Delaware County’s premiere upscale dining destination, The Gables at Chadds Ford, is a cozy year-round destination. Situated in an elegantly converted barn, which pays homage to its original architecture while also looking like a country estate, owner Ann Kolenick serves up dishes with North Carolina flair.Despite having grown up in the area, Kolenick migrated South, where she first established a restaurant, McCurdy’s Restaurant and Deck on Moonlight Bay in Atlantic Beach, N.C. Returning to her roots, she brought with her plenty of southern charm and hospitality, which has since manifested at her ever-popular restaurant. “We believe in Southern hospitality. Our staff is very friendly, and we want the place to be nice and warm,” says Kolenick.The coziness of both her cuisine and the physical space The Gables embodies becomes all the more evident during the chillier fall and winter months, making it the ideal escape throughout the holiday season. The exposed brick walls glow from the warmth of the hearth fire, while seasonal favorites tantalize the taste buds.Roasted butternut squash soup is served with smoked crème fraîche and paprika, giving a light bite to this creamy fall dish. A mushroom barley bowl gives a nod to neighboring Kennett Square’s bustling mushroom industry and is served with shaved Brussels sprouts, barley, marinated portobellos and dried cranberries for a perfectly hearty starter on a cold night. Lamb meatballs, wood fired filet mignon, balsamic braised short ribs and a medley of other options round out a sumptuous menu, which includes comforting sides like garlic whipped potatoes, rosemary roasted root vegetables and Castle Valley Mill grits.Guests can dine surrounded by lantern-adorned tables on the enclosed patio space, which is a veritable garden oasis, complete with lanterns hanging from the ceiling. They also have the option of dining by the bar, where warm tones and 1920s inspired décor create an opulent backdrop. Here, guests gather for a drink and a glimpse into the kitchen. Happy hour is a favorite in this space, and libations are plentiful. During weekday happy hours, glasses of the restaurant’s fruity signature sangria are just $5, transporting chilled visitors back to the summer months. Draught beers are $2 off and glasses of wine are $3 off. Those offerings are the perfect excuse to warm up after a long day at work.Patrons can also expect inspired happy hour sips and plenty of local beers and wines. Find brews from the locally based Victory Brewing Company and Sterling Pig Brewery, plus a host of national favorites. The wine list roves the globe, with prosecco from Italy and wines from California, New Zealand, France, Australia and Argentina, among others, while also giving a nod to local vineyards. Find Galer Estate, Bancroft Vineyards and Penns Woods Winery among the offerings.While the inside is cozy, the newly added fire pits take the dining experience at The Gables to the next level. A flagstone and wood patio is bedecked with cozy fire pits, perfect for snuggling up with a drink on a cool, clear evening. Oversized Adirondack chairs are clustered around the fires, making it perfect for gathering with friends or family. Overhead, fairy lights twinkle, adding a magical vibe to the atmosphere. Guests can also dine near the fire pits at chic high top tables. While The Gables is the perfect spot to meet with friends and family, it’s also an ideal locale for hosting private gatherings. Its intimate upstairs event space boasts the same charm as the dining rooms and bar, but has an open layout, perfect for holiday parties, anniversaries and weddings.Wherever and whenever you go to The Gables, it exudes a cozy chicness found few other places. “I want people to feel like guests in my home,” Kolenick says. Each time, there’s no doubt they do. The Gables at Chadds Ford
423 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford
(610) 388-7700, www.thegablesatchaddsford.com
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