Chocolate in the Oven
A bakeshop in Milford specializes in many things chocolate. Indulge. But don’t pass by the savory hand pies, pumpkin gooey bars and a carrot cake that’s one for the ages.
Chasing Rainbows
Like the Thanksgiving table itself, your beer menu should provide choice. Our faithful guide advises offering a many-colored range of styles and flavors.
Delicious Orchards
The family-run produce mecca in Colts Neck is one-stop shopping for holiday meals. Shop it right and you’ll have what you need for a spate of unfussy cooking.
Victoria’s Cake
A bakeshop on a side street in Westfield is a new entry in the ever-growing genre in the Garden State. Sizing up a selection of its French-accented sweets yields hits and misses.
Noon Tea Creperie
Could the cool tea-inspired desserts and drinks at a slender downtown storefront frequented by students make it the snack version of Playa Bowls?
Phillips Farms Market
A diverse-crop farm in Holland Township feeds a year-round market where everything locally grown and locally made reigns. BONUS: Dining and antiques/décor must-stops nearby.
The Greek Store
Prepared foods, pantry items, store-baked pastries and olives, olives, olives: Bring sunny Mediterranean flavors from this must-stop in Kenilworth to your table, and ring in the long holiday season ahead.
The Great Pumpkin Beers
Costumed in accents that rev up flavor, these stouts and ales are in tune with the season and its supreme squash.
Pastry Lu Bakery
Tres leches cakes in a cup, a croissant-bun cross gone Cubano, and a gigantic cookie tribute to Cap’n Crunch: It’s all happening at this new dessert bistro in downtown Metuchen.
O’zapft is’!
Celebrate Oktoberfest right now with Garden State brews our beer columnist taps as the tops.
Van Hook Cheese and Grocery
Our Smart Shopper Lynley Jones explores the world of Serious Cheese – and expands your view of what this beloved staple can bring to your home table.