The Orchard Restaurant In

We tried the Orchard on Friday evening based on the recommendation of a friend who works in the food industry and whose taste in food we respect. Our interest was piqued further by Craig LaBan's favorable review (from 2004), highlighting the chef's Basque heritage, and his skill with both salads and desserts. We were frankly mystified by the lousy (and VERY expensive) meal that we had until we learned that the restaurant changed hands in June. If you go, don't expect creative, Basque-influenced food -- that ship has sailed. If our experience is any indication, the new chef and menu are uninspired, and the food is disappointing from starters through dessert. Only one dish rose to the level of acceptable, but even it was far from memorable. I expect far more at these prices.\r \r more

To be honest, i heard about this restaurant because the new owner was my instructor when i went to the Restaurant School. (Hint: i graduated years ago, so i'm not writing a good review for a good grade... :) ) \r \r Okay, first thing is that I am an avid BYOer and when i heard about this place, i searched and found their website The website doesn't really do this place justice. They need more pictures of the food. Because the food was awesome! i had the loin of lamb and it was awesome. \r \r This place catered really well to the BYOers of the world. The server told me that upstairs hosts a club where you can store your wine or spirits. Very cool. \r \r Loved the lighting; it was done perfect; not too dark (i hate it when you strain to read the menu or see the food) or not too light. Loved the linen towels; nice touch.\r \r There was a Chef's tasting going on, when we visited. Now i didn't really get this, since we essentially walked right by the Chef's table before we went into the main dining room. But when i asked the server about it; it sounded pretty interesting. Evidently the Chef prepares a specialized tasting menu for the table. i can't say about how good it was but it sure sounded interesting (but pricey). \r \r For me, I had the Quail and my old instructor did it perfect. It was tender and served at the correct temperature (a pet peeve of mine).\r \r Overall, i haven't had a dining experience like this outside of Philly. It has all of the unstated chic that upscale Philly restaurants have, except it's in Chester County. Pros: Food, Atmosphere and Service Cons: Location was difficult to find more

Travelling in the Brandywine Valley and this spot was recommeded from the clerk at the front desk of the B&B. Wow, not what we expected but is was the highlight of our trip. We never knew customer service was making such a come back as these folks know how to treat someone from out of town! It was just a great time from the time we walked into the door ...the excellent food ( we had Rabbit which I never had and a remarkable Talapia Milanese) Its a BYOB but they even made that seem effortless. The waitstaff was professional but not over fussy. I would reccomend this to any traveler in the area.\r Pros: Outstanding Customer Service Cons: BYOB more

Brought my wife here for our 20th anniversary. Fantastic. The service was impeccable, and the food was equally impressive. Try the Duck Confit Spring rolls for an appetizer. My better half chose one of the several gourmet salads. The entree's are varied seasonally and prepared from local ingredients. From the presentation to the flavor - it's all excellent. We had the Paella and a specially prepared Filet Mignon with a side of polenta. Leave room for dessert... From the cheese platter to the chef's home made ice creams, all A-1 in my book. This place is a well kept secret (although on our Friday visit it was pretty busy ). On an aside, the staff was amazing. They are obviously customer oriented and very well trained as the service was impeccable. Pros: Food quality / uniqueness. Customer is king ! Excellent staff. Cons: Need more tables, but definitely adds to the charm ! more

We went to The Orchard 4 years ago when it first opened and it was nice, but they have come leaps and bounds to be one of the best of the best! We were seated within 5 minutes on a crazy Satuday night and didn't even have to carry our own wine into the dining room. They decanted our red for us and I was suprised to see such nice glassware for a BYOB. The waitress was pleasant, fun and personable...but never got in the way of our dinner. And, the food was spectacular! We started with a beet salad and lentil soup and our main course was an amazing Lamb and Duck. Desserts were also not a dissapointment. We had the croissant bread pudding and the home made ice creams. Our coats and unfinished wines were waiting for us at the front door when we got up to leave. First Class all the way!!! Pros: Great Food Great Service more

There are vey few times when we dine out and things are seamless. The Orchard is our new favorite restaurant in the area. The service, food and ambiance made for perfect anniversary celebration. We had the Sea Bass (delightful) and the Grilled Filet ( done exactly as ordered) Our server was friendly and there was nothing she could have done to make the night go better. It's nice to see people take pride in their work. One doesn't come across this often Pros: Food Quality more

The food was plain in concept and the room was drab in decor. The flower arangement looked like a hat Cher would place on her head for some music award. We were the only people in the restaurant on a Friday night at 7:30 pm so I guess the price is much to much for what this hole in the wall has to offer. Not sure how the doors stay open unless they are charging private club rates and hand writing the checks seemed odd for tax reporting. Servers seemed nice enough. Pros: Busy highway Cons: Price more

If you try to avoid pretense as I do, give this place a miss. Not five minutes after paying, we decided to wait out a storm, and order coffee/dessert. The manager proceeded to argue: ""I have a party of 6 I need to seat, and you've already paid. I can't tell them now they have to wait an hour. Is this your first time here? Maybe you don't know how we do things here."" We explained that we changed our minds, despite the fact that we already paid, and wanted to order coffee after all. He walked away in a huff, and had the Hostess pass on the same message: you can't order coffee because you've already paid (have these people never heard of someone changing their mind? We were flabbergasted.) Since we had no desire to stay then, we left: taking more than half our original tip with us.\r \r Pros: Not many Cons: Stuffy more

The service was attentive without being intrusive. The lamb entree was exceptionally good and my partner loved her scallops. The romantic lighting and good music plus the quiet, but jovial crowd made our evening a very delightful one. Proximity to Longwood Gardens is a plus. more

Been to the best of the best and don't understand all the hype. The Chef and his companion are charming...the food is okay...yep okay... there is no cutting edge and that goes for the atmosphere also.. Service did not live up to the expectations and I guess after all we read ...we expected something more for the long drive. Pros: Quiet Cons: Traffic more

I'm not one to complain during a meal and I don't expect anything for free. Last nights meal was disappointing considering how pricey the Orchard is. I imagine that's why it was 1/2 empty on a Saturday night. Lobster was chewy & portions were small. $10 to open a $10 bottle of wine. The final bill was embarrassing and when I asked how much the dessert was before I decided to order it the waitress didn't know. Pros: clean restaurant Cons: one bathroom for both sexes more

I don't know what all of the commotion was for, this place was not what it was made out to be, save yourself the annoyance, its not worth it. Food was wonted. Service was besmirched. Price was ridiculous. Pros: Close to Longwood Cons: Everything more

Had a 7:30 res on 8/17/2007. Poor service, bad food & $$$$. Place half empty as well. Stuck us by the kithcen with a lot of open tables available. Skip the small cheese plate unless you like getting ripped off. Also cork charge $10. Cons: Everything more

Just ate there this week, the food was OK. Taste, preparation and presentation all OK. The service was less than stellar and I witnessed perhaps the worst service faux-pas ever. Two people in our party had their meals delivered. While waiting for the others, one person tasted the edge of the dish. The food runner soon arrived to say it was the wrong table and soon the runner is off with the plates. Only in one minute to return to the table next to us and deliver the same dishes. We had to say something. Long story short the server soon arrived and apologized to both tables (briefly). Our confidence was shaken in the integrity of the staff, Never saw the manager or owner until later...and only after ordering two deserts to share..did the server mention that the desert was on the house due to the error. It's certainly a shame when one bad apple rots the bunch. While the servers were OK, we were haughtily shown the door by the manager who whined at us to leave because a later table had arrived for our spot. We decided that if we had tipped poorly, complained widely, muddied up our surroundings or were otherwise impossibly taxing on the staff, we may have deserved such poor treatment. Yet we were remarkably well behaved and thus rather crestfallen as we left. We enjoyed meeting friends, but would choose another restaurant in the future in the hope of avoiding having to bear witness to another tantrum thrown by the philistine manager. I heard OK things about this place - but I found it to be VERY, VERY average. The food had exciting descriptions, with all the right 'buzz' words ('reductions' and pesto,'' etc.) ... but I found the taste to be dull and mediocre. They didn't infuse enough flavor or excitement into the cooking. Plus, I thought the service was slow and inexperianced. For the prices that they charge, I would not recommend this place to anyone. It's just not worth it.\r Pros: location Cons: lack of management more

The Orchard is an incredible dining experience. The entrees are always imaginative and done with finesse. I have brought my family, my husband and my children to this very creative yet homey restuarant. It is great that it is a BYOB, which keeps costs down. The host and staff are polite, and cater to your every need. The Friday night piano evenings are classy, and the behavior and decorum of all the guests has been intelligent, sophisticated and fun. I have met many wonderful couples from Chaddsford and the surrounding area. I have been to this restuarant since it's inception, and am now a member. The theme parties are always extremely unique, and the entertainment created from vast talented professionals from all over the world. This place is warm, has incredible food, and is small enough that we go there frequently and love to call it ""home"". Pros: FOOD AND SERVICE, BYOB Cons: tough to get a reservation more

We have been here many times. Every time the experience was a gourmet treat and a palatal delight !!\r \r The service is impeccable regardless of how busy the evening is. Beautiful / clean setting with inviting tasteful atmosphere including the music. The most difficult decision is what to order because everything on the menu is delicious and so well thought-out by the talented chef. We crave the Duck Confit spring rolls and the Hunter Ravioli for appetizers. \r \r You are getting a five star meal with five star service at reasonable prices. \r \r The owners obviously are detail and quality oriented from the second you are greeted at the door to the weather forecast card you receive before leaving. \r \r We highly recommend this fine establishment and will be returning many times Pros: Entire Experience Cons: We don't live closer ! more

We are retired and have started our adventures and have been in and out of small and out of the way places, but this one have proven to be our all time favorite! Reccommened by a local B&B, the Orchard was the nicest suprise of our trip ( and we have eaten all over the world). The staff was gracious and efficient, and the food was superb. We started with foie gras and hearts of palm salad. The lamb and duck ( my wife's favorite) were also top notch. I don't understand PA and the BYOB concept, but our bottle was handled nicely and even decanted at the table. $5 corkage FYI. Well worth the trip. \r Pros: Food/Service Cons: Hard to Find more

We have been here several times, including with a party of 12 and the food and service have been fabulous. We love a BYO where we can bring our best wine to pair with the food. The staff is gracious and knowledgeable and the atmosphere is a real treat out in Chester county. Pros: ambience, BYO, food Cons: can be hard to get reservations ( a must!) more

A friend and I went to see Longwood Gardens and were wonderfully surprised to find such a fine restaurant right near our hotel. The Orchard was lovely...music...soft jazz and great selections...very clean...the service was excellent and I cannot say enough about the food. I guess it's obvious my friend and I felt like we discovered gold ! I'm going back to Longwood (from Baltimore) in a few weeks and can't wait to introduce this restaurant to my husband. We both experiment and try to find good places to eat. He will love it, I know. This is without a doubt, the best restaurant in a very wide area in Brandywine. It's worth going out of your way for!\r \r * Pros: FOOD, AMBIENCE, SERVICE\r * Cons: ZERO\r overall: excellent !\r \r \r \r \r \r Pros: Where do I start? Food, Service, Ambience, Music .... Cons: Not a thing more

A friend and I went to see Longwood Gardens and were wonderfully surprised to find such a fine restaurant right near our hotel. The Orchard was lovely...music...soft jazz and great selections...very clean...the service was excellent and I cannot say enough about the food. I guess it's obvious my friend and I felt like we discovered gold ! I'm going back to Longwood (from Baltimore) in a few weeks and can't wait to introduce this restaurant to my husband. We both experiment and try to find good places to eat. He will love it, I know. This is without a doubt, the best restaurant in a very wide area in Brandywine. It's worth going out of your way for! Pros: FOOD, AMBIENCE, SERVICE Cons: ZERO more