Thursday, March 31, 2011

the boat house

another treat today!  my mom has agreed to share her take on one of our all-time favorite places.  the boat house.  my mom and dad introduced craig and me to this classy little bar, and it never disappoints.  so, without further ado, here is my oh-so-eloquent mama!  (oh, and my dad took all the pictures : )


Hello all!  My name is Janet, and I’m Cailen’s Mom.  Thanks, to Cai, for asking me to write my first blog post!  I do write daily, in a boutique real estate company, but complimentary descriptives  about old stone houses and country estates is a bit different from blogging.   But, having a real passion for this completely wonderful  river valley area was motivation enough, and Cailen has kindly and gently guided me in this venture.   For my first installment I give you the following…

Lambertville, New Jersey is not a sleepy river town.  A river town, yes, but with an amazingly vibrant culture.   Located on the Delaware River in western Hunterdon County, New Jersey.  This town has a completely engaging nature for both visitors and locals.  We’re lucky to be from a smaller neighboring river town, so we can consider ourselves ‘local’.

Lambertville has charming shops, outstanding galleries, classic antique stores, NY chic restaurants and cozy bars.   The homes in the neighborhoods look historic, and they are, but take the fabulous house tour in October and you’ll marvel at the interiors.  The décors range from country casual to retro to cosmopolitan.  This tour is never disappointing, and somehow it’s usually a great, lovely fall day for walking around the storybook streets.

But let’s jump back to the cozy bars, shall we?  There are few gems in this charming riverside enclave, but a favorite of many - and mine - is the Boat House at 8 ½ Coryell Street.  Yes, that address is right!  The Boat House has been a destination for many years, and I know this first hand as my husband and I travelled here via motorcycle a ‘while’ ago.  

The Boat House is a completely cozy, small, sophisticated bar that serves great cocktails in an enthralling atmosphere.  The plethora of art that covers the dark walls and pitched ceilings here is vintage nautical in nature, with classic overtones.   There are fabulous framed periodical covers from decades past, and equally extraordinary watercolors, oils and photographs, many having a sense of intriguing ambiguity.  This atmosphere offers rare moments to take in a different time and space, all safely in the comfort of a nearby woodstove or comfy couch.  Disclaimer…the woodstove makes it sound rustic, but it’s not.  Remember that this place is sophisticated.  The staff is completely knowledgeable and courteous, and the bartender younger and aware, but old-schooled in his performance.  Perfect!

Not easy to find for out-of-towners, the Boat House is down a small alley.  If you can locate Finkle’s Hardware Store on Coryell Street near the canal, you’re ‘hot’ as we’d say in childhood days.   And that’s a good thing!
 
If you have any interest in classic films, you’ll appreciate the ambiance of the Boat House.  You’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into a movie set here.   I don’t have a vast knowledge of mixed drinks, wines and beers, but I do know that the Boat House has to turn people away on balmy summer weekends because there simply isn’t room.  One great drink, and my favorite, is their gin gimlet - straight up.  (I prefer Tanqueray, probably due to the memories of…summer evenings… with a Tanqueray and Schweppes bitter lemon in hand…watching the ocean from the deck of our beach house...ahhh)   But, back to the Boat House!  They make the best gin gimlet I’ve had.  It’s smooth, icy, just enough Rose’s lime juice to hint of something faintly sweet, and fresh lime wedge to squirt.  Flawless.  My husband’s favorite is their Bloody Mary (virgin, please) with extra olives.  Spicy but not too, and robust flavor.  Even something about the rich, savory olives here makes this drink a standout.  Some people linger, some stop in for drinks before walking to one of the many great restaurants in town.  Either way you’ve got a great night!

Hope that you’ll be able to visit Lambertville sometime!  It really is worth the drive from just about anywhere - so is the Boat House! 

Thanks for reading, and I look forward to sharing with you again next month!  Think your best thoughts, enjoy your moments, breathe and go outside when you can.  My best to all, Janet

17 comments:

  1. The Boathouse is so romantic. My sister had her first date with her future husband there.

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  2. The Boathouse looks AMAZING! So cozy and inviting! :) And your mama is too sweet for sharing! :)

    xo! Lauren @ tickled.

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  3. great post with beautiful pictures!

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  4. congrats on your first post!
    I feel like i now HAVE to travel to New Jersey! This Boat House bar looks fabulous and I LOVE the pictures!

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  5. well hey there Cailen's mom!!

    This place looks great!

    And by the way, your job sounds awesome!

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  6. Looks so beautiful. And it looks like a wonderful way to spend an evening.

    P.S. We are having a giveaway on our blog to celebrate its first birthday. Would love for our to enter.
    http://sunnydaystarrynight.blogspot.com

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  7. Aww this is such a sweet post by your mom! The Boathouse sounds amazingly charming! So glad you stopped by...now your new reader as well! :)

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  8. Oh you are so accomplished! My husband is an author, it's a hard slog at times. I love your blog.

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  9. Oooh, fancy shmancy:-) Sounds fabulous! xoxo

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  10. It is so cute that your mom guestblogged on here. I would have my mom guestblog on mine, but she has no clue about fashion.
    She readily admits that fact, so it wasn't mean of me to say it.

    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

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  11. How fun to have your mom guest post- this place sounds like a neat place to visit! :)

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  12. Aw it looks gorgeous. Very pretty pictures! I would love to spend an evening at the boathouse <3

    Thanks for the comment on my blog! I would love to do a giveaway. I'm not sure if my stuff is that great, but if you are still interested my email is b.danell@gmail.com <3

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  13. Thanks for the sweet comment on my blog, Cailen! I adore yours - following now :) This is a great post. And how fun to have your Mom on your blog! Look forward to reading more :) Hugs xx, Annemarie

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