Bobolink dairy and bakehouse

Nina and Jonathan White are doing great things for the artisanal cheese and bread lovers of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties.

The Whites raise their own grass fed cows

The White farm is home to over 50 grass fed cows and heifers. The White’s bulls are their own new breed, the Bobolink Blacks, which are a cross breed of Ayshire, Guernsey, Jersey, and the Kerry cattle of Ireland. Visitors to the farm can join a one hour tour that will include meeting this assortment of cows and bulls. Don’t wear pumps for this hike through the fields...remember cows and pigs live and work here!

The Whites craft cheeses from the milk of these happy cows

This assortment of grass fed animals provides the most wonderful, happy milk that is used to create out of this world cheeses all handmade on the farm. The cave ripened cheddar has a rich, full, creamy flavor. The Drumm cheese is a semi-firm wheel cheese that changes seasonally. The Jean Louis cheese is made in the spring and the fall and has a bold, grassy, lemony flavor. Along with these varieties come seasonal cheeses that are made only at particular times of the year, such as the Baudolino. 

Pairing cheese with rustic bread

The White’s bake rustic breads in a wood fired oven designed by Alan Scott. The hearth measures 48” X 72” and is a single chamber oven like those used since ancient times. The Roasted Garlic Duckfat Ciabatta is a loaf that will not last beyond the first slice because one slice leads to many more. The Cheese, the Olive Onion, and the Plain Ciabatta are equally amazing. For those interested in fresh loaves try the Flax Seed or the Cranberry Walnut or the Medieval Rye breads. The Cranberry Walnut bread stick won’t even survive the car ride home. 

Other products are available

Bobolink also sells their grass fed beef, pastured whey fed pork, cultured butter, buttermilk, and Pate de Campagne.  Aspiring bakers can take classes or order 
Jonathan’s bread starter. The White’s have an active farm market schedule which can be viewed on their website. Products can be ordered online. Door to Door Organics sells some of their products as well. 

Visit the farm to appreciate the White’s mission

A visit to the farm is the very best way to be introduced to this truly special endeavor. The White’s truly care about their land, their animals, their children, and their community. Traditional food and food preparation is evident in their commitment to the age old techniques of bread and cheese making. A visit to this family run farm is a real treat. 

Rick's in Lambertville

Rick's in Lambertville, New Jersey, has a long and rich history. The red plastic tumblers, the old Phil and Dan's menus on the shelf, and the checkered table cloths are historic proof. The knotty pine interior has not changed at all over the years, but the owner has.

Alex Cormier is the chef/owner at Rick's

Alex Cormier can list stints at La Truffe, The Fountain Restaurant at The Four Seasons Hotel, Ciboulette, his own Alex on South, Harriette's, and Alison on Dominick among his many culinary accomplishments. Cormier's Rick's, following on the heels of his previous successes, has never failed to impress.

Beef Braciole Fra Diavolo

Amidst a humble backdrop of ephemera from Rick's days as Phil and Dan's, Cormier serves food that is at once hearty, humble, and inventive all on one plate. On a recent winter night, the ever changing specials menu featured Beef Braciole Fra Diavolo. Thin slices of beef wrapped around herbed breadcrumb stuffing with a spicy tomato sauce was no match for those who ordered it on a cold night out recently. A delightful Minestrone with a spicy kick was wonderful with the homemade bean dip that was served with the fresh Italian bread. Confit of Quail with Shitake sauce has been a recent feature on the specials menu as well. Cormier's vegetable special winter is usually Brussel Sprouts -  a real treat.

Italian standards

Along with Alex's inventive dishes are the standards that have been in place forever at first Phil and Dan's and now Rick's. The parmesan dishes - eggplant, chicken, portobello, tofu, veal and shrimp, are all fantastic. They come with a massive serving of tomato sauced pasta. The standard pasta dishes on the menu are also excellent -  particularly the ones with the massive homemade meatballs.

BYOB

Rick's is a great choice for both diners who choose one of Alex's weekly special creations or those who want a traditional Italian meal. Remember to grab a special bottle of wine because Ricks is BYOB.

photo Alex Damevski

We were recently in Philadelphia to view the new Barnes Foundation.

Afterwards we drove home through Northern Liberties to eat at Bar Ferdinand. I've written about BF before, but it seems fair to keep extolling the virtues of this grand place because it never disappoints. 

The chef is now David Ansill, who looks like he should be sitting around in Jamaica doing all things Jamaican. Instead he is here in bone chilling Philadelphia cooking for the lucky diners at BF. 

We started with a Cava Rose and the traditional duo of Toasted Marcona Almonds and Olives, marinated with the summer essence of rosemary. That alone would have been enough to transport us to a warmer, sweeter place. 

We tried the Mushroom Croquetas with herb aioli. Three puffs of earthy mushroom delight, crispy on the outside and oozing with goodness on the inside were set atop a garlicky sauce. 

We moved on to the Baked, Stuffed Oysters, again served in a set of three, the third of which we nearly fought over. 

The Frisee, Poached Egg, and Pork Belly was a wonderful followup for the crispy dishes, the egg poached to perfection and the pork belly...is pork belly ever bad?

Our bartender recommended the Roasted Mushroom Flatbread with goat cheese and truffles. When he put that in front of us we both dove in like Dominos had just delivered to a college dorm party. 

New York Strip Steak with truffles was paired with by the glass red wines recommended by our bartender.

Sitting at the bar is great fun at Bar Ferdinand. If you sit by the oven and prep station you can watch some of the dishes being created. The bartenders are very knowledgable and if they suspect that you are a food geek they will recommend specials and pairings that are superb. 

Throw in the flamenco music and dancing and you have a really festive night in store. 

Stay home for a romantic Valentine’s Day evening. 

Before lighting the fire, opening the wine, and setting the table, head to the Carversville General Store where Max Hansen will provide you with a wonderful selection of dishes for your cozy evening.

Hansen’s selections change daily, but here is a tempting list of Max’s special dishes. Consider his Arancine with Risotto & Wild Mushrooms. Wrap your carb craving around the homemade blocks of rich Mac & Cheese. Entertain your healthy side with Broccoli Rabe & Chorizo. Engage your inner meat lover with Boneless Braised Short Ribs or a Roasted Rack of Venison with Poivrade Sauce and a Parsnip and Yukon Gold Potato Puree with Herb Roasted Carrots. Take a dip in the ocean with Seared Viking Village Scallops, Fresh Morels, Fava Beans, and Fresh Thyme Jus. Max is renowned for his Smoked Salmon so that should surely be your first course.

And should your romantic evening lead to an engagement, consider Max for your wedding caterer. No matter what dished you choose, serve the homemade potato chips with creme fraiche and caviar. Eating these is like starting the honeymoon early.  

When you have finished choosing your dinner take a stroll through the freshly baked desserts. Lemon tartlets, freshly baked donuts, and an entire selection of gluten free sweets will complete your “dining in” experience. 

Follow Max on Facebook and Pinterest for updates and wonderful food ideas.