So much to do! This Friday will be the final New Hope – Lambertville Friday Night Lights on the River. Get down early, dine and drink, and enjoy the view. Why not do the Kindle Cafe Supper Club’s Fireworks Picnic Serenade at Yogaphoria in New Hope? Gourmet vegetarian/vegan food, music and fireworks. Find out more at their website.

Of course, it will be perfect cookout weather. Want to know where to get good, local meat in Bucks County? Check out our previous post, Where’s the beef? (and pork, and lamb, and chicken).

What can you expect to find produce-wise this week at local farm markets? Apples, Arugula, Basil, Beans, Beets, Berries, Broccoli, Butter Lettuce, Cabbage, Cantaloupe, Cauliflower, Chard, Sweet Corn, Cucumbers, Dandelion Greens, Eggplant, Fennel, Garlic, Green Beans, Kale, Kohlrabi, Melons, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Nectarines, Sweet White Onions, Red Onions, Parsley, Peaches, Peppers (green, red, hot), Plums, Potatoes, Radishes, Romaine lettuce, Salad Mix, Scallions, Shallots, Summer Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatillos, Tomatoes (cherry and slicing), Turnips, Watermelon, Wax Beans, and Zucchini.
 
In addition, many local farmers’ markets have vendors selling: pastured pork, beef, and chicken; cheeses and yogurt from pastured animals (cow, goat); pastured eggs; bread and baked goods; preserved products; handmade soaps and lotions; honey; maple syrup; organic, fair trade, locally roasted coffees; prepared foods and fiber products, and even seafood.

Festivals. Frenchtown, NJ hosts their annual Riverfest this weekend, beginning with a ticketed wine-tasting event benefiting the Hunterdon Land Trust on Friday evening. For more info, go to their website. Also on the Jersey side of the river, is the 4th Annual Delaware River Blues Festival at the Stockton Inn on Saturday. And do you love all things Polish? Then make your way to the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown this weekend and next for their 45th Polish-American Festival. Music, rides and pierogies!

Last chance! As some of you may know, we are running a contest right now on our Facebook (FB) page. It’s pretty simple. If you are already on FB, go to “Bucks County Taste,” join the page as a friend (click “LIKE” on the top of the page), and post a comment on the wall with these words, “I love Bucks County Taste and I want free local food.” Why? Because you will have a chance at winning a $50 gift certificate to a local farmers’ market OR a personal chef OR a local restaurant, all of your choosing. Second prize (there’s more??) is a $25 gift certificate to the same. So go to our FB page today and “LIKE” us! Click here. Contest ends September 6th!!

For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County. Have a lovely, safe weekend.

Friday, September 3rd:
Forecast – Sunny, 85°

• Stockton Farmers’ Market, Stockton, NJ [11 am - 7 pm]
• Warrington Farmers’ Market @ Valley Square, Warrington [3 - 6 pm]
• Ottsville Farmers’ Market @ Linden Hill Gardens, Ottsville [3 - 7 pm]
• Beer Tasting @ Phillips’ Fine Wines, Stockton, NJ [4 - 8 pm]
• Friday Happy Hour @ Hopewell Valley Vineyards, Pennington, NJ [5 - 8 pm]
• Barrel Tappings @ Triumph Brewing Co., New Hope [6 - 7 pm]
• Wine Tasting @ 6th Annual Frenchtown Riverfest, Frenchtown, NJ [6 - 8:30 pm]
• Friday Night un(Wine)d Concerts, Doylestown [6 - 9 pm]
• Summer Wine Concert Series @ Shady Brook Farm, Yardley [6 - 9 pm]
• Summer Music Series @ Crossing Vineyards and Winery, Washington Crossing [7 - 10 pm]
• Barbara Trent @ The Centre Bridge Inn, New Hope [7 - 11 pm]
• Kindle Cafe Supper Club’s Fireworks Picnic Serenade, New Hope  [7:00 - 10:00 pm]
• Bob Egan @ Bowman’s Tavern, New Hope [8 pm-12 am]

Saturday, September 4th:
Forecast – Sunny, 75°

• Doylestown Farmers’ Market, Doylestown [7 am - 12 pm]
• Indian Valley Farmers’ Market, Telford [8:30 am - 12:30 pm]
• Plumsteadville Grange Farm Market, Plumsteadville [9 am - 12 pm]
• Wrightstown Farmers’ Market, Wrightstown [9 am - 1 pm]
• Stockton Farmers’ Market, Stockton, NJ [9 am - 3 pm]
• 6th Annual Frenchtown Riverfest, Frenchtown, NJ [12 - 6 pm]
• 2010 45th Polish-American Festival, Doylestown [12 - 8 pm]
• The 4th Annual Delaware River Blues Festival, Stockton, NJ [12:30 - 5 pm]
• Grapevine Express Wine & Cheese Pairing, New Hope [5 - 7 pm]
• Evening Star Dinner Trains, New Hope [7 - 9 pm]

Sunday, September 5th:
Forecast – Sunny, 76°

• Breakfast Buffet @ Plumsteadville Fire Co., Plumsteadville [7 am - 12 pm]
• Saucon Valley Farmers’ Market, Hellertown [9 am - 1 pm]
• Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers’ Market, Flemington, NJ [9 am - 1 pm]
• Stockton Farmers’ Market, Stockton, NJ [10 am - 3 pm]
• Wine Tasting @ Phillips’ Fine Wines, Stockton, NJ [12 - 5 pm]
• 6th Annual Frenchtown Riverfest, Frenchtown, NJ [12 - 6 pm]
• 2010 45th Polish-American Festival, Doylestown [12 - 8 pm]
• Grapevine Express Wine & Cheese Pairing, New Hope [5 - 7 pm]

Monday, September 6th:
Labor Day

• 2010 45th Polish-American Festival, Doylestown [12 - 8 pm]
• Cruise Night Block Party @ Chubby’s Dairy Barn, Plumsteadville [6 - 9 pm]

Tuesday, September 7th:

• Langhorne Farmers’ Market, Langhorne [3:30 - 6:30 pm]
• Gluten Free / Healthy Living Support Group, Langhorne [7 - 9 pm]

Wednesday, September 8th:

• American Legion Meals on Wednesdays, Quakertown [11:30 am - 9 pm]
• The Farmers’ Market @ Playwicki Farm, Feasterville [4 - 7 pm]
• Complimentary Beer Tasting @ the Copper Leaf Grill, Buckingham [5 - 9 pm]
• Healthy Cooking 101 5-part Series with Chef Vincent Peterson, New Hope [6:30 - 8:30 pm]

Thursday, September 9th:

• Capital City Market, Trenton, NJ [11 am - 2 pm]
• Healthier Hearts Farmers’ Market, Trenton, NJ [12:30 - 5 pm]
• Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers’ Market, Flemington, NJ [3 - 7 pm]
• Lower Makefield Farmers’ Market, Yardley [3:30 - 6:30 pm]
• New Hope Farmers’ Market, New Hope [3:30 - 7 pm]
• Springtown Farmers’ Market, Springtown [4 - 7 pm]
• 94 Cent Ice Cream Cone Night @ Uncle Dave’s Ice Cream, Yardley [5 - 9 pm]
• Lobster Night @ The Centre Bridge Inn, New Hope [6 - 10 pm]

For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County, where you can also view future events. Next weekend has LOTS going on.

Related posts:

1. Labor Day in Bucks County

“It’s a lesson to be learned for the consumer: to try to buy as local as possible, to know where their (food) source is coming from,” said Tim Rick, owner of Rick’s Egg Farm in Nockamixon.

Read the full article here.

Related posts:

1. Freezing eggs

Like this weekend. Sunday may be a little warm, but I’ll still take it. What a perfect weekend to get out and enjoy the end of summer, which let’s be honest, we are all looking forward to after the heat and humidity we’ve had. There are still lots of local veggies and fruits to be had, and decent weather to can, blanch and freeze it. Or just go and sit on a patio somewhere, sipping a nice drink and toasting another beautiful evening in Bucks County.

Please LIKE us. As some of you may know, we are running a contest right now on our Facebook (FB) page. It’s pretty simple. If you are already on FB, go to “Bucks County Taste,” join the page as a friend (click the “LIKE” button on the top of the page), and post a comment on the wall with these words, 
“I love Bucks County Taste and I want free local food.” Why? Because you will have a chance at winning a $50 gift certificate to a local farmers’ market OR a personal chef OR a local restaurant, all of your choosing. Second prize (there’s more??) is a $25 gift certificate to the same. So go to our FB page today and “LIKE” us! Click here.

This Wednesday, September 1, the Bucks County Foodshed Alliance brings to a close its 2010 series of summer farm potlucks and tours at WoodsEdge Wools Farm where they raise elite-fleeced llamas and alpacas in specific color groups. The first alpaca breeding farm in New Jersey, WoodsEdge also has one of the largest herds of suri llamas in the world, representing a wide diversity of genetic lines. Today, with more than 300 llamas and alpacas and three decades of breeding experience, the Walkers offer September’s tour-goers a glimpse into their unique world. The potluck begins at 6:30pm at the Stockton farm, followed by the 7:30 pm farmer-guided tour. No RSVP needed; just bring a dish. Directions at www.alpacasllamaswoodsedge.com.

What’s else is on tap this week? Try the Biergarten Evening at Fonthill Museum on Friday evening. There will be a tutored tasting of seven German beers as well as a variety of beers from the Mesquito Grille and Keystone Homebrew at the conclusion of the tutored portion of the evening. German cuisine samples are being provided by Newportville Inn, Otto’s Brauhaus and Cabot Cheese, and there will be lively German music too! Admission is $40, $34 for members. Registration is required. Contact 215-345-0210, ext. 123.

If you love beer, then there is another (monthly) opportunity awaiting you at The Spinnerstown Hotel. On the first Wednesday of every month the host a “Meet the Brewer” night, complete with a great dinner. This Wednesday it’s featuring four beers from the Lehigh Valley’s Brew Works brewery, paired with a traditional crab boil, all for $45 per person. The foam starts at 7 pm. Contact the hotel to RSVP.

Still foaming at the mouth? Then make sure you buy tickets for Newtown’s 5th Annual Beerfest on October 16th. Great beer, food, and music on a fall day. Get your tickets soon because they usually sell out. See their website for more info and to purchase tickets.

What can you expect to find produce-wise this week at local farm markets? Apples, Arugula, Basil, Beans, Beets, Berries, Broccoli, Butter Lettuce, Cabbage, Cantaloupe, Cauliflower, Chard, Sweet Corn, Cucumbers, Dandelion Greens, Eggplant, Fennel, Garlic, Green Beans, Kale, Kohlrabi, Melons, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Nectarines, Sweet White Onions, Red Onions, Parsley, Peaches, Peppers (green, red, hot), Plums, Potatoes, Radishes, Romaine lettuce, Salad Mix, Scallions, Shallots, Summer Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatillos, Tomatoes (cherry and slicing), Turnips, Watermelon, Wax Beans, and Zucchini.

In addition, many local farmers’ markets have vendors selling: pastured pork, beef, and chicken; cheeses and yogurt from pastured animals (cow, goat); pastured eggs; bread and baked goods; preserved products; handmade soaps and lotions; honey; maple syrup; organic, fair trade, locally roasted coffees; prepared foods and fiber products, and even seafood.

For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County. Have a lovely, luscious weekend.

Friday, August 27th:
Forecast – Sunny, 80°

• Stockton Farmers’ Market, Stockton, NJ [11 am - 7 pm]
• Warrington Farmers’ Market @ Valley Square, Warrington [3 - 6 pm]
• Ottsville Farmers’ Market @ Linden Hill Gardens, Ottsville [3 - 7 pm]
• Beer Tasting @ Phillips’ Fine Wines, Stockton, NJ [4 - 8 pm]
• Friday Happy Hour @ Hopewell Valley Vineyards, Pennington, NJ [5 - 8 pm]
• Friday Night un(Wine)d Concerts, Doylestown [6 - 9 pm]
• Summer Wine Concert Series @ Shady Brook Farm, Yardley [6 - 9 pm]
• Summer Music Series @ Crossing Vineyards and Winery, Washington Crossing [7 - 10 pm]
• Biergarten Evening @ Fonthill Museum, Doylestown [7 - 10 pm]
• Barbara Trent @ The Centre Bridge Inn, New Hope [7 - 11 pm]
• Kindle Cafe Supper Club’s Fireworks Picnic Serenade, Lambertville, NJ [7:30 - 9:00 pm]
• Bob Egan @ Bowman’s Tavern, New Hope [8 pm-12 am]

Saturday, August 28th:
Forecast – Sunny, 86°

• Doylestown Farmers’ Market, Doylestown [7 am - 12 pm]
• Perkasie Farmers’ Market, Perkasie [8 am - 12 pm]
• Indian Valley Farmers’ Market, Telford [8:30 am - 12:30 pm]
• Plumsteadville Grange Farm Market, Plumsteadville [9 am - 12 pm]
• Wrightstown Farmers’ Market, Wrightstown [9 am - 1 pm]
• Stockton Farmers’ Market, Stockton, NJ [9 am - 3 pm]
• Heirloom Tomato Tasting, Doylestown [10 am - 5 pm]
• Wine Tasting @ Phillips’ Fine Wines, Stockton, NJ [12 - 5 pm]
• Grapevine Express Wine & Cheese Pairing, New Hope [5 - 7 pm]
• Chef’s Farm to Table Dinner with Christopher Hirsheimer & Melissa Hamilton, Ottsville [5 - 8 pm] SORRY, SOLD OUT.

Sunday, August 29th:
Forecast – Sunny, 92°

• Breakfast Buffet @ Plumsteadville Fire Co., Plumsteadville [7 am - 12 pm]
• Breakfast @ Haycock Fire Company, Quakertown [8 am - 12 pm]
• Saucon Valley Farmers’ Market, Hellertown [9 am - 1 pm]
• Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers’ Market, Flemington, NJ [9 am - 1 pm]
• Stockton Farmers’ Market, Stockton, NJ [10 am - 3 pm]
• Music Under the Arbor @ Alba Vineyards, Milford, NJ [1 - 4 pm]
• How Sweet It Is: Pairing Wine and Chocolate, Washington Crossing [2 - 5 pm]
• Grapevine Express Wine & Cheese Pairing, New Hope [5 - 7 pm]

Monday, August 30th:

• 94 Cents Cookie Night @ Chubby’s Dairy Barn, Plumsteadville [6 - 9 pm]
• Great Italian Cooking (Hands-on class), Doylestown [6:30 - 8:30 pm]

Tuesday, August 31st:

• Langhorne Farmers’ Market, Langhorne [3:30 - 6:30 pm]

Wednesday, September 1st:

• American Legion Meals on Wednesdays, Quakertown [11:30 am - 9 pm]
• The Farmers’ Market @ Playwicki Farm, Feasterville [4 - 7 pm]
• Complimentary Beer Tasting @ the Copper Leaf Grill, Buckingham [5 - 9 pm]
• Summer Farm Tours: WoodsEdge Wools Farm, Stockton, NJ [6:30 - 9:00 pm]
• Meet the Brewer @ The Spinnerstown Hotel, Spinnerstown [7 - 10 pm]

Thursday, September 2nd:

• Capital City Market, Trenton, NJ [11 am - 2 pm]
• Healthier Hearts Farmers’ Market, Trenton, NJ [12:30 - 5 pm]
• Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers’ Market, Flemington, NJ [3 - 7 pm]
• Lower Makefield Farmers’ Market, Yardley [3:30 - 6:30 pm]
• New Hope Farmers’ Market, New Hope [3:30 - 7 pm]
• Springtown Farmers’ Market, Springtown [4 - 7 pm]
• 94 Cent Ice Cream Cone Night @ Uncle Dave’s Ice Cream, Yardley [5 - 9 pm]
• Lobster Night @ The Centre Bridge Inn, New Hope [6 - 10 pm]

Look for Bucks County Taste on Facebook and Twitter!

We were very hungry, arriving about 7 pm, so didn’t go for the famous Chicken Dinner. But I think we should have. We started with hot dogs, then a Caesar chicken wrap later, with soft ice cream for Mark. I don’t like to be negative or preachy, but I must say, the food at the Grange Fair leaves much to be desired. Lots of fried stuff and, let’s be honest, junk. And yours truly has been dealing with a digestive problem all day. Enough said. You may want to eat before going. In fact, it’s kind of ironic that the best food at the fair is in the Exhibition Halls, where local farmers and gardeners bring their veggies for judging.

But we were in a rush. Mark wanted to see the bunnies! And the goats, the sheep, and the cows, etc. But especially the bunnies. In a previous life he had house rabbits, and we probably would today if we didn’t have a terrier and a schnauzer. I also really enjoyed watching one of the judging events for sheep. All of the handlers/owners were teenagers. It still amazes me to see kids and teens so into raising animals in this day and age of tech toys and other forms of entertainment. But it is alive and well in Bucks, and hope it stays that way.

Here’s some photos from the evening.

• Waiting to go on

  http://www.buckscountytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/100_3274.jpg

  at the sheep judging event

• Sheep judging

  http://www.buckscountytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/100_3272.jpg

• Sheep judging

  http://www.buckscountytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/100_3267.jpg

• Sheep judging

  http://www.buckscountytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/100_3268.jpg

• At the Dairy Association Booth

  http://www.buckscountytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/100_3275.jpg

• Beef for sale

  http://www.buckscountytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/100_3264.jpg

• Rabbit

  http://www.buckscountytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/100_3263.jpg

  at the 2010 Middletown Grange Fair

• "I am SO done with this"

  http://www.buckscountytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/100_3262.jpg

• Brenda Slack of the Milk House Farm

  http://www.buckscountytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/100_3249.jpg

  also picks up a ribbon for best Market Basket

• Prize-winning corn

  http://www.buckscountytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Corn.jpg

• Mark communing with a bunny

  http://www.buckscountytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Mark_bunnies.jpg

  at the 2010 Middletown Grange Fair

• Grange Fair chicken dinner

  http://www.buckscountytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/100_2138.jpg

• Squash contestants

  http://www.buckscountytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Squash_2010_Grange_Fair1.jpg

  at the 2010 Middletown Grange Fair

• Anchor Run Farm gets the Blue Ribbon

  http://www.buckscountytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/100_3253.jpg

  for best Market Basket

Related posts:

1. Food at the Middletown Grange Fair
2. 61st Annual Grange Fair Opens Today

PASTA CAPRESE

Serves 4 to 6. Published in Cooks Illustrated, July 1, 2007.

This dish will be very warm, not hot. The success of this recipe depends on high-quality ingredients, including ripe, in-season tomatoes and a fruity olive oil (the test kitchen prefers Columela Extra-Virgin). Don’t skip the step of freezing the mozzarella, as freezing prevents it from turning chewy when it comes in contact with the hot pasta. If handmade buffalo- or cow’s-milk mozzarella is available (it’s commonly found in gourmet and cheese shops packed in water), we highly recommend using it, but skip the step of freezing and add it to the tomatoes while marinating. Additional lemon juice or up to 1 teaspoon sugar can be added at the end to taste, depending on the ripeness of the tomatoes.

INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2-4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice (see note above)
1 small garlic clove , minced or pressed through a garlic press (about 1/2 teaspoon)
1 small shallot , minced fine (about 2 tablespoons)
1 1/2 pounds ripe tomatoes , cored, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch dice
12 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese , cut into 1/2-inch cubes (see note above)
1 pound penne pasta or other short tubular or curly pasta such as fusilli or campanelle
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1 teaspoon sugar (see note above)

HOW TO

1. Whisk oil, 2 teaspoons lemon juice, garlic, shallot, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper together in large bowl. Add tomatoes and gently toss to combine; set aside. Do not marinate tomatoes for longer than 45 minutes.
2. While tomatoes are marinating, place mozzarella on plate and freeze until slightly firm, about 10 minutes. [If using fresh mozzarella, skip this step, but add cheese to tomato mixture above). Bring 4 quarts water to rolling boil in stockpot. Add 1 tablespoon salt and pasta, stir to separate, and cook until al dente. Drain well.
3. Add pasta and mozzarella to tomato mixture and gently toss to combine. Let stand 5 minutes. Stir in basil; adjust seasonings with salt, pepper, and additional lemon juice or sugar, if desired, and serve immediately.

Look for Bucks County Taste on Facebook and Twitter!

Best Decorated

1. Fast Flying Fairy (who came in second last year – way to go!) by Allison Templeton
2. Airplane to Zucchini by Sam Hoffman
3. The Unbeetable by the Valerio Family

Fastest Zucchini

1. The Unbeetable by the Valerio Family
2. Rabbit Racer by Olivia Pfaendtner
3. Zucchini Coach by Helene Pfaendtner

Click here to see more photos

• The Unbeetable

  http://www.buckscountytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/100_3226.jpg

  2010 Lower Makefield Farmers' Market Zucchini Race

• Zucchini racers on display

  http://www.buckscountytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/100_3228.jpg

  before the heats

• More zucchini racers on

  http://www.buckscountytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/100_3231.jpg

  before the heats

• Sam Hoffman waits in

  http://www.buckscountytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/100_3234.jpg

  anticipation at the finish line

• Fans at the

  http://www.buckscountytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/100_3235.jpg

  finish line

• 1st prize for Best Decorated

  http://www.buckscountytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/100_3244.jpg

  "Fast Flying Fairy" by Allison Templeton

• 2nd prize for Best Decorated

  http://www.buckscountytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/Sam-Hoffman_2nd-place_BD.jpg

  "Airplane to Zucchini" by Sam Hoffman

• 1st prize for Speed and 3rd prize for Best Decorated

  http://www.buckscountytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/100_3241.jpg

  "The Unbeetable" by the Valerio Family

• 2nd prize for Speed

  http://www.buckscountytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/100_3239.jpg

  "Rabbit Racer" by Olivia Pfaendtner

• 3rd prize for Speed

  http://www.buckscountytaste.com/wp-content/uploads/slideshow-gallery/100_3238.jpg

  "Zucchini Coach" by Helene Pfaendtner

Look for Bucks County Taste on Facebook and Twitter!

Related posts:

1. What to do with all those zucchinis

But believe it or not apples are already showing up in Bucks County. I got news from Tabora Farms in Chalfont that they now have u-pick apples including Tydeman and MacIntosh, with red and golden delicious to follow in about two weeks. Check out their website or Facebook page for updates. Solebury Orchards reports on their website that Gala apples will be ready for picking around August 28th.

Of course the big news this weekend is the Middletown Grange Fair, in its 62nd year, held on the Middletown Grange grounds in Wrightstown (just north of Newtown). If you’ve never been – and even if you have – go! It’s a lot of fun, full of great exhibits, live, beautiful animals, food and amusements. And the Grange is a great cause to support – keeping farming and livestock a part of Bucks County for hopefully a long time to come. For schedule of events, see their website. I’ll do a post later today or Sunday of some photos. The fair runs through Sunday.

Farmers’ markets are still going strong with just about every vegetable and lovely seasonal fruit you can imagine. For a list of farmers’ markets in Bucks County and nearby, see the events calendar below or at our Food Events in Bucks County online calendar.

Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter too for more frequent updates. Have a beautiful and joyful weekend.

For calendar details, read more here…

Friday, August 20th:
Forecast – Sunny, 90°

• 62nd Annual Middletown Grange Fair, Wrightstown [10 am - 11 pm]
• Stockton Farmers’ Market, Stockton, NJ [11 am - 7 pm]
• Warrington Farmers’ Market @ Valley Square, Warrington [3 - 6 pm]
• Ottsville Farmers’ Market @ Linden Hill Gardens, Ottsville [3 - 7 pm]
• Beer Tasting @ Phillips’ Fine Wines, Stockton, NJ [4 - 8 pm]
• Friday Happy Hour @ Hopewell Valley Vineyards, Pennington, NJ [5 - 8 pm]
• Friday Night un(Wine)d Concerts, Doylestown [6 - 9 pm]
• Summer Wine Concert Series @ Shady Brook Farm, Yardley [6 - 9 pm]
• Wine Tasting for Singles @ Crossing Vineyards and Winery, Washington Crossing [7 - 9 pm]
• Summer Music Series @ Crossing Vineyards and Winery, Washington Crossing [7 - 10 pm]
• Barbara Trent @ The Centre Bridge Inn, New Hope [7 - 11 pm]
• Kindle Cafe Supper Club @ Rojo’s Roastery, Lambertville, NJ [7:30 - 9:00 pm]
• Bob Egan @ Bowman’s Tavern, New Hope [8 pm-12 am]

Saturday, August 21st:
Forecast – Sunny, 87°

• Doylestown Farmers’ Market, Doylestown [7 am - 12 pm]
• Indian Valley Farmers’ Market, Telford [8:30 am - 12:30 pm]
• Plumsteadville Grange Farm Market, Plumsteadville [9 am - 12 pm]
• Wrightstown Farmers’ Market, Wrightstown [9 am - 1 pm]
• Stockton Farmers’ Market, Stockton, NJ [9 am - 3 pm]
• 62nd Annual Middletown Grange Fair, Wrightstown [10 am - 11 pm]
• Chicken BBQ @ Newportville Fire Co. #1, Newportville [11 am - 6 pm]
• Wine Tasting @ Phillips’ Fine Wines, Stockton, NJ [12 - 5 pm]
• Grapevine Express Wine & Cheese Pairing, New Hope [5 - 7 pm]
• Evening Star Dinner Train, New Hope [7 - 9 pm]

Sunday, August 22nd:
Forecast – Isolated Thunderstorms, 80°

• Breakfast Buffet @ Plumsteadville Fire Co., Plumsteadville [7 am - 12 pm]
• Breakfast Buffet @ Father Gallen Council 5494, Warrington [7:30 am - 11 am]
• Saucon Valley Farmers’ Market, Hellertown [9 am - 1 pm]
• Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers’ Market, Flemington, NJ [9 am - 1 pm]
• Stockton Farmers’ Market, Stockton, NJ [10 am - 3 pm]
• 62nd Annual Middletown Grange Fair, Wrightstown [10 am - 11 pm]
• 19th Annual Ukrainian Folk Festival, Horsham [12 - 8 pm]
• Music Under the Arbor @ Alba Vineyards, Milford, NJ [1 - 4 pm]
• Grapevine Express Wine & Cheese Pairing, New Hope [5 - 7 pm]

Monday, August 23rd:
Forecast – Isolated Thunderstorms, 80°

• 94 Cents Cookie Night @ Chubby’s Dairy Barn, Plumsteadville [6 - 9 pm]
• Delicious Desserts (class), Doylestown [7 - 9 pm]

Tuesday, August 24th:

• Langhorne Farmers’ Market, Langhorne [3:30 - 6:30 pm]

Wednesday, August 25th:

• American Legion Meals on Wednesdays, Quakertown [11:30 am - 9 pm]
• The Farmers’ Market @ Playwicki Farm, Feasterville [4 - 7 pm]
• Complimentary Beer Tasting @ the Copper Leaf Grill, Buckingham [5 - 9 pm]
• Essential Knife Skills for Home Cooks (Hands-on) (class), Doylestown [6:30 - 8:30 pm]

Thursday, August 26th:

• Capital City Market, Trenton, NJ [11 am - 2 pm]
• Healthier Hearts Farmers’ Market, Trenton, NJ [12:30 - 5 pm]
• Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers’ Market, Flemington, NJ [3 - 7 pm]
• Lower Makefield Farmers’ Market, Yardley [3:30 - 6:30 pm]
• New Hope Farmers’ Market, New Hope [3:30 - 7 pm]
• Springtown Farmers’ Market, Springtown [4 - 7 pm]
• 94 Cent Ice Cream Cone Night @ Uncle Dave’s Ice Cream, Yardley [5 - 9 pm]
• Lobster Night @ The Centre Bridge Inn, New Hope [6 - 10 pm]

Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter too for more frequent updates.

For as long as I can remember, the little roadhouse on the corner of Old Bethlehem Road and Rt. 563 near Lake Nockamixon State Park, was known as Cappie’s.  It wasn’t the kind of place that I frequented, but it was sort of an institution until it closed a number of months ago.  Now in its place is Becker’s Corner, a bar/restaurant that I tried out for lunch with my parents, who live nearby.

The first thing you notice when you walk in is the decor.  Lots of restored stone and woodwork give it a comfortable feel.  I don’t know what it looked like before, but someone along the line put in some work to get it to its present state.  The building was once a one-room school, so it’s not huge, but there’s plenty of seating at tables or the bar.

The owner of Becker’s Corner also owns the Full Moon Café in Lambertville, NJ.  The Full Moon chef headed north to take over the kitchen at Becker’s.  Clearly, a seasoned chef has come up with the selections they offer.

The menu has something for everyone and the whole menu is available at any time (they’re open from 11AM to midnight, 7 days a week).  If you have trouble making decisions, give yourself some time because there are lots of choices offered.

Appetizers include about 10 different versions of chicken wings, fried calamari and much more.  We got an order of spinach/artichoke dip to share.  It was served hot with melted cheese and red tortilla chips.  Basic, but very tasty.

The menu includes a wide selection of sandwiches.  Since it was lunch, we each chose from this section: Dad got a Cider Marinated Pork BBQ sandwich; Mom went healthy with a Sweet & Sour Turkey Wrap, which included pineapple, chunks of turkey and rice; I decided on one of their specialty burgers with mushrooms, asparagus, shallot and blue cheese.  All were served with waffle fries and a pickle.  The advantage of going to dinner with family is that you can freely ask for a taste, so I know first-hand that every sandwich was substantial and tasty, although I’d say Dad’s BBQ was my favorite.

The salad menu includes a Caesar, an Asian salad with Orange Vinaigrette and a number of other salads with choice of dressings.  They also have a really nice kid’s menu—pasta, chicken, even a petite filet mignon (perfect for my little carnivore).

The entrée menu has plenty to choose from including Salmon with Ginger Lime Beurre Blanc, Boneless Pork Ribs over Cheddar Onion Grits, Sweet Chili Rubbed Chicken with Cornbread Stuffing and a variety of pasta dishes.  It definitely makes me want to return and try one of these meals.

Speaking of returning, after lunch we were given a card to bring to our next visit.  At the end of our next meal, the card entitles us to roll a die and, if we roll a 3, up to 4 meals at our table are free (excluding alcohol, tax, and gratuity).  It can be used as many times as we visit before the expiration date.  A clever way to get patrons to come back, but the food is good enough to do the job on its own.

So next time you’re over by Lake Nockamixon, stop in at Becker’s Corner—just leave yourself enough time for those tough decisions!

Postscript:  The family and I went back to Becker’s for lunch yesterday. The food was again very good, but the best part was that Jake rolled a “3″ and we got our lunch free ($36.80)!

Becker’s Corner
110 Old Bethlehem Rd.
Quakertown, PA  18951
215.536.3220