The Best of the Best - County Lines Magazine

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Gibraltar Restaurant Chateau Country gentry, young professionals and just-folks from town in an enduring neighborhood favorite. Another Favorite Newton’s on State Street 114 E. State St., Kennett Square 610-925-5055 / newtonsonstatestreet.com There’s an everyone-knows-yourname feeling at this popular restaurant and bar. Crab Flautas, Asian-style Lettuce Wraps, Panko-crusted Chicken and Chipotle Angus Steak Salad show the chef’s in tune with what today’s casual crowd fancies. The food’s tasty, and the Create-a-Meal option lets your inner chef shine. You pick the cooking style, sauce and sides for your entrée. BEST DINER Classic Diner 352 W. Lancaster Ave., Malvern 610-725-0515 / theclassicdinerpa.com This landmark breakfast and lunch destination draws repeat and new diners by setting the standard for fresh, well-presented breakfasts and lunches. With 30 ways to order your omelet (lobster, salmon, crab, filet tips), excellent eggs benedict, and “batters up” choices — Peanut Butter & Banana French Toast, Pear & Cinnamon Cream Stuffed French Toast — complemented by great coffee, chai tea and friendly 38 service, no wonder it’s a classic. We’d say that even if the menu didn’t list Garden of Earthly Delights, Perfect Pork & Fabulous Fowl, and Magic Brownies. Open 6 to 3, with a take-out store. BEST ROOFTOP DINING Half Moon Restaurant & Saloon 108 W. State St., Kennett Square 610-444-7232 / halfmoonrestaurant.com Year-round rooftop dining happens in Kennett, thanks to a retractable glass ceiling that makes sunsets accessible, even in January. Perhaps you’ve caught the New York Times reviews or Travel Channel coverage last year of this contemporary dining scene in a converted candy shop. There are Moontinis from the bar, 27 beers on tap (lots of Belgian brews), with an informative beer menu and knowledgeable servers to help make the most of your choices. But it’s wild game and local raised meats (the buffalo is raised a few miles away) that most remember. Try Gator Gumbo with Crawfish & Sausage, Wild Game Chili or buffalo and elk burgers. An exotic, local and healthy choice! BEST DESSERTS Majolica 258 Bridge St., Phoenixville 610-917-0962 / majolicarestaurant.com Many are surprised to find such an upscale BYO in downtown Phoenixville, but Chef Andrew Derry’s focus on freshness results in a seasonal menu and extraordinary desserts that create a growing following. There’s obvious creativity in the local-ingredient emphasis in such dishes as wild boar cassoulet, apple fennel salad; moulard duck breast and confit, braised leek, cocoa pasta. But, ah the desserts! Stunning desserts — chocolate souffle, tarragon anglaise; coconut tapioca, pineapple sorbet, macadamia nut brittle; coffee cardamom pots de crème, spiced doughnuts; hazelnut cake, date purée, parsnip ice cream (yes parsnip! And Earl Grey ice cream, too), or a cheese plate of artisanal cheeses. Try the newly added chef’s table for 8 (8 courses, $85), within view of the kitchen, so you don’t miss a thing. BEST DINNER TO GO Carlino’s Market 128 W. Market St., West Chester 610-696-3788 / carlinosmarket.com 2638 E. County Line Rd., Ardmore 610-649-4046 For the best dinner-to-go for your family that tastes homemade, try a source with family at its core. That’s Carlino’s Market, a third-generation Italian grocery, take-out and caterer in Ardmore and West Chester, and family-run business with Abruzzi hills roots. They’ll make life easier with dinner of chicken piccata, beef brasciole, veal scallopini or fabulous vegetable, meat and cheese, or eggplant lasagna (even better, try Mama Carlino’s version). Add homemade breads, fresh salads (spring mix with cranberries & pears), side dishes (brocolli rabe) and dessert (napoleons) to your bag, and you’ve got a dinner to claim as your own. BEST IN LANCASTER COUNTY Gibraltar Restaurant 931 Harrisburg Ave., Lancaster 717-397-2790 / gibraltargrill.com Lancaster City grows in sophistication and its dining scene leads the way. Some of the best seafood around is at this inland city star, where line-caught wild fish are flown in daily. Great food (top Zagat ratings), ambiance, service, live entertainment (jazz Fri-Sat), and a Wine-Spectator-notable cellar get raves. Chef Carl Vitale (trained with Mario Batali) produces American-Mediterranean flavors that make this a muststop destination. Try Seared Diver Scallops and Shortrib Ravioli, a Raw Bar selection, then Moroccan Spiced Colossal Shrimp. Pastry Chef Diana Penn (tops in her CIA class) turns out such heavenly confections that there’s a separate bakery. Another reason to visit Lancaster. Another Favorite Restaurant Mazzi 46 Deborah Dr., Leola 717-656-8983 / mazzirestaurant.com Tucked into the four-diamond Inn at Leola Village, award-winning Mazzi Nectar
Bistro on the Brandywine Restaurant, specializing in French/Italian fare and using fresh Lancastersourced ingredients, is getting noticed. This charming, well-appointed restaurant offers menus a la carte, prix fixe, gourmet tasting, and Pasta Tuesday. A favorite, served tableside: Chicken in the Style of the “Italian Farmer” — organic slow-roasted “bone-in” herb-infused half of a chicken with lemon verbena, laurel, root vegetables and brodo. A treat! BEST IN BERKS COUNTY Gracie’s 21st Century Café 1534 Manatawny Rd., Pine Forge 610-323-4004 / gracies21stcentury.com The glowing fireplaces in each of the three dining rooms take away the chill; the sophisticated, vibrant food warms your spirits. Owner Gracie Skiadas’ passion for food means her repertoire always evolves, with tastes ranging from Jamaican sizzle and Asian Fusion to Mediterranean vegetarian, plus Greek, Tuscan and Swiss cuisines. The eclectic décor that 40 brightens this destination gem located in a 1710 iron forge building matches the appealing food. Customers come back for Asian Fusion Crispy Duck; Yellow Fin Tuna, dusted with wasabi powder and seared to rare; Tenderloin of Wild Boar Mixed Grill with wild boar sausage and wild rice; and, when available, Wild King Salmon, pan-seared. Foodie nirvana. Another Favorite Emily’s 3790 Morgantown Road, Mohnton 610-856-7887 / emilyspub.com The Victorian ambiance embraces the contemporary crowd, especially in the lively bar, where the “famous” burgers taste especially juicy in front of the fireplace. In one of the small dining rooms, entrées range from Maryland Crab Cakes with green olive tartar sauce and Parmesan Crusted Salmon to New Zealand Rack of Lamb with mustard herb crust and Duck Breast with a dried-cherry orange marmalade. When warm weather arrives, head for the covered deck by the small creek out back. BEST WINE LIST Dilworthtown Inn Old Wilmington Pk., West Chester 610-399-1390 / dilworthtown.com With over 7,000 bottles in inventory, it’s no surprise this Wine Spectator favorite offers a full range of selections (and an especially large port portfolio) for special occasions and everyday, stored in the original cellar dating back to 1758. Here’s a wine winner in every respect, from knowledgeable staff to assist your selection, wine classes at the Inn Keeper’s Kitchen and sponsorship of the “Uncork A Cure for Cancer” fundraiser. More Favorites Strawberry Hill 128 W. Strawberry St., Lancaster 717-393-5544 / strawberryhillrestaurant.com Owner Dennis Kerek hand picks the 1100+ selections (for the 11,000 bottle inventory) and offers special depth for Bordeaux and California wines. The Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence (17 straight years) put them on the map and the faithful continue the pilgrimage to Lancaster for top-notch selection and laid-back attitude. Premier selection of single malt Scotch, cognac, vintage port and exotic beers, too. Savona 100 Old Gulph Rd., Gulph Mills 610-520-1200 / savonarestaurant.com A Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence winner (every year since 1997 and on par with Le Bec Fin), Savona offers one of Pennsylvania’s best wine lists, with an emphasis on wines from France, Italy and California. Oversized Riedel stemware and tableside decanters give diners the full wine experience. BEST WINE BAR Domaine Hudson Wine Bar & Eatery 1314 N. Washington St., Wilmington 302-655-9463/ domainehudson.com Wine sophisticates toast this uptown bistro’s superior selection of 400 wines by the bottle and 45 by the glass. The knowledgeable staff welcomes the op- portunity to advise on pairings. A sampler of its innovative cuisine, specifically small-or-large plate offerings: Pan-Seared Australian Lamb Rack with goat cheese; Jumbo Sea Scallops with mashed carrots, pumpkin seeds, pomegranates and walnut-maple butter sauce; and Oven-roasted Monkfish with Yukon Gold potatoes, carrots, parsnips, onion compote and spiced veal jus. Desserts are sweet! Consider Blackberry Sauvignon Sorbet, Espresso & Bailey’s Infused Crème Brûlée. For a super wine-and-cheese experience, try an artisanal cheese plate from acclaimed Murray’s Cheese Shop in New York City. More Favorites Cosimo Restaurant and Wine Bar 209 Lancaster Ave., Malvern 610-647-1233 / cosimorestaurant.com You’ve got to love a wine bar with the sense of humor to list No Gris Area and Money in the Blanc on its wine list. With a state-of-the-art system keeping fresh 40 wine selections by the glass, and offering 1.5, 3 or 5-ounce pours, Cosimo’s wine program attracts novices and refined palates. Wine- Down Wednesdays feature tastings of 8 wines and hors d’oeuvres, 6 to 8 p.m., $25. Great small plates menu, too. Mile High Steak & Seafood
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
Page 15 and 16: The of the Best Best Gilmore’s He
Page 17 and 18: PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT Terrain Ca
Page 19: Talula’s Table spiced chicken, Be
Page 23 and 24: Another Favorite Catherine’s Rest
Page 25 and 26: BEST ASIAN FUSION Nectar 1091 Lanca
Page 27 and 28: First-class French fare and polishe
Page 29 and 30: time all the time with sizzling sir
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
Page 51 and 52: the heart of downtown Thornton. Dai
Page 53 and 54: Index to Advertisers ACCESSORIES (S

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