FALL IS ONE OF OUR FAVORITE SEASONS IN FRENCHTOWN, NJ

During this beautiful fall season, make sure to visit Hunterdon County's Frenchtown, NJ.  The town puts on its best fall colors with special decorations lining the streets and Mother Nature contributes to this autumn theme with the beautiful changing colors of the leaves that are ablaze in oranges and reds throughout our scenic winding roads as you make your way into town.

Frenchtown has something special to offer every single visitor, from the child looking for that special toy that Sunbeam Toys offers, or the children's book that can be found thanks to the learned and dedicated staff at the Book Garden, to collectibles, art, unique and individually designed and hand-crafted jewelry and furnishings, and so much more, all within this quaint, small, and easily "strollable/walkable" town.

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I recently had a guest who enjoyed lunch at The National Hotel--YES!!...We launched our new fall menu last week--and it was a joy to get such wonderful feedback from her.  She also let me know that she was in love with architecture of the houses that are "behind" our downtown business district.  The truth is that it is worth the trip here to see that on its own.  The houses are just incredibly beautiful, some even painted pastel and unique colors, highlighting the period architecture, and many boast beautifully designed and maintained front gardens and back yards.  The local residents go out of their way to welcome visitors to the town, and even help them better plan their stay in town or around the area with tips, directions, and suggestions for dining or lodging.  We are so grateful to them!

And front and center of our town's "destination" revitalization, is the Frenchtown Business and Professional Association, made up of business owners who volunteer their time to promote Frenchtown, improve the relationship with our town's residents, local business entities, government officials, and visitors.  They are responsible for creating the highly successful 2nd Saturdays live music series where musicians performed all summer outside to entertain passersby, as well as numerous other initiatives, including events every weekend this month, and many more that will be planned out for the rest of the year and holiday season.  

On our end, we've got big news regarding the upcoming elections.  We'll soon be posting information on our facebook page about a little contest we're designing that might be more indicative of the outcome than some of the polls all the news channels are touting.  Visit our facebook page soon and find out!

Another area that has kept us busy, busy, busy, is selecting wines that we'll feature exclusively at The National Hotel for our monthly National Wine Club members.  Thank you to those of you who have already signed up and those who have asked for more information.  We've started contacting guests who have emailed us or have asked for additional information, so stay tuned if you are one of those individuals.  This is exciting on many levels, but more so because the impetus for creating this monthly club came from our very patrons, who wanted to experience a more intimate approach to enjoying wines, to learning about wines, and having the opportunity to meet others who are interested in wines when we have special wine tastings and exclusive events.  Launching this alongside our new fall menu, has been a labor of love, incorporating the many areas that Pete and I love, alongside our long-time Executive Chef, Lisa Frederick, and the rest of our staff.

In fact, Lisa took center stage recently, when we had the pleasure of having been chosen for a a wedding reception that took over the entire first floor of our building.  She was on top of every detail, from the decor of the food stations, to the wait staff continuing to come out of the kitchen with tray after tray of beautiful appetizers and finger food, to the main course, where she took it upon herself, alongside Pete, to personally serve each dish and plate them according to the guest's needs.  This attention to detail is what sets her apart, and what elevates the level of service at The National Hotel.  It truly was a memorable day for the bride and groom, but an equally memorable day where the staff showed Pete and me, just how capable they are, just how committed they are, and just how dedicated they are to providing exceptional service to our guests.

If you are planning on coming to Frenchtown this weekend, you're in for a treat.  Not only will the town be featuring numerous events (in-store and around the town, from face-painting to fall-themed events), but there will also be a couple of Halloween-themed events, including a Halloween Afternoon at Two Buttons, starting at 3 p.m. filled with "candy, stories, and SPOOKINESS," and follow that up with a great night of fun with our very own Halloween Celebration, downstairs in The National Hotel's cellar pub, The Rathskeller Pub (a.k.a. The Rat), where we'll start getting ready for a night of fun in the late afternoon, with music starting at 9 p.m., featuring one of our favorite bands, Rainbow Fresh.  



This is an annual celebration that just keeps getting better and better with patrons donning anything from a simple sheet with two holes cut out, to extraordinarily complex costumes.  Prizes will be given out all night for best costumes, as we all enjoy the music of Rainbow Fresh. 

October has already proven to be a beautiful month, and we've witnessed spectacularly gorgeous autumn days, perfect for sitting on The National Hotel's front porch and watching as the day goes by, to lovely days to stroll through the town and listen to the outdoor music that has been a part of our weekend activities, and now to this concluding weekend that will showcase a multitude of activities preceding Halloween.  

Photo courtesy of Paula Focazio

We even had a fantastic event that spoke volumes about our little gem of a town:  Our Mayor, Warren Cooper, married Bonnie Pariser (aka AmarJyothi), owner of Yoga Loka in town, and instead of limiting their reception to a select group of individuals, they opened up the celebration to THE ENTIRE TOWN!!  Talk about being inclusive, about being accepting, about being community-centered and community-oriented.  Unbelievable--except, totally expected and within the realm of possibility here in Frenchtown.

It's just going to get even better...November promises so much more, including something very close and dear to our heart:  Pete and I opened the doors to The National Hotel on November 3rd, 2009--and it coincides with one of our favorite nights of the month, our Monthly Music Themed Night.  Mike Pfeiffer will perform music that you will surely remember and that will take you back to that oh-so-special-night, starting at 9:30 p.m. with our star bartender, Donna Jane Sampler, mixing special drinks and serving great micro-brews on tap.  Come with your favorite songs to test Mike's knowledge!  In just a little over a week, we'll be celebrating our 3rd anniversary that YOU have made possible.  It has only been through the generosity of our friends, neighbors, and traveling guests, that has shown us day in and day out, that YOU want The National Hotel to be a part of this amazing Delaware River community.  You continue to support us, to stop by just to say "hello," to participate in our events, and to encourage us to try new things.  

All we can say is "thank you."  Truly, truly, thank you for all that you have helped us make possible, and for giving us bragging rights after just a few years.  We are so fortunate to be blessed with a wonderful and supportive staff, terrific friends, and genuinely dedicated patrons who continue to enter through our doors for lunch, dinner, drinks, activities, and even overnight stays.  Whether you know it or not, Pete and I look forward to entering this grand old lady of a building every single day, because we know how important she is to so many of you.

Thank you again.  And as always, do stay on top of all that's happening in town and in the area, by liking our facebook page, following us on twitter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, and of course, visiting our website.  If you have feedback that you'd like to share, please do post it here, or email it to me directly, or call us at 908.996.3200. We look forward to welcoming you to Frenchtown and to The National Hotel again in the near future.

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

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!