The buzz from ecstatic diners quickly spread across the Delaware and after hearing yet another rave review, we decided it was time for Bucks Happening to pay a visit to the The Lovin' Oven in Frenchtown, NJ.  The tiny BYOB establishment, owned by the husband-and-wife team Julie Klein and Mike Quinn, operates with a big heart (as depicted in their custom wall art designed by a local artist to the left) and has built a reputation for serving the highest-quality, locally sourced foods for breakfast, lunch, & dinner.

Much like it's next-door neighbor, Two Buttons by Elizabeth Gilbert & Jose Nunes, devoted fans of the Lovin' Oven make frequent visits to the eatery so it was hardly a surprise to find a 45 minute wait for breakfast upon our 11am Sunday morning arrival.  On a beautiful day, though, the nearby canal and scenic streets of Frenchtown provide a welcome distraction.

Taking in the bohemian chic vibe and “place-where-everybody-knows-your-name” friendliness, I immediately understood the cult-like following that the Lovin' Oven had cultivated.  Local art adorned the high walls and fresh flowers scented the air.  The most welcoming features of the restaurant, however, were the the dozens of smiling & carefree people relaxing in the shabby-chic wooden tables & chairs.  This is a place where half-painted furniture oddly enough makes a whole lot of sense, where the ideals of making memories over a fantastic meal with friends & family takes precedence over everything else.

With local & fresh ingredients a high-priority at the Lovin' Oven, the menu is frequently changing.  Fall flavors including an omelette stuffed with local squash, warm apple cider from a nearby orchard, & home-made sweet potato biscuits (all of which were AMAZING!), made the crisp fall morning that much sweeter.

My fellow diner even proclaimed the Juevos Rancheros (warm corn tortillas topped with black bean chili, cheese, avocado, salsa, sour cream and two fried eggs) to be the “Best he had ever tasted.” The colorful dish was a feast for both the eyes and tastebuds.

The Lovin’ Oven is a cash-only BYOB. They host community events and also offers wholesale baking. For more information, visit their website at www.lovinovenfrenchtown.com.

Lovin' Oven – 62A Trenton Ave. (Route 29) Frenchtown NJ 08825 – (908) 996-7714

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