Kennett Square restaurant named among nation’s best

Discerning diners agree: The Orchard is among the nation’s best restaurants.

Based on actual diners’ reviews, the Kennett Square restaurant was named among the top 50 restaurants in the United States by OpenTable’s 2010 Diners’ Choice Awards.

It was the only restaurant from the Philadelphia-region listed in the top 50.

"We’re deeply honored by this award,” said Gary Trevisani, Executive Chef and owner of The Orchard. “We’ve always felt that our farm-to-table, American cuisine was exceptional and unique, but to have our patrons select The Orchard to be included in such a prestigious list of restaurants in the nation is very special.”  

OpenTable is the leading online reservation service in the restaurant industry, frequented by diners looking to discover new restaurants in new places. Last year, diners posted more than 5 million reviews on the site for more than 11,000 restaurants in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

“The fact that this there are these kinds of positive reviews from our guests, means what we’re trying to do is hitting home,” Trevisani told the Community News. “I think it does mean a little bit more than just one critic’s opinion.”

Trevisani, a former instructor at the Restaurant School in Philadelphia, described the Orchard as New American cuisine in a setting that maintains a European feel.

“A lot nice restaurants in America tend to be stuffy,” Trevisani said. “I don’t do stuffy. I’ve dined in three-star restaurants in Paris and the atmosphere has always been upbeat and comfortable. That’s what we aim for here.”

Indeed, the restaurant has no dress code, though Trevisani said most diners seem to favor business attire. It’s also a BYOB joint, and although there’s a modest corking fee, you won’t be paying an arm and a leg for marked-up wine.

With dinner seatings five nights a week, the restaurant specializes in using local ingredients. Fresh green beans are picked at an inch and a half at a nearby farm. The duck and quail on the menu are raised just a couple hour drive from the restaurant.

Asked to name his signature dish, Trevisani said it was like picking between his children. He said seafood, particularly the Wild Atlantic Halibut on Sesame Quinoa with green beans and a Szechuan soy reduction was a current favorite.

“Whatever it is we do, we try to offer a fantastic product that may be a little different than people are used to,” he said. “When I talk to my customers, I really get the sense that it’s a very special place for them, but not just a place for special occasions.”