If you’re planning to celebrate the holidays at a restaurant this year, these spots are offering special menus for Christmas and New Year’s. Reservations go fast, so call ASAP.

Allendale Social
9 Franklin Tpke., Allendale
For New Year’s Eve, the restaurant will offer a four-course prix fixe menu, including Spanish Grilled Octopus, Wagyu Beef Carpaccio, Short Rib Tagliatelle, Black Truffle Torchia Pasta, Slow-Cooked Ora King Salmon, Grilled Ibérica Pork Chop, Lobster and Salmon Risotto, and Prime Brandt Beef Filet Mignon, followed by desserts such as Gelato and Hazelnut Chocolate Gâteau.

Aubrey’s Corner
527 Morris Ave., Summit
If you want a more relaxed Christmas Eve, the newly opened Aubrey’s Corner will be open for regular dinner service, with its French onion soup and butternut squash lasagna on the menu.

Avenue Restaurant
23 Ocean Ave., Long Branch
Christmas Eve will be a four-course dinner, while the New Year’s Eve Celebration Package includes a premium open bar package, a specially curated menu and a live band.

Bar Mutz
90 Center Ave., Westwood
On the night before Santa’s arrival, Bar Mutz will serve caviar-topped mozzarella sticks and Mutz Water shots in addition to their full menu. Then, on New Year’s Eve, it’s a two-part celebration: three early dinner seatings followed by a late-night fête with hors d’oeuvres, caviar, cocktails, a DJ, and plenty of horns and confetti to welcome in 2026.

The Black Horse Pub
1 W. Main St., Mendham
Christmas Eve specials include shrimp cocktail, duck confit fried rice balls, crisp pork belly, mussels, crab-crusted filet mignon, roasted porchetta, boneless prime rib and pan-roasted halibut. New Year’s Eve specials include potatoes with caviar, crab salad, grilled fennel-spiced quail, lobster beignets, honey-spiced duck breast, boneless prime rib, pan-roasted halibut and braised short rib. Jersey Bound will perform before the midnight toast.

Blu on the Hudson
1200 Harbor Blvd., Weehawken
Executive Chef Juan Carlos “JC” Ortega will serve a three-course prix fixe menu on Christmas Eve, which includes his signature-style seafood-focused American-Mediterranean cuisine as well as special holiday dishes. Christmas specials include starters like Seven Fish Nigiri and Short Rib Raviolo; entrées such as King Salmon and 8-ounce Wagyu Beef Cheeks; and Bûche de Noel Tiramisu or Eggnog Panna Cotta for dessert. You can also order à la carte from a large selection of sushi rolls, pasta, large-format steaks, and more. The restaurant will be open on Christmas Day as well. Then, two elegant dinner seatings are followed by a New Year’s Ball Drop Celebration. Start with a three-course prix fixe dinner, then stay for live performances, DJ sets, and views of the fireworks lighting up the Hudson River. There will be a Champagne toast at midnight.

Calandra’s Il Vecchio Café
234 Bloomfield Ave., Caldwell
The Holly Jolly Lounge will be open through January 4, bringing lots of Christmas cheer to the restaurant through their annual pop-up bar. Celebrate early on New Year’s Eve with a la carte dining or a family buffet; or get tickets for the Adults Only Midnight Celebration, which includes a buffet, open bar, DJ, dancing, party favors, and a Champagne toast at midnight.

Calandra’s Mediterranean Grill
118 Rte. 46 East, Fairfield
NYE 2026 kicks off with an afternoon family buffet, and switches over to an adults-only party with a dinner buffet and dancing.

Charlie’s Place
18 W. Prospect St., Waldwick
New Year’s Eve kicks off with a Family-Friendly High-Energy Party, featuring an à la carte menu, kids’ mocktails, a 6 pm ball drop, and a festive countdown with giveaways. Dinner service after includes an à la carte dinner menu with sparkling wine and two New Year’s Eve cocktails per guest. The night continues with the Charlie’s Place New Year’s Eve Party, featuring passed hors d’oeuvres, an open bar, and live music by Wet Bandits.

Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar
Tropicana Atlantic City, 2801 Pacific Ave., Atlantic City
Kick off 2026 with Latin flair with an early a la carte Cuban dinner; with a dinner and celebration package including a four-course prix-fixe meal, DJ dance party, Champagne toast and party favors; or with a late-night party.

Cucina Calandra
216 Rte. 46 East, Fairfield
The Grinch’s Grotto has been all the rage this season, outfitting the bar with decorations that would make The Mean One envious! A la carte dining on NYE starts at 12 pm. For the 21+ crowd, the Executive Lounge Party starts with dinner at 4:30 pm and continues with a party until 2 am; or the Grand Ballroom Bash at 8:30 pm includes a dinner buffet, open bar, DJ, dancing and Champagne toast at midnight.

Drifthouse
1485 Ocean Ave., Sea Bright
Christmas Eve offers a three-course prix fixe for adults or two-course prix fixe for kids, with tableshare items like crispy calamari or chilled seafood; appetizers like sunchoke soup, pretzel-crusted crab cake, seafood salad or dry-aged carpaccio; mains like crab risotto, veal osso buco, lamb shank or salmon with cannellini beans and spinach; sides like truffle fries and potato au gratin; and Buche de Noel, flourless chocolate cake or pumpkin cheesecake for dessert. The New Year’s Eve three-course prix fixe with Champagne toast includes your choice of tuna tartar, lobster dumplings, beet salad, oysters and caviar; scallops and lobster, Bell chicken, beef Wellington, squid ink fra diablo or loli pop short rib; brussels sprouts, truffle fries and mac and cheese; and a dessert trio.

The Feathered Fox
84 Audrey Zapp Dr., Jersey City
Going all-in for New Year’s Eve, the party here will have live music, a midnight Champagne toast, and luxe specials like caviar service and prime rib.

Felina
18 Prospect St., Ridgewood
Christmas Eve dinner will be the Feast of the Seven Fishes: oysters, insalata di mare, linguine alle vongole, pan-roasted branzino, shrimp fra diavolo, and panettone bread pudding. You can also order these a la carte. The New Year’s Eve three-course dinner includes antipasti; a choice of lobster ravioli, prosciutto-wrapped cod, roasted cauliflower steak, or filet mignon as your main; or Sicilian cannoli or chocolate mousse to top off the night.

Gabriella’s Italian Steakhouse
447 Rte. 35, Red Bank
Picture Santa taking Mrs. Claus out for an elevated date for Christmas: think premium cuts of meat, fresh seafood at the raw bar and signature cocktails.

Halifax
225 River St., Hoboken
On Christmas Eve, Halifax will have a specially curated menu. Halifax will have two dinner seatings on New Year’s: a first seating with a limited a la carte menu (crab wonton with snow crab and caviar; burrata salad with black truffle and pomegranate; mushroom risotto; halibut with lobster bisque; slow‑roasted dry‑age steak; lemon ricotta torte); and a later four-course dinner with open bar and access to a party in The Living Room (where there will be another open bar, passed canapes, a live DJ and dancing).

Heirloom Kitchen
3853 Rte. 516, Old Bridge
The Feast of Seven Fishes is presented on Sundays in December, featuring oysters, crab and mortadella dip, shrimp ravioli, octopus, cioppino and panettone. Then, on Christmas Eve, you have the choice of a seasonal tasting menu or the Seven Fishes. Ring in 2026 with a three-course prix fixe dinner, or a five-course chef’s tasting menu with midnight toast on New Year’s Eve.

Il Mulino
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 1000 Boardwalk at Virginia Avenue, Atlantic City
The Feast of the Seven Fishes included jumbo shrimp oreganata, lobster ragu, black ink linguini with rock shrimp, red snapper livornese, swordfish medallions, and panettone with zabaglione.

Kona Grill
511 Rte. 1, Iselin section of Woodbridge
The Holiday Cheers Menu is available from December 4 to 30, and includes brie and crab stuffed salmon, pumpkin lobster and mushroom ravioli, Santa’s Eggnog, Catch Me If You Can (gingerbread old-fashioned), a holiday martini (with vodka and peppermint Rumchata), pumpkin spice margarita and pumpkin mocha martini. There will be a special Christmas-only menu on December 24 and 25, and you can hang out on New Year’s Eve.

Lita
1055 Rte. 34, Aberdeen
Chef David Viana will create a three-course savory Christmas Eve meal featuring Portuguese holiday traditions. On New Year’s Eve, a four-course prix fixe dinner is followed by a dance party with DJ Foggy Notion and a toast at midnight.

Lobster Shanty
83 Channel Dr., Pt. Pleasant Beach
Enjoy brunch on New Year’s Day while overlooking the Manasquan inlet. The buffet includes bakery items, cheese, fruit, raw shrimp, salads, Greek yogurt parfaits, build-your-own waffles, build-your-own omelets, build-your-own crab cakes, flank steak and honey ham at the carving station, stuffed French toast, housemade quiche, panko-crusted salmon, penne vodka, chicken Florentine, assorted cakes, pies and brownies.

Luca’s Ristorante
2019 Rte. 37, Somerset
With a taste of Ischia (Naples), Italy, Luca’s has been voted NJ’s best meatball – so of course, the polpette made with pine nuts, raisins, beef, tomato sauce and cacio cavallo is part of the New Year’s Eve menu – as are fresh figs with mascarpone and pine nuts, eggplant with tomato confit and buffalo mozzarella crema, crab cakes, burrata with roasted peppers and pickled eggplant, rice balls stuffed with beef and pork, braised angus short rib, veal osso buco, battered chicken breast, branzino and cannelloni. Tiramisu, pistachio brulee and gelato top off the meal.

Madison Modern Social
3801 Rte. 9, Old Bridge
This fairly new restaurant brings an upscale dining experience to your holidays. Aside from a classy sushi menu, you can order whipped lemon ricotta on sourdough bread, caviar or tuna tartare, wagyu beef bacon, short rib quesadilla, adult-friendly chicken nuggets, cacio e pepe ravioli, ribeye spinales, arancini, eggplant bruschetta or beef Wellington. For an Instagrammable holiday, order The Sphere for dessert, which is a chocolate cake lit on fire.

McLoone’s Pier House
1 Ocean Ave., Long Branch
This Pier Village staple will host specials on Christmas Eve, a New Year’s Eve party with live bands, and a New Year’s Day brunch.

Meximodo Cocina & Tequila Bar
5 Pearl St., Metuchen
25 Christopher Columbus Dr., Jersey City
If you want a Mexican meal with a side of mezcal for the holidays, Meximodo will be open on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and then brunch on New Year’s Day.

Michael Coastal Italian Grille
706 Haddon Ave., Collingswood
The Christmas Eve Feast of the Seven Fishes includes salt cod fritter, charred octopus, clams in roasted garlic butter and cioppino; plus chocolate panna cotta or strawberries with biscotti and whipped cream for some sweetness to counteract all the saltiness of the sea.

NOM Mexican Table & Tequila Bar
67 Morris St., Morristown
New Year’s Eve dinner specials include braised crispy pork belly, crab croquettes, stuffed pork tenderloin, ancho-rubbed catfish, party tacos (crispy crab, chorizo and eggs, and crispy pork belly), and a party starting at 10 pm with a DJ, open bar, and tequila toast at midnight.

Northridge Restaurant
The Woolverton Inn
New Year’s Eve will be an elegant, New York–style evening inspired by the iconic Rainbow and Carlyle rooms: a cafe-style dinner and dancing will take place inside the beautifully restored 1830s stone barn. And to celebrate its first anniversary, Executive Chef Lance Knowling will create the restaurant’s seasonal multi-course prix fixe menu (roasted winter vegetable salad, Yukon potato soup, pan-seared branzino, boneless grilled short rib), with live entertainment and sheep race games supporting the local food pantry, Fisherman’s Mark. A midnight Champagne toast will welcome in 2026.

Orchard Park by David Burke
Chateau Grande Hotel, 670 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick
The holidays are festive at Orchard Park, with a three-course holiday menu on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day; and either a three of four-course prix fixe menu on New Year’s Eve.

Over Easy Kitchen
460 Rte. 520, Marlboro
2111 Rte. 35, Holmdel
588 River Rd., Fair Haven
For a laid-back holiday, come earlier in the day for brunch or lunch – and try one of their handcrafted espresso drinks.

Park Place Prime
Bally’s Atlantic City
On Christmas Day, there will be two festive three-course dinner menus, in addition to the full menu. Begin with a choice of mozzarella arancini or Caesar salad. Entrée selections include steak frites, roasted chicken, salmon Milanese or the signature burger. Dessert selections include triple chocolate fudge cake and Park Place Prime cheesecake. A second menu includes additional elevated choices for each course – like shrimp cocktail, Korean Wagyu meatballs, Caesar salad, slow-roasted prime rib, wood-grilled filet mignon, Chilean sea bass and crab cake.

Patricia’s of Holmdel
2132 Rte. 35, Holmdel
BYOB to accompany an Italian Christmas meal, making sure you order their famous Money Bag pasta for a Christmas treat.

Rat’s Restaurant
16 Fairgrounds Rd., Hamilton Twp.
Nestled in the heart of the Grounds for Sculpture 42-acre sculpture garden, Rat’s is named for the beloved character Ratty from the classic children’s storybook The Wind in the Willows. This French countryside-like café will have the full menu available for lunch and dinner, plus specials, on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. Christmas dinner includes crispy hasbrown with tuna, pickled beet salad, salt baked roast beef and apple tartine. New Year’s features oysters, sweet potato soup, hidden rose apple salad, dry-aged bone-in ribeye, Dubai chocolate tart and sticky toffee pudding.

Red Horse by David Burke
26 Ridge Rd., Rumson
The Christmas menu, available on the Eve or on the Day, includes butternut squash bisque, roasted beet carpaccio with arugula salad, lobster dumplings, dressed oysters with rock shrimp, roast prime rib, filet mignon, ginger pepper salmon, pan-roasted halibut, butter poached lobster tail, Christmas yule log, traditional pecan pie and triple chocolate mousse cake.

Red Horse by David Burke
Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Rd., Bernardsville
The restaurant is open on Christmas Eve and Day, offering signature menu items like clothesline bacon, butternut squash bisque, lobster dumplings, bacon and mushroom tart, halibut with sweet potato gnocchi, roast prime rib of beef, seared scallops, braised lamb shank, salmon with cranberry and butternut squash barley, butter-poached lobster tail and dry-aged ribeye. Desserts include warm apple crisp, key lime pie, triple chocolate mousse cake and Christmas yule log. The Ballroom Party on New Year’s Eve features CC Coletti and Band, with a ball drop and Champagne toast at midnight.

Revell Hall
219 High St., Burlington
For New Year’s Eve, there will be a four-course prefix menu with seating downstairs in three afternoon timeslots. Upstairs starting at 9 pm will be the Revell Hall New Year’s Eve Party, which will include an open bar and passed hors d’ oeuvres.

Restaurant Serenade
6 Roosevelt Ave., Chatham
If you choose to come in for Christmas Eve, your dinner options include pumpkin soup, BLT salad, short rib tortellini, fried oysters, tuna, halibut, vegetable panache, roasted rack of lamb and filet mignon; followed by cobbler (with apples from Melick’s Farm), lemon tart our chocolate mousse cake. A gluten-free dinner is available upon request. If you’re celebrating at home, order a four-course takeout meal for Eve or Day: truffle artichoke leek soup, market salad, Dover sol or filet mignon, and chocolate tart. You can add on Brussels sprouts, potato puree, creamed spinach and an Italian meringue lemon tart. Come back a week later for a NYE menu of white truffle risotto, caviar, grilled octopus, pumpkin soup, BLT salad, short rib tortellini, crab cake and fried oysters.

RoofTop at Exchance Place
Exchange Place, Jersey City
A live DJ and entertainment keep the energy high all night as you over look the NYC skyline on NYE. The Terrace offers a 3- or 4-course prix fixe dinner if you prefer a seated experience.

Saku
936 Park Ave., Hoboken
On New Year’s Eve, guests can enjoy a three-course prix fixe dinner, featuring carefully curated courses that showcase premium sushi and Japanese flavors. The experience includes a free pour of bubbles to toast the new year, along with live music.

Shannon Rose Irish Pub
Ramsey and Clifton
For New Year’s Eve, the Ramsey location will feature a 4-course dinner, 4-hour open bar, live music, and a Champagne toast at midnight. The Clifton location will feature a dinner buffet, late night brunch buffet, 4-hour open bar, live music, and midnight Champagne toast.

Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas
70 Kingsland Rd., Clifton
New Year’s Eve specials include caviar service, butter-poached lobster, bone-in dry-aged ribeye and merlot poached pears.

The Stone House
50 Stirling Rd., Warren
Located on 10 acres in the Watchung Mountains, the restaurant blends city with rustic. Christmas Eve dinner will be a three-course prix fixe meal; while New Year’s will offer an earlier seating for three courses or a later seating with four courses.

Summit House
395 Springfield Ave., Summit
Christmas Eve’s specials by Executive Chef AJ Capella include poached seafood salad, frutta di mare pasta, and herb-crusted prime rib. New Year’s Eve’s five-course prix fixe dinner includes beef tartare, salsify bisque, truffled crab risotto, spaghetti alla chitarra, roasted diver scallops, seared Irish salmon, bacon-wrapped heritage pork loin, seared bluefin tuna, and citrus panna cotta.

TGIFriday’s
Burlington Twp., East Windsor, Linden, Manahawkin, Turnersville, West Orange
Through January 5, the “Original Elf Universe” takes over select Fridays locations with signature characters and themed zones like Candy Cane Corner and Naughty Elf Bar, as well as floor-to-ceiling décor; holiday-inspired menu items like the TBS Christmas Tree-O, Melting Snowman Sundae, Jolly Pom-a-Rita and Snowball Choco-tini; and Festive Fridays that include movie nights and themed trivia events.

Town Bar + Kitchen
80 Elm St., Morristown
You’ll watch Chef Jeff create a five-course seasonal dinner on New Year’s Eve as you sit at The Counter. Two seatings will be available.

Vette Ristorante at Calabria 
588 S. Livingston Ave., Livingston
Christmas Eve will offer an elevated yet traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes. Chef Maurizio de Rosa will blend southern Italian flavors in his warm seafood salad, fritto misto, linguine lobster, spaghetti scammaro, baccalà in pastella with puttanesca, snapper acquapazza, Pandoro with zabaglione sauce, and panettone prepared tiramisu-style. Christmas-themed craft cocktails include the jewel-green Grinch; a warm, winter-spiced Fireside Negroni; and the Mistletoe Margarita.

Catering Options

B&M Market
Park Ridge
Offerings for “fine dining at home” include a selection of hors d’oeuvres, soups, pasta, entrees, meats, side dishes and desserts.

Bella Italia Pork Store & Catering
Freehold, Jackson, Monroe
The hot buffet option for Christmas or New Year’s includes a variety of pasta, chicken, vegetables and meat – with a dozen choices of meat, such as eye round roast beef, stuffed loin of pork, boneless stuffed leg of lamb, fresh ham or standing prime rib. There are appetizers like rice balls, potato croquette and fried ravioli; cold platters such as bruschetta, fresh or grilled vegetables, and American or Italian cold cuts; and seafood including baked clams oreganata, calamari fra diavolo, zuppa di clams or jumbo shrimp salad. There’s an a la carte menu with selections of pasta, chicken, veal, beef, pork and side dishes.

Brothers Barbecue
900 Rte. 17, Suite 2, Ramsey
4242 Palisades Center Dr., West Nyack, NY
2402 Rte. 32, New Windsor, NY
Dinner packages include two half trays of homemade sides (anything on the regular menu, plus mashed potatoes or roasted potatoes), a half tray of cornbread smoked sausage stuffing, a 9-inch pie of your choice (apple, pecan, pumpkin or sweet potato), and homemade cranberry sauce. Add that to smoked, fried or boneless turkey; or smoked prime rib.

D’Angelo Italian Market
Freehold
Choose from a burrata platter, cheese and salumi, rice balls and croquettes, salads, pasta (Sacchetti D’Angelo is little cheese-filled pasta purses with cream sauce), meat dishes, eggplant rollatini or parmigiana, shrimp dishes or seafood salad, pizza rustica, prosciutto bread, oven-ready meats and roasts, and a variety of pastries and cookies.

Feast Catering
Westfield
The catering menu has 2 dozen hors d’oeuvres to choose from – like hummus bruschetta with yucca chips, Asian beef phyllo tarts, char-grilled mini lamb cutlets with mint dipping sauce, and BBQ pork buns with pico de gallo – plus sushi platters, pasta, meat and poultry, fish, vegetables, and platters with baguettes and fruit.

Livoti’s Old World Market
Aberdeen, Brick Freehold, Marlboro, Middletown
If you want a complete Christmas Dinner Package, you’ll get a side dish, pasta dish and entrée, plus a mozzarella caprese platter, tossed salad and a loaf of brick oven bread. Italian seafood specialties include shrimp scampi, baked clams oreganata, zuppa di mussels, stuffed filet of sole and linguini with crab sauce. A la carte selections range from baked ziti and stuffed shells to eggplant dishes to mini rice balls to chicken and meat trays. You can order a full holiday platter with international cheeses, hot or cold antipasto, gourmet seafood, mini fried finger foods or a charcuterie board.

Lucy’s Kitchen and Market
Princeton
Complement a spiral ham or (uncooked) turkey with goat cheese salad, crudite, roasted shrimp cocktail, buttermilk biscuits, creamy mashed potatoes, harvest wild rice with shitake mushrooms and cranberries, oven-roasted Brussels sprouts, beef meatballs, baked tortellini al forno, lasagna Bolognese, cheese cannelloni, chicken marsala, cedar plank salmon, creamed spinach casserole, macaroni & cheese, quiche, salmon en croute, gingerbread cake with cream cheese frosting, or a brownie platter.

Maddalena’s Cheese Cake & Catering
Ringoes
The a la carte selections will be ready to heat on Christmas Eve, including boneless roasted prime rib of beef, spiral glazed ham, salmon in lemon mustard dill sauce, oven-roasted turkey with sweet bread stuffing and sweet potato casserole, stuffed shells or meatball marinara, lobster crab ravioli, green beans almondine, roasted carrots with herb butter, homemade sweet dinner rolls, vanilla or pumpkin cheesecake, and apple crumb pie.

Mighty Quinn’s Slow Smoked Barbecue
Clifton, Hoboken, Union
Have yourself a merry BBQ Christmas, choosing from trays of brisket, smoked turkey breast, sausage, spare ribs, lots of flavors of chicken wings, mac & cheese, roasted sweet potatoes, burnt end baked beans, cinnamon bun bread pudding and apple crisp pie.

Plated by D
Hackensack
Choose from a mini charcuterie board for a small gathering, a Charcuterie Christmas Tree to share at parties, or a circular tray to share on Christmas dinner. There are a variety of small holiday gift boxes for your neighbors and co-workers, too.

Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace
Morris Plains, Ramsey, Tinton Falls
Uncle G’s has it all covered: dinner packages, appetizers, pasta and potato selections, meat entrees, turkey with stuffing, vegetables, green salads, seafood platters and entrees, Christmas desserts and lots of candy. They also specialize in the Feast of the 7 Fishes, with options including linguini with white clam sauce, baccala salad, pasta alla mare and frutti di mare. They also do catering for Hanukkah!

Yellow Rose Vegan Bakery & Café
410 Ridgewood Rd., Maplewood
Yellow Rose is partnering with Chef Taryn Clayton of Soj Foods for grab-and-go meals, such as DanDan noodles, lentil bolognese, and a lentil loaf with broccoli and roasted potatoes. You can order a mix of sweet and savory treats for the holidays.

Bakeries

Choc-O-Pain
Hoboken and Jersey City
The menu for the holidays at this French bakery goes on and on: Buches by Millefeuille, tarte apple tatin, Tarte Poire, flourless chocolate heaven cake (that is gluten-free), Tarte aux Noix de Pecan and Galette des Rois are just for starters.

David Burke’s Dixie Lee Bakery
Keansburg
Sweets and seasonal treats include Noel cakes, pastries, pies, cakes, cookies and breads that you can cater for the holiday.

Papa Ganache
Cranford, Matawan, Manasquan
You can preorder cupcakes, traditional favorites and food for Hanukkah; or a selection of cakes, cupcakes, desserts, pies, cookies and dessert bowls for Christmas. The bakery is vegan and gluten-free.

Sourdough Sweetie
Ridgewood
Naming her sourdough starters Bertha and Glenda, owner Kelly makes an assortment of handmade breads, scones, bagels and cookies.

Tours les Jours
Multiple locations
The Asian-French bakery café chain has more than 300 artisan pastries, gourmet cakes and desserts baked in-store daily, with a special Holiday Wishes menu this time of year.

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Read More:
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The post These NJ Restaurants Will Serve Up Your New Year’s Dinners appeared first on NJ Family.

My great-grandmother brought over cookie recipes from Sicily when she came to the United States more than 100 years ago, and for as long as I can remember, my family has honored her family’s traditions every Christmas season.

Each year, we hold a baking party with all of our relatives and friends gathered in the kitchen to make biscotti (mainly “S” but letter-shaped cookies we call “riscotha”) and struffoli (tiny fried dough balls covered in honey and sprinkles). My sister will make pignoli cookies and seven-layer rainbow cookies; plus sometimes Regina (sesame) cookies. And we can’t forget about the Sicilian arancini (rice balls).

Struffoli-making holds dear memories because every single year someone would roll one giant ball and put it in the center of the baking sheet so that my late grandfather could play quality control. And my dad tells stories of how his bed and his brother’s bed in their childhood home would be covered in cookies for days (since there was no place else to store them). Now that my nephews are involved, that’s at least six generations carrying on our family’s legacy, since the recipe actually came from my great-great-grandmother – and probably further back.

Here’s a recipe for struffoli you can try with the kids this year. The dough is simple to make, and little ones love rolling the balls over and over.

Bakeries sell these around Christmas and Easter, but there’s nothing like a homemade cookie – with samples along the way!

Ingredients for the dough:
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
3 large eggs
2 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp melted butter (or olive oil)
1 tsp vanilla extract
Zest of 1 orange or lemon (traditional and recommended)
Pinch of salt

Ingredients for frying and finishing:
Vegetable oil (for frying)
¾–1 cup honey
1–2 Tbsp sugar (optional, for extra gloss)
Rainbow sprinkles (nonpareils)
Optional toppings: candied fruit, chopped nuts

Instructions:
1. Make the dough
On a clean surface or in a bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and citrus zest. Make a well in the center and add eggs, melted butter (or oil), and vanilla. Mix until a dough forms, then knead until smooth and elastic (about 5–7 minutes).
Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.

2. Shape the dough
Cut the dough into small pieces and roll each into thin ropes (about pencil-width). Cut into tiny pieces—roughly ½ inch long. Don’t worry if they’re not perfect; rustic is the charm.

3. Fry
Heat about 2 inches of oil to 350°F. Fry the dough balls in batches until golden, about 1–2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

4. Coat with honey
Warm the honey (and optional sugar) gently in a large pan until fluid. Add the fried dough balls and toss gently until evenly coated.

5. Finish & serve
Transfer to a platter, shaping into a mound, wreath, or ring. Sprinkle generously with rainbow sprinkles.

Although we don’t do this (we stay very traditional), for a more kid-friendly version, keep the flavors simple. Skip any liqueur and use orange zest and vanilla for a mild, sweet dough. After frying and coating the honey balls, set up a topping station with rainbow sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or colored sugar.

See how easy making struffoli is via our Instagram page.

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Read More:
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The post Struffoli Has Been Our Family’s Sicilian Christmas Tradition for 100 Years appeared first on NJ Family.

Get your holiday spirits on at one of a number of Christmas pop-up bars, which will be decked out to the nines with holiday décor and slinging next-level drinks with seasonal inspiration.

Miracle will return to locations in Freehold, Nutley, Jersey City, New Brunswick, Verona, Long Branch and Morristown. Miracle started in the East Village of NYC in 2014 and quickly expanded to other U.S. locations, plus Canada, Australia, Panama, Norway, the Cayman Islands and Costa Rica, for a total of 160 participating locations worldwide this year.

While the decor is Instaworthy on its own, the true star of the show is the cocktail menu. Noteworthy drinks at Miracle locations include the Christmapolitan, a twist on the classic made with vodka, elderflower, dry vermouth, spiced cranberry sauce, rosemary, lime and absinthe mist and for those who have been naughty, there’s the Hot Buttered Rum, served hot. Other deliciously merry cocktails such as Carol Barrell, Snowball Old Fashioned, Koala Kooler and Christmas Cricket are sold in mugs and glasses you can purchase for your at-home Christmas parties.

And the restaurants serve holiday food specials, too, so if you can’t find a babysitter, you can take the kids out with you.

Miracle on Centre at Cowan’s Public
229 Centre St., Nutley

Miracle on Mercer at Franklin Social
292 Barrow St., Jersey City

Miracle on George Street at Catherine Lombardi’s
3 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick

Miracle on Bloomfield at The Parkside Social
706 Bloomfield Ave., Verona

Miracle at The Bistro
Inside iPlay America, 108 Schanck Rd., Freehold

Miracle at Avenue
Avenue, Pier Village, 23 Ocean Ave. N., Long Branch

Miracle at Parkside Tavern
Parkside Tavern, 9 Speedwell Ave., Morristown

Crystal Springs Resort in Sussex County has its own share of holiday pop-up bars. Previously known as The Schnapps Shack, the Jacques Torres Cocoa Cabin is located adjacent to the Glice skating rink in front of the Crystal Springs Clubhouse at 1 Wild Turkey Way in Hamburg, has toasty fire pits where you can enjoy your hot signature cocktails or snacks like chili con carne, pretzels with warm cheese, and churros with warm cocoa sauce. The opening date is November 28.

Or, let the spirit of the season take you to Frosty’s Cantina & Winter Workshop, located at Minerals Hotel, 2 Chamonix Dr., Vernon Twp. Order a spiked hot chocolate or a vanilla latte to wash down a beef hot dog or chili. The Winter Workshop is fun for all ages and includes marshmallow roasting, fire pits and axe throwing. Hours of operation are 3-8 pm Fridays and Saturdays, starting November 28.

The exterior and interior of The Waiting Room in Hoboken have a “Home for the Holidays” winter wonderland theme, with an array of lights, ornaments, garland, Christmas trees and assorted decorations, which dazzle through January 31. Festive cocktails include White Christmas )Tequila, Triple Sec, Coconut Purée, Lime Juice, Simple Syrup), Sugar Cookie (Vanilla Vodka, Amaretto, Bailey’s, Sweet Cream), Maple Old Fashioned (5 Springs Maple Bourbon, Simple Syrup, Orange Bitters) and Peppermint Espresso (Vodka, Kahlua, Espresso, Peppermint Purée).

Sinner’s Steakhouse in Point Pleasant Beach is transforming into a jolly ol’ sinful Christmas extravaganza – but for the whole family.

Try a signature cocktail like Reif Rum Coquito, Cousin Eddie’s Egg Nog or Scrooge’s Usual; or you can make your own hot chocolate. Desserts will get a festive twist. And the full menu will be available. You can sit inside or on the heated terrace. Dates are November 4 to January 4.

Harry’s Ocean Bar & Grille in Cape May transforms the Jersey Shore establishment into a winter wonderland for Jingle Bar. The décor is top-notch, with people lining up down the avenue to see all the Instagram-worthy decorations. The specialty cocktails include festive drinks like Mistletoe Margarita, Blue Christmas, Snowflake Eggnog, Peppermint Tini and The Grinch. The pop-up is open Thursdays to Sundays from November 14 to December 31.

Jingle Bell Bar returns as a pop-up at 1927 Lounge at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City.

Located off the casino floor, this adults-only party has festive cocktails and themed entertainment.

Cucina Calandra in Fairfield is bringing back the Grinch’s Grotto, through January 4. Your heart will grow three sizes during lunch, happy hour or dinner when you come to this Grinch-themed pop-up. Specialty cocktails will be made with flavors like cranberry, cinnamon and peppermint. The Holly Jolly Lounge at Calandra’s sister location, Il Vecchio Cafe in Caldwell, is all about holiday cheer, with twinkling lights, tinsel, holiday-inspired cocktails like St. Nick’s Old Fashioned or Mistletoe Mule.

BarBacoa’s Christmas Cantina is open in Summit from December 1 to 31, with a festive lineup of Christmas Cantina cocktails served in holiday-themed glassware. Highlights include Down the Chimney, a smoky-meets-bright blend of mezcal, cranberry, lemon, and ginger beer; Santa’s Milk & Churros, a dessert-inspired mix of dark rum, Baileys, churros, and coffee liqueur; Christmas in Cabo, a tropical-leaning combination of añejo tequila, coconut, pineapple, lime, and mint; the bourbon-forward Comet’s Cup with spiced demerara and angostura; and Mama Coco’s Hot Cocoa, a warming reposado tequila hot chocolate topped with marshmallow foam.

Candy Cane Land at Agave Maria in Belleville is a Christmas candyland, found only by going through a secret door inside the Xaman Room to this holiday speakeasy pop-up. Once inside, you’ll see decorations in every corner of the room, plus holiday menu items like Bad Santa, Don’t Steal My Reindeer, Santa Strawberry Surprise, salmon a la pina, and skirt steak.

And don’t miss out on a trip to NYC to see The Queen of Christmas-inspired bar at Mariah Carey’s Black Irish Holiday Pop-Up. Located this year at the Untitled Hotel, there are festive photo ops, martinis named after Mariah (and featuring the Black Irish brand), and lots of Christmas music and decor from November 14 to December 28. The Elf Bar Christmas Pop-Up Experience at Continental Sports Bar and Lounge will have hundreds of elf figurines are set up around the bar from December 4 to 24; plus elf cocktails and elf-themed games, and lots of photo ops against a magical Christmas backdrop.

Check each restaurant’s or bar’s site for opening dates, operational dates, hours and menus.

We’re giving away a $100 gift card to the Miracle Bar Pop-Up at The Bistro at iPlay America in Freehold. Click here to enter.

Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram!

Read More:
All We Want For Christmas Is a Drink at Mariah Carey’s Holiday Bar
The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Lights in NJ
This Winter Wonderland in PA Is Worth the Drive From New Jersey

The post These Epic Christmas Pop-Up Bars Are Back for Holiday Cheer appeared first on NJ Family.

Madison Modern Social opened earlier this year to rave reviews, and after seeing it for ourselves, we totally get the hype. Here are 10 reasons why your next night out should be here.

1. The Vibe

Madison Modern Social feels like a New York City lounge. Two gorgeous bars and moody purple-pink lighting set the tone in this Old Bridge hot spot.

From the wall decor to the display cases behind the glass to the sewn-in pillows that separate each booth, every last detail is elevated.

2. The Epic Menu

The starters alone are worth making a resy here. The milk bread comes with a trio of butters: honey, herb, and a chef’s pick. The whipped lemon ricotta with fresh figs and local honey on sourdough toast is also a must. If you like raw seafood, order the tuna tartare, shrimp cocktail, oysters or caviar service.

The Madison Caesar Salad takes its baby gem lettuce up a notch with a lemon parmesan dressing, sesame crumbs, toasted brioche, and deviled eggs.

Trust us on this: get the small plates to share. The fried rice arancini is made with pickled carrots, edamame, romesco and spicy chili crisp for an Asian twist. Chicken nuggets are housemade and tempura battered with spicy BBQ sauce and honey mustard on the side. The Gold Bar mozzarella sticks are topped with truffle aioli and Ossetra caviar.

The Spicy Lumache pasta is just the right amount of hot, with Calabrian chili vodka sauce, n’duja, stracciatella, basil and shaved parmigiano. The lemon linguine, mafaldine bolognese and cacio e pepe ravioli are all made in-house.

Entrees include the Madison Burger made with short rib, bacon jam and Cooper Sharp American cheese; grilled eggplant bruschetta; chicken parm made with top-notch Bell & Evans cutlets; and either halibut or branzino.

But the real star of the menu is the ribeye cap (spinalis) steak, which was so tender it basically cut with a butter knife. It’s also topped with a unique gremolata butter, and comes with potato pave. The truffle parm shoestring fries and crispy tempura broccoli are both exceptional sides.

3. The Sushi Menu
The specialty rolls here rival any top tier sushi restaurant. The Lobster Surf & Turf with lobster meat and filet mignon was so good that even non-sushi fans would appreciate it. The coconut shrimp roll made with mango and strawberry Thai chili sauce is another standout.

4. The Instagrammable Desserts

If you’re all about the ‘Gram, you should be all about The Sphere. A dessert meant to be shared, it literally says “Instagrammable” on the menu. The Oreo ice cream cake is surrounded by an outer layer that melts when your waiter hits it with a lighter. It’s a spectacle of its own, and tastes just as good as it looks.

Other sweet treats include the Dubai roll with chocolate sponge cake, ganache and pistachio praline kataifi; mini bundt carrot cakes with cream cheese frosting; and churro bites tossed in cinnamon sugar, Nutella and dulce de leche.

5. The Cocktails

Each of the two bars have their own unique flare, and the drinks are as good as they are pretty.

Smoke & Mirrors has Patron infused with jalapeno, Illegal mezcal, grapefruit, lime and agave. By Design is Angel’s Envy bourbon, Nixta corn liqueur and Amaro nonnino. Sesame Street is made with sesame-infused Elijah Craig rye with Fernet Branca, cardamom-cinnamon honey syrup and angostura bitters.

On top of a selection of martinis, beer and wine, there are 45 different types of tequila, plus varieties of vodka, gin, rum, mezcal, bourbon, whiskey, rye, scotch and cognac. If you’re celebrating something epic, ask about the Louis XIII.

The mocktails are amazing here, too. Nojito is made with coconut water, lime and mint; Tea Thyme adds thyme and lemon to hibiscus-infused iced tea; and the Madison Lemonade kicks it up a notch with jalapeno, blueberries, honey, lemon and lime.

The Matcha Muse is made with Ketel One vodka, Pandon, crème de cacao, matcha and strawberry cream, and the 50 Cent Espresso Martini levels up a regular martini with Branson VSOP, Mr. Black coffee liqueur, espresso and Demerara.

6. The Happy Hour Specials

Magic Hour, as it’s called here, is from 3 to 6 pm Monday to Friday. Select martinis, house wines and classic cocktails are discounted.

Light bites include shrimp tacos, chicken skewers, pork meatballs and short rib quesadilla. We’re obsessed with the Maddi Moment, which are basically grown-up chicken nuggets with truffle fries and the Madison Caesar salad.

7. The Music

Tuesdays at The Social Club are all about Supper Club vibes. Live music starts at 6 pm, with R&B and classic jazz bands. Madison Thursdays’ DJ also makes it feel like a real night out.

8. It’s a Fun Celebration Spot

This is an elevated spot to celebrate your birthday, anniversary, etc. Dinner packages are for 3 hours and include most of the regular menu items. Or make it a brunch party with your girls, again a 3-hour event, but this time with choices like a fruit and cheese board, lemon ricotta pancakes, sliced prime steak, eggs benedict, mac and cheese, crispy thick cut bacon and a sushi platter.

9. The Team Behind the Madison 

Madison Modern Social is owned by Demetri Rexinis, Kosta Rexinis, and Frank Brusco – known for the renowned Over Easy Kitchen in Marlboro, Holmdel and Fair Haven; Gabriella’s Italian Steakhouse in Red Bank; another Italian restaurant, Patricia’s of Holmdel; and the new Jackson Square Pizzeria in Jersey City.

Well known across the state, the hospitality team has a reputation for all things high-end and next level. The Rexinis brothers had a role in iconic venues like Club Abyss, Deko Lounge, Central Park, Mr. East and Park East. Brusco, a Holmdel native and first-generation Italian American, is involved with five restaurants now.

10. The Location

Sure, it’s a strip mall, but The Shoppes at Old Bridge is a high-end, up-and-coming spot with shops like White House Black Market and Shisheido. Other restaurant options include the longstanding Feast Italian Kitchen, the newly opened Kyuramen, and the soon-to-open The Chop Shop.

Madison Modern Social is located in the Shoppes at Old Bridge at 3801 Rte. 9 in Old Bridge. Hours are 12-10 pm Monday to Thursday, 12-11 pm Friday and Saturday, and 12-9 pm Sunday. The restaurant is all about the experience, but you can order online here.

To enter our giveaway for a $200 gift card, head to our Instagram page!

Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram!

Read More:
Mezcal Delivers a Modern Mexican Steakhouse Experience to New Jersey
World’s Largest Tequila Bar Meximodo is Opening a New Location in Jersey City
James Beard Award-Nominated Chef Opens Jewish-Italian Fusion Restaurant

The post 10 Reasons Why Madison Modern Social Should Be Your Next Night Out appeared first on NJ Family.

With sugar pearls and royal icing, these cut-out cookies are guaranteed to spread holiday cheer.

Total Time: 40 minutes
Yields: 50 cookies

Note: Total time does not include chilling and cooling time. This recipe is for the reindeer and tree cookies pictured.

Ingredients:

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
Red, green, and white royal icing
Sanding sugar and sugar pearls, for decorating

Directions:

• In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in egg, then vanilla.
• Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually add flour mixture, mixing just until incorporated. Shape dough into 4 disks and roll each between 2 sheets of waxed paper or parchment paper to 1/8-inch thick. Chill until firm: 30 minutes in the refrigerator or 15 minutes in the freezer.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Using floured cookie cutters, cut out cookies and place on the prepared baking sheets. Reroll, chill, and cut scraps.
• Bake, rotating positions of pans halfway through, until cookies are light golden brown around the edges, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool on sheets 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely. Decorate as desired.

Subscribe to Woman’s Day for $8 off.

Reprinted with permission from Woman’s Day Kitchen.

Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram!

Read More:
The Cutest Christmas Cookie Recipes Ever
This Vintage Christmas Tree Sheet Cake Will Win Holiday Dessert Time
How to Make a Santa Board
You’ll Win Christmas Dinner With These Homemade Rice Balls

The post These Reindeer & Tree Cookies Were Made For Your Holiday Table appeared first on NJ Family.

Looking to cater your feast this Thanksgiving? These restaurants, caterers and supermarkets are among the best of the best.

Restaurants:

Bacarosa – Nutley

Preorders are open for catering, but the exact menu will be released soon.

Baron Dillon Grille at Hopewell Valley Golf Club – Hopewell

Thanksgiving dinner delivered to your door includes turkey with all the trimmings. The food will be delivered cold but include heating instructions.

The Capital Grille – Cherry Hill and Paramus

Though reservations are available for Thanksgiving Day, you can instead choose to order sides for home (turkey and dessert not included), including brioche sage stuffing, French green beans with ginger butter, cranberry-pear chutney, Sam’s mashed potatoes, seeded rolls, housemade gravy, and pecan-crusted sweet potatoes with hot honey.

La Cipollina – Freehold Borough

The Thanksgiving feast to go includes fresh turkey, glazed ham, rice balls, cavatappi in spicy vodka sauce, Sicilian eggplant, candied sweet potatoes with marshmallows, Brussels sprouts, sausage with raisin stuffing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and apple pie.

Cracker Barrel – Multiple Locations

The heat-and-serve Thanksgiving Turkey Feast to-go includes options like oven-roasted turkey breast, cornbread dressing, turkey gravy, sweet potato casserole, green beans, mashed potatoes, sweet yeast rolls, pecan pie and pumpkin pie.

Drifthouse Restaurant Lounge & Bar – Sea Bright

If you choose Thanksgiving to Go for pickup on Thanksgiving Day, you’ll start with an herb-roasted turkey and then add stuffing, green and wax beans, sweet potato puree, cranberry relish, gravy, and your choice of pie.

Grain & Cane Bar & Table – Berkeley Heights

The complete dinner package features a slow-roasted turkey breast, gravy, Cape Cod cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes. The farm-to-table restaurant also provides customizable options, so you can order everything from roasted turkey breasts to individual side dishes and desserts a la carte.

Half Moon Point – Point Pleasant

The chef-prepared dinner packages include options of roasted turkey, soup, dinner rolls, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, sausage stuffing, green beans almondine and dessert.

Halifax – Hoboken

Takeout options include butternut squash soup, pickled beet salad, local heritage turkey breast, mashed potatoes, pecan challah stuffing, turkey leg gravy, herbed fall vegetable maple sweet potato, cranberry chutney, and the choice of one pier (apple crumble, bourbon pecan, mixed berry or pumpkin).

Kona Grill – Woodbridge

For those celebrating at home, Kona Grill offers a Thanksgiving to-go package, available for pre-order at KonaGrill.com. The takeout package includes two orders of Macadamia Nut Turkey, one Traditional Roasted Turkey, one kids’ roasted turkey, and a pumpkin pie.

Michael: Coastal Italian Grille (formerly Nunzio by Chef Michael DeLone) – Collingswood

The Thanksgiving takeout menu features butternut squash bisque, roasted squash salad, whipped ricotta toast, turkey meatballs, housemade semolina loaf, pumpkin gnocchi, baked turkey Bolognese, truffle gnocchi, turkey scallopine, turkey cutlets, Italian sausage with broccoli rabe stuffing, sweet potato mash, baked cauliflower, and pecan pie.

Mighty Quinn’s Slow Smoked Barbecue – Clifton, Union

Your Thanksgiving feast will include smoked turkey breast with pan gravy, a tray of southern cornbread stuffing, a tray of mac and cheese, roasted sweet potatoes with candied pecans, and citrus-spiced cranberry sauce.

Mostly Smoked – Manalapan

Main dishes at this BBQ-inspired eatery are smoked turkey breast, hand-pulled pork, hand-pulled chicken, Angus beef brisket or St. Louis ribs. Sides are classic stuffing, roasted Brussels sprouts, mac & cheese, parmesan chive mashed potatoes, house shredded cole slaw and smoked baked beans with beef brisket burnt ends. Add on cranberry sauce, gravy, bread & butter pepper pickles, pickled red onions, honey butter cornbread or potato slider buns.

Neapoli Italian Kitchen – Red Bank

Pre-order items include roasted turkey breast with gravy, classic stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, string beans almondine, and a choice of apple or pumpkin pie.

Orchard Park – East Brunswick

The Grab n Gobble To-Go dinner includes turkey with gravy and herb stuffing, roasted Brussels sprouts, butter whipped potatoes, green beans with almonds, Caesar salad with dressing, cheese popovers, and two pies.

Pierre’s – South Brunswick

The Thanksgiving to-go meal includes turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, grilled vegetables, salad, pumpkin pie and apple pie. Other pies available from the bakery include blueberry, cherry, peach, crumb, coconut custard, pecan, chocolate cream, banana cream, key lime, lemon meringue, sugar-free apple or harvest. Cookies, pastries, bread and custom cakes can be ordered as well.

Red Horse by David Burke – Rumson

If you choose the Grab n Gobble To-Go traditional Thanksgiving dinner, you’ll get a full Thanksgiving dinner by Chef David Burke: half or whole turkey with gravy and herb stuffing, roasted Brussels sprouts, butter whipped potatoes, green beans with almonds, Caesar salad with dressing, cheese popovers, and two pies (pumpkin, pecan or apple).

Sirena Bar, Bistro & Restaurant – Pier Village, Long Branch

Order an organic oven-roasted turkey accompanied by fennel sausage and chestnut stuffing, sherry wine gravy, haricot vert, maple sweet potato puree, and blood orange-cranberry marmellata.

Spring House – Tenafly

Choose from comforting classics like roasted turkey and chestnut truffle stuffing; to options like potato gnocchi with butter and sage, beet salad, and baked mushroom crepe; to sweet finishes like pumpkin and cranberry pecan pie.

Stage House Tavern – Mountainside, Scotch Plains and Somerset

Whether you’re serving dinner for 4 or 18, your options for the holiday meal include turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans almondine, vegetable stuffing, garlic brussels sprouts, glazed carrots, candied yams with marshmallows, wild rice, pear salad, cranberry sauce, ciabatta bread, and a pie with a half-pint of whipped cream.

Sweet Carolina Barbecue Co. – Toms River

Styled after BBQ joints in Lexington, North Carolina, these turkeys come smoked and ready to go for your Thanksgiving table.

Zinna’s Bistro – Cranbury 

The “specialz” include turkey noodle soup, short rib French onion soup, herb roasted turkey with roasted root vegetables and whipped sweet potatoes, deep fried turkey with apple stuffing and cranberry sauce, pineapple-glazed ham, and herb roasted rack of lamb.

Catering:

Abma’s Farm – Hillsborough or Wyckoff

You can order a turkey ranging from 9 to 34 pounds, plus ham, homemade side, quiche and desserts.

B&M Market – Park Ridge

Thanksgiving offerings are bacon-wrapped dates with almonds, goat cheese and honey phyllo triangles, shrimp tempura lollipops, chicken teriyaki dumplings, a variety of canapes served by the dozen, mini beef meatballs, pumpkin hummus, seafood stuffed shrimp, pumpkin ravioli, caviar platter, croque monsieur (Hawaiian style), family-style pasta, apple cider cornbread stuffing, butternut squash and andouille stuffing, beef Wellington, seafood stuffed sole, maple bourbon baked ham, veal osso buco, lamb shank, or stuffed or boneless turkey breast. “The In-Law Special” has turkey breast, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, green beans and gravy for two.

Bella Italia Pork Store & Catering – Freehold
Thanksgiving dinner includes a cooked oven-roasted turkey (that will have to be reheated), a choice of pasta, a choice of vegetables, a choice of potato, either traditional or sausage stuffing, and an 8-inch apple or pumpkin pie.

Bella Italia Pork Store & Catering – Jackson
Choose from oven roasted turkey; a variety of macaroni, vegetable and potato options; traditional or sausage stuffing; and apple or pumpkin pie. The food is made from authentic old-world recipes.

Calandra’s Italian Market & Deli – Caldwell

Next door to Calandra’s Il Vecchio Cafe, the deli and catering portion has a selection of a la carte items for your holiday table, like butter and honey baked turkey breast, harvest salad, green bean almondine, penne alla vodka, creamy mashed potatoes, traditional herb stuffing with cranberries, fresh baked apple pie, one large sliced Calandra’s panella bread.

D’Angelo Italian Market – Freehold

Catering options include whole or carved turkey, sliced ham, homemade turkey gravy, homemade cranberry chutney, a la carte stuffing, a variety of pastas and vegetables, garden or Caesar salad, appetizers like a burrata platter or riceballs, specialty stuffed breads, and oven-ready meats like prime rib or lamb.

Dolce & Clemente’s – Robbinsville

Give your Thanksgiving an Italian twist by ordering prosciutto bread, rice balls, fried ravioli, antipasto platters, chicken marsala, penne vodka, eggplant parmigiana, and sausage and peppers.

Feast Catering – Westfield

This year’s holiday selections include two quarts of soup (pumpkin with acorn squash and toasted corn; or carrot with ginger and honey); 20 pieces of stuffed mushrooms with brie, crispy pan fried Asian chicken wontons, or coconut shrimp with mango salad; either all white breast or boneless turkey; a cooked Thanksgiving roast turkey; gravy or cranberry and ginger sauce; herb and onion, or sausage and sage, stuffing; whipped mashed potatoes or sweet potato puree mash; marinated mixed roasted vegetables, roasted Brussels sprouts or French beans with toasted almonds.

Food Company Catering and Special Events – East Hanover

Choose from fresh vegetable crudité, spiced nuts with savory biscotti, butternut squash risotto cakes and balsamic fig bruschetta as hors d’oeuvres. The main course options include a whole fresh oven-roasted turkey or fresh turkey breast with gravy, classic cranberry sauce, prime rib with garlic horseradish crust, herb-stuffed salmon roulade and Angus beef short ribs. Side dishes feature cornbread stuffing, sweet potato casserole, vegetable ragout and oven-roasted potatoes. You can order a mixed farmers greens salad. End with fresh baked pie, mixed fall fruits or an apple cranberry cobbler.

Griggstown Farm – Princeton

Select from a traditional white broad-breasted turkey, or all-natural, free-range, heirloom black turkey; or boneless turkey breast, whole duck, goose, capon, quail or guineafowl. Sides include traditional turkey gravy, au jus, cranberry sauce, wild mushroom soup or butternut squash soup. There are 10 pie options, including pecan and pumpkin, plus peach and berry, apple and blueberry, and strawberry rhubarb.

Livoti’s Old World Market – Aberdeen, Brick Twp., Freehold, Marlboro, Middletown

The traditional dinner package includes a half-tray of sliced turkey breast or sliced spiral ham; a half-tray of butternut squash ravioli, mac and cheese, baked ziti or stuffed shells; a half-tray of mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, string bean almondine or creamed spinach; a half-tray of sausage or potato bread stuffing; and a choice of apple or pumpkin pie. Also included are bread, a tossed salad, cranberry chutney and turkey gravy. If you need more carbs, you can order butternut squash ravioli, sausage stuffing, potato breast stuffing, stuffed artichokes, mashed potatoes and sweet potato casserole a la carte. All the antipasto, macaroni, appetizers and cornbread can be ordered separately, too.

Lucy’s Kitchen and Market – Princeton

Complement your Bell & Evans turkey – cleaned and seasoned with fresh herbs, salt and pepper, but uncooked – with roasted shrimp cocktail, imported cheese, crudité, antipasto, salad, Tuscan bread and sausage or vegetarian cornbread with leek stuffing, candied sweet potatoes with pecans, cauliflower with caramelized onions and parmesan cheese, macaroni and cheese, creamed spinach casserole, buttermilk biscuits, butternut squash soup, cedar plank roasted salmon, lasagna, chocolate bourbon pecan pie, pumpkin cheesecake, or pumpkin loaf.

Maddalena’s Cheese Cake & Catering – Ringoes

This year, Maddalena’s is only offering sides, not turkey. Choose from bread stuffing, fresh whole cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole topped with pecans, homemade sweet dinner rolls, and homemade cheesecakes and apple crumb pie. Ask about optional green bean casserole or low-salt pan gravy.

Market Basket – Franklin Lakes

Thanksgiving catering orders can be placed online. The menu is two pages long, with everything from seafood appetizers to Italian antipasto to a variety of turkey and spiral sliced Virginia ham to dozens of potato and vegetable choices to a full Thanksgiving Dinner option. Don’t forget the sweets: crumb cakes, pies, sweet potato praline, banana cream pie, pumpkin cakes, fruit salad or the special Turkey Shaped Cake, either chocolate cake with chocolate mousse or white cake with white chocolate mousse.

Plated by D – Hackensack

These Thanksgiving charcuterie boards are sure to impress your guests with cheese, nuts, cured meats, olives, breadsticks, crackers and fruit.

Terhune Orchards – Princeton

You can make your family’s favorite side dishes with hearty winter greens, brussels sprouts, apples and winter squash from the fields and orchards. You can also buy fresh cranberry relish, cranberry salsa, apple sauce and apple salsa. Freshly pressed apple cider can be served cold during dinner or hot during dessert. Terhune’s own wine will complement every course. There is also a wide selection of pies and crisps, including apple, blueberry, coconut custard, cherry, pecan, and pumpkin.

Just Desserts:

Battleview Orchards – Freehold Twp.

Freshly baked pies for the season include apple cranberry, apple berry delight, pecan, pumpkin and sweet potato.

Choc-O-Pain – Hoboken and Jersey City

Thanksgiving-like items include butternut squash and goat cheese quiche, pear rustic cake, spiced almond cream tart, walnut cranberry sourdough bread, apple caramel tarte, and a pumpkin or pecan tarte.

David Burke’s Dixie Lee Bakery – Keansburg

Order pastries, pies, cakes, cookies and bread to fill up your table. You can also order something to take elsewhere if you aren’t hosting.

Gaston’s Bakeshop – Allentown

The pre-order menu includes cookies (salted caramel chocolate chip or pumpkin snickerdoodles), pies (chocolate peanut butter, bourbon pecan or pumpkin), macarons (pumpkin- and turkey-shaped set, or an assorted 6-pack), an apple galette, and a pumpkin loaf.

Mav’s Top Buns – Middletown

The over-the-top cinnamon bun mecca wants you to skip the pie in favor of sweet potato, pumpkin chai, apple cider doughnut, Jersey corn, pecan, and OG cinnamon buns.

Nicholas Creamery – Atlantic Highlands, Fair Haven, Long Branch, Middletown, Tinton Falls, Wall Twp.

Ice cream may not come to mind for Thanksgiving, but their freezer pies give Thanksgiving dessert a new twist. Choose from banana cream ice cream pie, pumpkin roll ice cream by, or the collab with Delicious Orchards – an apple crumb ice cream pie.

Papa Ganache – Cranford, Manasquan, Matawan

Order a selection of vegan and gluten-free cakes, cupcakes, cheesecake, treats, pies and food for your Thanksgiving table. Specific options include the Thanksgiving Chocolate Obsession or Very Vanilla cakes, tres leches cake with mixed berries, chocolate chip cookie dough cheesecake, pumpkin swirl cheesecake, and a variety of cupcakes and pies.

Table and Banter Market – at The Park, Berkeley Heights

The bakery team is working on a selection of pumpkin, pecan and apple pies available for pre-order.

Tous les Jours – Cherry Hill, Edison, West Windsor

The French-Korean bakery has a special gluten-free pecan tartlet on the menu for Thanksgiving: a buttery, gluten-free crust filled with a rich and gooey pecan filling. There is a full menu of breads, cakes, pies, sandwiches and pastries as well.

Yellow Rose Bakery & Cafe – Maplewood

New for this season is a mini apple pie crumb tart. There are other vegan, seasonal treats like pumpkin whoopie pie, pumpkin cheeze danish, mini pumpkin chocolate chip loaf and a cinnamon roll.

National chains:

Bob Evans – The Holiday Hot Family Meal to feed six people includes slow-roasted turkey, hickory-smoked ham, housemade bread and celery dressing, cranberry relish, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, buttered corn, baked dinner rolls and a whole pumpkin pie.

Boston Market – Both catering and heat-and-serve options are available, with options of whole roasted turkey, ham, or turkey breast, and sides like mashed potatoes, stuffing and pies.

Marie Callender’s – Order oven-roasted turkey breast, a whole turkey, bone-in spiral ham, or prime rib; plus mashed potatoes, fire-roasted yams, chef’s veggies, stuffing, cornbread, five cheese macaroni casserole, mushroom burgundy and turkey gravy, chipotle-pineapple sauce, cabernet au jus, creamed corn, or quiche. Don’t forget the sweets: no sugar added or regular apple pie, banana cream pie, banana meringue pie, cheesecake, cherry pie, chocolate cream pie, chocolate meringue pie, chocolate satin pie, coconut meringue pie, double cream blueberry pie, double cream lemon pie, German chocolate cream, razzleberry pie, Kahlua cream cheese pie, sour cream apple pie, Boston cream pie, or a pumpkin cheesecake.

Grocery stores:

McCaffrey’s – Princeton or West Windsor

There are several gourmet dinner packages that include turkey, mashed potatoes, herbed bread stuffing, roasted sweet potatoes and roasted Brussels sprouts. Or, if you’re making your own bird, get the Complete Dinner Sides Package, with stuffing, Brussels sprouts, turkey gravy and cranberry orange relish. You can also order items a la carte. For dessert, choose from cornbread, apple pie, pumpkin pie, buttermilk biscuits, or pumpkin cream cheese roll.

Morton Williams Marketplace – Jersey City

This awesome supermarket caters for residential or commercial purposes and even has a kosher menu. The Complete Turkey Dinner includes three sides, plus dessert. Or opt for a premium Bell & Evans turkey a la carte. Other choices are herb-crusted rack of lamb, brisket of beer with caramelized onions, grilled or poached salmon, homestyle lasagna, chestnut stuffing, apricot stuffing, wild rice with almonds and cranberries, honeyed carrots, and a selection of pies.

ShopRite – Multiple Locations

If you spend the required amount using your Price Plus Card through Nov. 27, you may be entitled to a free turkey or ham (or lasagna if you don’t want meat). The stores carry everything you need for your Thanksgiving Day table, plus recipes for your at-home chefs.

Sprouts Farmers Market – Aberdeen or Marlton

Add to your fully-prepared holiday meal with groceries that are typically natural, organic and gluten-free.

Walmart – Multiple Locations

With the tagline “Thanksgiving for under $4 per person,” Walmart’s Turkey Day value meal is stuffed with a frozen, whole Butterball turkey, fresh cranberries, fresh potatoes, brown gravy mix, golden corn, fresh baby-cut carrots, green beans, cream of mushroom soup, fried onions, mac and cheese, turkey stuffing mix, white dinner rolls, two 9-inch pie crusts, pumpkin puree, and evaporated milk – all for $39.92, expected to feed 10 people.

Wegmans – Multiple Locations

Thanksgiving catering options include everything from custom hand-carved turkey dinner, individually prepared meals, appetizers, pies and desserts. You can also get holiday florals and decorations. They’ll prepare food for Friendsgiving, too.

Whole Foods – Multiple Locations

The traditional Thanksgiving menu offers turkey, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, stuffing and more of your holiday favorites, along with recipes to jazz up the menu.

Online ordering:

Boarderie

Fresh Direct

Harry & David

Nueske’s

Omaha Steaks

Williams Sonoma

If you’re looking for a great restaurant that is hosting Thanksgiving dinner, check out some of our favorite spots!

Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram!

Read More:
Where To Eat Out On Thanksgiving
Where to Get Your Thanksgiving Turkey

The post These Places Will Cater Your Thanksgiving Dinner appeared first on NJ Family.

Want to skip the cooking this Thanksgiving? These New Jersey restaurants are offering special deals for the holiday. Be sure to call ASAP to make your reservation while tables last.

NORTH

1776
67 East Park Place, Morristown
973-829-1776
Either before or after you finish your three-course prix fixe menu on Thanksgiving, pop into the Topgolf Swing Suite to play virtual sports games. You’ll work off some of the lobster dumplings, maple glazed cedar plank salmon and pumpkin cheesecake by swinging a golf club or throwing a football. 

Blu on the Hudson
1200 Harbor Blvd., Weehawken
201-636-1200
Overlook the Hudson River and the New York City skyline as you choose from a menu by Executive Chef Juan Carlos “JC” Ortega, featuring his signature-style American-Mediterranean cuisine and classic holiday dishes.

Calandra’s Il Vecchio Cafe
234 Bloomfield Ave., Caldwell
973-226-8889, Option 1
The buffet includes an assortment of hot entrees, salads, sides and desserts; plus a special children’s menu.

Calandra’s Mediterranean Grill
118 Rte. 46 East, Fairfield
973-575-6500
The annual Thanksgiving deluxe buffet includes turkey, prime rib, pasta, an assortment of entrees, seasonal pastries and pies.

The Capital Grille
2000 Rte. 38, Cherry Hill
10 Dryden Way, Parsippany
1 Garden State Plaza, Paramus
Each plate features slow-roasted turkey with brioche stuffing, French green beans and cranberry pear chutney. The table will get mashed potatoes and mashed sweet potatoes with hot honey to share. The dessert is pumpkin cheesecake.

Crystal Springs Resort
1 Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg
855-977-6473
At Crystal Springs Resort there are an array of exquisite dining options for a memorable Thanksgiving celebration. Choose from three delicious buffets, delectable holiday menus with wine pairing options or delicious a la carte dining at its various restaurants on site.

Cucina Calandra
216 Rte. 46 East, Fairfield
973-575-7720
For an Italian twist on American Thanksgiving, Petto di Tacchino Arrosto is sliced turkey breast topped with turkey jus, country sausage, cornbread and apple dressing with sweet potatoes, green bean almondine and cranberry sauce. Order some butternut squash soup, green apple tri color salad or pumpkin ravioli; or eggplant rollatini, Tuscan salmon or grilled New York sirloin steak.

Felina Restaurants
18 Prospect St., Ridgewood
551-276-5454
At Albion Summit Hotel, 570 Springfield Ave., Summit
908-273-3000
At Hudson House, 2 Chapel Ave., Jersey City
551-277-0588
101 S. Orange Ave., South Orange
973-996-8969
You get to create your own meal, choosing from autumn squash soup, heirloom beet salad, baked Brie, shrimp cocktail, salad or pumpkin arancini; then herb roasted turkey, lasagna, hearth roasted salmon, braised short rib, roasted cauliflower or cowboy ribeye; topping it off with sweet potato bread pudding, honey crisp apple tarte tatin, pumpkin cheesecake or chocolate pot d’crème. Kids have their own menu of salad, carrots and celery with ranch dressing, autumn squash soup, a turkey dinner, junior lasagna, pasta or chicken fingers with fries.

Grain & Cane Bar & Table
250 Connell Dr., Berkeley Heights
The farm-to-table restaurant will offer a special prix fixe menu for Thanksgiving, including turkey, stuffing, potatoes and cranberry sauce, to a la carte sides and desserts. The full menu will be available as well.

Halifax
225 River St., Hoboken
201-253-2500
Have your holiday meal on the Hudson waterfront. Choose from pickled beet salad, butternut squash soup, salmon carpaccio or turkey confit fritters to start. Entrée is a choice of local heritage turkey breast, fall mushroom Bolognese, braised lamb shank or Nova Scotia halibut. Family-style sides are green bean casserole, herb-roasted fall veggies or mashed potatoes. Choose either apple pie pavlova or pumpkin fritters for dessert.

Maddy Rose (formerly Liberty House)
76 Audrey Zapp Dr., Jersey City
201-395-0300
Beautiful views of the NYC skyline are visible from this popular restaurant. Start with heirloom beet salad, pumpkin arancini or shrimp cocktail. Move on to herb-roasted turkey, homestyle lasagna, roasted cauliflower or cowboy ribeye. Finish with honey crisp apple tarte tatin or pumpkin cheesecake.

Mohican Outdoor Center
Appalachian Mountain Club (Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area), 50 Camp Mohican Rd., Blairstown
908-362-5670
The buffet-style service has vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free options. Menu items include caramelized apple and ricotta crostini, white bean and escarole soup, roasted turkey with herb butter, pork loin with caramelized spiced apples, mushroom and lentil shepherd’s pie with butternut squash mash, brussels sprouts with balsamic glaze, orange-infused cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole with butter pecan crumble, and apple and pumpkin pie. Make a day of it and participate in outdoor and hikes and paddles after brunch.

Ninety Acres
The Pendry at Natirar, 200 Natirar Dr., Peapack-Gladstone
The culinary team will craft a pre-fixe holiday meal complete with Thanksgiving staples, seasonal cocktails and sweet treats.

Restaurant Serenade
6 Roosevelt Ave., Chatham
973-701-0303
Kick off the evening with short rib tortellini in a black truffle emulsion or pumpkin soup with apples and chestnuts. Order traditional turkey roasted two ways, or opt for vegetable panache made of quinoa risotto and cauliflower. The apple cobbler is made with apples from Melick’s Farm in Hunterdon County.

Sátis Bistro
212 Washington St., Jersey City
201-435-5151
The refined three-course meal includes Classic Turducken Roulade (turkey, duck, chicken) chestnut herb stuffing, cranberry port jelly, turkeyneck truffle demi, served with sweet potato au gratin and garlic wax bean almondine, pumpkin and chocolate lava cake or bourbon crème anglaise, pecan pie, rum raisin gelato or chocolate ganache.

Shannon Rose Irish Pub
98 Kingsland Rd., Clifton
973-284-0200
1200 Rte. 17, Ramsey
201-962-7602
Thanksgiving dinner includes sliced turkey breast, cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes, crispy Brussels sprouts, string beans and gravy. You can also order potato leek soup, apple arugula salad, Irish soda bread and cranberry sauce a la carte.

Son Cubano
40-4 Riverwalk Place, Port Imperial/West New York
201-399-2020 
Spend the American holiday in 1950s Cuba, dining on modern Cuban, American and Asian fusion dishes created by Chef David Burke. The regular menu will be available with Thanksgiving specials.

VENTANAS Restaurant & Lounge
200 Park Ave., Fort Lee
201-583-4777 
Typical dishes here include a sushi boat that feeds four people, K-town wings & calamari rings, octopus & chorizo kebab, and domestic lamb porterhouse. The regular menu will be available, with additional Thanksgiving specials.

CENTRAL

American Hotel
18-20 E. Main St., Freehold
732-431-3220
Turkey, ham and all your favorite sides will be part of the buffet selection.

Avenue
Pier Village – 23 Ocean Ave. N., Long Branch
The three-course oceanfront feast includes choices of roasted beet salad, truffle macaroni gratin, lobster bisque, escargot, tuna tartar, salad verte, arugula salad, rigatoni with mushroom ragu, Scottish salmon, beef bourguignon, roasted turkey, and pumpkin crème brulee.

The Bistro
iPlay America, 108 Schanck Rd., Freehold Twp.
Aside from a classic Thanksgiving dinner with tukey, sides and homemade pies, the family can go next door to the arcade and boardwalk area for free laster tag, XD Dark Ride VR, a two-hour video game pass, Topgolf Swing Suite NFL games, and prizes and giveaways.

Christie’s Italian Seafood Grill
2420 Rte. 9, Howell
732-780-8310
The Thanksgiving Dinner Feast includes family-style stuffed mushrooms, rice balls, fried zucchini, scacce and eggplant rollatini. The main course is turkey with homemade gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, sweet potatoes, green beans, corn and cranberry sauce. Dessert is a choice of traditional pumpkin pie, apple pie or homemade cheesecake.

Drifthouse Restaurant Lounge & Bar
Driftwood Cabana Club, 1485 Ocean Ave., Sea Bright
732-530-9760
Thanksgiving appetizer choices include lobster dumplings, crispy calamari, butternut squash soup and beet salad. Order Drifthouse Bacon or chilled seafood for the table. Entrees include roasted turkey, butternut squash ravioli, salmon, braised short rib, 1.5-pound steamed lobster and 8-ounce prime filet mignon. Dessert choices are apple tart, pumpkin pie, chocolate mousse cake, crème brulee or pecan pie. Kids can order their own turkey plate, pasta with sauce, a burger or chicken fingers.

The Frog and The Peach
29 Dennis St. at Hiram Sq., New Brunswick
732-846-3216
Start Thanksgiving with New England clam chowder, venison tartar, octopus carpaccio, beet salad or pumpkin ricotta gnocchi. Entrees include roasted free-range turkey, seared NJ sea scallops, parmesan-crusted tuna or wild mushroom cannelloni. Add on baked macaroni with aged gouda, grilled asparagus with pickled mustard seeds or whipped potatoes. Finish up with a chocolate tasting, cheese board, peach sorbet or pumpkin sabayon. Kids have a separate menu.

Kona Grill
511 Rte. 1, Woodbridge
732-750-4400
Kona’s Thanksgiving Features Menu will be available November 27-30, offering traditional roasted turkey with sautéed green beans, miso mashed potatoes with cream gravy, brioche stuffing, and ginger-yuzu cranberry sauce; Kona’s signature Macadamia Nut Turkey, with macadamia nut-crusted turkey breast with shoyu cream sauce; pumpkin pie; and a Kids’ Roasted Turkey Bento Box, which comes with a stuffed animal and a beverage.

Lobster Shanty
83 Channel Dr., Point Pleasant Beach
732-899-6700
Start with a fall harvest salad, lobster bisque or butternut squash; have turkey breast or roast beef with au jus carved off the bone; or scoop some apple cider chicken with roasted cranberries, five cheese mac-and-cheese casserole, seafood pescadore, pumpkin beer mussels, sweet sausage stuffing with apricots, bacon and cranberry green beans and whipped potatoes from the chafing dishes. There will be a variety of cookies, brownies, pies and ice cream on the dessert bar.

McLoone’s Pier House
Pier Village – 1 Ocean Ave., Long Branch
732-795-3493
A buffet menu will be served in the main dining room and The Atlantic Room. Choices include salads, fruit and cheese, tomato with mozzarella, raw bar, roasted turkey, roast beef, pecan-crusted salmon, crab cakes, penne, tortellini, homemade stuffing, mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, string beans almondine, candied mashed sweet potatoes, glazed yams, corn, mac n’ cheese, chicken fingers, pies, eclairs, cookies, petit fours and dessert bars.

Mulberry Street Restaurant
739 Rahway Ave., Woodbridge
732-634-4699
The holiday buffet menu includes whole-roasted turkey (light and dark meat) with giblet gravy, homemade savory stuffing, green bean casserole, cornbread, mashed potatoes, assorted salads, sweet potato marshmallow casserole, zucchini and squash parmesan gratin and homemade cranberry sauce. Dessert selections will be apple pie, pumpkin pie, pumpkin cheesecake, and warm apple raisin bread pudding.

The Olde Mill Inn & Grain House Restaurant
225 Rte. 202, Basking Ridge
908-696-2335
Both the Olde Mill Inn and Grain House will offer the same Thanksgiving buffet menu with chef-carved turkey, classic seasonal sides, fresh salads, and a dessert display.

Orchard Park by David Burke
At the Chateau Grande Hotel, 670 Cranbury Rd., East Brunswick
732-554-5714 
Take Thanksgiving to an elevated level, grabbing a drink at the bar first, then reserving a table in the beautiful dining room. Come hungry because the menu includes beet salad, roasted acorn soup, lobster dumplings, tuna and salmon tartar, honey nut delicata squash rings, turkey, shrimp stuffed sole, short rib with mushrooms and pearl onions, fig and mascarpone ravioli, pork chop, shrimp/scallop/pumpkin risotto, salmon with beet farrotto, grilled filet mignon and lobster tail. Dessert options include ice cream sliders, apple dumpling with oat crumble; pumpkin cheesecake with toffee sauce and a pecan tart.

The Perch at The Peacock Inn
20 Bayard Ln., Princeton
609-924-1707
The 3-course Thanksgiving meal will include appetizers like octopus terrine, sweet potato and red pepper hummus, and warm spinach/butternut squash/goat cheese salad. Mains include wild mushroom lasagna, duck duo, roasted turkey breast, lobster tortellini and savoy cabbage wrapped cod.

Pierre’s of South Brunswick
582 Georges Road, Monmouth Junction
732-329-3219
This Thanksgiving Grand Buffet kicks off with starters like peel-and-eat shrimp, cream of turkey soup or pumpkin soup, Mediterranean seafood salad, and orecchiette pasta with broccoli; then continues with a meat carving station, classics like chicken francese and beef bourguignon, lots of Thanksgiving sides and a full dessert station.

Red Horse by David Burke
At the Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Rd., Bernardsville
908-766-0002 
The three-course prix fixe meal includes baby beet salad, roasted pumpkin soup, lobster dumplings, or crispy shrimp and Asian pear spring rolls; turkey with all the fixin’s, ginger pepper salmon, halibut with fennel and beurre blanc, braised bison short ribs, and seared scallops with butternut agnolotti. The third course has triple chocolate mousse cake, classic pecan pie, spiced pumpkin pie and sugar cookie ice cream sandwich on the list.

Red Horse by David Burke
26 Ridge Rd., Rumson
732-576-3400
The first course has options like butternut squash bisque, beet carpaccio and arugula salad, lobster dumplings, dressed oysters with rock shrimp. The second course has options like all-natural roast turkey, ginger pepper salmon, pan-roasted halibut, braised beef short ribs, and seared scallop and shrimp chowder. Choose three sides from Yukon Gold whipped potato, haricot vert amandine, vanilla bean whipped sweet potato and roasted Brussels sprouts. Dessert ranges from pumpkin pie and pecan pie to triple chocolate mousse cake to a sugar cookie ice cream sandwich and DB’s famous cheesecake lollipops. 

Spring House
91 W. Clinton Ave., Tenafly
201-353-0080
The newly renovated restaurant and cocktail bar is set within the historic Demarest-Lyle House (circa 1794), and if offering a Thanksgiving dinner for either dine-in or takeout. Choose from comforting classics like roasted turkey and chestnut truffle stuffing; to options like potato gnocchi with butter and sage, beet salad, and baked mushroom crepe; to sweet finishes like pumpkin and cranberry pecan pie.

Stage House Tavern
366 Park Ave., Scotch Plains
908-322-4224
Start with lobster bisque, butternut squash soup, shrimp cocktail, mussels Fra Diavolo or crispy fried tofu. For your entrée, pick from a roasted turkey platter, pan-seared scallops, slow-roasted lamb shank, herb-roasted half chicken or crispy tofu kebab. Dessert choices include apple or pumpkin pie, warm brownie sundae, Stage House cheesecake or fresh berries with zabaglione cream. Kids 12 and under can feast on butternut squash soup or lobster bisque; roasted turkey, baked mac and cheese or a hot dog; and a warm brownie sundae or pie. Call to ask about vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free menu options.

Stage House Tavern
1099 Rte. 22, Mountainside
908-731-0366
The Thanksgiving Buffet includes a soup station, salad station, cold table with cheese and fruit, shrimp cocktail, a carving station with meats (turkey, of course), create your own pasta, a taco bar, a hot buffet with more than a dozen options, and tons of desserts.

Stage House Tavern
1719 Amwell Rd., Somerset
732-873-3990
The buffet on Thanksgiving Day includes a salad station, including potato salad, pasta salad, smoked salmon and cheeses; a carving station with holiday meats; raw oysters and clams; a pasta bar; a main buffet with kielbasa, pierogies, broiled haddock, chicken marsala and beef stroganoff; and assorted desserts and ice cream flavors.

The Stone House
50 Stirling Rd., Warren
908-754-1222
Appetizers start with autumn squash soup, heirloom beet salad, Maddy’s Caesar salad and baked Brie. Entrée choices are herb-roasted turkey, homestyle lasagna, roasted cauliflower and cowboy ribeye. The raw bar has a variety of oysters, clams, shrimp cocktail, lobster salad, lump crab salad and tartare. The Children’s Menu offers salad, carrots and celery with ranch dressing or autumn squash soup; plus turkey dinner, pasta, lasagna or chicken fingers. Dessert options are sweet potato bread pudding, pumpkin cheesecake, honey crisp apple tarte tatin, and chocolate pot d’crème.

Tim McLoone’s Supper Club (The Robinson Ale House)
1200 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park
732-774-1400
Dig into this buffet from McLoone’s and The Robinson Ale House, that’s loaded with Thanksgiving favorites like oven-roasted turkey, gravy, stuffing, whipped potatoes, corn casserole and candied yams; plus tamarind-glazed salmon, international cheeses and antipasto. Hit the spiral ham or flank steak carving stations, and help the kids find their way to the chicken fingers and fries. Don’t skip the warm apple cobbler and assorted mini pastries.

SOUTH

Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
Atlantic City
While trying your luck at the tables and slot machines, take a break for dinner at B Prime Steakhouse, the only Kobe-certified steakhouse in New Jersey; Old Homestead Steakhouse; Angeline by Michael Symon; American Bar & Grille; The Metropolitan; or The Borgata Buffet.

The Capital Grille
2000 Rte. 38, Cherry Hill
Each plate features slow-roasted turkey with brioche stuffing, French green beans and cranberry pear chutney. The table will get mashed potatoes and pecan-crusted sweet potatoes with hot honey to share. Dessert is pumpkin cheesecake.

Cracker Barrel
Multiple Locations
The holiday menu includes country fried turkey, pot roast signature fried apple French toast bake, cinnamon swirl French toast breakfast, broccoli cheese casserole, hashbrown casserole shepherd’s pie, apple streusel pie, cinnamon roll pie, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, chocolate pecan pie, DIY hot chocolate bar, sparkling plum mimosa and sugar plum tea.

Park Place Prime
Bally’s Atlantic City
This contemporary steakhouse will offer a four-course Thanksgiving meal on November 26 and 27. The meal will begin with roasted butternut squash soup, with sherry, mascarpone and spiced almonds, followed by an autumn salad of seasonal greens, artisan feta cheese, glazed walnuts, craisins and red wine vinaigrette. Citrus and herb-roasted turkey will be served for the main course with vegetable brioche stuffing, whipped potatoes, glazed yams and parmesan-roasted Brussels sprouts. Order traditional apple pie or pumpkin cheesecake for dessert. The full menu will also be available.

Prospector’s Grille & Saloon
3050 Rte. 38, Mount Laurel
856-235-1121
Enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixin’s.

The Reeds at Shelter Haven
9601 Third Ave., Stone Harbor
609-368-0100
Come hungry, because the buffet offers up chilled salads or warm soups, depending on your mood. The Carvery includes roasted turkey (or turkey legs), roasted pork, baked ham, pastrami and kielbasa. Other entrees include grilled salmon, cider-braised pork shoulder, fried chicken breast and cheese tortellini. Chilled items include roasted butternut squash, a variety of salads, cole slaw, and pecan & port wine cheeseball. Soups are Italian wedding or New England clam chowder.

Renault Winery
72 N. Bremen Ave., Egg Harbor City
609-965-2111
Not only will you get a feast for dinner, but it will be accompanied by Renault’s wines of the season.

River Winds Restaurant
1075 Riverwinds Dr., West Deptford
856-579-7900
Head here with four or more people and you can get a whole turkey carved for you tableside plus family-style sides like mashed turnips, cranberry sauce and glazed sweet potatoes. A la carte entrees also include grilled ham steak or salmon and broiled filet mignon. Kids’ choices include a turkey dinner, ham, penne pasta or chicken tenders and fries. End the night with a slice of pumpkin or apple pie.

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Read More:
These Places in NJ Will Cater Your Thanksgiving Dinner
Where to Get Your Thanksgiving Turkey

The post Where to Eat Out on Thanksgiving in New Jersey appeared first on NJ Family.

When Domenick Calise opened Bucky’s Pizza in Chatham last year, one of his biggest goals was to make a pie his toddler daughter could enjoy without the questionable ingredients found in some slices. The result is a sourdough-crust pizza made with seed-free oils.

Bucky’s is named after Anthony “Bucky” Savarese, Dom’s wife’s grandfather. In 1914, his family opened 5th Avenue Fish on the corner of 5th Avenue and Lincoln Place in Park Slope, Brooklyn. The market closed in 1995, but his family eventually decided to take his passion for food and turn it into a new business. Dom was laid off right before his daughter Olivia was born. Since his family had been making pizza every weekend during the COVID shutdown, he took the leap and opened a mom-and-pop biz.

He decided to craft Bucky’s after his grandfather’s traditions, with old-world technique, natural fermentation processes, and sourcing high-quality ingredients without seed oils or additives. Now, the food truck-turned-storefront is popular for its Detroit-style personal pizzas, New York-style round pies, and Grandma square.

We recently got to try the pizza and the hype is real and the dough is really that good. The Detroit-style is the most unique, since it’s made like a personal pizza and has a 3-inch-thick, fluffy crust. Toppings include broccoli rabe & sausage, white or red sauce with mushroom, vodka sauce, sausage and onion with chili oil, and cacio & pepe.

The New York-style round delivers on the traditional favorite. We especially loved the hot honey pepperoni with ricotta.

The Grandma only comes as a square pie, but has a thinner, crispier crust than a typical Sicilian, and is loaded with sweet sauce and basil.

Other menu items include meatballs, Caesar salad, garlic knots, and a super garlicky family-sized calzone.

House-made desserts include olive oil cake made with Limoncello, chocolate chip or pistachio cannoli, or huge chocolate chip cookies topped with flaky salt.

And be sure to ask about gluten-free food options, too.

Bucky’s Pizza is located at 465 Main St., Chatham. Hours are 12-8 pm Tuesday to Saturday, and 12-7 pm Sunday (closed on Monday).

Check out all the yummy goodness on our Instagram page – as well as a chance to win a gift card now through November 21.

Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram!

Read More:
Where to Find New Jersey’s Best Pizza
This Famous Pizzeria in New Jersey Has One of the Top Pizza Chefs in the World (2025)
This Central Jersey Pizzeria Takes Its Crust to A Whole New Level

The post A Cleaner Slice: Sourdough Crust and No Seed Oils at Bucky’s Pizza in Chatham appeared first on NJ Family.

Dental and orthodontic offices across the state are participating in a candy buyback program encouraging kids to sell or donate their Halloween candy. These offices then send the candy to a variety of charitable organizations, give out prizes or even pay the kids in cash to fork over the sweets. Here’s where you can sell back your candy this year. Call ahead for more details.

Atlantic Pediatric Dentistry, Little Silver
November 1-15
You’ll get one raffle ticket for every pound of candy you donate. Every three raffle tickets guarantees a win.

Bright Smiles 4 Kids, Hackettstown
During office hours on November 3, 4 and 7
You’ll receive $1 per pound, max $5 per person. First-place prize is a Playstation Portal remote player; second place prize is a $50 Amazon gift card and third place prize is a $25 Starbucks gift card. The winner will be announced on November 10.

Carter Smile, Madison
8 am to 5 pm November 3-6
You can exchange unopened candy for cash, at $1 per pound, up to 10 pounds per family.

Central Jersey Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, East Brunswick
8:30 am to 4:30 pm November 4 (closed from 1-2 pm for lunch)
10 am to 5:30 pm November 5 (closed from 1:30-2:30 pm for lunch)
8:30 am to 4:30 pm November 6 (closed from 1-2 pm for lunch)
8:30 am to 4:30 pm November 7 (closed from 1-2 pm for lunch)
The office will buy back candy at $1 per pound, at a max of $5 per child.

Gallery of Smiles / Gallery of Little Smiles, Florham Park
9 am to 2 pm November 1
9 am to 4:30 pm November 4
9 am to 4:30 pm November 5
You’ll get $1 per pound of unopened candy that you drop off; limit 5 pounds per person. All candy will be donated to charity.

Kidz World Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Cedar Knolls
During office hours on November 1, 3 and 4
You’ll receive $1 per pound, max $5 per person. First-place prize is a Playstation Portal remote player; second place prize is a $50 Amazon gift card and third place prize is a $25 Starbucks gift card. The winner will be announced on November 5.

Newton-Sparta Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Newton
During office hours on November 1, 3 and 4
You’ll receive $1 per pound, max $5 per person. First-place prize is a Playstation Portal remote player; second place prize is a $50 Amazon gift card and third place prize is a $25 Starbucks gift card. The winner will be announced on November 5.

Ocean Pediatric Dental Associates, Cream Ridge, Manahawkin, Toms River
9 am to 5 pm November 3 and 4
Bring unopened candy and you’ll get $1 per pound, a maximum of $5 per child.

Pediatric Dental Associates of Randolph, Randolph
Through November 14
Candy will be donated to first responders, assisted living facilities, kids at Morristown Medical Center, Navy sailors serving on ships overseas, and to other places. Last year, the group collected 1,000 pounds. Note: This is not a buy-back program.

Singh and Smile Pediatric Dentistry, New Providence
9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday
The candy will be donated to local shelters in the area.

Sycamore Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, Tinton Falls
8 am to 12 pm November 1
8:15 am to 5 pm November 2-15 (Monday to Friday only)
Drop off your unwanted and unopened candy for the Treats for Troops program. Kids who donate their candy will get one raffle ticket per pound (up to 5 pounds) and be entered to win a first-place prize of a $75 gift card, a second-place prize of a $50 gift card, and a third-place prize of a $25 gift card. Winners will be announced on November 18.

Westfield Pediatric Dental Group, Westfield
Weekdays Noember 3-7
Trick-or-treat and bring your dentist something sweet! The annual Halloween candy contest awards the kid who brings in the most candy – whether or not they are a patient – a Target gift card. Everyone who donates will get a dental goody bag with a special treat inside.

Woodcliff Family Dental, Woodcliff Lake
9 am to 2 pm November 2
12-6 pm November 4
9 am to 5 pm November 5
10 am to 6 pm November 6
8 am to 3 pm November 7
Bring your candy and you’ll be paid $1 per pound, up to 5 pounds per child or family. Donations will be shipped to Operation Gratitude for Troops and first responders overseas, as well as veterans.

You can also donate candy to any of these organizations:

ParkLife in Berkeley Heights will be collecting candy in the lobby at RT200 and RT300 to donate to kids staying at Overlook & Morristown Pediatric Center, now through November 5.

Operation Gratitude: Thousands of pounds of Halloween candy are received every year. Email candy@operationgratitude.com to find out how you can support this mission.

Ronald McDonald House: Because hospitalized children cannot go trick-or-treating, Ronald McDonald House, which offers rooms and other services to family members, will accept candy for the kids.

Soldiers’ Angels: Treats for Troops collects Halloween candy from local businesses, which then gets sent to deployed service members and veterans. Check out which businesses in your community are participating this year.

Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram!

Read More:
Celebrate Halloween With These Spooky (And Not-So-Spooky) Activities
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The post Halloween Candy Buy Back Spots Across New Jersey appeared first on NJ Family.

QuickChek’s Free Coffee Fridays are back and we’re here for it. From October 31 to January 2, 2026, QuickChek Rewards members can get a free self-serve coffee in any size, hot or iced, as long as they spend at least $1 in store. You can add any milk or toppings (like cocoa powder, cinnamon or marshmallows) to any variety of coffee flavor. The limit is one coffee per person per visit.

Scan your QuickChek Rewards mobile app or enter your phone number at checkout on Free Coffee Friday. If you’re not a member yet, you can sign up and receive your free cup the same day.

And through November 30, order any 12-inch sub or New York Giants Sub, and you’ll get $2 off on Saturdays and Sundays.

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The post Get a Free Coffee Every Friday Through The End of the Year at QuickChek appeared first on NJ Family.