Best of the Best: Kennett Square

Morning: Hank’s Place

201 Birch St., Kennett Square
610-448-9988 / HanksPlaceChaddsFord.com

Much to our delight, the old Chadds Ford eatery — where for years regulars and visitors came for good food and people-watching — has taken root now in Kennett awaiting construction at the home site in Chadds Ford. At a booth by a Wyeth print, dig into a wide choice of breakfast options. Our pick: the creamed handcrafted chipped beef. Get it on toast points, potatoes or on a nontraditional eggs Benny. If you’ve got a hankering for a Southern-style biscuit, order the William Barn’s classic — chipped beef on a hot, fluffy biscuit next to home fries. Just sayin’, if you like bacon (and who doesn’t?), order a side of that, too.

Noon: Sovana Bistro

696 Unionville Rd., Kennett Square
855-429-2532 / SovanaBistro.com

From the moment Sovana Bistro’s staff opens the door for you to the time they say goodbye, they are friendly and attentive. They and regulars will let you know what’s great from their seasonal lunch menu: fall salad with crisp apples from a nearby orchard and summertime fresh greens topped with salmon. Steamy black truffle mac and cheese leaves you warm and impervious to winter doldrums. All year around, standouts are the wood-fired Margherita pizza and artisanal cheese flights that originate from far away as Tuscany and close to home as Doe Run Road. Save room for divine ooey, gooey molten chocolate cake for dessert.

Night: La Verona

114 E. State St., Kennett Square
610-444-2244 / LaVeronaPA.com

Whether you’re looking for a romantic dinner suited for Romeo and Juliet or a night on the town with Mercutio and friends, La Verona — Kennett’s Italian restaurant named after the city of Shakespeare’s beloved play — is perfect for food and ambiance. From the restaurant’s pretty glass doors, turn right for elegant dining tables and impeccable service. Try scampi with just the right garlic or favorite veal saltimbocca. Or turn left for the lively bar where it seems there’s always good company, food and drink. The Caesar salad is a winner. And when it’s on the rotating menu, lobster ravioli with blush sauce gets accolades.

Night: Antica, Chadds Ford

1623 Baltimore Pk., Chadds Ford
484-770-8631 / AnticaPA.com

Visitors passing through town and regulars from the Kennett/Chadds Ford area have discovered that Antica is a great stop for upscale Italian comfort food. Whether a weeknight or weekend evening, the Sunday Supper is truly special. On a generous plate of homemade wide, flat tagliatelle pasta, a rich red sauce with the aroma of fresh, ripe summer tomatoes accompanies scrumptious meatballs, sausage and pork cheek. Enjoy it with one of Antica’s robust red wines or have a little fun with their Italian mojito of vodka, honey pink lemonade and basil. Buon appetito!

Happy Hour: The Creamery of Kennett Square

401 Birch St., Kennett Square
KennettCreamery.com

The Creamery is open Thursday through Sunday when every hour is Happy Hour, with live music by local bands. For an IPA, choose the Wave Chaser from Montauk, New York. A pilsner? West Chester-based Levante Craft. A stout? There’s the Nitro Expressway from Two Roads Brewing in Connecticut. If you’re hungry, try the pig skins, crab fries or chow down on a grilled cheese with Kennett portobello. Founded in 1902 as the Eastern Condensed Milk Company, The Creamery was rebuilt as a community center, beer garden and arts hub. Your ears, eyes and tummies will thank you for visiting at any hour.

Don’t Miss: La Peña Mexicana

609 W. Cypress St. #3013, Kennett Square
610-421-0512 / LaPenaMexicanaPA.com

As you pass, you may mistake the building for an unusual gas station. And inside, it may seem a bit small. La Peña is not a place that puts on airs, or dwells on ambiance. Here you get simple, authentic Mexican food — it’s where the farmworkers eat — and it’s oh so good! The tortillas are homemade and fresh. Tacos, burritos, tamales, enchiladas, quesadillas, chimichangas and fajitas, too. Choose the meat — pork, beef, chicken, chorizo, fish. Select your level of spice. Add black or refried beans, guacamole, rice, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, bell peppers, fresh cilantro and lime. You’ll be very glad you stopped.

Don’t Miss: Talula’s Table

102 W. State St., Kennett Square
610-444-8255 / TalulasTable.com

You still need to plan a year in advance for a special date at the famed larger farm table. There are only two options, one seating eight to 12, the other for four to eight. Gather your friends, and prepare for a decadent, seasonal farm-to-table meal. Recently, Chef Ryan McQuillan served scallops, dumplings, bisque, cavatelli, crispy fried brie and poached pear. But, in January, your menu will be different, seasonal, constantly changing. Aimee Olexy owns the original Talula’s here, plus locations in Philly and helped put Kennett on the culinary map. Not a long-range planner? The market is open daily for gourmet takeout.