New Year’s Eve at Mistral
Monday, December 31
We’ve already assembled a good sampling of what the Garden State has to offer for your New Year’s celebrating, but one more option can’t hurt: a simple, elegant, four-course prix fixe at Mistral in Princeton. Chef Joe Mooney will be putting out dishes like classic Foie Gras Torchon, a Smoked Salmon Gravlax with Scallion Pancake and Fried Quail Egg, and a Salt-Roasted Duck Breast with Caramelized Shallot and Oyster Mushrooms. For just $69, it’s an elegant four course menu at a relatively low cost (add wine pairings for $49). Call the restaurant for reservations. Mistral, 66 Witherspoon Street, Princeton; 609-688-8808
Winter Live Music Series and the Stuff’d Buns Food Truck at White Horse Winery
Thursday, December 27, 5–8pm
Here’s yet another much-needed chance to let someone else do all the work for a night. White Horse Winery in Hammonton is hosting its Winter Live Music series through the blustery season, and tonight will feature Philly-based guitarist and vocalist Mike Lunemann performing and Philly-based Stuff’d Buns food truck providing vittles. And Stuff’d Buns isn’t just a name; their regular menu features giddily stuffed sandwiches like the Sloppy Joe, the Philly Special, a vegan BBQ Jackfruit (like pulled pork), and the Beef Jawn (“Jawn” being unique Philly a slang term for pretty much anything under the sun). So head over to White Horse (no reservation required), do some tasting, and pack in some meat that’s been lovingly cooked by somebody else. White Horse Winery, 106 Hall Street, Hammonton; 609-270-1411
Kinsey Bourbon and Blues at Blue Morel
Thursday, December 27, 5–7pm
Just what you need in this lull between holidays—whiskey in your tumbler, blues in your soul. Time to take it slow and easy at Blue Morel, where a rep from Philadelphia’s New Liberty Distillery will be pouring complimentary samples of their Kinsey Bourbon (before you cry blasphemy, according to New Liberty, Pennsylvania once distilled more whiskey than Kentucky). Chef Dennis Mathews will cook up a non-cheesesteak mystery Philly special and, starting at 7pm, Tiphanie Doucet will perform with La Parisienne Band. Whiskey samples are complimentary, but food and other drinks are extra. Call for more info. Blue Morel at Westin Governor Morris, 2 Whippany Road, Morristown; 973-451-2619
New Year’s Day Brunch at Modine
Tuesday, January 1, 11am–4pm
If you can’t quite muster the energy to prepare brunch on New Year’s Day (and no questions asked) and you’re lucky enough to live in Asbury Park, head over to Modine’s. From the very reasonable, hangover-mostly-gone hour of 11am onwards, they’re serving a nice, full $35 brunch prix fixe. Considering their regular southern-style brunch menu includes free (free!) Beignets, Pimento Cheese Popovers, and something called a “Warm Biscuit Bowl” (with apple butter, because why not), you and your queasy stomach should be in good, loving hands. And in case you need it or just aren’t done celebrating 2019, hair-of-the-dog Champagne cocktails will be just $4. Modine, 601 Mattison Avenue, Asbury Park; 732-893-5300
New Year’s Day Brunch at the Asbury Ale House
Tuesday, January 1, 11am–4pm
There are 60 beers on tap and 60 TVs at Asbury Ale House’s in Asbury Park, which, for some of us, makes it exactly where we want to start 2019. They’ll be hosting a special New Year’s Day Brunch starting at 11am, with live music, a full breakfast buffet and plenty (plenty) of hair-of-the-dog, including “Build Your Own” Bloodys and Mimosas. The big, boisterous venue might be a welcome change after being stuck, er, so cozy with visiting relatives for so long. Tickets are a reasonable $25, and include one Mimosa. Asbury Ale House, 531 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park; 732-455-3808