NelliRae’s Kitchen: creative vegetarian fare served in a cozy country atmosphere

Assorted Fruit Tartlets.

NelliRae’s Kitchen is a cozy vegetarian café located in Revere, Pennsylvania, that has locals hooked, and also enjoys visitors from Easton, Allentown, Doylestown, and New Hope, along with Frenchtown, N.J, and other nearby areas.
The reason they’re all heading to this scenic, rural section of Upper Bucks County is simple: NelliRae’s offers local, fresh vegetarian food produced on-premise in the relaxing ambience of an uncluttered country dining room.

On the menu is a creative array of vegetarian and vegan dishes, fresh-baked treats, juices and smoothies.

“Cooking is our passion” is the slogan of owners Rachel and Kris, who opened the restaurant in 2013. “We both have done the nine-to-five thing,” says Kris. “But we’ve been in the food industry since we were teenagers, and it’s the thing we know how to do best.”

Everything from the kitchen is made from scratch, and prepared with ingredients from all over Bucks County. “The only thing we don’t make here is the bread from Crossroads Bakery in Doylestown,” adds Rachel.

Moving quietly about in the quaint, soothing atmosphere are friendly and attentive staff members. The menu is relatively modest in size, featuring rotating desserts and specials.

Among the smoothies are Mango Madness, made with mango juice and bananas, and Nutty Blue, with blueberries, bananas, and almond milk. Popular fresh-pressed juices include the Carrot, Apple and Ginger mixture, and Green Lemonade, made from celery, parsley, apple, lemon, and cucumber. The combinations taste balanced, and the portions are generous.

The main menu at NelliRae’s Kitchen is built around breakfast and lunch, both of which are served until late afternoon. The excellent coffee comes from the well-regarded Small World Roasters of Princeton, and Wi-Fi is accessible. Prices are affordable, and outdoor seating is available.

Of note are the Breakfast Burrito, with eggs, habanero wrap, cheddar cheese, black beans, brown rice, and salsa, and the French Toast, made with gluten-free challah bread, and served with real maple syrup.

Another favorite is the Frittata of the Day, served on a bed of mixed greens. Recently featured were the Spinach, Onion and Cheddar and Three Cheese frittatas.

The Falldorf Salad has also been well-received, with its mixed greens, apples, pears, walnuts, goat cheese, and roasted pumpkin seed, topped with an orange-cranberry balsamic dressing. The Sushi Salad may be the most popular of the bunch, and features brown rice, grated zucchini, grated carrots, red peppers, mixed greens, nori seaweed, sesame seeds, avocado and ginger dressing, with a side of soy sauce.

Standouts among the changing selection of soups have included Creamy Carrot-Coconut, Potato Leek, Pumpkin, and Moroccan Vegetable Stew.

Quesadillas are another ever-changing specialty at NelliRae’s Kitchen, and are served with salsa and sour cream. A recent “Quesadilla del Dia” used arugula, apples, and feta cheese.

Sweet Potato Burger.

But the hands-down customer favorite at NelliRae’s is the Sweet Potato Burger, presented as a patty on greens, or on a French roll, and served with a secret sauce, about which the owners would reveal little except that it’s vegan and gluten-free. And one for the meat-eater in any group is the savory Grilled Veggie Sausage, which could fool the most devout carnivore.

The Roasted Vegetable Wrap is another delectable choice, with assorted seasonal vegetables and smoked Gouda cheese. A gluten-free wrap is also available. The Gluten-Free Mexican Lasagna was another well-liked special for those who avoid gluten proteins, which have low nutritional value, and can cause health problems for some.

If one has room, the desserts are not to be missed. This is where so many vegetarians and vegans feel like they’ve gotten the short end of the stick. But the Blondie Brownies with Peanut Butter Frosting, Hugh’s Lemon Cake, and the Raw Chocolate Pudding, which is decadent despite containing no added sugar or dairy, change that equation, making delicious, healthy desserts a viable option.

Maybe that’s another reason why folks seem to be coming from to NelliRae’s Kitchen from all over Bucks County and beyond.

“We get so many different people visiting, from folks in business suits to painters and musicians,” said Kris of the café’s customer base. “There really isn’t one singular demographic, and we love that.”

It certainly has been an incredible first three years for NelliRae’s Cafe, and a relatively short time to have earned such an apparently devoted following.

“We absolutely love it here — there’s just something amazing and magical about the natural beauty of the area,” observed Kris.

And what does the future hold for the NelliRae’s?

“We’re not locked in to any business model or goal, but prefer to let the business take shape organically,” agreed Kris and Rachel. “We love where things are headed.”

With locally sourced, scrumptious vegetarian and vegan dishes, and a warm and welcoming atmosphere and staff, NelliRae’s Café is certainly a must-try for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. Great food is great food, no matter what one calls it.

NelliRae’s Café is located at 8826 Easton Road in Revere; (610) 847-2223. It’s open weekdays except Tuesday from 7 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Can’t decide what to drink? Here’s a few tips…

(Photo: Dan Engongoro)

By Nick Gialias

How does one decide what to drink?

Sounds easy enough. But the process can range from simply buying the cheapest booze possible to spending weeks of pensive contemplation picking the perfect bottle.

Gone are the days of loyal consumer brands. Today’s drinker is more adventurous and looking to experience all the possibilities because there is incredible access to products from around the world that could never have been imagined 20 years ago. The Internet has afforded us access to information, and therefore learning and sharing of experiences.

The challenge nowadays is deciding what to purchase in the vastness of shelves and product displays.  Who knows what all these bottles are? What if I waste money on the wrong thing?
First off, drinking should be fun. There’s alcohol in it for a reason, so relax.

Here is a short course in making better choices when picking out alcoholic beverages:

It’s about context — the WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY and HOW(s) of drinking.

WHO: Is it an intimate gathering with in-laws or a reunion of frat brothers?

WHAT: Are we eating a fancy meal or bar hopping?

WHERE: A private room at the cigar club or a back yard BBQ?

WHEN: Morning, noon or night?

WHY: Are we having a discussion about the dis/advantages of French vs. American oak or looking to catch a morning buzz over eggs benedict?

HOW: Are we using large crystal snifters or red solo cups?

Asking these questions and others helps make better beverage decisions by putting context in the proper perspective. While Chimay Blue might be a beer worth storing in the cellar to truly appreciate, a PBR makes more sense while floating on an inner tube down the Delaware River.

The second part of context is understanding the product via culture, geography, agriculture, and the cuisine of its representative region. Knowing a little bit about a place and its people can help one better understand what to expect. For example, in the U.S. we like “BIG”, so expect big beverages with strong flavors and high alcohol. We also like “clean” which translates to fruitiness in wines (sometimes with sugar, too), hoppy bitterness in beer, and the sweet flavors of vanilla and caramel in whiskey.

The same could be said for bottles coming out of the “New World” like South America, Australia and New Zealand. On the other hand, “Old World” (i.e. Europe) beverages (particularly wine and whiskey) often have a characteristic funkiness or earthiness to them. Although this style takes getting used to, there is much to appreciate when you discover its nuanced nature. Of course, these are generalizations since New World producers nowadays are creating Old World-style products and vice versa. However, this rule of thumb generally holds.

A basic guideline used in food and wine pairing helps put this into practice — “What grows together, goes together”. Take the Easter meal, for example. People will be getting together for brunch or early dinner with family and friends. This is a good time to try something different, see how it complements your meal, and learn what your family and friends like. Spend a bit of time thinking about the origin of the meal you’ll be enjoying and about the types of things your company appreciates. For example, if your company enjoys stinky cheeses, they may enjoy an old world wine from France or Italy. If they prefer mild cheeses, try something from the new world, like the California or Australia.

Pairing beverages with your meal is a lot of fun, and when a good match is found, it’s immensely satisfying. It’s worth picking up this month’s edition of Food & Wine magazine as an excellent reference for pairings. Enjoy the process of exploring and don’t be afraid to make a “questionable” choice; that’s all part of the experience. Even Aldo Sohm, Chef Sommelier of Le Bernardin, New York’s internationally acclaimed four-star seafood restaurant, will try six or more wines with a new dish to find the perfect pairing; and he’s an expert.

So give it a try. After a few drinks, simply catch a buzz and enjoy it.

Logan Inn in New Hope shifts restaurant focus toward the Mediterranean with introduction of ‘Nikolas’

Nikolas restaurant at the Logan Inn, New Hope, PA (Photo: Charlie Sahner)

By Charlie Sahner

The Logan Inn at 10 W. Ferry St. in New Hope has renamed its indoor/outdoor dining space “Nikolas”, and the new menu is impressive. Prices are not bargain basement, but owner Nick Gialias says that he “seeks out the finest, freshest ingredients, and then we go from there.

“The restaurant is named after my grandfather Nikolas to highlight our Mediterranean roots and our emphasis on good, natural food,” added Gialias.

The menu is presented in four prix fixe sections ranging from $35 to $75, with optional bottles of wine specially paired with each entre. A seven-course tasting menu is also available. Dishes like seared octopus, clams casino, Greek salad, grilled whole fish, prime rib, Kobe strip steak, filet mignon, and crab strudel with seared scallops underscore the surf and turf emphasis.

“We amped up the wine selection quite a bit,” said Gialias. “We brought in several new wines.” Not that a selection of more than 150 wasn’t enough, but Gialias’ latest additions reflect his love and knowledge of the grape, and also his disdain for mass produced wine products with numerous artificial additives.

Gialias says he’s adding wines from small family-owned vineyards, many of which specialize in organic production methods. White and red varieties from the United States, France and Italy are well represented, but the selections from Spain, Portugal, and Greece are standouts.

All in all, Nikolas adds an interesting, fresh take on Mediterranean-inspired cuisine to the downtown scene.

New Hope's Annapurna fills local Indian restaurant void

Annapurna Indian restaurant in New Hope (Photo: Charlie Sahner)

By Charlie Sahner

Annapurna sits at the back of the Four Seasons Mall in New Hope, a location that once made up part of the sizable and popular Toys for Men shop. There are now windows in the rear offering Delaware River views courtesy of a prior restaurant's effort, but unlike that establishment, this one has a crack at succeeding.

A recent visit to Annapurna revealed clean, tasteful decor, a classic selection of Indian cuisine, and friendly, efficient service. The details: to start, one won't find unusual, fiery regional dishes. And that may be a good thing. It seems that while some local palettes might be accustomed to Thai cooking, far fewer are familar with the culinary joys of the subcontinent.

Annapurna manages to cover all the bases in a pleasing, authentic way. Appetizers include the standard pakoras and samosas tastefully rendered, and the bread selection focused on interesting varieties of naan. Prices were moderate, with many entrees in the $12-15 range, including tandoori, curry, masala, korma and biryani dishes. The vegetarian selection was sizable and varied.

Standouts included the chicken tikka masala (cooked in a mild, but well-seasoned tomato and cream sauce), and the shrimp vindaloo, which had an abundanance of medium shrimp in a wonderfully seasoned curry sauce that made up in flavor what it lacked in heat. In fact, should one be an experienced fan of Indian cuisine, informing the waiter that one's dish can be prepared on the hot side would not be out of order.

The service was excellent; our waiter offered extra helpings of basmati rice and chutneys. Fresh coriander was in the air, and the entrees weren't swimming in ghee. The river view added to the overall experience. We'll be back.

A great introduction to Indian food for everyone that can also be enjoyed by experienced afficiandados. BYOB and take-out avaialble.

Annapurna is located at 32 S. Main St.; (215) 862-5080.

New Hope PA is Ice Cream Lover's Paradise

By Charlie Sahner

During the 1960s in places like Philadelphia and Central New Jersey the most exotic frozen treat around was a "neapolitan", those xeroxed squares of layered strawberry, chocolate and vanilla ice cream.

When visiting Gerenser's ice cream shop in New Hope back then, I'd be astounded by exotic flavors previously unimaginable. My fave at the time: honeydew.

Today, I also like Shawn's hand made ice cream at Zoubi Food; my family buys a pint of mango flavored almost every week. And the high cream content and overall quality of the Thomas Sweet selection at the Last Temptation (pictured above at 115. S. Main St.) is awesome in all its splendid caloric excess. Most recently, I was impressed by the coffee crunch, with bits o' bean in every bite.

Dunkin' Donuts also has some frozen things, and I've heard there's good ice cream at Weenie World. There's Rita's if you like ices or their type of soft serve, and a friendly but unmemorable purveyor near the bridge.

New Hope is truly an ice cream lover's kind of town!

Taking it to the Streets: Zoubi This Week Unveils New Sandwich Lineup Named for Famed New Hope Highways and Byways

By Charlie Sahner

I'll take a Kiltie Drive, and go heavy on the humus please!

Zoubi, the famed West Mechanic Street culinary conglomerate comprised of restaurant, patisserie, and take-out elements, is evolving yet again, particularly in the Zoubi Food store at the corner of New Street.

With fans aplenty for its savory standbys like raucus rubbed ribs, irresistible iron grilled shrimp, heavenly pastries, and handmade ice cream, this take-out lover's paradise is boosting its lunch menu with new panini, salads and a sandwich menu inspired by New Hope's famed thoroughfares.

So now you can order a Bridge Street (pate compagne with cornichons, mustard, chutney, onion and greens on baguette), Riverwoods Drive (white tuna salad on croissant), or the outrageous New Street (peanut butter and bacon on white toast with fig jam).

Zoubi will also offer new hoagies, grinders and other lunch specialties, along with free local delivery with a minimum $20 order (a move that will extend their sales range to merchants and businesses at, for example, nearby Union Square and beyond)

Says head honcho and pastry chef extraordinaire Shawn "Cakes" Lawson, "We're always trying new things and adapting to meet the needs of the community."

At around $6.00 a pop, the new sandwich selection should deliver even more Zoubi bang for the buck.

But do the sandwiches match the personalities of their asphalt namesakes? You can decide.

Meanwhile, I'll have a Route 202 (old fashioned meatball sandwich).

New and W. Mechanic Streets, 215-862-1156.

Suzie Hot Sauce in New Hope PA Gets a New Owner and Facelift

New Hope Restaurant Peace Out to Open Monday

Peace Out Pizza in New Hope PA

A chat with the owner of the new organic bake-at-home pizza joint opening this week on Bridge Street in New Hope, PA.

New Hope PA Food King Louis Expands Empire Further West with New Bakery

By Charlie Sahner

Louis Zanias, owner of popular New Hope PA restaurants Karla's and Zoubi on West Mechanic Street, several months ago opened a catering/bakery operation and has now apparently been approved to open a full retail bakery at an adjacent location he owns at the corner of New and Mechanic Streets.

Of course, New Hope PA already has an eat-in French bakery (not that Louis is French or the new bakery has seating) further north by the river, but a high quality bakery of any type would be welcome in this particular section of town, not far from new (albeit unsold) housing, parking, Village II and stereotypically doughnut seeking law enforcement personnel.

Louis is a cunning businessman and landowner who's not afraid to play hardball in expanding his empire, in this author's view.

He is also smart, and a new bakery is good news for New Hope.


(above: existing cake/catering operation)

Shopping -- Randolph & Main Opens in New Hope PA

New Hope PA shop Randolph & Main has opened at 42 North Main Street, and describes itself as "an eclectic blend of specialty foods, unique gifts and convenience items."

It's located on the ground floor of an old house, and the lighting, wall treatments and merchandising are generally top-notch and the owners charming, which offsets the not unusual New Hope identity crisis characterized by say, waiting to pay for your chocolate rugelach while the customer in front of you picks his Lotto number.

In fact, the store lists as its primary offerings "lottery, cigarettes, cold drinks, ice cream, snacks, greeting cards, unique gift items, specialty foods and custom baskets." Mostly what stood out were t-shirts, beverage coolers, several gifts and cards, some interesting gourmet items, ready-made specialty food baskets, and lots of coca-cola signs. The wraparound porch is a nice touch, the outdoor displays tasteful.

Where the store seems heading is toward a greater emphasis on specialty foods, a niche ill served in New Hope PA since the departure of Variete, but one also under pressure from grocery chains and large discounters like Trader Joe's and Costco.

Where the store excels is in its overall aesthetic and the engaging personalities of its owners David Diaz-Stuart and Paul Weinstein. When I visited last weekend, the shop was crowded, and the mood lively and interactive.

Randolph & Main is located at the corner of Randolph and Main Streets, one block North of the Bridge from Lambertville.; 215-693-1010 or at their website.

Worth a visit.

Dining Out: Karla's Bar and Restaurant in New Hope PA

As I sat outside at Karla's Bar and Restaurant reading the lunch menu on a warm afternoon last weekend, I was happy to learn they'd won a Best of Bucks Award for 2009, and pleased to see a new, broader menu with more entres that looked intriguing. I was more surprised on closer inspection to see that they'd also lowered prices!

Let me get this straight: restaurant gets recognition, freshens up menu, and then lowers prices?

I asked manager Cynthia, "Is it me, or is this menu looking less expensive?"

"It's still tough out there," she said, referring to the overall economy. "We want to do our part for the customers."

Now, owner Louis is admittedly known more for being a shrewd, if not opportunistic businessman, than a philanthropist, but I was impressed to see this key downtown business doing something right and timely. Louis is smart, and he's a survivor.

I had a hot cider and cheddar burger, medium rare; my dining partner, the Greek salad with fresh bread. All solid. Nice view, attentive staff.

All you need at that point is Ricky behind the bar with fresh mint for Mojitos and an afternoon to kill.

Haven't seen the Locals Night menu yet; write in and let us know what you think!

Karla's is located at 5 West Mechanic Street in New Hope PA, 215-862-2612.

Dining Out: Kids Not Welcome Here

The New Hope PA restaurant above not only admonishes against parking nearby and using their restrooms if one is not a patron, but also makes it pretty plain with front door signage that, frankly, "kids aren't welcome here."

In this author's opinion, a ridiculous, unfriendly, impolite manner to treat our town's visitors. Most parents are nice enough to leave strollers parked outside, but if strollers don't fit, that means wheelchairs don't fit and evacuation in a fire could be interesting.

Funny thing is, the food's not bad, but not memorable, either. The lack of hospitality leaves an impression, though.

Below, two local restaurants that are kid-friendly.

Table Outside, Senor?

With temperatures soaring into the 70s, restaurants with outdoor seating in New Hope PA were in high demand. This popular destination just north of the Bridge on N. Main Street is running a luncheon special to boot, which is great because I've eaten there and it's the real deal although usually a bit pricey.

Annual "Oyster Pork Supper" in Carversville, PA this Saturday

The flyer posted above at Bob's Exxon in Lambertville NJ reminded me that we were due soon for an annual pig-out not to be missed: the Oyster Pork Supper at the Carversville Christian Church. A local tradition since 1871, the menu interestingly combines a twist on the surf-n-turf theme, with roasted pork and hand-dipped fried oysters as the culinary centerpoint.

One can also sample the homemade gravy, applesauce, and pepper hash, along with home cooked stewed tomatoes, and creamed corn (yum!). And don't forget the coffee, tea, iced tea, and assorted homemade desserts!

Prices are reasonable at $19 for adults ($20 takeout) and $8 for kids. There will also be plenty of crafts, baked goods, jams and treats made by the women of Carversville Church, and a a quilt raffle (heavens to Betsy!).

The church is located in Carversville, PA just north of New Hope, PA via Route 32 or via Aquetong Road off Route 202 (Carversville Christian Church, 3736 Aquetong Road, 214.297.5166, carversvilleucc@verizon.net).

It's all taking place this Saturday, October 17, from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00, unless they run out of stuff sooner.

It's oysters. It's pork. We're on a mission from God!

Who's Your Sugar Daddy?

A smiley, bristly Jim mans the counter for a spell at Sugar Daddy's, a candy and ice cream emporium in the Four Seasons Mall, Main Street, New Hope PA.

On his breaks, Jim also runs the Affordable Art gallery just across way. This guy knows how to keep busy and has somehow managed to stay in business over many years....a rarity, especially these days!

New Hope PA Recession Lunch Special

Click on the photo above to enlarge, and you'll see that at the low-end of the lunch price spectrum is a hamburger, sans cheese, for $13.50. There's also a "Kobe Burger" for $18...last I checked, those come from fatty, tortured Japanese calves, but what do I know?

With culinary bargains such as these, small wonder tourists are flocking to the nearby variable $5 -$20 per space parking lot (depends on owner's mood each day).

Think I'll go upriver to Dilly's Corner on Route 32.

Supersize This....

Country Fair Chocolates on Main Street in New Hope PA is famous for its chocolate-covered strawberries, but these new offerings are getting mixed reviews, at least from pedestrians viewing the sign.

Delicious, gross, or simply coronary-inducing, everyone has an opinion. That's New Hope!

New Hope Runs on Dunkin'

For a few dollars, you can walk out of the Dunkin' Donuts at Main and Bridge Streets in New Hope PA with a big, delicious iced coffee and six donuts delivered by an eager and grateful staff.

You could also go across the street to Starbucks and pay all that for one cup of coffee, and be seen on the front porch by other people trying to be seen holding expensive cups of coffee, if you don't mind high prices and burnt coffee beans. All a matter of personal taste after all.

But if you're part of a household/family on a budget, Dunkin' beats Starbucks hands down.