The Delaware River

Frenchtown:

Cocina del Sol
This little basement restaurant is unlike most Mexican restaurants in central Jersey. The flavors are bolder, but not necessarily spicier. We recently ate dinner there. It was crowded, noisy, and slightly hot. We ordered an avocado/watercress salad, beef sopes, cheese enchiladas with a red sauce, and acapulco enchiladas [shrimp and crab]. The watercress salad was a little overdressed. The sope was delicious. Sopes are small hand made corn tortillas with the edge crimped up to form a saucer or tart like shape. In this instance, it was filled with black beans and shredded beef with some garnish [lettuce, tomato, sour cream, and cotija cheese]. We agreed that this was the best dish of the evening. The cheese enchiladas were not quite headted through, a disappointment. The salsa roja was tomato based rather than chile based, a very different taste that I liked, but my partner did not. The acapulco enchiladas had a buttery, cheesey, jalapeno flavor that I liked, but my partner found less palatable. We were both struck by how different the flavors were from some of our other favorite mexican restaurants, like Sabor de Mexico in Princeton. If you are tired of the over-cheesed chain fare of places like Chevvy's, Chi-Chi's, and On the Border, you may find the different flavors of Cocina del Sol a welcome change. August 7, 2006

Lambertville:

Full Moon
When we frequently camped years ago at Bull's Island, breakfast at Full Moon was a treat. We always liked their mexican breakfasts and their variations on eggs benedict. Rumor has it that the food has declined. We haven't tried them in years, so we don't know.

Lily's on the Canal
Not memorable; Indifferent: More to come.

Church Street Bistro.
We liked this restaurnant on one visit a few years ago, but haven't been back.

Inn of the Hawke
We had a very pleasant lunch in this restaurant's courtyard. It was a warm bright sunny March Saturday. The courtyard is paved with slate flagstone. There are large shade trees in each corner. The tables were glass top bistro style with green painted "wrought iron" tables.. There were a few animal sculptures in the garden edges of the courtyard. We found the courtyard to be a peaceful oasis in a Lambertville absolutely bustling with day visitors to the galleries and antique shops. Although there were several tables occupied while we were there, it was not crowded and there was a lot of space between the tables.

We shared an appetizer of lemon baked scallops. There was a lot of scallop character. They were served on a bed of baby greens and were accompanied by a tasty spicy remoulade. The mustard in it was stone ground. The greens were topped with slice tomatoes that were not entirely ripe. The scallops would have been better served without the tomatoes. We prefer seared or grilled scallops to baked, but these were good and had a vivid lemon flavor provided by zest.

My partner ordered a grilled salmon salad. The salad greens were dressed with a tarragon vinagrette without much tarragon. The greens were varied and were accompanied by canned mandarin oranges, onions, pitted greek olives, and tomato wedges [that weren't worth eating]. The salmon was nicely grilled, slightly rare. My partner would have preferred another 30 to 90 seconds on the grill.

I got a pulled pork sandwich on a kaiser roll. The pork had cheddar cheese on it, as described by the menu. That addition had made me curious, but I don't believe it added an iota of interest to a decent basic pulled pork with a slightly sweet barbecue sauce. The kaiser roll could have been a lot crustier and less cottony, but the flavor was reasonable. The sandwich was accompanied by a nice crips lettuce leaf [not iceberg] and a wedge of sour pickle that I liked a lot. The sandwich was served with fresh homemade potato chips. When they came they were warm and crisp. By the end of the sandwich some of the chips became soggy, but some were still crisp. They were nicely salty.

We shared a brownie topped with butter pecan ice cream. The brownie was lighter, less denser than today's typical brownie. Chewy enough that I wouldn't call it cake like. The chocolate character and the walnut pieces made this a successful brownie, if not an exceptional one. The butter pecan ice cream was a nice sidelight, but the flavor added little. The creaminess was nice on the tongue and balanced the texture of the brownie.

The food was good, but the best part of the meal was the courtyard. We would definitely go back for tea or coffee and a good afternoon sweet.

Rosemont
One of our favorite restaurants in New Jersey is the Cafe at Rosemont. Located in a small New Jersey town near the Delaware river and Lambertville, The Cafe is in a historic general store, built in the 1800s. They use fresh, in season and local, ingredients. The delightful desserts change frequently and are freshly made at the Cafe.

We love weekend breakfasts at this place. They always have great specials as well as the regular menu. Their breakfast potatoes [described accurately as potatoes from heaven -- grilled with olive oil, rosemary, garlic, onion, and a touch of cayenne] are the best I have had. We like their breakfast burrito - made with softly scrambled eggs and monterey jack cheese rolled in two flour tortillas with sour scream and fresh salsa. Their omelets are wonderful, made with seasonal ingredients. The black bean chili is a spicy vegetarian treat. On their weekday menu, we are fond of Ruth's Addiction - grilled chicken breast with monterey jack cheese, salsa and sour cream in a flour tortilla. Their breakfast bread basket [a homemade muffin or scone, a croissant and a slice of the day's bread, served with sweet butter, jam or marmalade] is wonderful, freshly baked and varied. They make a fabulous butterscotch pudding [not always available].

The antique shelving, tables, china, and "silver" are eclectically old fashioned. The old wood floors, varied chairs, china, flatware, vintage salt and pepper shakers, cream pitchers, sugar bowls and vases will charm those who don't find it chaotic.

There is continuing art exhibit that is new every few weeks. The works can be purchased. The Cafe also retains it's general store character with a few exceptional organic groceries, teas and jams. The staff is warm and friendly, as well as knowledgeable.

Wednesday dinner at the Cafe always represents a specific national cuisine. Based on the cuisines with which weI have first hand experience, the menus are authentic and the food is fresh, well prepared, and always a tasty learning experience. It is an extraordinary value, typically $22 for a wonderful three course meal.