Jersey Girl Cheese
The cheesemaker to the country’s reigning pizzaiolo is Sal Pisani, who makes the very best fresh and aged cheeses in the Italian tradition at a small dairy farm in Sussex County.
Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers’ Market
Situated on the historic Dvoor property, this now-year-round market is home to a prestigious lineup of farmers and food vendors. Stock up this Sunday – Dec. 19 – and all winter long.
Make Someone Hoppy
A bottle or three of that special Garden State micro under the tree will prompt the beer lover on your gift list to grin like a kid on Christmas morning. Santa Shawn has several selections for you to consider.
Mitsuwa
A thrilling and practical place to gather foodstuffs year-round, and especially at holiday time, this emporium for Japanese edibles in Edgewater is a prime inspiration for the Smart Shop column. Eat at its food court, shop in its vast marketplace and be merry.
Hung Vuong
An Asian uber-market in Cherry Hill offers a bounty of ingredients to cook things Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, Filipino and Chinese. It’s the bigger, brawnier younger sibling in a mini-chain born across the Delaware, and it’s well-stocked with condiments that add a world of flavor to everyday dishes.
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.