Craig LaBan heads to Downingtown and the New American BYOB, Jasper owned by chef Nick DiFonzo.

Deceptively light tubes of gnocchi came in a delightfully bisquey tomato broth infused with olive oil. Crab cakes filled with sweet meat and bound with a delicate seafood mousse took on a confident Asian flair beside a glass noodle salad blushing sweet and spicy with caramelized sriracha.

Crepes came elegantly rolled around a mushroom puree so rich, it had the intensity of a good rich soup. And the perfume of mini-kobe Rossini burgers splashed with demi-glace was so heady, the entire table inhaled their truffled aroma when those foie gras-topped sliders landed before me.

Two Bells – Very Good

Jasper
Jasper [Official Site]

Lew Bryson reports on the reopening of Victory’s restaurant and bar yesterday and fellow beer scribe Jack Curtin does him one better with a series of photographs of the revamped space.

Snatched from the jaws of defeat… [Seen Through a Glass]
The Day Victory Re-Opened [Liquid Diet]

Today the brew pub at Victory Brewing Company in Downingtown reopens. The doors swung open to the revamped space at 11:30.

Among the improvements are a new bigger kitchen, BBQ smoker and an event room with room for 70. The main restaurant and bar area will fit 150. And of course there will be Victory beer pouring forth.

And even better news to anyone who finds themselves in the area on a weekday, Victory will now be open for lunch every day. Free Wi-Fi can even make it a “working lunch.”

Victory Brewing Co. [Official Site]

The Main Line Restaurant Guide reviews Butterfish, a New American BYOB in West Chester and they like it. But somehow the review doesn’t mention if the restaurant has enough restrooms.

Butterfish, West Chester [Main Line Restaurant Guide]
Butterfish [Official Site]

One day we may actually make it out to Talula’s Table in Kennett Square but until such time we will read stories like Sloth Street’s and salivate.

The meal kept churning along, with a solid salt-cod fritter that I don’t really remember that well, and an interesting take on Beef Wellington that substituted rabbit for steak. The meal may have hit its peak, though, on the fourth course, a chorizo stuffed quail. With an aromatic broth that tempted us all when they first put down the plates, the dish featured a (thankfully) de-boned quail with a spicy sausage unearthed after a few bites. It was creative and delicious, and actually overshadowed the next course, which would have been a tremendous hit any other time. It was a smoked short rib and beef tenderloin dish where the smoke was pronounced and delicious. But I’ll be damned if I wasn’t still thinking of that quail.

Talula’s Table [Sloth Street]

Craig LaBan reviewed the Blue Pear Bistro last Sunday but if you’re still undecided on heading to West Chester to dine at the Dilworthtown Inn’s little sibling check out these reviews.

No Jacket Required [Main Line Today]
Hip To Be Pear [Philadelphia Magazine]
Blue Pear Bistro [Official Site]

A historic general store next to the Dilworthtown Inn is now the Blue Pear Bistro and is serving up casual comfort food updates from former Palette chef David Fogleman.

David Fogleman can still cook. And a few years of maturity have even allowed him to execute an affordable bistro menu (with virtually all items under $20) without sacrificing a commitment to diligent technique, quality ingredients, or the uncanny ability to create dishes that surprise.

Two Bells – Very Good

Blue Pear Bistro [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Blue Pear Bistro [Official Site]

Talula’s Table, the single table dining experience of Bryan Sikora and Aimee Olexy has opened up reservations for the second half of 2008.

If you feel lucky here’s the number. 610 444 8255. If you want to know what the hoopla is about here is a recent write-up on McDuff’s Food & Wine Trail.

Late Fall Tasting Menu at Talula’s Table [McDuff's Food & Wine Trail]
Just how hungry are you? [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Talula’s Table [Official Site]

The Brew Lounge tips us off that the Victory Brew Pub will be undergoing some major renovations starting in January.

A major, major renovation of the entire brewpub will most likely begin after the first of the year. The planned changes will be dramatic and give an entire different appearance to the bar/restaurant area. The current bar area will be gone….a new bar will be installed along the west wall in the new expanded dining area. The wall with the neon “V” sign will be removed to enlarge the dining area. The capacity of the bar and dining area will double from 120 to 240. There will be a combination of booth and table seating. There also will be a new entrance where the current hostess area is located.

Changes a-brewin’ at Victory [The Brew Lounge]

Joe Sixpack relays the impressive stats on what will be on tap this weekend at 15 northern Chester County beer joints.

• 121 unique beers
• 57 styles

Pretty cool.

America’s Best Beer-Drinking City, exhibit #3 [Joe Sixpack]