Harvest Moon Brewery and Cafe

Harvest Moon
Brewery & Cafe
392 George Street, New Brunswick
732-249-6666,
harvestmoonbrewery.com

Hours: Lunch: Mon–Sat, 11:30 am–5 pm; Sun, 11:30 am–4 pm; Dinner: Mon–Wed, 5–10 pm; Thurs–Sat, 5–11 pm; Sun, 4–9 pm; Late-night menu: Mon–Wed, 10–11 pm; Thurs–Sat, 11 pm–midnight; Sun, 9–10 pm.

Price: $/$$

Style: The brew pub’s open layout downstairs boasts a large oak bar opposite exposed brick walls that feature a unique graffiti-style display of beer specials. The grand wooden staircase leads to a larger, more intimate dining area upstairs.

Don’t Miss: At the bar, order a plate of the crispy Brunswick wings with just the right amount of heat, courtesy of red pepper flakes ($8), or munch on the roasted garlic and rosemary hummus served with a cucumber and red-onion salad, carrot chips, and crostini ($8). For lunch or dinner, you can’t go wrong with a Harvest Moon burger made with prime Hereford beef and all the usual fixings ($9) or one of the six salad varieties ($6–$10). Other standouts include the flatbread pizzas—with three everyday options and a rotating pizza of the day using seasonal ingredients. On my visit, I enjoyed a thin white pie topped with yellow summer squash, grilled zucchini, caramelized onions, and creamy goat cheese ($10). Diverse entrées include tenderloin negimaki, a petite beef tenderloin marinated in ginger and garlic, served with whipped wasabi potatoes, grilled scallions, and a citrus-peppercorn hoisin drizzle ($25); the mafalda pesto pasta tossed with asparagus, grape tomatoes, pine nuts, roasted cremini mushrooms, and shaved parmesan ($16); and the margarita half chicken, marinated in a tequila-lime mixture, grilled, and paired with a chipotle and corn risotto, avocado salsa, and a smoked tomato sauce ($20).

Heads Up: The food tastes even better when paired with the proper beer. Try brewmaster Matt McCord’s handcrafted creations, including Jimmy D’s Firehouse Red (named in honor of the fallen New Brunswick firefighter James D’heron), the popular amber ale Elmes’ Mild Manor, and Belgian brews like the citrusy Harvest Hefeweizen.

The Scoop: With a generally younger crowd (due to its proximity to Rutgers and popular Thursday karaoke nights), Harvest Moon entices the thirsty with a menu more creative than standard bar food.