John Brandt-Lee, chef/owner of Avalon Restaurant in West Chester, will officially open his second restaurant in Downingtown on Friday, July 15. His newest restaurant, called Avalon Pasta Bistro, is a festive neighborhood BYOB with a large outdoor patio.
The menu focuses on homemade pastas, flatbreads, salads, a sophisticated cheese program and a 15-item antipasti platter. Through a special partnership with Downingtown-based Victory Brewing, the restaurant will have two taps and give two complimentary pints of Victory beer or glasses of sangria to every adult.
Avalon Pasta Bistro is located in a charming, turn-of-the-century house at 78 West Lancaster Avenue (Route 30; former Jasper’s location). Brandt-Lee did extensive remodeling himself, including changing the small front windows into picturesque French doors that lead to the new 700-square foot outdoor patio along Lancaster Avenue. The al fresco dining space is able to seat 40 guests, with the downstairs indoor dining room also being a 40-seater space.
The decor has also been completely updated with such additions as ceiling fixtures hand-made from wine bottles (from wine enjoyed by customers at Avalon Restaurant), a new mantel for the working fireplace, a cheese display table custom-made for the restaurant with rare woods (see here) and a tableside cooking station on the second floor. The second floor, which also features a private dining room and has two tables of 10, will open fall 2011.
Chef Brandt-Lee has made the new restaurant a community project, by inviting future customers to pledge money toward the renovations. With the help of 112 future customers, Brandt-Lee raised $12,445 in 30 days on kickstarter.com. He also invited future customers to help with renovations by bartering meals for window treatments and electrical work. To help future customers envision the restaurant, he worked with Robert Bailey to create a series of videos (viewable by clicking here).
Of course, the menu is the most important part of any new eatery, and this one features small, European-sized portions of homemade pastas, such as Crab & Lobster Ravioli in a Saffron Tomato Mussel Jus and Brandy-Soaked Chicken Liver Soffritto Fettuccini Pasta, with pasta priced under $20. Avalon Pasta Bistro will also offer a four-course tasting menu that includes the chef’s signature 15-item antipasti platter, two homemade pasta courses and a freshly-made dessert for $40. More on the menu by clicking here.
Reservations accepted but walk-ins welcome. For reservations, call 610-873-4200. Reservations are now being taken for dining beginning on Friday, July 15. For more information about Avalon Pasta Bistro, follow on Facebook, Twitter and on its website.
First of all, the decor is wonderful! They did a marvelous job & it is warm & friendly! It’s a vey inviting atmosphere with great accents such as chandeliers made from wine bottles & old family pictures.
The cuisine is delicious but very small portions even for tapas & a bit pricey for the size. A suggestion to order at least 2 or more per person would be helpful. The entrees are the same size as the appetizers & as I said very small. The recipes are magnificent so I think the size should go up or price should come down. My husband had dessert which was a piece of pound cake with strawberries on top so not too imaginative there. I still give it a 4 to 5 star rating for the flavor & creativity of the main menu. We hope they have great success & take into consideration any comments that are only to help so we can keep this beautiful & delicious place in our neighborhood!
Best of luck!