Brunch at the Lovin’ Oven

/ still a dreamer

This morning was a space of wonderful normalcy. My friend and I went down to Frenchtown to have brunch at a favorite restaurant, Lovin’ Oven. They serve the most consistently delicious food at truly reasonable prices, and sourced as much as possible from local farms.

The outdoor patio with umbrellas for shade, bright orange picnic tables, and lovely decor.

Eating outside felt so safe and comfortable – tables well-distanced, staff wearing masks, and menus available through a QR code on little cards on the table.

The lovely fresh flowers at each table, also grown locally.

I’ve been a fan of Lovin’ Oven from when I first moved into my little town fifteen years ago. They were located just a few blocks away, right next to the Delaware River, in a turn-of-the-century Victorian house. It was kind of crowded, but totally charming, and the kitchen, tiny. At some point, they moved to Frenchtown in much more spacious quarters, part of a converted warehouse.

This wall of Hindu statuary shields the patio from the road beyond. It was a fabulous find from the former store next door, Two Buttons.

What stayed the same in the move is the wonderful staff, always smiling, considerate, and kind, and, of course, the fabulous food which includes plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free. Putting aside for the moment that I don’t eat meat, there is rarely anything on the Lovin’ Oven menu that I wouldn’t eat. How many places can you say that about?

Breakfast scramble – scrambled eggs with locally grown cherry tomatoes and sweet corn plus cheddar, and accompanied by roasted potatoes and oatmeal porridge bread.

It was a huge amount of food, and I already knew I’d be taking half of it home, especially if I might be considering dessert (yes, at that hour of the morning – too good to pass up.)

Vegan taco – fried plantains, refried beans, Rancheros sauce, roasted tofu, pickled red onions on a grilled corn tortilla.

My friend chose the vegan taco which was as wonderful as its presentation. She, too, took half of this mound of food home for later consumption.

Top shelf of homemade baked goods – muffins, scones, cookies – all made from scratch.

Another plus here is that they bake all their own delicious treats right there on the premises in small batches. Not for those watching their weight or sugar, but for every now and then, do we really care? The little shelf pictured above sits over the refrigerated case which holds such wonders as Key Lime Pie, Caramel Nut Tart, or what I had … pictured below.

Peanut butter pie – a whipped peanut butter silk pie sitting on top of chocolate ganache and a graham cracker crust – just heaven.

When my peanut butter pie arrived, I was honestly so excited I forgot all about photographing it! So I borrowed this from Lovin’ Oven’s Facebook page which I doubt the owner – who now knows me for 15 years – would mind. What a dream of a pie.

I am so happy that this restaurant made it through the pandemic. Julie developed a takeout menu for 3 times a week, and all the loyal LO fans came and kept them afloat. Coming back when they could actually, physically, open again was like old home week. Staff and diners all greeted one another like long lost friends.

I think when you’re are doing the right thing for the right reason you’ll make out OK. And I think they are proof of that. They just do everything right. It’s always a pleasure to be there. Glad we all got to see you on the other side. And thanks.

17 thoughts on “Brunch at the Lovin’ Oven”

  1. Sounds like a wonderful outing at a wonderful spot. How great to share both delicious food and carefully-tended community. Happy for all. ♥️ Thanks for sharing, Jeanne. (That pie does look like edible heaven!)

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    • My pleasure! Kitty, these last couple weeks I’ve had an unrelenting schedule, and honestly, nothing could have been better than to sit outside with a friend at Lovin’ Oven. I already want more pie. More pie, please! 😀

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    • I have been promising myself for the longest time that “one of these days” I am going to photograph the gorgeous food they serve there. So I did, but got overly enamored of the pie and forgot to take pictures of it. For a ridiculous price, maybe they’d mail you a slice!!

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      • I copied the photo and sent it to a friend to ask if she could bake such a thing. Have not looked up the recipe yet~? It looks rather difficult to ship without problems. That place and your description was very interesting.

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        • I was joking about the shipping – they’re not that kind of place. But just like there’s a chocolate silk pie, maybe there’s a peanut butter silk pie. Someone who bakes could likely find it or improvise. Good luck!

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    • You would love it, I’m sure. Work has been so non-stop for several weeks – I think that peanut butter pie did a lot of healing! LOL I should just photograph desserts when I go, since I can’t seem to resist them.

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  6. Sounds like the perfect day. I love the stories of the independent shops and restaurants that were kept alive with help from the local community. We should all be so good to each other. That pie looks delish!! And the wall is extraordinary! It’s nice to catch up with you:)

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