Enjoy New Jersey dining and drinking this September with special dinners, a sushi class and more. And if you’re heading to the shore before summer ends, check out New Jersey Monthly‘s best places to eat by the beach.
Feast of San Gennaro, Spuntino Wine Bar and Tapas • Clifton
September 1-30
This Italian spot is celebrating the Feast of San Gennaro all month. In Naples, Italy, the feast is thought to bring a full year of good fortune. The month-long feast will include a special menu with dishes such as speck in carrozza, pork medallion and cherry peppers, chocolate chip zeppoli, and wine pairings. The feast is $32 per person.
70 Kingsland Road, Clifton; 973-661-2435
Back to School Special, Habit Burger Grill • Wayne
September 7
With a new school year starting, parents can get 10 percent off their order at Habit Burger Grill if they mention “first day of freedom” or show their child’s back-to-school photo. The promotion lasts all day.
916 Hamburg Turnpike, Wayne; 862-684-8168
Monthly Supper Club, Round Table Studios at The Park • Berkeley Heights
September 15, 7 pm
Round Table Studios, located inside The Park, Berkeley Heights’ corporate campus, is kicking off its monthly supper club. The first dinner features fried chicken and bubbles. Craft fried chicken is being served family style and paired with champagne. Dinner is $85 per person. Guests can register by phone or email [email protected].
200 Connell Drive, Berkeley Heights; 908-334-3788
Italian Wine Dinner, The GOAT by David Burke • Union Beach
September 15, 6:30 pm
This “Taste of Italy Wine Dinner” is being hosted by wine specialist and Fedway Associates brand ambassador Katie Califano, who is introducing a different wine with each of the four courses. The menu includes tuna crudo, spinach-and-ricotta ravioli, short ribs and, for dessert, chocolate and goat caramel cake. $75 per person; tickets can be purchased online.
1411 Highway 36, Union Beach; 732-264-5222
Tour of Cuba Month, Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar (Tropicana Casino & Resort) • Atlantic City
September 15-October 15
To honor National Hispanic Heritage Month, Cuba Libre has introduced a limited-time menu. Through October 15, guests can enjoy “Tour of Cuba,” a three-course prix-fixe meal that’s $40.22 per person. Dishes include Cuban classics, such as pineapple guacamole, arroz con pollo, paella vegetariana, flan, churros and more. Drink specials are being made with specialty rum.
2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City; 609-340-4000
311 Pre/Post Party, Ocean Casino Resort • Atlantic City
September 16, 5 pm
American rock band 311 is performing at Ocean Casino’s Ovation Hall. Before and after the show, Villain & Saint, the resort’s casual dining bar and lounge, is hosting a celebration featuring drink specials starting at $5, giveaways, prizes and more.
500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City; 609-783-8000
Rosé Wine Dinner, La Mer Beachfront Resort • Cape May
September 16, 6 pm
The Pier House, La Mer’s waterfront restaurant, is hosting a wine dinner focused on rosé. The four-course dinner includes dishes such as smoked salmon, Manhattan clam chowder, honey roasted lamb and marshmallow meringue. Each dish is paired with a different rosé. Tickets are $85 per person.
1317 Beach Avenue, Cape May; 609-898-2244
Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, Clifton • Shannon Rose Irish Pub
September 17
After closing for renovations on August 28, this popular Irish pub is re-opening September 15 for a celebration. Then, on September 17, the Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day party includes entertainment from Irish step dancers, live music and bagpipers. In addition to the renovations, there’s a new menu, as well as a new beer, cocktail and whiskey list. The pub is also unveiling its new Shannon Rose pizza.
98 Kingsland Road, Clifton; 973-284-0200
Downbeach Seafood Festival, Ventnor’s Ski Beach • Ventnor
September 17-18
It’s all about the ocean’s bounty at this annual Shore festival. Over 25 local and regional restaurants are attending and serving some of their favorite dishes, including calamari, ahi tuna, clams, oysters and more. The event features a beer garden, family-friendly games, and cooking with local chefs. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door.
North Dorset Avenue & Burk Ave, Ventnor
Oktoberfest, Mountain Creek • Vernon
September 17-18, 12-7 pm
The 38th annual Oktoberfest features German cuisine, over 10 varieties of German and domestic beers, cider, seltzers, canned cocktails and more. Tickets are $20 per person and include drinks, live music, games and contests.
200 NJ-94, Vernon; 973-827-2000
Sushi School, Kuro (Hard Rock Hotel & Casino) • Atlantic City
September 18, 2-4 pm
Every month, this sushi spot invites guests into the kitchen for a lesson in sushi making. Guests can sip sake and indulge in Kuro’s own award-winning sushi. Tickets are $55.
1000 Kuro, Boardwalk; 609-449-1000
Negroni Week, Osteria Morini • Bernardsville
September 18-22
Enjoy a week of Negroni variations at Osteria Morini. There’s the Negroni Classico (Bombay dry gin, Campari, Cinzano sweet vermouth), the Boulevardier (bourbon, Campari, sweet vermouth) and the Hellfire Club (Mezcal, Campari, sweet vermouth, lemon, egg white and smoke). Drinks are just $14 during Happy Hour (Wednesday-Thursday, 4-6 pm).
107 Morristown Road, Bernardsville; 908-221-0040
Cheeseburger Week, Salt Creek Grille • Rumson
Snag a burger deal at Rumson’s Salt Creek Grille. Photo: Unsplash/Aleisha Kalina
September 18-25
To celebrate National Cheeseburger Day, Salt Creek Grille is offering a cheeseburger deal all week. The Inferno Burger, normally offered only on Monday and Tuesday’s burger-and-beer night, is available all week. The patty, a blend of short rib, chuck and brisket, is topped with bacon, white cheddar, fried pickles, jalapeños and house-made “baconaise” sauce. Open daily at 4 pm; dinner service begins at 5 pm.
4 Bingham Avenue, Rumson; 732-933-9272
Oktober Fondue Fest, The Melting Pot • Red Bank
Monday-Wednesday, September 19-October 26
Guests can drink beer and eat it, too, this month at the Melting Pot. The fondue restaurant celebrates Oktoberfest with a limited-time menu featuring Sam Adams beer in a Bavarian beer cheese fondue. A three-course option features Bavarian beer cheese fondue, choice of salad, and Black Forest fondue, $45 per person.
2 Bridge Avenue, Red Bank; 732-475-9222
Virtual Cooking Class via WoodSpoon’s Instagram Live
September 21, 7 pm
This home chef delivery service is offering a special virtual cooking class on Instagram Live for Rosh Hashanah. Chef Alon Hagar is leading the class and discussing Jerusalem’s culinary highlights and recipes. Two recipes are being shared for Cacio e Pepe Jerusalem Kugel and Kubbeh Matzo Ball. Tune into the class on WoodSpoon’s Instagram page at 7 pm. WoodSpoon’s delivery services are available in Hoboken, Jersey City and Montclair, but the cooking class is free for all interested.
Burgundy Wine Dinner, Red Horse by David Burke • Rumson
September 22, 6:30 pm
Enjoy an evening of Burgundy wines and world-class food at Red Horse by David Burke. The five-course dinner features tuna crudo, lobster dumplings, duck breast with corn and foie gras pudding, dry-aged steak and roast bone marrow and, to conclude, triple chocolate mousse cake. Each course is served with a special wine from Domaine Chanson, which is available for purchase. $185 per person.
26 Ridge Road, Rumson; 732-216-6335
Wine Dinner, Oceanaire Seafood Room • Hackensack
September 23, 6:30 pm
This special seafood dinner features wines from Sonoma-Cutrer winery, north of San Francisco. The menu includes jumbo lump crab cake, lobster bisque, grilled filet of beef with wild mushrooms and sweet potatoes and, to conclude, sticky toffee pudding. Each is paired with a Sonoma-Cutrer wine, and a winery representative is offering insight throughout the night. Tickets are $165 per person.
175 Riverside Square, Hackensack; 201-343-8862
Oktoberfest, Montclair Brewery • Montclair
Choose from more than 25 brews at Montclair Brewery’s Oktoberfest. Photo: Unsplash/Gerrie van der Walt
September 24, 12:30-10:30 pm
The brewery is celebrating its fourth annual Oktoberfest. The event takes place in the outdoor beer garden and features a local DJ, cornhole, games and food from Montclair establishments Butler & the Board and Ray’s Luncheonette. More than 25 brews are available, including the Claremont Pilsner (Czech-style), Blue Mountain Rush (dark lager) and the Raspberry Frambois. Tickets are $22-$30; each ticket includes one free drink.
101 Walnut Street, Montclair; 973-850-0541
Pop-Up Tailgate, Lincoln Park • ShopRite of Lincoln Park
September 26, 4-7 pm
New Jersey based cheese brand Cello is hosting a special tailgate event at a local ShopRite this month. Stop by to see Food Network Chopped champion Andre Fowles serving cheese-filled dishes and other snacks. The Cheesing with Cello event also includes cheese tasting, beverages and prizes for those in attendance.
60 Beaverbrook Road, Lincoln Park
Kick Cancer’s Peanut Butt-er, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant • Voorhees & Maple Shade
Through September 30
All month, this brewery is teaming with CureSearch for Children’s Cancer. The partnership introduced a new brew at Iron Hill: Kick Cancer’s Peanut Butt-er Porter, inspired by the brewery’s Triple Chocolate Hill dessert. For each dessert ordered, 75 cents will go to CureSearch.
13107 Town Center Boulevard, Voorhees; 856-545-9009
124 E Kings Highway, Maple Shade; 856-273-0300
Wine & Pearls, Halifax • Hoboken
Throughout the summer
This waterfront restaurant overlooking the Hudson has introduced Wine & Pearls, a new list highlighting oyster-friendly sparkling and white wines. Each bottle on the list comes with eight oysters. The menu is available every day throughout the summer and beyond. Halifax also offers $1.50 oysters all day every Monday.
225 River Street (W Hotel), Hoboken; 201-253-2500