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INNSIDE STORY
Wining & Dining Garden State Style
Did you know some thousand acres of vines produce 40 varieties of wine in New Jersey? In the coming months, vineyard visitors will love the grape stomping parties, wine tastings and bottles to take back home. And connoisseurs of fine cuisine will find fare to suit any palate at New Jersey's food festivals.
Go "Under the Sea" at Renault Winery Resort in Egg Harbor City on August 25th for deep blue dining with the area's best chefs.
Partake in WINEFEST 2006 at the Valenzano Winery in Shamong, featuring a live jazz and blues concert, wine tasting, dancing, great restaurants and activities for the kids on September 16th & 17th. Also nearby on September 16th is "A Taste of Medford," the tastiest of the town's restaurants plus live music and family activities.
The New Jersey Tomato Festival happens on September 24th, attracting gourmets and gourmands, tomato aficionados and tomato tasters to an all day upscale event in Pennsauken. Finally, the Chowderfest Weekend (September 30th & October 1st) in Beach Haven wraps up the summer with all-you-can-eat at the Chowder Cook-off Classic, plus live music and tons of shopping from local merchants.
Now get out there and eat, drink (wine) and be merry! And don't forget to book a delicious night at one of our Preferred Inns.
INNSIDE SPECIALS
Visit these inns for sumptuous stays and fine food and wine all bundled in.
"Art-Theater-Culinary & Wine Lovers Getaway": A heavenly stay, a fantastic fusion of the finer things (Chimney Hill Inn, Lambertville)
"Mid-week Gourmet Getaway": Three enchanting nights and dinner for two at a local favorite (Scarborough Inn, Ocean City) Special available from September 5th.
"Vintage Days, Amorous Nights": Venture to the vineyards, sleep like a baby, and relax on the veranda (Main Street Manor, Flemington) Now through September 30th.
"A Weekend of Total Indulgence": What's not for wine lovers to love? A Wine Tasting Dinner, Winery Cellar Tour and Wine School Class (Fairthorne B&B, Cape May) Special available from September 29th. Fairthorne also offers a "Romantic Stay & Wine Dinner" package starting October 1st. Cozy up to the fireplace in your room and delight in dinner and wine for two at Cape May Restaurant. |
 FOOD LOVERS TREAT PACKAGE
at Main Street Manor Bed & Breakfast
www.mainstreetmanor.com
Main Street Manor Bed & Breakfast in Flemington gives visitors something delicious to crow about:
a two night stay in the Forget-Me-Not Room
A $75 gift certificate for dinner at Matt's Red Rooster Grill, a local favorite
All for just $280 (Monday thru Thursday)
MEET THE INNKEEPERS
 Terry & Richard Anderson
Chimney Hill Estate & Ol' Barn Inn
Chimney Hill Inn didn't come with the alpacas but these tranquil creatures, indigenous to the Andes Mountains of South America, are as much a part of the Chimney Hill experience as the twelve distinct guestrooms and homemade breakfast.
Innkeeper Terry Anderson was introduced to alpacas by guests who were traveling and looking to purchase alpacas in the area. When the guests brought back a calendar of adorable alpaca "studs" to the farm, she went to see them for herself and fell in love.
The Andersons started with a female and her female "cria" (baby alpaca) and have since expanded the family to include two llamas named Paisley and Dolly and a "rescue" pony named Oliver.
"People tell me they're fascinated by the alpacas because they all come out to greet our guests," says Terry. "They're not looking for petting or feeding, they're just interested and curious, similar to a cat."
But alpacas are about as close to wild animals as you can get, Terry explains. They're herd animals and if you over-handle them you'll ruin their herd connection.
Alpacas are prized for their luxurious fiber and Chimney Hill proudly peddles alpaca products like gloves and hats, all handmade in Peru, sales of which help support individual families who crafted the items.
Fun fact: Alpacas hum! If you get up close to one you may hear a soft humming as though they're trying to talk to each other. The females produce a huffier hum on occasion while the males sometimes fight - a bit rough-necky they are - and take the hum to a screech.
EAT INN: Recipes with a taste of wine
This versatile Pesto from Twin Gables (Cape May) goes way beyond pasta to benefit dips and spreads, chicken and pork - and works even better when mixed with wine or broth.
The white wine brings out the best in this Braised Halibut with Fennel and Potatoes recipe from the Normandy Inn (Spring Lake).
NEW MEMBERS
Say hello to our new members!
Eileen McKenna
The Cordova Inn
26 Webb Avenue
Ocean Grove, NJ 07756
Anita & Hill Rose
DeBary Inn
265 Springfield Avenue
Summit, NJ 07901
Valery & Hegarty & Sean Holmes
Majestic Hotel
19 Main Avenue
Ocean Grove, NJ 07756
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