Innkeeper Concierge: Restaurants

As an innkeeper in Lambertville for the past two years, time spent with my guests is very important. This is the time when an innkeeper can be one of the most valuable assets to her inn as well as the surrounding area. I needed to become an expect on things local, including the types of restaurants, activities, history and surroundings.

The most common question is "Where should we eat?" With over 45 restaurants within walking distance, I've needed to start narrowing down that basic question. It's also difficult since I've never had a bad meal here. The worst that has happened is I may have been in the mood for one style of food but chose a restaurant known for something different.

Here are some of my top choices based on cuisine.

Italian

DeAnna's is my pick for Italian. She prepares fresh pasta and sauces daily. The fried cheese appetizer is uniquely addictive with it's sharp flavor in contrast with the sweet fruit served with it. She has recently upgraded to a new location with a full service bar and now accepts major credit cards.

Seafood

I like Hamilton's Grill for seafood. Hamilton's Grill is a Mediterranean Grill room located on Coryell Street. It is a BYOB, however on Saturdays the Boat House, a cocktail lounge across the alley, opens one of it’s rooms to Hamilton’s Grill diners. Those seated in this room receive full service bar from the Boat House and dinner from the Hamilton’s Grill. If you sit in this room, you will receive two separate checks.

Pub and Casual

Mark and I are split on this category. I prefer Inn of the Hawk while Mark enjoys Bell’s Tavern. Inn of the Hawk does a traditional fish and chips, I mean battered fish, not breaded and fried. And it’s served with malt vinegar. Their salads made with manderine oranges, sugared walnuts and goat cheese is so sweet and savory it can almost be served as dessert. Combine this with a bar with local character and you’ve got a great casual winner. In October a pumpkin carving contest is held and all the entries are lit in the courtyard to be enjoyed by diners.

Large Restaurant

Lambertville Station has a solid reputation, a menu that can suit any diet or taste and a location right on the Canal and next to the River. Early in the year they also add game entrees to their menu which is a popular draw for the adventurous appetite. They also have a well balanced “sunset” menu which is served weekdays late afternoon until 6:00 PM – a great value.

Comfort Food

49 North Main is a small restaurant located at, where else but 49 North Main Street in Lambertville. Their seafood specialties are flavorful without being overbearing. The pumpkin soup I had in autumn was the best I’ve ever had. They also have a great comfort food menu featuring baked macaroni and cheese, burger and shepherds pie. 49 North Main is a BYOB.

Steak

Marsha Brown’s, located in New Hope is a great new restaurant. The owner, who is affilicated with Ruth’s Chris Steak House has made this her own venture and her own Cajun / Loiusiana flair. Coupled with the unique environment of this renovated church, the whole experience is a winner.

I could go on and on, and I promise that I will, but for now these restaurants should be enough to wet your appetite.
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Donna has been the innkeeper at the Bridgestreet House Bed and Breakfast in Lambertville since 2003 and is still enjoying as many restaurants as possible. Donna is also the Lambertville editor for Chefmoz, a comprehensive online guide to restaurants written and edited by volunteer contributors and editors.