From the outside, 259 Church Street appears to just be a brick building in a residential neighborhood. But, as you go down the stairs of St. Anthony’s Lodge, you enter Luigi and Giovanni, Downingtown’s best kept secret and fixture in the community that provides gourmet food and all the comforts of home.
St. Anthony’s now houses a catering hall, bar and—12 years ago—Luigi and Giovanni, an Italian market from Newtown Square that is brought in a magnifico dining delight. Luigi and Giovanni has a homey atmosphere with a New York-style quaintness. Diners can take a tour of the owners’ hometown of Abruzzi from the past and present through pictures on the walls.
Luigi and Giovanni’s Ristorante’s menu boasts a wide range of Italian culinary delights: scarpelli soup (egg crepe, rolled with gourmet cheeses in a chicken stock), baked clams, osso a buco, homemade gnocchi, canneloni ripieni con vitello (rolled pasta filled with ground veal, spinach & and mozzarella, topped with a tomato cream sauce) and costanti di agnello (rack of lamb served with rosemary demiglace and basil infused risotto). If the customers are craving a certain dish like their nonna’s cooking, the chef is willing to whip up a plate (as long as he knows how). They have glasses or bottles of wine, martinis and beer that won’t break the bank (between $3 and $35).
When it comes to planning their innovative daily specials, their creative chef takes works within the budget of the neighborhood and keeps the prices reasonable, but spares no expense when it comes to flavor and quality. The stellar special that sold out last week was salmon wrapped in puff pastry stuffed with crab cake, artichoke and cream cheese.
“Having grown up on homemade Italian food, I’d have to say Luigi and Giovanni is the only restaurant I’ve found that even comes close to my mom’s cooking. The portions are generous, and the staff is friendly and efficient.” said Downingtown resident, Val DiLuigi.
The upstairs catering hall has held it share of events during the past 90 years: community shows, baby and bridal showers, funerals, business meetings and weddings (one couple had their wedding and 50th anniversary party there). During World War II, the hall was the place to go to learn about news of the war. It’s no wonder so many monumental events are held at St. Anthony’s—they do not charge for rental space, linens or tables, people just need to pay for the charming cuisine. Luigi and Giovanni caters to the needs of its customers and offers lots of options for its customers.
What’s even more intriguing about St. Anthony’s is one of their annual events: Ninety years ago, a few boys went fishing in the Brandywine, but came home with frogs that one mother cooked for the neighborhood kids. The following year, more boys participated and it became an honored community tradition ever since. The boys decided to start a club (St. Anthony’s Lodge) and the Amphibious Order of the Frogs dinner has been held every year since 1934.
Neighborhood women (including some from the original frog party) annually spend a week preparing enough frogs legs (6,000 frogs), veal, chicken, and salad for more than 1,100 men. Attendees for this hopping time in the beginning of August include men in the community, the mayor and governor.
“I love it here. This is where I am meant to be. My kids say I am crazy because it takes me over an hour to get here,” said restaurant and catering manager, Kathleen DelPiano. “Everyone that works here, their grandparents have worked here, their grandmothers were in the kitchen and their grandfathers were their presidents; everyone is connected. Everybody takes such pride in this place. Everyone is so dedicated and it is nice to be apart of it. It’s not just a restaurant, it’s more like a family.”
For $14.95 on Thursdays nights, diners can choose from a Filet, Delmonico, or NY Strip with a side salad, potato and vegetable. Every Wednesday, pasta lovers pick one of the three delicious pasta dishes with a salad for $12.95.
The last Thursday of the month is men’s night, where men can enjoy a family style 5-course meal of soup, salad, choice of beef, chicken and fish, side of pasta and veg, dessert, and glass of wine for $23-$25. Ladies night is the last Wednesday of the month for $17.95 for five-courses and includes activities like a jewelry or Mary Kay party or fortune tellers.
Italian food is not just nourishment, but an experience to celebrate good food and friends. Enjoy masterfully crafted dishes and vino that will please any palette with good family or friends at Luigi and Giovanni, but don’t forget to say buon appetito (good appetite) first!
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