Let’s Go For Ice Cream

Bucks County Taste has moved! See this post on our new server. 

Everyone has their favorite ice cream place. Usually it’s local, and maybe because it’s associated with sweetness and warm summer evenings, people tend to be fiercely loyal.

That’s why we are not going to rate ice cream purveyors in Bucks County (ha!), or even attempt to be comprehensive in our list. But for those of you interested in wandering the county, comparing vanillas, chocolates and peanut butter-chocolate-graham-whatever swirls, here’s a short list, starting in Upper Bucks and moving south. We did, however, skip franchise places, like Rita’s and Dairy Queen, as good as they might sometimes be.

Thanks to our new guest blogger, Rich Baringer, for his research in Upper Bucks, and to various other friends who have recommended their favorite places.

We hope to update this list as we get a chance to visit them, and add more information, so please let us know your favorite place, and why you love it. Send us an email, or drop a comment below.

Rosemarie’s Italian Ice (Quakertown), 304 W. Broad Street, (215) 536-3220
“A million flavors” of ice cream, plus water ice and gelato.

Grida’s (Richlandtown), 36 N. Main St, (215) 536-2691
Good old-fashioned walk-up food stand. Great place to hang with friends or pick up to take home. Locally owned for over forty years, with a big menu in addition to ice cream. Soft-serve dipped in chocolate is a favorite.

Sundae School (Hilltown), 401 W. Schoolhouse Rd., (215) 723-4123‎
Housed in the old Pennview Schoolhouse – they even have the names and pictures of those who attended school there. Lots of Hershey’s ice cream flavors as well as smoothies, sundaes, Italian ice, candy, ice cream cakes, and chocolate covered bananas. Very friendly staff with an old-fashioned feel inside and outside seating for hanging out.

Owow Cow Creamery (Ottsville), at the intersection of Routes 536 & 412, near Rt. 611
All natural, organic, small batch, handcrafted ice cream, “Italian” style (think rich and dense) made on-site sourcing ingredients from local farms. Twenty flavors. Outside seating. Just imagine – you can eat healthy, great ice cream and support local farmers.

Chubby’s Dairy Barn (Plumsteadville), right behind the Plumsteadville Inn, near the intersection of Route 611 and Stump Road, 215.766.7554
Very family- and community-oriented (hosting Cruise nights, local kids sports teams, movie viewings, ice cream cookie nights), serving Nelson’s ice cream (from Royersford). Extremely friendly staff – even have treats for dogs who visit.

Del Val Creamery @ The Market  by Shady Brook Farm at Delaware Valley College (Doylestown), 2100 Lower State Road
Locally made by Uncle Dave’s ice cream  in Yardley (who also sells at Shady Brook Farm Market). Made from 100 percent super premium Jersey cow milk, from independently owned Pennsylvania dairy farms and using Shady Brook produce – like raspberries, strawberries and peaches – in the ice cream whenever possible. See our story on the Del Val Market.

Pigadilly’s (Lahaska) Peddler’s Village, Shop #53, 215.794.2122
Sixteen hard and nine soft-serve flavors, gelato, baked goods and other light food. Great Peanut Butter Swirl.

Dilly’s Corner (Centre Bridge), on River Road (Route 32), north of New Hope, right at the Centre Bridge-Stockton bridge
Another local favorite that has been there for years. Ice cream, milkshakes and a grill menu. Watch for our upcoming review.

Sweet Pea Creams & Confections (Newtown), 254 N. Sycamore St. (Goodnoe’s Corner), 215.968.0466
Own-make ice cream in 22 flavors, sundaes, ice cream sandwiches, ice cream cakes and pies, and homemade candies.

Goodnoe Farm Dairy Bar (Newtown) 4 South Sycamore Street, 215.968.3544
The tradition continues. Goodnoe’s was the place to go for ice cream for 40 years, back when Newtown was surrounded by farms. Now the next generation is making ice cream again, using the family recipes. The recently opened store sells their homemade hand-dipped ice cream in 12 flavors, offers 15 kinds of sundaes, and milkshakes.

Tanner Brothers Dairy (Ivyland/Richboro), 1070 Hatboro Road, 215-357-1716
Tanner’s had been in business for over 100 years as a working dairy farm so you know the ice cream is fresh. Their produce selection and prices are great too, year-round.

Uncle Dave’s (Yardley) at Shady Brook Farm,  931 Stony Hill Road, 215-968-1670
Locally made from 100 percent super premium Jersey cow milk, from independently owned Pennsylvania dairy farms and using Shady Brook produce – like raspberries, strawberries and peaches – in the ice cream whenever possible.

Yardley Ice House (Yardley boro), 77 S. Main St., 215.321.9788
Family-owned and run. Gourmet Italian Water Ice (in 22 flavors), gelati, soft serve custard, milk shakes and malts, ice cream sundaes, blend-ins and ice cream floats.

Dairy Delite (Levittown), 972 Woodbourne Rd, 215.547.1636‎
This hugely popular ice cream place has several locations in Lower Bucks. From what we’ve heard, portions are big and the lines are long. Thanks to Donnie at The Pineville for this tip. Gotta check it out.

And on the other side of the river…

It’s Nutts (Titusville), 1381 River Road, 609.737.0505
Convenient for Bucks County folks in Upper Makefield and Washington Crossing area. Good ice cream, interesting flavors, outside seating right off of River Road/Route 29.

See more local food stories at www.buckscountytaste.com. 

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July 4th – National Barbecue Day?

Actually, no. It turns out that May is National Barbecue Month. I guess there was some other major event being celebrated on July 4th so they decided it wouldn’t be appropriate.

Not many major food events happening this weekend but that’s okay. It seems an American tradition to have cook-outs on July 4th with family and friends. Check out our online poll (to the right, on the sidebar) and vote on your favorite place to buy meat in Bucks County. For our veggie friends, stop by some of the great Bucks County farmers’ markets listed below for good stuff to grill.

We’ve included the Riverside Symphonia’s annual July 4th concert in our listings. Even though it’s not officially a food event, if you’ve ever been then you know there’s a lot of food going on. A friend once called it, “competitive picnic-ing.” The gates open at 6 pm and folks flood in with everything from the extravagant (candelabras and china) to the simple. The concert starts at 8 pm and fireworks follow. Try to get tickets ahead of time.

The Indian Valley Farmers’ Market begins its season this Saturday in Telford. July 11th they will be hosting the 2009 Field to Table Festival from 10 am to 3 pm. This year the festival will feature a “Berried” Treasure berry contest.  Bring your best Berry Creation to be judged the winner.

Check out our online calendar, Food Events in Bucks County for more details on any of the events below. Our best wishes for a happy and safe holiday weekend.

Friday, July 3rd:

• Doylestown Farmers’ Market, 7 am – Noon, Doylestown (this market is usually on Saturdays but is changed because of the holiday)
• Linden Hill Farmers’ Market, 3:30 – 7:30 pm, Ottsville.
• Wine Concert Series at Shady Brook Farm,  7 – 9 pm, Yardley. Weather permitting. Free admission. Little Big Thing is the musical entertainment.
• Southampton Days, 6 – 10 pm, Tamanend Park, Southampton.

Saturday, July 4th:

• Indian Valley Farmers’ Market, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm, Telford.
• Plumsteadville Grange Farm Market, 9 am – 12 pm, Route 611 just north of Stump Road, Plumsteadville.
• Wrightstown Farmers’ Market, 9 am – 1 pm, Wrightstown. 
• Southampton Days, 6 – 10 pm, Tamanend Park, Southampton.
• Riverside Symphonia’s “Concert Under the Stars,” 6 – 11 pm, Tinicum Park on River Road, Erwinna.

Sunday, July 5th:

• Saucon Valley Farmers’ Market, 9 am – 1 pm, Hellertown.
• Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers’ Market, 9 am – 1 pm, Flemington.
• Sunday Funday: Herb Festival @ Shady Brook Farm, 12 – 4 pm, Yardley.
• Sangria Sundays at Chaddsford Winery, 1 – 4 pm, Lahaska.

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What’s Up, Dad?

Even more tedious than the constant rain is talking about the constant rain. So, with a typical summer forecast for this weekend – chance of thunderstorms – let’s move on.

Time to take Dad out for some fun this weekend – and food and wine. There are three venues doing wine-related events this weekend. On Friday night, both Crossing Vineyards in Washington Crossing and Shady Brook Farm in Yardley are pairing music and wine, while Chaddsford Winery is pampering Dads the whole weekend at its tasting room in Peddler’s Village.

Also in Peddlers Village, Earl’s (formerly Earl’s Prime) has changed its concept, incorporating locally-produced and -grown food into their new contemporary cuisine menu. On Sunday, Father’s Day, they’re offering Dads a complimentary brunch or dinner. What a deal! See their web site for the coupon and their new menu.

Some fun community events include the Joyful Noise Music Festival in Haycock with all proceeds going to the Quakertown Food Pantry, as well as two firehouse breakfasts – one in Riegelsville and one in Plumsteadville. Shady Brook Farm is also doing a Father’s Day BBQ on Sunday if Dad is not in the mood to clean the grill.

If you haven’t a chance to yet, be sure to watch our video of the Wrightstown Farmers’ Market, where you’ll hear vendors describing their products – then you can meet them in person on Saturday at the market, or at some of the other farmers’ markets throughout the county.

Check out our online calendar, Food Events in Bucks County for more details on any of the events below.

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Cool Jazz, Strawberries and Even a Pig Roast

This is what they call a British summer. Rain, cool temperatures, with the sun popping out every now and then just to tease you. The really annoying part is that according to my sister, England is getting our summer weather right now. It’s just not fair. Even the farmers are getting tired of this weather.

But there is lots of cool stuff happening this weekend. Crossing Vineyards and Winery is kicking off their Outdoor Summer Music Series on Friday night with the Lynn Randall Quartet doing the Great American Songbook. There are two Strawberry Festivals happening, one in Hatboro and one in Quakertown. And, of course, there’s still plenty of pick-your-own strawberries around too (see our post below). The Milford Township Volunteer Fire Company will be finishing up their week-long Carnival, and in addition to a firehouse breakfast at the Ivyland Volunteer Fire Company, there’s a chicken BBQ dinner at the Chalfont Firehouse.

Last but not least, don’t forget to stop in at your local farmers’ market this week. In addition to the weekend markets listed below, Springtown has their market on Wednesdays, Lower Makefield and New Hope are on Thursdays. Local veggies and fruits include healthy greens (lettuce, chard, spinach, radish, collard, mustard, broccoli rabe), radishes and turnips, and, of course, strawberries.

Check out our online calendar, Food Events in Bucks County for more details on any of the events below.

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Tips On Pick-Your-Own Strawberries

It’s a little soggy right now out in our local strawberry fields but the next week or so may be your last chance to eat these wonderful strawberries so get out there as soon as the sun pops back out.

We stopped by Shady Brook Farm on Sunday and I picked up their flyer, “Tips on how to pick-your-own strawberries.” Here’s a few of the good ones:

• Pick only plump, red berries. Berries will not ripen once they are picked. The smaller berries are often the most flavorful.
• Pick them gently. Strawberries are tender and bruise easily if they are squeezed so pick them gently. Grasp the stem just above the berry and twist gently to remove the berry.
• Don’t overfill your container. Heaping strawberries more than 5 inches deep will damage the lower berries.
• After rain, pick only berries you plan to eat soon. Strawberries rot quickly if the weather is rainy so, after it rains, only pick berries you plan to eat immediately.
• Cool your berries as soon as possible. Strawberries picked during the heat of the day will not keep as well as berries picked early in the morning or on cooler days.
• Don’t wash the berries until you are ready to use them. Washing will make them more prone to spoiling. Fresh picked strawberries may last only two or three days in the refrigerator so freeze any unused berries to enjoy later.

There are many places in Bucks that you can pick-your-own strawberries. Here’s a few but for a complete list, see the the Penn State Extension website or the PickYourOwn website. Call or check the farm’s website for times and availability (check to see if the rain has affected harvesting).

• Brumbaugh’s Farm, 2575 County Line Rd, Telford,
  215-723-3508
• Center Farm, 2224 Forest Grove Rd, Furlong,
  215-794-7702
• Hellerick Farm, Doylestown
• None Such Farms, Buckingham (update: no PYO strawberries as of 6/16/09; check later if the sun comes out!)
• Shady Brook Farm, Yardley
• Snipes Farm, Morrisville
• Solly Brothers Farm Market, Ivyland
• Traugers Farm Market, Kintersville

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Reprise: Rain, Rain Go Away…In Time For The Weekend

My apologies for getting the weekend run-down up so late. Blame it on a “weak” signal from Comcast. [Yes, I actually lived a day without internet access…and survived. The nervous tic should go away in a day or so.]

But I had a fun afternoon yesterday interviewing Patty and Brian Gianfelice at Pasqualina’s Italian Market in Blooming Glen. Look for my post sometime soon.

They say the rain will stop tonight and the weekend looks like it will be very nice. Check out our online calendar, Food Events in Bucks County for more details on any of the events below.

Friday, June 5th:
• Linden Hill Farmers’ Market, 3:30 – 7:30 pm, Ottsville.
• Silent Movie Night at Chubby’s Dairy Barn, 6 – 8:30 pm, Plumsteadville.
• Wine Concert Series at Shady Brook Farm,  6 – 9 pm, Yardley. Weather permitting. Free admission. Dogs Playing Cards will be the musical entertainment.
• Tyler Tasting Party at the Tyler Mansion, 7 – 11 pm, Bucks County Community College, Newtown.

Saturday, June 6th:
• Doylestown Farmers’ Market, 7 am – Noon, Doylestown 
• Strawberry Festival at Salem United Church of Christ, 8 – 2 pm, Doylestown.
• Plumsteadville Grange Farm Market, 9 am – 12 pm, Route 611 just north of Stump Road, Plumsteadville.
• Wrightstown Farmers’ Market, 9 am – 1 pm, Wrightstown. 
• Chicken BBQ at Springtown Volunteer Fire Company, 11 am – 4 pm, Springtown.
• Open House with Wine & Cheese at Heart and Soul Portrait Studio, 12 – 2 pm, Holicong.
• Strawberry and Ice Cream Festival at St. Peter’s Tohickon United Church of Christ, 3:30 – 7:30 pm, East Rockhill.
• Spaghetti Dinner at Riegelsville Fire Company, 4 – 7 pm, Riegelsville.
• Lobster Fest at Trinity Episcopal Church Solebury, 4 – 8 pm, Solebury.

Sunday, June 7th:
• Saucon Valley Farmers’ Market, 9 am – 1 pm, Hellertown.
• Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers’ Market, 9 am – 1 pm, Flemington.
• Sunday Funday: Strawberry Festival, Shady Brook Farm, Noon – 4 pm, Yardley.

Monday, June 8th:
• 94 Cents Cookie Night at Chubby’s Dairy Barn, 6 – 8:30 pm, Plumsteadville.
• Techniques of Regional American Cooking at Carlow Cookery, 7 – 9 pm, Doylestown.

Have a delightful weekend!

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Summer Evening Farm Tours

The Bucks County Foodshed Alliance is hosting a series of farm evenings this summer, each featuring a potluck supper at 6:30pm followed by a farmer-guided tour of one of the area’s premier small farms. There is no charge and no need to register for the event which is open to the public. Everyone brings a picnic dish to share, a beverage of choice and their own eating equipment.  (Chairs or picnic blankets also appreciated.)

The first one is this Wednesday, June 3rd at Delaware Valley College’s campus. Participants will meet at The Market by Shady Brook Farm, 2100 Lower State Road, Doylestown, 18901. Delaware Valley College is a private, co-educational four-year college founded in 1896 as the National Farm School. Its 550-acre campus includes the fields, farms and education facilities that support its agriculture, science and business programs.

Three more summer farm evenings:

• Wednesday, July 1 – Hendricks Farm & Dairy, 202 Green Hill Road, Telford PA 18969
  HF&D is a grass-fed, natural raw milk dairy producing fine farmstead cheeses and cured meats. Trent and Rachel Hendricks are dedicated to horse-powered, sustainable farming the traditional way.
• Wednesday, August 5 – Trauger’s Farm and Market, 335 Island Road (Route 611 & Island Road), Kintnersville PA 18930
  Myron and LeeAnn Kressman grow a huge variety of vegetables and fruit on a little more than 50 acres, run a small store on the premises and sell produce in season at local farmers’ markets. The farm has been in the Trauger family for nine generations.
• Wednesday, September 2 – Manoff Market Gardens, 3157 Comfort Road (between Laurel and Paxson roads), Solebury PA 18963
  Gary and Amy Manoff began farming on Comfort Road in 1984. They are known for their white and yellow peaches and nectarines and 20 different varieties of apples, as well as strawberries, blackberries, melons and pumpkins.

The farm tours replace the BCFA’s general meetings (first Wednesday of the month from June to September). For those of you unfamiliar with this great organization, the Bucks County Foodshed Alliance, founded in 2006, is a coalition of farmers, landowners, restaurateurs, educators, environmentalists and consumers working together to foster and expand a comprehensive, local, sustainable food supply in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. General meetings, open to the public, are held the first Wednesday of the month at the Wrightstown Village Library or other area venues of special interest. BCFA also manages the Wrightstown Farmers Market at 2203 Second Street Pike, which is open every Saturday, 9am – 1pm, May 23 to November 21, 2009 and the Lower Makefield Farmers Market at Edgewood and Heacock Roads in Yardley, open every Thursday, 3:30 – 6:30, June 4 to October 15, 2009.

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‘Tis the Season

Bucks County Taste has moved! See this post on our new server.  

Nope, not talking about Christmas. Throughout Bucks County, May and June will be filled with the opening of seasonal farm markets. Here’s our rundown.

Weekly markets:

• Springtown: Wednesdays from 3  to 6 pm, Springtown Firehouse, 1030 Main Street/Route 212 (begins May 6th)
• New Hope: Thursdays from 3:30  to 7 pm, New Hope-Solebury High School, 180 W. Bridge Street (begins May 7th)
• Lower Makefield: Thursdays from 3:30 to  6:30 pm, Edgewood & Heacock Rds (begins June 4th)
• Linden Hill: Fridays from 3:30 to 7:30 pm, Linden Hill Gardens, 8230 Easton Rd in Ottsville (begins May 29th)
• Wrightstown: Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm, 2203 Second St Pike (near the township bldg.) (begins May 23rd)
• Doylestown: Saturdays from 7 am to 12 pm, W. State & Hamilton Streets (already in full swing!)
• Plumsteadville Grange Market: Saturdays from 9 am to 12 pm, Route 611, just north of Stump Rd (begins June 6th)

Check our calendar for more details and directions.

Here’s a listing of year-round markets,  roadside and “pick your own” farms that you might want to check out. This is not a comprehensive list. I “cherry-picked” (no pun intended!) ones opening in May/June. Please see the Penn State Cooperative Extension, Bucks County for more information.

Active Acres Farm: Specialty plants, bedding plants, perennials, hanging baskets, hay & straw, strawberries, peaches, sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, cucumbers, melons, onions, cornstalks, ornamental corn, mums, gourds, rides to the pumpkin patch*, barnyard animals, educational school tours, Sleepy Hollow Haunted Hayride. *Pick-your-own: May-October Every day
881 Highland Road, Newtown 18940
215-968-2192

Bechdolts Orchard, Inc.: Peaches, pears, apples, plums, nectarines, tomatoes, peppers.
2209 Leithsville Rd/Route 412, Hellertown 18055
610-838-8522
Spring & fall hours – 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Summer hours – 9:00 am-6:00 pm

Bolton’s Farm Market: Turkey: parts, sausage, ground, cutlets; chickens, beef, berries, sweet corn, cantaloupes, tomatoes, peaches, other fruits and vegetables, milk in glass bottles. No hormones or drugs used on animal products. Phone orders taken.
Route 113, Silverdale 18962
215-257-6047
Market: Year round, Monday – Saturday.

Brumbaugh’s Farm: Strawberries*, raspberries, peas*, sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans, herbs, lettuce, melons, cucumbers, cut flowers, asparagus, mums, pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, hanging baskets, bedding plants, Christmas wreaths. *Pick-your-own
2575 County Line Road, Telford 18969
215-723-3508
Market: April – December, Monday-Saturday

Carousel Farm Lavender: Lavender plants, flowers, Lavender products-soaps, candles, creams, essential oils. Organic.
5966 Mechanicsville Road, Mechanicsville 18934
917-837-6903
Open from May to December; call for hours

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A Locally Grown Partnership

Now that it’s up and running, it seems so natural. Two names – Delaware Valley College and Shady Brook Farm - both a part of Bucks County agricultural history.

The official opening of The Market by Shady Brook Farm at Delaware Valley College , or “The Market” for short, was in early April. We had the pleasure of sitting down with Dave Fleming, Jr., general manager of both the DelVal market in Doylestown and Shady Brook Farm’s market in Yardley.

A little history lesson. Shady Brook Farm started in 1913. Owner Dave Fleming, Sr., is an alumni of Delaware Valley College, and ran a traditional wholesale farming business until the mid-1980s.

“In 1984, we started seeing the writing on the wall,” explains the younger Fleming. The family realized that retail – not wholesale – was the way the business was going, and opened a farm market. Fleming took over the retail store when he graduated from college in 1990, while his brother, Paul, stayed on the production, or farming, side of the business.

In the mid-90′s, Fleming, Jr. decided it was time to go the next step. He wanted to do prepared foods in the market, but needed permission to install sewer and water to do so. Not always easy to accomplish in Bucks County. Fast forward twelve years and Shady Brook opened a new store in 2004, complete with kitchen, deli and bakery.

Next chapter. Delaware Valley College, known locally as “DelVal,” has been educating farmers, horticulturists and other ag types since 1896. (It also does more than teach agriculture these days. US News & World Report just ranked it as one of the best comprehensive colleges in the country). In 2004, the college, which had a modest farm market, built and opened a beautiful new market and garden center on Lower State Road. But things didn’t pan out and the market closed.

Determined to make it work, the college looked at other avenues. They hired a farm market consultant. He gave them the names of thirty markets to visit, plus the five he would recommend to run DelVal’s. One of which was Shady Brook.

Why did they choose Shady Brook?  Don Feldscher, special assistant to DelVal President Dr. Joseph Brosnan, explains that Shady Brook had the right “feel.”

“They talked first about education, and using students to work in the market,” says Feldscher. The college also liked that Shady Brook was committed to using college produce and products.

Fleming also points to Shady Brook’s experience. “A lot of places do a farm market well, or a garden center well,” he explains, “it’s difficult to keep focus on both sides. We’ve had that experience.” Shady Brook also knew a thing or two about running successful events, as they have been doing for years at their Yardley farm. In addition, they are an Agway dealer, and sell all kinds of garden products, from pansies to trees.

But enough history. Let’s talk food! While the interior of the market hasn’t changed much – it’s still crisp, clean and bright – there are some notable changes, both out front and behind the scenes.

Prepared Foods. Shady Brook has hired two chefs and a pastry chef to run the kitchen, and they’re already turning out great food. Everything from breakfast sandwiches, to hot and cold sandwiches (hoagies, paninis, cheese steaks, burgers, hot sides), to soup, to hot entrees and sides for dinner.

The kitchen is still developing its “signature,” says Fleming. “We want to have a ‘country feel.’ We don’t want to get too high-end for a farm market.” The only goal, he says, is that it has to be “exceptional.” Shady Brook has brought many of its signature products from Yardley – like its guacamole, pico de gallo, honey, and peanut butter, as well as a whole line of gourmet preserves and canned goods. (They also plan to produce food in the DelVal kitchen to sell down in Yardley.)

Bakery. “Yum,” is all I can say. Pastries, cookies, pies, cakes and bread. And a full coffee bar to go with it.

Produce. A wide selection of both regular and organic produce that will only get better as we move into spring and summer. Produce from both the college and Shady Brook Farm will fill the shelves. Look for the college’s tomatoes soon, then asparagus and field greens in May from Shady Brook.

Meat and dairy. Pork and beef raised at the college, Eberly’s organic chicken, Griggstown Market’s chicken pot pies, to name a few. Deli cold cuts by Dietz & Watson and Boar’s Head are also available by the pound. Dairy items too, including organic products.

Specialty items. The market carries a good selection of DiBruno’s (from South Philly) cheeses and salamis, as well as many gourmet grocery items. Shady Brook’s own guacamole is, indeed, “exceptional.”

Ice cream. Okay, so I saved the best for last. Those of you familiar with Shady Brook Farm probably also know Uncle Dave’s Ice Cream. Dave Adami, a childhood friend of Dave Fleming, Jr., started his ice cream company in March 2008.

Made from 100 percent super premium Jersey cow milk, from independently owned Pennsylvania dairy farms, it comes in, oh, about 50 or 60 flavors, including Billionaire Chocolate, Toasted Coconut and Graham Cracker. Dave uses Shady Brook produce – like raspberries, strawberries and peaches – in the ice cream whenever he can.  At the market you’ll see the ice cream sold under the Del Val Creamery brand. Grab some and have a seat in the spacious eating area inside the market.

Coming soon – wine. Rose Bank Winery, another Shady Brook Farm offshoot, will be opening a kiosk in the market as soon as the paperwork goes through.

I’m sure I’ve forgotten something – so you’ll have to drive over to the market and check it out for yourself. Just be sure to leave with some guacamole.

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Yardley’s Charcoal Steaks N’Things

Directly across from the Delaware River in Yardley is Charcoal Steaks N’Things, a bright steakhouse that is truly family style in a way chain steakhouses only claim to be.

First thing to know: This is a BYOB place. It’s not big on décor – it feels kind of like a new Perkins, without the kitsch. But what struck us first, once we sat down and examined the menu, were the prices – for a restaurant trumpeting steak, this place is inexpensive. (“Steak” and “inexpensive” are not words I’m used to putting in the same sentence.) A 14-ounce New York strip is $22.95, an 8-ounce Gorgonzola Steak, topped with shallots and gorgonzola is $17.95. Salmon Dijonaise is $12.95.

I had the steak gorgonzola and a grilled romaine salad, which is worth the trip in itself. Lynne ordered the Tumble Weed Steak, a $17.95 8-ounce steak rubbed with spices and topped with “frizzled” (read: fried) onions. Both steaks came exactly as ordered: Lynne’s medium-rare, and mine rare. That seems to be a difficult feat for many places to pull off nowadays, so it’s notable.

The service here is quick, friendly and efficient. The wait staff cheerfully tag teams each other to make sure meals come out at a reasonable pace and that tables are cleaned. In a hurry? No problem. They’ll get you out of there. Want to hang out for a while? No worries.

Because it’s built on a second floor just across the street from the river, we can see where this would be a fine place for dinner during the summer months, especially if you get a window table. There’s nothing to block your view of the water while you eat.

Charcoal Steaks N’ Things is located at 11 South Delaware Avenue (River Road) in Yardley. Phone (215) 493-6394. Hours are 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., seven days a week. A friend tells us they serve great breakfasts. In the name of complete reporting, we’ll try that soon.

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