Not that there’s anything wrong with a quality meal at a restaurant, but, more and more, we find ourselves drifting toward the fast-and-casual food-hall setup as it takes root in the Delaware River Towns.
Let’s call it what it is: Grazing.
And one of our favorite places to graze is the Ferry Market in the heart of New Hope for Sunday brunch. At that hour, the crowds are still thin. It’s about as close as you’re going to get to having the place to yourself, which is important because the less time you spend waiting in line, the more inclined you’ll be to sample from multiple counters. And therein lies the joy of grazing; instead of one great meal, you’ve had a half-dozen.
There’s nothing wrong with taking a lap upon arrival and following your stomach’s lead, but having a strategy going in is going to help with pacing. So, in that spirit, here’s brief guide to some of the Ferry Market’s most satisfying bites.
Unionville Vineyards and Weyerbacher Brewing open at noon on Sunday, and both serve by the glass, making for easy excuses to stretch your brunch into lunch. But most of the other vendors open between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., so you’ll want to arrive sometime around 10:30.
Since we’re trying to pace ourselves, make SkyRoast Coffee your first stop. They do lattes and espressos particularly well. They also do delicate pastries and a heartier avocado toast, either of which is a suitable choice to ease yourself into brunch mode.
Head over to The Pork Shack next, where the fare is decidedly heavier. Order the Almost Famous, a pita sandwich filled with a heaping helping of tender Cuban-style pulled pork, and the BLT tater tots, which are exactly what they sound like. The urge to eat it all yourself will be strong. You’re playing the long game, though, so share liberally.
Moku features poké bowls, the signature dish of 2018. Think rice or zucchini noodles topped with lots of fresh veggies, addictive sauces, and marinated chunks of meat or seafood. In other words, it’s the perfect palate cleanser. It’s also light enough to keep you from sinking into an early nap.
By now, the beer and wine should be pouring. Make your way over to Lima Fusion first. It’s run by the owners of El Tule in Lambertville. Lima is a bit more experimental, but no less authentic. Pick up a bowl of the beef stew, which is cooked in a nuanced Peruvian sauce for two entire days and served over canary beans and white rice.
It’ll pair perfectly with a glass of red wine or a pint of ale. And now, finally, you can loosen your belt and start to settle in. Though, this being Sunday, you’re probably wearing yoga pants or sweatpants.
