The Inn at Fernbrook Farms recently held their first event of the season. A true feast for the senses, the evening started with an enticing herbal tea cocktail straight from the imagination of the host presenter and tea guru, Miriam Novalle of T Salon. Made with her own blend of coconut tea, pineapple, fresh basil, tequila and an array of tropical juices, the cocktail served as the perfect ice breaker as guests arrived, mingled, and were seated. Throughout the evening Miriam delighted and entertained guests with stories about her travels in the world of tea and her experiences as the proprietor of T Salon.
A Tribute to Spring
The each course of the four-course spring grazing menu included a tea pairing. The first course, a petite plate of starters that included lemon basil ricotta crostini, salmon mousse cream puff, and a radish dipped in farm-made butter, was paired with an organic white ginger pomegranate tea.
The next course included a delicate salad of greens grown onsite, local asparagus, bacon, and creamy caper dressing, with an organic Sencha green tea.
The main course, a sampling of grass-fed lamb lollipop with mint pesto and parsnip puree, heritage pork medallion with roasted beets and carrot chutney, and organic roasted chicken with wild mushroom polenta was matched with organic Queen of Earle tea.
As a finale, chamomile lavender panna cotta with an almond biscotti was paired with Miriam’s signature tea and coffee blend.
This smart, well-paired grazing menu was truly divine! Everything presented was fresh, local, beautifully plated and delicious. There is something so special about a farm to table dinner and this one certainly hit all the marks.
Open For the Season
Nestled within 230 acres of preserved farmland, Fernbrook Farms has something for everyone. Whether you are looking for a quiet getaway, elegant farm to table event space, or a unique place to host a weekend retreat- look no further than the beautiful Georgian-style inn.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and Weekly Farm Shed
If you are lucky enough to live close enough for a regular pickup, Fernbrook offers a CSA program. With over 50 varieties of produce, members get weekly offerings across three seasons. If you are visiting on a whim please be sure to check out the weekly farm shed market.
Open to the public on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the farm shed market is a great spot for picking up fresh, seasonal produce and locally made artisanal pantry items. The farm shed makes it easy to take a piece of Fernbrook home with you. Pick up a couple of made-in-house, oven-ready dinners, dips, sauces, spreads, dairy, and bakery items. Please see the website for the week’s current offerings and details on how to order these items.
Environmental Education Center
At the Environmental Education Center, a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization, parents can register their children for onsite programs. Options include homeschool lessons, afterschool programs, and summer camp. All of the programs cover food, agriculture, and the environment.
The Education Center also gives back to the broader community with summer camp and field trip scholarships to low-income and at-risk children from Trenton. Learn more about these programs as well as how to donate by visiting the website: fernbrookfarms.com/center/support-us/urban-youth-scholarships/
Mark Your Calendar
If you missed the spectacular spring dinner and tea tasting at Fernbrook Farms, don’t fret! You’ll have another chance to dine at the Farm soon. Fernbrook has a farm-to-table BBQ event in the works, with a tentative date sometime in early July.
Sign up on the website for events, or follow them on Facebook and Instagram to be in the know about this and all other upcoming events.
The Inn at Fernbrook Farms
144 Bordentown Georgetown Road
Chesterfield, NJ
609-298-0029
Website: fernbrookfarms.com
