Good food shared with family and friends has become the hallmark of Thanksgiving. Add to it the ambiance of Hunterdon County in late fall, with its historic and cozy stonewall and post-and-beam inns, and you have the recipe for an unforgettable holiday. Leave the cooking to the pros and focus on spending time with your loved ones this Thanksgiving. Below are several favorite restaurants in Hunterdon County that are open on Thanksgiving for those who want a holiday worth savoring.
Lambertville Station
11 Bridge Street
Lambertville, NJ
609-397-8300
Housed in a former train station, the regal Lambertville Station is located alongside the Delaware River at the foot of the Lambertville-New Hope bridge. It 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. For those a bit more daring, there’s also porcini strudel with Madeira glaze, brandy cider pork chops, frizzled Brussel sprouts, rabbit spring rolls or kimchi tuna.
Clinton House
2 West Main Street
Clinton, NJ
908-730-9300
Built in the 1820s as a tavern and hotel, the landmark Clinton House still serves up European favorites. It will feature a special menu for Thanksgiving 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.
The Mountain View Chalet
154 Route 173
Asbruy, NJ
908-735-4660
Located off exit 11 of I-78, the Mountain View Chalet looks like an iconic A-framed Alpine inn. For Thanksgiving, it’s offering complete dinners that include a house salad, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, vegetables and a dessert with 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. Or sample from the usual dinner menu that includes items such as shrimp and scallop misto and cream of turkey soup.
Sergeantsville Inn
601 Rosemont Ringoes Road
Sergeantsville, NJ
609-397-3700
A former grain and feed store, the stone inn dates back to the 1700s. Today the Sergeantville Inn is known for its exotic game such as boar, buffalo, elk or pheasant. It also serves up vegetarian fare such as butternut squash ravioli with sage butter. Nestle up to one of the three original fireplaces. Top off an enjoyable meal with a glass of port, cognac or scotch. A special Thanksgiving menu will be offered.
Fox & Hound Tavern
69 Main Street
Lebanon, NJ
908-437-1300
Formerly a stage coach in built in the 1800s, the Fox and Hound Tavern at the Lebanon Hotel has recently been restored with rich red-damask papered walls, creamy alabaster moldings and wide-plank pumpkin pine floors. For Thanksgiving, it’s offering nine entrees ranging from the traditional Lancaster Valley roasted turkey with stewed cranberries, mashed potatoes and stuffing to sushi grade ahi tuna and braised lamb pappardelle. There are several fire places to cozy up to and 19 beers on tap. Needless to say, reservations are suggested.
By Liz Johnson
