I took my parents to Charlotte’s Restaurant in Newtown Square for their 56th Wedding Anniversary. The experience was 66-percent enjoyable.
Charlotte’s has been open since 1981 at 3207 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, Pa. 19073.
It may be Dad’s favorite restaurant. He loves –well, loved — their crab cakes with the champagne sauce.
Anyway we went there Saturday just in time to catch the early bird specials and as it was their anniversary I was the only one to take advantage of them.
I got the 12-ounce rib eye. It was perfectly cooked, smothered in onions and mushrooms, and was truly delicious. Mom got the veal piccata, also delicious.
Dad, as expected, got the crab cakes and gave it a thumbs down. I tasted them and have to agree. They were dry and not what we remembered.
Also getting a thumbs down were the drinks. Dad did not like his Manhattan and my house Merlot tasted boxy wineish. Cheap boxy wineish.
Mom did not complain about her Sprite.
At this point, I’d like to note the sides. The restaurant is generous with sides — the regular meals come with a salad and vegetable — and they were very good. The early birders also get soup du jour, escarole in my case which was superb, and a desert for which I picked an ice cream dish. The vanilla was smothered with strawberries and a liqueur sauce. I won’t call it gourmet but I certainly won’t complain about it.
The service was great and friendly. The price was $85.41 not counting the tip, which I count as a very good bargain.
The bottom line in any restaurant experience is will one return. I think it is safe to say yes in our case. Dad might even give the crab cakes a second chance. I think I will stick to Sprite though.
Charlotte’s Restaurant Review