Dinner in Doylestown??

[michael]

Looking for a nice first date dinner in Doylestown. Somewhat upscale atmosphere. White tablecloth type is fine though not necessary. Youthful, energetic would be fun. Reasonably healthy food options. Something with the flare and energy of a center city restaurant would be great.

Thanks!

[QueenB]

Michael, if you and your date like sushi or japanese food, I recommend Ooka on Veteran's Lane in D'town. Definitely an energetic atmosphere and very good sushi. I've been pleased by meals there numerous times.

http://www.ookasushi.com

[G Goo]

This is proof positive that taste is certainly individual. My parents AND in-laws both live in D-town (and I spent my formative years there......pre-yuppie invasion) so I dine there semi-frequently. I've been to the Freight House three or four times and have had some memorably bad, way, way overpriced meals there. The "scene" is a bit annoying on a weekend night......is it a bar catering to the post-college crowd, or a serious restaurant with a focus on the food? It seems the ownership can't decide and it shows. Too bad, because it's a really cool space. Conversely, I have found Domani Star to be quite good, but also overpriced. BYO makes it a good choice. Have yet to go to Slate Bleu, but I have heard good things.

[cwdonald]

I would recommend Knight House which is across from Domani Star. I concur that Domani Star is not that good.. it is very cramped, and I have found the service to be a challenge there. A couple of other places to consider are Bacci on 263& 413 in Buckingham as well as Just Eat by Brown and Gold in Buckingham Green.

[G Goo]

I almost never take service into consideration in suburban restaurants primarily b/c the lack of career servers. In my experience when dining in the burbs, service is poor 80-90% of the time (compared to similar city restaurants). I am often relieved when the service is marginal. The couple times I've been to Domani Star the service was on par with that assessment. Additionally, I would describe Domani Star as "cozy", not "cramped". I've been in places that were uncomfortably small, but I don't think it falls in that category.....IMHO, of course.

[cwdonald]

Disinterest and rudeness go beyond the difference between career and temporary wait staff. I am not asking for the grace and sophistication of a four star restaurant. I expect a bit more than a teenager at McDonalds though.

The snobbery of thinking that one cannot expect good service in a suburban restaurant is ridiculous. One might expect better service at high end restaurants, but there is no reason to totally discount service in suburban restaurants. Not ever where can be Daniel, the Herb Farm or other five star restaurants, but the service can at the very least not detract from the dining experience.

When my table is so close to another table I cannot hear my dining companion over the next tables conversation that is cramped. When the parties behind me repeatedly bang my chair getting up and down, thats cramped.

I live in Doylestown. I have eaten at Domani Star many times. I will however not go back unless it is the choice of others that I am eating with. I would sooner go to a more casual place like Cafe Alessio (now thats cozy .. ) than to Domani Star.

[wandasue]

We often make our dining choices knowing and ranking the the variables of food and service. I find the atmosphere at Domani Star informal and convivial. My husband and I have met some marvelous people at adjoining tables who became our dinner companions. We shared appetizers and food tips. A great time! We have also spent lovely meals concentrating on only ourselves and the dishes we have come to love. The servers are young and a bit green, but never has anyone been rude or unwilling to meet our request, answer a question or make an informed suggestion. All have been unfailingly accommodating and pleasant. On the other hand, the Freight House is certainly sophisticated and obviously "higher end", but I find the service to be pretentious and supercilious and not backed up by quality of the food. Though the descriptions of the dishes promise interesting combinations and presentations, every meal I have had there has lacked any complexity or depth of flavor. Perhaps this is a result of the lack of focus mentioned in an earlier post. Slate Bleu, to my mind, has informed and professional service without any stuffiness, and the food is lovely.

[G Goo]

It's snobbery to talk about my experiences? I have been burned way more times than not regarding service at upscale suburban restaurants. Subsequently I've lowered my expectations. It's difficult to be completely satisfied at these restaurants, especially if they are charging 10-25% more than comparable city places, with half the flair, originality, energy and talent. Listen, I live in the burbs....I wish there were more great, affordable restaurants....but alas there are not.

And I still disagree with you about Domani Star. And Cafe Allessio. Their steak sandwich with gorganzola and broccoli rabe is fantastic!

[wandasue]

Domani Star is a great BYO with wonderful Italian dishes. The polenta cake in gorgonzola sauce is amazing. Slate Bleu has is a great food/service value and thankfully unpretentious. The Freight House has a lovely interior, but it is expensive for the rather unremarkable food and highly self-impressed service. It can also be very noisy as the bar is a draw.