By Frank D. Quattrone
Lumberville’s Black Bass Hotel has more than compensated for the lone glitch in its storied history. Legend has it that this steadfastly British inn had the audacity to refuse lodging for the night to General George Washington. And on Christmas Day no less, shortly before his dramatic crossing of the Delaware for the Continental Army’s successful surprise attack against the hated Hessian forces.
All forgiven. Retaining its distinctly British character, the inn boasts portraits of British royalty, with legions of tin soldiers guarding its impressive collection—thousands of British memorabilia, porcelain plates, vases and cups, dolls and coins and royal seals—from Mary, Queen of Scots to Queen Elizabeth II. It remains a virtual museum celebrating our friendship with our greatest ally.
Moreover, it has never forgotten its vital role as a community center, offering comfortable lodging and a great meal to guests from far and near. To hear General Manager Terri Kleinguenther, a mainstay at Peddler’s Village for twenty years, tell it, “This building [dating back to the 1740s] has a heart, a history. It lives. It breathes. It’s a wonderful escape from the everyday. It’s entertaining. And our passionate kitchen staff, from our executive chef on down, looks to create an elevated experience for our guests.”
No exaggeration. Once seated at our table in the cozy Porch Room, we received a warm, hearty “Welcome to the Black Bass” greeting from Lorna de Lannée, our gracious server, who’s been with the restaurant for twenty-three years. Even our gregarious busboy, Nick Young, was enjoying his work. We also learned that Executive Chef Cory Price has served the Black Bass for twenty-five years, off and on, working closely on the international menu with former Executive Chef John Barrett and their staff.
The chef brings tons of experience to the task. A late entry into the culinary field, she recalls baking with her mother, hosting dinner parties for her friends in her twenties, and later, taking courses at Philadelphia’s Restaurant School, opening a hotel/restaurant in the Dominican Republic, where she learned the intricacies of Caribbean and Cajun spices, ultimately starting her career at the Black Bass as an intern. And here she is, maintaining the inn’s signature dish, Charleston Meeting Street Crab (a decades-long favorite here—a classic au gratin, with reduced cream, sharp cheddar cheese, and sherry)—and creating new additions to an already impressive menu.
The evening of our latest visit, for example, we reveled in the tangy appetizer Firecracker Shrimp, wonton-wrapped jumbo shrimp complemented by an orange-hoisin dipping sauce, and a refreshing, beautifully presented Butter Lettuce, Avocado & Citrus Salad, served with goat cheese, toasted almonds, and citrus confit in a white balsamic vinaigrette—a fine start to an exceptional meal.
Our entrées were even better. Eve had the Striped Bass in a Tropical Bouillabaisse, a colorful array of mussels, cockles, and jumbo shrimp on a bed of Phad Thai noodles, and I enjoyed my Macadamia Crusted Mahi Mahi, the chef’s personal favorite, served with sweet tostones (double fried plantain slices) and tropical fruit salsa over an avocado puree—both dishes literal feasts for the eyes as well as taste sensations.
Our desserts were a Mascarpone Caramel Cheesecake and (perhaps because I mentioned my affiliation with Penn State Abington) a special treat—a delectable Apple Tart served with vanilla Penn State Creamery ice cream, both with slices of fresh strawberries on the side! Wow
Every table was filled on a sultry Monday summer’s night. Laughter permeated the popular Porch Room, with its spectacular view of the river. From our perch, we could see speedboats churning up waves on the river, pedestrians crossing the only footbridge across the Delaware, and bicyclists and human and canine traffic crossing the towpath adjacent to the inn’s veranda below us.
Much of the inn’s timeless character can be traced to the earnest passion of former owner, Herbert “Herbie” Ward, a devoted Anglophile, who poured a small fortune into restoring the inn from the time he purchased it in 1949 until his death fifty-four years later. In 2008, new owner Jack Thompson restored the building. Since 2024, it has been in the capable hands of Dave and Karen Thompson (no relation to Jack), who also own several properties in Peddler’s Village. Bob McGowan, the hotel’s marketing director, also has some history with the Village, having served as its CEO for eight years.
Speaking of history, and the inn’s plan to offer up exciting new events, the Black Bass has, well, a ghost on its premises. According to G.M. Terri Kleinguenther, “To celebrate its presence, we’re going to have a special day this year at Halloween. On Saturday, October 31, we’ve invited a ghost-teller to tell stories about—well, you guessed it—our own special ghost. We’ll have music, Halloween dishes, even a ‘broom-parking’ spot. Everyone is invited!”
Sounds like fun—just one more reason, in addition to the fine food, the historical artifacts, the ambiance, the hospitality—to (re)visit the Black Bass Inn.
Black Bass Inn is located at 3774 River Road, Lumberville, PA; 215-297-9260; https://www.blackbasshotel.com. Hours: Dinner & Tavern, daily, 5–9 p.m. (no tavern menu Saturdays); Lunch, Monday – Saturday, 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m.; Sunday Brunch, 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.; Lite Afternoon menu daily, 3–5 p.m. Reservations recommended. Accommodations available in six exquisite suites. Also available for weddings, private events, and corporate retreats.