By Meg Walker, Special Writer
BORDENTOWN CITY — It was a lovely afternoon to stroll and eat on Farnsworth Avenue last Saturday at Downtown Bordentown Association’s second annual Taste of Bordentown City.
More than 275 tasters purchased a “passport” — for $10 in advance or $15 on June 2 — which was stamped at each eatery as they sampled the cuisine.
Many shops along Farnsworth Avenue also were stamping passports. Five stamps qualified visitors for a gift certificate drawing worth $50 of Bordentown Bucks.
Winners Donna Donohue, of Bordentown City, and Bill Kane, of Florence, each will get five $10 certificates to spend at any restaurants, retailers or professional services that are association members.
Taste of Bordentown City featured eateries were Toscano Ristorante; Oliver, a bistro; HOB Tavern; Marcello’s Restaurant & Tomato Pie; Jesters Café; Farnsworth House; Beanwood Café; and Sweeties Ice Cream.
”We wanted it to be a full-rounded event where you have food and people going into the shops, and hopefully, coming back to visit again,” said April Sette, who does marketing and public relations for the association.
Ms. Sette said she spoke to many people who were not from Bordentown, and everyone seemed to be enjoying the day.
Given a choice of a pulled pork sandwich or just the meat from the HOB Tavern, Helen Shveima, of Hamilton, replied, “I’m out here walking — give me the carbs!”
She and Diane Heinz, of Bordentown, said everything they’d tasted was delicious.
Rich and Wendy Brown, of Lumberton, loved the pork loin sample at Toscano.
Ms. Brown said, “It’s far more tender than any I’ve ever served.”
”We’re not just coffee,” explained Elizabeth Acevedo of the Beanwood Café.
It serves tapas every Friday night and is getting ready to open the courtyard behind the restaurant for al fresco dining.
Dorothea Plant, of Columbus, and Pat Temple, of White Horse, tried the deep-fried mushroom stuffed with sausage at Farnsworth House. At Jesters Café, Mike Scotto served smoked salmon with pasta in a brandy cream sauce.
Seizing the opportunity, Layla Alvarado, 8, of Bordentown, set up a lemonade and iced tea stand to benefit the charity Smile Train.
She described the group’s work, saying, “There are kids all over the world who have cleft palates. Smile Train donates money to doctors to help them.”
Downtown Bordentown Association sponsors a farmers market every Wednesday from 4 p.m. until dusk at Carslake Community Center. For details, visit downtownbordentown.com.
