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Landing for lunch
By: Diana R Bowen — 01/19/2006
What is it about eating by or near bodies of water that makes the event extra special? Are we drawn to the ebb and flow of streams and rivers or a talbe overlooking a marina? I know I just love being able to see water related life while I dine.
And so there we were again, overlooking the Delaware River — this time in New Hope at The Landing Restaurant.
Open since 1976 they offer contemporary American cuisine and one of the best outdoor eating terraces. We chose one of those rare sunny and warmish days in January and almost could have eaten out on their deck landing. The table were set up, overlooking the water, the old bridge and Lambertville, where distant church bells rang across the river.
It's not a large eatery, but a comfortable one, with fireplaces and dining areas separated by room dividers that you can see over when you stand. The entrance is set back from main Street with a brick walkway leading to the front or around to the rear by the dining deck.
We were met upon leaving by a beautiful Bernese Mountain Dog named “Fred” chewing on a bone. The staffer said he was friendly, but didn't advise petting while he was engrossed with his bone. In warmer weather patrons are invited to bring along their “well-behaved” canines to dine on the terrace.
The small bar area is in the entranceway with the kitchen to the right. The cozy middle seating area is straight ahead, with wall lamps surrounded by wrought iron leaves and two metallic plaques on the wall. On the other side of the divider is a sunny nook, graced with a large palm tree. To the right are tables facing a large fireplace, tipped with a mirrored mantel. The wood flooring and warm earth colors lend to the intimacy of the restaurant.
The Landing is open seven days a wekk for lunch and dinner with entrees running between $16-20 on average. The menu changes seasonally, as do the hours. Call ahead for more information.
There were four of us for lunch and it took quite a while to decide. All the choices on the menu were inviting. I think Ruthe changed her mind several times between pulled pork and agoat cheese dish. She decided on the Pulled Pork Sandwich, with Swiss Cheese, red onions, tomatoes, lettuce, cole slaw and chips with a tangy barbecue sauce over the pork ($7.95). She said the pork was moist and tender. It looked enormous, yet it disappeared quickly.
Kathy chose the goat cheese dish — a warm Pistachio Crusted Goat cheese on Mesclun greens, lentils and bell peppers with a balsamic vinaigrette ($8.95). As she finished, she said with a grin, “I really didn't like my lunch at all,” as she displayed her very empty plate. She added, “I was even tempted to lick the platter!”
Kathy allowed Ruthe to taste teh goat cheese and we knew right away that Ruthe would order something with goat cheese the next time she had the opportunity.
Peggy went for a side salad (large and lovely to look at) for $6.95 and a Meat Loaf Sandwich on French Bread with a marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese ($8.95). It was thick and dense, with a strong sage flavor. Sage is not Peg's favorite herb and she was used to having tomatoes in the meat loaf as her mother used to do. I tasted it and liked it (of course, I like sage.) Her super thin fries were great and she ate most of the loaf. It was a very generous offering.
I tried the soup of the day, Cream of Mushroom ($6.95 for a bowl). It was similar to one I'd had elsewhere recently, darker, and with no cream. Sage must have been the herb of the day, for the soup tasted of a blend of mushrooms and sage. Different and delightful.
For my entree, which was to be dinner for me that day, I selected the Seared Sea Scallops with Three Pea Stir Fry, Saffron Rice and Tomato Coulis($17.95). It came with eight large, perfectly browned scallops arranged on the bed of saffron rice (a brown and yellow warming tone) with the three different pea selections — pod, snap and free. The scallops, tender and flavorful, were aided by the saffron and the tomato essence seeping in the rice. A wonderful dinner at luchtime.
Hot teas and coffee were in abundance at $1.50 per cup, zero for refills. I've given up iced tea for winter and am enjoying tea with lemon instead.
I was the only one to order a dessert and this time I didn't share... I took it home with me.“It” was a raspberry Laced Buttercream Cake ($8) with a large ripe strawberry on top. Other desserts included strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler with vanilla ice cream ($8) and a Coconut Cluster Cake ($8).
The menu lists a large selection of beer and liquor. A few that caught my eye: Woodchuck Cider, Pete's Wicked Ale and Flying Fish Extra Pale all ranging between $4.50 and $5 a bottle.
We took our time staying on for the better part of two hours, eating, chatting and observing the river from The Landing's friendly atmosphere. We will be back to enjoy their English gardens in spring and summer.
I am so pleased with the chefs in area restaurants offering a smorgasbord of daring choices and flavors in each course. They give the diner a chance to experiment with different dishes and to decide what they enjoy, such as soups with mushrooms and butternut squashes; varied veggie dishes, and entrees with unusual items.
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