Bucks County Taste » BYOB

BBYOB – What’s your favorite? UPDATE

Lynne Goldman — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 20:28:57 +0000

Last year around this time we first published our BYOB Food Map for Bucks County and nearby – an interactive Google Map with tons of BYOB (Bring your own bottle) restaurants in Bucks County.

So, I’m curious…what’s your favorite BBYOB (Bucks Bring Your Own Bottle)?

I try to keep it updated, but you all could really help by letting us know – anytime – your favorite BYOB. Take a look at the map and, if one of your places is missing, leave your comments below or on our Facebook page, or email us. And while you’re at it, what kind of wine do you grab most often? Thanks for your input!

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Cozy, comfy winter meals – BYOB

Lynne Goldman — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 16:59:49 +0000

Update 1/16/12: This restaurant closed Fall 2011.

Is there anything nicer than cozying up by a roaring fire with a drink and good food this time of year? Yes, when someone else is doing the cooking!

I just received an email from one of our favorite BYOB restaurants, The Cafe at Rosemont. We’ve only been to this warm, comfy little restaurant a few times, and then only for weekend breakfast. Their food is delicious and inventive, and we always leave satisfied. They also have tapas every Thursday evenings. But every Wednesday evening they have a special dinner, usually around a global theme. (Get on their email list to be informed each week.) Next week will be “The French Alps.” But this week… in honor of The King – Elvis Presley – who would have been 76 years old this Saturday, they are offering this 3-course meal for $24. I’m humming and swinging already!

1st Course

Vernon Presley’s Black-eyed Peas & Bacon Soup

Col. Parker’s Ambrosia Salad

2nd Course

Priscilla’s Glazed Ham with Sweet Potatoes

“Hunk of Burning Love” Chicken with Barbecue Sauce & Rice Pilaf

“Suspicious Minds” Baked Grits with Cheese & Greens

Dessert

“Love Me Tender” Peanut Butter & Banana Mousse

“Jailhouse Rock” Pecan Bourbon Pie

And I really couldn’t put it better than Lola Wykoff, owner of the Cafe, when she said in her email,

Winter days can leave you longing for an easy escape and a good meal in addition to warm feet … This time of year can be hard on a small business, so we ask our fans to keep supporting us and tell your friends to give us a try.

It’s good to remember that as much as we may sometimes want to curl up and stay at home, our favorite restaurants need our support especially this time of year. Check out our map of BYOBs in Bucks and nearby to find more great eats.

The Cafe at Rosemont
Corner of Routes 519 & 604
Rosemont, NJ
609.397.4097

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Bucks BYOB Map

Lynne Goldman — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:00:47 +0000

You asked for it…now you’ve got it. I just put together a map of BYOB restaurants in Bucks and nearby, those I know and many recommended by BCTaste readers. Feel free to leave a comment if you feel we’ve left someone out. More than happy to add them. And tell all your friends!

And, by all means, tell the restaurant where you heard about ‘em if you go. Thanks!

To see the BBYOB map, go to the “Maps” tab at the top of this web page, or click on this link.

BBYOB – What’s your favorite?

Lynne Goldman — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 12:00:31 +0000

My parents are BIG fans of bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) restaurants. I also get a lot of folks searching for BYOBs in Bucks County (I can see which search terms have brought people to Bucks County Taste). But I think these little gems are still on the rare side in Bucks, and I’d like to find more. I know some of the places we like – The Summer Kitchen (close to home in Wrightstown), Rick’s (Lambertville), Hamilton’s Grill Room (Lambertville), Rouget (Newtown), Charcoal Steaks n’Things (Yardley), and El Mariachi (Plumsteadville) to name only a few.

So, I’m curious…what’s your favorite BBYOB (Bucks Bring Your Own Bottle)? Leave your comments below or on our Facebook group page. And while you’re at it, what kind of wine do you grab most often? Thanks for your input!

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Lunch at Domani Star

Lynne Goldman — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:00:00 +0000

by guest blogger Rich Baringer

My wife, Mary Beth, and I celebrated our 15th anniversary on November 25th. For the occasion, we decided to meet for lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, Domani Star, in Doylestown.

If you’ve been to Domani Star for dinner, you understand why it’s a favorite. It’s an intimate, family-owned place with delicious Italian food all made from scratch. It always takes so long to decide what to order from their menu (“I’ll have one of each, please.”). I was expecting much the same menu for lunch, maybe with smaller portions. When I realized that the lunch menu was different, I was disappointed…until I started reading it.

Domani Star’s lunch menu makes it just as hard to decide what to order. Soup and starters begin the menu—we both tried a cup of the soup of the day, a very tasty Tuscan bean stew. Next on the menu comes a variety of salads—grilled radicchio, mixed greens, etc.—and all can have chicken, salmon or shrimp added.

For the main course, you can order a number of homemade pasta dishes—lasagna, spaghetti with tomato sauce, and penne with Bolognese sauce. I love sandwiches and Domani Star has many tasty offerings: chicken breast with aged Provolone and broccoli rabe; grilled veggies with mozzarella; Angus burger with your choice of cheese.

I decided to go with the grilled scaloppini of pork tenderloin with mozzarella, grilled red onion and bacon on grilled Tuscan bread. Mary Beth chose the “Harvest” chicken sandwich with baked sweet potato, aged Vermont cheddar and lettuce. Both meals came with some incredible thin-cut, perfectly fried French fries. Mmmm…yummy.

The food was served with the usual friendly service we get at Domani Star. It was filling, reasonable and quite delicious. It wasn’t what I expected, but I was far from disappointed. I still have yet to have a Domani Star meal that I didn’t love.

Domani Star
57 W State St.
Doylestown, PA 18901
215. 230. 9100

Going out for Thanksgiving

Lynne Goldman — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:03:40 +0000

There is an UPDATE for this post for 2010. Click here.

It’s nothing to be ashamed of. You can go out for Thanksgiving instead of making it at home. In fact, so many people are doing it these days that more and more restaurants are staying open and offering prix fixe deals for the day. Some places are also offering “Turkey To Go,” so you can bring the whole meal home. Your guests need never know…

I did a little bit of research and found seventeen Bucks County restaurants (and three in Jersey) open with Thanksgiving special menus. There are probably more. Let me know of any others by all means, and I’ll add them to the post. These are in alphabetical order with any interesting details I could find. Following the listing are a few of the places who are offering Thanksgiving meals for take-out.

The Black Bass Hotel is offering a seven-course dinner, served from noon to 8:30 pm, at a prix fixe of $47.95 per person. The inn is at 3774 River Road in Lumberville. Phone: 215.297.9260

The Brick Hotel at 1 East Washington Ave. in Newtown is putting on both Thanksgiving Brunch and Dinner. Brunch starts at 9:30 am and goes to 4:30 pm (last seating at 3 pm). Price for adults is $32.99 and for children, $15.99. The a la carte dinner is from 5:30 to 10:00 pm. See the above links for more menu details and call 215.860.8313 for reservations.

The Buck Hotel is offering a “Family Style” Thanksgiving dinner from noon to 6 pm. Price for adults is $31.95 (plus tax and gratuity) and $15.95 for children. The Buck is at 1200 Buck Road in Feasterville. You can reach them at 215.396.2002 for reservations.

The Cascade Lodge is cooking a whole turkey for parties of 4 or more, including all the traditional fixings. And you can even take home the leftover turkey! Cost is $27.95 per person (plus tax and gratuity). The Lodge is at 5065 Lehnenberg Rd. in Kintnersville, and will be open from noon to 7 pm. Phone: 610.346.7484

The Freight House in Doylestown will open at 11 am on Thanksgiving Day and offer a range of special entrees including Maple Glazed Turkey Breast, Peppercorn Crusted Beef Tenderloin, Rosemary Garlic Prime Rib, Roast Leg of Lamb and Tea Smoked Pork Loin. For reservations, call 215.340.1003. The Freight House is right by the Doylestown Train Station on 100 S. Clinton St.

The Indian Rock Inn is offering a four-course All American Thanksgiving Feast from noon to 7:30 pm, for
$38.00 per person (children under 12 years: $19.00). Seating is limited and reservations are required. Phone: 610.982.9600. The Inn is at 2206 River Road (Route 32) in Upper Black Eddy.

The Logan Inn in New Hope is hosting Thanksgiving Day Dinner from noon to 7 pm, offering a variety of entrees, for $32.95 per person. All dinners come with soup, salad, dessert and coffee. Entrees include Turkey, Ham, Grilled Long Island Duck Breast, Sauerbraten and Herb Encrusted Filet. Children have a choice of Turkey or Ham Dinner ($12.95) or Pasta with Marinara Sauce ($10.95). The inn is at 10 W. Ferry St. Phone: 215.862.2300

The Mansion Inn, also in New Hope, will be serving a special a la carte Thanksgiving menu from noon to 8 pm. Try the Pumpkin Bisque Soup, or for entrees, Roast Turkey, Glazed Ham, Butternut Squash Ravioli, or Grilled Salmon. The Mansion Inn is at 9 9 South Main Street. For reservations, call 215.862.1231

Marsha Brown will be open from noon to 8 pm with a Creole-inspired Thanksgiving menu that makes you want to move to Louisiana. Choices include a Lobster, Shrimp and Crawfish Bisque, Turkey with Corn Bread Andouille and Chestnut Stuffing, Duck and Andouille Sausage Jambalaya, a 10 oz. Filet with Béarnaise Sauce*, and Eggplant Ophelia. Side dishes are served family style and dessert is also part of the $49.95 per person deal (*$59.95 for the filet). Marsha Brown’s is at 15 South Main Street in New Hope. Reservations: 215.862.7044

At Peddler’s Village in Lahaska, the options are varied. The Cock ‘n Bull is hosting a Thanksgiving Harvest Feast Buffet from noon to 6 pm. Adults: $27.95 and children: $13.95. Both Earl’s and Sweet Lorraine’s will do a regular menu with some “off the menu” Thanksgiving items. People can either pick and choose the Thanksgiving items or can have a three course prix fixe option from those choices. Click on the links above for more information, including phone numbers for reservations.

The Richlandtown Inn in Upper Bucks County is offering a fixed menu with five dinner options, including turkey, ham and seafood for entree choices. The inn will be open from noon to 8 pm. Prices vary depending on your entree choice from $16.95 (Turkey) to $30 (Filet Mignon). For reservations, call 215.536.6239. The Richlandtown Inn, sometimes referred to as the Richlandtown Hotel, is located in the center of Richlandtown on Route 212 (101 S. Main Street at Union St.).

The Temperance House is presenting a gourmet Thanksgiving Grand Buffet featuring a hand-carved turkey station and steamship of beef with all the fixings for $24.95 per person (adult) and $12.95 (child). The Temp is at 5 N. State St in Newtown. Call 215.860.9975 for reservations.

Vaders Bar & Grill in Southampton is offering a great deal — a Thanksgiving Turkey meal for $16.95 per person ($6.99 for kids). In addition, their regular menu will be available. Reservations are being taken for seatings at 2/2:30 pm, 4/4:30 pm and 6/6:30 pm. Call 215.953.7575 for more information. Vaders is on 727 Second Street Pike. You can also get a turkey dinner to go. Details below.

The Washington House is seating for a 3-course Thanksgiving dinner including choice of soup or salad, entree, dessert and coffee for $29.95-32.95 (adult) and $9.95 (child). A la carte menu also available. You can find them at 136 N. Main Street in Sellersville. Phone: 215.257.3000

The Waterwheel Restaurant in Doylestown is presenting a Grand Thanksgiving Day Buffet from 2 to 6 pm. $35.00 per person, kids under 10 y.o. half-price. Check out the menu and call for reservations at 215.345.9544. The Waterwheel is at 4424 Old Easton Rd.

The Yardley Inn Restaurant and Bar will be serving dinner 1-7 pm on Thanksgiving Day. In addition to their regular menu, they will offer a special menu for the holiday. Entrees range in price from $19 to $38. You can find the Yardley Inn at the corner of Afton Ave. and River Rd. in Yardley. For reservations, call: 215.493.3800.

And nearby, on the Jersey side of the river:

Erini Restaurant at 1140 River Rd. in Ewing will be open on Thanksgiving from 2 to 6 pm, offering 4-course dinners, based on the price of the entree. You can reach them at 609.882.0303

Hamilton’s Grill Room will be offering a Thanksgiving Family Dinner Dinner, served from 1 to 5 pm. Call the restaurant for more information and reservations at 609.397.4343. Hamilton’s is at 8 Coryell St. in Lambertville. And don’t forget, they are also BYOB.

The Lambertville Station Restaurant is offering a traditional turkey dinner entree as well as a variety of other selections (ranging $18-$32) on Turkey Day. The restaurant, at 11 Bridge St. in Lambertville, can be reached at 609.397.8300 for more information and reservations.

Interested in Turkey-to-Go? Here’s a few places that are offering a cooked turkey with all the fixings:

Earl’s in Peddler’s Village is offering a Thanksgiving Feast to Go including a Bolton Farm Tom turkey (raised locally in Silverdale), giblet gravy, butter whipped mashed potatoes, apple sage dressing, green beans, candied yams, cranberry chutney, assorted rolls and a choice of apple, pumpkin or pecan pie. Pricing: for 4-7 guests $160 (one pie) and for 8-12 guests $230 (two pies). Add an additional 14 to 16 lb. turkey for $70. Easy and convenient curbside pick-up on Thanksgiving Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the rear of Earl’s. Orders must be received by Sunday, November 22. Call: 215.794-4020.

Vaders Bar & Grill in Southampton is offering a Thanksgiving Dinner to feed “at least” eight people for $79.95. You can get the 20-22# turkey fully cooked (just warm it up when you get home) or partially cooked, with you finishing the last 30 minutes in your oven. A $20 deposit is requested Call 215.953.7575 for more information.

Wegmans in Warrington has lowered the price on their famous take-out Thanksgiving meal this year and is offering some new options. A Premium Turkey Dinner is $79.99, serves 8-10 and includes 4 sides, gravy and cranberry orange relish. A hand-carved Roasted Turkey Dinner is available in two sizes: the medium serves 5-6 and cost $99; the large serves 10-12 and costs $179. Both include 4 sides, gravy and cranberry orange relish. You can also order the items a la carte. See more details online and call the Catering Department at 215.918.3908 to order.

A Taste of Mexico in Lambertville

Lynne Goldman — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:01:56 +0000

This is our second post in a series on Mexican restaurants in Bucks (and nearby). Our first was on Los Sarapes. Keep checking in for more reviews and let us know about your favorite Mexican restaurant.

by guest blogger Elisabeth Villarroel

If you are looking for authentic Mexican cuisine, Buho is the place for you. This little restaurant, tucked away on a small alley in Lambertville, has a menu filled with delicious Mexican delights.

I heard about Buho from my parents, who have been raving about it for months. My dad, I should mention, was born in Mexico City, so when he says, “This is the best Mexican food in the area,” it carries some weight. When they invited my husband and I for dinner on a recent Saturday night, we were eagerly looking forward to homestyle Mexican cooking.

Buho is BYOB, but conveniently located across the street from a liquor store. It was 5pm and the single room dining area was empty – but not for long. We had reservations and the hostess/waitress greeted us like family, giving us our choice of the 20 or so tables, many of which were marked reserved (by the time we left nearly all the tables were full). The room was warmly decorated, painted yellow and adorned with owl figurines (“buho” means owl in Spanish). She quickly brought over menus, water, chips, and three different homemade salsas varying in color, flavor, and heat, all very good.

The menu was almost overwhelming in its variety — everything from a long list of traditional Mexican dishes, like Mole Poblano and Tampiqueña, and mouth-watering appetizers, like Queso Fundido, to American favorites like Fajitas and Quesadillas.

Buho's Carne Asada

I decided to get Carne Asada, a dish of thin strips of grilled marinated beef. Being a standard at many Mexican restaurants, I knew I could use it as a good comparison. Because I have a number of food allergies, I always start my order with the list of foods I can’t have and ask if what I plan to order will be ok. The waitress had a thorough knowledge of the menu and because everything used in their foods is made on the premises, she was able to tell me the ingredients in my order down to the oils used, which is a level of detail I don’t often find readily available. My husband ordered Tampiqueña, a steak, pounded flat, covered in cheese and sauce, and served with two cheese enchiladas and rajas (fried chiles and onions). This was also a popular item that could be used as benchmark.

The appetizers arrived quickly. Our waitress recommended the house special, Nachos con Chorizo. These are not your typical nachos. A generous portion of chips, chorizo, rajas, lettuce, and tomato was covered in a variety of Mexican cheeses; no ground beef or cheese whiz here. As we worked on the nachos our waitress shared that Buho opened in January 2008. The owner/chef Jessica Hernandez, an El Salvadorian, shares cooking duties with one other chef, which ensures that the quality is consistent and always authentic.

Buho's Tampiquena

On to the main courses. The Carne Asada met and exceeded my expectations. The steak was tender and topped with rajas. The dish came with yellow rice, refried beans, and a small salad of lettuce, cucumbers and tomato, which also were delicious, and when I wanted more rice, it arrived quickly and at no charge. My husband’s Tampiqueña, also served with yellow rice and refried beans, was excellent and among the best he has had.

The dessert list was tempting, with traditional delicacies such as Flan and Tres Leches cake, but I had no room left. Next time I’ll try to have better control when the basket of chips comes!

Buho
13 Klines Court
Lambertville, NJ 08530
609-397-6767

Yardley’s Charcoal Steaks N’Things

Mark Feffer — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 15:36:44 +0000

Directly across from the Delaware River in Yardley is Charcoal Steaks N’Things, a bright steakhouse that is truly family style in a way chain steakhouses only claim to be.

First thing to know: This is a BYOB place. It’s not big on décor – it feels kind of like a new Perkins, without the kitsch. But what struck us first, once we sat down and examined the menu, were the prices – for a restaurant trumpeting steak, this place is inexpensive. (“Steak” and “inexpensive” are not words I’m used to putting in the same sentence.) A 14-ounce New York strip is $22.95, an 8-ounce Gorgonzola Steak, topped with shallots and gorgonzola is $17.95. Salmon Dijonaise is $12.95.

I had the steak gorgonzola and a grilled romaine salad, which is worth the trip in itself. Lynne ordered the Tumble Weed Steak, a $17.95 8-ounce steak rubbed with spices and topped with “frizzled” (read: fried) onions. Both steaks came exactly as ordered: Lynne’s medium-rare, and mine rare. That seems to be a difficult feat for many places to pull off nowadays, so it’s notable.

The service here is quick, friendly and efficient. The wait staff cheerfully tag teams each other to make sure meals come out at a reasonable pace and that tables are cleaned. In a hurry? No problem. They’ll get you out of there. Want to hang out for a while? No worries.

Because it’s built on a second floor just across the street from the river, we can see where this would be a fine place for dinner during the summer months, especially if you get a window table. There’s nothing to block your view of the water while you eat.

Charcoal Steaks N’ Things is located at 11 South Delaware Avenue (River Road) in Yardley. Phone (215) 493-6394. Hours are 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., seven days a week. A friend tells us they serve great breakfasts. In the name of complete reporting, we’ll try that soon.

BBYOB – What’s your favorite?

Suppers at the Summer Kitchen

Mark Feffer — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 19:24:37 +0000

We had a wonderful dinner the other night at the Summer Kitchen in Penn’s Park , taking advantage of its mid-week suppers, which allow you to enjoy chef Mario Korenstein’s creativity without going overboard on your dining budget. This isn’t an overpriced restaurant by any stretch, but the suppers make it a nice mid-week option.

The night we went was cold and blustery, the perfect night for chicken pot pie – so perfect, in fact, Lynne and I both ordered it. Served in a wide dish, topped with a light puff of pastry, the pie’s filling was a blend of fresh vegetables, big slices of chicken, potatoes, balsamic-infused mushrooms and a lightly peppered fontina cheese cream sauce. I’m not a big fan of mushrooms, but these were wonderful.

The Kitchen’s weeknight suppers, their prices ranging from $10 to $14, are served Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights. The restaurant call the portions “sensible,” but I thought they were pretty generous. Live guitar music goes along with the meal on Friday nights. The Summer Kitchen is BYOB, and is in the Gathering Shopping Village at the corner of Route 232 and Penn’s Park Road.

BBYOB – What’s your favorite?

Basilleaf’s Delight

Mark Feffer — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 18:36:42 +0000

When thinking about our dinner at Basilleaf, a BYOB Vietnamese restaurant at 2808 South Eagle Road in Newtown, I keep coming back to the word “delightful.” First off, it’s a friendly place, with everyone from the wait staff to the kitchen staff showing up at your table to make sure your service is good. Then there’s the food, which is fresh, imaginative, flavorful and subtle all at once. With entree prices ranging from about $9 to $21, you can have a wonderful meal there without spending a lot of money.

Lynne and I visited with Sally and Arnie (I owed Arnie dinner for going beyond the call of friendship when he helped me schlep a desk from my old office in Trenton to home.) For an appetizer, we shared an entree-sized bowl of hu tieu, a pork broth with clear noodles, served family style. Dinner was pan-seared flank steak, spiced colossal shrimp, an outstanding tofu in diced tomato sauce, and grilled lemongrass curry chicken with rice.

Note the guy who considers himself a carnivore first used the word “outstanding” to describe the tofu. But it was. Lightly fried and served in a not-too-spicy tomato, garlic and bacon sauce, the tofu was infused with the sauce’s deep flavor. Like everything else we tried that night, the flavors were a delicate mix of spice and freshness. We clearly tasted vegetables, meats and spices all at once.

We’ll be back. A lot.

Rouget gets a shout out