South Jersey Slow Food

Ever since moving to South Jersey I've missed the the food of the Hudson Valley.  I do go back at least once a month, but it's been tough to find restaurants that value farm to table here.  Don't get me wrong, there are some, but not like you see in the Hudson Valley. We are spoiled.
This move has been extremely difficult for me and part of my New Year's resolution was to try and make a go of it.  So I signed up for the Slow Food South Jersey newsletter and they were having a dinner on January 31 "Comfort in the Cold" at a restaurant Brownies Squared in Mays Landing so I signed us up.
Brownies Squared is actually a bakery but upstairs they have a room where they host "The Super Secret Supper Club." This Supper Club is where Chef Chris Groome, a graduate of Johnson & Wales (yes, my daughter attends there now) can shine.  The only difference between our dinner and a dinner with the Supper Secret Supper Club is that we knew the menu.  If you attend the Supper Club, it's a 10+ course dinner and you don't know the menu ahead of time.  Out of 10+ courses, you are bound to like a few dishes. Best thing is that it's BYOB
Looking at the menu I wanted to bring a white and a red, but we settled on one bottle.  2010 Millbrook Block Three East Cabernet Franc, Hudson River Region, Estate Bottled.  It went well with all courses, except the Shaved Fennel & Citrus Salad, but that was fine.  We also shared and the 4 people sitting to my left had all been to Millbrook Vineyards & Winery and loved it.  I was spreading Hudson Valley love!
The food was excellent!  Chef just couldn't get by without adding a surprise dish.  It was Beans, Brussel Sprouts, Garlic, and Dried Cranberries and it was delish!

The one stand out dish of the evening was the Root Vegetable "Risotto" Saffron-Creamed Kale and Housemade Pancetta.  It was topped with turnips, beats and some other root veggies.  There was something I learned. If you notice there is no "Risotto" in this dish, no pasta.  See "Risotto" is actually a cooking method as the Chef explained.  I loved the creamed kale!
We met some wonderful people at the dinner. I also got hooked up with and joined Windy Acres CSA because I so miss Sister's Hill Farm.
If you want more information on Slow Food visit Slow Food USA and join a chapter near you.