MAKING PLANS FOR A GREAT VALENTINE'S DAY

The New Year arrived with new convictions and an invigorated spirit. This year marks the 165th anniversary since The National Hotel broke ground and transformed itself from a 'Rooms for Rent' small inn, the Sign of the Dove (built by blacksmith Samuel Powers), to the beautiful edifice that still makes Frenchtown proud.  165 YEARS!  Now that's a celebration woth having!!  Check back monthly to see what we have in store for you to commemorate this special day.

2015 brings new updates too, like our newly revamped homepage based on feedback from friends like you.  It's a "work-in-progress," b/c we're updating the photos and improving the interactivity.  It's pretty neat to be able to upload new content and new special offers right onto the homepage, so we look forward to announcing when it's fully operational.  We're also excited to do some maintenance and sprucing up of The National Hotel the week of February 16th.  Although that means we'll be closed on February 16th for the week and reopen on Monday the 23rd, it is our annual commitment to the very community we serve.  It provides us with the opportunity to refurbish, paint, and do the necessary touch-ups that sustain us for the entire year.

This "cleansing" of The National Hotel's heart and soul will follow on the heels of our annual Valentine's Day celebration, from a special menu to a Lovers' Essay contest.  Just like last year, the contest is open to Hunterdon and Bucks County area residents with the #1 prize being a complimentary overnight stay at The National Hotel.  The rules are very simple:

• Submit your story--at least 250 words, no more than 400 words via email
• Story/essay must be about you and your loved one, sharing your most romantic moment as it relates to Frenchtown, or any of the surrounding Hunterdon County, NJ or Buck's County, PA areas

Three prizes will be awarded: 

1. One overnight stay at The National Hotel for two
2. Dinner for two in The National Hotel’s Restaurant and Bar
3. Dessert and after-dinner drinks for two in The National Hotel’s Restaurant and Bar

Last year's entries had such beautiful stories, we wish we could have featured all of them.  So, if you weren't a finalist, or simply forgot to submit your essay, please send it in now.  Check our facebook page for more information and for the announcement of the winning essay.  Best of luck to all of you who might participate!

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION IS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13th.

Don't forget to plan your Valentine's Day with us, and make your reservation early.  We're finishing up our special Valentine's Day menu with you in mind--check back this week on our webpage.  Stay up to date by liking us on facebook, regarding Valentine's Day and also our upcoming music programming (and other special weekly events), so you don't miss anything.  Here's just a glimpse:

• Monday weekly Happy Hour, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• Bi-weekly Tuesday Trivia, 8 p.m. - 10 p.m.
• Wednesday weekly Happy Hour, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• Wednesday weekly Karaoke Night, 8 p.m. - midnight
• Thursday weekly Open Mic Night, 9 p.m. - closing
• Weekly Saturday Night Live Music Series, 9 p.m. - 11 p.m.--The Good-Frost Project performs 1/31/15
• Weekly Sunday Musical Afternoon Series, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Join us every week for these special programs. There's just never a dull night at The National Hotel!

I can say this with complete confidence, because many of these programs are in place because of friends like YOU, friends who have taken the time and interest to work on the programs, create the content, and implement their vision.  Pete and I are so grateful to all of you for your support.  We hope that 2015 is already off to a great start for you, and we look forward to chatting more with you in person, via email, or through the comments you leave on this blog.  Here's to a great year together!!

          

Looking Forward to this New Year with YOU!

Our 6th New Year's celebration came to a close in the early hours of 2015. Thank you so much to those of you who came out to share the beginning of a new year with us at The National Hotel--and thank you to all those of you who made 2014 an absolutely memorable year because you were a part of it!! Everything we've accomplished has been thanks to your support and the dedication of our talented staff. Spending time with you and seeing you return to our establishment just propels us forward more than you can ever imagine, and we are grateful beyond words.

Although we are closed today, we will reopen our doors tomorrow, January 2nd, and be fully energized after spending a day with our respective families. And, we've got a lot planned for the next few weeks:

• Sunday, January 4 - Arnie Baird
• Monday, January 5 - Happy Hour, 5-7 pm in The Rathskeller Pub (a.k.a., The Rat)
• Wednesday, January 7
  - Happy Hour, 4 - 6 pm in The Rat
  - Forks and Corks Special Dinner (1 lb 100% grass-fed Porterhouse steak w/mashed potatoes and veg and/or 50% off a bottle of wine of YOUR choice)
  - Karaoke Night, 8 pm - Midnight
• Saturday, January 10 - Mike Jaimeson
• Sunday, January 11 - Dillon Taylor
• Tuesday, January 13 - Bi-Weekly Trivia Night
• Wednesday, January 14
   - Karaoke Night, 8 pm - Midnight
   - Happy Hour, 4 - 6 pm in The Rat
  - Forks and Corks Special Dinner (1 lb 100% grass-fed Porterhouse steak w/mashed potatoes and veg and/or 50% off a bottle of wine of YOUR choice)
• Saturday, January 17 - Jesse Ketchel
• Sunday, January 18 - Brian Colburn
• Check our website for additional information please.

We also have our weekend Additions to the Menu planned out already, and posted on our website for this 1st weekend of 2015:

DRINK SPECIAL

THE POINSETTIA

Champagne, Cranberry Juice, Cointreau $8

GREENS

SUPER FOOD SALAD

Black Quinoa with toasted Sesame & Pumpkin Seeds, Pomegranate Seeds, Orange Slices, Kale marinated in a Orange & Lime Vinaigrette, Avacado Slices $12

SMALL PLATES

OYSTERS

Taylor Bay Oysters, MA – High Brine, Sweet Finish

Wild Martha Vineyards Oysters, MA – Mild Brine, Clean Finish

West Falmouth Oysters, Buzzard Bay, MA – Briny with a Dry Finish

$2.5 each, 6/$13, 12/$25

LAMB PIZZA

House Made flatbread, Ground Lamb with Mediterranean Spices, Curried Green Tomato Sauce, Garnished with Mint $10

PLATES

FISH

Sautéed Salmon with a Dill Sauce, Salmon Caviar, Sautéed Kale, Red Rice $24

MEAT

Grilled 8 oz. Fillet Mignon, Sautéed Shrimp in a Lemon Butter Sauce, Grilled Asparagus, Black Garlic Mashed Potatoes $32

PASTA

Lobster Ravioli, Lobster Crème Sauce, Diced Tomatoes, Sautéed Spinach $19

DESSERTS

Rum Chiata Tres Leche – Traditional South American dessert made with a moist cake soaked in three (tres) milks (leche) and topped with Rum Chiata Liqueur $8

Cheese Cake – Sweet Potato & Maple Layered Cheese Cake $6

Sweet Apple Empanada – house made Granny Smith & Gala Apple turnovers, dusted with Cinnamon Sugar $7

ASK YOUR SERVER FOR ADDITIONAL DESSERT OPTIONS

CAPPUCCINO, ESPRESSO, FRENCH PRESSED COFFEE

Please talk to us if you are thinking of a special occasion or an overnight stay for yourself or as a gift this winter--we have special packages that we can customize just for you, including a mid-week escape, and Adventurer's Package, and more. We want to help you create special moments in Frenchtown. Our knowledgeable General Manager, Marlon Aranha, will help craft a memorable experience for you and your loved ones. Call us at 908.996.3200 or email us with any questions.

We send you our warmest wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2015. May it be filled with joyous moments and the opportunity to share a day with friends and family. Pete and I thank you for all you do to help us stay the course, better ourselves and improve every day. Do continue to email us or post a comment here if you like. Thank you for your continued patronage and support. Happy New Year once again!