Stockton, NJ's PERFECT PAIR

Okay, so I'm predisposed to love the Stockton Farm Market - one of the first times we checked it out (on a Sat, the best of the three days to go), I overheard someone raving to a friend, the cheese monger, about cupcakes he'd just savored at a Lambertville gallery ~ ~ and realized with a shock he was talking about MINE.  

Have to love a place associated with such a WOW! memory.

HOWEVER - the Stockton Farm Market can totally stand on its own when it comes to raves.  Its website blurb says it all:  A unique indoor marketplace brimming with locally sourced fresh food, located in the beautiful riverside town of Stockton, NJ.  Shop local purveyors and artisans, find farm fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, savory fresh breads and pastries, organic beef, free-range chicken,  fish and seafood, organic coffee and teas, smokin’ good BBQ, a chocolatier, hand crafted jewlery and much more!   Stop in and meet the people who are passionate about what they do.

It’s not huge - its original space was seriously tiny - but that's part of the charm.  It's indoors, which makes it wonderful year 'round & open three (count 'em, 3) days a week - Friday thru Sunday! (caveat - limited vendors on Fridays)

Even with local produce as rare as hen’s teeth (organically raised, naturally) at this time of year, there’s plenty to lure me to cross the Delaware  – local meats, cheeses, breads, seafood, other delectables & budget-decimating crafts (as well as the almost-lost art of chair recaning!!) beckon. 

Beware the French macaroons at  The Painted Truffle                                                                           and                                                                                                                                                                  Half-Pint Kitchen’s full-fat temptations!!

A recent addition is a coffee bar serving La Colombe coffee. (Where else are you going to be able to shop for locally-produced food stuffs AND get a cuppa La Colombe??)

But, wait – before you order that cup of fabulous coffee, pause & look across the street.  There, on the corner, where the well-loved Meil’s once stood (until the owners broke countless locals’ hearts by retiring) is Lilly’s Meals - Farm to Table!.   

The first time I saw the sign, my heart almost stopped with sheer joy.  Another Lilly’s!!  I’ve loved the luscious sandwiches & awesome salads at Lilly’s Gourmet in the heart of Doylestown since it first opened – was it 13 years ago??  - and the Cuban pressed sandwiches & cinnamon-dusted sweet plantains at its through-the-door neighbor, Café America.   And Lilly’s on the Canal, in Lambertville, right next door to Artists’ Gallery (where my mini cupcakes are frequently featured at opening receptions), is a decadent - I mean excellent choice for byob dining.   

But I wondered – could two rights make a wrong?                                                                                                        In trying to satisfy Meil's loyal clientele,                                                                                                               would Lilly somehow be cast adrift?

How foolish of me to have worried.  Not only is the food, service & vibe everything I’ve come to expect at a restaurant run by Lilly Salvatore, she nabbed Meil’s recipes along with its location, so now I blissfully enjoy the best of both. 

The Stockton Farm Market & Lily’s Meals...                                                                                                                  a perfect pair, nestled in Stockton, NJ!

Stockton Farm Market – in the heart of Stockton, NJ  (19 BRIDGE STREET);  hours – Fridays (limited vendors) 3 – 7 p.m.,  Sats  9a.m. – 4 p.m.,  Suns 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Lilly's Meals - Farm to Table! ~ closed Tuesday; check website for hours