IT'S OFFICIAL: FALL HAS ARRIVED!

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: