Bucks County Taste
Winter Fest, Choice Chili Cookoff, Pancake Breakfasts & more. Check out BCtaste’s calendar for this week. http://t.co/gUCSZ2Uz
You don’t need a blizzard for this stew! Yum. http://t.co/B1ZWNEiF
Hmmn. What to eat and drink in Bucks County? Check out this week’s calendar http://t.co/QQluriwL
The year in Bucks County food, the best wings and blizzard stew #constantcontact http://t.co/LG2dWwa3
If…time and money were not a factor, this is how I’d spend my weekend in Bucks County and nearby.
I’d drop by the Stockton Market Friday evening for Sushi Night, created by Metropolitan Seafood (reservations required: 908.840.4332 by Thursday 1/19). Then pop over to the Centre Bridge Inn for a cocktail and some fine singing by Barbara Trent. Or maybe attend the 3rd Annual Burns Dinner at the Black Bass Hotel, in honor of the Scottish poet Robert Burns. There’s sure to be lots of good scotch and most assuredly haggis.
Saturday morning would find us at Vera’s Country Cafe in Ottsville, one of our favorite breakfast places. Afterwards we’d swing over to the Ottsville Winter Farmers’ Market at Linden Hill Gardens, right on Route 611. Then over to Peddler’s Village and the Chaddsford Winery’s Tasting Room for a “class” on pairing wine and cheese. And if we want to continue in that vein, maybe we’d drop by Hopewell Valley Vineyards later in the day for their Saturday Wine and Music.
Sunday…I think we’d rest a bit by the fire after cooking up some Bigos stew – a hearty concoction of meats, sauerkraut, root vegetables and beer. It takes 4-5 hours in the oven and makes the house smell divine. See our previous post about Bigos and how to make it here.
On the horizon. The Lambertville-New Hope Winter Festival gets into full swing next weekend beginning with the Taste of Winter Fest at the Inn at Lambertville Station on Thursday, January 26 with food from local restaurants, wineries and breweries. The annual Beef n’ Brew takes place on Saturday, January 28 at the Triumph Brewery. Advance tickets for both are encouraged and can be bought online here.
For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County. Have a lovely weekend. Follow Bucks County Taste also on Facebook and Twitter.
Friday, January 20:
- Stockton Farmers’ Market, 19 Bridge St, Stockton, NJ [3-7 pm]
- Beer Tasting, Phillips’ Fine Wines, 17 Bridge St, Stockton, NJ [4-6 pm]
- Friday Wine & Music – Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Rd., Pennington, NJ [5-8 pm]
- Kindle Cafe’s Supper Club – TBA – private location, Lambertville, NJ [6 - 8 pm]
- Burns Night – Black Bass Hotel, 3774 River Rd, Lumberville, PA [6:30 - 10:30 pm]
Saturday, January 21:
- Ottsville Winter Farmers’ Market @ Linden Hill Gardens, 8230 Easton Rd., Ottsville, PA (in the greenhouse) [9 am - 12 pm]
- Stockton Farmers’ Market, 19 Bridge St, Stockton, NJ [9 am - 4 pm]
- Wine Tasting @ Phillips’ Fine Wines, Stockton, NJ [12 - 6 pm]
- Wine & Cheese Pairing – Chaddsford Winery Tasting Room, Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA [2 - 3:30 pm]
- Pairing Wine and Cheese – Crossing Vineyards & Winery, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, PA [2 - 4 pm]
- Beer Tasting – New Hope Beverage, 6542-K1 Lower York Rd (Logan Square), New Hope, PA [3 - 7 pm]
- Saturday Wine & Music @ Hopewell Valley Vineyards, Pennington [5-8 pm]
- New Hope/Lambertville Singles Casual Social – Mother’s Wine Bar & Restaurant, 34 N. Main Street , New Hope, PA [7:30 - 10 pm]
Sunday, January 22:
- Breakfast Buffet @ Father Gallen Council 5494 – Father Gallen Council 5494, 998 Easton Road, Warrington, PA [7:30 - 11 am]Stockton Farmers’ Market – 19 Bridge St., Stockton, NJ [10 am - 4 pm]
- Vinyasa Yoga & Wine – Crossing Vineyards & Winery, 1853 Wrightstown Road , Washington Crossing, PA [11:30 am - 1:30 pm]
- A Dummies Guide to Wine Tasting – Crossing Vineyards & Winery, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, PA [2 - 4 pm]
Monday, January 23:
- Evening in the Colonial Kitchen @ Cock n’ Bull Restaurant, Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA [5 - 9 pm]
- Everyday Vegetarian (class) – Carlow Cookery, Doylestown Shopping Center, 432 North Main Street, Doylestown, PA [7 - 9 pm]
Tuesday, January 24:
No events
Wednesday, January 25:
- Pierogy Wednesdays @ St Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church, St. Anne Activity Hall, 1545 Easton Road, Warrington, PA [9 am - 12 pm]
- Kindle Cafe’s Cooking Class – TBA – private location, Lambertville, NJ [6 - 8 pm]
- Wine Down Wednesdays @ Old Bethlehem Road Hotel, 243 Old Bethlehem Road, Quakertown, PA [6 - 9 pm]
Thursday, January 26:
- Clam Bake @ Logan Inn, 10 W. Ferry St, New Hope, PA [5 - 9 pm]
- Kindle Cafe’s Supper Club a piedi – TBA – private location, Lambertville, NJ [6 - 8 pm]
- Flying Fish Brewery Tasting Event – McCoole’s, 4 S. Main Street (Main & Broad Streets), Quakertown, PA [6 - 8 pm]
- Sushi Night in the Wine Cellar @ The Inn at Lambertville Station, 11 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ [6 - 10 pm]
- Big Game Bash (class) – Carlow Cookery, Doylestown Shopping Center, 432 North Main Street, Doylestown, PA [7 - 9 pm]
- Taste of Winter Fest – The Inn at Lambertville Station, 11 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ [7 - 9 pm]
For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County. Follow Bucks County Taste on Facebook and Twitter.
Oooh. I want to get warm. Where to eat and drink in Bucks and nearby? http://t.co/tj9bs7jn
Wrightstown Winter Farmers’ Market this Saturday 10 am – 11 am. Local produce, meat, eggs, cheese, bread and more! http://t.co/rfA9JgVM
As we move into real winter, warmth seems to be the theme of so many food events in Bucks County, with a little “ice” thrown in for good measure.
This Saturday evening is the official beginning of the Lambertville-New Hope Winter Festival. While most of the festival’s events will take place January 25 – January 29, the popular Fire and Ice Ball kicks it all off this Saturday, January 14. The event, presented by the New Hope Chamber of Commerce, features food and drink from local restaurants, live entertainment, dancing, ice sculptures, and people watching. (Everyone is encouraged to dress their best!) It’s all happening at the New Hope Arts Center, 2 Stockton Avenue in New Hope, beginning at 8 pm. $15 in advance, $20 at the door.
And what’s more warming than bourbon? The Yardley Inn presents their annual whiskey dinner on Sunday, January 15, with bourbon as the guest of honor this year. The five course meal, with each course paired with a different bourbon, is $95 per person – which is a steal for the whiskey alone! Here’s a taste of the menu. Burgoo over soft white grits with a Hudson 4 yr. Baby Bourbon; Cornmeal crusted catfish, cornbread and greens with Four Roses Single Barrel; and Fried chicken, honey biscuit, field peas, okra with Sazerac Rye 6yr. To learn more, see their website.
If bourbon’s not your spirit of choice, there are plenty of wine tastings going on this weekend. See the calendar below for details. Or drop in on one of the two firehouse breakfasts this Sunday- one in Riegelsville and one in Perkasie.
For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County. Have a cozy, warm weekend. Follow Bucks County Taste also on Facebook and Twitter.
Friday, January 13:
- Stockton Farmers’ Market, 19 Bridge St, Stockton, NJ [3-7 pm]
- Beer Tasting, Phillips’ Fine Wines, 17 Bridge St, Stockton, NJ [4-6 pm]
- Friday Wine & Music @ Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Rd., Pennington, NJ [5-8 pm]
- Spaghetti Dinner @ Delaware Valley Fire Co., Headquarters Road, Erwinna, PA [5:30 - 7:30 pm
- Kindle Cafe's Supper Club - TBA - private location, Lambertville, NJ [6 - 8 pm]
- Wine Tasting for Singles @ Crossing Vineyards, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, PA [7 - 9 pm]
- Fridays Unplugged @ Crossing Vineyards & Winery, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, PA [8 - 10 pm]
Saturday, January 14:
- Ottsville Winter Farmers’ Market @ Linden Hill Gardens, 8230 Easton Rd., Ottsville, PA (in the greenhouse) [9 am - 12 pm]Stockton Farmers’ Market, 19 Bridge St, Stockton, NJ [9 am - 4 pm]
- Wrightstown Winter Farmers’ Market @ Wrightstown Twp. Municipal Bldg (parking lot), 2203 2nd Street Pike, Wrightstown, PA [10 - 11 am]
- Winter Wine Weekend @ Old York Cellars, 80 Old York Road, Ringoes, NJ [12 - 5 pm]
- Wine Tasting @ Phillips’ Fine Wines, Stockton, NJ [12 - 6 pm]
- Wine & Cheese Pairing @ Chaddsford Winery Tasting Room, Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA [2 - 3:30 pm]
- Beer Tasting @ New Hope Beverage, New Hope [3 - 7 pm]
- Second Saturdays in New Hope – New Hope, PA [3 - 9 pm]
- Chef’s Winter Dinner Series Wood Fired – Andrew Wood of Russet @ Marsh Gibbons Stables, Solebury, PA [4 - 6 pm]
- Dinner @ Plumsteadville Fire Co., 5064 Stump Rd., Plumsteadville, Pa [4 - 8 pm]
- Saturday Wine & Music @ Hopewell Valley Vineyards, Pennington [5-8 pm]
- Food & Wine Pairing @ Crossing Vineyards & Winery, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, PA [7:30 - 9:30 pm]
- Fire and Ice Ball @ New Hope Arts Center, 2 Stockton Ave, New Hope, PA [8 - 11 pm]
Sunday, January 15:
- Breakfast @ Perkasie Fire Co. , Fifth and Arch Sts., Perkasie, PA [7:30 am - 12:30 pm]
- Breakfast @ Riegelsville Fire Company, 333 Delaware Road, Riegelsville, PA [8 am - 12:30 pm]
- Stockton Farmers’ Market – 19 Bridge St., Stockton, NJ [10 am - 4 pm]
- Winter Wine Weekend @ Old York Cellars, 80 Old York Road, Ringoes, NJ [12 - 5 pm]
- Pairing Wine & Dessert @ Crossing Vineyards, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, PA [2 - 3:30 pm]
- Peace Meal @ Trinity Episcopal Church, 6587 Upper York Road, Solebury, PA [3:30 - 5:30 pm]
- Earth Center Coffee House @ Earth Center for the Arts, Historic Barn in Tyler State Park, 10 Stable Mill Trail, Richboro, PA [6 - 9 pm]
- Bourbon Dinner @ Yardley Inn, 82 E. Afton Ave., Yardley, PA [7 - 10 pm]
Monday, January 16:
- Evening in the Colonial Kitchen @ Cock n’ Bull Restaurant, Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA [5 - 9 pm]
- A Cold Winter’s Night Wine Pairing (class) @ Carlow Cookery, Doylestown Shopping Center, 432 North Main Street, Doylestown, PA [7 - 9 pm]
Tuesday, January 17:
No events
Wednesday, January 18:
- Pierogy Wednesdays @ St Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church, St. Anne Activity Hall, 1545 Easton Road, Warrington, PA [9 am - 12 pm]
- Kindle Cafe’s Cooking Class – TBA – private location, Lambertville, NJ [6 - 8 pm]
- Wine Down Wednesdays @ Old Bethlehem Road Hotel, 243 Old Bethlehem Road, Quakertown, PA [6 - 9 pm]
- Italian Wine Dinner @ Vintage Grille, 3617 Ferry Rd , Fountainville, PA [6:30 - 9 pm]
- Trappist Beer Dinner @ Iron Abbey, 680 N. Easton Rd, Horsham, PA [7 - 9 pm]
- Healthy and Flavorful Meals (class) @ Carlow Cookery, Doylestown Shopping Center, 432 North Main Street, Doylestown, PA [7 - 9 pm]
Thursday, January 19:
- New Hope Winter Farmers’ Market – In the parking lot of the New Hope Solebury High School, Bridge St, New Hope, PA [3:30 - 5 pm]
- Clam Bake @ Logan Inn, 10 W. Ferry St, New Hope, PA [5 - 9 pm]
- Kindle Cafe’s Supper Club a piedi – TBA – private location, Lambertville, NJ [6 - 8 pm]
- Meatless Monday (class) – A la Maison Personal Chef Service @ The Solebury Club, 4612 Hugesian Drive , Buckingham, PA [6 - 8:30 pm]
- Sushi Night in the Wine Cellar @ The Inn at Lambertville Station, 11 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ [6 - 10 pm]
- Doylestown Food Co-op Town Hall Meeting @ Pearl S. Buck Room Doylestown Public Library, 150 S. Pine Street, Doylestown, PA [7 - 8:30 pm]
For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County. Follow Bucks County Taste on Facebook and Twitter.
Bucks County foodies – check it out! http://t.co/8f0BpVLb
We’re finally back after a break for the holidays. Although the New Year is getting off to a slow start, there are some interesting things going on.
First I’ve got to share where we went for New Year’s Eve. As I’ve mentioned in an earlier post, the Lumberville General Store is now doing a 3-course prix fixe dinner every Friday night for $16.95. Chef Wayne Surline served up a fabulous meal for New Year’s Eve as well. First course was a salad of Boston bib lettuce with candied pecans, goat cheese and a champagne orange vinaigrette, followed by butternut squash bisque with roasted beet puree. The entrée was a choice of stuffed pork chop with figs, blue cheese and basil or seafood pot pie. My choice was the latter, and it was filled with a generous portion of scallops and shrimp with a creamy sauce. For dessert we indulged in a chocolate mousse with fresh berries. All for $26.95 per person! The store is always quaint but with the decorations and lighting it provided an intimate yet down-to-earth vibe that was perfect.
Some good news on the restaurant front. Café Blue Moose is finally open in New Hope on Mechanic Street right next to Zoubi’s. This youth-run restaurant offers French-inspired cuisine at very reasonable prices. See our previous post all about it.
Kindle Café, the roaming vegetarian eatery and personal chef service, is back in Lambertville after a six month hiatus. This “supper club” will be offering prix fixe meals on Thursdays and Fridays at a private location, as well as Wednesday evening cooking classes. To find out more, see their website.
An Evening in the Colonial Kitchen is back for its 33rd year at the Cock n’Bull Restaurant in Peddler’s Village. Each Monday through the end of March you can enjoy food from colonial times while meeting famous men and women (played by actors) from over 200 years ago. It’s a good deal too – only $21.95 for adults and $10.95 for children 10 and under. For the complete Colonial Dinner menu, visit www.peddlersvillage.com. Reservations are recommended, call 215-794-4000.
The Kitchen Potager, well known for its innovative Chefs Dinner Series of intimate meals with local and regional fine chefs, is hosting their first dinner of 2012 on Saturday, January 14. “Wood Fired” will feature Chefs Andrew and Kristin Wood who will present a rustic preview to their new restaurant Russet, opening in Rittenhouse Square in early 2012. The menu will feature grilled flatbread with ash roasted beets finished with Taleggio cheese, capon consomme with mortadella torteloni, braised short ribs with local mushrooms and polenta, and pears poached in Moscato d’Asti with sabayon. The Kitchen Potager’s Chefs Dinners series offers dining experiences featuring quality local ingredients, artisanal and traditional preparations combined with the unique atmosphere created by the season, guests and chef. Dinners are BYOB and wine pairing recommendations are available upon request. There is limited seating and reservations are required by January 8th. See their website for more information and to make a reservation.
For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County. Have a warm weekend. Follow Bucks County Taste also on Facebook and Twitter.
Friday, January 6:
- Stockton Farmers’ Market, 19 Bridge St, Stockton, NJ [3-7 pm]
- Beer Tasting, Phillips’ Fine Wines, 17 Bridge St, Stockton, NJ [4-6 pm]
- Friday Wine & Music @ Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Rd., Pennington, NJ [5-8 pm]
- Barrel Tappings @ Triumph Brewing Co., 400 Union Square, New Hope, PA [6 - 7 pm]
- Kindle Cafe’s Supper Club – TBA – private location, Lambertville, NJ [6 - 8 pm]
- First Friday in Perkasie – Perkasie, PA [6 - 9 pm]
- First Fridays in Doylestown – Doylestown, PA [6 - 9:30 pm]
Saturday, January 7:
- Ottsville Winter Farmers’ Market @ Linden Hill Gardens, 8230 Easton Rd., Ottsville, PA (in the greenhouse) [9 am - 12 pm]Stockton Farmers’ Market, 19 Bridge St, Stockton, NJ [9 am - 4 pm]
- Wine, Art and Cupcakes @ Old York Cellars, 80 Old York Road, Ringoes, NJ [12 - 5 pm]
- Wine Tasting @ Phillips’ Fine Wines, Stockton, NJ [12 - 6 pm]
- Beer Tasting @ New Hope Beverage, New Hope [3 - 7 pm]
- Saturday Wine & Music @ Hopewell Valley Vineyards, Pennington [5-8 pm]
Sunday, January 8:
- Breakfast @ Upper Black Eddy Fire Co, 1716 Firehouse Lane, Upper Black Eddy, PA [7:30 am - 12 pm]
- Breakfast Buffet @ Richland Twshp Fire & Rescue, 64 Shelly Road, Quakertown, PA [8 am - 1 pm]
- Stockton Farmers’ Market – 19 Bridge St., Stockton, NJ [10 am - 4 pm]
- Wine, Art and Cupcakes @ Old York Cellars, 80 Old York Road, Ringoes, NJ [12 - 5 pm]
Monday, January 9:
- Evening in the Colonial Kitchen @ Cock n’ Bull Restaurant, Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA [5 - 9 pm]
- Full Moon Dinner @ Full Moon Cafe, 23 Bridge St, Lambertville, NJ [5:30 - 9 pm]
Tuesday, January 10:
- Literate Epicures of Newtown @ Newtown Bookshop, 2829 South Eagle Rd, Newtown, PA (Village at Newtown Shopping Ctr) [7 - 8:30 pm]
Wednesday, January 11:
- Pierogy Wednesdays @ St Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church, St. Anne Activity Hall, 1545 Easton Road, Warrington, PA [9 am - 12 pm]
- Kindle Cafe’s Cooking Class – TBA – private location, Lambertville, NJ [6 - 8 pm]
- Wine Down Wednesdays @ Old Bethlehem Road Hotel, 243 Old Bethlehem Road, Quakertown, PA [6 - 9 pm]
- The Doctor and the Chef @ Yardley Inn, 82 E. Afton Ave., Yardley, PA [7 - 9 pm]
Thursday, January 12:
- Clam Bake @ Logan Inn, 10 W. Ferry St, New Hope, PA [5 - 9 pm]
- Kindle Cafe’s Supper Club a piedi – TBA – private location, Lambertville, NJ [6 - 8 pm]
- Sushi Night in the Wine Cellar @ The Inn at Lambertville Station, 11 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ [6 - 10 pm]
For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County. Follow Bucks County Taste on Facebook and Twitter.
It’s common at this time of year to look back and reflect on the year that has been. It’s been a good one for Bucks County food. I’ve been privileged to write about many interesting people and great food. As I reviewed my posts, I decided that rather than do a “best of” piece, I’d share some of my favorites with you.
The year began cold as always but we were warmed by a wonderful scotch dinner at the Yardley Inn. This is an annual affair which takes place on the Sunday of Martin Luther King Day weekend. 
Even my husband – the bourbon aficionado – enjoyed the event and changed his mind about scotch (!). I have been a fan of single malt scotch for quite some time so it was heaven for me. Sitting down at our table and seeing five glasses of golden liquid at my place setting sent my heart soaring. And each of the scotches was paired with dishes that complemented and enhanced them. Chef Eben Copple created the menu and walked us through the background of each whiskey. To read more about the event, click here.
Another way to warm up in the middle of winter is to forego the usual Superbowl fare and go for barbecue instead. In February I posted about good BBQ places in Bucks. It’s a great list to draw from and certainly beats nachos for a football afternoon.
In March I had my 15 minutes of fame (probably more like five). I was part of the audience for the Diners, Drive-ins and Dives episode at the Pineville Tavern, and, well, the DDD producer liked my “sound bite” – a lot. Imagine my surprise, as I sat at the crowded PVT bar watching the episode for the first time and I saw my face on the big screen TV. Yikes. It has been fun this year as the episode is replayed (many times) and friends happen to catch it, not expecting to see someone they know on TV. Thanks to the Pineville and their great ravioli. You can read about it at Here Comes Guy Fieri.
In June, my partner, Alan Brown, and I launched a new venture called Bucks County Food Tours. We take folks on five-hour tours of some of the best food in Bucks, visiting bakeries, farms, cheesemakers, ice creameries, orchards, butchers and more. It’s a delicious and interesting day, meeting the people who produce and grow great food in Bucks. To learn more about the tours, including itineraries, click here.
One of our regular stops on the tours is oWowCow Creamery, now in Wrightstown as well as Ottsville, where we get a chance to chat with owner and ice cream maker John Fezzuoglio. oWow Cow relies heavily on local and organic ingredients for their innovative and fresh ice cream. Read more about them here in a post I did when they opened in Wrightstown this past July.
On Bucks County Taste I’m always trying to give exposure to what’s good in our own backyards, so to speak. But I can’t be everywhere at once! That’s why I asked you, my audience, what places you’d recommend as “don’t miss” food in Bucks. The result is a page full of restaurants, markets, ice cream, farms and other food producers. Check out the list here and add any of your favorites using the comment feature.
One of our favorite meals to eat out is breakfast and Bucks County is fortunate to have many good places. In our post, Breakfast in Bucks, we focus on three particular restaurants – Fred’s Breakfast Club (New Hope), the Vintage Grille (Fountainville) and Vera’s Country Café (Ottsville) – and then list almost three dozen breakfast spots in Bucks and nearby. Peruse the list and see if you can find a new breakfast place to try.
I don’t do many restaurant features but this year gave me the opportunity to do several, among them Hickory Kitchen in Doylestown and the Café Blue Moose in New Hope. Hickory Kitchen is one of our favorite places for barbecue, but that’s not all they do. The menu is versatile and truly has something for everyone. Café Blue Moose, which just opened in New Hope, is a youth-run restaurant. Skylar Bird, its owner and prime force, employs only teens. The enterprise used to be only a weekly event at his family’s converted mill but now Skylar has brought it to a permanent location in New Hope next to Zoubi’s on Mechanic Street. Read the post to learn more about Skylar and this new restaurant.
The Coffee Scoop is another of my favorite posts and one of the only organic coffee roasters in Pennsylvania. From their home in Pipersville, Karen and Warren May roast, package and distribute fresh organic coffee beans. I learned a lot about coffee while doing the article and gained a new appreciation for freshly roasted coffee. Read more here.
If you’ve a regular reader of Bucks County Taste you probably know of my love of cheese. I had the opportunity to interview Nina and Jonathan White of Bobolink Dairy and Bakehouse, where they produce fine artisanal cheese and fresh baked goods. I also learned how to make matzah from Nina. What fun. Read more about Bobolink here and see the video of matzah making here.
One of the most exciting developments in Bucks County is the increase in access to local and organic foods. Distribution is always the challenge but two organizations, Suburban Organics and Winter Sun Farms, offer new ways of getting quality food into your home. Suburban Organics delivers organic food right to your doorstep. Learn more about this Ottsville company here. Winter Sun Farms uses the CSA (community supported agriculture) model to distribute freshly frozen (right at harvest) vegetables and fruit, cleaned, cut and ready for cooking all winter long. Read the article about them here.
Learning about Castle Valley Mill, the first grain mill to operate in Bucks County in decades, was one of the highlights of the year for me. Seeing the mill machinery first hand was fascinating. Even more exciting is knowing that soon (hopefully this spring) Mark Fischer, owner of the mill, will have the old, water-powered mill operating too. Check out the article and photos here.
Wrapping up the year was a story I did after speaking with local chefs, “Holiday memories: the good, the bad and the ugly.” I asked them about their food holiday memories and was warmed by the responses as one after another they shared family stories of preparing and eating. The big surprise was the prevalence of Jell-o! Ah well.
I hope it has been a good year for you and your family, and I hope that the New Year is an even better one. Wishing you good health and good eating.
by guest bloggers Jack Scott and Brent Gobrecht,
This year brings upon a unique situation to me, Brent Gobrecht, and the rest of the ViperClub. The best wings I have eaten in Bucks County this year are not going to be awarded the number one spot. These wings didn’t need to be ordered in a special way. They weren’t masked with confusing, exotic flavors. They were just brilliantly prepared Buffalo style hot wings. There, as I eagerly dove into my second wing at the Wycombe Pub and Grill, it took nearly all of my military training to contain some semblance of professional composure and not scream out in poultry-induced ecstasy, fist pump to the angels spinning a wild stave in my head, force my way into the kitchen, and kiss the chef. I’ve learned that this type of reaction draws the attention of local law enforcement. Then, like a little boy presented with the only thing sought for Christmas being ripped from my hands by the likes of jolly old St. Nicolas himself cruelly, laughing all the way, I learned the devastating reality that in just five short days, the Wycombe Pub and Grill would be closing their doors indefinitely. I made the decision that night. Even though these were the best wings I’ve eaten in 2011, I would not be putting them in the number one spot given that you, the reader, would not be able to experience them for yourself (if you haven’t already).
New to our top ten list are two places just on the edge of Bucks County, the Naceville Hotel at number three and the Jamison Publick House at number five. The Jamison Publick House is so close to the border that I don’t believe it has a Bucks County mailing address. I’ve checked the satellite image though, and the building itself is plainly in Upper Bucks County. While I was at the Naceville Hotel, I learned that the wing chef and I have met before, so to speak. Apparently, he used to work at Big Daddy’s Wagon Wheel Tavern (4th). He has brought his knowledge to Naceville with extraordinary success and got the Hotel not only on the top ten list, but into third place!
Seeking out some excellent wings in Upper Bucks County is no more convenient than getting yourself into Riegelsville. Both the Riegelsville Inn and the Riegelsville Tavern have locked up the two and eight spots respectively. Like the Wycombe Pub and Grill, the Riegelsville Inn’s wings are ordered basic, no special instructions to the chef, no confusing exotic flavors. This means that the Riegelsville Inn has a consistently delicious wing, with a near perfect crisp. Moreover, if there is only one wing aficionado in your group, it’s still safe to make your dinner reservations. Everything on the menu at the Riegelsville Inn is delicious and fairly priced. I am however, curious, as to the relationship between the Inn and the Riegelsville Tavern which sits just down the road. If there isn’t a rivalry already, I’m afraid that one is about to begin. Having two not just decent places to get wings in such close proximity, but two of the BEST places to get wings in Bucks County in such close proximity will undoubtedly develop loyal legions of devoted fans convinced that their place is the better. And that folks; spells out a recipe for a rivalry that is nothing short of Ford and Chevy, Phillies and Yankees, cats and dogs, Gibson and Fender, Pats and Geno’s, all rolled into one.
After all is said and done, this year, the ViperClub chooses (for the second year in a row!) the Old Bethlehem Road Hotel (The OBR) as the best place for wings in Upper Bucks County. Off the beaten path near Lake Nockamixon and nestled in those backwoods sits this charming little pub. Whether it is your first time there or as one of the regulars propping up the bar, Pascale (the owner) and the rest of the staff are quick to take you in and treat you as a long lost friend …with lots of catching up to do. The bottom line is the OBR continues to deliver consistently delicious wings. The sauce is the chef’s own unique blend of spices over choice wings cooked to a crispy perfection. Still (relatively) new to the area the OBR is consistently over shadowing places like Big Daddy’s Wagon Wheel Tavern. Again, two excellent places to get wings in close proximity will certainly spell out a recipe for another rivalry, one which I will be eager to judge again, next year.
The Top Ten Wings in Upper Bucks County
- Old Bethlehem Road Hotel (OBR), Quakertown
- Riegelsville Inn, Riegelsville
- Naceville Hotel, Sellersville
- Big Daddy’s Wagon Wheel Tavern, Quakertown
- Jamison Publick House, Geryville
- Mesquito Grille, Doylestown
- McCooles at the Red Lion Inn, Quakertown
- Riegelsville Tavern, Riegelsville
- Beckers, Quakertown
- White Horse Hotel, Sellersville
Bucks County Taste is taking a little time off for the holidays to enjoy food, family and friends. May your holiday be sweet, warm and bright, and full of good cheer with the ones you love.
With our warmest regards,
Lynne, Mark, Cody and Canta
Shopping and wine. Well, not necessarily together. It just seems looking around, many people are freaking that Christmas is only a week away. Hence, shopping. And looking at our food calendar, while the number of activities has dropped, many of them involve drinking wine. Seems a perfect antidote to the holiday craziness, no? So take out some time to visit an area winery this weekend. Alba Vineyards near Milford, NJ is releasing their Old Mill Red wine this weekend. Also in New Jersey, Old York Cellars in Ringoes will celebrate the holidays with music on Saturday evening. Crossing Vineyards in Washington Crossing, PA will also bring in the holiday cheer Friday night with a Ho-ho Holiday Concert and Sing-along.
Can’t take the time out from shopping? After picking up some great gifts and food at the Stockton Market, stop by Phillips’ Fine Wines right next door on Friday afternoon for beer tasting and Saturday afternoon for wine tasting (which happens every weekend, by the way).
For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County. Have a chillin’ weekend. Follow Bucks County Taste also on Facebook and Twitter.
Friday, December 16:
- Christmas Cookies! (cooking class) @ The Cooking Cottage, 1731 Old Bethlehem Pike, Sellersville PA [10 am - 12 pm]
- Stockton Market, 19 Bridge St, Stockton, NJ [3-7 pm]
- Beer Tasting, Phillips’ Fine Wines, 17 Bridge St, Stockton, NJ [4-6 pm]
- Friday Wine & Music @ Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Rd., Pennington, NJ [5-8 pm]
- Wine Tasting for Singles @ Crossing Vineyards, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, PA [7 - 9 pm]
- Ho-ho Holiday Concert and Sing-along @ Crossing Vineyards, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, PA [7:30 - 9:30 pm]
Saturday, December 17:
- Stockton Market, 19 Bridge St, Stockton, NJ [9 am - 4 pm]
- Old Mill Red Release Weekend @ Alba Vineyard, 269 County Road 627, Milford, NJ [12 - 5 pm]
- Wine Tasting @ Phillips’ Fine Wines, Stockton, NJ [12 - 6 pm]
- Beer Tasting @ New Hope Beverage, New Hope [3 - 7 pm]
- Saturday Wine & Music @ Hopewell Valley Vineyards, Pennington [5-8 pm]
- Holiday Wine and Music @ Old York Cellars, 80 Old York Road, Ringoes, NJ [6 - 9 pm]
Sunday, December 18:
- Stockton Market – 19 Bridge St., Stockton, NJ [10 am - 4 pm]
- Vinyasa Yoga & Wine @ Crossing Vineyards, 1853 Wrightstown Road , Washington Crossing, PA [11:30 am - 1:30 pm]
- Old Mill Red Release Weekend @ Alba Vineyard, 269 County Road 627, Milford, NJ [12 - 5 pm]
- Peace Meal @ Trinity Episcopal Church, 6587 Upper York Road, Solebury, PA [3:30 - 5:30 pm]
- Earth Center Coffee House @ Earth Center for the Arts, Historic Barn in Tyler State Park, 10 Stable Mill Trail, Richboro, PA [6 - 9 pm]
Monday, December 19:
No events
Tuesday, December 20:
No events
Wednesday, December 21:
- Pierogy Wednesdays @ St Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church, St. Anne Activity Hall, 1545 Easton Road, Warrington, PA [9 am - 12 pm]
- Wine Down Wednesdays @ Old Bethlehem Road Hotel, 243 Old Bethlehem Road, Quakertown, PA [6 - 9 pm]
Thursday, December 22:
- Clam Bake @ Logan Inn, 10 W. Ferry St, New Hope, PA [5 - 9 pm]
- Sushi Night in the Wine Cellar @ The Inn at Lambertville Station, 11 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ [6 - 10 pm]
For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County. Follow Bucks County Taste on Facebook and Twitter.
As the holidays approach, the focus shifts and holiday eating – or partying – takes center stage. There are fewer markets as the growing season ends, fewer food events and more shopping and getting ready for the holidays. This is my way of saying that I’ve noticed the our calendar slimming down, even if the rest of us are bulking up!
To market, to market. But…there are still farmers’ markets going on and still fresh produce to be had. More and more farmers are growing salad greens, for instance, in hoop houses and greenhouses. How splendid to be getting local greens in mid-December. Markets are also a great place to get gifts. The Stockton Market, a year-round indoor market, has many vendors – not just food – who can help out in the gift department.
Both the Wrightstown Farmers’ Market and the New Hope Farmers’ Market will have winter mini-markets this week. The Wrightstown market will be this Saturday, December 10 from 10 am to 11 pm at their regular location. Most of their regular vendors will be there. This mini-market will take place every 2nd Saturday through April until the regular weekly market opens on May 5th. For more info see their website. The New Hope Farmers’ Market is also having a winter market on the 3rd Thursday of every month through April. They meet in the parking lot of New Hope-Solebury High School from 3:30 pm to 5 pm (note the shorter hours), starting this Thursday, December 15.
For a great foodie gift for your loved one – or yourself, don’t forget Bucks County Food Tours. Each tour lasts five hours and makes stops at local farms, markets, butchers, ice creameries and bakeries for behind-the-scenes visits. Transportation and a great, locally sourced lunch are part of the deal too. Meet the people who are making, growing and raising the best food in Bucks County. See their website for more information and specific itineraries (and, yes, I’m one of the tour guides!).
Firehouse breakfasts and dinners abound. Two firehouse dinners take place this weekend, one up in Erwinna on Friday and one in Plumsteadville on Saturday, and two breakfasts – at Silverdale and Richland Township – are happening on Sunday. Check the full calendar for details.
For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County. Have a delicious weekend. Follow Bucks County Taste also on Facebook and Twitter.
Friday, December 9:
- Christmas Tea (class) @ The Cooking Cottage, 1731 Old Bethlehem Pike, Sellersville PA [10 am - 12 pm]
- Stockton Farmers’ Market, 19 Bridge St, Stockton, NJ [3-7 pm]
- Beer Tasting, Phillips’ Fine Wines, 17 Bridge St, Stockton, NJ [4-6 pm]
- Friday Wine & Music @ Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Rd., Pennington, NJ [5-8 pm]
- Spaghetti Dinner @ Delaware Valley Fire Company, Headquarters Road, Erwinna, PA [5:30 - 7:30 pm]
Saturday, December 10:
- Cookie Sale @ W. Swamp Mennonite Church, 2501 Allentown Road, Quakertown, PA [9 am - 12 pm]
- Cookie Walk @ Eastern Upper Bucks Senior Center, 8040 Easton Rd, Ottsville, PA [9 am - 3 pm]
- Stockton Farmers’ Market, 19 Bridge St, Stockton, NJ [9 am - 4 pm]
- Wrightstown Winter Farmers’ Mini-Market @ Wrightstown Twp. Municipal Bldg (parking lot), 2203 2nd Street Pike, Wrightstown, PA [10 - 11 am]
- Chocolate Cooking (class) @ Kitchen Garden Cooking School, 527 Center Hill Road, Upper Black Eddy, PA [10 am - 1 pm]
- Pirogie, Poppy Seed & Nut Roll Sale @ St. Mark’s Orthodox Church, 452 Durham Road, Wrightstown, PA [10 am - 2 pm]
- Wine Tasting @ Phillips’ Fine Wines, Stockton, NJ [12 - 6 pm]
- Holiday Festival @ Crossing Vineyards, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, PA [12 - 6 pm]
- Gingerbread House Making @ Kitchen Potager at Linden Hill Gardens, 8230 Easton Rd, Ottsville, PA [1 - 3 pm]
- Beer Tasting @ New Hope Beverage, New Hope [3 - 7 pm]
- Second Saturdays in New Hope – New Hope, PA [3 - 9 pm]
- Dinner @ Plumsteadville Fire Co., 5064 Stump Rd., Plumsteadville, Pa [4 - 8 pm]
- Saturday Wine & Music @ Hopewell Valley Vineyards, Pennington [5-8 pm]
Sunday, December 11:
- Christmas in New York @ Carlow Cookery, Doylestown Shopping Center, 432 North Main Street, Doylestown, PA [7:30 am - 6 pm]
- Breakfast @ Silverdale Fire Company, 111 Main Street, Silverdale, PA [8 am - 1 pm]
- Breakfast Buffet @ Richland Twshp Fire & Rescue, Quakertown, PA [8 am - 1 pm]
- Stockton Farmers’ Market – 19 Bridge St., Stockton, NJ [10 am - 4 pm]
- Holiday Festival @ Crossing Vineyards, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, PA [12 - 6 pm]
- Holiday Open House @ The Moland House (Washington’s Headquarters), 1641 Old York Road, Hartsville, PA [1 - 4 pm]
- A Dummies Guide to Wine Tasting @ Crossing Vineyards, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, PA [2 - 4 pm]
Monday, December 12:
- Christmas Cookies! (class) @ The Cooking Cottage, 1731 Old Bethlehem Pike, Sellersville PA [6:30 - 8:30 pm]
Tuesday, December 13:
- Christmas Cookies! (class) @ The Cooking Cottage, 1731 Old Bethlehem Pike, Sellersville PA [6:30 - 8:30 pm]
- Literate Epicures of Newtown @ Newtown Bookshop, 2829 South Eagle Rd, Newtown, PA (Village at Newtown Shopping Ctr) [7 - 8:30 pm]
Wednesday, December 14:
- Pierogy Wednesdays @ St Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church, St. Anne Activity Hall, 1545 Easton Road, Warrington, PA [9 am - 12 pm]
- Wine Down Wednesdays @ Old Bethlehem Road Hotel, 243 Old Bethlehem Road, Quakertown, PA [6 - 9 pm]
Thursday, December 15:
- Christmas Cookies! (class) @ The Cooking Cottage, 1731 Old Bethlehem Pike, Sellersville PA [10 am - 12 pm]
- New Hope Winter Farmers’ Market – In the parking lot of the New Hope Solebury High School, Bridge St, New Hope, PA [3:30 - 5:00 pm]
- Clam Bake @ Logan Inn, 10 W. Ferry St, New Hope, PA [5 - 9 pm]
- Sushi Night in the Wine Cellar @ The Inn at Lambertville Station, 11 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ [6 - 10 pm]
For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County. Follow Bucks County Taste on Facebook and Twitter.
"Winter Fest, Choice Chili Cookoff, Pancake Breakfasts & more. Check out BCtaste's calendar for this week. http://t.co/gUCSZ2Uz— BCTaste
