Enjoy New Jersey dining and drinking this July with special dinners, contests, pop-up picnics and more. And if you’re heading to the shore, check out New Jersey Monthly‘s best places to eat by the beach.
Lobster Night, Osteria Morini • Bernardsville
July 6
On the first Wednesday every month, Osteria Morini hosts a special lobster night. The restaurant’s new chef, Jonathan Rice, is offering a prix-fixe lobster menu, featuring a 1 lb. lobster with tomato-brandy sauce and fingerling potatoes, fregola sarda salad and charred broccoli. $50 per person; reservations recommended.
107 Morristown Road, Bernardsville; 908-221-0040
Cookie Eating Contest • Haddonfield
July 9
During this year’s Crafts & Fine Art Festival, Downtown Cookies is hosting a “Cookie Bowl.” The family-friendly cookie-eating contest requires contestants to eat as many mini chocolate chip cookies as they can in three minutes. The winner receives a Downtown Cookies gift card and a basket of goodies. Anyone 18 and older can participate for a $25 entry fee, which will support the Haddonfield Education Trust.
123 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield; 856-2819548
Dining Out Jersey Foodie Expo, The Terrace at Biagio’s • Paramus
July 14, 6-10 pm
Enjoy a variety of fine cuisines from an array of area chefs. Each room at the Terrace features different categories, including fine dining, wine, farmers’ market foods, delicacies and more. A cash bar is being offered; tickets include samples and tastings. Tickets $45-$65.
293 Paramus Road, Paramus; 201-380-2011
Taco Palooza • Sewell
July 16
Following a June stop in Hopatcong, round two of Taco Palooza is taking place at Washington Lake Park in Sewell with even more taco-inspired vendors, including Revolution Taco, The Mexi-Boys and Carlitos. Guests can vote for their favorite taco creation, as well as enjoy live music, a beer garden and more. $5 admission; no dogs allowed.
626 Hurffville-Cross Keys Road, Sewell
Comedy Night, The GOAT • Union Beach
July 21, 7 pm
One Thursday a month, chef David Burke’s newest restaurant hosts a comedy night. This month, the event features comedians Jeff Norris and Mike Celona. Doors open 6:30 pm, with dinner from 7-8 pm and a show beginning 8:30 pm. Tickets are $65 per person and can be purchased online or via phone.
1411 Route 36, Union Beach; 732-264-5222
Low Country Boil & Motherfire Dinner, Ironbound Farm • Asbury
July 28, 6:30 pm
Motherfire—Ironbound’s large Argentinian-inspired grill—includes a fireside cocktail hour made with Ironbound’s wines, seltzers and ciders, plus small bites prepared by Chef Alex Gioseffi. Afterwards, dinner is served inside the barn, and each table can enjoy pots of crawfish, clams, corn, potatoes and chorizo. Dessert is a peach crumble with semifreddo. $195 per person.
360 County Road 579, Asbury; 908-940-4115
Chef’s Terrace Tasting, Ironbound Farm • Asbury
July 29, 6 pm
The seafood celebration at Ironbound continues through the last weekend in July. On both days, a seated tasting of 10 tapas-style plates, including grilled salmon collars and marinated mussels, takes place on Ironbound’s terrace. As the dishes are prepared over the Motherfire, Ironbound’s massive grill, guests can engage with chefs and sip Ironbound wines, ciders and more. $225 per person.
360 County Road 579, Asbury; 908-940-4115
Pub Trivia, The Shannon Rose • Clifton
Tuesdays, 8 pm
Test your knowledge and win prizes at free weekly Trivia Tuesdays. During the evening, players can also sip $5-$8 drinks, snack on wings, corned beef spring rolls, Buffalo cauliflower and more, and enjoy live music.
98 Kingsland Road, Clifton; 973-284-0200
Wine, Charcuterie and Chocolate Experience, Old York Cellars • Ringoes
Saturdays and Sundays, 12:30 pm
Spend a day with a member of Old York’s winery team. Sip a selection of award-winning wines paired with artisan meats, cheeses and chocolates from the Fudge Shoppe, a local chocolatier. Vegetarian options included upon request. Tickets $30 per person.
80 Old York Road, Ringoes; 908-28-9463
Diner en Blanc • Jersey City
The Parisian pop-up picnic, which made its way to Atlantic City in June, is heading to Jersey City this month. The event takes place in a mystery location to be announced. Guests must dress in all white. They’ll be served a meal in a temporary set up in a public place. Guests must be invited via the hosts’ network or participating partners or get on the waiting list via the official website.
Summer Winery Weekend Music Series, Terhune Orchards • Princeton
Sip wine and enjoy live music all summer at Terhune Orchards. On weekends, there’s live music, including jazz, blues and folk, from 1-4 pm. The farm store offers fresh produce, baked goods and other local items. No outside food or pets; reservations not required.
330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton; 609-924-2310