The Best of the Best - County Lines Magazine
The Best of the Best - County Lines Magazine
The Best of the Best - County Lines Magazine
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BEST ITALIAN / SOUTHERN<br />
Ristorante Primavera<br />
384 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne / 610-254-0200<br />
This cozy, neighborhood favorite is<br />
warmed by <strong>the</strong> glow from pizza ovens<br />
(producing light, crusty masterpieces)<br />
and <strong>the</strong> energy <strong>of</strong> Chef Drygone, who<br />
has ruled <strong>the</strong> kitchen for almost 20<br />
years. A must have, roasted peppers<br />
with olive oil, crusty bread and a freshmade<br />
pasta dish (<strong>the</strong> tagliatelli). <strong>The</strong><br />
specials delight, so let <strong>the</strong> chef be your<br />
guide. <strong>The</strong> entire experience is so satisfying<br />
(many mention <strong>the</strong> doting service<br />
and Chubby Checker sightings) that<br />
you won’t need to journey to Center<br />
City to visit owner Umberto degli-Esposti’s<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r venues, Monte Carlo Living<br />
Room or Primavera Bistro.<br />
BEST JAPANESE<br />
Hana Japanese Restaurant<br />
387 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne / 610-687-3320<br />
<strong>The</strong> sparse, zen-like décor is a perfect<br />
backdrop for <strong>the</strong> simple freshness<br />
<strong>of</strong> well-prepared Japanese food that<br />
keeps regulars loyal to this BYO in a<br />
strip mall near <strong>the</strong> Farmers Market.<br />
Yakitori (skewered grilled chicken<br />
with vegetables), Chicken Teriyaki,<br />
Tempura, Sukiyaki will please most<br />
palates, including <strong>the</strong> timid. Plus<br />
wonderful sushi, prepared with <strong>the</strong><br />
freshest ingredients in small, carefully<br />
arranged portions and an emphasis<br />
on visual appeal. <strong>The</strong> menu gets high<br />
marks, including from <strong>the</strong> Sushi Pilgrim,<br />
whose goal is to visit every sushi<br />
restaurant in <strong>the</strong> U.S. and Canada.<br />
BEST MEDITERRANEAN<br />
<strong>The</strong> Mediterranean<br />
150 W. Gay St., West Chester / 610-431-7074<br />
This cozy, family-owned, Mediterranean<br />
BYO is a West Chester favorite<br />
and keeps <strong>the</strong> faithful singing its<br />
praises (“hummus so good you should<br />
eat it with a straw,” “have eaten everything<br />
on <strong>the</strong> menu,” “best baklava<br />
ever!”). Chef Joseph Andraos serves <strong>the</strong><br />
same fresh food to his customers that<br />
he makes for his family — fresh, wild<br />
seafood, homemade pastas, free-range<br />
beef. Try <strong>the</strong> Greek classics, <strong>the</strong> popular<br />
Kibbi platter (lamb), meat pie, spice<br />
54<br />
pie, veg pie or daily specials. Big favorite<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> veggie set. Ask for a table<br />
upstairs, away from <strong>the</strong> hungry crowd.<br />
BEST MEXICAN<br />
Señora’s Au<strong>the</strong>ntic Mexican Cuisine<br />
505 E. Gay St. (Gay St. Plaza), West Chester<br />
610-344-4950<br />
This consistently recognized Mexican<br />
BYO is run by third-generation<br />
restaurateur Carmen Lytle and <strong>of</strong>fers<br />
casual dining in a sunny room with<br />
friendly service, where students, regulars<br />
and first-timers eat heartily. Fresh<br />
ingredients and au<strong>the</strong>ntic preparation<br />
set Senora’s apart and allow <strong>the</strong> perfect<br />
balance <strong>of</strong> spice and flavor to shine. Order<br />
your usual favorites and see <strong>the</strong> difference<br />
an experienced hand in <strong>the</strong><br />
kitchen makes, or try <strong>the</strong> specialties,<br />
Mole Poblano, Santa Fe Fajitas, and<br />
end with <strong>the</strong> crunchy Fruit Chimis<br />
(fried tortillas, filled with fruit and<br />
dusting with sugar). A la carte ordering<br />
lets you sample widely. Just don’t forget<br />
to bring your Coronas.<br />
Ano<strong>the</strong>r Favorite<br />
La Tolteca<br />
907 S. High St., West Chester<br />
610-420-8101 / latoltecta.net<br />
4701 Concord Pk., Wilmington<br />
302-477-0433 / lastoltecas.com<br />
Convenient locations, plenty <strong>of</strong> parking<br />
and satisfying Mexican comfort<br />
food, <strong>the</strong>se restaurants have a loyal following<br />
drawn by large portions <strong>of</strong> all<br />
<strong>the</strong> favorites — nachos, quesadillas,<br />
chimichangas, tacos, tamales, enchiladas,<br />
burritos. <strong>The</strong> fajitas are fantastico!<br />
Add vegetarian <strong>of</strong>ferings, and<br />
everyone’s happy!<br />
BEST SANDWICH<br />
Westtown Meats & Deli<br />
1030 Old Wilmington Pk., West Chester<br />
610-696-5588<br />
Our <strong>of</strong>fice has ordered lunch here so<br />
<strong>of</strong>ten that Westtown Meats & Deli faxes<br />
us <strong>the</strong>ir daily specials. And this familyowned<br />
and operated, old-fashioned<br />
butcher shop continues to entice us<br />
with thick, fresh-cut deli sandwiches<br />
on “store bread” (a rustic homemade<br />
variety) and “Poor Boy Special” (2<br />
hamburgers with fries, $5.75). Pick up<br />
a “FreeBird” antibiotic-free chicken for<br />
dinner. Don’t miss <strong>the</strong>ir fabulous<br />
brownies; some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> best around.<br />
BEST SEAFOOD<br />
Harry’s Seafood Grill<br />
101 S. Market St., Wilmington<br />
302-777-1500 / harrysseafoodgrill.com<br />
This casual-chic winner is a major<br />
anchor on <strong>the</strong> bustling Wilmington<br />
Riverfront and <strong>the</strong> extended area’s big<br />
fish for <strong>the</strong> freshest seafood, prepared<br />
with care and imagination. And <strong>the</strong><br />
savvy sommelier is known for her<br />
user-friendly wine lists. A clear view<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Christina River always enhances<br />
<strong>the</strong> fun, and never more than<br />
on <strong>the</strong> patio. Popular choices from<br />
<strong>the</strong> extensive menu: New Englandstyle<br />
Lobster Boil, with clams, mussels<br />
& slaw, topped <strong>of</strong>f with Blueberry<br />
Cobbler; Grilled Barramundi with carrot<br />
glaze; rare Seared Big Eye Tuna in<br />
a yuzu glaze with pea shoots; Panseared<br />
Mahi Mahi with a green apple<br />
pancake. Appetizer options: Maryland<br />
Crab Soup; Lobster Cioppino with<br />
rouille crouton; and New Orleans-<br />
relaxed<br />
elegance<br />
at<br />
55<br />
style Barbeque Shrimp. Check out <strong>the</strong><br />
dynamite aquariums.<br />
Ano<strong>the</strong>r Favorite<br />
Deep Blue Bar and Grill<br />
111 West 22th St., Wilmington<br />
302-777-2040 / deepbluebarandgrill.com<br />
From traditional to Pacific Rim, raw<br />
to deep-fried, this downtown favorite<br />
serves top-<strong>of</strong>-<strong>the</strong>-line seafood. Its location<br />
appeals to <strong>the</strong> business crowd and<br />
<strong>the</strong>ater-goers, but quality is <strong>the</strong> main attraction.<br />
Try <strong>the</strong> excellent raw bar with<br />
well-designed samplers; Grilled Scottish<br />
Salmon with crispy artichoke ravioli,<br />
Napoleon <strong>of</strong> Swordfish with garlicky<br />
spinach; Peppercorn Crusted<br />
Tuna with Parisienne gnocchi. Popular<br />
pre-<strong>the</strong>ater menu and revved-up service<br />
assures you’ll make curtain call.<br />
BEST STEAKHOUSE<br />
Stockyard Inn<br />
1147 Lititz Pk., Lancaster<br />
717-394-7974 / stockyardinn.com<br />
At this historic winner, decked out<br />
in Old World elegance, <strong>the</strong>re’s no need<br />
to ask: Where’s <strong>the</strong> beef? It’s prime