Best of the Best: Wayne
Recommendations for best places to eat locally — morning, noon, night and more
Morning: Minella’s Diner
320 Lancaster Ave., Wayne
610-687-1575 / MinellasDiner.com
For 25 years, Nick and Dennis Dellaportas have run Minella’s, having bought it from Minella Zoto’s son Tom. The brothers Dellaportas remodeled and doubled the capacity. Known especially for its breakfasts, today the restaurant serves breakfast all day and supports an outstanding bakery. Omelets — over 25 choices — are made with three eggs and served with home fries and toast. Or choose other classics: eggs Benedict, egg sandwiches, pancakes, French toast and waffles. Top off your breakfast with their desserts — cheesecakes, apple pie, blueberry pie, chocolate éclair, turnovers … Mmmm!
Noon: Di Bruno Bros.
375 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne
484-581-7888 / DiBruno.com
Walk into a bit of Philly’s Italian Market that is Di Bruno Bros., known for its stellar cheese — formaggi. At its center, surrounded by olives, truffle oil and more, find the Alimentari Bar/Café, where menu options with cheese are a must. Order anything with their burrata — mozzarella and cream: burrata toast of Brussel sprouts with that melted goodness; exquisite burrata and berry salad with greens, orange, pine nuts and pistachio vinaigrette; or Roman pizza with burrata, prosciutto, tomatoes and arugula. Take home some sought-after Black Lava cashews to pair with their Brabander Reserve — aged goat gouda with abundant spectacular, crunchy crystals — that arrives only around Thanksgiving, so plan for next year.
Night: Rosalie
139 E. Lancaster Ave., Wayne
610-977-0600 / RosalieWayne.com
Doesn’t Italian soul food sound like exactly what you need for a satisfying dinner? Enjoy that and more inside the sumptuous dining rooms of Rosalie in the Wayne Hotel (the wonderful veranda is better saved for warmer seasons). Vegetarians have their own menu (with vegan options), which is easy since so many dishes are veggie based. Have a piccolo plate or pizza in the fireside lounge or dine on the many pastas — from mushroom gnocchi to short rib rigatoni — and secondi choices from bronzino to lamb shank. Dessert? Yes, there’s tiramisu, but also olive oil cake and a chocolate hazelnut/salted caramel torte!
Tea: A Taste of Britain
503 W. Lancaster Ave.,Wayne
610-971-0390 / ATOBritain.com
We added a special category to let you live out your Bridgerton fantasies with afternoon tea at A Taste of Britain. Choose from an extensive list of teas, including 13 black teas (Earl Grey, English and Irish breakfast, Scottish Highlands) as well as several oolong, green, white and herbal teas, all served in ornate teacups. Pair your tea with classic British fare like Welsh rarebit, Cornish pasties, tea sandwiches and cheese toasties (grilled cheese), warm scones and the Ploughman’s Platter, the chef’s selection of English cheeses and accoutrements. Afterwards, check out the shop for British groceries, loose-leaf tea and tea accessories, plus a unique selection of British gifts.
Happy Hour: Autograph Brasserie
503 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne
610-964-2588 / AutographBrasserie.com
Owner Marty Grim and Executive Chef Jim Davidson invite you, Monday through Friday, 4 to 6, to enjoy their special Happy Hour menu when you can eat and drink for less. Wednesdays are even better. Ladies enjoy Happy Hour drink prices until 9. Grab a $7 beer, like Hoegaarden’s witbier, or $8 wine, including Albertini’s pinot grigio. Autograph’s bartenders are happy to mix a specialty $9 cocktail, like Just a Little Chill or a Red-Headed Stepchild. Food choices range from $9 to $15. Make sure to wander among the countless autographed photos that festoon the walls and toast the singers, actors, authors, politicians and sports stars there.
Don’t Miss: At the Table
118 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne
610-964-9700 / AtTheTableBYOB.com
At once a top Instagrammable spot for its impeccably prepared plates and a fine dining destination for the culinary talent, At the Table now has a larger kitchen, a four-seat oyster bar and four times the dining space for its growing fanbase. Chefs Alex Hardy and Tara Buzan-Hardy are visible in the kitchen as they prepare their new, upgraded and amazing Chef’s six-course tasting menu ($125), featuring seasonal ingredients and artistic creations. For a la carte, choose gems like wild mushroom toast to start and Big Glory Bay salmon or NY strip and braised beef cheeks as mains. Although they’re losing the BYOB part of their name, diners can still bring their own or order a cocktail.