Lilly's on the Canal: Delightful Dinner Place

Lilly's on the canal
2 Canal St
Lambertville, NJ 08530-1704
(609) 397-6242
http://www.lillysgourmet.com/

NHY Rating: 8 of 10
Food: American
Serves: lunch and dinner (only serves bottled wine, no beer or by the glass drinks)
Price: Very reasonable
Ambiance: Nice and airy. Their indoors was very unique with an upstairs and downstairs. The kitchen is open in the middle. They have a beautiful wall fountain inside. They also have a nice outdoor patio.

Comments: The food was delightful and the service was great. We ordered an appetizer which was quite filling, calamari and onion rings. They were done to perfection. For dinner, I had the Filet Mignon which was done over mashed potatoes with bacon and horseradish sauce and was quite delicious. We also had the Ahi Tuna topped with shrimp and vegetables, also scrumptious.

What we would have loved to try but didn't have an inch left of available stomach was the desserts. When you first walk in you are literally greeted with an eyeful of their decedent dessert options. They had a chocolate cake that looked like it was to die for...

Overall, it's a great spot. They did seem like an acceptable place for older kids but not toddlers. Their food prices are a bit high but comparable to other restaurants in the area.

Note: They have a little parking lot so you may get lucky and not have to pay for a meter. Also, they are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Sweet Lorraines: It's Good. It really is!

Sweet Lorraine's
Route 202 and Street Road
Lahaska, PA 18931
(215) 794-4040
http://www.sweetlorraines.com/

NHY Rating: 8 of 10
Food: American
Serves: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Price: Reasonable
Ambiance: Nice contemporary atmosphere, clean, spacious. Bar area is nice a large and separate from the dining areas. They also have new outdoor patio seating.

Comments:
Sweet Lorraines certainly did not disappoint. I took the whole family and felt that it was indeed a good overall family restaurant. It's not the cheapest place on the block but the quality is fitting of the prices. I tried a nice beverage, an alcoholic specialty smoothie and it was quite refreshing. We tried a couple appetizers, the Mess O Fries and Coconut Shrimp; both very scrumptious. We then moved on to Chicken Gorgonzala Pasta...topped with some spiced walnuts...Mmmm is all I have to say. The husband was more into getting a burger so he asked about ordering off of the bar menu since the regular dinner menu did not have sandwiches and they politely obliged. His burger was pretty much standard however. No bells and whistles there. The kids meals were very good. My son tried the Pita Pizza and my daughter the Mac and Cheese. Both where very happy with their choices.

The service was so-so. Our waiter was very polite and friendly, but it seemed that they were still trying to coordinate who does what and the food did take slightly longer than I would preferred. He was gracious enough though to keep us updated on the progress. They also offered the kids some plastic bendy stick things to play with which was very helpful.

I say go check them out. I think they have a very high potential to please a lot of customers!

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/

Nancy's Village Cafe: New Little Lunch Shop in Lahaska

A new little sandwich and soup shop opened up in Peddler's Village. It's called Nancy's Village Cafe and it is yummy. It is situated behind Earl's Prime. It has replaced the Cross Culture restaurant (Indian-American restaurant) that was there previously. It is small place but neatly decorated with a mom and pop feel. I was recommended to go there from another shop owner and it definitely didn't disappoint.

They are only open though for breakfast and lunch 7AM - 3PM and have a nice array of sandwiches, burgers, soups, salads, chili, quiches and of course homemade tasty desserts. It is definitely kid friendly and very low key. The prices are also very reasonable and the portions just right. This place is more about quality, not quantity. Don't worry though, it will fill you up.

The only thing was that it was kind of small so I guess on a busy day it could get a bit uncomfortable. I stopped there for lunch and it wasn't that busy. I think they just opened so maybe it is still a secret they are there. I guess I am now breaking open the secret because here's the info:

Nancy's Village Cafe
P.O. Box 634
Lahaska, PA 18931
Phone: (215) 794-8201

Special Hours: 7 am to 3 pm daily

New Lahaska Restaurant: Sweet Lorraine's

Sounds like a new local restaurant is giving off mixed reviews. Former restaurant, The Spotted Hog, has now reopened as Sweet Lorraine's. You can check out their own website for more information and menu (just remember to turn down your speakers).

New Hope Yocal hasn't been over yet but has been informed from several local friends that Sweet Lorraine's didn't quite win them over. Their menu was described as slightly more vegetarian type dishes, sandwiches, salads, pasta. Now with Earl's Prime right across the street I see no competition for a great steak meal regardless. After having 3 scrumptious dinners there, plain and simple....Earl's has no competition.

As for Lorraine's more light fared food, word on the street is... although her atmosphere is esthetically pleasing and a nice addition to Lahaska's artsy flair (with supposedly a great bar by the way), she could use a little more flavor in the food and a little more service in the service. New Hope Yocal will be on the prowl there soon...details to come.

Working out in New Hope

For the Locals:

It's not always about eating here at the New Hope Yocal; sometimes its about working off that delicious food! Yep, in New Hope we can be fit and fabulous! If you haven't already, go check out the local gyms.

My top pick right now is definitely Body Tech in Lambertville. They have taken over the old Centre Club behind Riverhorse Brewery and have made quite a lovely little workout spot. "Little" may not be a good descriptor because in fact, they have a nice sized main facility, complete with gym, coffee and beverage area, fitness studio, child care center, spinning room, tanning room, massage offices, large yoga and dance studio.

I was also very impressed with their personal trainers and staff. Everyone is very professional and friendly. After being a member for only a month and half, I have never seen a day yet where any employee has been anything but kind and helpful.

Body Tech also has a lot of great services. They offer free towel service and great childcare, again, completely free in the membership (no extra fees!). The kids have a ball in the colorful, clean, fully equipped room moderated by some very fun people. The facility, overall, is extremely clean and basically has everything you could need in a gym. Aside from benches, free weights, universals and weight machines, they have plenty of cardio machines such as treadmills, ellipticals, bikes and stair climbers and many with TVs with CD/DVD players.

Also, the room is also very well ventilated and nicely spaced. You most certainly don't feel like you have to squeeze through machines to walk down the aisle.

The only trouble I have noticed is the parking and that usually is around the time they have multiple classes running, sometime between 9 and 10ish. Usually it is not a big problem but occasionally, you have to wait for a spot.

The best thing though by far of Body Tech is the variety of classes. They have everything; just to name a few, they have Zumba, Step, Total Body Workout, On the Ball Classes, Pilates, a variety of Yoga, Tai Chi, and even Moving Mediation. It's no joke people, if you can't find a class you like here, you are nuts.

Zumba is energizing and fun...On the Ball will work you out and Moving Mediation is an experience like no other. The fact that all these classes are part of the monthly price makes Body Tech well worth your dollar. Go check them out; they are running lots of new member specials!

Body Tech Fitness
80 Lambert Ln,
Lambertville, NJ 08530
609-397-6900
http://www.lovemybodytech.com/

Next up, I will share some info about our other local fitness clubs, newly rennovated and expanded New Hope Fitness and Cornerstone and the Tree House.