Top Romantic Restaurants in West Chester, PA

In the West Chester area, three top restaurants stand out for their truly memorable cuisine. Simon Pearce on the Brandywine, The Gables at Chadds Ford and the historic Dilworthtown Inn each offer gourmet fare in tranquil, romantic settings. These restaurants consistently provide excellent quality food and wine, artistic presentation and refined, professional table service.

Simon Pearce on the Brandywine

Simon Pearce on the Brandywine offers elegant, fine dining in uniquely unparalleled and romantic surroundings. Overlooking the banks of the Brandywine in a quiet country setting, the Simon Pearce restaurant adjoins their glassblowing operation and retail shop. Visitors can observe the very dinnerware and stemware being created that's used in the restaurant for dinner service.

From the beautiful view to handcrafted tableware, Simon Pearce delivers on elegance. The restaurant offers innovative seasonal dishes inspired by the surrounding region. Simon Pearce on the Brandywine touts a 'farm to table to fork' philosophy which strives to ensure that every aspect of the dining experience involves an artisan approach.

The atmosphere is casual, yet classy. The soft lighting and view of the river at night below makes for a relaxing and romantic meal. Service at Simon Pearce is professional, timely and unrushed. Menu selections are varied, but not abundant-- a sure sign of a confident chef who understands the importance of producing a fresh product.

For starters, try the soup made with fresh, local Kennett Square mushrooms ($8). It is creamy, richly decadent and bursting with flavor. Another favorite is the seared tuna, served rare with baby beets, walnuts and a persimmon mustard.

Chef Karen Nicolas has created a brilliant coffee-rubbed duck breast ($29) that is poised to become a Simon Pearce signature dish. It is served with a moist. chestnut bread pudding, roasted grapes, endive and finely diced turnips. The Jamison Farm braised lamb shank ($28) is notable for its distinct orange and mint flavor, perfectly accented by the addition of fennel and a creamy eggplant risotto.

One dessert at Simon Pearce on the Brandywine stands out as must-have to round out your meal. The Meyer lemon olive oil cake has a more subtle citrus bite than the palate expects. The cake is moist and satisfying with a unique and balanced flavor. A somewhat sweeter finish is the bourbon pecan frozen nougat with green apple and biscuit crouton. Both desserts offer the perfect pairing with your after dinner coffee.

Simon Pearce Restaurant is located along the historic Brandywine River on Route 52 North. The address is 1333 Lenape Road, West Chester, PA. Simon Pearce is open for lunch daily from 11am until 3pm and dinner from 5pm until 9pm. Call 610-793-0949 for reservations. See all that Simon Pearce on the Brandywine has to offer at www.simonpearce.com.

The Gables at Chadds Ford

Located just a few minutes outside of West Chester is the Gables at Chadds Ford. The Gables opened in 1997 after being reclaimed and converted from a 19th century dairy barn. The Gables at Chadds Ford is conveniently located near the historic Brandywine Battlefield, Longwood Gardens and the Brandywine River Museum, which is home to the artwork of Andrew Wyeth.

The Gables' menu offers a creative and eclectic twist on traditional American cuisine by combining local ingredients with European and Asian influences. For a truly romantic experience, the Gables offers outside dining in a stone courtyard built in the 1800's. The old, stone courtyard walls and the heavenly scented wisteria which covers them serve to create an atmosphere of pure romance.

A careful selection of cheeses including cabrlales, selles sur cher, Celtic porter cheddar and other artisan fromages ($13) offer the perfect start to your meal. The Gables has an excellent selection of wines to further complement your dining experience. The knowledgeable staff at the Gables are always ready with suggestions for wine pairings.

Well done seafood is a hallmark of the Gables' menu. The swordfish with carrot risotto ($27) is moist, meaty and tender. The flavor of the fish marries perfectly with the grilled zucchini and blood orange mojo.

The Gables' seafood stir-fry ($26) combines plump shrimp and sea scallops with a blend of crisp snow peas, peppers, red onion and large chunks of ripe mango. To finish the dish, the seafood and vegetables are bathed in a sweet, slightly tangy chili glaze and served over an island-style coconut rice.

For a romantic finish to your dinner, try sharing the Gables' excellent vanilla creme brulee. Other excellent choices include the strawberry cheesecake, served with a tart berry coulis and the pineapple-cream cheese frosted carrot cake.

The Gables is located on Route 1 at 423 Baltimore Pike in Chadds Ford, PA. They are open Tuesday through Friday for lunch from 11:30 to 2:30pm. Dinner hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 5:30 to 10pm, Friday and Saturday from 5:30 to 11pm and Sunday from to 5 to 9pm. You can reach the Gables at Chadds Ford by calling 610-388-7700 or visit online at www.thegablesatchaddsford.com.

The Dilworthtown Inn

Tucked away on a quiet street, just off of Route 202 in West Chester, is the Dilworthtown Inn. The inn has been a quiet respite to weary and hungry travelers since 1780. Dilworthtown's warm ambiance is readily evident in its candlelit tables, gas lamps and roaring fireplaces. The charm and romance of the Dilworthtown Inn is further enhanced by its colonial era appointments and beautiful antiques.

Built in 1754 by James Dilworth, the home was later transformed into a tavern by his son Charles, circa 1780. Today, visitors to the Dilworthtown Inn dine in one of fifteen rooms, each of which has been painstakingly restored to reproduce the look and feel of its original colonial charm. Dilworthtown is at once both cozy and elegant, without a hint of pretentious airs.

While the Dilworthtown Inn possesses a rich history, a quality restaurant must build its reputation on more than ambiance. Ultimately, people dine out for the food-- and Dilworthtown Inn consistently delivers a well executed menu. Their culinary offerings are perfectly complemented by the cozy, relaxing and romantic atmosphere.

It is said that in wine, there is truth. It must also be said then, that in wine, there is romance. Dilworthtown's extensive wine list consists of more than nine hundred bottles and affords more than ample selections for pairing the perfect wine with your dinner. Dilworthtown Inn offers exceptional food and drink, served in a beautiful setting that recalls a time when America was still striving for independence.

The inn's menu is diverse, but focused. Each appetizer and entree that comes from the kitchen is prepared, plated and served with refined skill and attention to detail. The staff at Dilworthtown Inn obviously takes great pride in both their surroundings and the quality of their work.

Appetizers at Dilworthtown Inn are culinary works of art. The Ginger Crisp Lobster appetizer ($14.50) is not to be missed. The succulent lobster meat is lightly coated and served with a sweet, yet balanced Thai-Apricot sauce.

For dinner, the Jumbo Lump Crab Crepes ($32.50) and Australian Rack of Lamb ($39.50) rate as truly exceptional dishes. If, however, you're looking for the definitive romantic dish to share with your special someone, opt for Dilworthtown's Chateubriand for Two ($77). The centercut tenderloin of beef is cooked to perfect doneness, carved tableside and served with a delicate sauce béarnaise.

Dessert selections at Dilworthtown change frequently, but always prove to be remarkable. Currently, the Diworthtown Inn features an exquisite warm banana spring roll accompanied by a passion fruit sauce and a nutty, brown butter ice cream. Other dessert options include a chocolate mousse trio served with a chocolate dipped strawberry and a vanilla praline terrine with cinnamon mousse and cinnamon ice cream.

Dilworthtown is the quintessential fine dining country inn. During the spring and summer months, Dilworthtown offers the option of dining outdoors. For those inclined to enjoy their meal al fresco, the stone walls and candlelight of Dilworthtown's "Stables" invariably serve to inspire a most memorable and romantic evening.

The Dilworthtown Inn is located at 1390 Old Wilmington Pike in West Chester, PA, For reservations, call the restaurant at (610) 399-1390. For further information, visit Dilworthtown Inn's website at www.dilworthtown.com.