Our Favorite Al Fresco Dining Spots In Mercer County

 The patio at Rat's in Hamilton Township makes diners feel as 
though they've stepped into an impressionist painting. 

Photo by David W. Steele, courtesy of Rat's

It’s no secret that Mercer restaurant goers love their al fresco dining. Whether its sidewalk bistro tables a mere feet from tailpipes coughing exhaust, or lushly landscaped patios tucked away amongst the trees, the demand for outdoor seating certainly exceeds the current supply. 

Mediterra in Princeton.

Photo by GSOAP

We’ve surveyed Mercer’s options and selected a few restaurants that offer their customers a choice of inside, or out.  While the outdoor décor may vary amongst the dining spots on our list, what they all have in common is the quality of their kitchens. Simply put, we would be just as likely to reserve a table inside during the chill of December, as outside on a humidity free evening in July. 

Great people watching is on the menu at 
Witherspoon Grill in Princeton.

Photo courtesy of Witherspoon Grill.

We’ve limited our list to Mercer restaurants that offer an ambience beyond simple sidewalk seating. Therefore our apologies to these fine establishments: Chamber’s Walk Café and Acacia along Lawrenceville’s restaurant row on Rt. 206; Princeton’s seafood standout Blue Point Grill; and to a restaurant that could be credited as the catalyst for turning tiny Hopewell Borough into a culinary destination, The Brothers Moon.

Patio dining at Za Restaurant in Pennington

Photo courtesy of Za.

Feel free to add your suggestions for outdoor dining in the comment section. We will also be adding to our list as we discover new restaurants.

Rat’s

18 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, NJ 08619 609-584-7800

www.groundsforsculpture.org/RatsRestaurant/index.html

Try as you might, you will not find a more lovely setting for outdoor dining than Rat’s patio overlooking Seward Johnson’s art venue Grounds For Sculpture. While the scenic view may evoke 19^th century impressionist paintings, the cuisine is decidedly present day. Currently managed by Philadelphia’ Stephen Starr Events, Rat’s is offering Tuesday through Friday happy hour from 4PM to 7PM with reduced price drinks and specialty appetizers, including a rare, south of the Canadian border version of Poutine (French fries, gravy and gruyere). 

ZA Restaurant

147 West Delaware Ave., Pennington, NJ 08534 609-737-4400

 www.zarestaurants.com

Za, which describes itself accurately as “cross cultural comfort cuisine,” offers 48 seats nestled in a wisteria-trellised garden with ceiling fans, French styled bistro chairs and small water fountain. The eclectic menu of French Culinary Institute trained chef and owner Mark Valenza includes appetizers Smoked Paprika Hummus and Sweet and Spicy Crab Cakes, and entrees such as gluten free items Sesame Tuna Royale and Chateaubriand.  BYOB-beer, wine and sparkling wine.

MEDITERRA restaurant and taverna

29 Hulfish St. Princeton, NJ 08542 609-252-9680

 www.mediterrarestaurant.com

They had us at the fountain. Yes, the plumes of water spouting from the circular fountain that anchors the plaza on Hulfish Street and welcomes patrons to Mediterra restaurant is the star of the patio. While reservations are accepted for indoors, it’s first-come, first-serve for the 75 seats outside. One of several establishments under the highly regarded Terra Momo Restaurant Group, Medittera draws inspiration from the cuisines of the 21 countries surrounding the Mediterranean as evidenced by Roasted Butternut Squash & Arugula Risotto and Pork Saltimbocca. Pasta Night on Wednesdays and “dinner and a movie” specials on July 19^th and August 16th (in conjunction with the nearby Princeton Public Library) are currently offered.

Witherspoon Grill

57 Witherspoon St., Princeton, NJ 08542 609-924-6011

www.witherspoongrill.com

Located at the rear of Hind Plaza with its neighbor the Princeton Public Library, Witherspoon Grill wins first place in the people watching sweepstakes, and although we’re concentrating on outdoor spaces, we would be remiss if we neglected to mention the fabulous indoor design of the bar and restaurant inside. This classic American steakhouse serves fine, aged Prime Angus beef that reminds us with every bite that we ordinary consumers simply don’t have access to the best meats on the market. There are 46 additional seats for dinner out front. A side patio, which handles overflow outdoor seating during lunch, is staffed with a cocktail server on Friday and Saturday evenings for drinks and appetizers.

Paulie’s Anna Rose

234 West Upper Ferry Rd. Ewing, NJ 08628 609-882-1150

www.pauliesannarose.com

Sitting at one of the umbrella tables on the front patio of Paulie’s Anna Rose is a little like dining at a romantic Victorian “summer cottage” in Newport. Although it faces the road, its elevation and distance from the curb keeps any disturbance from passing cars to a minimum. The menu is standard, Italian-American fare well prepared. Make sure you get on their email list as they may be the most prolific direct to consumer coupon distributor, and the deals are great. They also offer weekday happy hour with complimentary pasta station.

Eleven Front Bar & Grill

11 W. Front St., Trenton, NJ 609-392-6900.

The newest bright light in the evolving dining scene in Trenton.  This family owned restaurant in downtown Trenton is quickly becoming the place to be seen (and overheard). Though not a concern for evenings, the covered, well designed, outdoor seating area of blonde concrete and tall white fencing is somewhat stark during harsh sunlight. Some added greenery (which we will assume is on order considering the thoughtful design of the interior) will help. The kitchen does justice to their “passed down through generations” signature tomato sauce by serving just the right amount (no soup please) over piping hot, perfectly cooked, al dente pasta. Hold off on the salt, pepper and cheese, as the dish is precisely seasoned when it arrives.

Main Street Euro-American Bistro & Bar

Clocktower Cabana Patio Bar

301 North Harrison Street, Princeton, NJ 08540 609-921-2779

www.mainstreetprinceton.com

Main Street offers one of the largest and most spacious outdoor dining options in the area.  Carved out of the central courtyard of the rectangular shaped Princeton Shopping Center, the dual purposed space includes Main Street Bistro’s recently renovated terrace  with umbrella tables and the adjacent Clcoktower Cabana bar with lounge seating. Well-known for years as a top notch corporate and social caterer, Main Street’s blend of classic bistro dishes, (Mac’N Triple Cheese) and current flavor trends (Moroccan Lamb Sliders) earned it a selection on Bon Appetite Magazine’s list of “America’s Best Neighborhood Restaurants.”

Camillo’s Cafe

Princeton Shopping Center, 201 N.Harrison St., Princeton, NJ 08540 609-252-0608

www.camilloscafe.net

Also located in the Princeton Shopping Center, a mere stone’s throw away from Main Street’s Clocktower Cabana, this charming Italian-American trattoria leans more toward Italian than the American side of their culinary equation. And that’s fine with us. It is nearly impossible to walk past the restaurant without stopping to read the menu, and if you do, be prepared to stay a while as items such as Papparadelle with Sausage Ragout, Pecorino and Truffle  Oil and Branzino Braverese are hard to resist.

(A version of this article was originally published in the July/August issue of Mercer's County Woman Newspaper. Copies of the newspaper are free and available at sites throughout Mercer County.)

TIPS TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR FARMERS’ MARKET SHOPPING

Photos and information about some of our favorite 

Mercer County area markets can be found HERE.)

It wasn’t that long ago that New Jersey’s farming industry was in danger of following drive-in movie theaters into extinction as suburban sprawl gobbled up farms at an alarming rate. Fortunately, federal, state and county officials had the foresight to pursue farmland preservation efforts that not only stemmed the loss of existing farms but offered new opportunities for those interested in organic and sustainable farming practices.

Metropolitan Seafood at the Stockton Farmers Market, Stockton, NJ

Community farmers’ markets, roadside farm stands as well as farms with stores on property can be found across Mercer County. From the year-round offerings at the sprawling Trenton Farmers Market in Trenton to the tiny roadside stands that dot the hills of Hopewell Township, opportunities to buy fresh, locally-grown and produced products are plentiful.

Whey fed, Nitrate free Pork and . . .

 Raw Milk Cheeses at Cherry Grove Farm Market,
Lawrenceville, NJ Check out their cheese making process HERE

Shopping locally has the added benefits of allowing us to discover new varieties of common items, to experience the full flavor of sugar filled fruits picked ripe for immediate consumption and to contribute to our environment by reducing our carbon footprint and supporting sustainability.  Following are a few tips to help you make the most of your trip to our local farms and markets. Additional photographs and a list of local markets can be found here.

Be Prepared 

Carry cash, many vendors do not accept checks or credit cards. Do bring along bags and containers to carry your purchases home; don’t bring your dog or other animals if visiting a farm. A cooler in the trunk will keep items fresh on hot days or when other errands may delay refrigerating purchases. 

Consider the Elements 

Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses and insect repellant are recommended basics. Proper footwear is a must, especially if you plan to spend some time in the “pick your own” farm fields. The sun may be shining on the day you visit a farm, but a heavy rain the day prior may provide for wet, messy grounds underfoot.

Watch the Calendar

Pick-up a harvest calendar. The NJ Department of Agriculture has an online guide at  http://www.state.nj.us/jerseyfresh/searches/availability.htm Many farms and markets produce their own versions of what they anticipate to harvest and when. Still, the best way to keep up with the harvest during the season is to simply ask the farmers and vendors what they anticipate bringing to market.

Highland Gourmet Market at Stockton Farmers Market

Shop for Value not Price

It is not uncommon during the height of their harvest to find conventional or organic fruits, vegetables and flowers priced at or below their supermarket equivalents.  However, that is not always the case. Remember that you are paying for the freshest, healthiest and best tasting products available; each purchase supports local farmers and contributes to a sustainable food system. To reduce your costs, try shopping shortly before closing time when some suppliers may slash prices. Consider buying meats in volume by ordering whole animals or ½ and ¼ shares. Ask friends with similar culinary interests to split the shares with you.

Learn the Labels   

Below are a few general terms you’ll encounter during shopping, but don’t be afraid to ask for more details. We’ve always found our local farmers and producers proud of the work they do and happy to answer questions about their farming practices.

Certified Organic Gravity Hill Farm at Stockton Farmers Market

Organic - according to the NJ Department of Agriculture, organic is a term referring to agricultural management procedures that “enhance the ecological balance of natural systems” and whose primary goal “is to optimize the health and productivity of interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals and people." Farms must meet certain criteria to gain state certification allowing them to advertise their products as Certified Organic.

Chickadee Creek Farm at Pennington Farmers Market

CSA – stands for Community Supported Agriculture. CSA members can purchase shares that allow them access to the farms’ harvests throughout the season. Mercer County has three CSAs: Honey Brook Farm in Pennington; Cherry Grove Farm in Lawrenceville; and, Naturally Grown in Pennington. To find out more about these and other CSAs nearby, visit www.localharvest.org/csa

Cherry Grove Farm, Lawrenceville, NJ

Grass Fed – refers to animals fed a diet of natural grasses only, not supplanted with grains or animal by-products. Natural grass-fed meats produced at farms such as Beechtree in Hopewell and Cherry Grove in Lawrence are often leaner than organic grain-fed meats found in supermarkets. For more details on the benefits of grass-fed farming and products, we recommend the website  www.eatwild.com. 

Jersey Fresh – started as a marketing plan in the 1980’s, this label identifies growers registered with the state’s Quality Grading Program and licensed to use the Jersey Fresh logo. A recent expansion of this concept allows food processors authorized by the same grading system to use the “Made with Jersey Fresh” label on their packaging.

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If you have a favorite farm or market you think we should visit, leave a comment with your recommendations.

(A version of this article was originally published in Mercer County Woman Newspaper)