Restaurant Week, a Halloween Pop-Up and 130 Jersey Wines: Your Central Jersey Week, October 27

Happy Tuesday, Central Jersey! Some very exciting news for anyone with a sweet tooth, myself included: Krispy Kreme has signed leases for two new shops near us, one at Seaview Square in Ocean Township and one at 197 Route 9 in Marlboro. No opening dates yet, but I'm already mentally preparing for the lack of self-control I'll have the first time that red Hot Now sign lights up.

On the docket: Jersey Shore Restaurant Week, a Halloween pop-up at Tall Oaks Farm + Brewery, the NJ Wine Expo at Bell Works, a Napa wine dinner at The Rum Runner, and the live music lineup. I checked every date, time and price against the organizers' own pages.

Clear your calendar for Jersey Shore Restaurant Week

Consider this your official excuse to give the kitchen a break. Jersey Shore Restaurant Week runs Friday, November 6 through Sunday, November 15, which is ten days of special menus and plenty of reasons to finally try that restaurant you've been talking about for months.

Participating restaurants offer a three-course meal (appetizer, entrée and dessert) for either $32.26 or $42.26, depending on the restaurant. Dozens of places are signed up, from Red Bank and Long Branch down through Spring Lake, Manasquan, Point Pleasant Beach and Toms River.

There are also ticketed food and wine events around the week: Sparkling & Shellfish at Coastal Canteen in Manasquan (November 1), a four-course wine dinner at Spring Lake Manor (November 5), Pinot & Prime at Shipwreck Grill in Brielle (November 8), and a premium tasting with wine educator Kevin Zraly (November 15).

Grab some friends, plan a date night or just treat yourself to a good meal without doing the dishes afterward. Popular spots fill up on the weekends, so book early.

See every participating restaurant and menu

Halloween fun is brewing at Tall Oaks Farm, Farmingdale

Tall Oaks Farm + Brewery (450 Colts Neck Road, Farmingdale) is hosting a family-friendly Halloween pop-up on Friday, October 30, 4:30 to 7 PM, full of seasonal activities and sweet treats. Bring the grandkids.

The lineup: pumpkin painting with In The Wash, decorate-your-own Halloween cookies from Sweet Treats By Neyda, stuff-your-own festive plushies with Wonder & Whimsy Parties, balloon animals from Uplifting Balloons and face painting by The Salty Glow. Children's author Melanie Garda is stopping by, too.

Because Halloween activities work up an appetite, La Tradizione will be serving fresh pasta from 5 to 8 PM. Grab a pint, let the kids get creative and enjoy a Friday evening where someone else handles the crafts and the cooking.

Pop-up details at Tall Oaks Farm + Brewery

Sip your way through New Jersey, Holmdel

Wine lovers, we have you covered. The 3rd Annual NJ Wine Expo takes over the Bell Works ballroom (101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel) on Saturday, November 7, bringing wineries and vineyards from across the Garden State together for one very well-stocked tasting.

Guests can sample more than 130 hand-selected New Jersey wines, meet the winemakers and discover just how much our state's wine scene has to offer. Alba, Cream Ridge, Four Sisters, Unionville, Valenzano, Wagonhouse and many more are pouring. Whether you know your Pinot Noir from your Cabernet or just know what tastes good, there's plenty to explore.

Know before you buy:

• General admission, 2 to 5 PM: $38.10 in advance through Friday, November 6 at 11:59 PM; $45 at the door, if any are left. Includes a souvenir glass.
• VIP early access, noon to 5 PM: $54, sold only through Thursday, November 5. No day-of VIP sales.
• Designated driver: $10 at the door, cash only.
• This one is 21 and over.

Grab your wine-loving friends, pace yourselves and prepare to leave with a much longer list of vineyards to visit.

Tickets and winery list at the NJ Wine Expo

A taste of Napa is coming to Sea Bright

A trip to Napa Valley sounds pretty nice, but a five-course dinner in Sea Bright is a little easier to fit into the calendar. The Rum Runner (816 Ocean Avenue) is hosting A Tour of Napa on Friday, November 13 at 6 PM.

Executive Chef Jason Hensle is preparing a five-course tasting menu, each course paired with wines from celebrated Napa vineyards including Stag's Leap, Robert Mondavi and Silver Oak. It's a chance to sample some seriously good wines without the cross-country flight.

The price is $115 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are needed, so grab your favorite wine-loving friend and make a night of it. Five courses, great wine and a dining room right on the Shrewsbury River sounds like a pretty solid Friday.

Reserve a seat at The Rum Runner or call (732) 842-2894.

If you only pick one this week

Have grandkids in town for Halloween? Tall Oaks on Friday afternoon is the easy win, with pasta for the grown-ups. If it's just the two of you, mark November 7 for the Wine Expo and use Restaurant Week, which starts the day before, for dinner afterward. Save the Napa dinner for a special occasion.

Live music lowdown

Friday, October 30
The Proving Ground, Highlands — Liam Davis Band, 9 PM
The Wonder Bar, Asbury Park — Emo Night Karaoke, 8 PM
Reef & Barrel, Manasquan — enjoy! (yes, that's the band's name), 6 PM
Tim McLoone's Supper Club, Asbury Park — Pure McCartney, 8 PM ($25 ticket, plus a $25 food and drink minimum)
Bar A, Lake Como — Eddie Testa Band, 6:30 PM
Jack's by the Tracks, Belmar — Spare Parts, 7 PM
McCann's Tavern, Lake Como — WTC Band, 8 PM
The Rum Runner, Sea Bright — Chad & Rich, 7 PM

Saturday, October 31 (Halloween)
The Proving Ground, Highlands — Skinny Amigo Halloween party, 8 PM
The Wonder Bar, Asbury Park — Harbour, with Southcourt, 7 PM
The Stone Pony, Asbury Park — Splintered Sunlight's "A Grateful Halloween," 7 PM (18+, costume contest)
Reef & Barrel, Manasquan — Mushmouth Halloween Party, 7 PM
Ocean House Tap + Grill, Sea Bright — Pat Roddy Band, 9:30 PM
Bar A, Lake Como — Sky City Social, 10 PM
Jack's by the Tracks, Belmar — Subject2Change, 7 PM
McCann's Tavern, Lake Como — Rising Falls, 8 PM
The Rum Runner, Sea Bright — The Brothers Morrisy, 7 PM

Sunday, November 1
Tim McLoone's Supper Club, Asbury Park — Soul Machine, 7 PM (60s and 70s soul, funk and disco; tickets from $25)
McCann's Tavern, Lake Como — Jersey Dirt, 6 PM

Beatles fans, take note: Pure McCartney is a six-piece tribute that covers Paul's Beatles, Wings and solo years, and the dance floor will be open.

Quick answers

How much is a Restaurant Week dinner?

Three courses (appetizer, entrée and dessert) for $32.26 or $42.26, depending on the restaurant, November 6 to 15.

Is the NJ Wine Expo cheaper in advance?

Yes. General admission is $38.10 if you buy by 11:59 PM on November 6 and $45 at the door, if available. VIP tickets ($54) aren't sold at the door at all.

Can I bring the grandkids to Tall Oaks on October 30?

Yes. The Halloween pop-up is family-friendly, with pumpkin painting, cookies, face painting and balloon animals from 4:30 to 7 PM.

When will Krispy Kreme open near us?

No dates have been announced. Leases are signed for Seaview Square in Ocean Township and 197 Route 9 in Marlboro.

Sources: Jersey Shore Restaurant Week (jerseyshorerestaurantweek.com), Tall Oaks Farm + Brewery's event page and flyer, the Garden State Wine Growers Association (newjerseywines.com), The Rum Runner's events page, ROI-NJ and Real Estate NJ on the Krispy Kreme leases, and calendars for The Stone Pony, The Wonder Bar, Tim McLoone's Supper Club, The Proving Ground, Bar A and The Rum Runner. Reef & Barrel, Jack's by the Tracks, Ocean House and McCann's Tavern listings come from band and local listings; McCann's lineup wasn't independently confirmed. Details checked October 27, 2026. Confirm with organizers before you go.