News for Foodies: 02.06.14
Valentine’s Day is approaching, and our minds turn, if not to love, then chocolate. Registration is under way for a chocolate truffle-making workshop to be offered by the Peconic Land Trust at Bridge Gardens on Mitchell Lane in Bridgehampton on Feb. 15.
From 2 to 4 p.m., Rick Bogusch will demonstrate the easy steps to make a basic truffle as well as truffles flavored with spices and liqueurs, rolled in cocoa powder and nuts, and dipped in melted chocolate. Samples and recipes will be provided. The cost is $10 a person, or $5 for Bridge Gardens members.
Space is limited, so reservations are required and can be made by calling the land trust offices in Southampton, or through events@PeconicLandTrust. org.
Dinners for Two
Those thinking about a Valentine’s Day dinner out may wish to know about Almond’s special offering on Friday, Feb. 14: a four-course menu of seasonal dishes with a blood-orange theme. It will include a choice of appetizers, such as Montauk Pearl oysters with blood orange granita or quinoa salad, followed by duck and foie gras ravioli a l’orange or sea scallops, and, for entrees, roasted rack of pork or smoked and grilled salmon. Dessert will be a hazelnut and blood orange torte for two, served with crème fraiche sherbet. The cost is $65 per person. For an additional cost, complementary wines can be added.
The Valentine’s Day theme at the Bell & Anchor in Sag Harbor will be oysters and champagne. An $85 special will include a dozen Montauk Pearl oysters with a bottle of Paul Laurent Brut champagne or a half-bottle of Billecarte-Salmon Brut Rose. Dinner specials and a la carte items will be available.
At Nick & Toni’s in East Hampton, reservations have been suggested for Valentine’s Day, when dinner service will begin at 6 p.m. In addition to the regular menu there will be some specials, including foie gras torchon with toasted brioche, baby arugula, and pomegranate syrup as an appetizer. Entrees include pan-roasted red snapper with a saffron-cockle broth and grilled ribeye steak for two with truffle butter. Among the holiday desserts is champagne sorbet, and the cocktail of the evening will be the box of chocolates, a drink with prosecco and house-made sour cherry liqueur served with an orange twist in a glass with a rim dipped in dark chocolate.
Winter Farmers Markets
A new indoor farmers market is taking place on Saturdays in Riverhead, in the space once occupied by Swezey’s Department Store, at 117 East Main Street. The hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. through May 17. Participating vendors are selling cheese, eggs, pork, honey, homemade baked goods, granola, yogurt, coffee, wine, pickled veggies, canned tomatoes, empanadas, seafood, spices, yarn, soap, pasta, mushrooms, and more.
In Bridgehampton, an indoor farmers market at the Topping Rose House restaurant will continue on the third Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with the next to be held on Feb. 15.