A rare restaurant review. Firecreek.

We rarely do restaurant reviews here at RB.  However, when recently offered the opportunity to visit the new ”it” spot in Chester County, I found myself compelled to jot down a few paragraphs.  So here goes nothing… 

Firecreek Restaurant sits on the banks of the mighty Brandywine River, imposing its will on anyone who drives past its stylishly renovated facade on Route 322 in Downingtown.  The concept behind Firecreek is a great one: rehab an old paper mill in the middle of a downtown shopping district and use the restaurant as the anchor for a larger mixed-use development.  The space itself is beautiful – from the scary metal bear greeting you at the front door to the exposed stone walls and old turbines inside.  The food isn’t nearly as ambitious. 

Don’t get me wrong.  The meal was enjoyable, but not tremendously memorable.  The highlight was definitely their signature calamari appetizer.  It was perfectly cooked (not too much breading, not too greasy) and showed multiple layers of flavor — from cilantro, to chipotle and pumpkin seeds.  The salads were blah.  The entrees were too stereo-steakhouse typical.  The Angus Delmonico was good, but roasted red potatoes and creamed spinach sides are played out.  The lamb loin chop showed some serious potential, but definitely lost points when it arrived well done instead of medium.  Both desserts, the ice cream sandwich sliders and apple cider donut bread pudding, evoked the kind of whimsical creativity that was lacking in the main courses.   It will be nice when their espresso machine is installed in a few weeks.

While the service was stellar, I was disappointed in the beverage menu.  The wine list was okay, featuring a number of reasonable wines by the glass and bottle, but with no local representation.  The beer selection did have a few craft brews, but the list was not provided table-side nor was it told to us by our server.  I really appreciate it when restaurants list their beer selection alongside their wines, showing patrons that they were hand-selected like the vino.  This would be a nice touch.

Despite my criticisms, I came home full and happy, planning to visit again soon.