Beyond the tree: These Jersey Shore restaurants know how to decorate for Christmas
At the holidays, 618 Restaurant in Freehold turns into a winter wonderland, filled with Christmas trees, nutcrackers, lights, North Pole mailboxes and more.
But that spirit of the season goes beyond decorations.
Every year, the restaurant donates hundreds of toys to Toys for Tots, as well as to the Freehold Borough Police Benevolent Association's annual Toy Drive. Officers collect gifts, both from local businesses and at the Police Department, to then be distributed to local families (distribution will take place this Saturday, with a donation deadline of Friday).
618 Restaurant uses their decorations to inspire and draw in potential donors.
"We like the restaurant to be festive so more people visit and donate," said Liz Borowski, co-owner of 618 Restaurant.
They also usually kick off each season with a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, which took place this year on Dec. 4.
"Guests are invited to donate a toy in exchange for a photo with them," Borowski said.
Go: 618 Park Ave., Freehold; 732-577-0001, 618nj.com.
Panini Grill, Freehold
Once winter hits, Panini Grill is covered in vintage Christmas decorations that are all for sale.
When capacity restrictions were in place, owner Rosario Macri had the idea to turn half of the restaurant into a shop, reminiscent of "a house in Whoville," where customers could find decorations that couldn't be found in stores. Other products like hot cocoa bombs are also sold in the shop.
Macri loves an old-style Christmas, citing the original Coca-Cola Santa Claus as the inspiration behind his decorating aesthetic.
His true goal in the over-the-top display is to bring a smile to people's faces.
"Even though the holidays are a beautiful time of the year, it can also be a very sad time of the year for some people," he said. "Everyone's depressed these days about something, and everyone's going through something, so if someone comes in and I can distract them from the entire world for just one second, I've reached my goal."
Go: 31 E. Main St., Freehold; 732-845-5440, paninigrillnj.com.
Scarborough Fair, Sea Girt
While this building has been home to a couple different businesses over the years, it was originally a farmhouse dating back to the 1800s.
Taking advantage of the building's rustic, cozy feel, as well as it's original beams, high ceilings and arches, Scarborough Fair is decorated from top-to-bottom in what manager Hannah Smith describes as a less-than-conventional theme.
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"It's not just your traditional Christmas trees with red and green," she said. "We have a lot of lights and other [decorations] hanging from the ceiling, with stars, glitter and more."
According to Smith, families have held standing reservations every holiday for decades, just because of the holiday extravaganza they display every year.
"From floor to ceiling, you can see the lights from all the way down the street," she said. "We go big."
Go: 1414 Meetinghouse Road, Sea Girt; 732-223-6658, sfseagirt.com.
Tucker's Tavern, Beach Haven
This English-style pub features plenty of garland, colorful lights, wreaths and two full-size Christmas trees.
It's a decorating frenzy put on by the staff of 30. When they're done, "it's a totally different restaurant," said general manager Dave Hasenbein.
"We are a close knit team and we have a lot of fun together," said Hasenbein. "It's so much fun to decorate and come together. ... We celebrate, have a few drinks and then we put all our tables together to have dinner together."
Go: 101 Southwest Ave, Beach Haven; 609-492-2300, tuckerstavern-lbi.com.
Gabriela L. Laracca recently joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to glaracca@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore restaurants Christmas decorations for holidays
