Dining Options for the Holiday Season
The Grilled Pork Chop special from the Concord Cafe.
Eat, drink and be merry! The holiday season is upon us. Remove the cooking hassle from the most wonderful time of the year and leave it to the professionals! With the abundance of talented chefs on Seven Mile Beach and the variety of open restaurants dishing out seasonally inspired dishes, your holiday dining situation and your menus are covered. Whether you choose to spend Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s or all the above in town, these restaurants are ready to serve you and your party, no matter how big or small! Gather your friends and family, plan ahead, call for reservations and indulge in the holiday season … of eating! Enjoy!
The Concord Cafe Chicken Pot Pie special.
Concord Café
7800 Dune Drive, Avalon 609-368-5505 • concordcafe.net
Concord Café will be open for its final weekend of the 2019 season over Thanksgiving weekend. Featuring the regular menu and additional seasonal specials, Concord Café will open Thanksgiving eve at 4pm, and although it will be closed on Thanksgiving, the restaurant will open Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 11:30am for lunch and dinner. Choose from menu favorites including gourmet pizza, burgers and salads, as well as pasta, chicken and seafood dishes.
Popular seasonal specials return each night of the week as well, such as the grilled pork chop on Thanksgiving eve, the hot open-faced turkey sandwich on Friday and the creamy chicken pot pie on Saturday. All specials typically sell out, so be sure to get there early and get your favorite dish. The kids’ menu includes something for all taste buds and picky eaters such as chicken fingers, raviolis and grilled cheese.
Beginning Wednesday, Nov. 27, the Concord Café will offer its customers its seasonal gift card promotion. For every $100 spent on gift card purchases over Thanksgiving weekend only, customers will receive a free $20 gift card. Be sure to stock up before the restaurant closes for the season on Sunday, Dec. 1.
The Fred’s Burger from Fred’s Tavern.
Fred’s Tavern
314 96th Street, Stone Harbor 609-368-5591 • fredstavern.net
Fred’s Tavern has been a Stone Harbor staple for generations of families at the Jersey Shore and this holiday season, it will be decked to the nines for its customers. Whether you grab a bite to eat, take a seat by the fireplace or dance the night away to the sounds of a local band, Fred’s is open year-round for lunch and dinner daily from 11am to 10pm and the bar is open until 2am.
Catch the college and NFL games on the big screens on the weekends or call a babysitter and plan your night out! Fred’s Tavern offers live entertainment every Friday and Saturday night.
Although the restaurant will be closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas, Thanksgiving eve is not to be missed at Fred’s Tavern. This is the place to be as friends and family connect over drinks and celebration. Que and Ryan will kick off the live entertainment at 9pm as you dance and sing your way to Thanksgiving Day. The weekend entertainment lineup also includes One Fish, Two Fish on Friday, Nov. 29 and Jefe on Saturday, Nov. 30.
It’s never too soon to get your “ugly sweaters” ready for the Fred’s annual “Go Elf Yourself” party on Dec. 21. Call your sitter and an Uber and head to Fred’s for this customer-favorite holiday party at 9pm. There will be a toy collection for local underprivileged youth.
And, finally, the grand finale of 2019: Fred’s New Year’s Eve Party! You have your choice of three dinner specials, including the surf and turf. Following dinner, enjoy the live entertainment at 9:30pm as you sway your way into 2020 and toast to the New Year among family and friends!
The traditional Thanksgiving meal from ICONA Avalon.
ICONA Avalon
7849 Dune Drive, Avalon • 609-551-0101 • iconaavalon.com
It’s always a great day at ICONA, and the holidays are no exception! Browse the special overnight packages and make plans to spend Thanksgiving weekend oceanfront this year! With two dining options, special activities for the family and live-streaming football games from Wednesday to Sunday, ICONA has it all.
Opt for a traditional a la carte dinner at the Avalon Brew Pub from noon-8pm or bring the entire family to sample their favorites at the buffet in the Seaglass Ballroom from 1-6pm on Thanksgiving Day. Reservations are required for both. The Thanksgiving Day buffet, held in the Seaglass Ballroom, features appetizers and salad choices, a carving station and chaffers, and a dessert display. The cost for the buffet is $39 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. Reservations are strongly suggested and can be made by emailing Troy@ICONA.com or by phone at 609-967-2116.
In addition to the a la carte menu for Thanksgiving, the Avalon Brew Pub will offer food and drink specials from Wednesday through Sunday and football games all weekend long. The property transforms into Santa’s winter wonderland for Festive Friday and Snowfest Saturday, too! Join Santa’s elves at the Winter Beach Bar at Sandbar Village on Friday and Saturday to enjoy complimentary cookie decorating. Lounges will be available with fire pits to cozy up with warm drink specials including hot cocoa and apple cider for $2 and spiked cocoa and hot toddies for $5. All the festive fun leads up to a special tree lighting ceremony outside of the Avalon Brew Pub at 7pm.
Although the property will be closed for Christmas, it’s never too soon to make your plans for New Year’s Eve! Ring in 2020 at ICONA with dinner, dancing and DJ entertainment at the Seaglass Ballroom! Choose the party package with a 4-hour premium bar, entertainment, a champagne toast and a Viennese dessert buffet. Want dinner as well? Select the New Year’s Eve Dinner & Celebration package which includes a surf-and-turf dinner beginning at 8pm, a 5-hour premium open bar, entertainment, a champagne toast and a Viennese dessert buffet. For a complete list of options and pricing, check out ICONA’S website, iconaavalon.com, and ring in the new year oceanfront.
Surf-and-turf will be offered on The Reeds’ New Year’s Eve menu. Note: plating and meal may vary from photo.
The Reeds at Shelter Haven
9601 Third Avenue, Stone Harbor • 609-368-0100 • reedsatshelterhaven.com
With three dining options to explore and parties aplenty this season, The Reeds at Shelter Haven is the place to be! Buckets will remain open every Friday and Saturday from 11am-midnight and Sunday 11am-9pm through Dec. 1. The Stone Harbor Pizza Pub is open throughout the winter daily from 11am-10pm. SAX Restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch from 7am-4pm and dinner at 5pm daily. New this fall, SAX will also offer Saturday and Sunday brunch menus from 10am-2pm.
From Thanksgiving to Christmas and even New Year’s, The Reeds will host grand celebrations surrounding the holidays.
Thanksgiving dinner will be served two ways this year: buffet style and plated. Enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving Day buffet from noon to 6pm featuring all your favorite holiday fixings such as carved turkey, smoked ham, savory stuffing, candied sweet potatoes, cranberries and homemade desserts. Fill your plate and go back for seconds and thirds! The cost of the buffet is $42 for adults and $19 for kids 12 and under. If you prefer a plated Thanksgiving dinner, dine at SAX beginning at 6pm. Reservations are recommended for both.
Stay for the weekend and experience Stone Harbor as it transforms into a winter wonderland. The Reeds will host its annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Firepit Friday on Nov. 29 as part of the festivities. The ceremony begins at 4pm and features live music and food and drink specials.
As soon as Thanksgiving weekend ends, Christmas arrives at The Reeds! Wear your pajamas and hop aboard the Polar Express as Santa and his elves host a workshop and brunch at The Reeds on Sunday, Dec. 8 and Sunday, Dec. 15! From 10am-2pm, families will enjoy crafts, activities and festive treats while indulging in a brunch buffet. Kids will also have a chance to share their wish lists with Santa. Brunch costs $30 per person and $20 for children 12 and under. Reservations are required.
Join professionals, family and friends at The Reeds to celebrate at Stone Harbor’s only indoor/outdoor fireside cocktail party on Friday, Dec. 13 for the annual Holiday Bash by the Bay from 7-10pm. Enjoy seasonally inspired menus, drink specials, live entertainment and dancing. The cost is $35 per person and there will be a cash bar.
The Reeds will also offer dinner at SAX Restaurant on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day from 5-9pm. Choose from a special holiday entrée or a daily SAX menu entrée. Reservations are suggested.
Dance, sing and delight as you ring in 2020! Reserve a table to dine at The Reeds for its annual five-course pre-fixe menu on New Year’s Eve. Overnight packages also are available.
