Welcome to the ‘summer season’!
Well, here it is kids…the weather has FINALLY turned to spectacular, my vegetable garden is hopping into action with Asian greens, cardoon and snap peas, and the Farmer’s Market at the Burlington County Agricultural Center has begun! If you’ve never had the chance to visit, now is the time - all the best spring veg, juicy ruby strawberries and crimson rhubarb, flowers galore, baby plants to take home - it’s a veritable Eden!
And of course, we are there selling our sourdough breads and scones! So don’t fret over the new hours, we will be doing this market every Saturday through November, and will return to normal hours during the holiday season. If you’re looking for specifics you can always call and have us reserve items for you at the market or cafe for pickup!
I myself will be at the table most Saturdays, but my daughter Colette will be taking the reins for the last 2 Saturdays of May, as my partner and I are off to France for the foodie epic adventure of a lifetime! Consequentially, the cafe portion will be closed from May 19th through June 14th (re-opening Sunday June 15th at 8am!) We hope you will show up when we return, excited to try out inspired dishes I plan to bring back from Paris and the countryside!
Follow our antics and dining form the trip on my YouTube channel @ChristineWendland!
Can’t wait to cook more a la francais!…..au revoir NJ!
Less a pivot, then a pirouette…
As I reflect back on 2024, so much has changed, evolved, and even de-volved from our humble beginning in 2020. First off, the pandemic was in full swing…best time to open a business? Probably not, but yet here we are, 4 years since “before times”. Has it been a dream? No, certainly not the one I envisioned (although I was never quite prepared for this scenario…). Hoop has had some very high points, and a fair share of very low points.
Admittedly, 2024 has been, overall, a low point, both personally and professionally. I am ready for radical change.
In light of recent events, I have made the decision to restructure HoopHouse into a more functional formula, both for the community at large, and for my home life…as I prepare to send my first born to college next fall, and my youngest just began kindergarten, and I wrap up a very bitter divorce; I’m sure many parents can understand my struggle here!
So, what will we BECOME? In my mind, a better version of ourselves. A refocus on the ‘origin story’ - more bakery items, more pastry, cookies, cakes, etc., and a hard turn back to the seasonal farmer’s markets, the place where I most found a sense of purpose, community, and acceptance. The cafe menu during the week will be limited. We plan to expand the Supper Club (keep an eye out for membership, what a terrific present to give!) into a three evening opportunity. Most importantly, brunch on the weekend is changing. More on that to come…let’s just say, you will need a reservation to get in on Sunday!
These last 4 years have aged me and also educated me, groomed my abilities and my emotions and expectations. I am eternally grateful to those who have been here since the beginning (too many to name, you know who you are!) and continue to be our friends, and allow me to watch their babies grow into small people and nosh on chocolate chip scones. There is nothing that gives me more delight and gratitude than being part, no matter how small, of this dedicated community of foodies, and watching tiny foodies in the making! I cannot turn my back on these generous souls…you are the only reasons I am still in this place! THANK YOU.
I pray you will all follow me on this graceful pirouette into a fresh, better version of ourselves. I hope you will try us for more than just scones, but come out for a dinner, which is a totally different experience and like nothing else in this town! I hope to greet you, face to face, at summer markets with the sun shining in our hair and keeping breads warm. I cannot wait to feed you the freshest, finest foods in Bordentown, sourced form our shining faction of local farmers and producers.
Above all, I wish you the happiest holiday season, peace and prosperity, and a gracious New Year. We will hold your table for 2025. Cheers!
Chef Christine
Dinner Is Served!!
HoopHouse Cafe is proud to announce our new Friday and Saturday dinners!! Chef Christine has curated a delicious, seasonal casual fine dining menu, like Bordentown (and New Jersey, for that matter!) has never experienced! Reservations are available from 5pm to 8:30pm Fridays and Saturdays on opentable.com, or call us to book at 609-400-5496 during normal business hours.
Check out the menu here, and we will see you for dinner soon. As always, HoopHouse is BYOB, so don’t be shy about cracking out the good bottle of wine!
Valentine's Day Dinner Now Booking!
The time has come to break out the nice shoes, pick a great bottle of bubbly, and head on down to HoopHouse on Wednesday, February 14th for a night of romance!
Our 2024 dinner is called “Love Letters From the Crescent City” - an inspiring menu crafted to emulate the romance of a sultry night in New Orleans, sparking mystery, sensuality, and the taste buds!
Dinner is $180 per couple ($95 per person, single), and includes a three course, prix fixe menu of the finest food in town. BYOB (we are happy to provide recommendations on beer and wine pairings). RESERVATIONS ARE LIMITED - seating is available from 6-8pm. Visit OpenTable.com and search HoopHouse to make your reservation today for this one-of-a-kind event!
View our menu below!
Now on OpenTable!
We are happy to announce we are newly partnered with OpenTable, to accept reservations at the cafe! Come down and check out the new layout, and our ever-growing CookBook Library - borrow one, leave one, or simply sit and enjoy your coffee and read the afternoon away!
OOPS! Forgive us...
We realize many of our clients have received “Order Fulfilled” notices in their email….not to worry; we are going through a website editing and for some reason it sent email confirmations for all past, fulfilled orders….rest assured, you are NOT charged for anything and PLEASE DISREGARD THE EMAIL!!
Apologies for the confusion!!
Farmer's Markets Have Begun!!
The weather has blessed us this week with glorious temps and lots of sunshine, as we prepare for our inaugural farm markets of the 2023 season!!
Tuesdays from 4pm to dusk, come find us on the stunning Waterfront Promenade in Burlington City, along with dozens of our vendor friends, and food trucks laden with tasty vittles! Music, grass, amazing foods, liquor and beer tastings….could you think of a nicer way to spend a Tuesday night?!
Saturday mornings at The Burlington County Farmer’s Market begin THIS SATURDAY!! Located at the Burlington County Agricultural Center on Centerton Rd. in Mt. Laurel, this HUGE market features dozens of vendors, live music, hot and prepared foods, a plethora of local farms, and of course - our breads and pastries!! 8:30am to 1pm - make sure to get in early for the finest selection of goodies, lines form fast!!
Beginning May 24th, HoopHouse will be returning to the Marlton Farmer’s Market in Evesham Twp. This beautiful park location runs on Wednesday nights from 4-7pm, and always delivers with the best of local foods, crafts, and so much more (and of course - bread!!)
We hope to see you out and about this summer at one of these fine locations!!