The turkey hasn't defrosted.
Your obnoxious uncle won't stop talking politics.
The kids want chicken fingers.
The dishwasher is already full, and you've only just served appetizers.
We can think of a lot of reasons why you wouldn't want to cook Thanksgiving dinner at home on Nov. 23. So you can, you know, actually enjoy it.
That's where these Central Jersey restaurants come in. Although they can't stop your uncle from spewing conspiracy theories, they can cook a mean roast turkey that never has to see your dining room table.
Catherine Lombardi, New Brunswick
There's no better to place to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast than at grandma's house, which essentially is what Catherine Lombardi is. The traditional Italian restaurant'snamesake is its family matriarch, and it's themed as Catherine Lombardi's living room, where visitors can dine on a three-course prix fixe menu for $80 per person from 2 to 6:30 p.m.on Thanksgiving.
Options include a choice of pasta or salad, with selections including rigatoni with truffle cream, prosciutto and asparagus. The family-style turkey comes with traditional Thanksgiving sides with Italian kicks, like cranberry sauce with limoncello, and sausage and roasted garlic stuffing. Dessert options include pumpkin cheesecake, and chocolate and hazelnut bread pudding.
Go:3 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick;732-296-9463,stageleft.com/event/thanksgiving-dinner-catherine-lombardi-112323/.
Forsgate Country Club, Monroe
Every Thanksgiving, the nearly century-oldForsgate Country Club opens its clubhouse to both members and nonmembers for a holiday buffet with all the fixings. This year, the club will do the same with its 1 and 4 p.m. seatings for $55,$26 per child.
The buffet includes roasted turkey with classic Thanksgiving sides, a carved beef station, salads, other side dishes and desserts. Takeout orders are also available for $260 for a four- to six-person meal, or $425 for eight to 10 people.
Go:375 Forsgate Drive, Monroe;732-521-0070,forsgatecc.com/files/Thanksgiving%20Combined.pdf.
The Frog and the Peach, New Brunswick
The Frog and the Peach always aims to raise the bar when it comes to American classics, just as it has for 40 years since it opened in a former Home News printing press. It's known for putting fresh twists on everything from venison to profiteroles.
For Thanksgiving, the restaurant will offer a $79 three-course prix-fixe menu from noon to 6:30 p.m., which includes the option of its signature free-range Jaindl Farms organic turkey alongside haricot verts, delicata squash, roasted chestnut stuffing, cranberry compote andsherry wine gravy.
Go:29 Dennis St., New Brunswick;732-846-3216,frogandpeach.com/thanksgiving-2023/.
Grain House at Olde Mill Inn, Basking Ridge
With colonial touches like exposed wood beams, wood paneling, brick fireplaces and a copper-toppedbar, the Grain House at the Olde Mill Inn brings visitors back to the times of the first Thanksgiving. But on Nov. 23, it will be a place to celebrate with modern comforts and traditional American cuisine.
The restaurant inside the Olde Mill Inn will offer a buffet from 11:45 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. for $78, $28 per child with stations including salad bar, Tuscan countryside, entree, chopping block, bananas foster and European sweets. There is also a station for kids. There is no four-course meal this year.
Go:225 Morristown Road, Basking Ridge;908-221-1150,oldemillinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/OMI-GH-2023-Thanksgiving-Menu.V2-003.pdf.
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Moghul, Edison
Moghul has been a fine dining Indian destination in Edison's diverse culinary scene since it opened 30 years ago. On Thanksgiving, it will offer diners Turkey Day treats - with Indian twists, perfect for those who are a bit tired of the typical American turkey and stuffing.
Moghul will offer a Thanksgiving lunch buffet from noon to 3 p.m. for $29 per person with items such as tandoori turkey. It will also be open for a la carte dinner from 5-10 p.m. with specials like tandoori turkey, masala stuffing and pumpkin pie halwa.
Go: 1655 Oak Tree Road, Edison; 732-549-5050, moghul.com.
Ninety Acres, Peapack
At Ninety Acres, a farm-to-table restaurant surrounded by a 12-acre farm within a 500-acre Somerset County park and resort, you too can get ataste of local ingredients this Thanksgiving— with an upscale edge.
The acclaimed restaurant will serve a three-course Thanksgiving dinner for $115, $35 per child from noon to 5 p.m. Dishes includeBurgundy truffle risotto, green bean almondine, roasted Griggstown turkey breast, Jersey Girl burrata, and pumpkin cream tart.
Go:2 Main St., Peapack;908-901-9500,natirar.com/ninety_acres/.
Orchard Park by David Burke, East Brunswick
At Orchard Park, you can enjoy American holiday disheswhile at a French country estate. Celebrity chef David Burke's first Central Jersey restaurant will offer Thanksgiving dinner in a space featuringhigh ceilings, an open kitchen, a chef’s table, wine room and Burke’s signature illuminated pink Himalayan salt brick wall on the grounds of theChateau Grande Hotel.
For $95, $55 per child, the Thanksgiving three-course, prix fixe menu will include optionssuch as turkey, butternut squash ravioli, filet mignon, lobster dumplings and branzinofrom 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Go:670 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick; 732-554-5714, orchardparkbydb.com/thanksgiving/.
Red Horse by David Burke, Bernardsville
Burke's newest restaurant has brought life to the former Bernards Inn, a century-old hotel with 20 rooms, banquet hall, bar and lounge, fine dining room and basem*nt bar. Now, it's serving the modern steakhouse and New American menu that echoes that of the Red Horse's Rumson location.
On Nov. 23, the new Bernardsville eatery will offer a prix fixe three-course menu for $85, $43 per child from noon to 7 p.m. Options include steak tartare, dressed oysters, turkey with traditional sides, rack of lamb, braised bison short rib, pecan pie and chocolate bourbon pot de creme.
Go: 27 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville; 908-766-0002, redhorsebydb.com/restaurant-bernards/thanksgiving/.
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Stage House Tavern, Mountainside,Scotch Plains and Somerset
Th family-friendly Stage House Tavern, which is one of Central Jersey's oldest restaurants, has always been popular for those looking for a laid-back destination and American favorites served in a historic atmosphere with nearly 300-year-old fireplaces and wood beams.
Patrons can dine from a buffet for $50, $20 per child. Options include braised turkey thighs, a taco bar, a create-your-own pasta station, a carving station with roasted turkey and other meats, cornbread stuffing and miniature pies. Or customers can order a Thanksgiving dinner to-go, with packages for four to five people for $200, 10 to 12 for $350, and 12 to 16 for $450.
Go:1099 Route 22, Mountainside,908-731-0366;366 Park Ave, Scotch Plains,908-322-4224;1719 Amwell Road, Somerset,732-873-3990;stagehousetavern.com.
Stone House at Stirling Ridge, Warren
The Stone House at Stirling Ridge is a popular venue for weddings and other special events, but the upscale New American restaurant, situated on 10 acres, will bring the same ambiance to Thanksgiving.
The Stone Housewill offer athree-course meal from 12:30 to 7 p.m. for $79,$30 per child. The menu will feature choices such as roasted pumpkin soup, roasted organic turkey, whole roasted cauliflower, short rib, pumpkin cheesecake, bread pudding and honey crisp apple tart tatin.
Go:50 Stirling Road, Warren;908-754-1222,stonehouseatstirlingridge.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/stonehouse-thanksgiving-menu-web.pdf
Contact:JIntersimone@MyCentralJersey.com
Jenna Intersimone has been a staff member at the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey since 2014, after becoming a blogger-turned-reporter following the creation of her award-winning travel blog. To get unlimited access to her stories aboutfood, drink and fun, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.You can also follow her on Instagram at@seejennaeatand on Twitter at@JIntersimone.
