Page 18 - The Hunt - Fall 2023
P. 18
MEMORANDUM
Restaurant Renaissance
Downingtown is on its way to becoming a culinary hotspot. Is Coatesville next?
By Gina Lizzo
As recently as five years ago, Downingtown wasn’t typically a place that came up as a destination when dinner plans were in the works. Now, the booming Chester County borough is home to a growing list for top-notch eateries that includes Estrella Tacos y Mas, Amani’s BYOB, Anthony’s Cucina Fresca and Station Taproom. But it was the addition of the French- inspired De La Terre BYOB late last year that had foodies and restaurant critics swooning. “We saw that Downingtown was growing, and we wanted to be part of that community,” says De La Terre’s owner and chef, Andrew Hufnagel.
The local reception was warm from the jump. Close to 100 eager applicants reached out to Hufnagel’s wife, Kassie, for server positions. Just shy of a year in, the couple commonly welcomes patrons from West Chester, Paoli, Bryn Mawr and Haverford. De La Terre’s menu changes seasonally and leans heavily on
local purveyors like Chester Springs’ Birchrun Hills Farm, continued on page 18
De La Terre BYOB’s Andrew and Kassie Hufnagel. (Top) The Record Kitchen + Bar.
16 THE HUNT MAGAZINE fall 2023
BOTH PHOTOS BY ED WILLIAMS
