I meet so many people who stop by QVC to take our Studio Park Tour, or see an In The Kitchen with Bob show, and without fail more than one person in the crowd will ask me if "there are any good restaurants in a small town like West Chester."

Of course, the answer is "Most certainly!", and I'll usually offer up one or two suggestions at the time. But I thought I'd take this opportunity to give you a quick list of my favorites, so you'll be armed and ready with everything you need for a great meal after you visit us here at Studio Park. Some of them are BYOB, the others have terrific wine lists.

So here they are (in no particular order):

GILMORE'S
133 E. Gay Street
West Chester
610-431-2800

Peter Gilmore used to be the sous chef for Georges Perrier at the world-famous Le Bec Fin in Philadelphia, and more than a few people believe Peter is every bit as good as Georges. The restaurant is small, so reservations are definitely needed, but you will be knocked out with the creative and richly-flavored French and American dishes Peter puts out.

ALBERTO'S
116 E. Gay Street
West Chester
610-430-0203

Alberto owns a spectacular villa in Tuscany, where he produces some remarkable wines and ships them back here to West Chester. His brother and nephews run the restaurant, which offers terrific Italian cuisine in a traditional trattoria setting. Great bar area too, if you're just interested in a quick cocktail.

BUTTERFISH
700 W. Nields Street
West Chester
610-738-8800

I was blown away by this restaurant the first time I visited. Not so much because of the atmosphere, which is nice, but nothing special. But if you like fish, and particularly, smoked fish, you are going to love Butterfish. They smoke all their fish right on the premises, with a wide selection of wood chips, so the flavors are nothing short of spectacular. And they smoke everything from salmon to trout to Hawaiian butterfish to bass....you name it. One of my all-time favorites for a light summer evening meal.

DILWORTHTOWN INN
1390 Old Wilmington Pike
West Chester
610-399-1390

Jim Barnes has run the Dilworthtown for nearly 30 years. The building was built in the 1790s, and the atmosphere is pure colonial Brandywine Valley. Great traditional American cuisine, and the best wine list in this region (sometimes you can talk Jim into letting you down into the wine cellar, where you will be amazed). This is a little south of West Chester on Route 202, but easy to get to, and well worth the trip. It's a little more formal most nights...most men wear jackets, but ties are not necessary.

THE BLUE PEAR
275 Brinton's Bridge Road
West Chester
610-399-9812

This is Jim Barnes's newest restaurant, and it happens to be right next to the Dilworthtown Inn. But it's completely different. It serves New American cuisine, with small plates or large (almost like a tapas bar). More relaxed atmosphere, but great food.

IRON HILL BREWERY
3 W. Gay Street
West Chester
610-738-9600

If you like good handcrafted ales and lagers, this is your place. They make some terrific ones right on site in the restaurant (you can see the tanks and piping through floor-to-ceiling windows). The cuisine isn't bad either...it's New American, with a great selection of burgers, salads, and intriguing entrees. A very busy place in a college town like West Chester.

AVALON RESTAURANT
312 S. High Street
West Chester
610-436-4100

Avalon makes devotees with every dish they serve. It's Nouvelle American, and it's wonderful. Fresh approaches to old favorites, and some new combinations you wouldn't think of. They have a beautiful patio for al fresco dining, and a great stone fireplace to eat in front of during the cooler months. It's a BYOB, so bring your favorite fruit of the vine.

LIMONCELLO
9 N. Walnut Street
West Chester
610-436-6230

Tradition Northern Sicilian. Need I say more? But don't think it doesn't have fun...they have some of the best gourmet pizzas in town (and I'm not talking about Pizza Hut stuff here...I'm talking real thin-crust beauties with the most unusual toppings). Another BYOB.

SPRAZZO
27 N. High Street
West Chester
610-344-7435

What would dinner be without dessert? Sprazzo offers the absolute best in handcrafted "Dolci" (desserts) and "gelati" (the creamiest Italian ice creams on the planet), along with an espresso bar for those who can't do without a cappucino at the end of the night. A great place to stop into anytime at all to satisfy that sweettooth.

So there you have it....a short list of some of our best in West Chester. If you go exploring and find something not on the list, please don't hesitate in dropping me an email...I'm always looking for new culinary experiences.

Bon Apetit!

-- Bob