The Sandbar has some good eats

The Sandbar (Old 90 Main)
90 South Main St.

New Hope, PA 18938

Get Directions

(215) 862-3030
http://www.sandbarnewhope.com/

NHY Rating: 9 of 10
Food: American/Cuban
Serves: Lunch & Dinner
Price: Reasonable
Ambiance: Relaxing, cool

Comments: Love, love, love the replacement bar/restaurant for the old 90 Main. This place has really wow'd me as far as the food and service. So far, we have been there about 3 times...and I am addicted. I am addicted to their Cuban nachos appetizer and their Fried Green Tomato Salad. I have also tried the Summer Salad which has fresh watermelon, grilled pineapple and mint. Super refreshing salad.

For dinner I have had the Cuban Pork Shoulder and the Chipolte Pasta. Both outstanding dishes! I literally intend on trying everything on their menu because I just love the selection of food they offer...really, everything sounds scrumptious.

This place is hands down a great one to visit for a bite. They also have outdoor seating if you are a people watcher. Some of the tables are a little too close to the sidewalk though...my only beef with sitting there is that someone walking by can literally just reach over and grab one of my nachos real quick!! Ha ha!

So if you are looking for a place with fast, good service, reasonable prices and absolutely excellent food, go to the Sandbar...and please, let me come with you too : )

The Raven has reopened

After several months of being closed, the Raven has finally reopened. It was a busy first weekend over there. The parking lot was certainly full.

Plus it looks like they are getting a web site up and running. It is not yet ready but they do have a placeholder screen. My understanding is that it is new folks running The Raven but they are just leasing it from the owners of The Nevermore.

385 W Bridge St
New Hope, PA 18938
(215) 862-2081
http://www.theravennewhope.com/

Fran's Pub: All around good eats and drinks

Fran's Pub
116 S Main St
New Hope, PA 18938
(215) 862-5539
http://www.franspub.com

NHY Rating: 8 of 10
Food: American
Serves: lunch and dinner
Price: Very reasonable
Ambiance: Nice airy outdoor area, large patio, inside and outside bar. Inside bar has pool tables and is now non-smoking!

Comments: Great place for eats and drinks! For New Hope, it is one of the few more affordable food stops. But don't let the price fool you, the food is high quality. Definitely no ordinary bar food. The portions also are just right. We tried out Mexican night on Wednesday and were very impressed. I have also been there for lunch several times and had a scrumptious salad and pizza. Their menu is mostly burgers, chicken, salads, and munchies. I love their chicken fingers and fries! You just can't go wrong at Fran's. They have a great beer selection too!

This place is also very kid-friendly on the outdoor patio or their semi-indoor patio area. The kids menu is also pleasing and there is no worries about noise level which is a welcome relief when searching for dining spots in New Hope with kids.

Note: This place is hot spot for bikers on the weekend. Also, there is some parking in the rear of the restaurant (if you get lucky).

The Landing: Dropped their customer service

The Landing
22 N Main St
New Hope, PA 18938
(215) 862-5711
http://www.landingrestaurant.com/

NHY Rating: 8 of 10 (restaurant only); 5 of 10 (bar)
Food: American
Serves: lunch and dinner
Price: Pricey
Ambiance: Small, yet contemporary on inside; outside is larger with nice patio area, overlooks Delaware

Comments: The restaurant of The Landing has a nice selection of foods, a bit pricey though...I was stuck with the thought several times that this food is a bit ordinary and not exactly worth my $28. I still wouldn't discount it though, the view is lovely and for the most part, the service is good. If you have to it toss around and desire an outdoor setting, the Landing is for you.

I also do not recommend The Landing if you have kids, the place is just too "restrictive." They are also minimalist when it comes to bathrooms. I have no idea what their capacity is but I would think with the indoor and outdoor, somewhere around 70. They have 2 private restrooms. That's it, just 2 individual restrooms.

As far as the bar area, I am completely disappointed. I am not sure who they have working there but the overall customer service and accommodation was entirely lacking. I went with a large group of women for a night out and we were completely soured by the staff not allowing us to move to a table that would fit us...thus, they lost a couple hundred dollars that night.

If you can't let us sit somewhere comfortable together, we don't want to be there. Way to go Landing. You really treat your patrons well. We almost felt like we were "sorry to have bothered you." Ridiculous too because it was a slow night. There were tons of tables right next to us but for some unGodly reason, we were not "allowed" to sit there.

Their bar tables fit no more than 4, so we were standing around in walkways amidst tons cobwebs radiating from their uncleanly bar area. Several of our pricey drinks were also made incorrectly and no justification from the bartender was made. I would NOT recommend anyone to visit The Landing just for a few drinks. Your scenery might be great but not worth the lack of customer service. As that is the case, next time we'll take our thermoses full of correctly made cosmos and relax on a nice bench next to the river for free.

To read other reviews that mention The Landing, click here. (Someone mentioned Pompous--not a bad descriptor I feel after THAT bar experience).

Triumph: Maybe a little over-stating

Triumph Brewery
400 Union Square Dr
New Hope, PA 18938
(215) 862-8300
http://www.triumphbrewing.com

NHY Rating: 6.5 of 10 (restaurant only); 8 of 10 (bar)
Food: American
Serves: lunch and dinner
Price: Reasonable
Ambiance: Simple, contemporary, brewery style, large, nice and open

Comments: Triumph is a great place for a large group. They have adequate space and easy parking. It is a pay-lot, but very reasonable and I believe only goes up til 9pm if you are there for an evening bar-hop. They usually have a nice variety of beers.

As for food and service though, it is pretty much a mixed bag. It really depends on the night. We have probably been there at least 15 times because it is one of the few more child-friendly places, only because it is loud and has ample space, so you don't feel like you are on top of the other tables like most New Hope restaurants. They do have the benefit of a nice view of the New Hope train during the day if you want to ask for upstairs seating to keep the kids somewhat entertained.

The biggest beef I have with Triumph is their very limited menu. I don't know how many times I have turned over the menu thinking, where is the rest? Is this really it; a choice of 7 meals? Their food is usually good though and I say "usually" because I noted that it is really all about the chef on duty that night. I have ordered the same meal (which they took off the menu sadly) about 4 times and each time it would come out tasting somewhat differently. For those Triumph people, that would be the Chipolte Pasta dish. It was scrumptious, yet gone from said menu. The other thing they had at one time which was yummy was a spicy ceasar salad. Again, good, but varied according to who made it. I think Triumph in New Hope (versus the Princeton location) has such a good potential, especially amongst us locals, but they really need to promote a better menu. The service is mostly good. I think out of the 15 times, our service was fair or less than only about 2-3 times. That is a nice score in my book.

The best reason to visit Triumph would be to hang with a nice group of friends either at their bar, which now they have just included a pool table area, or outside on their patio. It is a nice open area and a great meeting spot.

To read other reviews that mention Triumph, click here.

John and Peters: Don't pass up a chance

John and Peter's Place
96 South Main St.
New Hope, PA 18938
215-862-5981
http://www.johnandpeters.com/

NHY Rating: 8 of 10
Food: American
Serves: salads, sandwiches and appetizers
Price: Very reasonable
Ambiance: Inside is a bit small, a little dingy (smell from too many floods) but it really is a hometown quaint little place; with the feel of a hippie bar. They have a great outdoor patio and bar. Don't let the crazy color building scare you though, it is really a unique place.

Comments: John and Peters is one of my all time favorite stops when taking a trip down Main street. They are known for hosting lots of great musicians. I have stopped in several times where they also just had local bands and it was worth the listen. I love John and Peters mostly because they are reasonable with their drink cost and they have the best nachos. If you are taking a trip downtown, make it a pit stop for a quick drink or two. It is worth the experience.

By the way, there are a few times that I passed up old John and Peters because it is small on the inside and if it looked crowded, I knew there was a lot of smoking...but guess what? The smoking ban in PA was approved; to take into effect sometime in August. Now, I will most definitely not pass up John and Peters on my way around town.

The Raven is closed

The owners of The Raven, Rand Skolnich and Terrence Meck, have decided to officially close their doors. The restaurant/bar/pool/motel was put up for sale or lease back in April.

As of Sunday, May 11th, the Raven closed until new ownership takes over. Rand and Terrence are focusing their energies on their newer property, Nevermore Hotel (formally the New Hope Inn and Cosmopolitan Club).

Get more on this story here.

Another one bites the dust

The dust has not nearly even settled on the spot where the Cartwheel once stood and now it looks like The Raven is now up for sale.

Per the Bucks County Courier Times article, "the owners Skolnich and Meck said “unfortunate life circumstances” prompted the “difficult decision to step away” from the business they bought four years ago.

I wonder what those unfortunate life circumstances were...

The article also said, "Should a buyer or leasee not come forward within the next two months, the e-mail said they will close The Raven by early summer."

That is most certainly going to change the town quite a bit as The Raven has an enormous number of visitors, especially on the weekends. The Raven has been a popular bar and restaurant in the gay and lesbian community since 1979.

Another one bites the dust.

Old Best Western now Harlans - The Nevermore

The New Hope Best Western is now called Harlans ~ The NeverMore. It was purchased by the same two guys who also own The Raven which is a local hoppin' gay bar/restaurant/hotel down the street. Obviously, ever since the Cartwheel burned down, patrons have utilized The Raven more often. Per their press release back in February, they say the hotel will continue to rent rooms during the construction. Hopefully they will bring the place up a bit as it had been looking shabby for a few years.

Their restaurant, called Plate and the cabaret also are open, with shortened hours.

Harlans - The Nevermore is at 6426 Lower York Rd., New Hope. For tickets or more information, call 215-862-5225 or visit www.harlanscabaret.com.

The reviews in the past have not good folks so to be on the safe side until you hear more you may want to stick to one of the nicer Bed and Breakfasts if you are staying in town. As for the restaurant and cabaret, we'll keep you posted as we are playing our first trip there soon.

Marsha Browns: Singing Praise for Great Food

Marsha Brown's Restaurant
15 South Main St.
New Hope, PA 18938
(215) 862-7044
www.marshabrownrestaurant.com

NHY Rating: 8 of 10
Food: American, highlighting New Orleans creole and southern dishes
Serves: lunch and dinner
Price: expensive
Ambiance: upscale, unique, classy, beautiful decor within old church

Comments: Marsha Browns is a great place for a nice dinner. It is located within an old church and it really is a divine place to eat. They also have a raw bar if you have a taste for oysters and such. We tried their specialty appetizer of the night which was a crab and lobster dip in a cream sauce with a crusty topping. It could have been a little thicker but the taste was delicious. We also chose the Caesar salad which was perfect. For our meals, we chose the Pan Seared Scallops and Lobster Tail, the 10 ounce filet and onion rings. The food was out of this world. Everything was done to perfection. As avid steak eaters who have seen the inside of some of New York's finest, we were completely wow'd by the quality of the steak. Shortly after our meal was presented, the chef even came out to ask about the food. I highly regard a restaurant that will do this. I know there are times when they cannot do this but since it was a week night, it was greatly appreciated.

The staff appear very experienced in fine dining. The atmosphere is truly cool. This is a wonderful place for a business meeting or a romantic dinner. Sorry, the kids would not appreciate its' beauty and there are certainly no kids meals so I definitely put this on the not kid-friendly list and only for good reason.

Their desserts looked just as yummy even though we did not try one. This is our 3rd visit to Marsha's and I believe previously we tried the Fudge bottom pie. No complaints here.

My only quirk I had with Marsha's is that you check the bill carefully. The last two times I was there we were charged for an extra little something. When you bill gets beyond the $100 mark, it is easier for a charge to be hidden in there. There was only 2 of us though so very easy to keep track of our order. It could have been a very honest mistake but like I said, this was the second time.

Special note: Marsha Brown's offers valet parking on the weekends. If you can make it in during the week, be sure to take advantage of their $25 gift certificate on Restaurant.com that you can purchase for $10 or less.

To read other reviews about Marsha Brown's, click here and here.

Giuseppi's: Great place for the family

Giuseppi's Pizza
473 Lower York Rd.
New Hope, PA
(215) 862-1740

NHY Rating: 6 of 10
Food: Italian
Serves: lunch and dinner
Price: reasonable
Ambiance: Family-friendly, clean, large, basic restaurant

Comments: Giuseppi's is a great choice for a family dinner in New Hope. The prices are very reasonable. No need to constantly shush your little ones. here. This is also a great choice for those on a budget. If you are in the area, and don't want to be paying for a $15-20 meal then Giuseppi's is a good option.

The food menu is quite large. They certainly have more than just pizza and steak sandwiches. I would recommend being careful what you order though, remembering though no matter how fancy the dish sounds, they are still really pizzeria-quality. I usually stick to the old favorites such as pizza, hoagies, calmari, chicken fingers rather than the Salmon Giuseppi. They do not have a bar but they do serve beer and wine.

The service has always been fair. Many times they have seemed a bit understaffed but I can't say that we've had any real terrible experience that would cause us not to go back.

Also during the nicer weather, they have a great sized gazebo outside. They also offer a good place for hosting a party. In addition to the gazebo, they also have a nice large separate room inside.

Special note: This restaurant is not on main drag of New Hope but located off of Rt 202 near the Logan Square shopping center.

Fu Li: Superb Chinese/Japanese Restaurant

Fu Li Chinese/Japanese Restaurant
24-25 Logan Square Shopping Center
New Hope, PA
(215) 862-3018

NHY Rating: 8 of 10
Food: Chinese & Japanese
Serves: lunch and dinner
Price: Very reasonable
Ambiance: Oriental, classy, clean, simple.

Comments: Fu Li is a diamond in the ruff. If you are looking for some authentic, quality Chinese or Japanese food, this is the place. It also will not break your wallet. You get a lot for your $$ here and the selection of the menu is quite extensive.

The food is always, and I mean always freshly prepared, hot and of good quality. This is no fast food Chinese restaurant. We visit probably once a month and get take-out weekly. The dishes that I have enjoyed that are most delicious are their steak teriayki, shrimp tempora, spicy tuna roll, veggie rolls, specialty maki and many others. Unfortunately, they do not have a web site but their menu is quite extensive.

The service there is fair. We have occasionally had to wait for service but I would consider them more leisurely in their presence than lacking total customer service.

This place is indeed kid friendly. The kids will love to stare at the very large fish tank when you come in.

Special note: This restaurant is not on main drag of New Hope but located off of Rt 202 in the Logan Square shopping center in the very front so you will have no parking issues.

To read other reviews that mention Fu Li, click here.

Tastebuds: It's all in the name!

Tastebuds
49 W. Ferry Street
New Hope, PA
215-862-9722
http://tastebuds-newhope.com/index.htm


NHY Overall Rating: 9 of 10
Food: American with a Mediterranean twist
Serves: Dinner
Price: $$$. Competitive
Ambiance: Minimalist but cozy. Simply chic.

Comments: A friend of ours actually referred us to this establishment and although at first glance I felt the decor was a bit too simplified and the techno music a little trendy, it only took a few minutes to feel the room blend together. Inside, there are 3 small eating areas. Luckily there is not a lot of in and out traffic as we were seated near the front door. This appears to be the type of place though you don't dare walk in without a reservation. The other two seating areas are a bit more secluded and private.

The bottom line about Tastebuds...it is all about the food. Between the 3 of us we had several things off the menu and everything, I mean everything was outstanding. The portions were a bit small but the flavor and quality of the food meant everything.

A few of the things we splurged on were the Butternut Squash Dumplings ($8), Chicken and Apple Sausage ($10), the carmelized Beef Tenderloin with Ancho Chile Rub ($32), and the Striped Bass En Papillote ($25). And as far as the dessert, Chocolate Mousse, again outstanding.

Tastebuds is BYOB so don't forget your favorite beverage. The service was timely and well done. This is a place that will definitely make a trip to New Hope more than worthwhile! I can't wait to eat there again.

To read other reviews, see here.

Villa Vito is all about family

Villa Vito Ristorante
26 W. Bridge Street
New Hope, PA
215-862-9936


NHY Overall Rating: 7 of 10
Food: American, Italian
Serves: Lunch and Dinner
Price: $$. Reasonable.
Ambiance: Italian family feel, like Momma's parlor

Comments: Villa Vito is a great New Hope favorite. I can best describe this restaurant as a family-run, comforting, homey establishment. The Favoroso family is welcoming and ready to please. Don't be afraid to ask them how the family is, and they will do the same. Remember, this is a family type of place so don't be offended if they treat you like cousin Angelo (who never calls) for a minute. Be sure to be vocal about what you need and they can help you out.

They have 3 dining areas. A bistro type downstairs, a cozy parlor room upstairs, complete with family photographs and a large outdoor patio with garden which is very romantic in the evening.

They are well suited towards kids and also are very reasonably priced. That is probably another reason Villa Vito is always on our list. They claim the "best caeser salad" in town and in my opinion, they are right. Their menu is also comprised of homemade Italian favorites as well as gourmet pizza. Their bread is fresh so if you are in the mood just for a good steak sandwich you will enjoy it. Their also serve alcohol with a variety of different drink specialties as well as wine & beer.

As far as the service, on almost all occasions, we been served quickly and very pleasantly. I have heard stories from a couple of people that have unfortunately not had the greatest service while visiting. We have had such 1 occasion where we were left a bit stranded but in my mind, the proportion of good versus bad service is still much on the positive side.

We order take-out quite frequently well as they are one of the few that deliver and we are never disappointed by their pizza or salad. When they have made a mistake with our order, they are good to make it up returning with the correct stuff and maybe throwing in a dessert.

Also, here is a secret for those that don't know. They have a tiny parking lot for Villa Vitos, right next to it, alongside the canal. If you are lucky and you give it a shot, you might get a spot there and avoid looking along the street.

To read other reviews, see here.

Havana: Everyone knows this place.

Havana
105 S. Main Street
New Hope, PA
215-862-9897
www.havananewhope.com


NHY Overall Rating: 6 of 10
Food: Variety of American, Carribean, European and Latin America
Serves: Lunch and Dinner
Price: $$. A little pricey for the portions. A burger will start you at $12 and that doesn't even include fries. Dinner entrees will run you from $15-22 (even just a salad entree is starting around $15).
Ambiance: Artsy. Comfortable. Nicely decorated.

Comments: Almost everyone who visits New Hope is somehow introduced to this place. They have been around a long time and have renovated quite a bit to become a larger more dominating restaurant/bar/club. Although I have visited more to drink out on the very large and scenic outdoor patio (complete with colorful lights and heating lamps), we have also eaten here quite a bit and to say the least, the food is pretty average. For first time visitors to New Hope this would not be my recommendation as the service and food is definitely not consistent.

As far as brining the kiddies, I think Havana is pretty accommodating to that during the day; not so much at night as the bar atmosphere really takes over.

I have had their Apple Pecan Chicken Salad ($15) which I would say with confidence was good. I have also tried their Chicken and Cheese Quesadillas ($14) which were horrible and I am not sure how you can even mess that up. The Black Bean Nachos ($12) were good but basically I could have eaten the whole dish myself; the portion said "large" but only if you are a midget.

For dinner, they have items such as Lump Crabcake-Cajun Remoulade ($22), Pan Sautéed Tilapia ($16) and Tequila-Lime Duck Breast ($18). They have an array of pasta dishes as well. If you are in the mood for a sandwich you can find on their menu items such as Chicken-Spinach and Asiago Panini ($14) and BBQ Brisket Sandwich ($14).

Although the name implies a taste of Cuba, you will not find much of this here. In general, the food is satisfactory and the service depends on the day. They probably have a higher turnover therefore the training and level of experience is not consistent. My biggest complaint overall, being a local, is that I feel this places does not have the cozy New Hope flavor and also is a bit over-priced, especially for drinks.

To touch on the bar and entertainment side of Havana for a second I would have to say that they do have the market when it comes to this. Other than John and Peters, Havana is really the only other places that has bands and other types of entertainment. During the week they have karoke night (Mondays), which is basically a handful of local types that support each other through their addictions to sing (and make a fool of themselves).

They also have Kinky Quizzo on Wednesdays which is really fun if you can make it out with a group. I believe they have an open mic night as well. Their bands on Thursday through Saturday are usually a mix of cover bands that play rock and pop, those that play jazz, blues and then those of what I would say falls into a whole other category. This is usually the night I turn around and go to John and Peters. It is best to find a night when they have drink specials since drinking there could cost you an arm and leg. Don't try to impress to quickly buying a big round unless you have a big bank account that won't shrinking just a tad. They have a nice selection although some beers you can only get at the outdoor bar (the good ones). Service has been fair at the bar. Again, it really depends on how busy they are and as you go into the later part of the night (about 10-1pm) you are likely to wait a few minutes unless you have a cute butt smile.

Update: Their onion rings are the bomb!

Wildflowers: A Wealth of Options

Wildflowers Restaurant
Garden Cafe and Thai Corner
8 W. Mechanic Street
New Hope, PA
215-862-2241
www.wildflowersnewhope.com


NHY Overall Rating: 8 of 10
Food: Variety of American, Italian, Thai and Mexican cuisine
Serves: Lunch and Dinner
Price: $$. Reasonable.
Ambiance: Garden cafe style. Small but fresh and airy.

Comments: There is not enough I can say about this hideaway restaurant on Mechanic street. This lovely garden cafe has such a fresh and romantic atmosphere. The murals of flowers and the trickling sounds of the water fountains are soothing. It is definitely a small place but not too overcrowded. It is good for couples or parties of 4. I wouldn't recommend for a group setting. They have a great outdoor patio with burning torches at night. It overlooks a small creek and although set back a bit there is still a view of the main street. The only drawback in my opinion is the little over-bearing gold deco but I am sure that is to accentuate their style. I believe their signage with the gold emblems is relatively new.

We have eaten there several times and have never disappointed by the food. They have a HUGE variety on their menu. My lunch favorite is the Herb Tuna Melt for $6.75 and the vegetable fondue for $9.00 which I love sharing with mom and sis. They serve a nice mix of Thai specials like the Pad Khing, Pad Thai, Pad See-ew or Gang Dang.

For dinner, they have one of the widest menus you will ever find in New Hope so this is a great place to take a picky eater! They have down home favorites such as Chicken Cordon Bleu ($14), Meatloaf, ($14) and Vegetable Lasagna ($14). They also have several pasta dishes with my favorite sauce, pesto! And of course yes, you guessed it, Thai dishes. And if any of those don't suit your mood that night, go for their Mexican dishes such as Chicken and Cheese Quesadillas ($10) to Sweet Chili ($10) and Vegetarian Taco Salad ($8).

Whenever we have been to Wildflowers they have always had a nice casual friendly service. The employees sort of that have that, "we want to treat you like family" feel. They are not white-gloved but certainly provide warm customer service. They are somewhat kid-friendly during the day but in the evening it sort of weens out to a more calm, romantic place. In my opinion, it is not a half bad place to even get engaged : )

To read other reviews, click here.

Karla's Restaurant: An All-Around Favorite

Karla's Restaurant
5 W. Mechanic Street
New Hope, PA
215-862-2612
www.karlasnewhope.com

NHY Overall Rating: 9 of 10
Food: American but with a mix of different ethnic flair, very original
Serves: Lunch, Dinner, and Sunday Brunch
Price: $$. Average range for New Hope
Ambiance: Cozy but airy. Elegant and romantic. See slide show from their website.

Comments: By far, my personal favorite is Karla's. A delightful atmosphere with some outdoor patio seating, they have the most unique sampling of quality food and wine. How does Poached Pear, Gorgonzola and Walnut Salad or Smoked Salmon, Cucumbers and Capers Salad sound? And to move onto entrees, their Veal Cutlet Milanaise and Seared Asian Spiced Duck will send you swimming. My old favorite is the Lemon Tilapia.

I also applaud the wonderful customer service and personalized attention. They do have a separate bar area which is also partially outside. Although they are not located on the river side, the restaurant interior is very pleasing and the quaintness is enough to make you feel warm and fuzzy. This is a perfect spot for a romantic date. Not kid-recommended.

If you happen to also be a local, take advantage of their Monday night locals special which includes a soup or salad, entree and dessert from $12-19.

To see other reviews, click here.