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.
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.
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 
In June, my partner, Alan Brown, and I launched a new venture called 
One of our favorite meals to eat out is breakfast and Bucks County is fortunate to have many good places. In our post, 
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 
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).
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.
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 
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!
Both the 
Friday, December 9:
Members of Wednesdays for Women, a networking group of local women who meet at 
There are over four dozen roads and streets in Bucks County with the word “mill” in their names: Mill Creek, Mill Pond, Mill Valley, Millbrook and Mill Road (over two dozen alone) to name a few. But in fact there haven’t been any active grain mills in the county for decades. Until now.
Now it’s Fischer’s dream to restore the mill. He’s already producing stone ground whole wheat flour and cornmeal using two portable mills set up in his barn under the name 
This Thursday, December 8th two unique events are taking place. The 
The holidays were a big family get-together for David Zuckerman, too, general manager of Earl’s Bucks County in Lahaska. He describes a kitchen where all the women, all generations were cooking together, all with their place and their job.
Also sad is that 
Finally, Christopher Hirsheimer and Melissa Hamilton have issued a new installment in the Canal House Cooking series just in time for holiday gift giving. And oh what a gift. This year the authors are focusing on Italian food. They spent a month in Tuscany researching this book (do try not to be insanely jealous). Already steeped in knowledge of Italian food from all over Italy they were hungry for more, to go to the sources and eat fresh each day. The result is a book full of paninis, pasta, fish, birds (and rabbits), meat, vegetables and, of course, sweets. I love the section entitled, “Why Buy It When You Can Make It?” which includes recipes for salsa verde, fresh ricotta and ragù bolognese. Accompanying the recipes as always are Hirsheimer’s equally delicious photography. You can purchase the Canal House Cooking (vol. 7) – La Dolce Vita online at their 
Tootling around Bucks County on a beautiful fall afternoon we stopped at the 