The National Hotel, Frenchtown, NJ

STARTING 2012 BEAUTIFULLY & PLANNING AHEAD FOR FEBRUARY 2012

2012-01-27T16:47:00.000-05:00

I'm happy to share that we now have an easier way for you to find us on facebook!! We've created an easy username: www.facebook/thenationalhotelnj. And voila! That's it. You can stay up-to-date on everything we do!!

As we near the end of the first month of the new year, Pete and I have had numerous conversations about how grateful we are to have such tremendous support from our patrons. Last month I wrote on this blog about so much that happened in 2011, locally and around the world. As we start 2012, I'm confident that our little establishment, The National Hotel, will continue to show our old friends and the new friends we'll make this year, that Frenchtown, NJ is a wonderful and quaint Delaware River town. Wonderful, because it is the perfect little hidden gem, offering unique shops, many with attention to every detail and offering hand-made items. Quaint, because you'd be hard pressed to find another small town that honors tradition, embraces change, and elevates everyone associated with it, while keeping its finger on the pulse of residents, businesses, and visitors alike. But don't take my word for it, read about it yourself in an article that appeared in the Hunterdon Democrat earlier this month.

At The National Hotel, we have a lot planned already for 2012. Let's start with our upcoming monthly music theme night, where on Saturday, February 4th, Mike Pfeiffer will help us get into a dy-no-mite mood filled with 70s music. Prizes will be given all night, including one for the best 70s-inspired threads. Special drinks will be mixed by our talented bartender, Donna Jane Sampler starting at 8 p.m. in The Rathskeller Pub (a.k.a., The Rat), followed by live music, 9:30 p.m. onward.

And that's just the beginning. We have a month of February filled with special programs--some that you've asked for, and others that we just couldn't wait to bring back:

February 14th -- VALENTINE'S DAY, featuring the Wallace Brothers Band in the Rat (7 - 11 p.m.)
February 21st -- RAINBOW FRESH - Fat Tuesday (8 p.m. onward).
February 23rd -- Cajun Food Weekend (in honor of Fat Tuesday, February 21st)

Our regular weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly programs are still on the calendar for 2012, including our Tuesday Bi-Weekly Trivia night, our weekly Thursday Open Mic Night, our weekly Saturday Live Music series, and our weekly Sunday Musical Afternoon series.

If you've had our burgers, you know how good they are. Help us spread the word by voting for The National Hotel that is participating in "the Big Cheese" search for NJ's Best Burger contest. It's been extended until the end of the month, but don't wait, please...we thank you in advance!

We're also well on our way with planning our weekly Additions to the Menu. This weekend we have so many wonderful dishes that there's something for everyone. From the Pheasant Stew (Beer-braised Pheasant, winter vegetables in a stew with a butter pastry dough), to our Grilled Steak & Crab Fritters (10 oz. Skirt Steak grilled to your liking with 2 crab fritters over a sweet potato hash), to Panner & Lotus Root Fritters (Paneer Cheese, crunchy lotus root with Indian spices over a creamy cashew saffron sauce), to so much more. Keep checking every Thursday night to see the weekend Additions to the Menu.

We've received some wonderful compliments from our hotel guests (as well as our frequent--and even our new--Restaurant and Bar dining guests). One recent review from a New York resident who stayed with us was so candid and filled with high praise, that I wanted to share it with you:

"I took my husband here for his birthday and we had a great time. We took the Loft suite and I told the General Manager Marlon the room looked better in person than on the website. What I love about our room [is that] we had a separate entrance so it seems more personal...We ate in the dining area and the bar and the food was delicious. If you need a place to stay where the area is quiet this is the place."

Pete and I have thoroughly enjoyed our wonderful new friends that we've made at The National Hotel, as well as the old friendships we've been fortunate enough to reinforce, in great part because of the easy and elegant--yet inviting--atmosphere at The National Hotel (not to mention the casual atmosphere of The Rat with our woodburning fireplace to keep the winter blues outside & the fun inside). Having these friends join us at The National Hotel lends itself to enjoy in-depth conversations, feeling free to share opinions, dreams, aspirations, and even the challenges being faced at any particular time. It's a wonderful little Delaware River town, filled with some of the most creative people we've had the pleasure to meet, and The National Hotel itself is a wonderful old historic establishment that welcomes all who step through its doors. Our patrons are incredibly supportive and wonderfully active in our music and arts programs.

But as 2012 establishes its pace in all our lives, I feel compelled to once again share how absolutely wonderfully blessed we are to have such wonderful and talented people working at The National Hotel. Each one brings his or her own flair to add to the chemistry of the establishment, and it is thanks to each and every one of them, from the wait staff to our kitchen staff, to our talented executive chef, Lisa Frederick, and to our wonderful "unofficial mayor" of Frenchtown, our very own general manager, Marlon Aranha, that we are able to bring to the table the fabulous dishes, serve delectable cocktails and wine and liquor choices, as well as provide exceptional service on the hotel side, with guest suites that have our overnight guests leaving beautiful hand-written notes to us as to the fantastic service, and restful night's sleep. I truly walk into this historic building each and every time feeling like I'm home. I know Pete echoes this sentiment, and with the hours he keeps there, it really is his home away from home. Thank you for all you've done to help us get to this point. Here's to an even better 2012!

Please continue to email me with your comments, or post a comment below. Stay up-to-date with everything being planned, by checking our website, calling us at 908.996.3200 or:

Thank you again.

2011 IS ALMOST OVER...SO MUCH TO REMEMBER & SO MUCH AHEAD!

2011-12-18T20:15:00.001-05:00

Is it possible that 2011 is actually coming to an end? Is it possible that in just 13 days, we'll be saying "good-bye" to a tumultuous year? It's been a year where locally we shared so many good moments, warm toasty nights in our cellar pub, The Rathskeller Pub (a.k.a., The Rat), listening to night after night of great music, where we were entertained by wonderful musicians who perform during our weekly Sunday musical afternoon series, including our most recent performer, Carol Thompson, who played the harp and wowed everyone present, and absolutely got us all into the holiday spirit early in December. What a treat to know that when she has time, she has even made a surprise appearance during our weekly Thursday Open Mic Night, packing in the local residents as well as as our hotel overnight guests.

And there's so much more in store. Today there was People's Poetry in The Rat, where local poets and those who like to listen to poetry, came out to support each other and enjoy an afternoon away from the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping or weekend catch-up agendas. Next Friday we'll feature Mike Pfeiffer's monthly theme music nights, where he'll kick off the night after 9 p.m. performing Christmas songs that will help us all unwind and get us in the right frame of mind to welcome in the holidays. And this will follow (and coincide with) the celebration of Hanukkah, where we'll light the candles and rejoice during these 8 days and Festival of Lights beginning on the even of the 20th. Our Frenchtown community is always so supportive of our programs and always help us come up with new ideas. We even started a bi-weekly Friday night dance series, where our wonderful Rathskeller bartender, Donna Jane Sampler, has created terrific dance tracks for all to enjoy. And don't forget about our bi-weekly Tuesday Trivia too. That night never disappoints, thanks to Russ Coen and our General Manager, Marlon Aranha's continued dedication to coming up with incredible questions that truly challenge and entertain us.

We hope you'll make the time to enjoy these days with us. We've even come up with a special Christmas Eve menu for the weekend, where we'll have items such as Seven Fish dinner for two, Lobster Risotto, and more. Check our menu page for the Additions to the Menu later this week to see the full menu.

2011 has been a year where worldwide events brought us closer to neighbors thousands of miles away; where we learned of the passing of icons such as Steve Jobs, who helped make music more accessible and instantaneously attainable for millions; where we witnessed the attempted assassination of

Photo by U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' office via Getty Images

Congresswoman Giffords; where we learned about the last day of Osama Bin Laden's life; where we witnessed in real time the protests in the Middle East and the awakening of the Arab Spring; where we learned that our troops would soon come home (and in fact, early this Sunday morning we saw that the last American convoy left Iraq) and made its way down the highway in what the Army called its last "tactical road march" according to CNN;

Courtesy of CNN

Photo courtesy bbc.co.uk

where we mourned the death of hundreds that quickly rose to the thousands with so many missing, in Japan after the March tsunami and 8.9-magnitude earthquake; where we saw the suffering through piercing images in the media after the earthquake in Turkey; where our hearts poured out for all of our neighbors in the Southern states that suffered through the devastating tornadoes;

Photo courtesy of abcnews.go.com

where we celebrated the fairytale marriage of a Prince and a commoner--and couldn't stop watching the ceremony that went off without one hiccup...even the rain held off for the open horse carriage to deliver the newlywed royal couple to Buckingham Palace; and let's not forget, it's the year where thousands of fans of reality TV watched glued to the television the marriage that was to outdo the royal wedding: Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries marriage that lasted only 72 days. Will we ever recover?

But as close as we felt to these moments of suffering, of sadness, of joy, of pure comic relief, we also experienced similar moments right here in our own backyard. Let's not forget that Hunterdon County, NJ and Bucks County, PA suffered through the flooding and loss of power following Hurricane Irene's short visit to the US. And, in recent memory is the snow and ice storm of October 29th, that in one night forced residents to stay home, make alternate Halloween plans (or cancel them altogether), try to stay warm with the loss of electricity, and forced neighbors out of their homes to take refuge with friends and family. Many were without power for more than a week. But from this tragedy, and from that from across the globe, we've seen proof of our capacity to help those around us, we've seen true humanity coming out without asking.

Non-profits from around the world have done what they could to help those most affected. Those on the ground already in place, have been the most effective, but there are those "random acts of kindness" that I have personally seen that have impressed me more than any other year. I've seen strangers helping others--I've even seen a New York City parking officer NOT give out a ticket to a taxi driver who had gotten out of his cab to get a street cup of coffee. He explained what happened & the officer put away the pad and walked on. Amazing! Pete and I also saw the creation of a fantastic new park that preserves land forever, right here in our own backyard. 300+ acres were officially preserved this year, abutting 200 acres of preserved open space to the south and 300+ acres of preserved farmland and open space to the north, ensuring green space for generations to come, with some of the best vistas of the Delaware River, nature, and wildlife. It took years to create, but boy, is it worth it! Thank you to the people involved with the Hunterdon Land Trust Association for all their hard work. I've also seen community get together and plan on the best way to create a dog park in Frenchtown, rallying support, raising funds, and motivating neighbors to get involved.

How appropriate to continue to learn of stories like these during this holiday time. As we approach the holidays, whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanza, or other holidays, we wish you much happiness, health, and prosperity, along with much joy during the approaching start of 2012. As you plan ahead for the month of December, please remember that although the hotel is open for overnight accommodations, the Restaurant & Bar and the Rat are closed on Christmas Day. Do continue to email us your comments and feedback...they are truly helpful...or just leave a comment on this page. Stay up-to-date with everything being planned, by:

You've made such a tremendous difference in our lives, and from all of us at The National Hotel, Pete and I want to extend to you our most sincere wishes for many days of happiness and wonderful experiences that will create many memories for years to come.

NOVEMBER PROMISES TO BE A GREAT MONTH AT THE NATIONAL HOTEL

2011-11-03T06:34:00.000-04:00

As we prepare for tonight's celebration of The National Hotel's 2nd anniversary since it opened its doors in 2009, we couldn't be more pleased than to discover that this day falls on one of our favorite nights of the week, Thursday Open Mic Night, that always brings us all together in our beloved Rathskeller Pub (a.k.a. the Rat)--and some of our very first patrons entered this historic building through the doors of the Rat!!! All Open Mic Night performers will be welcomed tonight by Pete, who will buy you a beer. Check our facebook fanpage for more information later today.

And mark your calendars for the launch of our monthly theme nights, Saturday, November 12th, 9:30 p.m. onward, featuring Mike Peiffer with an all 60s music performance. Prizes will be given out, including BEST 60s COSTUME. Come with 60s music requests for Mike, bring some friends and stay a while. And if you're done with costumers after this Halloween, just come as you are and have a great night at the Rat. We'll post updates on our facebook page as we get closer to November 12th, or our Rathskeller page on our website for more information on this or other upcoming events (such as November 19th's music program featuring the Road to Ruin, and December's theme).

There's just so much that is on the horizon at The National Hotel, but we're still getting over October. It's been a whirlwind! Between the events planned during the entire month by the Frenchtown Business and Professional Association (FBPA), featuring extended shopping hours, in-store events, raffles, and our very own 2nd annual Halloween costume and music party at the Rat, it's been a month-long celebration of this beautiful time of year.

[photos courtesy of Tina Perrotta]

And yet, I temper that with the knowledge that there are so many of our Frenchtown and area neighbors who are still without electricity, all caused by Saturday's storm. It was a storm that almost forced us to close down, because the roads were just too dangerous to traverse. It was our loyal patrons who insisted that we stay open to help everyone forget about the elements outside while they celebrated and danced throughout the night, giving a warm welcome to one of our favorite bands, Rainbow Fresh, and what a night it was! People stayed until closing time, prizes were given out for best costume, and many patrons offered to shelter those around them who were still without power.

We saw this again just two nights ago at The National Hotel, as Russ Coen and our General Manager, Marlon Aranha, hosted the 25th night of our bi-weekly Tuesday Trivia. It was a night that allowed everyone to forget the daily grind, challenge themselves, and have an absolute blast. As one of our participants shared that night, "This has to be the best way to deal with what the storm left for me in my yard and at home. It's a little getaway for the mind." Call us at 908.996.3200 for more information on the next installment--it's totally open to the public, come by yourself or with friends, join a group, or create your own team. You're sure to have fun.

Hopefully, these types of programs will allow our patrons to have the opportunity to have a night out--a distraction even, from everything they're facing--that can re-energize their spirits. It's certainly been a tricky few days with local schools only reopening yesterday. And many children were not picked up by the school buses, because of fallen trees or roads that are still difficult for a bus to navigate. But the resilient spirit of our residents continues to shape the character of these children, as friend and neighbor goes out of his/her way to help one another. Through this trying ordeal, the humanity of our community is truly evident and inspiring. Thank you to all of you who have checked-in on us and continue to make us feel a part of your lives and of the community.

As you plan ahead for the month of November, please remember that although the hotel is open for overnight accommodations, the Restaurant & Bar and the Rat are closed on Thanksgiving Day. Do continue to email us your comments and feedback...they are truly helpful...or just leave a comment on this page. Stay up-to-date with everything being planned, by:

IT'S OFFICIAL: FALL HAS ARRIVED!

2011-09-26T11:00:00.001-04:00

Although we've been feeling as though we got a little short-changed with the last few weeks of summer, now that the calendar has marked the official arrival of fall on Friday, we are absolutely looking forward to all that autumn makes possible in this scenic part of the U.S. October is less than a week away, and Frenchtown is getting ready for a month-long celebration throughout the town.

The Frenchtown Business and Professional Association (FBPA) has organized a terrific array of events with over 50 businesses in Frenchtown participating to make this an unforgettable month. The streets will be lined with more than 25 scarecrows created by the Frenchtown Elementary School. The FBPA's website says it best:

"The event kicks off on Friday, Oct. 1 with”First Fridays In Frenchtown” where shops and galleries have extended hours. There will be special events, demonstrations, refreshments, sales and discounts as well as street musicians and artists. Throughout weekends in October there will be fun activities for everyone, including Kayak Races, Pumpkin Decorating, Pet Photos, Pie Baking Contest, Jack-O-Lantern Glow, Parade, Trick or Treating, Live Music and much, much more."

We'll do our part too, launching a new fall menu that will feature seasonal dishes that take advantage of the best ingredients from the area, and as always, supporting our local and sustainable farmers. The National Hotel is committed to delivering the very best dining experience for our patrons, marrying a tradition of excellence with a contemporary aesthetic. Our fall menu is a true extension of what Pete and I envisioned when we decided to "reach for the stars" and embark down the path of renovating and relaunching The National Hotel. We've listened to the feedback that you've given us, and have developed a menu that we are certain will please many different tastes. Here's just a little sampling of what's to come:

BRAISED SHORT RIBS
Rittenhouse-Style Braised Short Ribs over Creamy Bacon & Onion Potato Risotto
SWEET POTATO RAVIOLI
Pan-Tossed Ravioli, Smoked Chilies, Toasted Pumpkin Seeds, Cilantro Butte
COCA-COLA CHURRASCO STEAK
Sliced Coca-Cola marinated Brazilian style steak, over a Creamy Bacon & Onion Potato Risotto & Choice of Sauce**
FIRE-ROASTED EGGPLANT CLUB
Roasted Eggplant Spread, Manchego Cheese, Roasted Sweet Peppers, Mixed Greens, 7-Grain Bread
Available as a wrap with paratha bread
KADAI FISH
Fish Marinated in Indian Spices over Tamarind, Mustard Seed, Basmati Rice in a Sweet Spice Sauce

And there's so much more! It's super exciting for us to be able to feature different dishes that beautifully merge traditional American fare with Indian and Spanish ingredients that complement each other, all the while taking advantage of the wonderful local harvests that are abundant in our area. We hope you'll join us to try our fall menu in the next few weeks. When you're done enjoying your meal, don't forget to join us for some of our music and arts programming that we feature regularly:

Weekly Thursday Open Mic Night, 9 p.m. - closing
Weekly Saturday Night Live Music series, 9 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Weekly Sunday Musical Afternoon series, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Bi-weekly Tuesday Trivia Night, 8 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Bi-weekly Wednesday Scrabble Night, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
3rd Sunday of the Month Poetry Open Mic (People's Poetry), 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

On October 8th you'll be welcomed into Frenchtown by musicians performing throughout the town, in honor of the season's last Second Saturday night, where the shops remain open later than usual. It's such a vibrant and unique town, that we hope you'll make the time to visit us. It would be wonderful to have you plan an overnight trip and spend a little more time in our little corner of the world. We've had such fantastic feedback from our overnight guests, who have raved about the comfortable beds, the luxurious and inviting linens and pillows, and of course, the exceptional attention to detail that our staff has provided, that they'll "surely be back," and that they "enjoyed every minute of our stay," in their own words. When you come to The National Hotel, be sure to open our guest book that sits at the concierge desk, which has these comments in our hotel guests' own words and handwriting. No matter how long our day has been, reading these comments puts a smile on all our faces each and every time. We invite you to come by and see them for yourself.

While the weather is still good, make sure you stop by for a meal or even a fabulous drink that our bartender will fix for you. Why not have it on our front porch, where you can sit right at the crossroads of 3 county routes? The beautiful antique cars, high-end luxury sports cars, and numerous cyclists that traverse these roads are just delightful eye-candy.

Or head downstairs to our cellar pub, The Rathskeller (a.k.a. The Rat), where everyone feels the warmth of The National Hotel and is swept up in the many conversations that arise, some patrons dishing out some of the best nuggets of advice for those seeking a learned opinion, while the area's best drinks are served and thoroughly enjoyed. You'll feel swept away into another time, another place, full of warmth, good conversation, and terrific food.

Do join us! And don't forget to contact our knowledgeable staff with any questions, at 908.996.3200. Please continue to email us your comments and feedback...they are truly helpful...or just leave a comment on this page. Stay up-to-date with everything being planned, by:

Remembering & Honoring 9-11. WE WILL NEVER FORGET!

2011-09-11T17:05:00.002-04:00

Today marks a solemn day in our history, a day full of memories for many of us. How many of you have spent the last few hours watching the images and tributes to their loved ones on TV? It felt like the world stopped as we watched and listened to words of comfort and support coming from the podium, words that brought tears to our eyes as we reflected and took in the impact that 9-11 had on everyone around the nation--and the world.

It was a few months ago that we saw the United We Stand, United We Sew project created by Tom McBrien being brought across the Frenchtown-Uhlerstown bridge "giant 9-11 memorial flag created by Upper Bucks County residents in 2002" according to its creator, Tom McBrien. It crossed the bridge, part of a special motorcade as it made its way to Newark Airport. The story of that flag, of the significance of "We Will Not Forget" evident in the conviction of the people accompanying the flag.

In our own little way, Frenchtown remembers too--and celebrates the resilience of the American people. Many of our patrons work in New York City and have shared numerous stories from 10 years ago--as well as from these past few weeks as the city geared up for today's ceremony in honor of the 10-year anniversary of the 9-11 attacks. Pete and I were there, on that day 10 years ago. It's a day that will live with us forever. I recall friends saying to me about the JFK assassination, that they remembered where they were and exactly what they were doing on that fateful day. I can now empathize with that sentiment. But what will shine through the sadness is the spirit and determination of the people, the ability of our neighbors, co-workers, friends and family, to show the world that THEY will not win, that THEY will not stop us from rebuilding, from continuing with our lives and not live in fear.

This was the feeling during Frenchtown's Riverfest, as festive and joyous as it was, with Frenchtown and area residents pushing past the post-Hurricane Irene days that were still present in everyone's recent memories, as well as the upcoming 10th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks, which was part of so many conversations throughout the day. Those who came to Riverfest were buoyed by the entertainers, the great vendors, musicians--and even the dogs-(and animals in general)-in-costume contest!

Visitors to Frenchtown and residents alike, couldn't help but smile at the sight of the tiny animals on display, from the "Tortoise and the Hare" to the larger dogs and birds. The enthusiasm was contagious!

This has to be what is at the core of being an American, because even here in Frenchtown, where life is usually idyllic, we have seen the Delaware River crest and flood neighboring roads and homes--but even this did not daunt the spirits of our fellow Frenchtown residents. They actually went to the river, in awe of its magnificance, its strength, and its power. Neighbor helped neighbor, businesses stayed open to serve their patrons, and our little town moved past this. There's a willingness to help, a desire to extend yourself, that is part of the culture of Frenchtown. Every day that passes, Pete and I learn more and more about the "humanity" that is one of the innate qualities of our little corner of the world.

And our hotel guests have noticed this too. The feedback they give us in our guest book is a testament to how Frenchtown has touched their lives. For instance, Jeanne and Steve said, "Thank you for your hospitality and making our first visit to Frenchtown a great experience and will return again...to our favorite stay..." And, Juliet and Ben wrote, "Thanks for everything--your hotel is beautiful and so much fun." "Very relaxing stay. Thanks to all the staff for making it possible to unwind from too many non-stop work weeks...," shared Rick and Sue.

It's a great feeling to read these statements. When you're in the service industry, and hear back from your regular customers honest feedback as well as from new guests, genuine complementary comments, it makes it all worthwhile.

Knowing that Frenchtown will continue to offer great programs throughout the fall, is a wonderful piece of news to share with our patrons. For instance, these Second Saturdays (yesterday), where the shops are open until dusk or later, and where musicians perform live throughout Frenchtown, and even more activities are planned for EVERY WEEKEND IN OCTOBER! Come on over and enjoy the changing leaves as the colors of autumn come to life. There will be something for everyone to do and see, from carriage rides to pumpkin luminaries and kayak races.

Perhaps that's why so many of our local area residents from Hunterdon and Bucks Counties continue to make this area so special, sharing their talents, and demonstrating how they are so in touch with their artistic sides. We see this at The National Hotel every Thursday night during our weekly Open Mic Night, when musicians unite to find inspiration from each other while they share their talent with the room. And we see it Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons during our weekly musical programs, every single week. This couldn't be more true though, than when we take time out from the hustle and bustle of our lives, and listen to our local poets who come to The National Hotel to read from their own works or from those of their favorites during our third Sunday of the month People's Poetry. The words stay with you, conjuring up images that are often haunting, often inspiring, and always moving. Carve out some time and come on over to Frenchtown, walk through the town and visit the wonderful and unique shops that line the streets, and then head over to The National Hotel for a wonderful meal, accompanied by fantastic libations. And if you can, why not extend your visit into an overnight stay. You won't be disappointed!

Please feel free to contact our knowledgeable staff with any questions, at 908.996.3200, and do continue to email us your comments and feedback...they are truly helpful...or just leave a comment on this page. Stay up-to-date with everything being planned, by:

SECOND SATURDAYS & SO MUCH MORE IS HAPPENING IN FRENCHTOWN, NJ

2011-07-26T10:30:00.000-04:00

What a wonderful town! We just celebrated Bastille Day, and our little corner of the world was JUMPING! Local residents and tourists alike meandered through the town, shopped, strolled, enjoyed the outdoor music and entertainers, as well as shared conversations and enjoyed some wonderful food and drinks offered at some of the Frenchtown establishments.

For us, at The National Hotel, it was a day to have our "peacock feathers" fully on display, proud to have the opportunity to share our love affair with this historic building and the warmth our patrons bring to all the guests who set foot for the first time in this building. And it was wonderful to have new visitors to Frenchtown experience the fantastic culinary choices our executive chef, Lisa Frederick, has created. From our wonderful classic dishes, such as Black Angus Strip Steak and The National Burger, to our more exotic and ethnic-inspired dishes, such as the Chicken Seekh Wrap (with Indian paratha bread) and Black Bean & Shrimp Empanadas (with lime-poached shrimp), our patrons continue to come back to The National Hotel because of the quality and the care that the kitchen staff puts into every plate--not to mention the creativity they express by incorporating international ingredients into the dishes on the menu, adding a twist to traditional fare, while introducing new favorites to our area clientele.

Sea food stew with clams, mussels, shrimp, lobster, and chunks of sea bass all stewed to perfection with tomato, white wine and fennel with grilled bread
Photo courtesy of Kimmy Schmidt

Chicken and Raita salad. Chicken seekh kabab (with Indian spices) over a mixed salad with a Indian yogurt dressing
Photo courtesy of Kimmy Schmidt

Homemade pizza with fresh mozzarella, asiago cheese, roasted garlic and fresh spring onions
Photo courtesy of Kimmy Schmidt

House made ravioli, filled with bacon, sweet peas and goat cheese, topped with three U-10 scallops, seared in bacon jus
Photo courtesy of Kimmy Schmidt

And those who visit Frenchtown, NJ this summer are treated to additional activities from the Frenchtown Business Association's (FBPA) Second Saturdays--a huge success and so much fun!! Musicians entertain visitors and residents alike, performing throughout the town, outdoors.

You'll find more videos of Rainbow Fresh and other artists who have performed at The National Hotel on our youtube channel. This flows so smoothly from The National Hotel's own arts and music programming:

Bi-weekly Tuesday Trivia night, 8 - 9:30 p.m.--ON TONIGHT...Thank you Russ Coen & Marlon Aranha!!
Bi-weekly Wednesday Scrabble night (brand new!!), 7 - 9 p.m.
Weekly Thursday Open Mic Night, 9 p.m. - closing
Weekly Saturday Night Live Music night, 9 - 11 p.m.
Weekly Sunday Musical Afternoon series, 5 - 7 p.m.
Monthly People's Poetry on the 3rd Sunday of the month (poetry open mic), 2 - 4 p.m.

There's something happening almost every night of the week--and every single program was started by one of our patrons. They plan it, they initiate it, and they organize and execute the plan. Just take a look at our brand new bi-weekly WEDNESDAY SCRABBLE NIGHT program, 7 - 9 p.m. that kicked off last Wednesday and will be on again on August 3rd--organized, sponsored, and launched by Frenchtown's own Paddle Creek--immediately following our Wednesday Ladies' Night with 1/2 off drinks (5 - 7 p.m. every week). Only one word comes to mind: blessed. Yes, Pete and I are blessed. The success of The National Hotel is owed to our patrons, and the help of our friends, family, and not least, our talented and wonderful staff. If you've stopped by to have a drink and have had a chance to chat with Kasey Goyette, our lead bartender, or Donna Jane Sampler, our Rathskeller libation maven, you know exactly what I mean!

August will surely be another great month. Frenchtown, NJ is just an absolutely delightful place to spend an afternoon, an evening, or for a few days. You'll find friendly people, welcoming merchants, scenic vistas, and lots of activities to suit you, whether you're looking to relax or to have an active stay enjoying the outdoors. Please feel free to contact our knowledgeable staff with any questions, at 908.996.3200, and do continue to email us your comments and feedback...they are truly helpful...or just leave a comment on this page. Stay up-to-date with everything being planned, by:

INDEPENDENCE DAY & MORE

2011-07-01T15:03:00.002-04:00

Just a few more days before we celebrate our nation's birthday! All around Frenchtown there will be Independence Day actitivies--and we are lucky to have one of the country's most famous historic sites just a short drive down Route 29 from Frenchtown itself: Washington Crossing State Park!!!

"On December 25, 1776, the icy waters of the Delaware River provided the setting for one of the pivotal events of the American Revolution. The Continental Army had little to celebrate that Christmas and seemed beat by hunger and cold. After crossing the rough winter river at night, General George Washington and the Continental Army landed at Johnson’s Ferry, at the site now known as Washington Crossing State Park. At 4 am, they began their march to Trenton where they defeated the Hessian troops in an unexpected attack."

Happy July Fourth! Happy Independence Day!

I hope you'll be able to visit our quaint little corner of the world over the weekend or make plans to come another weekend during the summer. Frenchtown, NJ has so much to offer our visitors, from adventure sports such as cycling (the Cycle Corner) and kayaking (Paddle Creek), to relaxing activities from one of the area's best-known spas, Euphoria Studio, to family activities such as bicycling down the D&R Canal Path that runs parallel to the Delaware River and has beautiful and scenic vistas of Bucks County, PA, or renting a tube from Delaware River Tubing and float down the river for a few hours surrounded by nature, or how about some good old-fashioned family fun of going to the local roller skating rink, the Frenchtown Roller Rink! We have included much of this information and activities on the NJ side as well as the PA side of the Delaware River listed on our website. Just click on the Concierge tab for more listings of things to do. But we are also fortunate to have publications such as Skylands Magazine (online and print) providing information on new events and activities that are taking place in our area. They just did an incredibly nice write-up on The National Hotel in their print and online publication:

Lisa Frederick and Zack Rovner

It was a wonderful treat to have this publication focus on our establishment. They always have a lot of information about area activities, and are very supportive of local businesses and events. On our end, we also try to be supportive of our local shops, vendors, and community events. Being part of the Frenchtown Business and Professional Association (FBPA) definitely helps all of us know what we're planning, how we can support each other, and moreover, how we can provide a wonderful experience for out-of-towners who make the time to visit Frenchtown, while always maintaining high standards of service and products available to our local residents. On a micro level, The National Hotel also makes a point to support local sustainable farmers, and we are very lucky to reside in an area of the nation that allows us to turn these fresh ingredients into flavorful and delightful dishes. Having Lisa Frederick leading this area of the business has brought us many accolades from our dining guests, and she continues to push herself and the kitchen staff to always exceed expectations.

And then there's the Second Saturdays planned (thanks again to our FBPA) with live outdoor music filling the streets of Frenchtown throughout the summer months, as well as Frenchtown's own 13th Annual Bastille Day Fete, July 16th, noon to 6 p.m., featuring street performers, clowns, a puppet show, live music, and more. Mark your calendars for this special day!

What an extraordinary month July is going to be. If you're planning to make a day trip, there's plenty to do in Frenchtown and in the surrounding scenic areas, on the NJ side, and the PA side. If you're making plans to stay a little longer, then feel free to contact our General Manager, Marlon Aranha, who will help you make your stay memorable and customized to your needs. Ask him about our Summer Celebration special, where you'll receive a special discount to be used in the Restaurant during your weekend stay. But there are other special packages too, that you'll find on our Hotel page of our website. Just scroll down to find one that will enhance your stay in Frenchtown, or speak with Marlon and he'll create a special program for you.

And after our 2nd annual National Palooza II, we feel completely energized to continue to provide community programming that is fun for everyone, whether you are a local resident or coming to our little town from far away. From our weekly Thursday Open Mic Night, to our Saturday Night Live Music series, to our Sunday Musical Afternoons, to our bi-weekly Tuesday Trivia, and our monthly 3rd Sunday People's Poetry (poetry open mic), we have activities the whole family (or just the adults) will enjoy. And we've just added a bi-weekly Wednesday Scrabble Night to our menu of activities, so there's now another night of easy and relaxing fun to enjoy in Frenchtown. We wrote about much of this on our last e-newsletter. Did you catch our very own bartender EXTRAORDINAIRE, Donna Jane Sampler, doing a fire-breathing act? OMG!!! Fantastic! And then she went right back downstairs to our wonderful cellar pub, The Rathskeller (a.k.a. The Rat), and continued to chat up clients and get to know newcomers to our town. Donna is a fantastic bartender, always caring, always attentive, and always making everyone feel welcome. I see her, and I feel the need to hug her! She's just one of my absolute faves.

Lisa Frederick, left & Kasey Goyette, right

But I'm just echoing what our patrons tell us time and again. And they compliment Donna just as they compliment the other members of The National Hotel family. You know I've written about Lisa before (and today--because she absolutely deserves praise in so many ways--from choosing a fabulous menu, to how she interacts with her staff and everyone who enters The National Hotel--just gracious, welcoming, always warm!!), and about Kasey Goyette too...but I just wanted to share just a few extra kudos for Kasey just now...SHE IS A FANTASTIC WOMAN!!! She not only served up some fabulous libations during The National Palooza II, as she always does every night of the week she works, but she also helped in so many ways--went out of her way, in fact, during our June 4th event--that she deserves a medal. And of course, we are grateful to our wonderful friend, Kristine Marinelli and Jodi McGill, for volunteering and stepping in to be our fun cheeleaders, all-around guest welcomers, and "fun girls." Thank you!!!

Kristine Marinelli & Lisa Frederick

And if you want a few glimpses at what happened, visit our youtube channel for some of the webclips, such as:

As we approach the day that honors the birth of this great country, Pete and I feel its significance more than ever this year. Yes, it's a time when families get together, picnic blankets hit the ground, and people light up their grills to have some summer fun. Yes, it's a time when people get in their cars and take a little vacation taking advantage of the three-day weekend. Yes, it's a time when many towns put on their Fourth of July "best" and some even feature fireworks, parades, or concerts. But for us, having delved deep into the history of The National Hotel, studied the area's revolutionary past that predates even the creation of Frenchtown, NJ itself, it is a date that grants us the opportunity to remember the conviction and determination of those who came before us and took a stand to create a nation that would give new life to so many generations that followed, and invite people from all over the world to set roots in this wonderful land. We honor this country's birthday, a unique place in the world, where one can truly become a citizen of the nation, equal in every way to his/her fellow citizens. We are blessed to be here, to be citizens, to be a part of this great nation, contributing to its growth--even in our own miniscule way--but creating our own legacy for our daughters just the same.

I invite you to leave a comment here (or as you seem to prefer, to email me directly at marie@thenationalhotelnj.com), visit our facebook fan page, follow us on twitter, visit our youtube page, or continue to read our blog. Thank you for your patronage, and here's to a fantastic summer ahead for all of us!!!

MEMORIAL DAY WISHES, LOOKING BACK AT THE MONTH OF MAY AND AHEAD TO JUNE

2011-05-30T10:26:00.000-04:00

Life is good! Yesterday I had the good fortune of being interviewed by Tom Drake, from NJ Skylands Magazine. He surprised us by also taking a webclip of The National Hotel in addition to the write-up that should be online soon and in the July issue of the print magazine. This follows a very nice write-up about The National Palooza in this week's Bucks County Herald. Thank you for helping us spread the word about what is sure to be an even better installment of our annual outdoor live music festival!

This Friday, June 3rd, be sure to tune-in to WDVR (89.7 FM), at 2 p.m. when two of the artists who will perform in The National Palooza II, CC Coletti and Top Soil, will be interviewed during their Bleecker Street Café (12 - 3 p.m.), hosted by Chris Poh and Ed Peterson Folk. You can even listen to it live by clicking on the link in the navigation bar on their website!

General John A. Logan

It's been a fantastic month of May, and today being Memorial Day, I feel as though I've been given the gift of a day to reminisce, a day to enjoy, a day to look ahead. Today is a day that the nation pauses to remember our fallen heroes who have given their lives in our nation's service. This special day, originally called Decoration Day, and officially proclaimed Memorial Day in 1868 by General John Logan, National Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and Waterloo, NY was proclaimed the official birthplace of Memorial Day in 1966 by President Lyndon Johnson--although many towns and generations have claimed bragging rights for establishing this special day.

Add to this special day the fact that it is is the unofficial start of summer for many--passing thunderstorms and all. I'm looking out my window and everything looks so green and fresh. The temperature is just perfect right now, although I know it will increase later on. But for right now, it's a perfect way to start the day. And this echoes how I feel about the whole month of May.

From finally being able to hang the beautiful flowers that now grace our porch, to being able to feature musicians right there on our front porch, where everyone walking or driving by can share in the enjoyment of beautiful music, May has been a good month to us. If you joined us yesterday to enjoy the music of James McBride, you know that I'm not exaggerating when I say that we were treated to a top jazz musician and his accompanying artists, where we ended up having people who ate in our upstairs Bar area, standing by the entrance to the Restaurant, just to be able to listen to James McBride and to see his band. He's not only an award-winning musician, but also a critically acclaimed author, whose books, Song Yet Sung and Miracle at St. Anna have received high praise. His book, The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother, spent more than two years on the New York Times bestseller list.

James McBride

And yesterday's program followed on the heels of a ton of musical programming at The National Hotel. From Mike Pfeiffer, to The Delton Walker Band, to Dallas Vietty, and 15 Keys, it's truly been a spectacular month.

Music wasn't the only highlight of the month--from our terrific weekend Additions to the Menu that continuously receive rave reviews from our lunch and dinner patrons, to recent reviews about our hotel guest suites and our travel guests' experiences posted on TripAdvisor, our spirits are soaring! Here's a little snapshot of one of these reviews:

My husband and I just returned from a weekend stay at the National. We went for a quiet getaway for our wedding anniversary but what we got was an EXPERIENCE. The National is unbelievably charming. It's updated decor is classic and elegant but does not take away from the feeling of history. This building was constructed in the mid 1800's! Our room was clean and nicely decorated with a gorgeous and extra-large bathroom that included a soaking jacuzzi tub. The GM, Aldon, was one of the nicest, most personable and accommodating people we've ever had the pleasure of meeting. He was attentive but not intrusive, and really takes pride in his job at the National. After we enjoyed the delights of the fabulous Frenchtown, we were elated to come back and discover live jazz being played in the dining area! The breakfast the next day (homemade blueberry muffins, quiche, and fresh orange juice and coffee- yum!) was the cherry on top. We only regret that we were not able to enjoy the food in their dining room. We WILL be back.

I hope that you'll help us make June an equally fantastic month, by sharing your feedback, giving us your thoughts on other ideas to help improve your experience at The National Hotel. I really thank those of you who have reached out to me via email or have shared your comments with Pete in person. As always, stay up-to-date by liking us on facebook, subscribing to our YouTube channel, and following us on Twitter. You can certainly feel free to post a comment here too. Thanks for your constant and continued support!

UN-COMMERCIALIZING MOTHER'S DAY WHILE PLANNING FOR THE DELTON WALKER BAND'S PERFORMANCE ON 5/14 & THE NATIONAL PALOOZA II ON 6/4

2011-05-11T02:20:00.001-04:00

May 14th in Frenchtown is going to be a fantastic day. The Frenchtown Business and Professional Association (FBPA) has put together the first of a series of outdoor concerts/music programs, on the 2nd Saturday of every month, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in the motorcycle parking lot. Aunt Martha will be the first and of the series. Thank you, FBPA!!!

Delton Walker performing on the porch of The National Hotel

beautiful antique & vintage cars are always passing through town

But that's not all that Frenchtown has to offer this Saturday the 14th...we'll be treated to an incredible night of jazz, 9 p.m. - 11 p.m., when The Delton Walker Band will perform at The National Hotel, $20 pp (includes a complimentary glass of wine or beer). Delton has established himself as a new up-and-coming Contemporary Jazz artist, having studied with Tony Hayes, Willy DuPont, and Jesse Jones, Jr. Most recently, he has studied under the direction and guidance of Walter Beasley, that helped springboard the release, "Back in Your Arms Again." For ticket information, contact Pete at 908.996.3200 or visit Delton's website. I have to thank Delton Walker for performing live with no cover charge, on May 1st. It was one of those perfect spring days where people watching from our porch was the most natural thing to do. And Delton's beautiful rendition of contemporary jazz, was an instant attraction to those inside and those walking (or driving) by--and we have some beautiful automobiles that always grace our roadways, especially on the weekend.

Here are a couple of webclips from his recent appearance at The National Hotel:

Actually, I can already fast-forward into June; it's certain to be a wonderful month for us, with the next installment of The National Palooza II, our all-day outdoor live music festival in Frenchtown, NJ on June 4th, 4 p.m. - 2 a.m. The day's festivities will start with the DelVal HS Jazz Band, led by their music director, Steve Cooney. The National Palooza will then feature:

CC Coletti
Pawnshop Roses
Top Soil
Citizens Band Radio

Additional acts will keep you entertained in between the music breaks. Please visit http://www.thenationalhotelnj.com/events.aspx for more information or to purchase advance tickets for the day.

But back to May...I hope those of you who celebrated Mother's Day had a truly enjoyable day. It couldn't have been planned better, weather-wise. Our porch was full of patrons enjoying the warmth of the day. And inside, the flowers lunch and dinner guests bestowed on their mothers, made the entire first floor radiate with happiness.

Delton Walker performing live

Can we say thank you to these patrons any louder for choosing The National Hotel as the place where they wanted to honor their mothers on this special day?! Actually, I have often questioned why we're honoring our mothers on this "Hallmark-mandated" day, when as mothers we do soooooooooooo much year-round for our children. I'll confess that I used to resent this "mandated" day, because I felt that mothers didn't need a day of recognition, but rather, appreciation for all they do year-round. Well, the same holds true for fathers and grandparents. Reality, however, tells its own story, which is, that we often overlook those closest to us, because we're working so hard to put food on the table, or so busy building "a better life" for our family. And so, introspection aside, I honor those women around me who are mothers and those women who are no longer with us, but were mothers long ago. My wish is that we not only celebrate the mothers around us, but also the families who appreciate those mothers day in and day out.

This is a special day that everyone can enjoy, especially if we remove the "commercialization" value attached to it.

Anna Jarvis

I learned over the weekend that Mother's Day originated in the hills of Appalachia, in the US, where Anna Jarvis, a homemaker there organized a "Mother's Work Day" to highlight the awful conditions of the children in that community, 150 years ago. When she died, her daughter, Anna, worked to institute this day in 1908. Others, such as Julia Ward Howe, who as a pacifist and feminist (who had written the Battle Hymn of the Republic 12 years earlier), felt could champion causes on a political level.

My children asked me on Saturday, "What do you want for Mother's Day?" Truly, I had no answer, because I feel as though I have everything for which I could ever wish. I have two beautiful and intelligent daughters, a wonderful husband, a doting mother, a loyal and loving brother, a mother-in-law who adores me, a sister-in-law who confides in me and loves me, and extended family (blood and in-law) that has shown me love, trust, and affection. On days like this, when I have the opportunity to truly think about my values and my life on a macro-level, I feel like Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music: "I must have done something good..." And there are days when I feel as though my life is just so absolutely full, that it's just...too full. Too much to do, too many responsibilities, too many demands. But whether for better or worse, we have these holidays that shine that spotlight on us, and allow us to think about all the positive things we have in our lives.

So to Hallmark I say: "Thank you!"

And I echo this gratitude to our executive chef, Lisa Frederick, who truly outdid herself planning a special Mother's Day menu just for that day, separate from the Additions to the Menu that we feature regularly starting Thursday for the weekend. She is already working on planning a fabulous menu in honor of the fathers in our lives for next month. Call us at 908.996.3200 for information on this special menu and to make reservations. It's sure to be a great day!

We'll keep updating our website with more information, as well as our facebook fanpage, our youtube channel, and our twitter page. Please continue to post your comments or email me your feedback. I really do appreciate all of your comments and ideas for future planning. Again, thank you for always showing your support of The National Hotel in so many different ways.

SPRING PLANS FOR GREAT MEALS, GREAT PROGRAMS, AND MORE "IN THE WORKS"

2011-04-14T09:12:00.007-04:00

I'm looking out my window this morning as the sun rose, and happily started my day knowing that the weather reports are predicting a beautiful spring day today. We're ready for it!

There's been such a buzz at The National Hotel, awaiting the release of our new spring menu, that we just can't wait for the final proof to arrive from our designer. Here's a little sneak peak of some of the new items that will be included in addition to our other Restaurant faves:

Spinach & Arugula Salad

Spinach, Arugula, Sliced Red Onion, Candied Pecans, Smoked Blue Cheese, Orange Champagne Vinaigrette

Conch Chowder

Diced Conch in a Spicy Bacon, Corn, & Tomato Broth, Fresh Herbs

Spicy Tuna with Lotus Chips

Sashimi Grade Ahi Tuna, Creamy Wasabi Dressing, Crispy Lotus Chips

Hummus Club

House-Made Hummus, Oven Dried Tomatoes, Pea Sprouts & Avocado Crème, 7-Grain Bread

Available as a wrap with paratha bread

Chicken Seekh Wrap

Minced Chicken with Indian Spices, Mint-Yogurt Chutney, Greens, Sliced Cucumber, Red Onion, Paratha Bread

Eggplant Rollatini (Vegan)

Marinated, Grilled Eggplant Slabs Stuffed with a House-Made Macadamia Nut & Herb-Cheese, Melted Spinach, Smoked Tomato Jus

Grilled Salmon

Grilled over a Gingered Sweet Pea Purée, Lime & Cilantro Gremolata

Looking ahead as to the other items that have kept us huddled around our planning table, we are so pleased to be open special hours to help our patrons enjoy an Easter celebration that will fit their schedule. We'll be open from 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. on Sunday, April 24th, serving a special Easter Brunch Menu in the Main Bar and Restaurant. And the week after that, you can look forward to a special Vietnamese-inspired Ethnic Food Weekend starting on the 29th.

Luckily for us, we continue to count on the wonderful area residents who trust our establishment to be the "right" venue for their artistic expression, whether that be participating in our weekly Thursday Open Mic Night (oh yes...tonight starting at 9 p.m. to closing) in our Rathskeller Pub & Lounge, our recent addition bi-weekly Tuesday Trivia night (8:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.), our Saturday Night Live Music series (9 - 11 p.m.), our Sunday Musical Afternoon series (5 - 7 p.m.), or our 3rd Sunday of the month People's Poetry (2 - 4 p.m.)--which by the way, was just amazing last month! We had participants getting up and reading, crossing generations. There were young children as well as those who proudly announced they had already lived a lifetime, sharing their poems and beautiful works. It's just such a joy to be able to attend these monthly sessions. I hope you'll be able to join us this weekend for the April installment of the People's Poetry. Here's a just a glimpse at what we heard last month:

For those of you already trying to make plans for Mother's Day, don't worry, we've got that covered too...We've planned a special and distinctive brunch menu for that special woman in your life, and we'll honor her by also establishing special hours for the day where you'll be able to plan the day on your terms: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

There will be a few other things planned for May, but I'll leave that for another blogpost. In the meantime, mark your calendars for Saturday, June 4th: We're thrilled to announce that we'll be hosting our 2nd Anuual music festival, The National Palooza, 4 p.m. - 2 a.m. the next day. I'll write more about this in upcoming blogposts, but you can always get details of our events on our website, or by following us on facebook, twitter, and even by subscribing to our YouTube channel.

If there are other ideas or events that you would like to bring to our attention, please feel free to contact me directly at marie@thenationalhotelnj.com or by posting a comment here. As always, Pete and I are incredibly grateful for your patronage and continuous support. We couldn't create these events or programs without your help and encouragement. Thank you!

THE NATIONAL HOTEL RESTAURANT & MORE

2011-03-30T08:45:00.001-04:00

Today it actually feels like a spring day--it's about time! Our flowers outside of The National Hotel don't know whether to come up or not, because the temperatures dipped so low recently. The low temperatures, the horrible news from Japan on March 11th, and the aftermath of the tsunami, compounded our own local situation, where neighbors suffered damages to their properties after the Delaware River rose and flooded homes, closed river roads, and left many wondering, "Why?" The local churches and non-profit groups have been busy collecting food items and donations to help those in need, and outside of our area, the international community has been rallying to provide aid to Japan, help with the rescue effort, and support them through the work of many international organizations. I found a very good summation of the different organizations who are on the ground helping today, and bringing the necessary aid that Japan will need for a very, very long time: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/21/how-to-help-japan-earthquake-relief_n_834484.html. It lists organizations that cross all lines, religious, humanitarian, health & human services, etc.

Even in the midst of all the news that surround us every minute of the day, from Japan's situation to the Middle East and elsewhere, our patrons really help us to "live in the moment," to live in the present. We are grateful for what the community has helped us build and create with The National Hotel, a beautiful and historic building that is truly a part of our family now, and that envelops us in all the tales we've heard, the milestones that many families have shared once inside its doors.

It's this spirit and enthusiasm that draws such talent to The National Hotel. We see this every single week, when our Restaurant & Bar patrons let us know how much they love the musicians or the dish or drink they had. The comfortable ambiance is something we strive to create, while still providing excellent and attentive service. We heard such wonderful feedback these last few days, that even though the temperature was cold outside, it heated up inside The National Hotel's Restaurant this past weekend. We had our second installment of "Indian Nights," where our dining guests were treated to an All-Indian Additions to the Menu. And our executive chef, Lisa Frederick, did not disappoint. Pete was very pleased that he was able to bring these authentic Indian dishes of his childhood as well as well-known Indian traditional dishes from around the Indian sub-continent, to Frenchtown.

From Chicken Biryani (classic north Indian royalty rice dish with chicken, saffron, and turmeric), to Kashmiri Lamb (traditional sweet and spicy lamb with yogurt curry, over basmati rice, garnished with fresh cilantro and almonds), to Vada (ground lentil patties, Indian spices, served with cilantro chutney), the kitchen was kept on its toes, bustling with activity...and we LOVE THAT! And, when you topped that off with one of Kasey Goyette's Additions to the Menu specialty drinks, Mango Indian Cocktail (Rum, Triple Sec, Mango Pulp, Sour mix and Rose's Lime) or one of her distinct wine or beer choices to complement the dish ordered, you just couldn't find a better way to make all the stress and worries of our daily lives just float away this weekend.

And speaking about drinks and libations, they all require the establishment to possess a liquor license. Well, just imagine how thrilled I was when Pete brought home the original liquor license--almost crumbling at the touch! It's a liquor license from August 1, 1892, owned by William Apgar, one of the original families to own The National Hotel. Can you believe the license cost $25 back then...a pretty penny for sure even in 1892. I just couldn't wait to share!

And he also surprised me with this other wonderful historic photos of Frenchtown, which I promptly framed and took back to The National Hotel:

Even with the temperatures dipping into the 20s, they did rise enough for us to be able highlight Clan Suibhne, an authentic Irish trio, as they performed on our porch on Saturday, March 19th, helping us extend the St. Patrick's Day celebration well into the weekend. They were a huge hit, with their extraordinary personalities, their musical talent, and ability to reach deep into their family vault of music, "pulling out" just what our patrons wanted to hear--and all with an explanation of the instruments, their history, and how certain songs came to be. I'm uploading some of what I recorded onto our youtube channel and should have everything done by the end of the week. They were really extraordinary, connecting even with passersby on the sidewalk, often stopping them in their tracks as they played and encouraged them (many with children in tow) to sway to music that touched all of us.

Lucky for us that although the temperatures started to drop as they started to put their instruments away, the day was warm enough for everyone to enjoy some St. Patty's Day fun all weekend long. And the fun continued inside, because we had more music downstairs in the Rat, where Christy Jefferson entertained our Rathskeller Pub & Lounge patrons until 11 p.m., part of our Live Saturday Night Music series.

And not to be outdone, our local poets filled our Rathskeller Pub & Lounge space in our cellar, to the point where we had to add chairs to accommodate everyone. It was a wonderful People's Poetry (our poetry open mic, third Sunday of every month) session that easily filled the two hours dedicated to poetry. Some of the webclips are just about finished and will be posted on our youtube channel soon, but you can find many of these same poets' prior reading already live on our channel.

Looking forward into what's left of March and further into April, we have a lot in store, including our Vietnamese Additions to the Menu weekend. Check our facebook page and become our "friend" so you can stay abreast of all the different programs we'll be featuring, the musicians who'll entertain you, or just simple news about what we're doing on any particular day, or if you use twitter, follow our tweets. And if you'd like to receive news, special discounts or information about upcoming events, sign up to receive our e-news and we'll add you to our distribution list.

We hope to see you soon at The National Hotel, and continue to thank you, thank you, thank you, for your support and patronage. Because of you, winter is just a distant memory. Here's to spring!...oh wait, I just heard an announcement on the news that it might snow soon...really?!!! No matter, we'll be nice and warm inside, and Kasey, Donna, Tobi and the rest of The National Hotel staff will be on hand to bring you a memorable drink of your liking to help you unwind while you wait for your favorite dish from our menu. See you soon!

ETHNIC-THEMED WEEKENDS AT THE NATIONAL HOTEL

2011-02-26T22:40:00.007-05:00

They say "word-of-mouth is the best form of advertising," and although I've always known this intuitively, it was proved to me quite conclusively this past weekend. We did NO marketing...no advertising...no public relations, announcing our Thai-inspired Additions to the Menu this past weekend. It was a test of sorts, to see if we could build enough "buzz" about the weekend's special items without actually utilizing traditional media outlets to get the word out that we were doing something truly unique for our area.

And it worked.

Photo courtesy of Lois Heyman

Lisa Frederick, our executive chef, truly outdid herself creating a sensually delightful selection of inspiring dishes that invited diners to select them based on her written descriptions of the dishes, followed by the visually appealing presentation of the dishes that appeared before them...and...wait for it...the taste. The absolutely delightful, appealing, and excitingly exotic flavors of Thai cuisine came alive this past weekend. Had I been a little quicker on the draw, I would have a photo of Lisa preparing these dishes to share. My bad. In the meantime, here's one of Pu-Ja, two soft shell crabs, stuffed with pork and crab, flash fried with Mee Ploy sauce...can you say, "YUMMMMM?!!"

Pete sat with Lisa at the end of 2010 and designed a slew of weekends that would be ethnically-themed, kicking it off in February with our Thai-inspired weekend. We wanted to quietly promote these unique items that followed our fully-booked Valentine's weekend, without advertising it. So much of our business comes from our local patrons, Frenchtown residents and Hunterdon and Bucks County patrons, that we didn't want to have a sold-out weekend that would exclude them. After all, it is these same individuals that have shown up at our doorstep during the worst of our winter storms, always with a smile, and always grateful that our doors were open to receive them.

Our gratitude is immense, and our deepest honor comes in serving our patrons. And this is why, truly, we didn't "pound the pavement" to make sure EVERYONE knew that we were featuring these special dishes. We wanted to make sure our "regulars" were treated in a special way, and that they received the same treatment that our weekend visitors would receive. At The National Hotel, we pride ourselves in being able to meet our clients' expectations--and exceed them. We are so pleased with the way things turned out.

And to those of you who follow our blog, or have checked our website, or our facebook fanpage, you'll be happy to learn that this Thai-inspired weekend was just the beginning. Oh yes, we have our second installment of our Indian Nights weekend planned for March, and a Vietnamese-themed weekend in April. Stay tuned for more details...

But I'm getting ahead of myself. How about our St. Patrick's Day celebration, with an authentic Irish band, Club Subheine (pronounced "Sweeney"...in case you were wondering) playing on our porch that following Saturday night, March 19th, and our wonderful and robust line-up of musicians that are listed on our website? How about our incredibly well-attended bi-weekly Tuesday Trivia nights? And best of all, these are all programs that have grown organically...not because Pete or I wanted to feature this or that, but rather, because you brought these programs to our attention, and you were willing to host, program, encourage, or attend these special nights. No wonder The National Hotel has become an evening destination for so many people. There's always something happening. Even on the the odd days when there isn't a planned program, there's always a friendly or familiar face waiting for you indoors. And we love that.

I think that what Pete and I love about being associated with The National Hotel is not that we "own" the building, it's not that we "run" the restaurant, it's not that we "dispense" the libations that keep patrons coming back...it's more than that. Pete and I have been absorbed into the very fabric of the building; we love learning more and more about the building with every day that passes. Its history is rich...and its heritage is envied by many. Pete and I are only hoping that our minuscule moment in time with The National Hotel will prove to our next generation that honesty, integrity, and a just plain "roll up your sleeves" attitude can truly create a place that resonates with so many. And you, who come to dine, or for a quick lunch, or to enjoy some local talent on Open Mic Night, you who boost our spirits with accolades about our menu choices and specialty drinks, continue to make sure that The National Hotel NEVER undergoes the terrible crisis it felt in 2008 and 2009 when it was shuttered. This establishment is bursting out of every pore of its facade with joy, with happiness and with familiarity. It is a building with such tremendously rich history that just being associated with it brings us a tremendous sense of satisfaction. And from the feedback I've gotten from our patrons--it also brings you a familiar sense of "home."

This feedback is tremendously welcome. So many of you have taken the time to email us, and to fill out the cards at the end of your meals with your birthday and/or anniversary dates, as well as comments on the back of the forms, that I've been amazed at the honesty with which you share your thoughts. Again, thank you. It is this very transparent communication, this true integrity in our relationship with our patrons, that propels us forward every day. And boy do we have plans for 2011! From our March Indian Nights weekend, to our April Easter brunch, to a Vietnamese-inspired weekend, to a Spanish-themed weekend...oh, and let's not forget our 2nd annual National Palooza scheduled for June 4th. 2011 is definitely shaping up to be a banner year! Hope you'll get on board and share this ride with us. We'll keep posting information on our facebook fanpage, our website, our youtube channel, and our twitter page. Do continue to email me your feedback, because ultimately, our success is tied directly to you. We are very appreciative of your support, your ideas, and your continuous commitment to making sure we "get it right." Thank you, thank you, thank you!

WE'RE CELEBRATING VALENTINE'S DAY WITH ROMANCE AND HISTORY

2011-02-10T16:56:00.003-05:00

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, we're so excited to announce that we will be OPEN, even though it's a Monday--and traditionally, this is the one day we give to ourselves as a day to recuperate, rest, and refresh to return on Tuesday with our spirits renewed. But not next Monday. We've had so many inquiries about whether we're open, and requests to please open the doors to this historic old lady of a building that has so much meaning to so many--from first dates, to high school graduation celebrations, to wedding proposals--that we couldn't say no. We'll be open from 4 p.m. - 10 p.m. and welcome you to share this special day with your loved one at The National Hotel, enjoying a specially designed romantic Valentine's Day menu that is sure to please both of you. Do call us to make a reservation at 908.996.3200, or contact us via email. Here's a little sampling of what we have in store for our guests:

GREENS

WARM BING CHERRY SALAD

Warm Bing cherry, cipollini onions, goat cheese croutons all tossed in spinach and mustard vinaigrette $10

ROSE PETAL SALAD

Dried Beet chips, blood orange segments, pomegranate seeds and shaved red onion tossed with arugula leaves and blood orange thyme vinaigrette $12

MEDLEY BOBO LINK ARTISAN CHEESE

Assorted local artisanal cheese with a sweet cognac soaked apricots, pistachio honey and homemade crackers and bread $12

SMALL PLATES

OYSTERS

Market Fresh oysters – ask your server for our selection

RABBIT STEW

Sweet braised rabbit, granny smith apples, sausage, all served under puffed pastry $12

LOBSTER

½ Butter poached Maine lobster, over brandy braised leeks, and topped with a crispy pommes maxim $15

CEVICHE

Diced jail island salmon, marinated in grape fruit, jalapeno and fresh coriander $10

And our entrees (a.k.a Plates) will not disappoint, from Filet Mignon, to Scallops over creamy shrimp risotto, drizzled with a spinach Pernot sauce to marinated, grilled and stuffed eggplant rolled with macadamia nut cheese and wilted spinach over roasted tomato and pepper sauce, to braised Turbot fish with white wine and fennel over gorgonzola polenta and sauteéd watercress with fried capers...you will find that there is something for everyone. I haven't even talked about the specialty drink of the day...or desserts for that matter!!! Do come by and experience this special menu that our executive chef, Lisa Frederick, has put together for all those out there who want to have a special Valentine's Day with a loved one over a delicious meal that excites the senses and sets the mood and tone for Valentine's Day. It's sure to be a meal that will create memories you'll recall for years to come.

But if you're looking for an entire weekend celebration, we can deliver a fabulous getaway that will be unforgettable. From a spa session to chocolates and champagne in your room, you just can't beat a full weekend experience. Click here for more information or call our General Manager, Marlon Aranha, at 908.996.3200 to discuss your specific needs.

This is sure to make you forget the amount of ice and snow that is still on the ground. We've really been hammered up here in the northeast, especially with the last ice/sleet storm. Not to complain or whine, but boy have we gotten our fair share! Those of us living in or near Frenchtown have been dealing with school closings that have also affected our days at work these last few weeks--and future vacation plans as well. But moving past that, the fact is most of our kids have had a blast playing outside!

And inside, we've had so many events at The National Hotel, from the Frenchtown Lions Club Casino Night at the end of January, to our weekly Open Mic Night sessions, to our beloved Wednesday By the Fireplace singer/songwriter series, to even celebrating Chuck Schaeffer's birthday as he performed during our last Sunday Musical Afternoon series. Do you know what he wanted?? Ice cream cake! Oh yeah. We made sure to get it for him.

From all these events to the hear and now, post-Super Bowl Sunday life. You have no idea how pleased Pete and I were to hear from a patron that she loves coming to The National Hotel because she "can feel the genuine warmth that the staff extends to her when she walks through the door." She further shared that we have given her "a familiar place to just relax and unwind after a long work day, knowing that you're open late and always have music, trivia, or something else that allows me to sit back and enjoy." Now if I'd been a little quicker, I would have asked her if it was OK to share her name along with her feedback...next time.

But one person who did share her name with me, and who surprised us with an exceptional and exquisite gift, is Melissa Maier, from Euphoria Studio. Melissa used our home away from home, The National Hotel, as the venue for photographing models highlighting some of the romantic styles that Euphoria Studio specializes in creating for their customers. She had these photos bound in the most beautiful book that she presented to us as a holiday gift. Thank you, Melissa!

Wait...and if those photos aren't enough to get the blood rushing, how about the article in this month's 54 Magazine? This is a magazine that truly captures the essence of the arts and culture in our area. We are just floored by the review.

I cannot tell you how pleased we are that we are being "found" by editors and writers from different publications who are truly thrilled that The National Hotel is bringing to the community a menu that is full of new flavors, ethnic seasonings, multi-cultural offerings, and surprises in our Additions to the Menu (every Thursday to Sunday), intertwined with our traditional American fare. We are so happy to hear from those "in the know," that we are doing "it right." THANK YOU!

Help us to put Frenchtown on "the map," so that The New York Times readers and nytimes.com visitors can come to our town. It's a win-win for everyone. Please visit http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/travel/2011-places-to-go.html?ref=travel#/1265/. The registration is as simple as adding your name and email address.

I know that Pete and I have only been the proprietors of The National Hotel for a year and a half, but I can only continue to say thank you to each and every single one of you who have stopped by, talked to us, shared a drink, had a meal, stayed overnight, or enjoyed one of our programs. We get up every morning with absolute enthusiasm thinking about what the day will hold in store for us. There have been challenges along the way, but not a single one that we would take back. Every difficulty we've faced has been rewarded with extraordinary measures of kindness and support by the community...by you. We cannot imagine doing anything else. The National Hotel is a treasure, and we absolutely love being in Frenchtown!

CASINO NIGHT, MUSIC, POETRY, LOOKING FORWARD

2011-01-23T02:43:00.000-05:00

We are honored to have been chosen by the Frenchtown Lion's Club as the venue for their 75th anniversary celebration! They do so much for the children in our area, that we're thrilled to be gearing up for next Saturday night's Frenchtown Lion's Club Casino Night fundraiser, 7 - 11 p.m. ... it's going to be FUN, FUN, FUN. We hope you'll join us too, and support this wonderful organization that strives day in and day out to raise money for projects that impact the lives of children and their families, right here, in our community. Last year they helped 170 children in Hunterdon County. And you have to see just what they have planned to make sure the winter blues disappear next Saturday night!

Alright, how do you get involved? Contact Pete directly (908.996.3200) or contact Sally/Andy at 908.996.7900 or via email. The tickets are just $95/couple or $50/person and include a specially designed menu by The National Hotel and 1 beverage. You'll get $75 in Casino Money to be used for Casino PRIZES at the end of the evening. What's not to love about this special night to close out this bitterly cold January month?! Do come out and support our local institutions and let them know how much you appreciate the humanitarian work they've done for the past 75 years.

And January isn't over yet. There's still over a week left to enjoy the snow, the ice storms, the incredibly cold temperatures we've had--and for those of us with children, the school closings and delayed openings. But yesterday as we brought in the firewood into The National Hotel's cellar pub, The Rat, I realized what a great month it's been already. It might be 8 degrees Fahrenheit outside, but inside, next to that beautiful wood-burning fireplace, with a drink in hand and listening to the melodic sounds of Teri Rambo and Jesse Ketchel last night...there's just no better way to spend a January evening.

And just wait until next week, when we have Beannacht on Saturday evening, and then Chuck Schaeffer brings the house to their feet on Sunday the 30th. He's actually going to celebrate his 40th birthday with us that Sunday. He's one of our faves and has never disappointed, sharing his unique sounds featuring contemporary music, rockabilly, americana, and folk music. Oh yes, foot-stomping, get-off-your-seat-and-dance kind of music.

Photo courtesy of Lois Heyman

It's truly been quite a month! We were featured in Lois Heyman's Food Blog (The Food Chain), as well as her food column in The Courier News and MyCentralJersey.com. Thank you, Lois, for the detail with which you covered our executive chef's accomplishments. Lisa Frederick has been with The National Hotel since we opened, but some months ago, she became our executive chef and has been instrumental in incorporating many of the ethnic and exotic flavors and ingredients into our new menu. Lois' coverage of Lisa's new status and ability to translate our vision for meals that consistently exceed expectations, providing visually stimulating dishes that tickle all the other senses, while still creating classic all-American favorites, summed it all up. Kudos to Lisa and her staff!

More kudos to give out: our local musicians and artists, who come week after week to inspire us, to entertain us, and to make sure we all get out of our homes and escape that dreaded winter "cabin fever." They bring their favorite songs, and they bring the songs they've composed that they want to share with us and our friends. I don't think that 2011 could have started off better than to know that we already had a line-up of musicians willing to commit to come to Frenchtown, NJ, regardless of the weather, right from the beginning of the New Year. And equally important, are you, our friends, our patrons, who also come out, whether it be on Wednesday evenings for our By the Fireplace singer/songwriter series, our Thursday Open Mic Night (actually, Alex Wolfson renamed that: The Frenchtown Underground!!), our Saturday Night Live Music series, or for our Sunday Musical Afternoon series. Check out some past performers:

And let's not forget about our monthly poetry open mic, the People's Poetry, on the 3rd Sunday of every month from 2 - 4 p.m. in our Rathskeller Pub Lounge. We were disappointed to have had to cancel December's installment due to our broken boiler situation, but we're off to a great start having had many of our good friends take the mike last Sunday, the 16th. Here are some webclips from previous months--and there are others posted on our youtube channel:

For more up-to-date information, like us on facebook, follow us on Twitter, subscribe to our youtube channel, follow this blog, or visit our website. Thank you for making us feel so welcome. Pete and I truly feel like you've embraced us, like you've wrapped your arms around us and are holding on tight. And so will we. Let us know if there's anything else that you'd like us to do, to add to our programming, or just send us your contact information (either by posting a comment below or sending it to marie@thenationalhotelnj.com) so we can add you to our e-distribution list for upcoming events and information. Thank you again, and best wishes for a healthy, happy, and prosperous 2011!

SO MUCH PLANNED FOR 2011!!!

2011-01-20T18:50:00.000-05:00

Oh yes, what a fabulous way to start 2011. Thank you to the Courier News' Lois Heyman for a wonderful article in her food column and on her food blog (http://blogs.mycentraljersey.com/foodchain/)--follow that blog, guys...truly wonderful writing and an exceptional way to stay on top of the latest food trends and venues in our area--where our new Executive Chef, Lisa Frederick, is highlighted and put in the spotlight. Lisa is in fact an "original" having been part of The National Hotel from the moment we opened our doors, and for a few months now, having taken the helm of this historic "ship." Lisa has managed to very quietly, with great humility and terrific talent, elevated the already high-standard of food preparation that had already been established.

[photo courtesy of Lois Heyman, MyCentralJersey.com]

How did she manage this? Well read her own words where she is quoted in the Courier News article, "Global Influence": http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20110119/LIFE09/101190303. It truly captures the essence of Lisa's vision for the restaurant and manages to wrap her arms around the ethnic flavors that Pete and I incorporated into our mission plan, whereby exotic (or ethnic) flavors and ingredients are interspersed with traditional fare, while still offering the all-American classics that everyone loves. And Lisa has stepped up to the challenge and exceeded our expectations. She is a consummate professional in the culinary field, but also a visionary in how she incorporates the products of local sustainable farmers into our menu. It was always Lisa who spoke up and asked us to try this farm's produce, or that shop's product, because they were local, they were inter-generational farmers, or because they were truly a "green" organization. Pete and I have learned that Lisa is not only capable, but also incredibly innovative and creative. We are truly fortunate to be in the position to have Lisa as our Executive Chef.

Congratulations, Lisa, on the write-up!

And that's just the start. Oh yes, so much! How about the Casino Night we have planned for January 29th? This is a fundraiser for the Frenchtown Lions Club that does so much for the children of our community. Come on out and support their efforts...it's going to be a FUN night for sure!!! Make sure to contact us for information at 908.996.3200 or contact Sally or Andy directly at 908.996.7900, or email them at frenchtownlionscasinonight@gmail.com. It's sure to be a blast!

The "New Year" is almost a month old now...how many of us have re-evaluated our resolutions? I know many of The National Hotel's patrons have expressed a desire to not have ANY resolutions at all...to just enjoy life, to live life in the moment, to listen to those speaking, to share honestly, and to just enjoy 2011 day by day.

Is this actually possible? Truly, I don't know. But I do know that Pete and I work feverishly to make sure that we meet expectations--and whenever possible, that we exceed them. And truth be told, Pete is the one on premises, day in and day out. My role and responsibilities are often easier to handle off-site, which allows me to have a tremendous work-life balance, by being able to work and still be around for our daughters. That's one of the advantages of this technological age. And yes, I LOVE THAT!!!

But in terms of The National Hotel, I also love the "human" interaction, the ability to talk to our clients and patrons who come in day after day, week after week, and absolutely assure us that our business model is "spot on". It was our goal to make The National Hotel a community center of sorts, a place where local residents and tourists could find common ground and a comfortable setting where repeat visits became a part of their culture. Here is where Pete and I were taken aback: Not only did our establishment become a place where patrons felt they could frequent often, but rather, it was a place that welcomed the arts--music, poetry, art, "home-grown," and driven by our very patrons...not by us--we owe them a debt of gratitude for what they've done for us and what they've created: a home away from home for local artists. And so today, we have so many weekly events, it's often hard to track:

bi-weekly Tuesday Trivia nights
Wednesday Ladies' night (with 1/2 off drinks...hey, why not???)
Wednesday singer/songwriter "By the Fireplace" music series
Thursday Open Mic Night
Saturday Night live music series
Sunday Afternoon Musical Afternoon series
3rd Sunday of the month poetry open mic, People's Poetry

And more ideas are still percolating...comedy nights anyone?

But here we go! 2011 full steam ahead. Are you jumping on board? This train is getting ready to leave the station and we hope you are right there with us when we depart. Call us with any ideas you have for future programming, or email me at marie@thenationalhotelnj.com, or just post a comment on this blog.

Thank you to all those of you who have taken the time to email me, post comments, or call me directly. Here's to looking forward to a wonderful and prosperous 2011 for ALL of us! For more up-to-the-minute information, like us on facebook, subscribe to our youtube channel, find us on twitter, follow our blog, or check our website regularly. Thank you for all of your support during the end of 2009 and throughout 2010. Here's to a great New Year together!!!

NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATION

2010-12-30T21:40:00.000-05:00

We are so fortunate to be able to close out the very first decade of this new millenium by celebrating in style! A dance party no less!!! Well, why not?! There are so many wonderful things happening at The National Hotel--and most of them thanks to our loyal patrons--that Pete and I are just bursting at the seams with pride at being able to have this wonderful connection with our community. From our weekly Wednesday, By The Fireplace singer/songwriter series, to our Thursday Open Mic Night, to our monthly 3rd Sunday People's Poetry, to our Saturday Night Live Music sessions, and our weekly Sunday Musical Afternoon series...oh, but wait...there's more: We just launched our Tuesday Trivia Night!!! And what a success that was! Thanks to our General Manager, Marlon Aranha, and our dedicated patron, Russ Coen, we are now, THE place to be on Tuesday night.

[Marlon Aranha]

It was a wonderful way to close out this last week in 2010, inviting everyone present to put their thinking caps on and participate in this fantastic night. That along with tonight's Open Mic Night (now in session!!), and tomorrow night's dance party with DJ Mr. Wil, are sure to make us all look forward to an even better 2011.

If ever there was a need to say thank you, it is right now. Pete and I have definitely put our hearts and souls (oh...so trite...but it's absolutely true) into The National Hotel. But so has this grand old building reciprocated a thousand times over. There isn't a day that Pete doesn't come home after closing up, that he doesn't share stories about our patrons--from jokes they tell, to the history they share, to the fun they have. And there hasn't been a moment when I have been there, that I don't encounter someone who brightens my day with conversation, moments shared, memories recalled.

Our daughters are blessed to also be a part of this establishment, as everything that we build will eventually be theirs. And they LOVE being there. It's such a joy to see them interact with our staff, kid around, feel at home, and all the while still understand that it's the customers who are at the center of this business. Our girls come with us shopping for the best quality ingredients, listen to our conversations and planning of future events, and have participated in creating a kids' menu that's sure to please...actually...truth be told, they created the menu. The credit goes to them.

And our other "grown-up" menu, has surpassed all of our expectations, thanks to our executive chef, Lisa Frederick, who took the reins several months ago, and has not disappointed. In fact, she has brought her love of exotic cuisines and seasonings to complement our vision of a Restaurant that incorporates Pete's Indian background and my Chilean and Spanish heritage. The dishes that come out of our kitchen are exceptional! OK, I know this is a subjective comment, but we've had sooooo many hotel and dinner guests tell us how much they've enjoyed their meal, that I am confident in sharing this comment as an "objective" viewpoint. I hope that when you visit us next, you too will walk away with this same feeling. Be sure to say "hi" to Lisa when you are there, as she is the most gracious chef I've ever had the pleasure with whom to work.

And it's not just Lisa. Let's not forget Kasey Goyette, our lead bartender, who without fail, produces the most incredible drinks, pairs wines for our dining guests who would like to have a professional's opinion on what wine will best bring out the flavors of their dining choices, and who livens up our Bar area with wonderful and engaging conversation, all the while keeping her eye on what her regular customers like to drink. She is a consummate professional and we are so pleased to count her as part of our family.

But many of our guests who dine upstairs finish their evenings at The National Hotel's Rathskeller Pub downstairs, affectionately known as The Rat. And that experience would not be complete without a drink served by Donna Jane Sampler. She truly has become someone on whom we rely, and who consistently provides our patrons with a comfortable atmosphere where they can not only get the drink of their choice, but also close out the night with a friendly face and a conversationalist that keeps them coming back. Yay Donna!

And like Donna, Kasey, and Lisa, we are so fortunate to be surrounded by individuals who work for The National Hotel and who come in with smiles, with a positive attitude, ready to serve, ready to provide the patrons with their very best service, and ready and committed to make tonight the best night ever. You can always find information about us by posting a comment on this blogpost, following us on Twitter, friending (is that a real word???) us on facebook, subscribing to our YouTube channel, or emailing us directly at marie@thenationalhotelnj.com. Thank you once again for your support and the wonderful embrace you have given us since the very day we were given the keys to The National Hotel.

So to you, your families, and your friends, Pete and I want to wish you the very best New Year's ever. May 2011 grant you much happiness, health, and continued success in all your endeavors. Happy, Happy New Year!!!!

THE BOILER BROKE, BUT NOT OUR SPIRITS!

2010-12-22T06:29:00.000-05:00

Our staff still remains optimistic, upbeat, and now...excited about our re-opening. It's been an incredibly challenging 7 days. As many of you know, our boiler broke. It could not have happened at a worst time of the year. We had to cancel reservations (dinner and hotel), take emergency measures to prevent pipes from freezing, search for a crew that could handle the work that would ensue, order the replacement boiler, etc. Day after day, we're asked, when will you reopen? And day after day so far, we've had to impose on our patrons to be patient, because we're working at a feverish pace to try to get this resolved. The Hunterdon Democrat just wrote an piece on the situation we're facing, and we're grateful to them for covering this story: http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2010/12/broken_boiler_temporary_closes.html

Finally, there's light at the end of the tunnel...the new boiler is installed, and if all goes well with the testing the crew has been doing, we just might be open later today. We'll keep posting updates on our facebook page and send tweets about when our doors will reopen. And here again is where the Frenchtown resilient spirit surfaces again: instead of anger and frustration by our patrons and clients who have been thoroughly disappointed by not being able to enjoy our numerous programs, including our Wednesday singer/songwriter series, By The Fireside, our Thursday Open Mic Night Frenchtown Underground, our Saturday Night Live Music Series, our Sunday People's Poetry, or even our Sunday Musical Afternoon music series...what we've heard back is just pure words of encouragement, sentiments of sympathy and empathy. After all, Frenchtown has suffered from floods, from road closings, and numerous other events that have forced businesses to close in years past. And perhaps that's what makes this town's residents all the more endearing to Pete and to me. They never cease to amaze me.

From day ONE, we received an outpouring of love and support from the Frenchtown community and the surrounding area. We are truly grateful. And with the holiday season upon us, it truly feels like a magical time. And we going to open our doors in style, officially introducing our executive chef, Lisa Frederick, who has been captain of this ship for several months now, preparing exciting dishes for our Additions to the Menu on the weekends, and working hand-in-hand with us to update our last menu to include seasonal items from sustainable farmers. I hope you'll make the time to come and say hi to us, and to congratulate Lisa on her new (OK, not so new now...) role at The National Hotel. She, Marlon, our General Manager, and Kasey, our Lead Bartender, along with everyone at The National Hotel, can't wait to see you and say hello.

Post a comment here if you have any feedback you'd like to share, or as always, feel free to email me at marie@thenationalhotelnj.com. I look forward to hearing from you. Happy Holidays to all our friends!

Thanksgiving Kicks Off the Holiday Season...and now it's December!

2010-12-08T23:10:00.002-05:00

The night before Thanksgiving, we were treated to a FANTASTIC performance by Rainbow Fresh, who helped us get into the right frame of mind for the next day's feast.

Thanksgiving was such a treat, spending time with family and friends. And then: Black Friday...it's ominous, it's "a must" for many of us, what with the holidays just weeks away...did anyone of you get up at 4:30 (or earlier) to catch some of the local shops' sales? Oh yes, this was big, from Walmart to Lowes to Kohls and all the other local mass chain stores and the online sites offering "early" Black Friday specials. All I can say, is that it is so refreshing to actually walk around our little gem of a town, Frenchtown, with all of the beautiful and unique shops, that absolutely SCREAM, "come in, browse, peruse, touch, feel...take your time...ask me questions about any item you like." That's the beauty about our little corner of the world. Frenchtown shops are one-of-a-kind, friendly and inviting. Every single one has its own charm and personality, but moreover, Frenchtown business owners absolutely love the vibe of the town.

NJMyWay.com captured this vibe perfectly, in a recent e-article they featured in their publication:

Frenchtown: Eat, Shop, Stay

December 6, 2010

Tiny, charming, and teeming with unique, home grown gift stores-a visit to Frenchtown might just help you fill out your Christmas list with one-of-a-kind presents.

You don't have to walk far in the cold, most shops are concentrated in a few blocks near the bridge over the Delaware.

Start off in Alchemy, specializing in eclectic fashions and accessories, you'll find scarves, hats, gloves and handmade jewelry from artists and organic designers.

Pick up a hostess gift at The Studio, or Thistle, with home furnishings, and American-inspired candles and artwork.

Remember the days before e-mail and iPads? The art of writing by hand and reading by turning the real pages? Try Beasley's Bookbindery to outfit an office with classy stationary and desk sets.

A bit off the beaten path is Two Buttons, the warehouse of exotic imported goods owned by Eat Pray Love Author Elizabeth Gilbert and her real-life husband. Or pop into Grouse Studios this weekend, for holiday shopping and a open house that showcases local artists, handpainted furniture, and antiques.

Plenty more are listed on the town's helpful website.

When you want to come up for air, take a break at the bar of the newly rescued historic National Hotel. The place is owned by an engaging couple who transplanted here from New York City post-9/11, and renovated the boarded up hotel into a cool local hotspot. There are drinks upstairs and down, live music, and food. Bonus: book a room afterwards and avoid driving the back roads home.

Thank you to the editor and the staff writers at NJMyWay.com for this wonderful article. What a fantastic publication, always full of information on things to do throughout New Jersey. If you have a moment, check out their website and subscribe to their online publication, or find them on facebook.

From the spontaneous and impromptu conversations I've had with many of these business proprietors, I've learned how passionate they feel about Frenchtown itself, and about the arts. Many of them belong to the Frenchtown Business & Professional Association (FBPA), and they dedicate much of their time thinking of ways to make the town an inviting and engaging destination for those visiting as well as our local residents.

There isn't a single shop that doesn't recognize the aritistic influence ever-present in our little town. And what's more, it drives us all, because we recognize that our patrons, whether they be out-of-town tourists, or local residents, are all looking for the same thing: meaning. Yes, meaning. It's at the core of every single business in Frenchtown, at the center of their mission statements, and exactly what keeps us all (yes, I shamelessly include The National Hotel in "the mix") opening our doors day in and day out.

Whether it's Thistle with its beautiful home furnishings, or FOFA, Elena Stokes' new shop of textile art, to Designs for Tranquility with all its beautiful sculptures, water fountains and artists' jewelry, there is a lot to see in Frenchtown--and that's just a random sampling. The FBPA has put together an extensive list of the businesses, the services, and the upcoming events. Truly an undertaking! Did you catch RiverFest, or any of the OctoberFest activities? If you did, please share your feedback...if you didn't, we're already planning next year's activities. We'd love to hear from you, either by reading your comment or from your emails directly sent to me, marie@thenationalhotelnj.com.

But that's not all. Truly. We've developed quite a following by patrons of the arts--and we owe it all to so many individuals who give of themselves. Take Mike Pfeiffer, who has put together our Saturday Night Live Music Series. He organizes the musicians' line-up, the sound system, the calendar--and he's even involved with our Wednesday evening "By the Fireplace" singer/songwriter live music series we kicked off last month. Or how about Alex Wolfson, who helped us bring our Open Mic Night weekly Thursday night series to The National Hotel. He's even renamed it: The Frenchtown Underground. Isn't that a great name?!

And let's not forget Skye Van Saun and John Smith, who brought poetry to our establishment, creating a monthly, third Sunday of the month, People's Poetry, our poetry open mic. And like them, there are so many other helpful friends who have had an impact on the programs we bring to light. We're working on a Tuesday Trivia night thanks to another friend...more on that when we're ready to get it started.

When Pete and I take a moment to ourselves, to really think about all that's happened in just a little over a year, we truly can't help but feel blessed. We feel like there's someone up there--whether you believe in God, G_d, a Higher Power, an inner strength, or God from within us--that has allowed us to partner with our neighbors and friends, and create an establishment that is welcoming and that encourages the community to participate, and actually "own" a piece of this special building. We have no doubt that The National Hotel is a building that belongs to many, and that holds a special place in the lives of those who choose to make it a communal experience where we can all come in and share of ourselves, together.

Now that beats any "Black Friday" experience out there!!! Be sure to get the latest information on The National Hotel, by following us twitter, finding us on facebook, subscribing to our YouTube channel, or reading our blog. There's also plenty of information, including our menu items and our weekend additions to our menu, posted regularly on our website. We hope to hear from you soon!

A LITTLE HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL HOTEL & A GREAT BIG THANK YOU!

2010-11-11T05:19:00.006-05:00

Just a little over a week ago, Pete and I were the guests of Chris Poh's weekly radio program, Bleeker Street Café on WDVR's 89.7 FM station (in Hunterdon County, NJ), where we were asked questions about reported friendly spirits at The National Hotel, sightings, etc. Of course, "'tis the season," with Halloween just following the radio interview. It was actually a lot of fun to sit in front of the microphone and recount the many stories that have been told to us, that have been written down by previous owners of The National Hotel, and which now make up the colorful past of Frenchtown. As far as I'm concerned, the bottom line is that if in fact there is a ghost, it's a friendly ghost. That's all I need to know.

Pete was recently contacted by a descendant of the "Apgar Sisters" and she was so generous that she has begun to send us original photos of her family when they owned The National Hotel. Check out this photo montage of the flood of March 22, 1936:

But Halloween is over. The costumes are back in the closet. The temperatures have dropped and we are in the middle of November gearing up for the upcoming Holidays. The National Hotel has been a fortunate recipient of the embrace that only artists can give. We are in the middle of a fantastic holiday season filled with music, poetry, and new initiatives. And this all comes from the heart and soul of town...as trite as that sounds. It is the local artists that have chosen The National Hotel as their venue of choice to put the arts in the limelight. It's not Pete; it's not me...it's the artists themselves. And on top of that--our local patrons and arts enthusiasts continue to thank us!

The latter has never ceased. The thank you's from our patrons and from our Frenchtown neighbors continue to this day. It's truly unbelievable that one's customers (many of whom have truly become a member of The National Hotel family), demonstrate their gratitude for having this grand old lady of a building open again. Pete and I have many a conversation over how unusual an occurrence this is, having been business owners for many years. But that's the power of The National Hotel. The power of this historic establishment and what it means, deeply and profoundly, to our area neighbors. The power that it evokes to our patrons, but also to us, to Pete, to me, to Marlon, and to everyone who is involved with The National Hotel.

Pete and I have these conversations daily. I'm being completely honest with this statement. There has not been a day that Pete and I have not felt the warmth, the embrace, the grateful endorsement by local patrons, tourists, and neighbors alike. All I can say is "Thank You," back to you. There is absolutely no way, no possible way, that we could open our doors day after day, if it weren't for your patronage, your dedication to continue to keep the building alive and breathing.

Our artists' listing keeps growing, our volunteer hosts and program developers continue to self-identify themselves, and you continue to support us. What can we say other than "Thank YOU! Please keep coming back!"

Check out our ever-expanding listing of performers, our special events and our weekly additions to our menu, not to mention our most recent seasonal menu launch. Thank you for supporting us, and moreover, for welcoming us into your lives. Pete and I are having a BLAST! Did I say this already???

Please let us know if you want to recognize your server, our bartenders, or anyone on our staff. They'll be pleased to know you remember them. Follow us on Twitter, find us on facebook, check out our youtube channel, and sign up on our guest book to receive frequent updates of upcoming events. Isn't it good to be the first to know?

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

2010-11-06T10:20:00.000-04:00

[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!

THE PEOPLE'S POETRY, CHILEAN MINERS, MUSIC & MORE MUSIC

2010-10-17T11:55:00.000-04:00

Feeling absolutely elated, watching the rescue of my country of birth's trapped miners: "Chi Chi Chi, Le Le Le, Los Mineros de Chile!!!" What a worldwide effort...what a humanitarian effort...what a testament to global cooperation, bringing in experts, machinery, and moreover, multi-national cooperation to help "Los 33." Just a wonderful story. So proud of our US teams that went to Chile, their stories now being covered in today's early Sunday morning news programs and in the news these last few days. I for one, couldn't stop watching CNN & their full coverage of the event. Even the cartoonists are joining in on the fun--now these are talented people, telling a whole story w/just a small amount of space through their imaginative drawings.

Even our Thursday night Open Mic Night session this week had musicians abuzz with talk about the miners' rescue. Thank you, Alex Wolfson, for honoring Chile in your facebook post about Open Mic Night. And thank you to so many of our great friends and patrons of The National Hotel, who shared in the tears, the anxiety, and the exhilirating feeling of watching the rescue of these 33 men this week. This is "the stuff" that inspires great writers--a tragedy, an uncertainty, hope, anxiety, and in the case of Chile, a truly blessed and happy ending.

And how appropriate that today, we hold another session of our monthly People's Poetry (our 3rd Sunday of the month Open Mic Poetry session), from 2 - 4 p.m. I just know that we will once again be in awe of those who take the mic, who are willing to share the words they've written to express memories, precious moments, lost opportunities, regrets, or true elations. I think about Skye Van Saun's poems, which express so much pain, and yet are intertwined with lessons of survival, of grabbing life and moving forward. Or how about John Smith's poems, that move us, immerse us in the images he conveys. And so many other wonderful writers. Here are just a few morsels of what you've seen if you've attended the People's Poetry, or what you might be able to catch if you have the time to come to The Rat, where we hold these very friendly, open, and intimate poetry readings:

Last month's session was hosted by Warren Cooper, and each month we have volunteers who self-identify as being able to host the afternoon program. Thank you to all of you involved with this wonderful event, and for sharing your own poems (or favorite authors' poems), as well as for giving one of today's greatest gifts to all of us: your time. Can't wait to see what's in store this afternoon!

If you'd like to share any of your poems with us, please post them as a comment here, or on our facebook fan page, share a link from any youtube clip you may have to put on The National Hotel youtube channel, or a link on our twitter page. Or just email me at marie@thenationalhotelnj.com.

Stay tuned for more news on our upcoming music schedule...today we have Kenny Cunningham upstairs in our Restaurant & Bar, from 5 - 7 p.m. But we've got quite a line-up of musicians that I'll post soon on our website.

Thanks again for choosing The National Hotel as a venue for the arts!!!

INDIAN NIGHTS @THE NATIONAL HOTEL, DINING REVIEW, MUSIC & THE ARTS...SO MUCH IN JUST A FEW WEEKS

2010-09-25T21:35:00.002-04:00

It must be September, because the days are just SOOOOO full of things to do. Between The National Hotel, the girls' school (and let's not forget their afterschool activities), friends' fundraisers, etc., the days have escaped me and I am only now putting "pen to paper" to post another installment of our blog.

Pete's been in the kitchen! I know he's my husband, but I'm so proud of all that he's been able to do and the enthusiasm with which he embraces every day. He's been hard at work re-creating some Indian delicacies with which he grew up in India, and combining his memories with some delicious traditional recipes from classic Indian cook books with our terrific kitchen staff. These will make up our entire Additions to the Menu that started this past Thursday, September 23rd through tomorrow, Sunday, September 26th. Be sure to stop by and savor some exotic flavors right here in our own backyard--Indian Nights at The National Hotel! Click on the link to see some of the delicacies we'll be featuring this weekend...

This follows a wonderful write-up from Icon Magazine by Robert Gordon. Their Dining Out section took our summer menu to task and we are just so pleased to have passed their litmus test. What a terrific endorsement from a wonderful publication.

And we just hosted another Open Mic Night session on Thursday too, featuring Brian Molnar. The night's host was Kevin Gilson and it was a total crowd pleaser. Our other Open Mic Nights have seen new talent the the mic as well as some familiar faces.

And many of these familiar faces came out to support our featured performers these last few weeks, during our Sunday Musical Afternoon series. We've been fortunate to have had so many talented performers, including Mike Pfeiffer once again, Chuck Schaeffer returning for another successful night of country rockabilly fun, Steve Jones , and a former Frenchtown resident, Russell Norkevich . We also were treated to the sounds of David Falcone on the 12th of September, and tomorrow we'll host the return appearance of Ray McGeehan. Every week, another wonderful 2 hours of music that delight our patrons, and lift the spirits of those of us working on the premises. Sunday is one of our favorite days of the week! Just look and listen to a few of our featured musicians...find more at our The National Hotel NJ YouTube channel:

This entire month has been a month filled with the arts. We just finished hosting the last installment of "our" monthly People's Poetry last week--and I say "our" in quotes, because it's a program initiated and supported by our local community members...not something that Pete and I put into motion, but rather something that has grown organically. It was a treat to be a witness to the wonderful poets who took the mike. Be sure to visit the People's Poetry facebook fanpage to get up-to-date information on the poets, the events, and future plans. And last Sunday's poetry open mic was followed by our weekly Sunday Musical Afternoon series that has provided our guests with the wonderful musical performances of local talent. Again, yet another opportunity for The National Hotel to shine, simply because these artists have adopted The National Hotel as their chosen venue. Thank you!!! Thank you for bringing your art, your talent, your creativity to our establishment, for ALL of us to enjoy.

We can't wait to see you at The National Hotel. Whether you're coming to savor our Indian Nights Additions to the Menu items this weekend, spending time with us at the Rat's weekly Open Mic Night, joining us for our monthly People's Poetry, or supporting our local artists as they perform during our weekly Sunday Musical Afternoon series, please continue to visit our facebook fanpage, search our artists' webclips by subscribing to our National Hotel NJ youtube channel, or sign up for our twitter page. If you'd like to leave a comment on things you've enjoyed at The National Hotel, send a note to one of these artists, or just share some thoughts, please do so, or email me directly at marie@thenationalhotelnj.com. Hope to see you this weekend...the food is YUMMM!

MARDI GRAS ADDITIONS TO THE MENU THIS WEEKEND!

2010-09-01T15:18:00.006-04:00

Frenchtown is in full swing, celebrating it's annual Riverfest weekend. We put our heads together, and Ron Rittenhouse, our executive chef, came up with a wonderful Mardi Gras inspired menu that is sure to please. From crabfritter salad (boston and romaine lettuce with creole mustard vinaigrette topped with fried crab fritters), to shrimp, andouille and gritts (sauteed andouille sausage, jumbo shrimp served over creamy grits with a hot pepper cream sauce)...or how about trout meuniere (fresh trout filet, dredged in flour, panfried and served with a New Orleans classic meuneire sauce), or even, pecan chicken (chicken breast breaded in pecans and bread crumbs, topped with bourbon green onion sauce accompanied with red beans and rice)...and so many other dishes. But let's not forget the beignets. After all, it wouldn't be Mardi Gras without beignets!

We hope you'll make some time to come out to The National Hotel to sample some of Ron's creations. His team in our kitchen is just stellar. Pete and I feel so fortunate to have such a dedicated and committed staff, from Lisa, to Teresa, and Mikey. They truly make it such a smooth process for everyone involved. And when Ron and Kasey Goyette, our lead bartender, get together to plan out menus and discuss specialty drinks that will enhance each other, you know it's a winning combination.

Do join us for this special weekend in Frenchtown, when all the shops will feature special events, activities, and a fun time for the family. We're looking forward to a terrific holiday weekend in Frenchtown, and everyone who works at The National Hotel is looking forward to getting a sampling of this special Mardi Gras fare. Those of us who have been to New Orleans before know what a special place that is, and how central truly great food is to their way of life. I do hope you'll share this with us, and that you'll post a comment or email me directly with your feedback at marie@thenationalhotelnj.com.

SEPTEMBER INDIAN MENU & RECAP OF AUGUST

2010-08-28T03:10:00.000-04:00

These last few weeks have been incredibly fulfilling, because so many of our efforts came to fruition. You are not going to believe the great weekend of Indian culinary fare we are planning for September 24th, 25th and 26th! Ron Rittenhouse, our executive chef, is busy putting the final touches on a special Indian dinner that is sure to delight the senses and bring a special touch to our ethnic and cultural heritage, to Frenchtown. Hey, it was just the Independence Day of India (August 15th)...it inspired us to plan a special menu to celebrate this special country's culinary fare that is embraced by countries throughout the world--so why not Frenchtown??? After all, Pete is an Indian-born US citizen, so why not incorporate that into the fabric of our great and historic establishment, that has honored and hosted so many previous owners' passions. We've played with some of the traditional spices from India and incorporated them into our menu choices, much as we have done with our traditional Chilean spices and those from Spain, in honor of my own heritage. But since India's Independence Day just passed, why not delve deeper and beyond the simple spices...why not actually offer our patrons a taste of India? We can do it!!!

We'll just extend the August Indian Independence Day celebration into September...and keep enjoying our traditions--the old and the new--while we have fun delivering the best service , best food and best drinks we possibly can. This picture of Kasey Goyette, our lead bartender, and one of our dear and loyal patrons, "Stoney," says it all, as they enjoy the music on a recent Sunday and create a dance floor right there in our Bar! Now that's having fun!!!

And this just piggy-backs so many other things that have recently happened. From hosting fantastic and entertaining Sunday Musical Afternoon series (visit our youtube channel to see some webclips I've uploaded, in addition to these performances:

We had such a good time hosting performances featuring Mike Pfeiffer, Ray McGeehan, Chuck Schaeffer, and The Royal Arboretum,

to being able to support this year's National Night Out, sponsored by the Frenchtown Police Department, the Lions Club, and the Borough of Frenchtown, to celebrating our 1st anniversary since we received the keys "that changed our lives"--the keys that opened the doors to The National Hotel...so much, so fast!

Last night we had another installment of our Wednesday Ladies' Night, with 1/2 off drinks from 5 - 7 p.m. We were so happy to see so many familiar faces, friends breaking up their mid-week by coming together and sharing some time with each other--and with us. How lucky are we? And, their feedback is invaluable--we learned, for instance, that some of our lady patrons want us to host a DANCE night! Oh yes, dancing in the Rat Pub Lounge. So, Pete and I better start investigating how to make this possible...

And how about a trivia night? Hey, why not? Oh so many good ideas, just waiting to be put in place. Pete and I are very fortunate to be able to count on so many friends in the community who have managed to take the baton and run with it. Our special nights and events thus far have grown organically, grown out of the goodness of their hearts, grown because the community wanted them in town--whether it be Open Mic Night on Thursdays, or the People's Poetry on the 3rd Sunday of every month.

Don't forget that we have another installment of our People's Poetry coming up in September--our August session was inspiring and filled with humorous moments that lightened all of our spirits on that afternoon.

Where do we go from here? Up to you, my friends...up to you. Post a comment with your feedback or email me with your specific ideas. I always appreciate what you share. Don't forget to look us up on facebook. Stay up to the minute on activities and events by signing our guestbook, or post comments on our facebook fanpage to share with others.

I'll write soon about our upcoming events...in the meantime, drop by to The National Hotel and say "hi" to the gang:

Sunday Musical Afternoon Series Hits the Spot!!!

2010-08-08T10:04:00.008-04:00

There are so many reasons to be proud of our little corner of the world...from the beauty and history of Frenchtown itself, to the businesses around town that welcome outsiders "into the fold" and encourage them to come back to our little town, to the local residents who go out of their way to support our local establishments and be a part of our community.

Today, we have the pleasure of hosting another session of our Sunday Musical Afternoon series. It's a day that we have been anxiously awaiting for a few weeks: Mike Pfeiffer will perform from 5 - 7 p.m. upstairs in our Restaurant & Bar. If you have been fortunate enough to catch him during our Thursday Open Mic Night series, then you know you have to come to The National Hotel today. What a performer! Just super. I'll try to capture some of it today on video & will post it to The National Hotel NJ youtube channel. In the meantime here's one from an impromptu jam session where musicians jumped in at The Rat:

For us, having recently celebrated our one-year anniversary of the date we took ownership of The National Hotel, it's just another gift Frenchtown has given us. One year. Oh yes, we remember the renovations in the dark, using flashlights to make our way around the shuttered building because JCP&L was busy restoring power to homes who had suffered losses during a recent storm, and was therefore unable to establish new lines...and the water that had been turned off and took yet another week to have in our building. Oh yes, we remember cleaning borrowing buckets of water from our neighbors...But no matter the challenges, we are so pleased with the result today--especially, because The National Hotel has become family to so many people who come through its doors frequently to enjoy wonderful food, great drinks, and above all, that sense of community, that warmth you feel when you see familiar faces, old friends and new.

Yesterday was Frenchtown's National Night Out, an annual celebration and "give-back" to the community, where the Frenchtown Police Dept. organizes a special day in town with lots of activities for the children, good food, and fun for the whole family, together with the Lions Club. Pete and I stopped by to share in a little bit of the fun, and we were greeted by SOOOOO many people that we felt as if we were floating. The music was fun, the food hit the spot, and the Birch Beer was awesome!

We loved seeing the kids enjoying themselves in gigantic inflatable bounce houses and slides...and to see their anxious faces when the raffle drawing came, each one waiting to see who would win the bicycles and helmets, raffle tickets in hand...incredible fun! Congratulations Frenchtown!

Alright, lots to do today...off to the races...getting ready for this afternoon's performance, while actually still having warm memories from last week's fabulous performance by The Royal Arboretum, featuring Lee and Kristen. I'm not done editing, but will share clips soon...

OPEN MIC NIGHT @THE RAT

2010-07-30T19:03:00.015-04:00

What a week! What a night! Not only was it a great Open Mic Night session--they're ALWAYS good, thanks to our local musicians and our friends who come to support them--but moreover, it just got better and better the later it got...I'm still recovering from how it ended! Our regular musicians and hosts--hey, you know who you are, and THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, for all you give to our community week after week--were so inspired by Mike Pfeiffer's solo performance, that after he played his sets, no one wanted to let him stop!

Oh no, not only did we all want him to keep playing, we had one musician after another just running in and taking the mike, taking the floor, joining in, participating, sharing, laughing, singing, playing...as our daughters would say, "OMG!" It brought chills down your spine, it inspired, it motivated. It became an incredible jam session that allowed all of the musicians who were willing and able to join in, to enjoy the night to the last little minute we were able to stay open. And for those of us in attendance, again, "OMG!" I've just finished uploading just 4 of these impromptu jam sessions (3 are embedded here) to our "The National Hotel NJ" youtube channel. I can't wait to share these with you! And I have other clips that I'll post to our youtube channel featuring other musicians from our Open Mic Nights. The talent just keeps pouring out!

And the funny thing, is that last night was probably one of the MOST enjoyable nights at The National Hotel, simply because of how naturally and organically it happened. Thank you, Mike. I know you're coming back next Thursday night for our weekly Open Mic Night, and then again on Sunday, August 8th for our Sunday Musical Afternoon Series. One of our very own, regular and local musicians already nicknamed him, "The Rhythm Machine." All I can say is, we cannot wait!

On that note, do check out our updated roster of artists who will participate during our Sunday Musical Afternoon Series through September. They'll be performing upstairs in our Restaurant & Bar, from 5 - 7 p.m. Pete and I are buoyed by the support, the enthusiasm, and the encouragement that we receive from our local artists, and in turn are thrilled to be the venue of choice for them to perform and share their talent. You have to realize that having the arts be an integral part of The National Hotel is one of the key reasons Pete and I just love our relationship with Frenchtown, love having taken this giant leap of faith, and being a part of the breathing fabric of The National Hotel.

And don't worry, now that we've finished a successful 3 Sunday series of dinner theater in conjunction with our own local River Union Stage, we will continue to look for opportunities to bring different artistic talent to the building. We have a few things "in the works" now that we'll share later in the month...stay tuned!

Do post a comment if you have any suggestions, ideas or feedback. And keep on finding information on us by becoming a fan of The National Hotel on facebook, follow us on Twitter, or just visit our website regularly for updates. I've come to terms with all the technology--it really just means that everyone has the choice of retrieving and accessing information in the manner that he/she wants. It's no longer "fed" to us; we search and retrieve it the way that we want, when we want. Now that's empowering! So follow us, find us, visit us...I hope we've covered all our bases!!

HONORING THE ARTS DURING BASTILLE DAY WEEKEND IN FRENCHTOWN

2010-07-21T05:23:00.012-04:00

Coming up for air after another great weekend! We hosted the People's Poetry in the Rat from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. on Sunday, and followed that with our 2nd dinner theater program in conjunction with River Union Stage, Boxing with Gaia (or love your mother), at 4 p.m. in the Restaurant. The building was filled with the arts, with people who enjoy performing, as well as those who love to be a witness to creative talent unfolding before their eyes.

And it was Frenchtown's Bastille Day weekend celebration too! The town was filled with people from the surrounding areas, and from distant places. People were walking around, shopping, enjoying the sunny (albeit HOT) days. We enjoyed having so many guests stopping by to cool down, have something to eat, and have a refreshing drink. Kasey Goyette, our lead bartender, made so many of her St. Germain cocktails, lychee martinis and pomegranate margaritas that even I got tempted and opted for a taste of the latter. But the St. Germain cocktails, made from a liqueur of elderflower blossoms, are an absolute hit. There was even a fabulous New York Times article recently about it, which even has the basic recipe at the bottom of it:

Two parts Champagne or dry white wine, two parts sparkling water or club soda and one-and-a-half parts St-Germain, garnished with a lemon twist.

The additions to the menu were outstanding! I kept hearing such great comments from our guests, that I just needed to share that statement, because it came from many of you...everyone seems thrilled with the new menu that our executive chef, Ron Rittenhouse developed, taking advantage of seasonal items, and maintaining our commitment to support local and sustainable farmers. It's so important for us to keep the community ever-present in everything we do. And this is just one way we've been able to "stay local."

I know that Ron is already thinking ahead to what he can change for the fall season...I can't wait for that!!! It seems so far away, and yet, I suspect these hot summer days will end soon enough given the speed at which all our lives travel these days. Soon we'll be welcoming Labor Day, planning our wine tasting dinners and martini nights, and gearing up for the start of that busy fall season.

In the meantime though, we plan on absolutely enjoying the summer months, continuing to welcome your feedback on what we're doing right and what we could improve. It looks like the People's Poetry is a big hit for our community, from your feedback. It was an organic process, completely organized and created by members of our community, Skye Van Saun and John Smith, and now features other moderators each month. And our Thursday Open Mic Night sessions are always well-attended, featuring numerous performers, each of whom have their own style--and many who have impromptu jam sessions. It really is so impressive how this comes together week after week. And that too was created through one of our Frenchtown resident's efforts, Alex Wolfson, and now it is hosted by numerous others in our musical family.

I've been neglectful in putting together the webclip that I envisioned creating from multiple video snapshots of our Open Mic Night sessions...making a note (again) to myself to do that. I'll post it on our National Hotel NJ youtube channel--there'll be additional clips from Chuck Schaeffer too! I just uploaded a couple of other clips from The National Palooza's live music festival. Those musicians absolutely got everyone in the mood to dance, linger, and enjoy a great summer afternoon and evening.

[More from Top Soil]

[More from Rainbow Fresh]

And it's only the middle of July! Wait and see what's in store for August...

OFFICIAL GRAND OPENING, SUNDAY DINNER THEATER & NEW SUMMER MENU!

2010-07-10T20:50:00.007-04:00

We're preparing for this Sunday's launch of "Boxing with Gaia" (or love your mother) dinner theater, in conjunction with Steven Dennis and River Union Stage. We are so fortunate to be able to host 3 Sundays of dinner theater, starting TOMORROW, beginning at 4 p.m. This has come to fruition thanks to Keith Strunk, Managing Director at River Union Stage, who helped us participate in this incredible program, which will also have a showing at the Prallsville Mills in Stockton, NJ this summer. For reservations or for more information, contact Pete directly at pete@thenationalhotelnj.com or just call us at 908.996.3200. We do hope you'll help us celebrate and support this artistic community by making Sundays in July memorable together.

In fact, July started with Frenchtown's First Fridays with shops open later and music in the streets. It's quite a month. Especially for us at The National Hotel. We launched our brand new seasonal menu, and we're committed to continue to support our local and sustainable farmers. Take a look here for our new choices. And you'll find the same menu now at our upstairs Restaurant also offered downstairs at The Rat.

Our "official" grand opening took place last Saturday and we are still floating from the warm welcome all of our guests extended to us. We were hugged, kissed, celebrated, and lifted in more ways than one. Did you join us on the 3rd? What a day!!! Our Frenchtown mayor, Ron Sworen, the Chief of Police, Allan W. Kurylka, friends like Chris Poh, and our wonderful staff, helped us get the 12-hour marathon celebration off to a great start! We even had the support of our local businesses, as many called to let us know that they had posted The National Palooza information in their establishments for their clients to see. Thank you Frenchtown Business and Professional Association (FBPA)! In fact, the FBPA is responsible for all of the planning of Frenchtown's First Fridays and Bastille Day in Frenchtown...that's just a week away!

But back to last Saturday. First was the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Next, the conversations, the music, the St. Germain cocktails (which appear to be a favorite of Martha Stewart now, with many variations), the wonderful food (whether you stayed outside or chose to pick from our new summer menu choices inside), and the dancing! Oh yeah!! Let's not forget the dancing--all the way through midnight.

And how lucky we were to have the sun shining down on us all day, with a warm breeze making the day's temperature oh so tolerable, and a great time to be outside. 12 hours of music and fun, all progressively getting busier, getting more lively, and filling our outdoor space.

The fun really started when Chuck Schaeffer took the stage with Vern Warta and Jim Thompson. They're foot-stomping rockabilly music got everyone into the right mood. It was early in the afternoon and people were just arriving, but it certainly enticed a few of our guests to get on the dance floor and dance away all their cares. But we knew this would happen, because Chuck has participated in our Sunday Musical Afternoon series at The National Hotel, and he delivered a standing room only afternoon. He is not only talented, but also incredibly engaging; the connection he establishes with the audience is incredible. He has a rapport, an ease, that creates an incredible comfort level. Last Saturday was no different. It was fun to be on the sidelines and watch all this...and fun for those who chose to join that first couple...even the kids got in on the action and swayed to Chuck's music.

I'm still working on Chuck's Part II of the day webclip...there was so much to share & it just wasn't possible to fit it all into a clip under 10 min. Stay tuned!

A little break while the next band set up, was just the perfect chance to have a sip of our St. Germain cocktail, chilled and served ice cold. Mmmmmm, nice! Pair that with a yummy plateful of our delicious sweet potato salad and one of the main dishes served, and it was just enough time to welcome our next band, Top Soil.

And boy, oh boy, did things get heated then! This local trio of "punk polka" didn't disappoint. It was a high-energy, high-voltage performance that got literally EVERYONE out on the dance floor, young and old, parents, children, grandchildren. You just can't watch or listen to this band and not want to jump up and down. Did I say "fun" already? But really, that's what it was!!! Even an encore...no one wanted them off the stage. Everyone in town knows them, and just absolutely loves them. Crazy fun!

People came in and went out, took a stroll, wandered into the Rat, or upstairs to our Bar, but they came back to listen to Rainbow Fresh, a wonderful rock/pop/alternative band, that captivated the audience, had people on their feet and many of us dancing spontaneously! I found this description on the internet about Rainbow Fresh, and it absolutely describes this band perfectly: "Rainbow Fresh represents alternative music in its most sincere and imaginative form. In their music, you can hear the best elements of 70's rock, flavored with Samba and Latin jazz influences. Their artistry lies in their ability to create beautiful songs that everyone can relate to; songs that powerfully emote expressions of love, loss, and hope." (http://payplay.fm/rainbowfresh)

I have to say that Rainbow Fresh's lead guitarist and founding member, Rich Seiner, blew us away with the kindness of his words and the authenticity of his delivery. Check out what he says at the start of this webclip:

We will never forget his graciousness. Together with Martin Purcell (Bass, vocals), and John Purcell (drums), Rainbow Fresh provide a mesmerizing performance, full of tenderness, intensity, and talent. After you have a chance to look at this webclip, you'll probably want to keep watching...I separated them into manageable clip sizes, so come back to digest some more on The National Hotel NJ youtube channel if you have time.

The truth is that all of these artists are beyond talented. They have established themselves with a following, a fan base, and an area tour schedule that keeps them busy throughout the year. And they deserve our support. If you have the time, do check out their webpages to see where they'll be performing next and catch their live act, buy their CDs or download their music from their sites. It's a terrific opportunity to grow as these talented artists also grow and develop their musical styles. We wish them every success possible. One day, we'll be able to say, "Remember when they performed at The National Hotel? We saw them live back then. Shucks...should've asked for their autographs!!"

And now that we're "officially" open...ha ha...well, the possibilities are endless. We've been planning. We've been putting our thoughts on paper and plans into action. And Sunday, we'll have out first dinner theater experience at The National Hotel. We do hope you'll join us! Let us know what you think, won't you?

THE NATIONAL PALOOZA!!!

2010-07-03T08:11:00.010-04:00

Oh yeah!!! The National Palooza is today! Unbelievable, but it's just a few hours away!! Pete and I are so excited to be able to commemorate the 160th anniversary of this great old building, while at the same time honor our Frenchtown neighbors who have embraced us and demonstrated through words and actions, how much they LOVE The National Hotel.

The number of people who stopped by yesterday either to lend a hand or to just say a few words of encouragement while Pete set up the tents and tables for today's event, is still vivid in our minds. And with everyone excited about today's events, we can't wait for the kick-off at noon.

Between Chuck Schaeffer, Top Soil, Rainbow Fresh, and others, we're looking at a great day for young and old. This is going to be a true family-fun affair. And we're so pleased to be a able to share a portion of the proceeds with Frenchtown's National Night Out later this summer. The fun is only starting! Wait until we have dinner theater in conjunction with River Union Stage in our Restaurant! That's happening on 3 Sundays in July: 11th, 18th, and 25th. More information on Boxing with Gaia (or love your mother) is available here.

There's so much to which to look forward & summer has only just started. And even our "regular" programs continue to deliver fun and entertainment. Of course, I'm referring to our weekly, Thursday Open Mic Night. I recorded a few video clips that I'm editing to share next week; it was just so much fun this past Thursday! I witnessed solo artists truly pouring their hearts out, as well as impromptu jam sessions that just blew me away. Everyone was so relaxed, it was a great night for everyone who participated as well as for those who just sat back, had a drink, and enjoyed the music.

And poetry? Let's not forget our 3rd Sunday of the Month People's Poetry. (The link takes you to The People's Poetry facebook fanpage!!) Tremendous power in the literary works that people have shared. Just an unbelievable outpouring of emotions, memories, lost opportunities, joy, tragedy...all the necessary ingredients for a great poem. If you're up for sharing one of yours, do join us in July--or if you like someone else's poem and would like to read it, please do come by. It's a great day for all who attend.

If you want more information on any of these programs, or anything about The National Hotel, do post a comment or contact me at marie@thenationalhotelnj.com. Hope to see you in less than 3 1/2 hours for The National Palooza!!!

POETRY IN THE HOUSE ON FATHER'S DAY & MORE MUSIC!!!

2010-06-24T12:07:00.003-04:00

Father's Day was not just a beautiful day outside, but also a stimulating and enjoyable day indoors...at The Rat, The National Hotel's cellar pub. What a great way to spend a Sunday, enjoying the People's Poetry (our poetry open mic, now officially the 3rd Sunday of EVERY month!). It was supposed to be just 2 hours (2 p.m. - 4 p.m.), but we had so many participants, so many poets "in the house," that it ran past that hour, and everyone happily lingered until the last poet read the final poem of the day. We had writers reading poems that dated back to their school days, to others sharing poems remembering their fathers in honor of Father's Day, to poems about deeply moving and personal topics, life-altering experiences, and tragic losses. From laughter to having a knot in your throat after listening to some of the poems, the People's Poetry did NOT disappoint.

I'm uploading some webclips and more photos to share in another blogpost, of last Sunday's People's Poetry. Next time...

We're nearly a week away from The National Palooza, an all-day live music celebration in honor of The National Hotel's 160th anniversary and its "official" grand opening. Each day that passes, brings us closer to this special day, Saturday, July 3rd. Pete and I can hardly believe that it's been nearly one year since we signed the papers that put this grand old lady of a building in our hands. Nearly one year since our lives changed course and we experienced a new dimension--a new depth--to how we became a part of the fabric of the community of Frenchtown. This community, this circle of friends that is always open and welcoming of outsiders, has filled our days and nights with stories, laughter, and wonderful challenges that have allowed us to demonstrate to ourselves and those around us, the value of integrity and character. That is the essence of The National Hotel--it's all about the community, the people who fill its many rooms. This has been a unique part of its history, and today, its future.

[Ray McGeehan]

The artistic community in Frenchtown and the surrounding areas, have brought the arts to the building, very organically, not forced, not conjured. See what some of the artists who have participated in the many cultural programs offered at The National Hotel have shared with us:

[Chuck Schaeffer and the Chuck Wagon]

[Jeffrey Fadden--Guitar, & Suzan Bartels, Marie Scodari, Lori Ingwerson, and Ren Porter--vocalists]

[Jay Wilensky and Marie Trontell]

Mark your calendar for more music--12 hours of it!!--on July 3rd. As the day nears, we remember the months it took to take the boards off the facade of the building, clean and restore, polish the brass and bring the bar back to its splendor. We remember the many, many friends and neighbors who helped us, who stopped by to help clean, to plant flowers, to weed, to provide professional assistance here and there. We remember the break-neck pace at which we renovated and restored, fortunately mostly cosmetic at the core, but the weeks that became months, until November 3rd rolled around, and we quietly, without any fanfare or comprehensive marketing plan, opened our doors.

Then: And Now:

July 3rd will mark eight months to the day, eight months of having our establishment breathing, welcoming new patrons and old friends, eight months of sharing our lives together. Even today, when I had scheduled a meeting with one of our very first supporters, Chris Poh, editor of American Public House Review and Pub Talk, at 8:30 p.m. and he called to confirm but also to alert me that it might be later than that...he said, "I know you like to be home for your children, so if tonight doesn't work for you, perhaps we can find an earlier time another day to meet." This is why I know that our friends, our patrons, are so in tune with our lives. They know that we are parents and that our children come first. They know that I can do certain things from home, by computer, or in the building during the day, but that Pete is always on hand, every day, to make sure all the details are looked after, all the pieces falling into place. Our patrons know that Pete is in the building not because he has to be there, but because he just loves being there. He loves the conversation, the energy, the spirit of community.

So on July 3rd, The National Hotel will pull all the elements that are important front and center: great food, live music, companionship, and drinks to boot. Oh, and let's not forget about the 10 p.m. - 12 a.m. dancing-under-the-stars session. Right there, in our back area--the parking lot will be converted into a tent-covered area, where people can dance, eat, drink, and just enjoy a wonderful Saturday in Frenchtown. And why not stay 'til the bitter end: bring in July 4th and help us celebrate our great nation's Independence Day as we close out The National Palooza.

Do call 908.996.3200 or email Pete (pete@thenationalhotelnj.com) directly for information on tickets or day's performers. A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit the Frenchtown National Night Out over the summer.

The National Palooza will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, quickly followed by numerous live performances, including Chuck Schaeffer and the Chuck Wagon, Top Soil, Rainbow Fresh, among other local entertainers, that are sure to delight and bring people out to the dance floor.

The National Palooza is an outgrowth of The National Hotel's cultural events, including a weekly Open Mic Night on Thursdays in our Rathskeller Pub and our Sunday Musical Afternoon series, in addition to our poetry open mic (The People's Poetry) the 3rd Sunday of every month, in addition to other cultural events (e.g., dinner theater in July, Boxing with Gaia) in conjunction with River Union Stage. It's going to be a great way to start the 2010 summer season!!!

We hope you'll join us for these events, and make The National Hotel a place where you can feel comfortable, connect with great friends, and enrich your lives with the talent that so many artists are willing to share with all of us. Share your thoughts here by posting a comment if you have a minute, or send us suggestions/ideas for future events or activities you'd like to bring to the table. Talk soon...

The National Palooza

2010-06-22T05:43:00.002-04:00

What a couple of weeks! We are still reeling from Sunday's People's Poetry at The Rat, where poets read and shared, and left us all wanting more. It ran way past the 2 hours set aside for this, and we would have gladly kept on reading, listening, sharing. Don't miss July's session (it's the 3rd Sunday of EVERY month)! And from there, Pete and I kept going, kept planning: we have been busy finalizing our plans for our "official" grand opening, which in fact is a celebration of The National Hotel's 160th anniversary! Oh yes, 160 years since the building was re-built into its current size, structure and entity. Should we mention that it was a stagecoach stop and brothel before that??? Nah, another day...

Well, on July 3rd, we are going to host The National Palooza, from noon to midnight, celebrating, commemorating, remembering and just enjoying a special day of live music, food, drinks, and dancing-under-the stars. Call us at 908.996.3200 or click here to find out more about this special day or how to get your tickets. A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit the annual Frenchtown National Night Out.

But there's so much already planned...stay tuned for another blogpost on our Farm to Table fundraising dinner (TONIGHT!!), to benefit the Hunterdon Land Trust, our remaining musical performer line-up from now to the end of June, and our July Dinner Theater--3 Sundays filled with the arts!--together with Frenchtown's own River Union Stage. How's that for having the community "take over" The National Hotel with their plans, their vision, their artistic expression. And Pete and I are more than willing to host these events. Our pleasure--a tremendous grateful "thank you" from both of us to YOU!

Music is something that has become an integral part of our establishment. If you have been in attendance during one of our weekly Thursday Open Mic Night sessions, or our Sunday Musical Afternoons, you know to what I refer. We've been so blessed with the talent that has come to The National Hotel. Week after week, we are honored to host different musicians expressing themselves and sharing their talent with our community. For instance, Chuck Schaeffer and the Chuck Wagon played their rockabilly unique sound, truly foot-stomping music, in April, and we had Teri Rambo back again as well as the Dennis Thatcher Trio return for another performance, along with Ray McGeehan, and Jeffrey Fadden & Lori Ingwerson in May. So many wonderful musicians. Let's not forget The Jericho Mountain Grass ("The Grass") that returned yet again to The National Hotel, or Jay Wilensky playing with Marie Trontell, back in April. And June has also graced us with other performers, including Dan McCluskey and the Tom Hyland Trio. We greeted our dedicated patrons and made friends with new folk who came from far away just to listen to their music. And no wonder these groups have a following!

Here is just one of the many webclips of their music, that I'll soon share on another blogpost.

I'm working to finish up the editing of several other webclips...worst part of it all...b/c there is so much that can be shown, but youtube wants clips to be under 10 minutes! Still, I love reliving the experience, watching them again & again. Wait for Chuck's and other clips...Aren't they wonderful? And they performed just in time to accompany that Sunday afternoon hour that lends itself to a "slowing down" of our lives, a "let's-enjoy-Sunday" hour. And they didn't disappoint. Week after week, the musicians who have performed have lifted spirits, created joy, and helped us all escape from our daily grind if even for just those couple of hours. What a treat!

I recently got this email from Pete's cousin and had to share it...doesn't it sound like something that Kasey, Donna or Tobi might say to this individual--and actually help? Yeah...that's what I thought (and no disrespect intended to all those mental health practitioners who are our patrons...or those who are members of my own family):

"EVER SINCE I WAS A CHILD, I'VE ALWAYS HAD A FEAR OF SOMEONE UNDER MY
BED AT NIGHT. SO I WENT TO A PSYCHIATRIST AND TOLD HIM:

'I've got problems. Every time I go to bed I think there's somebody
under it. I'm scared. I think I'm going crazy...'

'Just put yourself in my hands for one year,' said the psychiatrist.
'Come talk to me three times a week and we should be able to get rid
of those fears..'

'How much do you charge?'

'Eighty dollars per visit,' replied the doctor.

'I'll sleep on it,' I said.

Six months later the psychiatrist met me on the street.

'Why didn't you come to see me about those fears you were having?' he asked.

'Well, Eighty bucks a visit three times a week for a year is an awful
lot of money! A bartender cured me for $10. I was so happy to have
saved all that money that I went and bought me a new car!'

'Is that so?' With a bit of an attitude he said, 'and how, may I ask,
did a bartender cure you?

'He told me to cut the legs off the bed! - Ain't nobody under there now!!!

DUMP THOSE PSYCHIATRISTS.. GO HAVE A DRINK & TALK TO YOUR BARTENDER ."

See why I had to share? Now if you come to The National Hotel, not only will you find our bar staff equally able to listen to your situation and create an atmosphere where you feel comfortable, able to talk, able to de-stress, but moreover, our very own patrons sitting around The National Hotel Bar, will be able to lift your spirits, and take away that fear or anxiety that may be engulfing you. Just come by. You'll see. And make sure that you put down on your calendar July 3rd. It's such an important date!!! It's our way of celebrating The National Hotel's 160th anniversary, our "official" grand opening--remember that we opened our doors ever so quietly on November 3rd, as our way of honoring our fellow Frenchtonian residents' support of our efforts...The National Hotel is theirs, not "ours." It belongs to the community; Pete and I just happen to be the proprietors now, but this building is just too important to "belong" to any one person or family.

Pete and I are incredibly thrilled to be at the helm right now, enjoying the support and encouragement of the community and many who have traveled from far away. So on July 3rd, be sure to join us for The National Palooza, a music festival and commemoration of our building, beginning at noon with a ribbon cutting ceremony and running to midnight. That's right, midnight! We'll have Dancing-Under-the-Stars from 10 p.m to midnight, just in time to bring in July 4th and celebrate this great nation's Independence Day. Wow...the closer we get, the more I like this plan...really!!!

POETRY, MUSIC...MAY INTO JUNE

2010-06-06T02:10:00.011-04:00

It's been just under 1 month since my last post and so much has happened that I'll have to pace myself and post things in smaller "bite sizes" so that it's one that you can read without it just becoming a long, run-on sentence. There's so much to announce..from our "official" grand opening on July 3rd with The National Palooza, a musical festival from noon to midnight, including a dedication of the building that marks its 160th anniversary, and Dancing-Under-the-Stars from 10 p.m. - midnight. But there's more! Stay tuned for information on dinner theater we're hosting in our Restaurant in July. For a sneak peak, click here.

Let's get back to the last few weeks: The month of May was filled with wonderful events, from Mother's Day, to the Classic Bikes and Bluegrass Festival--did you come to Frenchtown to enjoy the day?--to Frenchtown's launch of their First Friday evenings where businesses stayed open until 8 p.m. Click on the link for Art of the Bike and you'll see an embedded video that truly captures the essence of that great spring day.

If you've been to our lovely little town, you know that that is quite a departure from the normal business hours of this lovely hamlet. And what a treat for those who made the time to come by in May or this past Friday. Businesses were not open later than usual, they also gave away freebies, food, and made the town light up with life.

Our Poetry Open Mic was renamed "The People's Poetry" by Skye Van Saun and John Smith, our fearless master poets who organize, host, and lead this monthly series. Our May installment marked the 2nd month Pete and I were treated to a wonderful afternoon. And so it has become official that the third Sunday of the month will be the dedicated afternoon of poets and poetry enthusiasts. Once again, we were graced by the presence of some published authors, including Guy de Sapio (whom Pete and I had had the pleasure of seeing in April at the Hunterdon County Library in a Poetry Slam with Warren Cooper) and others. I'll have to upload more (and next time use a real camcorder and not my cell phone!) to YouTube, but here are a few samples of the wonderful presence these writers are making right here, in Frenchtown, in our community. I'll share the remaining videos I took on my next post...

We also had the good fortune of hosting several wonderful musicians. Our Sunday Musical Afternoon series has really given us so much joy. We had Chuck Schaeffer, the Dennis Thatcher Trio, Ray McGeehan, and Jeffrey Fadden. Now you know I will have to write more about these talented musicians...stay tuned! I have to say that I am truly blessed to have been PRESENT, yes, present, while they shared their immense talent, their passion, their love, with all who were in the room. Perhaps once I share some video clips and photos, you might have an understanding of what this means. The National Hotel is not just a place to work for us; it's a place, an entity that calls to us each and every day, and that beckons us "home." We just love being in the building. We love hosting these talented poets, musicians, and artists. But it's not us. The National Hotel has a history of being "The Place" for artists to congregate. Pete and I are just fortunate enough to have been...what's the cliche?..."in the right place, at the right time" and continue the legacy of this wonderful building and all the work of those long gone who established it as a cultural center of the town. What an honor! And I say it with all humility and without jest. Truly an honor. Truly something worthwhile sharing with our next generation, our children...your children.

Our devoted patrons come to enjoy a bit of entertainment by talented musicians, while they enjoy the wonderful dishes carefully prepared by our kitchen staff, led by our executive chef, Ron Rittenhouse. Pete and I are just so proud of the ownership that Ron, Lisa, Teresa, and Mike have taken in creating signature dishes, Additions to the Menu on Thursdays to Sundays, and in being absorbed into the breathing, living space that The National Hotel embodies. I mean, doesn't the thought of Shrimp Gazpacho just make your mouth water on a hot summer-like day? Well, that's on the Additions to the Menu this weekend...and pair that with our Bar's special drink choice for the weekend, The St. Germain Cocktail (St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Champagne, Club Soda, garnished with lemon), available by the glass or carafe for larger parties...YUMMMM!

There's still tomorrow (oh, I mean today...where did the time go?) if this peaks your interest, for you to enjoy these special items. But don't worry if you can't make it. We're already hard at work developing our summer menu. I'll definitely post something once we go "live" with it. If you're not yet a fan of The National Hotel on facebook, just click on the right hand side and join our family. You'll get quick posts of upcoming events and items--and don't worry, we won't overwhelm you with posts, just the things we feel the community would want to see/read.

We have so much planned for the remainder of June and the month of July. Check back on information about our "official" grand opening on July 3rd, and our featured musicians. Do post a comment here if you have any suggestions or feedback. More later...

CLASSIC BIKES, BLUEGRASS, AND MOTHER'S DAY...SOMEHOW, THEY ALL GO TOGETHER SO WELL!

2010-05-08T09:30:00.009-04:00

OK. Breakfast set-up, hot scones, croissants, muffins and biscuits, coffee, tea, juice...check...double checked...finished. Overnight guests are coming downstairs to our private breakfast area to enjoy some yummy treats.

Now, gotta run and move to the next big thing this weekend. I'm just about getting ready to leave The National Hotel to go set up a stand down the road where we'll be participating in today's Classic Bikes and Bluegrass Festival that Art of the Bike has brought to Frenchtown today. It's going to be an exciting day, even though, as I look at our huge windows, I can see that it is overcast and has started to rain. Need to check the weather report...again...

I'm back! Looks like it's a quick moving storm, so it should be out of our area (I hope!!) by noon. Even if it still drizzles a little, it's not going to dampen our spirits, what with the beautiful classic bikes that are going to be gracing our little Delaware River community. And music! Let's not forget about the music. There'll be musicians throughout the town, lifting everyone's spirits, and putting us all in the right frame of mind.

The National Hotel will have some musicians playing from our porch, welcoming all new and old visitors, neighbors, and tourists alike to Frenchtown. Situated at the crossroads of County Rt. 513, Rt. 29, and the terminus of Rt. 12, The National Hotel is often the first "main" building they see entering (or leaving) the town.

And then there's tomorrow, of course! Mother's Day. What a great way to celebrate, thank, and honor this important person in your life. I am of course biased, owning The National Hotel with my husband, Pete, and I am happy that so many people have already chosen to make reservations for lunch and dinner tomorrow. But the beauty about Frenchtown, is its diversity, the fine shops, galleries, and eateries that you'll find around town.

Definitely make a point of coming out today...hey, it's already brighter outside. I think the sun is trying to make a comeback. Do come out and spend a glorious afternoon with us in Frenchtown. Take a stroll down Race Street, around "the bend" and visit all the great vendors on this street and on Bridge Street. And don't forget to go down the other side streets; you've got Harrison Street and Trenton Avenue (also called Rt. 29) too, where you'll find shops such as Beasley's Bookbindery and Two Buttons. Great places to visit. Great time to take it slow, enjoy and immerse yourself in the beauty of Frenchtown.

And always feel free to email me at marie@thenationalhotelnj.com with your comments, or just post it here. Hope to see you around town!

MAY IS GOING TO BE AMAZING!!! KENTUCKY DERBY, FRENCHTOWN FIRST FRIDAYS, CLASSIC BIKES AND BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL

2010-04-30T20:38:00.015-04:00

I don't know why I'm so excited that tomorrow is the day this nation celebrates one of its most famous equine events, the Kentucky Derby. Maybe it's because Pete and I have been avid fans for years. Maybe it's because we have friends who religiously watch this event with excitement and with intention. Or maybe it's because it's just such a glorious celebration.

If you don't already know, in addition to owning The National Hotel, Pete and I own Freedom Farm in Hunterdon County, NJ, an equestrian facility that caters to the demanding equestrian, hosting Olympians, Grand Prix riders, and international equestrian celebrities. So there's the connection to the equestrian industry. But truly, our passion for this event pre-dates Freedom Farm.

It's just such a joyful and exciting event. The beautiful hats...the wonderful bios and interviews before the race... the mint juleps...what's not to love?!

So tomorrow we celebrate The Kentucky Derby. Any idea who will win? Any thoughts as to which horse might make it a Triple Crown after so many years? I'm definitely going to be watching, but in between going to an Outsider Art Gallery opening on May 1st and 2nd, in Frenchtown, as well as an art reception hosted at Room, also in Frenchtown. We have such a vibrant town!

Frenchtown is full of artists--and the more I scratch just the surface, the more I discover even more depth to this community. I just adore every moment I spend in this town. Have you visited the town yet? Don't miss this weekend--between the art show openings, our Sunday Music in the Afternoon series, featuring Teri Rambo, from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. at our upstairs Restaurant and Bar. She wowed the audience last time she performed and this Sunday will be no different for sure.

But wait...come back on the Friday, May 7th, and be a part of Frenchtown's first ever First Fridays, where every shop will be open a little later, put on their "Sunday best" and showcase the town's unique artistic flair for all to see. Why not stay through the weekend? On the 8th, you'll have the pleasure of being a part of a 2-day Classic Bikes and Bluegrass Festival featuring live music too. There will be music out in the street--throughout the town--and be able to see beautiful classic motorcycles.

It's going to be a great spring. I can just feel it. Can't you? Do you have suggestions as to what we could do make your visit better? Let us know: marie@thenationalhotelnj.com. I love getting your emails and your comments. Don't stop!

OUR FIRST WEDDING AT THE NATIONAL HOTEL!

2010-04-27T18:20:00.000-04:00

So it's now just over a week since our very FIRST wedding reception, held at The National Hotel! We are just so thrilled at how smoothly everything went. Quite honestly, although as proprietors we are ever so proud to have been a part of this exciting day (& weekend), our efforts to make this run smoothly paled with the efforts of the bride and groom, and of their friends and family.

Truly it was the bride and groom's family and friends who made this wedding a total and utter success. We'd love to take credit for it...but it was a team effort. The bride was very organized and prepared, and her friends and family were not only supportive, but absolute "worker bees."

We had the pleasure of coordinating the BIG day's event, side-by-side with the bride's amazing friends, who instantly helped ratchet down the stress level and organize things, from the simplest little details, to the overall theme. Thank goodness for good friends!

And thank goodness for a family that is participatory and thrilled at being a part of such a wonderful occasion. Both sides of the family were welcoming, gracious, and truly good hosts. The rehearsal dinner the night before at our Restaurant went off without a hitch. Everyone enjoyed themselves, gave us wonderful feedback on the staff, the chef, the ambiance...everything. And then came the wedding day.

The simplicity of the floral arrangements added to a sense of elegance and freshness. The flowers came from our very own Frenchtown neighbor, Valley Florist, and they saw to it that everything was delivered on time, and set up beautifully. The National Hotel "smelled" like spring. It was just a beautiful transformation, from our normal Restaurant decor, to the bridal touches that completed the room's ambiance. The service was held in that room, giggles heard, tears wiped, and vows made. Everything came to a standstill during those precious minutes.

Our very private "Honeymoon Suite"

Congratulations to the bride and groom...you know who you are. Thank you for making our weekend so special, and for choosing The National Hotel as a wedding venue that will forever be etched in our minds as "The Place" where two families became one.

We are ever so pleased to have been a part of this momentous day, and hope to have many more opportunities to share special and exciting days with other couples. From our luxurious guest suites (a few with jacuzzi tubs!!), to our Restaurant and quality dining choices, to our unique and signature drinks at our Bar and Rathskeller Pub, The National Hotel is poised to cater to its guests' unique and individual needs. We are fortunate to have a staff that is keenly interested in being the very best, and in giving their focused attention to each guest's requirements.

If you haven't had a chance to visit our establishment, please take some time to do so. Give us a call at 908.996.3200, or email us at marie@thenationalhotelnj.com, and we'll give you a personal tour of the building and share some tidbits about its history. It's wonderful to have the opportunity to meet so many people who have been to the building before, or those who are new to the area, as well as those who have driven through the town but never entered this historic property. Make the time to come out, and we'll make the time to share some stories with you.

It's a gem of a town, Frenchtown. Now that the weather is better, be sure to come and see us, whether you're planning an event, birthday, wedding, girls' night out, or just taking a drive through our scenic country roads on a Sunday afternoon. We'll work with you side-by-side, to make your special day memorable. We hope to see you soon.