BYOV …
The Silverspoon Bloody Mary mixes house-made tomato juice with a custom blend of hot sauces and spices, splashes in a little lemon juice, and finishes with pickled green beans, stuffed olives and a variety of add-ons. Our favorite: house-cured bacon encrusted in brown sugar and black pepper. Other options include poached shrimp, lump crabmeat or crawfish tails (starting at $2 each). The perfect finishing touch: bacon salt on the rim. ($4 and up)
Pair with: A hash made with sweet potatoes, double-smoked hickory bacon and apples, topped with two fried Highspire Hills Farm eggs and a nest of crispy leeks. ($14)
The Silverspoon, 205 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne; (610) 688-7646, silverspoonwayne.com.
The seasonal spritzers at Styer’s are made by a talented barista team, crafted on-site and infused with organic syrups like blackberry and mandarin. ($4)
Pair with: An artisanal cheese plate with five cheeses, including locally produced Shellbark Hollow Farm’s sharp Chèvre and Doe Run’s Seven Sisters, plus a side of house-made pickles and preserves. ($18)
Styer’s Garden Café at Terrain, 914 Baltimore Pike, Glen Mills; (610) 459-2400, shopterrain.com/garden-cafe.
“It’s all in the shakin’ and the stirrin’, really,” says Olive Branch owner Marie Cantatore, who, along with partner Jon Rusakov, have been creating specialty drinks with such success that they’re working to create a mixology bar at this West Chester spot. They supply all the glasses, garnishes, juices and mixers. A perfect beginning—or ending—to the evening is their mix of apple cider, caramel and sparkling Granny Smith apple juice. ($5)
Pair with: Baked Brie wrapped in puff pastry, with a whiskey-caramel apple topping. ($12)
Olive Branch, 142 W. Gay St., West Chester; (610) 431-7141, olivebranchwc.net.
New for 2013, John Brandt-Lee is reopening his Avalon Pasta Bistro with a revamped menu and a studio-kitchen concept. Aside from our suggestion below, the dark Amarena cherry martini is a great aperitivo to one of his signature cheese boards. (Under $6)
Pair with: The coffee-braised beef short ribs, with tomato jam and a potato-and-mascarpone croquette. ($28)
Avalon Pasta Bistro, 78 W. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown; (610) 873-4200, pastabistro.com.
BYOT and beyond …
Dos Gringos prides itself on its freshly juiced margarita mix—just add your own tequila. Or bring along some rum for a fruity mango mojito. ($10/pitcher)
Pair with: Chicken breast with ancho-honey-mole sauce, grilled asparagus, chipotle mashed potatoes, mushrooms and pickled mango. ($17)
Dos Gringos, 113 S. Olive St., Media; (610) 565-7794, dosgringosmedia.com.
