The Best of the Best - County Lines Magazine

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Green Room, Hotel DuPont that the dozen tables consistently rate nationally among the top 10 places worth a drive. The new tasting menu ($80, 5 courses & hors d’oeuvres, BYO, cash, one Tues. a month) staring in February will likely continue to inspired rave reviews, return visits and rhapsodies on food blogs. The many versions of lasagna (wild mushrooms, pheasant), carpaccios (white tuna, Kobe beef), duck dishes, venison and roasted rack of lamb all garner accolades. Trust the chef to amaze you with special delights. You’ll be glad you did. BEST LOCAL, SEASONAL – TIE Restaurant Alba 7 W. King St., Malvern 610-644-4009 / restaurantalba.com Create a restaurant that uses high quality, locally produced foods, and offers contemporary, wholesome cuisine in a sophisticated yet comfortable set- 34 ting. That’s Chef Sean Weinberg and wife Kelly’s simple sounding goal for this beloved Malvern BYO. Centered around a wood-burning grill, the kitchen produces sophisticated yet earthy results, where true flavors shine, especially in the chef’s special antipasto (not to be missed!) and tasting menus. The changing menu anchored by seasonal ingredients beckons diners to repeat visits to enjoy the intrinsic glory of great food. This ambassador for the Slow Food movement added lunch on Thursday and Friday, when you can sample Slow Roasted Pork; Risotto of Shrimp and Fennel; Mantova Style Pumpkin Ravioli. Did we mention they make their own ketchup? Sovana Bistro 696 Unionville Rd., Kennett Square 610-444-5600 / sovanabistro.com Sovana rocks with its “100mile approach” to the hot local/seasonal trend. On a typical menu, six or more items are singled out for being made with ingredients from farmers and providers within a 100 miles. Winning examples include Lamb "Cuscini,” pasta pillows filled with Jamison Farm lamb; Butternut Squash Tortellini with brown butter and spice emulsion; Pennsylvania Pork Sausage with braised French lentils; Chester County Pumpkin Pizza with bacon, gorgonzola and baby arugula; and Dr. Joe’s Buddhist Duck with fresh corn grits. Freshness and full-flavored goodness prevail in all that comes out of this energetic kitchen. A liquor license is new, including 23 wines by the glass, but you can still BYO. Cheers! BEST BRUNCH The Green Room at the Hotel du Pont 11th & Market Sts., Wilmington / 302-594-3154 dupont.com/hotel/dining_green.htm The stately setting impresses, grand with carved oak paneling, high cof- fered ceiling, richly upholstered wingback chairs. What’s new is the updated brunch menu, lighter and with more variety. Appealing choices for appetizer and dessert courses frame fullservice entrée choices, including Meyer Lemon Waffles with foie gras, Dover Sole Meuniére, Grilled Chicken BLT and Steak & Eggs Petite Filet Mignon. Tapas-type offerings on the Appetizer Buffet charm — a single, plump shrimp in a shot glass or bite-size chicken and pineapple slices on a tiny dish with tasty sauce. Also, cheeses, fruit, smoked seafood and soup of the day. The Dessert Buffet showcases the pastry chef’s artistry with Viennese pastries, assorted tortes, mini crème caramel and the hotel’s famous macaroons. From the small balcony: live piano music soothes your Sunday. More Favorites Mendenhall Inn Restaurant 323 Kennett Pk. (1 mi. S of Rt. 1) Mendenhall / 610-388-1181 mendenhallinn.com Champagne, Bloody Mary or Mimosa? Tough choice to begin Mendenhall Inn’s bountiful brunch. And so many other choices! An appetizer buffet offers smoked salmon, trout, and herring, pâtés and terrines, Ambrosia salads, and a cornucopia of fresh melons, fruits and berries. On to the entrées (Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes, Center Cut Pork Chop, Chicken Oscar), quiches, omelets, Eggs Benedict, a trio of French toast choices (strawberries Romanoff, crème brûlée, Texas French toast). Dessert? Don’t miss flambéed Bananas Foster, hot cobbler, and the chocolate fountain. Enough! The Stone Barn 550 Upland Rd., Kennett Square 610-347-2414 / thestonebarn.com The best brunches are celebrations, so why not go where the only meals served are for weddings and special events? Nestled in the rolling hills of southern Chester County, on an estate owned by the Thomforde family for three generations, The Stone Barn offers country charm galore — Fireside Room and Mill Area with water wheel and ponds. Stop by for country cuisine, a hearty assortment of homemade specialties and family recipes. Sundays, 10 to 3. BEST BUSINESS LUNCH The Drafting Room 635 N. Pottstown Pk., Exton 610-363-0521 / draftingroom.com With a second location in Spring House, a sister location (Brickside Grille), and a Pubcrawler thumbs up for the beer list, there’s much to love at this Exton favorite. The lunch menu gets extra kudos for its extensive selection of creative offerings: Belgian cheese fondue, Tuscan cheese fries, Tri-color nachos (and that’s just from the “Starters” section), plus Moroccan 333 Belrose
Talula’s Table spiced chicken, Belgian Mussels and Phyllo Wrapped Buffalo Chicken Cheese Steak. A great scotch selection (70+ single malts) will draw you back for dinner, where you’ll find other treats, like Crispy Crab & Corn Cake and Cinnamon Almond Chicken. You can see why this is a star. Another Favorite Pressroom Restaurant 26-28 W. King St., Lancaster 717-399-5400 / pressroomrestaurant.com Maybe it’s the curved leather booths or central location in the historic Steinman Hardware Building that makes The Pressroom a Lancaster lunch tradition. With a full menu and bar (for those inspired by “Mad Men” to recreate the multi-martini lunch), specialty sandwich menu (choose Dilbert, Ziggy, Charlie Brown), pasta dishes and pizza (roasted garlic and wild mushroom), The Pressroom’s got it all. BEST TEA ROOMS – TIE A Taste of Britain with Easy Elegance 40 Berkeley Rd., Devon 610-971-0390 / easyelegance.net With Starbucks a symbol of excess, 36 times were never better for a restorative cup of tea. We recommend this quaint Devon shop for quick bite, full lunch, or afternoon tea (black, fruit, herbals or five types of green tea). Owner Tara Buzan ensures variety on the menu, plus a memorable experience with tea. Choose tea sandwiches, scones and pastries galore, with a special treat of Lemon Dream (buttery lemon cake filled with homemade lemon curd, iced with lemon buttercream). Grab a pint of lemon curd or British groceries to take home. A great spot for parties, showers or Ladies Lunches. The Easy Elegance side of the house caters, a must stop for tailgating season. The Lincoln Room 82 W. Market St., West Chester 610-696-2102/lincolnroomwestchester.com When the Lincoln Room opened this past summer in the lower level of the oldest commercial building in West Chester, we went immediately to check out the (then) iced teas. The ambitious plans, with morning coffee on the go, lunch and afternoon tea (try Tea Sandwich Sampler Plate), have continued to develop for this charming spot, now with tea parties, guitar concerts (by owner Susan Johnstone’s husband Malcolm), horse-drawn carriage rides and other events. Stop by for a beautifully served perfect pot of hot tea, the tea sandwiches, gigantic scones and Brandywine valley memorabilia. Great before or after West Chester shopping or walking tours, which often start at this event hub. Make reservations now for Abe Lincoln’s 200th birthday in February! BEST PRIX FIXE Fioravanti Continental Cuisine 105 E. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown 610-518-9170 / Fioravantibyob.com This charming 54-seat BYO has long been a favorite in downtown Downingtown. Regulars like to watch chef/ owner David in the open kitchen as he turns out increasingly well-regarded fare. It’s surprising that his 3-course prix fixe menu hasn’t gotten greater attention. At a mere $22, this Monday to Thursday special (5 to 6:30) is a frugalista’s dream. Offering everything from 2-minute calamari, to Andouille Sausage Ravioli, and Rustic Duck Ragout, there’s much to savor. The 2009 Zagat rating bumped up the food score to 26 (same as Savona Bistro), so go before it’s SRO. Stop reading, go now! BEST BISTRO Blue Pear Bistro 275 Brintons Bridge Rd., West Chester 610-399-9812 / www.bluepearbistro.com The country chic neighbor (and offspring) of esteemed Dilworthtown Inn thrives, having adapted its menu to please an ever-growing cadre of the area’s casual diners. Small plate/ medium plate dinners focus on the seasonal and locally grown. French bistro concepts shine in dishes like the Crudities & Charcuterie Plate of seasonal fresh and pickled vegetables, with assorted local and imported meats. Also, Mussels & Frites, enriched with white wine, saffron and cream, and Steak & Frites with braised fennel and bordelaise. Haute and homey mix it up in classy Chicken Nuggets with white truffle honey mustard, Grilled Rainbow Trout with haricots verts and citrus brown butter, and Free-Range Chicken with glazed root vegetables and homemade egg noodles. The sophisticated modernist décor surprises, since it’s set in a handsome, 18th-century general store. Another Favorite Big Fork Restaurant Olde Ridge Village, 100 Ridge Rd., Chadds Ford 610-358-8808 / bigforkrestaurant.com Rustic French deliciously mixes it up with progressive American at this popular BYO. Two appetizers make the case: a perfect Cassoulet that evokes Provence and Maytag Blue Cheesecake that salutes the Iowa dairy source. Or, two entrées: Pork Roulade Tenderloin with mushroom farce (stuffing) and Scottish Salmon Pecan with apple/cabbage risotto. Chef/ owner Kevin Diskin has family connections to Big Fork, Montana, and serious culinary cred including stints at Le Bec Fin and Le Mas Perrier. Fourstar service, too. BEST CASUAL Buckley’s Tavern 5812 Kennett Pk. (Rt. 52), Centreville, DE 302-656-9776 / buckleystavern.net A new, beautifully landscaped patio adds another dimension to this highprofile roadside landmark in quaint Centreville. Inside, experience warm hospitality in the lively bar area or the more formal colonial dining room, complete with fireplace. Menu options abound: Skillet-seared Gaucho Steak; Shrimp and Grits with tasso ham; outstanding sandwiches, including the famed Buckley Burger; and wonderful soups like Spicy Roasted Tomato Soup with feta and Thai-style Crab and Lemongrass Soup. Rub elbows with Northbrook MarketPlace
Page 1 and 2: Southampton by Wood-Mode. Reflect Y
Page 3 and 4: ••• PAIS • Member schools l
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 21 and 22: Bistro on the Brandywine Restaurant
Page 23 and 24: Another Favorite Catherine’s Rest
Page 25 and 26: BEST ASIAN FUSION Nectar 1091 Lanca
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Page 31 and 32: Every year brings something new, di
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
Page 43 and 44: Best Crabs, County Lines Magazine,
Page 45 and 46: 88 serving Continental/American cui
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

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