LAST SEPTEMBER WEEKEND & OCTOBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Fall is finally here, and in Frenchtown, NJ, we're getting ready for a wonderful season.  This weekend the town will be hosting its first Green Fair, where we'll have an old-fashioned pie baking contest and lots of activities for all ages.  There is a schedule of events and a list of vendors posted on the Frenchtown Group's facebook page.  It all starts tomorrow, Saturday, September 29, from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. (rain or shine):

The weather report says it will clear up by tomorrow, even with all the rain our area is getting today.  How about downloading the new "Tour Guide for Cyclists" booklet from bikehunterdon.org, which is a great way to see our lovely and scenic Delaware River area--and be "green" at the same time in honor of Frenchtown's Green Fair.

At The National Hotel, we'll welcome you with open arms after a long day of visiting the many vendors that will participate in the Green Fair, or after a long bike ride on the D&R Canal Towpath.  This weekend, we're featuring an array of dishes that are sure to add excitement to our regular menu, in our Additions to the Menu, including:

• PEAR & APPLE SALAD (Bartlett Pears, Granny Smith Apples, smoked blue cheese, sliced red onions, arugula leave & pine nuts with a maple vinaigrette, topped with bacon candied pecans);
• TUNA STEAK KADAI (Pan seared Sashimi grade Tuna with a classic coconut curry sauce over black forbidden rice & ginger braised bok choy);
• FLANK STEAK (Flank Steak marinated & grilled to your liking, with an arugula & pumpkin seed pesto, over a sweet potato gratin);
• and more.

We hope you'll stay in town and enjoy our Restaurant and Bar, or come downstairs to The Rathskeller Pub (a.k.a., The Rat) for great signature drinks and beers on tap.  So, even if the rain does pour or the temperatures dip, you know you'll have a great place to spend your Saturday night with old friends by your side--or new ones still to be made.  That's what has made The Rat such a favorite of our area; it welcomes you, it's inclusive, and people have made lasting friendships these last few years that have gone well beyond the walls of The National Hotel.

This very sensibility--the ability of our Frenchtown residents and business owners who welcome new faces to the town and their establishments--has actually been recognized now by the State of New Jersey.  Frenchtown is now considered one of the eight great places in the state, as was reported by the Hunterdon County Democrat this past Monday.  It definitely feels like a validation of what we constantly hear from our hotel, restaurant, and bar guests.  Congratulations to all who made this possible!

October will be a month filled with activities and changes--including the launch of our next seasonal menu, and finally, yes, finally, the launch of our monthly National Wine Club.  We wanted to get this right, to make sure we truly took in the feedback we received from so many of you who were interested in learning about it over these last couple of months, and now, it will be a reality.  We're very pleased with the choices we have lined up for the upcoming months, and we hope you too will agree.  Click here if you'd like to sign up to receive more information, or to sign up for the National Wine Club, which, for just $10/month, gets you a bottle of wine, discounts on dinner and overnight stays, exclusive invitations to wine tastings and events, as well as additional discounts.

Surely events such as this year's Frenchtown Business and Professional Association's (FBPA) Riverfest, which was such a huge success the first Sunday in September, with live music throughout the town, merchants offering special events and activities, and even the dog contest, have added to all the reasons why Frenchtown is truly a great place. And the FBPA is adding more things to the calendar, including a month-long celebration of activities, "Frenchtown in October", where every weekend there will be activities planned.  The streets are already showcasing fall decorations, thanks to the many volunteers who are members of the FBPA.



We'll also be hosting our monthly Music Themed Night downstairs in The Rat, starting at 9:30 p.m. on the first Saturday of October, featuring Mike Pfeiffer.  Get ready for a great 60s-themed night!  Mark your calendars for this night, because it never disappoints.  And, if you're planning ahead, make sure that you get ready for our annual Halloween party that will feature live music from one of our favorite bands, Rainbow Fresh, on Saturday, October 27th.  Prizes will be given for best costumes, and if last year is any indication of what is to be expected this year, we're all in for an absolutely fun time.

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.  Thank you to all our friends and patrons who continue to support us, and who have become such an important part of our family.