RENOVATIONS

It's been days since I've had a chance to send an update on our progress with the renovations being made to The National Hotel. The transformation has been immense. Little by little, every day there is yet another area that has become a shining visible example of the sweat equity being put into this project.

Amazingly, from ripping up the carpets, painting, refinishing the floors, adding furniture, accessories, etc., slowly but surely, Pete and I feel as though our vision is becoming a reality. And through what sometimes feel like small steps, when you take them all into account, you can truly see some tremendous improvements. Kristine Gryl Marinelli, as usual, flies in and magically moves one thing here, adds some festive accessory and/or decoration there, and voila: visible change and immediate improvement!

We are so grateful for all the help and support we continue to get...I recently received a beautiful card from someone who used to frequent The National Hotel:

Dear D'Costa's,

Yea, yea, yea! I can't tell you how happy I am that you are going to reopen one of my favorite restaurants resulting in super memories.

Yes, my husband and I had many a fine dinner but the best times were with two other gals. On a Sunday we would dutifully take a very strenuous hike and almost count all the calories we had lost. We would then immediately proceed to The National Hotel, sit at the bar, have a couple of Margarita's...Lots of laughs and good times.

Good luck and hope to see you soon.

We can only hope that we will be able to exceed her expectations...and we can't wait to meet her!

If anyone else would like to share any of their past memories of times spent at The National Hotel, do share your comments.

WELCOME MARLON

Here comes Marlon Aranha, our restaurant manager extraordinaire! He & Pete go back a long way, and he has worked in the restaurant and hospitality industry for the last 25 years, managing restaurants all over the world, as well as owning his own. Now, he'll be a key partner in helping us to run the restaurant and make sure that every customer is treated as a friend & neighbor. Pete & I want to make The National Hotel a place where our Frenchtown neighbors, Hunterdon County and Bucks County residents, as well as out-of-state guests, can come and enjoy a quality and well-priced meal, complemented by signature drinks and a comfortable atmosphere.

It's wonderful to have Marlon finally in Frenchtown!

And to add to yesterday's excitement, Kristine Marinelli spent the entire afternoon going room by room, and helping us plan on a unifying color theme, additional personal touches that will make The National Hotel a holistic experience from the Rathskeller to the restaurant & bar, to the hotel suites & rooms. She has exquisite taste and we are very fortunate to have had her expert eye to help us fine-tune the nuances that can make this grand old building even warmer, cozier and visually memorable.

We can't wait to open our doors & share the excitement & joy we feel with the rest of our community!