Suburban Philadelphia Real Estate News

The Gables at Chadds Ford is a great dining choice when visiting the attractions in the Chadds Ford PA area.

The Gables at Chadds Ford is located on Route 1 in Pennsbury Township Chester County just moments west of Chadds Ford and the Brandywine River Museum and several miles east of Longwood Gardens.  This location provides immediate access from Kennett Square, West Chester, and Wilmington and is convenient to much of the area from Route 1, Route 52, and Route 202.

Established in 1997, the restaurant is situated in the restored barn on one of the oldest farms in the area.  The name pays honor to both the barn itself and the original home.  The home was first constructed in 1745 but remodeled in the late 1800s in the Victorian style including the addition of 23 gables.   The barn housing the current restaurant was built in 1897.  It has gone through several uses culminating in its present role as a fine dining experience.

The Gables has a strong history and great reputation.  Jack McFadden is the current proprietor and has been involved in several well known restaurants in the area.  We recently had the opportunity to stop by and enjoy dinner after visiting one of the local movie theaters.  The barn itself contains a nice bar area near the entrance, white tablecloth dining, and an open air patio section located in a portion of the original foundations.

The food was excellent and the service was great.  We had the opportunity to try the salmon, crab cake, and filet mignon all prepared perfectly and well  presented.  It was particularly appreciated that the menu had a separate selection of lighter fare as well as the option to order a petit entrée of the main entrees which were well proportioned themselves.

If you live in the area or are just visiting some of the local attractions, this is a great dining choice that should be added to your itinerary.  They are open for lunch Tuesday through Friday and open for dinner every night except Monday beginning at 5:30 (5 on Sunday).  Enjoy!

David Henke
Long & Foster Real Estate Inc - Newtown Square,PA/Bear, DE
Office: 610-359-3853/Cell: 610-618-0808 www.DelawareCountyPennsylvaniaHomes.com

**** Will be Closing February 13, 2010 ****

Simon Pierce is a premier designer and manufacturer of hand blown glass and pottery items located just west of West Chester PA.

If you have the time and are thinking of heading a bit further west toward Chester County, Simon Pearce is another great free attraction that you should consider visiting before everyone heads back to school.

Since 1971, Simon Pearce has been creating original products in glass and pottery - at first in Ireland and since 1981 in the United States. Today, they have a dozen stores  and two restaurants spread across the US from their original location in Quechee, Vermont out to southern California.  Simon Pearce is now headquartered in Windsor Vermont where they have both glass and pottery manufacturing locations with additional manufacturing facilities in Quechee and Mountain Lake Park, Maryland. 

In 2000, Simon Pearce opened a restaurant and retail store in Pocopson Township Pennsylvania just west of West Chester on the banks of the Brandywine.  Occupying the former Lenape Inn space, the facility has been completely renovated and now offers a glass blowing demonstration area on the first floor accompanied by a retail store and a fine dining restaurant on the second.  Every table offers a relaxing view overlooking the Brandywine.

While visiting, you want to allow time to take the opportunity to learn the hand blown glass process in the exhibit area downstairs.  Throughout the summer, glass blowing demonstrations are held Wednesday through Sunday on the first floor.  They also have some great displays describing the materials and processes used.  Even while working, the artisans are happy to answer questions on the process and share their knowledge of the products.  It's a great chance to get up close and personal with an ages old craft.

Simon Pearce is located off Route 52/ Lenape Rd in Pocopson Township at 1333 Lenape Rd.  The facility is just south of the Rt 52 bridge over the Brandywine.  They are open daily from 10:00 Monday thru Saturday (11:00 on Sunday), and they close at 5:00 Monday/Tuesday, 9:00 Weds-Sat, and 8:30 on Sunday.

This is another great chance to venture out and experience all that the area has to offer and the demonstrations and exhibits are free so you can save some money for the store and restaurant.

Enjoy! 

As always if you have any questions, please contact me anytime.