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 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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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!HappyIndependenceDay!
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!!!
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.
