Restaurant bites: 4 great dining deals for late September

From Wine Week events to Octoberfest, there are plenty of great events worth raising a glass and saying cheers among friends.

All of the news this week seems to be centering on Pope Francis landing on U.S. soil. But for those looking to avoid the crowds, New Jersey restaurants have some non-Pope-Francis-related promotions closing out September.

SOUTH JERSEY FOOD AND WINE WEEK

New Jersey Wine Week might be taking place through Sept. 27, but it doesn't necessarily mean the celebrations and tributes have to come to an end on Sunday. South Jersey Food and Wine Week takes place from Sept. 27 through Oct. 2, with close to 40 restaurants -- spread across Camden, Burlington and Gloucester Counties -- participating. The deal is simple: four courses for $35 with each of the chefs putting together special menus for the event. The complete list of restaurants can be found here. Reservations are recommended.

IRON ROOM CELEBRATES WINE WEEK

The Iron Room, Iron Room, the bar and lounge inside the Atlantic City Bottle Co. (Atlantic City's first speakeasy since prohibition), has earned high accolades for its impressive wine collection. (Earlier this year, The Iron Room was presented with a Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator.) On Wednesday, the Atlantic City-based establishment will be teaming up with the Garden State Wine Growers Assoc. for a three-hour event (6 to 9 p.m.), with a special menu of hors d'oeuvres. Tickets are $20, and reservations are required. For more information, call 609-348-6400. 648 N. Albany Ave., Atlantic City.

MEATLESS MONDAYS

Dos Caminos, part of BR Guest Hospitality, is now part of the Meatless Monday movement at its Harrah's Resort location. Special dishes being conjured up by executive chef Ivy Stark include polkanes yucatecos -- pumpkin seed and fava bean fritters with roasted tomato pepita salad; vegetable tacos -- calabacitas, local patty pan, pinto beans, grilled avocado, salsa verde and quinoa tortillas. 777 Harrah's Blvd., Atlantic City.

OCTOBERFEST

Late September and beer go hand-in-hand. This annual autumn tradition takes place in Munich, Germany every October. No need to purchase an expensive plane ticket to enjoy all of the festivities, though. Several restaurants around the Garden State are getting in on the action. What is being billed as the New Jersey/New York metro area's "most authentic Octoberfest" kicks off on Friday at Pilsener Haus in Hoboken, 1422 Grand St., with music, beer and a traditional menu. Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten, 527 Lake Ave., which opened earlier this year, is hosting "The Jersey Shore's First Authentic Octoberfest," complete with polka bands every weekend, keg tapping, giant imported pretzels and more.

Contact Bill Gelman at bkgelman@hotmail.com. Find NJ.com on Facebook.