On April 24, Avalon Restaurant completed its move to 116 East Gay Street, the former home of Nonna’s. The new location is double the size of the old restaurant and adds a full bar and sidewalk dining.
Chef/owner John Brandt-Lee said, “Moving from our original location is bittersweet. We have had so many great memories (some not so great), but all things that have taught me to be a better restaurantuer and, more importantly, shaped me into the person that I am today.”
He continues, “My wife, staff and I are very excited about this new adventure and we look forward to being able to do more things for the community with a larger, more profitable venue. I have always had a love for live music and look forward to bringing more of it to the West Chester bar scene.”
The Restaurant
The space has been remodeled and now has a fresh, woodsy, but open, feel. In the main dining room, natural white birch branches create a forest-like atmosphere against freshly-painted Tuscan orange walls and soft brown peacock leather seating. They’re set off by cream woodwork and arched doorways. Other dining rooms feature brick accents, renewable wood tree branches adorned with tiny white lights and skylights. Everything from the seating to floors have been replaced and upgraded.
What won’t change is John Brandt-Lee’s fresh, homemade rustic, Italian cuisine and warm hospitality.
Avalon will seat approximately 100 people in the restaurant—including the main dining rooms, garden room with its skylights and smaller semi-private dining rooms including a wine room, which can be used for private dining. Another 48 seats will be available in front of the restaurant along East Gay Street from April through October.
The Menu
Chef Brandt-Lee will offer rustic Italian fare as well as his beloved four-course chef’s tasting menu. The Avalon menu will be served plus crostini boards with individual jars of chicken liver mousse, sheep’s milk ricotta with eggplant caponata, and Parmesan gelato with blood orange jam. Flatbreads have also been added to the menu.
There are plans to create an open kitchenette, adding a wood-burning pizza oven as well as a mozzarella, antipasti, olive, and cheese bar ringed with seating.
Full Bar
The full bar at Avalon focuses on local, craft brews and has a list of Pennsylvania-based cocktails. There will be a rotating list of 8 beers on tap. The bar also has 2 wines on tap as well as an extensive wine list including hand-selected wines from boutique vineyards.
A light menu will be offered in the bar, which features big windows overlooking East Gay Street, 32 seats and two flat screen TVs. Live music—from dueling pianos to rock ‘n roll—is booked on weekends. Happy hour is offered Sundays–Fridays, 4:30–7 p.m., featuring sangria and draft beer for $4, house wines available at half-price, and mango coconut martinis for $6. A light bar menu is also offered daily, Thursday–Saturday, starting at 2 p.m., and Sunday–Wednesday, starting at 4:30 p.m.
Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are accepted by phone at (610) 436-4100 or via Open Table.
