Thanksgiving culminates on the last Thursday in November with turkey and trimmings heaped in gratitude. Here’s a fool-proof plan for putting a memorable holiday together for the entire family.
Read on for:
The Prep
Eat
Drink
Be Merry
Turkey Trots
Food Drive
The Prep
If you’re looking for new dishes to make this year’s event festive, here are a few ideas:
Thanksgiving Cooking Classes at Farm Cooking School
67 Pleasant Valley Road, Titusville
Learn from renowned chefs and cookbook authors Ian Knauer and Shelley Wiseman who have several classes geared to Thanksgiving including a vegetarian Thanksgiving class on Thursday, Nov. 14 and Thanksgiving sides classes on Thursday, Nov 21. Cost $105. For more information, visit www.thefarmcookingschool.com/classes.
Fall Pop-Up Dinner at the Woolverton
Where: Woolverton Inn, 5 Woolverton Road, Stockton
When: Tuesday, November 12 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Get some ideas for your holiday meal at this pop-up dinner that includes samplings from Ironbound Hard Cider. Cider tasting will occur, with a selection of seasonal appetizers, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., followed by a 3-course dinner, including salad, main entree, and dessert. The cost is $29 per person with an overnight stay at the Inn or $49 per person for just dinner.
Frenchtown Presbyterian Church Thanksgiving Dinner
Where: Frenchtown Presbyterian Church, 22 Fourth Street, Frenchtown
When: Sunday, November 24 at 4 p.m.
Frenchtown Presbyterian Church youth group is hosting its 5th annual free community Thanksgiving dinner. Break bread with your neighbors before sitting down with family.
Eat
Turkeys and Vegetables
Basil Bandwagon
Basil Bandwagon
Flemington: 276 US 202, Flemington, Tel: 908-788-5737
Clinton: 38 Old Hwy 22, Clinton, Tel: 908-735-3822
Nourishing Hunterdon County for more than 25 Years, Basil Bandwagon’s offers of both organic and local heritage breed turkeys. Also available: pumpkin pie, apple crumb, gravy, roasted vegetables and more. Vegan and gluten-free options are available. Voted Best Grocery Store on the Hunterdon Happening List.
Elite Meat
23 Route 22, Clinton, NJ
908-200-7350
elitemeatnj.com
Voted Best Butcher on the Hunterdon Happening List, Elite Meat will have locally raised turkeys for sale for Thanksgiving. Pre-orders are appreciated.
Profeta Farms
803 Route 202, Neshanic Station
This recently opened, year-round farm marketowned by Harvard professor Paul Profeta and his wife Joanne Malino, an integrative nutrition coach, uses certified organic and regenerative farming techniques to grow much of the produce they sell. They have 10 greenhouses on site where they grow fruits and vegetables picked at their peak of freshness, so you can enjoy their true taste.
ShopRite of Hunterdon
272 Routes 31 & 202, Flemington
Or
50 Wal-Mart Plaza (off Route 513), Clinton
Frequent shoppers earn a free turkey or ham at the Hunterdon Happening List Winner for Best Supermarket. Load up on everything else you’ll need for a Thanksgiving feast.
Desserts
Sweet Melissa Patisserie
56 Payne Road, Lebanon
908-323-2460
sweetmeissapatisserie.rocks
Pick up a freshly made pumpkin pie to enjoy at this Hunterdon Happening List Winner for Best Bakery.
Maddalena’s Cheesecakes
415 Route 31, Ringoes
609-466-7510
If you’re looking for a twist on pumpkin pie, try Maddalena’s pumpkin cheesecake. You won’t be disappointed, which explains why this Hunterdon County beloved establishment is a Hunterdon Happening List Finalist for Best Dessert.
Pre-made Thanksgiving Dinners
Bishop’s Supermarket
431 Route 22, Whitehouse Station
If you’re not in the mood to cook, pre-order a meal from this Hunterdon Happening List Winner, known for its prepared foods.
Dining Out
Lambertville Station
Lambertville Station
11 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ
609-397-8300
lambertvillestation.com
Housed in a former train stationalongside the Delaware River, the Lambertville Station offers a special Thanksgiving menu, with traditional favorites such as pumpkin bisque soup with smoked goat cheese, holiday turkey with Yukon Gold mashed potatoes and fresh sage stuffing. The restaurant will be serving an a la carte menu from noon to 8 p.m. Or, you can enjoy the Thanksgiving buffet in the Riverside Ballroom from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Last seating at 6 p.m.) Buffet favorites include a made-to-order omelet/pasta station, garlic herb-crusted turkey, Angus Prime rib and all the sides! A Hunterdon Happening List Winner in several categories.
Clinton House
2 West Main Street, Clinton, NJ
908-730-9300
theclintonhouse.com
Built in the 1820s as a tavern and hotel, the Clinton House will feature a special Thanksgiving menu that includes roasted turkey, New York strip steak, chicken mozzarella, lobster tails, eggplant rollatini and more. It also has an extensive wine list. The main dining room includes a fireplace. Voted Best Steak Dinner on the Hunterdon Happening List.
The Mountain View Chalet
154 Route 173, Asbury
908-735-4660
mountainviewchalet.com
Located off exit 11 of I-78, the Mountain View Chalet looks like an iconic A-framed Alpine inn. For Thanksgiving, it’s entrees such as roasted turkey with homemade sausage stuffing and gravy, a Virginia ham steak with mustard, brandy and raisin sauce or Long Island duck with Grand Marnier orange sauce.
Drink
Fall Artisan Market
Where: Unionville Vineyards, 9 Rocktown Road, Ringoes
When: Saturday, November 9 from noon to 6 p.m and Sunday November 10 from noon to 5 p.m.
Enjoy a weekend of artisans, crafters, gourmet food producers, live music, and delicious wine. Cost to get in is free, wine tastings are $10.
Holiday Tasting at Alba Vineyards
Where: 269 Route 627, Milford
When: Friday, November 29 at 11 a.m. through Sunday, December 1 until 5 p.m.
Welcome in the holiday season with special wine tastings, starting at $25 per person, that include a flight of 8 wines, small bites and an etched Alba wine glass. Stock up for the wine lover on your list or for your own collection.
Be Merry
25th Annual Covered Bridge Artisans Holiday Studio Tour
Where: Sergeantsville Firehouse Events Center, 761 Sergeantsville Road, Sergeantsville
When: Friday, November 29 through Sunday, December 1 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Visit eight open artists’ studios on a self-guided tour and 13 artists in the Event Center behind the Sergeantsville Firehouse. For more information, visit www.coveredbridgeartisans.com/event-center-artists.
Dickens Days
Where: Main Street, Clinton, NJ
When: Friday, November 29 through Sunday, December 1
Stroll through town and enjoy festivities and decorations. There will be horse-drawn carriage rides, carolers, street vendors and more. This is a great way to end Thanksgiving weekend and kick-off the Christmas season. For more information,visit www.visitclintonnj.com.
The Nutcracker (Photo from Facebook)
The Nutcracker at The College of New Jersey’s Kendall Main Stage Theater
Where: 2000 Pennington Road, Ewing
When: Saturday, Nov. 30-Sunday, Dec. 8
Roxey Ballet will present its 25th annual performance of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker.” This acclaimed event has become a favorite tradition of area residents and holiday visitors alike. Visit www.roxeyballet.org/nutcracker for times and ticket prices.
Turkey Trots
Flemington CEA Turkey Trot
When: Thursday, November 28 at 9:30 a.m.
Where: Main Street near the Veterans Memorial in Flemington, NJ
The CEA Turkey Trot is celebrating its 27th year. It is the largest event of its kind in the state and consists of a USATF-sanctioned 5K race and a 2-mile fun walk. All proceeds benefit CEA’s mission of facilitating career pathways and community employment for students and adults with disabilities.
Thanksgiving Day Two Towns Turkey Trot
Where: Lambertville Station, 11 Bridge Street, Lambertville
When: Thursday, November 28 at 8 a.m.
Before you sit down to your Thanksgiving feast this year, work off some pre-dinner calories by running or walking the Two Town Turkey Trot which traverses New Hope and Lambertville. For more information, go to delawarerivertowns.com/run.
Stuff ur Face 5k Race
Where: Kingwood Park, 255 Union Road, Frenchtown
When: Thursday, November 28 at 7:30 a.m.
Come out Thanksgiving morning and participate in the 7th Annual 5K Race and 1 Mile Fun Run. Earn yourself an extra serving of pie.Proceeds benefit Kingwood Township School PTA.
Food Drive
23rd Annual Empty Bowl
Where: St. Magdalen Catholic Church, 105 Mine Street, Flemington
A $30 donation, gets a delicious lunch and handcrafted bowl donated by area potters. For more information, visit flemingtonfoodpantry.org/empty-bowl.
