Why Cook for the Holidays? Dine with Us
The holidays are the time when family and friends get together to enjoy each other’s company, often surrounded by food, wine and laughter. There is no better place to do so than Seven Mile Beach. Both Avalon and Stone Harbor, as well as the surrounding communities, have a wide variety of restaurants that can accommodate your party, no matter what size, and each has a unique charm and atmosphere during the holidays. Whether you choose a bayside venue for two, a weekend escape with the family or a larger venue to cater your entire dinner party, these restaurants are ready to serve you with special menus for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve! So, this holiday season, gather your favorite people and make a reservation to enjoy food, drinks and, of course, dessert at our local restaurants. Happy dining!
Concord Café - Homemade Chicken Pot Pie
Concord Café
7800 Dune Drive, Avalon • 609-368-5505 • concordcafe.net
The Concord Café is open Thursday through Sunday through Nov. 26. Avalon’s favorite family restaurant will serve everything from gourmet pizza, burgers and salads to pasta, chicken and seafood dishes. As a bonus, the restaurant traditionally opens for Thanksgiving Eve, so be sure to stop by on Wednesday, Nov. 22.
In addition to its regular menu, The Concord Café will be dishing out seasonal specials each night of the week. Try customer favorites such as Chicken Pot Pie on Saturdays and meatloaf on Sundays. In true family fashion, there is also a Concord Kids menu with child-approved menu items like chicken fingers, hot dogs and grilled cheese. With something on the menu for everyone in the family, the Concord Café offers casual family dining and is a great choice for dining out this holiday season.
Beginning Nov. 24, the Concord Café will join its sister restaurants, North End Grill and Marie Nicole’s Grill, in promoting their seasonal gift-card promotion. For every $100 spent on gift-card purchases over Thanksgiving weekend, customers will receive a free $20 gift card. Be sure to stock up as the restaurant will close for the season on Sunday, Nov. 26.
Blue Pig Tavern - Pan Seared Scallops
Congress Hall
200 Congress Place, Cape May • 609-884-8421 • caperesorts.com/hotels/capemay/congresshall
Situated near the beach, Congress Hall offers two settings for your holiday dining this season. Serving Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner, The Blue Pig Tavern and the Congress Hall Grand Ballroom will each offer something different for families and friends to enjoy.
On Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, enjoy a traditional sit-down meal at The Blue Pig Tavern. With seatings from 2-8pm, guests will indulge in seasonal favorites from the special menu. Start with an appetizer, choose an entrée and save room for a signature dessert. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 609-884-6542.
The Congress Hall Grand Ballroom will be dishing out seasonal delights, too. Served from 1-5pm on Thanksgiving Day, families will enjoy an extravagant buffet featuring an artisan cheese and meat display, carving station, the main buffet, and of course, a sweet-treat display. Choose from the chef’s display of maple-glazed ham, vanilla maple sweet potatoes, pan-roast salmon and so much more. And, no Thanksgiving Day is complete without pie! Check out the dessert table that features pumpkin, apple and pecan pie selections. The full menu is available online, so you can plan out your buffet experience ahead of time!
As soon as the turkey is consumed, Congress Hall’s team of “elves” work their magic to create a holiday ambience like no other. Beginning on Nov. 24, the property hosts its “Winter Wonderland” event every Thursday to Sunday through Christmas, complete with train rides, a vendor village and more, plus The Blue Pig Tavern stays open for families to enjoy the festivities and a meal. The guy in the big red suit might even pay a visit or two. Join Santa every Saturday and Sunday for Breakfast with Santa from 9am-noon and don’t miss “Dinner with the Claus” on Dec. 9 and 16. Held at 6:30pm in the Grand Ballroom, the event features the ultimate sing-along dining experience with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Reservations are required for this sellout event.
Congress Hall will also host its Merry Mixer on Dec. 14 featuring a holiday business party. Enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres among co-workers and network with other area business owners. The cost is $35. Call 609-884-6554 to reserve a table.
And for the grand finale of the holiday season: Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Congress Hall’s Glitter Ball! Call your friends, get a babysitter and dance the night away as you count down to midnight! Hosted in the Grand Ballroom, the party will feature live entertainment and a champagne toast at midnight!
Fred’s Tavern - Warm Spinach Salad
Fred’s Tavern
314 96th Street, Stone Harbor • 609-368-5591
A visit to Seven Mile Beach isn’t complete until you’ve enjoyed dinner and drinks at Fred’s Tavern, and this holiday season the restaurant is dishing out a special winter menu. Open daily from 11am to 10pm for lunch and dinner, customers will enjoy favorites from Chef Sparta’s menu or they can try one of his new signature entrees.
Enjoy dinner, then head over to the bar for specialty cocktails and an upscale bar menu. Open until 2am, Fred’s will host live entertainment every Saturday through December. Whether it’s a local favorite or an upbeat party band, Fred’s is known to host some of the best entertainment on the island, so put on your dancing shoes and enjoy a night on the town.
When friends get together on Thanksgiving Eve, Fred’s is the place to be. Catch up with old friends or meet new ones as you eat, drink and dance. The restaurant will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, but don’t miss the “Go Elf Yourself” party on Dec. 23. This holiday party will begin at 9pm and will host a toy collection for local underprivileged youth.
Looking for a place to ring in 2018? Fred’s will be open for New Year’s Eve, featuring live entertainment beginning at 9:30pm. Mingle with friends at Fred’s while waiting for the ball to drop at midnight!
Avalon Brew Pub - Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner
ICONA Golden Inn
7849 Dune Drive, Avalon • 609-368-5155 • icona.com/avalon/
The ICONA Golden Inn invites you to experience the holidays as a family at its newly renovated resort overlooking the beach. Start your weekend on Wednesday, Nov. 22 at the Avalon Brew Pub for its Thanksgiving Eve specials. The restaurant will offer drink specials and brew-pub snacks including turkey chili fries, fish tacos and cheesesteak egg rolls, to name a few.
On Thanksgiving, there are several options for dining on the property. The OHANA room, connected to the Seaglass Ballroom, will be open for families to enjoy one another’s company. Grab a seat on the couch in the spacious area to enjoy streaming of the weekend’s football games and snack and drink specials. There will also be complimentary light snacks in the OHANA room.
Make reservations to enjoy a Thanksgiving buffet with the entire family in the Seaglass Ballroom. Served from 2-7pm, guests will enjoy appetizers and salad choices, a carving station, chaffers and a dessert display. Feast on your favorite starters such as the apple walnut salad or the roasted butternut squash soup, then make your way to the carving station for roasted turkey, maple-glazed cured ham, prime rib and more. Be sure to save room for the dessert, too; the display will feature traditional cakes and pies, mini pastries and fresh fruit. The buffet is $32 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. Reservations are strongly suggested.
The Avalon Brew Pub will also be open on Thanksgiving from 2-8pm, serving a plated Thanksgiving feast for $42. Guests will start with their choice of chipotle pumpkin chowder or roasted beet and walnut salad before enjoying a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, complete with turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans and stuffing. And you know there is always room for dessert! Guests can choose from sweet potato pie, apple pie and pumpkin cheesecake. Avalon Brew Pub will also serve its full a la carte menu on Thanksgiving.
The day after Thanksgiving, ICONA Golden Inn transforms into a winter wonderland. Santa’s elves will travel from the North Pole to visit The Sandbar Village Winter Beach Bar. As part of Festive Friday, families will enjoy complimentary cooking decorating with Santa’s elves from 11am-4pm. The Winter Beach Bar will also offer hot cocoa for $2, spiked hot cocoa for $5 and a variety of other $5 drink specials. There will be blankets and fire pits, too! The Winter Beach Bar is a sure way to help put families in the festive spirit of the holiday season.
With a variety of package options planned to help you party into the New Year, ICONA Golden Inn is your New Year’s Eve headquarters! Hotel guests have a choice of the Value Package, the Dine, Dance and Delight Package, and the Platinum Tour. Non-hotel guests also have options! Enjoy the first-seating three-course dinner menu and wine pairing, the liquids-only open bar or the dinner and dancing option. With the variety of options and pricing, guests are sure to find the one that best fits their needs as they count down to midnight and celebrate 2018.
La Vecchia Fontana - Linguini Fruta Di Mare
La Vecchia Fontana
700 First Avenue, Avalon • 609-967-7708 • lavecchiafontana.net
La Vecchia Fontana is open at 4pm Friday through Sunday this fall and winter, serving authentic Italian cuisine. Beginning in November, the restaurant will offer a special four-course winter menu for $39.95, featuring a choice of appetizer, salad or soup, entrée and dessert.
As the holidays approach, Chef Bujar Daku and his staff will prepare a traditional Seven Fishes dinner for Christmas. Call to reserve an intimate table for two or bring the entire family to enjoy this fresh feast together around the table. The regular menu will also be available for Christmas, offering the restaurant’s signature dinner options such as the Pollo alla Fontana, the Risotto alla Pescatore, and many more dishes. All the pasta is homemade daily using the restaurant’s state-of-the-art pasta maker and each dish is a labor of love, made using fresh ingredients. Don’t forget to save room for the homemade Italian desserts, too!
Featuring an intimate space decorated with garland, flowers and lights for the holidays, La Vecchia Fontana will host your next holiday party for up to 70 people. Choose from the different menus available or work with Bujar to create a custom menu that will have your guests raving well into the new year!
And speaking of the New Year, make a reservation for La Vecchia Fontana’s special New Year’s Eve menu! Enjoy an authentic Italian meal with seatings at 6:30pm, 8:30pm and 9pm.
Marie Nicole’s Grill - Grilled Duroc Pork Chop
Marie Nicole’s Grill
7900 Ocean Drive, Avalon • 609-368-1919 • marienicoles.com
Now located in Avalon, the staff at Marie Nicole’s Grill invites you to dine with them this holiday season. The restaurant will be open Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays in November, serving seafood, steak and pasta dishes that are sure to warm you up.
In November, Marie Nicole’s “Burgers, Beer and Bourbon” moves from Wednesdays to Thursday nights. Enjoy specialty burgers, craft beer and bourbon specials all night! The restaurant also offers a three-course menu featuring a starter, entrée and dessert. Choose from the soup du jour or the Caesar salad, entrée choices such as the herb-roasted chicken and the fish of the day, and finish with a sweet treat from the daily selection of desserts. The three-course dinner costs $25 before 6pm and $35 any time after and is offered each day. Looking over the regular menu? Try favorites such as the pasta gorgonzola, grilled lamb porterhouse or the veal parmesan from Chef Zimmerman’s menu selections.
Beginning Nov. 24, Marie Nicole’s will offer a gift-card sale; for every $100 spent on gift cards, you will receive a free $20 gift card to spend. The promotion will only be available through Nov. 26, so be sure to get a head start on your Christmas shopping! Gift cards make the perfect stocking stuffers.
On Sunday, Nov. 26 help Marie Nicole’s Grill close for the season while enjoying half price on all food until it’s gone! The restaurant will reopen in March.
North End American Grill - Turkey Burger
North End American Grill
Chestnut & Olde New Jersey, North Wildwood • 609-435-5691 • northendamericangrill.com
Open Thursday through Sunday, North End American Grill is a great choice for dining with family and friends this holiday season. Featuring casual dining, patio seating and an extensive bar menu, North End American Grill offers soups, sandwiches, salads, signature burgers and more. The restaurant also offers a $20 three-course menu with options such as the half-roasted chicken, baby back ribs, grilled salmon and more.
Throughout the fall, North End American Grill will feature weekly specials. On Thursdays, customers can choose from the specialty-burger menu paired with $5 craft beers. Try the new seasonal favorite: the turkey burger with stuffing, cranberry sauce, feta, caramelized onions, and sweet potato fries. Friday is homemade chicken pot pie night (always a sellout), and Saturdays customers will enjoy fresh seafood specials with a choice of soup or salad. Sundays are all about football: North End American Grill offers its Brunch with the Birds special beginning at 10am with live radio pregame show, $5 North End burgers and happy-hour food specials.
North End American Grill will also join its sister restaurants for the gift-card promotion over Thanksgiving weekend. Beginning on Nov. 24, for every $100 purchased in gift cards, guests will receive a free $20 gift card. The promotion will take place Nov. 24-26, so be sure to stock up and give the gift that everyone wants this year.
The Ebbitt Room - Roasted Duck Breast
The Ebbitt Room at the Virginia Hotel
25 Jackson Street, Cape May • 609-884-5700 • caperesorts.com/restaurants/capemay/ebbittroom/
Indulge in the warmth of Jackson Street while dining at The Ebbitt Room at the Virginia Hotel this season. Open daily through December, the restaurant offers specials throughout the week including half-price beer and wine by the glass Monday through Friday and a three-course early-dining menu Sunday through Friday from 5-6:30pm. Guests will also enjoy the smooth sounds of live piano music every Friday and Saturday from 6:30-10:30pm.
The Ebbitt Room will be serving special menus for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Reservations are required, with seatings from 2-7pm.
The Ebbitt Room offers a three-course dinner menu on Thanksgiving Day for $65, featuring selections such as the Beach Plum Farm Heritage Turkey, Porcini Dusted Tuna, and Roasted Venison Chop. Guests may also reserve a whole roasted turkey for their table, served family-style accompanied by candied yams, whipped potatoes, brussels sprouts and more. The whole turkey must be ordered ahead of time when making your reservations. Call 609-884-5700 for more information.
Throughout the fall season, The Virginia Hotel has worked with Cape May Stage to offer Dinner and a Show. Enjoy a three-course menu at The Ebbitt Room, then head over to Cape May Stage for a performance of “The Ultimate Christmas Show (Abridged)” at 8pm. The cost is $65 and includes your meal and show ticket. The show will run through Dec. 30, so be sure to enjoy this unique pairing that is sure to get you in the holiday spirit.
Need plans for New Year’s Eve? Enjoy dinner at The Ebbitt Room complete with a champagne toast at midnight. There is nothing better than the magic of the holidays in Cape May. Check out the hotel’s special rates and stay for the weekend!
The Reeds at Shelter Haven - Grilled Lamb Chops
The Reeds at Shelter Haven
9601 Third Avenue, Stone Harbor • 609-368-0100 • reedsatshelterhaven.com
The Reeds at Shelter Haven is a party headquarters for the holidays, complete with a bayside view. From Thanksgiving through New Year’s, the property is decked to the nines and there will be special events and menus for the season. Make reservations early for The Reeds’ traditional Thanksgiving dinner buffet (reservations required). Savor the flavor of the carving station, check out the seasonal favorites at the buffet and don’t forget to save room for dessert. Served from noon to 6pm, families will enjoy all the traditional favorites including roasted turkey breast, candied sweet potatoes, savory stuffing and more. The full menu is available online at reedsatshelterhaven.com. The cost is $38 for adults, and $19 for children 12 and under (3 & under free).
Every Friday through Dec. 15 is Fire Pit Friday at The Reeds! Cozy up by the fire with a blanket and enjoy live entertainment, food and cocktails overlooking the bay. From 5-8pm, each week will offer a different performer, so you won’t want to miss a week. Enjoy food offerings of SAX mac ’n’ cheese, margarita flatbread, antipasto and more, and try one of The Reeds’ specialty cocktails such as jingle juice, winter sangria and the traditional wassail.
If you missed Santa over Thanksgiving weekend, you’re in luck! Santa will join The Reeds at Shelter Haven for his annual Workshop and Holiday Brunch the first two Sundays in December. Families will enjoy a festive holiday brunch on Dec. 3 and 10 from 10am to 2pm. The restaurant will transform into the “North Pole” and children will have a chance to create a special holiday craft. Brunch is $30, and $20 for children 12 and under. Reservations are required for parties of six or more.
On Friday, Dec. 8, The Reeds will light up the bay during its Holiday Bash by the Bay from 7-10pm. Take a break from the holiday shopping, baking and decorating, and enjoy a fireside indoor/outdoor cocktail party featuring heavy hors d’oeuvres, drink specials, and live entertainment and dancing. Enjoy delicious passed hors d’oeuvres such as tuna poke, Thai chicken skewers and sirloin au poivre, check out the stations and small plates, and don’t forget to save room for the season dessert samplings of peppermint brownies, eggnog cake pops and gingerbread parfait. Take a photo with friends at the selfie station, dance with your partner, and cozy up by the fire during this lively holiday gathering. The cost is $29, and there will be a cash bar.
Bring the family and celebrate the holiday with dinner at SAX Restaurant. The restaurant will serve Christmas Eve and Christmas dinner from 5-9pm. Choose from a special holiday entrée or a daily SAX menu entrée. Reservations are suggested.
Keep the party going for New Year’s Eve and celebrate at The Reeds. Enjoy a prix fixe dinner menu from 5-11pm at SAX restaurant or check out the property’s New Year’s Eve Party from 7:30pm-midnight. The cost of the SAX prix fix dinner is $90, and reservations are required. The menu features an elaborate selection that includes filet mignon, macadamia nut crusted halibut, grilled lamb chops and more. Reservations are required.
The New Year’s Eve Party will begin at 7:30pm and will feature a 5-hour premium open bar, a three-course plated menu, entertainment and dancing. There will be a champagne toast at midnight, and breakfast also will be served at midnight!
Yacht Club of Stone Harbor - Filet Mignon with Scallops and Stuffed Shrimp
Yacht Club of Stone Harbor
9001 Sunset Drive, Stone Harbor • 609-368-1201 • ycsh.org
Situated bayside with gorgeous fall sunset views, the Yacht Club of Stone Harbor will be offering offseason dining memberships this holiday season. Memberships include the use of the club for all events from the Thursday after Labor Day through the Friday before Memorial Day weekend. Enjoy all the club offers for Thanksgiving weekend, New Year’s Eve, Easter and Mother’s Day Brunch by signing up for the offseason membership. There is no joining fee, the annual dues are $350 and there is a $100 monthly dining-room minimum from September through May. Stop by the club for a membership packet and more information to enjoy food, events and friends this holiday season.
Through the help of the club members and staff, the Yacht Club of Stone Harbor will host its 7th Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. Throughout the month of November, the club will accept non-perishable food items, monetary donations, gift cards, and more to be able to provide Thanksgiving meals and help families in our community. The club collected enough items and donations last year to feed more than 75 families in need within Cape May County and hopes to surpass the number this year. It’s an ongoing tradition that club members and staff are proud of and look forward to each year.
Looking for the perfect gift? Check out the Ship’s Store swag for someone special on your list. The store carries ladies’, men’s and children’s apparel, accessories, home décor, glassware and more! Gift certificates are also available. Through Nov. 30, the store will offer a holiday special: Buy any regular-priced item from the Ship’s Store and get a 20 percent discount on the second item (discount applied to lower-priced item). Shipping is available for purchases over $30. For details about the Ship’s Store, email nancy@ycsh.org.
