It seems somewhat trivial, considering the circumstances that many people are finding themselves in South Jersey (especially along the shore), to be happily announcing the weekend’s foodie festivals and such. Before Wednesday, we weren’t even sure if we still had a house (thankfully, we still do). Seeing the images of Humvees heading towards LBI and reading that extra state troopers are being sent to Atlantic City to stop the looting, doing my little silly and irreverant prattle bit here seems…well, silly and irreverant.
Then again, after several days and seeing and living through Sandy, maybe we all could use some fun.
First, though, a note of caution: a number of the events on the weekend schedule are either off the table or iffy at best. Call ahead if you’re unsure.
Let’s start with the aforementioned Atlantic City. As of now, the ban on travel to AC is still in place, so this weekend may very well be out of the question. The Coffee & Tea Festival at Bally’s scheduled for this weekend has already been postponed, with no reschedule date having been announced yet. Savor Borgata Restaurant Week is still scheduled to start on Sunday and run through November 9, but keep watch for any updates. Also keep an eye out for the Epicurean Society of Southern New Jersey Dining Event at Il Verdi at the Tropicana Casino and Resort on Monday. The weekend’s cooking classes at Viking Cooking School at Harrah’s would also be pretty much null and void. And, Monday’s Fall Herb Dinner at Steve & Cookie’s by the Bay in Margate may or may not take place, depending on the lifting of restrictions.
UPDATE (11/2): Atlantic City’s casinos were allowed to open as of Friday morning, but each casino is opening on a different date.
Let’s look at the rest of the weekend…
On Friday at Georgian Court University, it’s Adventures in Fine Art: Jan van Eyck starting at 6:30PM for $37 per person. At Tavistock Country Club in Haddonfield, it’s the annual Wine & Food Classic from 6:30PM to 9:30PM. If you don’t like wine and food, how about wine and food instead? A Wine Tasting & Food Event will also be taking place at Wedgwood Country Club in Turnersville.
Friday is also the start of two restaurant weeks: Jersey Shore Restaurant Week and Somers Point Restaurant Week. Here again, you will need to check the restaurants involved to make sure they will be open during this time. The kickoff event for South Jersey Restaurant Week scheduled for tonight was cancelled, so check ahead of time to make sure.
Saturday will have the annual OysterFest for the Bayshore Discovery Project. This year, the event will be held at Greenview Inn at Eastlyn Golf Course in Vineland. Missed Halloween? Yeah, a lot of us did. But you can still get your scare on at the Spirits & Spirits event at Historic Smithville Mansion from 6PM to 10PM. The cost is $25 per person.
On Saturday and Sunday, you have the Grape Adventure Wine Festival at Six Flags Great Adventure as well as the Wine Barrel Tasting Weekend at Laurita Winery in New Egypt.
If you care to venture out of the South Jersey region…
Peddler’s Village out in Bucks County is having its Apple Fesitval this weekend.
Here’s your cooking class schedule for the weekend:
Friday: Cheese Please! Cheese Tasting & BYO Beer/Wine Pairing and Chocolate – Make Truffles and Stress Less at ExtraordinaryED in Collingswood, Date Night: Cozy Dinner for Two at Sur La Table in Marlton, and Fall Soups and Sauces at Kitchen Kapers in Moorestown.
Saturday: The Quintessential Croissant at Sur La Table.
Sunday: Simple Pasta from Scratch at Sur La Table.
Eating in South Jersey Blog 
The Grape Adventure Wine Festival has been postponed to next weekend – November 10 & 11. As of yesterday, the park was still without power.
Thanks for the update, Jennifer.