TEAM WORK: “Our objective is to offer absolutely the pinnacle of meals high quality and companies. Our brand is pineapple (the Colonial common signal of welcome) and tulips (conventional flowers from Holland that signify the Dutch household of John Blaw, the settler of Blawenburg).” Jennifer Cifelli, far left, proprietor of the brand new Blawenburg Bistro, is proven with employees members, from left, Rebecca, Kenia, and Kelly.
By Jean Stratton
I am glad to come back to work each single day! And I’m right here day by day. I’m impressed by this chance.”
The numerous clients of the Blawenburg Bistro share proprietor Jennifer Cifelli’s enthusiasm. They’re coming from everywhere in the Princeton space and past, stopping in for espresso and a croissant early within the morning as they commute to work, or later within the day for a leisurely lunch.
Opened in April, the Bistro is a dream come true for proprietor Cifelli, who at all times beloved cooking, however who took a detour earlier than proudly owning her personal restaurant. She had a earlier profession as a trainer, however as she says, “I wished to make a change, and this was the time to do it. I used to be at all times focused on cooking and completely different sorts of meals. I used to be a foodie from day one!
“Additionally, we discovered simply the appropriate location at 391 County Route 518 within the Blawenburg Village part of Skillman. Our iconic nook constructing has a protracted historical past over greater than 250 years. It has been a submit workplace, common retailer, dry cleaner, deli, vintage store, newspaper headquarters, canine groomer, catering firm, and cafe. We’re proud to have a legacy of profitable and welcoming companies which have come earlier than us. We wish to preserve that custom.”
Excessive High quality
The truth is, the custom is properly underneath means. Top quality selections can be found all day lengthy for sit down and takeout, and as well as, a really busy catering enterprise has been established.
“Blawenburg Bistro is an upscale, but informal institution that focuses on gourmand cafe-style choices,” explains Cifelli. “We really feel we’re an elevated-style cafe. We’re all about taste, and every little thing is properly executed by our nice employees and wonderful chef.
“Now we have our personal recipes, and all our dishes are distinctive — we’re not boring. For instance, we now have particular herbed mayo, distinctive curried rooster salad, and we make our personal sourdough. We provide allergen-friendly selections, and gluten-free. A variety of our clients are vegetarian and vegan, and we now have pastry alternate options for vegans.”
The purchasers like every little thing, provides Cifelli, herself a hands-on prepare dinner on the Bistro.
“Now we have many regulars and repeat clients, and a few even come day by day. It’s fascinating: some folks order the identical factor each time, and others are working their means by the menu.”
They may all discover quite a few selections to please the palate.
Intriguing Combos
Breakfast affords every little thing from egg and cheddar sandwiches on a croissant to gluten-free quiche cups with ham, Swiss cheese, and spinach to avocado toast to the very fashionable veggie bowls (a mixture of various cooked greens). A tempting number of bagels, muffins, and croissants can be found, and two different specialties are croissant bread pudding, and chocolate babka.
Salads and sandwiches spotlight lunchtime, they usually provide intriguing and sometimes sudden mixtures. Blended greens with pears, candied pecans, and bleu cheese, served with balsamic French dressing is in demand, as is Romaine lettuce with parmesan cheese and garlic brioche croutons, served with Caesar dressing.
Spinach salad with walnuts, Marcona almonds, apple, native cheddar, bacon and eggs, served with apple cider French dressing is an actual crowd pleaser, and rooster or salmon might be added to every salad.
Sandwiches are served with truffle chips, and plenty of scrumptious alternatives await. Turkey with cranberry aioli and basil on grain bread; grilled rooster with brie, caramelized onions, and raspberry jam on a baguette; and ham with goat cheese, pink pepper jam, and arugula on a baguette.
The Bistro’s distinctive grilled cheese with fig and brie is a fan favourite; additionally, rooster tacos with mango salsa; salmon cake with herbed mayo and pickled pink onion on a brioche bun; and hummus, cucumber, and tomatoes with sprouts in a bowl, served with bagel chips or wrap are extra favorites.
The show case is stuffed with an assortment of every kind of pies, desserts, cookies, cupcakes, and tortes, together with gluten-free and vegan selections, to tempt the style buds.
Customized-Baked
“All our pastries are made right here,” says Cifelli, “and we now have custom-baked desserts and pies. You’ll be able to order a slice or a complete cake or pie.”
The number of drinks contains assorted coffees, tea, fresh-squeezed orange juice, lemonade, imported sodas, glowing water, and extra.
Costs embrace a spread, with breakfasts beginning at $6, muffins at $3, and lunches as much as $13.
As well as, the catering facet of the enterprise has been increasing, particularly for personal residential occasions. “We do all dimension events and gatherings, and provide every kind of selections, together with elevated meals for particular events and occasions, and cold and hot sandwiches for casual gatherings,” factors out Cifelli.
“We had been very busy for Thanksgiving dinners, and at the moment are getting arrange for Christmas and New 12 months’s. We even have a non-public room right here for small teams.”
The Bistro can seat 35 (together with on the counter), and there are eight tables open air for heat climate eating. Subtle meals selections mix very properly with the down-to-earth decor and pleasant ambiance.
Lengthy-Time period
Cifelli appears to be like ahead to a few years serving clients and introducing them to her particular dishes.
“We’re planning for the long-term. We’re right here to remain. I get pleasure from attending to know our clientele a lot. They’re all ages, together with households — it’s an actual melting pot right here. Individuals are so glad to be out once more after having to be inside over the last 12 months. They actually began coming right here instantly, they usually preserve coming.
“We do our greatest to supply a heat and welcoming ambiance, and I’m really blessed with our employees. I like working with them, and I’m so fortunate. No surprise I wish to be right here day by day!”
Blawenburg Bistro is open Monday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday-Friday 7 a.m. to five p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. On weekdays, the kitchen closes at 2:30 p.m., however pastries and low can be found till closing.
For extra info, name (609) 309-5317. Web site: blawenburgbistro.com.
