porchetta, Slow-Roasted Pulled Pork Should, Provolone Cheese, Fresh Fennel Coleslaw; Portobello Burger, Roasted Portobello Mushroom, Goat Cheese, Roasted Tomato, Arugula, Balsamic Vinegar

Monday through Saturday, VB3 will serve lunch from11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; dinner from4:00 p.m. –12:00midnight. On Sundays, lunch will be served from11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.; and dinner from5:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. (201) 420-4823.

Bon Appétit! 

TAD

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On Friday, April 27th, 7:00 p.m., georges’ restaurant, 503 West Lancaster Avenue, Eagle Village Shops, Wayne, Pennsylvania, will host another in its ongoing series of popular wine dinners. This particular dinner will headline several first-rate Italian vintages…

1st Course: Antipasti: Mild Cheese, Cured Meats, Dried Fruit, Olives, Toasted Crostini; Wine: Canaletto Prosecco,Veneto 

2nd Course: Bronzino: Fregola Sarda, Spinach, Puttanesca Sauce; Wine: Roccodel Dragone Falangbina, Puglia

3rd Course: Papardelle Pasta, Lamb Bolognese; Wine: Fattoria do Basciano Chianti Rufina, Tuscany

4th Course: NY Strip, Mushroom Risotto, Caramelized Cipollini Onions, Barolo Sauce; Wine: Cantine Povero Barolo, Piedmont

Dessert: Zabaglione, Balsamic-Mascerated Strawberries; Wine: Linda Donna Moscato, Puglia

The cost of the Italian wine dinner is $85.00 per person, all-inclusive. For more information, or to make reservations, please call (610) 964-8744.

Bon Appétit!

TAD

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Highly Recommended, Reasonably Priced Riesling

by artfuldiner on April 17, 2012

in Opinion,Wine

2012 Dr. Loosen “Red Slate” Dry Riesling

Situated in the middle Mosel RiverValley, in the midst of some of Germany’s best-rated vineyards, the Dr. Loosen Estate has been in the same family for over 200 years. When Ernst Loosen assumed ownership of the winery in 1988, he quickly realized that he had the raw materials to create incredibly intense, world-class wines. 

The steep, south-facing slopes create the perfect climate for Riesling, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly; theMosel’s slate soil reflects the sunlight and holds the heat of the day; and the thin topsoil forces the vines to dig deep for water and nutrients, producing wines of intense quality. In addition, Dr. Loosen owns vines that are well over 120 years old, which results in the production of grapes of higher concentration and richness. 

While “blue slate” soil is quite prolific throughoutGermany’s middleMoselregion, the iron-rich “red slate” is less common and found mostly near the villages of Erden and Ürzig. And there is something distinctive about red slate, as it imparts a dense, muscular mineral backbone to the wines produced in that particular soil. 

The 2012 Dr. Loosen “Red Slate” Dry Riesling, is a wine that possesses not only a dense, muscular minerality but also a palate-pleasing subtlety that tantalizes the senses with a tingling, harmonious acidity and notes of pear & honey on its long, lingering finish.

This is a beautiful, captivating, and delightfully food-friendly wine… and perfect for warm weather quaffing. It may currently be had for approximately $13.00 – $14.00 per bottle… an utterly outlandish, crime-against-humanity bargain… and there’s plenty of it around. So snatch it up… before I beat you to it. 

Cheers

TAD

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From April 13th – 22nd, Undici Taverna Rustica in Rumson, New Jersey, will be celebrating Jersey Shore Restaurant Week with a special prix fixe menu, which includes appetizer, entrée, and dessert, priced at $30.12 per person.*

Antipasti (Choose One): Caesar: Romaine Hearts, Ciabatta Croutons, Homemade Caesar Dressing, Parmigiano Twill; Hand-Picked Baby Greens: Radicchio Gorgonzola, Pignoli Nuts, Garbanzo Beans, Balsamic Vinaigrette, Baked Ciabatta Crisp; 18-Month-Aged Prosciutto di Parma: Parmigiano Reggiano, Cerignola Olives; Fresh Black Shell Mussels: Pomodoro Fresco, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Ciabatta Bread; Egg-Battered Fresh Mozzarella & Ciabatta Bread: Capers, Anchovies, Garlic, Olive Oil

Primi (Choose One): House-Made Mezzo Rigatoni: Fresh Zucchini, Italian Tomato, Onions, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Cacio Cavallo; House-Made Ricotta & Spinach Gnocchi: Promodoro Fresco Sauce; Mafaldine Bolognese: House-Made Mafaldine “Ruffled Fettuccine,” Slow-Braised Meat Sauce, Ricotta Cheese; Fresh Baby Chicken: Pan-Sautéed, Black Peppercorn Crust, Sauté Chicoria, Cannellini Beans, Tomato; Grilled 14-Ounce Center-Cut Hatfield Pork Chop: Sweet Peppers, Cherry peppers, Fingerling Potato, Olive Oil, Garlic, Red Wine Vinegar; Grilled Fresh Wild Salmon Filet: Baby Fennel, Orange Segment, Gaeta Olive Salad

Dolce (Choose One): Bittersweet Chocolate Tart: Crispy Polenta Crust, Vanilla Gelato; Two Biscotti: Two House-Made Biscotti, Cannoli Cream; Tuscan Apple Cake: Fresh Cream, Powdered Sugar

*No substitutions; gratuity added to parties of 6 or more; prix fixe served until7:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

For more information, or to make reservations, please call (732) 842-3880.

Bon Appétit!

TAD

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On Monday evening, April 30th, Restaurant Alba, 7 West King Street, Malvern, Pennsylvania, will host the festa de la dona, celebrating women in food, wine, and agriculture.

The five course dinner will feature wines made by Italian female winemakers, foodstuffs produced by local female farmers, and dishes inspired by chef/proprietor Sean Weinberg’s favorite female chefs.

First Course: Grilled Asparagus, Pickled Beets, Radish, Hardboiled Farm Egg; Wine: Ellena Giuseppe’s Nascetta, 2010, Piemonte; inspired by Jody Adams of Rialto Restaurant & Bar (Cambridge,MA)

Second Course: Burrata Cheese, Spring Leeks, Romesco Sauce, Torn Croutons; Wine: Arrianna Occhipinti’s Grillo, “Tami,” 2010,Sicily; inspired by Nancy Silverton of Mozza (Los Angeles,CA)

Third Course: Date-Stuffed Gnocchi, Onion Fonduta, Braised Rabbit; Wine: Planeta’s La Segreta, 2009,Sicily; inspired by Barbara Lunch of No. 9 Park (Boston,MA)

Fourth Course: Crispy Confit of Pork, Marjoram, Madeira, Spring Vegetables; Wine: Elena Fucci’s Aglicanico del Vulture, “Titolo,” 2007,Basilicata; inspired by Melissa Kelly of Primo (Rockland,ME)

Dessert: To Be Announced

The cost of this special event is $90.00 per person. For more information, or to make a reservation, please call (610) 644-4009.

Bon Appétit!

TAD

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