Rose Tree Restaurant has been around the Media dining scene since before there even was a Media dining scene.
Formerly known as the Rose Tree Inn, which opened in 1954, the restaurant has seen several incarnations. Originally, it was a location for country gentleman from Chester and Delaware counties to meet for a meal after fox hunting, horse races and carriage rides. But now, under the ownership of Frank Boyle, Andy Rosen, Greg Baitzel and Robert Linn, Rose Tree Restaurant has taken on a new look, new menu and renewed life that is reflective of today’s discerning diners.
When you enter the restaurant, the renovations are obvious. The everyday dining room is brightened with windows that let in the sunshine, pale yellow walls, cozy booths and a fireplace. The large banquet room that seats from six to 110 guests is rich with jewel tone colors, elegant walnut tables and chairs and has a newly installed dance floor. The bar is now featuring local craft beers both on tap and in bottles as well as a carefully selected wine list.
New general manager and industry veteran David Furst is excited about the changes to Rose Tree Restaurant.
“My goal in the current renovations of the interior, exterior and food, wine and beer menus is to create something special,” he states. David sees Rose Tree as “a community destination where strangers can become friends and warm sincere service is taken with everyone who walks in the door. A place where you can taste the integrity and passion in the food we serve. In short, create my own favorite restaurant that I want to share with friends.”
He continues, “I am always struck by the history behind the Rose Tree Inn when I pull up to work everyday. The long, storied history of the original owners who still live across the street, to the stories of Phillies who were regulars like Mike Schmidt, Pete Rose, and Tug McGraw. I am passionate about embracing that history and giving the Rose Tree Restaurant an entirely new chapter that hopefully will also stand the test of time.” David’s vision is to create an upscale yet casual and warm setting with engaging, inspired food.
Besides all the aesthetic changes to the interior, there is a noticeable difference in the menu. Chef Lawrence Knight makes a return to the kitchen where he started his career 20 years ago. After a stint at The Dilworthtown Inn, he has returned home to The Rose Tree Restaurant. Chef Larry, who also spent some time working under George Perrier in Le Bec Fin’s kitchen, has created a new menu featuring the best in fresh, local ingredients. The concise yet diverse offerings of New American-style cuisine allows diners to choose from small plates, flatbread pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, salads and entrees.
I sampled several items from the seasonally changing menu. Highlights include a light, refreshing seafood salad featuring large, well-cooked scallops and a satisfying small plate of tilapia bruschetta served on a fresh baguette with chilled tomato concasse and fresh herbs. The seafood risotto, overflowing with shrimp, crab, scallops, asparagus and tomatoes was a creamy, hearty small plate that could translate easily into an entree if paired with a soup or salad from the starter menu.
If you are a carnivore, I highly suggest treating yourself to the prime filet mignon served with garlic mashed potatoes and haricot verts finished with a mushroom demi-glace and crumbled Stilton cheese. David shared with me that chef Larry has developed a burger recipe consisting of half ground beef and half beef brisket that makes the juiciest, tastiest burger you have ever savored. I’ll have to go back and try it.
Saving room for dessert was difficult, but I’m glad I did. I indulged in a rich chocolate brownie served with ice cream, a drizzle of chocolate sauce and topped with a piece of chocolate covered bacon—enough said. And even though I had not one bit of room left, I had to sample the vanilla bean crème brûlée. Always my favorite ending to a meal because I love the distinctive crack of putting my spoon through the top layer. This version was served with a side of fresh berries which nicely balanced the sweetness of the dessert.
The Rose Tree Restaurant also is home to fun weekly and special events.They have already hosted a beer dinner featuring a menu of specials paired with local favorite Boxcar Brewing Company and a sold-out “Tour de France” five-course wine dinner. An Italian wine dinner is already in the works for February 28.
Visit the bar on Thursdays for open mic night from 8–11:30 p.m. and on Fridays as it turns into a quaint piano bar for happy hour from 5–7 p.m. Every Saturday night, enjoy dinner in the dining room with live music and dancing.
Rose Tree Restaurant also is a Signature Partner with the Media Theatre for the Performing Arts, so you can enjoy an exclusive dinner package prior to or after taking in a show.
Find Rose Tree Restaurant at 1243 North Providence Road in Media; phone: (610) 891-1205; rosetreerestaurant.com.
All photos credited to Rose Tree Restaurant, with the exception of the dessert photo which is credited to Angela Corrado.
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