Over 25,000 people tasted their way through 60 booths during the beautiful afternoon of September 18th, at the 32nd Annual Chester County Restaurant Festival, hosted by the West Chester Parks and Recreation Department. As they sampled their way down Gay Street, diners voted via text for their favorite appetizers, entrees and desserts for PA Eats Choice Awards. The envelopes please…
The restaurant that nabbed the best appetizer was… (please insert your own drumroll or low music here)…. Mas Mexacali Cantina located at 102 W. Market Street. Prior to being rolled into a flour tortilla and drizzled with a sweet and spicy sauce, the Mas “mini chimis” chicken or beef is slow roasted with peppers and onions with a unique blend of Mexican ingredients.
Many festival-goers returned to Mas’ booth for seconds and Mas sold over 500 “mini chimis” during the day. “Mini Chimi” fans do not have to wait until next year’s festival for more chimis, they are part of Mas’ new menu which will be rolled out in four to six weeks.
Olive Branch is no stranger to being the people’s first pick. Last year their roasted figs won best appetizer and their Velvetini won best dessert. The Olive Branch Chicken–layers of chicken breast, spinach, and artichoke hearts on top of a Portobello mushroom on a bed of spinach, topped with melted Havarti cheese and an artichoke and sun-dried tomato cream sauce–took home the best entree.
Olive Branch went through seven full sheet cakes of the day’s best dessert, Marie’s original Strawberry Corn Cream Cap’n Crunch. Homemade strawberry preserves with fresh strawberries are layered between a buttermilk cake and cream corn whipped cream and topped with toasted white chocolate coated Cap’n Crunch pieces in this “funky strawberry cheesecake”.
Marie Cantatore, co-owner of Olive Branch and JMarie’s Speakeasy and Supper Club, was in it to win it as soon as they signed up, “The best part of the whole day is about two o’clock when people are seeking you out. When people were saying ‘where did the people get the Cap’n Crunch cake?’ When people way down the other corner or block are looking for you, that’s the best part of the day.”
The Olive Branch Chicken is a regular staple on their ever-evolving menu and the restaurant festival has inspired them to create a $5 lunch tapas menu starting in the beginning of October. Olive Branch is a quaint BYO located at 142 W. Gay Street and their tapas style menu is sourced from fresh and local ingredients.
Straughen Catering’s Deep-Fried Lobster Mac and Cheese, Social Lounge‘s Raspberry Tea Tuna, Ram’s Head Bar & Grill‘s Filet Mignon Cheesesteak and Dia Doce‘s Berry Basil Cupcake took home second place. Gulf Shrimp Tostadas from Amani’s BYOB, crowd-pleasing crab cakes from Gadaleto’s Seafood Market, cupcakes by Sweets by Samantha’s and Bailey’s Bread Pudding by Cakes and Candies by Maryellen won third place.
Relive all the favorite foodie dishes and moments with pictures of the day on westchester.paeats.com. Congratulations to all of the winners! Just think there are only 348 days left until the 33rd Annual Chester County Restaurant Festival!
