West Chester dinner recs
My husband and I are staying at Faunbrook B & B in West Chester for two nights next weekend, and I'm looking for dinner recommendations for both Friday and Saturday nights. I'd like to stay in or right near West Chester just for convenience. I was thinking about Gilmore's or Butterfish for Friday night (when we may get in rather late and tired) and then Simon Pearce for Saturday, when we can take more time over our meal.
Does this sound good? Does anyone have a better recommendation? These will be two rare meals without our 4-year-old, so I'm looking for cozy/romantic. Thanks!
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OK - I understand you being skeptical on Marshallton Inn. I grew up in the WC area and the only thing I would ever do at MI is drink. The food has ALWAYS been awful. Honestly though, I've been very inpressed by the quality of food the new owners have been putting out. And it's taken them awhile to hit their stride since taking over, but for me it's been working. Look, the bar there is awsome right? go out for a few drinks and try a few apps or share a meal and see for yourself. I want to be clear, this is solid, dependable stuff. Very simple in prep. Not anything that is overcomplicated. Recently had braised duck risotto (it was loaded with duck) and a blue cheese braised short rib fondue with arugula and crispy baguette (app) and it was great (it was a excellent blue with really deep flavors - french). The atmosphere helps too, especially this time of year.
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re: Piko
CindyJ
Nov 5, 2008 06:36 AM
I've never gone to the MI just for a drink, although one of my favorite local watering holes is right next door at the Four Dogs Tavern. I'm curious -- who are the new owners? Are they local? Do they come from another area restaurant?
It's going to take a lot to motivate me to try MI again. I don't know about their "awesome" bar, but I do know that the last time I was there I was feeling very put off by the prices on the menu and on their wine list.
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re: CindyJ
Hi C,
Honestly, I don't know who they are. there web site provided the bio's on them, but I don't think it was anything that stands out.
I too have always liked the Oyster Bar (oops showing my age), 4 dogs as a great place to drink, but MI is nice when the music get's too loud at the 4 dogs. MI is totally a fall/ winter bar. I'm born and raised in the area, so have a soft spot for old chester couny stone / HW floors bars with candles. To me, they have so much more character, just not many places like that around.
As for wine list, I spend most of my time in byo's b/c I'm a long time collector. You are right though. In the city, the typical $15 wine is $50, so it's bad all over.
In fact, I think I just decided I'm going there tonight - if it's bad, I'll let you know.-
re: Piko
CindyJ
Nov 5, 2008 11:31 AM
The Oyster Bar... wow -- you HAVE been around the area for a few years! What I do like about MI is the location and the structure itself. I'd love it if it were reincarnated as a reasonably-priced bistro-type place, along the lines of Blue Pear Bistro. Mediocrity just has no place in southern Chesco because there are truly so many other places to choose from. Hope your dinner is enjoyable tonight.
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re: CindyJ
The owners last I heard were locals who worked in New York at artisnal cheese. Unless they have recently hit there stride the food was ok and the service was really bad.
On an other note I am suprised no one has mentioned Avalon. Although the name doesn't fit there re-design the new style menu is very tasty. Bar none the best cheese selection in the area.
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oliviasaru
Nov 2, 2008 03:22 PM
Thank you so much, everyone, for the recommendations! We ended up having dinner at Spence Cafe on Friday, and Alberto Trattoria on Saturday. Both were great, and exactly what we were looking for each night. At Spence Cafe, I had butternut squash bisque with Chinese five-spice powder and roasted butterfish with shrimp and lobster mousse over coconut jasmine rice - both specials that night. Delicious! My husband enjoyed the oyster stew with saffron and the roasted pork tenderloin. They have an extensive wine and beer list, with a number of very hard-to-find Belgian ales.
On Saturday, we actually drove to Simon Pearce on the recommendation of several people for the ambiance, but the menu was rather limited and way too expensive for our taste that evening. We ended up at Alberto Trattoria because we felt like Italian, and it was a very happy accident. We both had pasta dishes -- mine was spaghetti with fresh tomatoes, garlic, and basil, and my husband had rigatoni with sausage and mushrooms. Sometimes simple pasta dishes like this can be the easiest to screw up, but the food was great and the pasta cooked perfectly al dente. I started the meal with their bean and pasta soup, which was very rich and just terrific. The room started out a bit loud since we were seated near the bar, but that didn't last too long as people started to clear out soon after we arrived (at 8:30).
We really enjoyed West Chester and will definitely have to make our way down there again soon. The Chester County Historical Society Museum was particularly interesting, if anyone's looking for things to do in the area. And Faunbrook Inn was just lovely.
Thanks again!
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do yourself (and husband) a big fat favor and go to Marshallton inn (just 10+ minutes outside of town). After a few years of ownership the husband / wife team has got the their act together and the (french influence) food / atmosphere is now the place to beat in the immediate WC area. go to their web site and see for yourself. I think gilmore and butterfish are average. Nothing special about going there. Do that on a week night when you have nothing else to do.
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re: Piko
CindyJ
Oct 31, 2008 05:04 PM
That's the first good thing I've heard about the Marshallton Inn in a very long time. Is it under new ownership? Last time I was there it was just plain baaaad. The food was boring and mediocre at best, and the prices were outrageous. And now it's "the place to beat?" What's changed?
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We really like Brandywine Prime, great food, BYO even though they have a liquor license. Always great service and on a recent anniv. dinner we recieved free dessert & 2 after dinner wines - pretty nice suprise. Check out their website and see if the food is what you're looking for.
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CindyJ
Oct 28, 2008 12:36 PM
I don't love Simon Pearce, although the setting is quite pretty. I'd call Gilmore's on Friday and/or Saturday and find out if there have been any last-minute cancellations. I've been fairly lucky getting in at the last minute.
Dilworthtown Inn is one of the more popular fine dining spots in West Chester. There's also Blue Pear Bistro, right next door to Dilworthtown Inn.
I think I remember reading something about Jasper that mentioned one of the owners becoming ill just after Craig LaBan's review came out.
I've always wondered about Faunbrook. I pass by there fairly often and I've always thought it looks like a great place to stay. Have a great time!
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re: CindyJ
Chef DiFonzo, owner/chef of Jasper, suffered a brain anuerysm right before the Laban review was published (I believe Michael Kiein mentioned it in the Inquirer). From what I have heard, DiFonzo returned in August. In fact, he was scheduled to do a Celebrity Kitchen appearamce on 10/27/08 in N. Wilmington.
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I wouldn't bother with Simon Pearce. You should drive 10 minutes out of West Chester and into Downingtown and go to Jasper (www.jasperdowningtown.com). Very cozy/romantic and BYOB. Was recently voted Best Kept Secret of the Main Line, and received a favorable review from Craig LaBan. Also voted in the top 5 of Most Romantic Restaurants for 2007 on MyFoxPhilly's Hot List.
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re: lilliemae
oliviasaru
Oct 27, 2008 05:05 PM
These are great recommendations, people, thank you!
I just did a Google search for Jasper and apparently the business is for sale. As their website is still operational I imagine they're still doing business? Has anyone eaten there recently?
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