Summer Suggestions

By Millicent K. Brody

Do Your Summer Shopping at a Farmer’s Market

Do yourself and your family a favor, and visit a farmers' market. I’ve been visiting the Summit Farmer’s Market every Sunday morning and can’t seem to get enough of it. You can find anything from lavender plants and sunflowers to early apples, delicious peaches, zucchini, glorious peppers, string beans, corn, lettuce, and tomatoes. You’ll also find an endless supply of mozzarella cheese, fresh bread, and delicious confections from the Brownie Points Bakery stand. Start your Sunday morning with a freshly baked muffin or scone. Pour yourself a cup of coffee and enjoy. You’ll find a real Brownie Points Bakery in Summit at 3 Beechwood road, (908.464.2253) and at The Mall in Short Hills. The Summit Farmer’s Market is located at DeForest Ave., City Lot #2, (Summit & Maple Sts.). To find a farmers’ market near you, visit newjerseylife.com/dining/farmers-markets

Jersey Corn Week at Gladstone Tavern

The Gladstone Tavern is celebrating one of New Jersey’s most famous crops by offering fresh summer corn on its menu. See some of the delicious dishes they'll be offering:

Starters: Chilled gazpacho with corn fritters, ($6.); sauteed crab and corn cake with crispy corn flake crust and smoked bell pepper sauce, ($12.50); shrimp tamales steamed in corn husks with smoked tamale sauce, ($12.00).

Entrees: blackened chicken and corn salad with avocado, tomato, black beans, and a creamy, cilantro-lime dressing, ($18.00); sauteed halibut with roasted corn sauce, sauteed zucchini cakes and spicy cherry tomatoes, ($25.00); grilled pork chops with a corn whisky sauce, wilted greens, and creamy cheddar grits, $23.00).

Desserts: caramel corn parfait with vanilla ice cream, candied peanuts and hot fudge sauce, sweet molasses corn cake with Bourbon chantilly and a fresh summer berry compote, ($7.00); malted corn ice cream, ($4.00).

If you have a four-legged foodie in the family, bring your dog to the Tavern’s annual “Take your Dog to Dinner Day” on August 23.

Gladstone Tavern is located at 273 Main St., Gladstone, 908.234.9055, GladstoneTavern.com

Greek Taverna Celebrates First Anniversary in Montclair

As a thank-you gift for a year of welcoming and success, Greek Taverna owners Peter Hajiyerou and Wei Chen will host a Greek-style open house anniversary party at their Montclair location on Tuesday, August 25. Enjoy a free buffet from 6 to 9 p.m. Party to live Greek music from 6 to 11 p.m. For reservations and information call: 973.746.2280. Greek Taverna is located at 292 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair and 55 Promenade, Edgewater. Call: 201.945.8998.