In our latest He Said, She Said, we sent a couple out to celebrate their one year anniversary, inviting the dating duo to tackle the award-winning fare of the “Best Chef of Chester County,” Chef Jon Amann of Amani’s BYOB.
The COUPLE:
Nick
Age: 25
Job: Retail Manager
Hobbies: Video Games, Basketball, Reading
Katie
Age: 24
Job: World Language Teacher
Hobbies: Reading, Triathlons, Travel
The RESTAURANT:
Amani’s BYOB
105 East Lancaster Ave.
Downingtown, PA
amanisbyob.com
Congrats, you’ve officially reached your one year mark! What is your favorite memory from the past year of dating?
Katie: My favorite memory would have to be from our Caribbean cruise in July. One of our stops was St. Thomas, and we went to the most beautiful beach on Magen’s Bay. We both agreed it was our favorite excursion of the trip, and it was so relaxing to spend that time there with him.
Nick: I’d have to say that my favorite memory was when Katie and I went to Longwood Gardens with her friends and parents. It was during the holiday season and I just remember watching her smiling and thinking “yup, I think I found the one for me.”
How did you two meet?
Katie: We met on OkCupid, a dating website. After chatting for a little while, we agreed to meet up for a date at the Cheesecake Factory in King of Prussia. The rest is history!
Nick: I liked what she wrote about in her profile and I thought she was cute so I asked her out.
First impressions of one another?
Katie: I thought he was really funny and charming when we talked online, and our first date was great. He was such a gentleman and we had a ton in common. We talked for hours, and I was so excited when he asked me on a second date.
Nick: I met her for our first date at the Cheesecake Factory (real classy, right?) and immediately thought to myself when I first saw her “wow, she’s too pretty for me.” She was intelligent, witty and for whatever reason she seemed interested in me, so I kept taking her out and here we are one year later.
What do you typically do on your “Date Nights”?
Katie: It really depends on our mood. Sometimes we might order Chinese and rent a movie, often we go out to dinner somewhere new, or we try to do something different, like a comedy show or sports game.
Nick: We typically go to dinner and try to go to new places as much as possible. Sometimes this is followed up with a movie or mini golf or something along those lines.
What was the planned activity for your one year celebration of being boyfriend and girlfriend?
Katie: I didn’t really know! I knew we’d go out to dinner, but Nick didn’t tell me where. It was an even better night than I hoped it might be!
Nick: I was planning on taking her to a special place for dinner and I had heard a few recommendations for Amani’s BYOB so that’s where I made the reservation. How fortunate that they are open on Sundays!
Have either of you ever dined at Amani’s BYOB before?
Katie: No, but we will again!
How was the service? Were they attentive, helpful, etc.?
Katie: Yes! The timing of the courses was perfect, and the server we had was very attentive and knowledgeable. The ambiance was also very romantic.
Nick: The service was excellent! We were seated right away, and were told about the specials. We received water immediately, as well as bread with a delicious red pepper-infused olive oil. Our waitress came by after every course was served and made sure we were okay, but never in a hovering or interrupting manner. And, when I asked for the check she brought it out quickly.
Did you have drinks with your dinner? If so, what did you have?
Katie: They provided us with some Pinot Noir, which was a special treat. Normally it is a BYOB but since we were on a He Said, She Said date it was a nice surprise and a really nice touch!
Nick: We tried the 2008 Pinot Noir from Black Walnut Winery. It was quite good and complimented the meal perfectly.
Describe the courses you each enjoyed for dinner. How was it, and would you order it again?
Katie: My salad was mixed greens with poached pears, walnuts, and blue cheese. All the ingredients were very fresh and the flavors complemented each other nicely.
My meal was their “Scottish Salmon.” The fish was cooked to perfection, and the tomato confit it was served with really added a lot of flavor. It was served with spinach and farro, an Italian grain that I’ve never had before. It had an interesting, nutty flavor that went well with the salmon. It was all delicious and I’d order it again!
The dessert was, of course, my favorite part. I had a chocolate crème brûlée topped with berries. Being a French teacher, I’ve had my fair share of crème brûlée, but this was one of the best I’ve ever had. The sugar was burnt to just the right consistency on top, and the custard itself was rich and creamy. I’ll likely go back for this dessert alone.
Nick: For our first course we each tried a different salad. I had the baby spinach with applewood bacon, fried egg, roasted peppers, and pine nuts with honey dijon dressing. It was the best salad I’ve ever had, granted I don’t eat them often.
For the main entree, I had the Long Island duck breast in a balsamic glaze with goat cheese compound butter, exotic mushrooms, local long beans and roasted fingerling potatoes. Needless to say I cleaned my plate. The duck breast was very moist and the goat cheese and balsamic really enhanced the flavor. I think Katie was a bit jealous of my meal, but she tried her fair share of it.
For dessert, I had their apparently “award-winning” bourbon peach tort with vanilla cinnamon cream on top–and I learned why it won. It is not on the menu yet, but I highly recommend asking about it.
How did you end the date? Was there a kiss?
Katie: We held hands as we walked to the car and talked about what a great night we had. And, of course, there was a kiss after such a romantic evening.
Nick: We talked about the evening and the past year. I surprised her with a necklace and a crossword puzzle I made for her using memories from our relationship, and I gave her a good night kiss at the door.
Over all, how was your first anniversary? Is this a long-term match?
Katie: It was a great evening, one of the best dates we’ve ever had. I’m looking forward to many more anniversary dinners like it.
Nick: It was a great evening out, and it has been a great first year. I would guess this was the first anniversary of many.
