Foodstuffs: ‘Manna Mondays,’ Veterans Day Cabaret, A Wine Dinner And Fall Foods

Manna at Lobster Inn is now offering “Manna Mondays,” a weekly educational aquaculture program featuring guest speakers, presentations, curated chef’s dinners and Manna’s locally sourced seafood.

The series began on November 1, with Manna leadership duo of Donna Lanzetta and Ryunosuke Jesse Matsuoka sharing a discussion on the goals and plans of the Manna Monday program. Each week, a guest speaker will be on hand to discuss topics related to aquaculture and seafood including farming, wild capture fisheries, IUU (illegal, unreported and unregulated) fishing, food traceability, habitat restoration, working waterfront revitalization, workforce training and sustainable seafood production and sourcing.

Orchestrated by Manna at Lobster Inn co-owners Lanzetta and Matsuoka, and sponsored by the not-for-profit Manna Ocean Foundation, the Manna Monday weekly program is designed to educate the public about seafood traceability and sustainable seafood production and sourcing. Topics will include all things seafood: sustainable seafood tastings and discussions, wild capture fisheries, fish farming of shellfish, finfish and seaweed, seafood transparency and traceability, innovation, transformation, circular economy, and supply chain resilience. The programs will showcase speakers from education, business and science, fish farms, terrestrial farmers, chefs, nonprofits and NGOs, and will feature relevant aquaculture related topics. Manna Monday evenings will vary in format each week, with discussions followed by seafood and cooking demonstrations, seafood tastings and special curated chef’s dinners.

Each Manna Monday begins at 6 p.m. and is free of charge. On Manna Mondays guests can enjoy happy hour specials and the restaurant will be open for regular dinner service throughout the evenings

November 8

Finfish farmer Mike Meeker “The Fish Whisperer,” owner of the first organic certified finfish farmer in North America and inventor of the Storm Safe Submersible Net Pen; Dr. Michael Chambers, University of New Hampshire Seagrant Marine Aquaculture IMTA (Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture) specialist.

November 15

Mindy Crawford of Wölffer Vineyard presents a discussion on sustainability at Wölffer followed by a wine dinner featuring a custom menu by Chef Tom Bogia paired with Wölffer wines.

November 22

American Whiskey Ambassador Tim Heuisler presents a discussion on small batch American Whiskey followed by a dinner prepared by Chef Tom Bogia paired with Basil Hayden whiskey and sponsored by Jim Beam.

November 29

Aram Terchun and Laura Fabrizio of Moriches Bay Project discuss the mission and accomplishments of The Moriches Bay Project, followed by a dinner featuring a custom menu designed by Chef Tom Bogia. Tickets for this event are $100 per person with proceeds shared by Moriches Bay Project and the Manna Ocean Foundation, both of which are not-for-profit organizations.

Coming up from December through April, Manna Mondays confirmed speakers include: Dr. Dan Benetti, University of Miami; Brian O’Hanlon, founder of Open Blue, Half Shells for Habitat; Dr. Chris Gobler of Stony Brook University School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (SOMAS); Christine Santora of Shinnecock Bay Restoration Program (SHIRP); Dan Esty, Hillhouse Professor of Environmental Law and Policy, School of the Environment and Clinical Professor of Environmental Law & Policy, Yale Law School and author of “Green to Gold”; and Peter Malinowski of the Billion Oyster Project on Governor’s Island in New York City.

For more information about “Manna Mondays,” visit mannarestaurant.com or call 631-728-5555. Manna at Lobster Inn is located at 5 Inlet Road West, Southampton.

Veterans Day Ceremony, Dinner And Cabaret Show

On Veterans Day, Thursday, November 11, the Southampton Inn and Claude’s Restaurant (91 Hill Street, Southampton), will hold a special ceremony honoring local veterans at its front entrance by the flagpole, at 5 p.m., with speeches and honorarium by local dignitaries.

The ceremony will be followed by a dinner and cabaret show, “A Musical Tribute to our Vets,” at Claude’s by Broadway and opera singer Cristina Fontanelli. Fontanelli has performed on international stages, as well as at top New York City clubs and venues like Carnegie Hall. In September, she packed the Southampton Basilica with her opera and Broadway performance, “Cristina Fontanelli and Friends.” For Veterans Day weekend, she will sing patriotic favorites and a timeline of wartime hits through the years.

The dinner and show will run from 6 to 9 p.m. on November 11, and be repeated again on Friday, November 12. The cost is $100 with a half-price rate of $50 for verified veterans. To reserve, call Claude’s Restaurant at 631-283-1166. Discounted rooms at the Southampton Inn are also available for veterans on November 11. For information, call the Southampton Inn at 631-283-6500 or visit southamptoninn.com.

In the months ahead, look for more Friday night supper club dinners with cabaret shows starring Cristina Fontanelli, including a Thanksgiving show on November 26, a Broadway holiday show on December 3, and a New Year’s Eve spectacular (two shows) on December 31.

Cowfish Wine Dinner Showcases Palmer Vineyards

On Thursday, November 4, at 6:30 p.m., come to Cowfish in Hampton Bays to experience an amazing evening that happens only a few times each year. This wine dinner features five-courses crafted by the restaurant’s chefs, with each off-menu course paired with a wine from Palmer Vineyards that celebrates Long Island’s wine country.

Cowfish’s chefs, along with representatives of Palmer, will be on hand to discuss this unique menu and how it was developed for the evening. The cost of the event is $90. Cowfish is at 258 East Montauk Highway in Hampton Bays. For more information, visit cowfishrestaurant.com.

Fall Harvest On The Harbor

The Restaurant at Baron’s Cove has unveiled its new autumn menu featuring seasonal fall fare and locally sourced ingredients from around the East End and beyond. Highlights from executive chef Nicholas Vogel’s new seasonal menu include truffle potato gnocchi (with herb and shallot cream sauce, truffle pâté and parmesan), scallops a la plancha (with grenobloise, cherry tomato and frisee), grilled cauliflower steak (with local broccoli, crispy new potatoes, citrus labneh, salsa verde), a local fish of the day sourced from Montauk fishmongers, moules frites (with garden herbs, cherry tomatoes, coconut milk, sriracha and lemongrass broth), a Berkshire pork chop, prime New York strip steak and other seasonal delights.
Baron’s Cove Restaurant is at 31 West Water Street, Sag Harbor. For details, visit caperesorts.com/barons-cove/dining.

Day Of The Dead In Springs

Rita Cantina in Springs is holding a “Day of the Dead Celebration” on Friday, November 5, in tandem with its happy hour offering of $1 oysters and $10 house margaritas. Rita has also launched a new fall menu, and is available for indoor dining and takeout this season.

Rita Cantina is open Thursday through Sunday, and is located at 28 Maidstone Park Road in East Hampton. For details visit ritacantinahamptons.com.