We had family from Chile who visited us last week, and I had the great pleasure of welcoming them to Frenchtown, NJ. It was such a treat to be able to show them my little hidden gem of a town--from the natural beauty of the Delaware River, walking paths, and scenic country routes, to the splendor of the town's businesses all ablaze with fall colors and decorations. I was inspired by the shops' variety of merchandise, but moreover, by the shop owners themselves. The owners of each unique gallery, shop, and boutique, invited us into their space with warmth and genuine interest in learning about my family. "Where did they come from?" "How long will they be in town?" "Is this their first visit to Frenchtown?" "Have they already been here or there?"
There truly aren't too many places where one can be made to feel so special by complete strangers. These inquiries were genuine and their interest in making sure that my relatives enjoy their visit, was authentic. This was an unplanned acknowledgement of everything I had shared with my family all these years about Frenchtown and the joy it brought us after Pete and I took ownership of The National Hotel and became part of the community.
This coming Sunday, November 3rd, will mark FOUR years since we opened our doors in 2009. With no advertising, just word of mouth, we quietly opened this grand old building and our first guest wandered into The Rathskeller Pub (a.k.a. The Rat). With a look of true happiness, he had a drink and exclaimed, "Running across the street to vote. I'll be back." And when he came back, others had joined him...and others...and others...Today, we still enjoy the patronage of that very first guest, and so many of you. Thank you for making the last four years an absolute adventure, that allowed Pete and me to build a new life among you.
Halloween 2012
I'm particularly pleased with the way the calendar worked out this year. Our annual Halloween party landed on Saturday, November 2nd. That means, we'll be celebrating our fourth anniversary that night right after midnight--costumes and all! Having booked Rainbow Fresh for the Halloween party, we are all sure to be in a festive mood all night, and I cannot wait to see what our patrons will wear this year! Remember, prizes will be given out for best costumes (individual and couples). Come early for a great time hosted by our bartender extraordinaire, Donna Jane Sampler.
Last year, she had a terrific mix of music that everyone enjoyed leading up to the live music performance by Rainbow Fresh. Guests ordered micro brews and beers on tap, as well as other drinks. I wonder what specialty shots Donna will create this year?
We'll need to keep up the good spirits on Sunday, because we'll be enjoying the first Additions to the Menu selections since launching our new Fall Menu last week. Thank you to all of you who have already left us feedback on our facebook page or told us in person how much you enjoyed your dining experience. We're so glad that you liked the new choices, like the Arugula & Pancetta Salad and the Lamb Shank.
16 oz. Lamb Shank (Slow-Roasted with Onions, Carrots, Celery, Garlic and Mediterranean Spices, Couscous with Currants and Dates)
We also heard you loud and clear, and made sure to keep the favorites untouched (e.g., The National Burger, Fish and Chips, Spicy Tuna with Lotus Chips, and more). You'll have a chance to try these dishes all week, and/or choose something from our Additions to the Menu all weekend.
There's a lot planned for November, so do check our music pages frequently for our calendar of musicians and special events. We'll keep this tradition of music at The National Hotel going throughout the upcoming months, with our weekly Thursday Open Mic Night, our Saturday Night Live Music series, our Sunday Musical Afternoons, our Bi-Weekly Tuesday Trivia (next installment: November 5th), and some special Wednesday events coming up next month and into the new year.
It's a privilege to be able to write this blog and know that the commitment we made four years ago, is part of the fabric of The National Hotel, with music and special events making it a community center of sorts, an inter-generational meeting spot, with something for everyone. I just love that!
Please do email me with any feedback or questions, or leave a comment on this blog. You can also reach us at 908.996.3200, or fill out our guest inquiry page on our website. Stay up-to-date with all of the activities and programs we have planned for the fall:
I wanted to craft a post for this blog that captured so much of what I've been feeling this last month, especially because when Pete and I read notes like these that our Hotel guests leave us, we feel so proud of our staff, and even happier that we were able to provide a little respite and an escape to these guests who chose us over so many other establishments to spend some time away from home.
I've tried to carve out time to write, but as so many of us know, it's difficult not to be pulled away by so many demands that we have, so many things that happen that need immediate attention. But not today. Today I am determined to start and to finish this little post, because it's something that I do for myself. It reminds me of the days when I used to keep a journal--does anyone remember doing that or keeping a diary?--when your thoughts put on paper seemed to make the world "right," seemed to help you sort through the chaos that might have been around you? Now, through blogs, we can actually open the lock on that most hidden journal/diary that we used to keep, and allow our friends to share our thoughts, share our emotions, share the joy (or the angst) of our lives. And I have quite a few things to share that you might find interesting:
I'm so pleased to actually share the article (and webclips) that were featured in the Lehigh Valley newspaper and online publication that named our stellar bartender, Donna Jane Sampler, "Bartender of the Week". It features Donna preparing a couple of great cocktails detailing the "how to's" for each.
And coming up on May 6th, The Book Garden will host an Author Appearance, featuring Mary Lou Quinlan of Bucks County, who will sign her newest book, The God Box: Sharing My Mother's Gift of Faith, Love and Letting Go, 2 - 4 p.m.
With so many events being planned in town this spring and summer, we're sure to offer something for everyone who visits our town. For instance, next weekend there will be a special exhibit by one of Frenchtown's art galleries, Dion Hitchings Outsider Gallery, featuring the theme of "Toys".
Let's not forget about last year's delightful Second Saturdays, where the town brightened with music played outdoors in several locations, entertaining visitors and residents alike. This kicks off on Saturday, May 12th, where the Jericho Mountain Grass (a bluegrass band) and the Mitchell Cheng Jazz Quarter will play from 6 - 8 p.m.
At The National Hotel, we have a long list of entertainers who will perform throughout this spring and summer. Please check our website for up-to-date information. For instance, beginning next weekend, put on your cowboy boots & best hat, because Mike Pfeiffer is getting ready to showcase a great night of Country Music downstairs in the Rathskeller Pub (a.k.a., The Rat), on Saturday, May 5th, 9:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m., part of our Monthly Music Themed Night. Make sure you wear your best Country-Western outfit, because there'll be prizes given out that night.
But looking back is sometimes as important as looking forward, and these last few weeks have been filled with incredible events that impacted the town itself through the work of these local not-for-profits.
I read the story about the Frenchtown, NJ woman who is the facilitator for the Monday Morning project focusing on the developmentally disabled, and was immediately reminded of the charitable work on which the Frenchtown Lions Club embarks, raising money through member support and fundraisers. They held their Casino Night Fundraiser at The National Hotel last month...I wanted to share these fantastic individuals' stories, their passion for helping those less fortunate around them. These efforts by so many volunteers and by non-profits they serve, help the community at large--and often right here in our own backyard.
Stoney!
I saw this on Saturday, when neighbors and residents of Frenchtown got together to clean up the Frenchtown Park behind the Pharmacy off Kingwood Avenue. This is a great little park with a playground, a gazebo, a meeting place, with a creek that runs alongside it. It can be a peaceful slice of time, and at other times, a wonderfully noisy, tumultuous area with little ones running around, playing on the see-saws and on the swing set, reminding all of us that there is so much joy in these simple activities--and in life in Frenchtown.
We are surrounded by people who care, right here in Frenchtown. It's that feeling of giving back, of knowing that you are part of something greater than yourself, and knowing that what you do matters in ever small ways that cumulatively make a real difference to some of the most vulnerable in our communities. Thank you to our many volunteers, and to the organizations that raise funds to help those less fortunate!
As I walk along the streets that make up and bind this tight little Delaware River community, I feel so proud to be walking along with others, some clearly just visiting for the day or weekend, finding shop after shop lining Race Street, Bridge Street, and others, welcoming everyone who walks by. Our strength is in our ability to be genuinely interested in our visitors and residents' experience. I have had so many conversations with other business owners who all tell me that they feel incredibly blessed and fortunate to have found their niche in Frenchtown, to have discovered this little gem of a town that is just an hour and a half driving distance from New York City and from Philadelphia. We're right at the center of major urban environments, and yet, oh so far.
As always, please continue to email us with your feedback, leave a comment on this blog, and stay up-to-date with everything being planned, by checking our website, calling us at 908.996.3200 or:
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.com/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 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:
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 emailus 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.
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
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.
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:
The National Hotel is located in the scenic and historic town of Frenchtown, NJ. It has a colorful past and offers 10 rooms, each with its own private bath and many with jacuzzi tubs. The National Hotel also boasts a restaurant, a bar, and a tavern (the Rathskellar) bar.
