Delaware County, PA

from Mid-Atlantic Events Magazine November/December 2021 Issue

Chester County, PA

VisitDelcoPA.com

Di Bruno Bros. Old World European Market at the Strafford Shopping Center in Wayne, PA

Delaware County is home to arboretums, gardens, county parks and private preserves that provide plenty of places for relaxation, exploring, and enjoying the outdoors year-round.

The county’s dining scene has something for every taste, occasion, and budget, from high-end dining to diverse ethnic fare and a very popular “dining under the stars” event in Media.

Unique venues here include: Brandywine River Museum of Art; Community Arts Center; Penns Woods Winery; Inn at Grace Winery; Subaru Park; Tyler Arboretum; and Linvilla Orchards, to name just a few, and all are available to host meetings, corporate retreats, social events and more.

Described as “…a place for other wine lovers to meet, have fun, blend their own wines and experience wine the way it was meant to be experienced…” Vino Bambino Winery opened late 2020. Offering a unique, hands-on wine experience from the barrel to the bottle, guests are invited to become the winemakers at this urban winery. Their Barrel Room and Industrial Room also serve as one-of-a-kind private event spaces.

One of Delaware County’s most iconic restaurants and event spaces, D’Ignazio’s Towne House, reopened under new ownership and is now known as The Towne House. Several of its unique dining rooms and the property’s hugely popular outdoor dining space, Idlewild, opened in late 2020, but the Towne House and Towne Hall venues debuted in September 2021.

The Towne House pays homage to its namesake while bringing a fresh new twist where old meets new with farm-to-table cuisine, an extensive wine list, and ingredient-driven cocktails in an airy, modern space that includes touches of the old Towne House preserved and on display. At Towne Hall, a stage will serve as the focal point of the space, which will function as a multi-purpose entertainment venue and event space.

In March of 2021, Di Bruno Bros. opened an 8,000square foot, Old World European-style market in Wayne’s Strafford Shopping Center.

Ship Bottom Brewery, a “blender” and beer garden, is coming this fall to Swarthmore.

Brandywine River Museum of Art underwent facility renovations to its second and third floors in mid-February, 2021. The Strawbridge Gallery, a space used for changing exhibitions, now opens directly into the museum’s central atrium. This reimagined gallery will improve circulation within the building and enhance the visitor experience. New state-of-the-art lighting, HVAC, updated restrooms, and fire suppression systems also were part of the renovation.

Coming in December 2021 and centered around a state-of-the-art outdoor skating rink, Flight on Ice Entertainment is bringing family fun to Delco this holiday and winter season. Food and beverage vendors, Instagram-worthy experiences, and a hospitality tent are just some of the offerings at Flight on Ice at the Delaware County Veterans Memorial in Newtown Square. Vino Bambino is an urban winery and blending company in Broomall, PA; photo courtesy: Visit Delco

FOOD AND DRINK

Delco is home to a number of breweries and wineries with options that offer something for every taste.

Breweries include: the nautically inspired Ship Bottom Brewery, which partners with Linvilla Orchards for their Beer Garden (open through November); Sterling Pig Brewery in Media (they deliver!); Iron Hill Brewery (Media); Town Tap by Conshohocken Brewing Company in Havertown; 2SP Brewing Company with its tasting room in Aston; McKenzie Brew House (locations in Malvern and Glen Mills); Four Fingers Brewing Company (Aston); and The Larimer Beer Company in Chester.

For those in search of great wines in Delaware County, consider: the familyrun and award winning Penns Woods Winery in Chadds Ford; wine making classes at the urban winery Vino Bambino in Broomall; John Robert Cellars in Essington; and Grace Winery in Glen Mills, which features not only a tasting room, but a historic inn, as well.

Several restaurants and eateries have successfully opened in Delaware County despite the challenges they have faced in doing so during the pandemic.

Nick and Stacie Haselidis recently brought Detroit-style pizza to Delaware County, opening their second venture, Crust, next door to their first, the Havertown Grille. Baked in 14- by 10-inch rectangular pans, this is one hearty pizza!

DiBruno Bros. recently opened Old World European market in the Strafford Shopping Center has been described by third-generation owner/president and grandson of Danny DiBruno, Bill

Rosalie at the Wayne Hotel, Wayne, PA

The Towne House Restaurant, Media, PA

Mignucci, Jr., as an “eat-shop-learn experience.” Inside this Italian marketplace are meats, sides and sandwiches in The Rosticceria; caviar, smoked fish and cured meats at the Salumi and Seacuterie Counter; and breads, housemade pastries and other desserts at the Pane and Dulce counter. It’s a true one-stop shop with a full liquor license for its Bar Alimentari and open-kitchen Cucina. Make sure to stop at the full-service coffee bar, Café Di Bruno, for expertly brewed beverages, parfaits, house-made pastries and breakfast sandwiches.

Moving to America from the United Kingdom created a yearning for “mum’s home-cooked food” — and upped Sam and Charlie Elings’ game in their own kitchen. The Elings decided they wanted to share their favorite dishes with others, opening English Offerings, a “takeaway” shop where everything is made from scratch daily, from fresh, never frozen, ingredients. They offer vegetarian options, too.

There’s a new restaurant in the Wayne Hotel, Rosalie, that focus on authentic Italian comfort food. Part of Fearless Restaurants, it is named after owner Marty Grim’s mother and boasts four dining rooms and an outdoor porch. The vibe is fun, and it boasts a menu packed with seasonal ingredients, fresh pasta and other favorites.

A White Dog Cafe opened in the Glen Mills area, carrying the brand's familiar whimsical, dog-themed decor throughout, including a gallery of commissioned paintings of customers’ dogs! Under Michael Selser, former executive chef at the Haverford restaurant, the menu remains seasonal and local; the Philadelphia flagship was one of the very first to source in that way.

Brookline Sourdough is Brian Sullivan's brain-child. Having heard about sourdough starter while he was unemployed, he started experimenting with bread baking. Once he mastered it, he gifted it and grateful recipients told him that he should sell it. Soon, his micro-cottage sourdough bread bakery began to take off and his Instagram following exploded. He currently has weekly subscribers (standing orders) and the rest of the loaves go to quick DMers or emailers. Everyone on his list gets an email when orders open for the week. As a bonus, he delivers. Occasionally pick-ups can be made at the House Cup Cafe.

These and other stories are shared on Visit Delco's weekly food blog. Find out more at: visitdelcopa.com/category/food-drink

In June of 2021 Visit Delco co-hosted the PCMA Philadelphia Chapter’s Tailgate Tradeshow at Drexelbrook Event Center, and in October of 2021 co-hosted Meet Me in Delco at the Inn at Villanova University.

Also in October, Visit Delco partnered with Bandwango, a Salt Lake City-based travel technology company specializing in mobile digital platforms, to launch Ready. Set. Delco! Autumn Trail Pass as a way to promote some of Delco’s favorite places and outdoor spaces. This free, mobile-friendly pass is open to both residents and visitors.

Pass-holders checking in at five locations over the course of the season are entered into a drawing for a chance to win a gift card to a local Delco business with the overall goal to promote authentic experiences for visitors and locals looking to discover and explore the best of Delaware County.

LOOKING AHEAD

Delaware County continues to offer outstanding opportunities for business and leisure travelers while delivering memorable, affordable leisure and business-related experiences, which is essential.

“With continued vaccine distribution and proactive messaging pledging safety and security, Visit Delco remains hopeful that travelers will be inspired to sample a new cuisine at one of the county’s top-rated restaurants; explore its beautiful parks and gardens; tour renowned museums; find a new unique shop; or plan an overnight stay at one of Delco’s hotels or bed-andbreakfasts,” says Steve Byrne, executive director for Visit Delco.

“Visit Delco supports its hospitality and tourism partners throughout these difficult times and remains optimistic that further signs of recovery will continue in 2022,” he adds.