The Black Bass Hotel: it boasts a piece of Bucks County history and a gorgeous Delaware River vantage point.  On a sunny Saturday afternoon, we ventured way up the Delaware for a relaxing lunch.  Lately, it had seemed that everyone was talking about the Black Bass Hotel, and I wanted to see what all of the buzz was about.

Funny thing is, for everything that I had been hearing, I guess I did not realize that the Black Bass was anything but new.  In fact, the Black Bass was built in the 1740s, under the name The Lumberville Hotel.  The original owner was a Tory, someone who was loyal to the British Crown.  He was so loyal that his advertisements often boasted that “George Washington did not sleep here.”

Throughout the years, the hotel has seen thousands of guests and its fair share of fame, including Broadway stars and U.S. presidents.  Due to damages from a series of floods, The Black Bass shut down in 2007.  The owner at the time, Herbert Ward, presided over the hotel for fifty years, until his death in 2003.  Ward, in keeping with the original owner's  love of the British crown, adorned the hotel with English decor, furniture and even his own collection of royal British memorabilia.  In 2009, Jack Thompson purchased the Black Bass.  With patience, love and the help of his family, Jack and the Thompsons nursed the hotel back to health.

Since it happened to be a perfect day, not a cloud in the sky, we of course were not the only ones who had that idea.  It was packed!  There were no tables immediately available in the dining room. It was a shame, since the dining room boasts the river view, but as soon as we wandered into the tavern our disappointments disappeared. The tavern's decidely British-lodge feel was cozy and, luckily for us, empty.  We actually had perfect timing, because within 15 minutes the tavern was full too.  Nonetheless, we snagged ourselves a comfy table and settled in.

It seemed like the tavern was a bit short-staffed.  Our service as friendly and

attentive, but they definitely could have used another hand or two.  I happen to be a French onion soup addict, so I was a happy camper as soon as I saw it on the menu.  I opted for the soup paired with a salad of smoked salmon and arugula.  My husband ordered a pastrami reuben with onion rings.  The hubby was impressed with the beer selection; he managed to order a Palm beer, which he explained was difficult to find on draught around here.  I opted for a nice glass of Pinot Noir, a but pricey by the glass but at least they had a nice selection.

As a self-described expert, I highly enjoyed my soup, and the salmon was fresh and tasty.  I managed to snag an onion ring too.  Do you want to know what impressed me?  You know when you bite into an onion ring and the whole piece of onion comes sliding out of the crust, leaving an hollow shell of breadcrumbs?  Well the Black Bass's onion rings did not do that.  They were crispy and yet the onion stayed put when you bit into the ring. I am told that the reuben was up to standard as well.

The tavern at the Black Bass Hotel is definitely a place to return with friends or family; its a great informal setting that's conducive to conversation.  I would also like to go back and test out their patio.

The Black Bass Hotel is located in at 3774 River Road in Lumberville, just 6 miles north of New Hope along the Delaware River.  Open 7 days a week and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner & Sunday Champagne Brunch.  Reservations strongly recommended. 215.297.9260 | info@blackbasshotel.com

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