It was worth the 45-minute drive through rural Hunterdon County—passing fields, farms, cows and veggie gardens—to sit outside beneath a giant umbrella and eat a homemade granola and greek yogurt local fruit parfait at the Lovin' Oven in Frenchtown.
The eclectic decor—wooden tables and chairs splatter-painted a variety of colors, photos of local happenings on the walls, handmade adorable menus and cut flowers in tiny milk jars on the tables—was extremely welcoming. The glass case and baskets filled with homemade baked goods that sit just as you walk in are extremely enticing and prompted an impulse muffin buy.
The Lovin' Ovens menu is filled with lovely dishes for a variety of tastebuds and diets. They have many vegan and vegetarian choices that they kindly mark, which was a pleasant treat for this non-meat eating, fruit-loving writer.
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Specials are added to favorites weekly and are created with local ingredients—another thing I am lovin'.
As I sat and enjoyed my crunchy homemade granola, creamy greek yogurt and juicy fresh fruit plate, the owner pulled up in her Prius packed with color. Local tomatos, peppers and peas filled her seat.
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Husband-and-wife team Julie Klein and Mike Quinn moved the Lovin' Oven from Milford to Frenchtown, and brought with it a loyal following and new lovers. The restaurant—attached to writer of "Eat, Pray, Love" author Elizabeth Gilbert's import business—is always packed with foodis, yogis, bikers, loyal followers and their recruits.
Even as I sipped on my coffee while having a late Wednesday breakfast, the place was packed and people continued to trickle in.
After only one visit to the Lovin' Oven, I have become a devout follower. The fresh local ingredients, homemade goods baked on premises and comforting eclectic feel have me in "lovin'."
Lovin' Oven
62 Trenton Avenue, Frenchtown, NJ
908-996-7714
