Primavera Pizza Kitchen: A Taste of the Tuscan Countryside

A 250-seat restaurant serving authentic Italian cuisine, Primavera Pizza Kitchen sits at the edge of the Philadelphia area in Downingtown. The interior of this establishment features ornate murals of the Tuscan countryside and art inspired by the city of Florence, and also boasts a spacious patio area for outside dining. With a very traditional menu, Primavera features lots of oldies but goodies for both lunch and dinner—like chicken alfredo, penne alla vodka, and the always popular spaghetti and meatballs. Dinner features larger portions of lunch menu items plus several heartier choices like a New York strip steak served in a peppercorn cream sauce. Primavera also makes fresh to order stone-fired pizzas, from the traditional Pizza Margharita to the Pizza Diavola, loaded with sausage, pepperoni, black olives, and red pepper flakes. Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, you can also visit Primavera every day for happy hour!

Primavera Pizza Kitchen
853 East Lancaster Ave.
Downingtown, PA 19335
(610) 873-6333
www.primaverapk.com

Comfort Food Comes to West Chester

Ash’s Naked Noodle and Cheese will get you thinking about mac & cheese in a new way, with Philly Cheesesteak, the Gorgonzola and Bacon, or the Buffalo Chicken. Other tempting options include dessert mac & cheese dishes like maple walnut, chocolate chunk and peach cobbler.

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Ash’s Naked Noodle and Cheese
18 S. Church Street
West Chester, PA 19382
610-692-3113

Fond: Seasonal Fare

For an anniversary or birthday, grab your sweetheart and a bottle of wine and head to Fond. Situated on up-and-coming Passyunk Avenue, Fond has simple, sleek decor to create a cozy interior. Fond offers a similarly sparse, yet appetizing, menu of contemporary American cuisine, which varies depending on the season, ensuring the freshest, most seasonal food. Depending on the season, diners can share a garlic-y appetizer of escargot or the popular veal sweetbreads then enjoy entrees of swordfish or strip loin. The light, mostly organic meats come served in moderate portions on appealingly arrayed plates. The modest portion sizes allow diners to save room for the reasonably priced, yet very rich, desserts (Meyer Lemon layer cake, dark chocolate torte, and so on). Make sure to reserve a table online or over the phone to save your place at Fond for that special occasion!

Fond
1617 E. Passyunk Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 551-5000

Majolica: A Taste Of Romance

Diners looking for a romantic destination that’s guaranteed to impress have been flocking to Phoenixville for years to dine at Majolica. This high-class French restaurant has mastered every stage of the experience, from a wondrous atmosphere that is both inviting and classy, to an expertly trained wait staff that is invisible until you need them. And, of course, the food— watching the chefs work in the open kitchen is an exercise in patience, as the smells are so tempting you’ll be chomping at the bit for your food to arrive. Regulars rave about the house smoked chicken, the steak frites, and the tender boar cassoulet. Be sure to leave room for dessert—the pastry chef is fantastic, knocking out home runs like delicately spiced Earl Grey ice cream and crème brulee. Prices are quite reasonable for the caliber of cuisine. Majolica also hosts extremely popular cooking demonstrations, so you can bring a little bit of their magic home.

Majolica
258 Bridge Street
Phoenixville, PA 19460
(610) 917-0962
www.majolicarestaurant.com

Ryan’s Pub: Inexpensive Fun Guaranteed

A popular neighborhood pub in the heart of downtown West Chester, Ryan's pub serves up a warm and inviting atmosphere and an extensive menu that won’t break the bank. A great place to relax with friends for a drink or a bite, Ryan’s offerings begin with a long list of “Pub Munchies” like nachos, wings, and buffalo shrimp, and the rest of the menu follows suit with both variety and value—there’s a sizeable selection of salads, burgers, and sandwiches as well as an array of hearty pub platters and entrees from Ryan’s crab cakes with tangy remoulade to a heaping portion of hot roast beef or turkey, seasoned and served with all the trimmings. Specials are also featured nightly, so make sure to find out what’s on the menu when you visit. The nightly specials continue with the drink menu—from 10 p.m. to 12 p.m., Monday through Friday, Ryan’s features $2 and $3 drink specials along with nightly entertainment—who’s up for Krazy Karoake Mondays, Quizzo Tuesdays, or DJ beats on Fridays?

Ryan’s Bar & Grill
124 W. Gay St.
West Chester, PA 19382
(610) 344-3934
www.ryans-pub.com

Limoncello: A Buzzing Sicilian Evening

Limoncello’s sedate colonial exterior undersells what’s inside: an electric and bustling modern gem that combines Sicilian comfort food with the feel of a metropolitan hot spot. Five members of the Mingrino family are in-house every night to ensure you feel like one of them, from a warm greeting when you walk through the door to a belly full of delectable veal, seafood, gourmet pizza, and homemade pasta dishes. Don’t miss the Spinach & Cheese Manicotti, a creamy but feather-light mixture of spinach and ricotta stuffed into delicate pasta, covered with complex tomato gravy. Happy Hour (Monday through Friday from 4 – 6:30 p.m.) is a great deal, with heavily discounted drinks and half-price appetizers and pizzas. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends—bookings can be made online. Check the website for opening hours.

Limoncello Ristorante
9 N. Walnut Street
West Chester, PA 19380
(610) 436-6230
www.limoncellowc.com

The Orchard Restaurant: An Idyllic Meal In The Valley

If you’re looking to get out of the city for a romantic meal in a gorgeous country setting, the Orchard Restaurant should be the next place to lock into your GPS. Located in the charming Brandywine Valley, this restaurant opened in 2003 to provide top-tier food in a peaceful atmosphere for traveling foodies. Chef Gary Trevisani apprenticed in many of Philadelphia’s best-loved restaurants before striking out on his own, and his robust, flavorful New American cuisine made from the finest fresh ingredients has won a legion of devoted fans. Like many restaurants in Chester County, the Orchard is BYOB, but their wine service is exceptional—they’ll even recork your bottle for you. Regulars rave about pretty much everything on the menu, from the duck confit spring rolls to the perfectly seared filet mignon. It shouldn’t even need to be said, but prices can be a little high, making the Orchard for special occasions only.

The Orchard Restaurant
503 Orchard Avenue
Kennett Square, PA 19348
(610) 388-1100 ‎
www.theorchardbyob.com

Modo Mio: A Gustatory Ride

Great Italian food isn’t hard to find in Philadelphia – the City of Brotherly Love has long embraced the cuisine, and locals argue ferociously about the best in town. One serious contender would have to be Modo Mio. Step in the door and you’ll be transported to a family dining room in Sicily. Modo Mio's dining room is small and homey and you won’t be able to avoid overhearing the conversations at adjoining tables. It’s a testament to the stellar quality of the food that you won’t mind – this place gets it all right. The menu is extensive and easy to browse, with a number of standout entrees garnering raves from diners. The bucatini Amatrician with pancetta in a spicy tomato sauce is excellent, the veal Parmigiano elevates the Italian standard to a new level, and the veal ravioli in sage butter melts in your mouth. Modo Mio is a real find that any eater would be pleased to check out.

Modo Mio
161 West Girard Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 203-8707
www.modomiorestaurant.com/home

Time for Dinner? Enjoy a Meal at Supper

No need to worry about what's for supper when you can instead sample an array of dinner items over at Supper. Chef Mitch Prensky serves up refined American fare in an urban farmhouse setting, a chic environment that draws from the upscale class of fine dining and the rustic charm of local farm ingredients. Home-style classics like deviled eggs and duck with waffles get a delectable makeover, while simply prepared dishes such as the vinegar braised and roasted chicken or the spice-crusted tuna add some added punch. Get cozy in the Family Room seating area upstairs or enjoy the full-service bar and open kitchen view on the first floor.

Supper
926 South Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 592-8180
www.supperphilly.com

Avalon: West Chester’s Gem For Italian Cuisine

This gorgeous rustic Italian restaurant in West Chester wins awards from its clientele year after year, and after eating here once you’ll understand why. Chef John Brandt-Lee purchased the restaurant in 2002, and in the intervening decade has shaped it into a dining destination famed for fresh, locally sourced ingredients assembled into dazzling seasonal menus. The atmosphere is excellently cozy—a roaring fire warms the split-level, wood-lined dining room, and the staff is incredibly attentive and kind. But you’re really here for the food, which is top of the line. Regulars rave about the arancini – these fried rice balls are a classic homestyle Italian staple, and Brandt-Lee has perfected their art. The portions are significantly bigger than you’d expect from a restaurant of this quality, so expect to take some home. If you really want to sample the best they have to offer, go for the four-course tasting menu—it never misses.

Avalon
312 South High Street
West Chester, PA 19382
(610) 436-4100
www.avalonrestaurant.net

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