SO MUCH TO CELEBRATE: ANNIVERSARY, WINE TASTING DINNER, AND THE ARTS

[Photos courtesy of Terry McCarthy Earhart]

  

Now that Halloween is over, the costumes have been put away, the Halloween Bash at The Rat is finished, with three prize winners enjoying their gift certificates for their terrific costumes (even The Mike Pfeiffer Band members were in costumes as they performed late into the night), we decided it was the perfect opportunity to launch our new seasonal menu. I finished typing it into our website and even before I clicked on the "update" button, I was craving too many of the new items on the menu; just had to reach out and get some.  Virtual reality has nothing on the real thing!  Delish!!!

Amazingly, November 3rd came and went, without much fanfare, without any special celebration.  Oh yes, November 3rd--election day in 2009, was the day we quietly opened the doors of The National Hotel--and this year, this past Wednesday, those of us who have been working there from the beginning, again, quietly, wished each other a Happy Anniversary.

We've been so busy planning and preparing for our first Wine Tasting Dinner that this past Wednesday's significance didn't get the "play" it might have deserved.  But we're so excited about this event...it's coming fast--Sunday, November 14th, 2 p.m. onwards, by reservation only.  The wines of the Rodney Strong Winery will be featured and Chef Lisa has prepared an exclusive menu that will complement the different wines that have been selected for that special event.  If you're interested in joining us, click here for more information.

Many of our patrons have been asking us to put this type of an event together, but we wanted to do it right.  We wanted the experience to be memorable for everyone involved, and for it to be the type of event that our patrons and wine enthusiasts will gladly attend the next time we offer it.  As soon as we mentioned it to some of our clients, you could feel the excitement.  More hugs!!!  But we weren't the only ones giving out hugs this week...we had many, many loyal patrons who remembered our anniversary, who sent us texts during the day and who came in on Wednesday specifically to extend their well wishes and their thanks. 

As business proprietors we owe so much to our clients, but we also owe so much to our staff.  We have been told time and again just how inviting and dedicated our staff is, and we know this ourselves.  The staff is completely vested in bringing their best when they walk through our doors.  And they gladly give of themselves.  Just watch them interact with each other, as well as with our patrons--whether it's one of our loyal and consistent patrons, or a new individual coming to town.

And our hotel guests have shared this same sentiment with us--they've even written about it on travel blogs and websites.  That's partially what distinguishes our lovely little gem of a town from so many other destination areas.  Our business owners and residents alike, all truly enjoy having out-of-towners visit and explore Frenchtown.



In closing, I just want to extend an invitation to all of you to drop by and support our local artists who perform week after week during our weekly Thursday evening Open Mic Night (a.k.a. The Frenchtown Underground, renamed by our friend and The Rat's Open Mic Night originator, Alex Wolfson); come read one of your favorite poems (or one you've written yourself) during our monthly poetry open mic, renamed The People's Poetry by one of its originators, Skye Van Saun, who together with John Smith, created this wonderful and intimate afternoon series, the 3rd Sunday of every month; stay after our weekly Wednesday 1/2 priced drink special Ladies' Night for our By The Fireplace music series that just kicked off this past Wednesday, featuring Steph Hayes--check out the video she and Mike Pfeiffer created:

...join us for our weekly Sunday Musical Afternoon Series; or come and have a great night out on Saturday night for our Live Music Series organized by Mike Pfeiffer, as we feature different bands who will perform late into the night.  There's literally something to see or do almost every day of the week in Frenchtown, and The National Hotel has become "the late night destination" to wrap up your day.  Subscribe to our youtube channel, follow us on Twitter, or find us on facebook for the latest news or activities at The National Hotel. 

If you'd like me to add you to our email list to be the first to know about upcoming events, email me directly at marie@thenationalhotelnj.com.  Your comments and feedback are always welcome, posted here or emailed to me.  Looking forward to seeing you!