The Yellow Brick Toad was opened in 1978, in Lambertville, New Jersey, by David Duthie. Dave served as a first lieutenant in Vietnam and was part of the First Air Cavalry Division. He was awarded a Bronze Star, a Bronze Star with Valor, an Air Medal, and an Army Commendation Medal. He served until 1972 when he was discharged.
Dave was familiar with the restaurant business since he had worked in the family restaurant from the age of 12. So, after his faithful service Dave followed his roots and opened The Yellow Brick Toad serving elegant yet quirky dining fair. His restaurant served as a venue for the delightful fair, and his large ceramic toad collection. The restaurant’s hilltop setting was a well known wedding party location, and featured full moon parties, a teen disco, balloon launches, and its "Toadstock" festival. The Yellow Brick Toad was certainly a friendly, fun filled place.
Dave clearly had a good heart, and in December 1995 he invited Churchgoers in the area to make money for their church by doing nothing more than dining at the Yellow Brick Toad. Diners would bring their weekly Sunday church service program to the restaurant, and Duthie will send 50 cents for each meal ordered to the church.
He ran The Yellow Brick Toad for 22 years, and closed the doors in 2000. In 2002 he and his wife, Kristin, pursued their dream of sailing around the world setting off for the Caribbean on their yacht Nero. They were able to sail for a year, making it partway to Venezuela, before Dave sadly succumbed to bone cancer.
I came across The Yellow Brick Toad on one of my many trips to New Hope, PA – just a "hop" over a bridge from the frog. The restaurant provided great memories, for me, and for many people. We thank Dave for his service to this country and at The Yellow Brick Toad.