RED BANK: WALKING, WINING AND DINING

Boondocks Fishery at Marine Park is just one of nearly 30 stops on and off the beaten path as the Food and Wine Walk events return for a new season. (Photo by Rachel Weston. Click to enlarge)

Calling all free-range foodies: the season for strolling smorgasbording and open-air culinary exploring is just now heating up, with the appearance of the first in 2015’s schedule of Red Bank Food and Wine Walks.

Coordinated by Red Bank Rivercenter and presented rain-or-shine between the hours of 2 to 5 pm starting this Sunday, the self-guided tasting tour takes in more than two dozen borough restaurants, specialty shops, taverns and eateries – a gourmet gauntlet that allows participants (for a pay-one-price ticket of $35) to make the rounds as they see fit, sampling everything from fine wines and eclectic desserts to tapas, sushi and more.

New for 2015 is a policy by which tickets are sold online in advance only – a feature that RiverCenter explains is to ensure that customers don’t make the trip to town only to find a sold-out event. In addition to gauging ticket sales, the new ticketing procedure “will also give restaurant owners an advance headcount so they can prepare the best experience for their guests.”

Tickets for the July 19 Food and Wine Walk can be purchased here until 11 a.m the day of the event. Wristbands will be available for pick-up between 1 and 2 pm on the day of the event, with the pick-up location indicated on the pre-purchased ticket. All attendees must be present and show proper ID in order to pick up wristbands (must be 21 years or older). Future Food and Wine Walks are scheduled for the Sunday afternoons of August 16, September 20 and October 18.

Food and Wine Walk stops for July 19 include (* indicates locations featuring samplings of alcoholic beverages):

Boondocks Fishery (1 Marine Park)

Brannigan’s Wharf Bar and Grill (14 Wharf Ave)*

Buona Sera (50 Maple Ave)*

Carlo’s Bakery (86 Broad St)

Catch (9 Broad St)

The Cheese Cave (14 Monmouth St)

Chill Bubble Tea Bar (15 White St)

The Chowda House (78 Bridge Ave)

Cupcake Magician (54 Monmouth St)

Danny’s (11 Bridge Ave)*

Earth Pizza (95 Broad St)