Despite the slowly recovering economy, the dining scene in West Chester is thriving. New restaurants are opening to complement the wide variety found in the downtown shopping and dining district. Here’s a glimpse of what’s new for the New Year.
Adopting globally influenced cuisine for its menu, the Side Bar & Restaurant (10 E. Gay St. 610-429-8297) opened at the former location of long-time West Chester favorite, Vincent’s. After extensive remodeling to create two bars downstairs and a full-service eating area upstairs, The Side Bar offers great food at affordable prices. The menu includes such dinner delights as prosciutto wrapped filet and jumbo lump crab cake. But for a different twist on an old standard, try the Inferno Burger, stuffed with pepper jack cheese and jalapeno with chipotle BBQ sauce.
“We wanted a casual, right-at-home atmosphere,” said Justin Dougherty, one of the co-owners. “Even if you’re new to town, you’ll quickly feel like a ‘regular’ in our restaurant.”
For a deliciously different take on Southern and Caribbean cooking, check out Mo’s Rhythm Kitchen (154 W. Gay St. 610-429-1700). Although primarily take-out, with sidewalk seating in good weather, Mo’s meals are perfect for a picnic lunch or to accompany a big game party. The chicken wings are plump, moist with lip-smacking crispy skin. Ribs are slow-cooked for fall-off-the-bone tenderness and come with a choice of sauces — the hot ones give a nice kick. Nothing says “down home” like a side of homemade mac & cheese or baked beans, also perfect with their tasty catfish sandwich.
Next time you’re walking in downtown West Chester, try a frozen sweet treat that’s tasty and has healthy qualities as well. Sprinkles Yogurt (22 S. High St. 484-266-0887) lets you choose from two dozen frozen yogurt flavors like Krazy Kahlua, Snickerdoodle Dandy and Green Tea Tart, plus sugar-free milk chocolate and pure vanilla yogurt. Add your favorite chocolate, fruit or granola toppings, among others, for a refreshing treat. Sprinkles is open late every night for sit-down or take-out.
The Giunta tradition is expanding in West Chester with Nonna’s Italian Restaurant (116 E. Gay St. 610-430-0203). After opening Pietro’s Prime on West Market Street, Marisa Giunta Powell and husband Sean saw an opportunity at the location where Alberto’s Trattoria served Italian cuisine for so many years.
“The restaurant gets its name from my grandmother, Anne DiFilippo. The name ‘Nonna’ means
grandmother in Italian,” explained Marisa. “Many of our recipes are adapted from my grandmother’s. So we feel we’re offering several generations of great food prepared in a traditional Italian fashion.”
Executive chef Tami Oelkrug has created a menu with such taste treats as lobster & shrimp risotto or cioppino, Giunta ravioli made fresh every day, and assorted veal and rabbit dishes. Nonna’s is open every evening for dinner and offers a full bar.
Downtown has seen not one, but three new Thai restaurants open within blocks of each other. Nooddi-Thai Chef is across from the courthouse (10 W. Market St. 610-430-3300). Nooddi is Thai slang for noodle, which is a major part of the extensive menu covering several countries in Asia. Try the moderately priced vegetarian, meat and fish dishes plus the kids’ menu.
You’ll notice the striking interior is almost entirely a mural with scenes of ocean fish (and mermaid) lingering in a rich blue ocean, while you dine for lunch or dinner. Nooddi is BYO and offers carry-out and free delivery.
Just across Market Street, Rajesh Ishwar and Navarat Ratanakanaka opened Spice Indian Thai Bistro (113 W. Market St. 610-431-0113) bringing together the flavors of these two countries. Each cuisine has its own kitchen to preserve the traditional flavors, and techniques such as the tandoori, a traditional Indian clay oven, assure meals are prepared in an authentic manner. For the faint of palate, diners can choose their own spice preference.
The restaurant interior is chic and contemporary but its warm tones suggest the spices and flavors of Thai and Indian cuisine. A lunch buffet allows sampling a variety of dishes, while dinner is slightly more formal. Reservations can be make on-line. BYO.
Around the corner is Jazmine Thai (344 W. Gay St. 610-696-3332), where warm ambiance is matched by the flavors and spices of Thailand. The menu offers seafood, vegetarian, chicken and beef entrées, with your choice of sweet or spicy curry sauces, or try rice noodle dishes like Pad Thai and Drunkin' Noodle. Jazmine uses authentic Thai ingredients and fresh vegetables for healthy and tasty meals. Lunch special is $9.99; liquor license is pending.
Olive Branch (142 W. Gay St. 610-431-7141) opened last spring and is one of the few downtown restaurants to offer breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, each with its own unique charm. Breakfast will get you going with strong coffee and waffles, pancakes and egg specials, followed by a lunch menu of salads and sandwiches. For dinner choose entrée-size or snaller tapas-size selections to sample a variety of delish dishes. The scallops and the lobster mac & cheese are becoming favorites, as is the cheesecake. BYO with a corkage fee. The Olive Branch also caters events and will customize the menu to suit you. -CL-
Mark Your Calendar: West Chester Restaurant Week
Downtown West Chester will offer a unique way to sample its new restaurants and get reacquainted with some old favorites when West Chester Restaurant Week premiers April 18-24.
Choose from 25 participating restaurants and enjoy a fixed price, three-course meal at prices far below the usual cost for lunch or dinner.
Restaurant Week benefits YMCAPAL and is presented by the West Chester Businesses Improvement District and sponsored by the Chester County Conference & Visitors Bureau.