Fireside dining offers a unique blend of warmth and sparkle that elevates any meal. This fall, if you are looking for some great spots in Bucks County to have an artisanal cocktail, gourmet meal or just a handsome pour and some chill, you have to check out these local fireside favorites.
Ferry + Main at the Logan Inn
For modern, rustic elegance, Logan Inn’s Ferry + Main offers an exquisite fall cocktail list and a great selection of gourmet dishes. I highly recommend the flirty Apples and Aperol or the classic Dirty Blue. Sip and people watch next to the fiercest fire pits in Bucks, with a perfect view of New Hope’s Main Street.
If you like daring appetizers, check out the Grilled Octopus and Fingerling Potatoes. With smoked paprika crème fraiche and chimichurri, this is as entertaining to look at as it is to eat, and will rival some of the best octopus at home and abroad. For a well-executed salad, the Autumn Mixed Greens with apple, honey almond, dried cranberry, and maple poppy seed dressing is a winning choice.
Mains like the Roasted Autumn Squash or Hearth Roasted Chicken Osso Bucco are a great complement to the fire. The squash dish is literally a fall cornucopia, brimming with brown butter pepitas and crema. The chicken is artful, tented with micro greens and brussel sprouts.
If you want more fire, head inside the Logan Inn to the Whiskey Bar for a wood-burning fire, live music and a top shelf whiskey list. It’s a whiskey-drinking cozy-fest waiting to happen.
Greenhouse New Hope
You can have a firepit all your own, just up the street in New Hope at Greenhouse. It’s super casual, with indoor and outdoor dining and a street-level view of the center of town. With the greenery and rectangular enclosure, you may feel like you are in a greenhouse. Check out appetizers like the Build Your Own Fries, with unique toppings like bacon jam, chorizo and truffle oil. The Spicy Korean Shrimp paired with brown rice mixes Asian flavors with local charm.
If you want to watch the ball game, meet locals or just get happy, Greenhouse is a great option. The menu boasts a variety of soups, salads and sandwiches and the Bacon Jam burger is arguably one of the best burgers in town. Sandwich dishes are all accompanied by homemade kettle-style potato chips, which are so good you will want more.
For a sweet ending, check out the Cookies and Crème Mousse. This before and after picture should tell you everything you need to know about this desert.
River House at Odette’s
Odette’s is on the edge of New Hope, heading south on Main Street. If you want to dine by the fire, don’t forget to request a table in the “overlook,” aptly named for its panoramic views of the Delaware River and rushing sounds of the water. Odette’s offers luxury fireside dining with an impressive fieldstone fireplace. On weekends, the overlook bar is open and is a great place to watch the sunset or profess your love. In fact, catching a glimpse of a bride and groom or a celebrity is a normal occurrence here.
If you like classic appetizers made classy, check out the Kung Pao Chicken Wings or the French Onion Soup, topped with Gruyère. The sweet-salty Gruyère and hearty bread and stock underneath will give you an inner glow.
The cocktail list has drinks named after local streets like Stockton Avenue and Windy Bush. I recommend the Windy Bush if you like bourbon-based drinks or a glass of prosecco if you want to slow-walk your indulgence. Both make great pairings with the Lobster Pappardelle or the Chilean Sea Bass. The Chilean Sea Bass, with its gnocchi-filled sauce conjures chicken pot pie comfort vibes.
For dessert, the Apple Cider Donuts and Pumpkin Roll are worth every calorie. Both had homemade cream touches, and were gorgeously plated.
The Grey Stone Fine Food and Spirits
No fireside dining adventure is complete without a visit to The Grey Stone in Newtown. This vibrant restaurant offers upscale casual dining. The outdoor space is grand, with lush gardens, firepits, and fountains with backyard country elegance.
There are string lights everywhere, giving the patio a warm glow. Their new fall appetizers include the Butternut Squash Bisque and Buttermilk Calamari, both excellent. The bisque features cranberries, crème fraiche and crumpled pistachios, with notes of smoky pork.
For dinner, I recommend the Fall Scallops or the Crab Cakes. Both are packed with flavor and creativity. A warm cookie skillet is the perfect fireside desert, with a warm chocolate chip cookie, still oozing, topped with torched marshmallow and vanilla ice cream. S'mores have nothing on this creation.
Take it from a local, Bucks County fireside dining is totally lit!
