The Best of the Best - County Lines Magazine

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ican with touches of French and Asian, enhanced by selections from the renowned wine collection (see Best Wine List). Try Caesar Salad for Two prepared tableside and the Duet of filet mignon and South African lobster tail with béarnaise or au poivre sauces to mark that special evening. Other winners: Jumbo Lump Crab Crêpe, Alaskan Halibut or Free Range Peking Duck Breast. Reserve early for a special date. Another Favorite The Green Room at the Hotel du Pont 11th & Market Sts., Wilmington / 302-594-3154 dupont.com/hotel/dining_green.htm Here’s everything grand hotel dining should offer: a regal room with high, gold-leaf ceiling, sparkling chandeliers, carved oak paneling and even Versace china. It is gracious, refined dining in an opulent setting, highlighted by some of the finest service anywhere. Add fine French cuisine, excellent wine list and this full-service venue has it all: breakfast, sumptuous Sunday Brunch (see Best Brunch), business lunch or special occasion dinner. Allow time to savor this true fine-dining indulgence. 30 Dilworthtown Inn MOST ROMANTIC – TIE Duling-Kurtz House & Country Inn 146 S. Whitford Rd., Exton 610-524-1830 / dulingkurtz.com Real fires crackling in handsome fireplaces enhance the warm-and-cozy feelings you get at this elegant country inn. Each of seven dining rooms has its own welcoming personality; for romance, the best is the intimate room for two. Candlelight and flowers on beautifully set tables, an excellent wine list with lots of big Cabernets and rich Chardonnays, and four-star continental fare complete the picture. Consider classics such as Lobster Bisque; Escargots de Vienne or Oysters on the Half Shell; Chateaubriand for Two, carved tableside; Sautéed Scottish Salmon Fillet with salmon dumplings; and Rack of Lamb with sweet potato mash. To maintain the mood, end with Warm Apple Strudel, Dark Belgian Chocolate Mousse or Cappuccino Parisienne Ice Cream Truffle. Sweet dreams! Historic General Warren Inne Old Lancaster Hwy. (Warren Ave.), Malvern 610-296-3637 / generalwarren.com Dinner at one of the oldest historic inns in Chester County (1745) is a perfect setting for a romantic evening. With Old World charm, attentive service, sublime food, excellent wine list and accommodations at the inn, the scene is complete. Start or end with drinks in the Warren Tavern —good single malt list, plus plenty of ports and cognacs. But to get the true sense of what brings couples back, enjoy table-side preparation: Caesar Salad for Two, sautéed Dover Sole, Steak au Poivre, or Chateaubriand for Two. The menu has a full range of traditional American cuisine (like their famous Snapper Soup). For the finale: Bananas Foster Flambé or cognac back in your suite. Another Favorite Pond Restaurant & Bistro Cassis 175 King of Prussia Rd., Radnor / 610-293-9411 pondrestaurant.com The fountain, footbridge entry, swans gliding on cue, elegant dining room, Moroccan-inspired menu — it’s hard to say what’s the most romantic aspect of this lovely spot. Just be assured that award-winning Chef Abde Dahrouch (from Taquet) offers up a French/Mediterranean menu so the evening is perfection. No wonder so many weddings happen here. For informal romance, try Bistro Cassis next door. BEST DINNER AT THE INN The Marshalton Inn 1300 W. Strasburg Rd. (Rt. 162), West Chester 610-692-4367 / marshaltoninn.com While at two hot New York City restaurants, Marshalton’s Chef David Cox refined his well-developed love of cheese, then brought it back to this historic gem in his hometown. Patrons appreciate his superb seasonal fare, alive with French country charm and cheese specialties. Dip beef tips, apples or fingerling potatoes into first-class fondue, made with premium cheeses. Four cheeses match the four onions in the best French onion soup you’ll ever encounter. Entrée superstars: Crispy Duck Confit with bulgur wheat, rhubarb and sweet turnip; Lamb Porterhouse with fennel ratatouille; Crisp Organic Chicken; and Horseradish-Crusted Salmon. Warm Chocolate Tart with salted caramel ice cream rocks. The rustic yet elegant Marshalton Inn has welcomed travelers since 1814. Experience the charm of dinner at this inn. Historic General Warren Inne
PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT Terrain Café at Styers 914 Baltimore Pk., Glen Mills 610-459-2400 / terrainathome.com/cafe Old-fashioned goes cutting edge in this high-style charmer that’s part of the updated nursery discriminating gardeners have patronized for over 100 years. It’s sunny-day fun to dine in the café’s authentic greenhouse setting, in full view of nature’s bounty all around and up above. Floral-flavored iced teas come in Mason jars — a shout-out to when Grandma canned her garden’s bounty. Menu choices tempt your eathealthy instincts. The Garbanzo Burger with rosemary, fig compote and goat cheese and the Potted Free-Range Chicken will make you happy. Boursin cheese and caramelized onions add oomph to the Grilled Flank Steak Sandwich. Local produce goes into apple and pumpkin pies and tempting Apple/Brown Butter/Brioche creation. Truly, from garden to table. Northbrook MarketPlace 1805 Unionville-Wawaset Rd., West Chester 610-793-1210 / northbrookmarketplace.com June marked new ambitions at Northbrook, launched by four new owners. The 1850s fieldstone barn now 32 Teresa’s Next Door houses a deli, bakery, ice cream parlor, market and Chef’s Table. At one stop, enjoy apple cider donuts, BBQ from the smokehouse, fresh baked pastries, and carry-out sandwiches or dinners of Amish roasted chicken. But it’s the Chef’s Table that started a buzz. A hand-made table hosts 22 for a 9-course tasting menu (Tues-Sat, 6:30 p.m., BYO, $75). Chefs Tellez and Boone (Striped Bass, Charlie Trotters) aim for sustainable cuisine with local ingredients. A peak at the December menu: Apple- Parmesan Custard, curry seared foie gras and brioche; Cauliflower veloute, roasted chestnut hush puppies and pickled beet juice; Shrimp “cassoulet,” white beans, sausage, pesto; Duck confit, root vegetables, fresh cranberries, smoked bacon vinaigrette and lentils; White carrot cake. Wow! PLACES TO WATCH Vickers Tavern E. Welsh Pool Rd. & Gordon Dr., Exton 610-363-7998 / vickerstavern.com The sad news of Vickers closing in early 2008 turned to great news in November. Arturo Burigatto, previous owner for 20 years until 1999, is back. He and wife Theresa are happy owners once again of the Chester County land- mark. They’ve re-introduced a French continental menu, complete with flambés and more tableside service, gilding the fine-dining experience. Top-of-theline dinner choices in the charming, historic setting include Escargots au Saint Verain and Seafood Vol-au-Vent as appetizers; Slow Roasted Salmon with braised earthen greens and white bean ragout; Bison of the New World with winter squash purée, morels and white bean ragoût; Steak Diane Flambé; and Entrecôte de Boeuf au Poivre Vert Flambé. Among “Les Desserts” are Strawberry Romanoff, Bananas Foster and Crêpes Suzettes. Oo-la-la. BEST CHEF’S TABLE Talula’s Table 102 West State St., Kennett Square 610-444-8255 / talulastable.com Last year’s NPR podcast and Craig LaBan’s Inquirer raves for Talula’s Table were topped by the New York Times notice and Martha Stewart’s daytime TV show’s cooking spot with the chef (making mushroom crêpes). Boutique gourmet market by day, Talula’s morphs into an intriguing Farm Table when Chef Bryan Sikora (of Philly’s Django) dazzles groups of up to 12 at the single chef’s table that serves 8 courses of creative, local, seasonal magic ($90, BYO). The menu changes often, so check the website and dream of delicacies like Handkerchief Pasta with wild hen of the woods mushrooms, cocoa roasted beets and tawny port sauce over Venison Tenderloin. Reservations still take a year and the fan base, from local foodies to New York celebs, force many to craft meals from the exceptional selection in the market (sausages of rabbit, pork, figs and pistachios anyone?). Toss in artisanal cheese selected by the knowledgeable Aimee Olexy. Open 7 to 7, 7 days a week and a chance to see daughter Annalee Talula Rae kiss daddy chef good night. What’s not to love? Another Favorite Birchrunville Store Café 1403 Hollow Rd., Birchrunville 610-827-9002 / birchrunvillestorecafe.com When the chef has talent to attract diners to a tiny crossroads in northern Chester County and a building shared with the local Post Office, you should let him choose your meal. For ten years, Chef Francis Trzeciak has served up such quality French-Italian feasts Maia Restaurant
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Page 5 and 6: HIGHLY TANTALIZING! Mile High Steak
Page 7 and 8: The best investments are the ones t
Page 9 and 10: Events Events THROUGH JANUARY Chest
Page 11 and 12: A Tea Room in Downtown West Chester
Page 13 and 14: • PRIVATE SCHOOLS • A Remarkabl
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Page 23 and 24: Another Favorite Catherine’s Rest
Page 25 and 26: BEST ASIAN FUSION Nectar 1091 Lanca
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Page 33 and 34: waxes poetic about his preferred Fr
Page 35 and 36: Margaret Kuo’s - Wayne Mendenhall
Page 37 and 38: The Comfort of Home, the Caring of
Page 39 and 40: The Main Line’s Original Sushi Ba
Page 41 and 42: Not Just for Special Occasions Anym
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Page 47 and 48: THE TAJINE (ta-gene) In Tunisia a s
Page 49 and 50: We wish you the Happiest, Healthies
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Page 53 and 54: Index to Advertisers ACCESSORIES (S

The Best of the Best - County Lines Magazine

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