Best Casual Restaurants in Paoli

Ambiance is great, cocktails were great. Service was excellent. Menu was (as usual) a little disappointing. Conventional and uninspired especially on the healthier front.

We had Sunday brunch and it was our first experience at this restaurant! We had a quiet booth which was nice and secluded. Nick our waiter explained the entire menu which was nice that he spent extra time with us. We started with a small loaf of cornbread which was warm with soft butter . We had the Bellini bouquet which was 6 champagne style glasses with three different kinds of Bellinis ! We had lots of fun sampling them. Our breakfast food was outstanding as well as our dessert of pumpkin cake and a sundae! I would definitely come back again for brunch but would like to try lunch or dinner next time .

Had lunch with a friend. Had a delicious mixed drink, shared the cauliflower bites, and I had a burger and fried

Met up with a longtime friend for a long overdue lunch. We chose The Refectory since it was mid way between our two homes. This was the first time each of had dined there and the experience was very enjoyable. Food, service, and atmosphere were all great. Definitely a return visit will be in the works.

This was a hard review to write. We have been staying at the Desmond for years but had never dined in Fork and Bottle except for breakfast. It was a Monday night and the dining room was not full. So noise level was excellent especially since it was reunion of sorts with our friends. Cocktails were excellent. Service was excellent. The ambiance was great in a beautiful setting. Unfortunately the food was not so great. My husband and our friend had the bacon wrapped filet which he loved. He claimed the sauce was excellent and the filet was tender. I had the shrimp and crab cake scampi - not so good. The crab cake was very flat - almost like a potato pancake (my husband thought I had ordered chicken!) and the shrimp were small and chewy. The lemon butter sauce was good the crab cake was very very mushy. For the caliber we expected from this restaurant, I was disappointed. My friend had the salmon and I don’t think she cared for that either - neither of us finished. And the food was presented was another disappointment considering what you would expect from a high end dining experience. We have attended conferences here where the food was excellent do I sm not sure if this was just an off night or what? I must add though we had breakfast the next morning here. And the breakfast did not disappoint. Coffee was excellent. Presentation was phenomenal with all the accoutrements. And the food was delicious! So kudos to Desmond for that!