It had been nearly two and a half years since we first traversed the narrow gravel lane and parked in the unpaved lot adjacent to the stone ruins of an old dairy barn... From there, it was just few brief steps to a secluded little restaurant retreat known as Orangery, which is also the residence of head chef Sabrina Lutz and her husband, Paul. As though caught in a time warp - tucked away in Glen Isle, a bit of bucolic bliss just off bustling Business Route 30 on the western fringe of Downingtown - it remains very much a world apart, a hidden gem from another age. The 40-seat enclosed sunporch, is both cozy and romantic. On the other hand, in warmer weather, nothing is quite so pleasant as dining alfresco on the restaurant's comfortable patio (pictured). The five-course set menu of hearty Tuscan fare changes fortnightly; so, as I also noted in my first review, the items I mention here may be somewhat different from what you will experience. However, this intro will still give you some idea of what to expect (to discover precisely what Orangery will be serving during a given week, please consult the restaurant's website). Dinner here generally begins with Crostini, which means "little toasts" in Italian, and consists of canapés adorned with a savory topping. During our first visit, Sweet Peppers Crostini was quite delicious; the second time around, the Shrimp Crostini was less so - and infinitely more filling (more on that later). In lieu of a second course salad, the kitchen served up a Mini Vegetable Quiche (pictured), which was quite good, although - falling victim to a not uncommon faux pas - inordinately bland. Once again, however, the pasta course - in this case, Gnocchi with Salmon pictured) - proved the weakest link in the culinary chain. Bathed in an unctuous cream sauce, to say that this dish was exceedingly rich would, indeed, be an understatement. It was simply too much of too much of a good thing... But, more than this, several misgivings voiced as a result of my first visit, I note verbatim: "In the midst of a five-course meal, unless you happen to possess the appetite of a starving yak, the portion size was entirely too large"; and, in addition, "as you may note from the photograph, it was not terribly attractively plated." Even a modest sprinkling of parsley or other herbs would have gone a long way toward significantly improving this dish's bland dropped-onto-the-plate-from ten thousand-feet appearance. The Chicken Pizzaiola (pictured), though, was right back on track. This is a variation of carne alla pizzaiola, or pizza-maker style beef. Legend has it that, because they were so busy, pizza makers in Naples needed a dish they could easily prepare with ingredients they had on hand. And this is one of those dishes that is absolutely sublime in its simplicity. The chicken breast is lightly breaded, gently fried, and then topped with a sauce comprised of tomatoes, olive oil, oregano & basil. The finishing touch, a tiara of fresh mozzarella. And all is as it should be... the chicken is moist & tender and the sauce has just the proper interplay of sweetness and acidity. My only quibble is that, once again, I consider the organic green salad with asparagus and parmesan cheese a rather odd, and not particularly well-chosen, plating companion. My preference definitely would have been for a wild rice pilaf and a nicely arranged green vegetable, sans superfluous greenery. The sweet ending...? A moist and flavorful chocolate cake garnished with strawberries. One or two closing notes... What I mentioned in my first review continues to hold true... Your ultimate opinion of this restaurant will very much depend upon your expectations. If you're looking for a sophisticated Michelin-starred experience, you've definitely come to the wrong address. The cuisine here is hearty homespun Tuscan and, on the whole, quite good. The service is not professional; however, it is young, friendly, well-meaning, and has definitely improved since my previous visit. If you have never dined at the Orangery, it is, in my opinion, certainly worthy of a visit. Given its pastoral setting and homey, unpretentious ambiance, it is a delightfully restful step back in time. Just keep the above-mentioned caveats in mind, and you will not be disappointed. BYOB... And reservations are de rigueur. read more

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They never return my call when I try to make reservations. Poor service from that standpoint or I would call it "no" service.

A slow burn.... We were sat at an intimate table, not too close or too far from other patrons. Staff had soft, subtle approach - extremely friendly, courteous. Setting: an elegant old home nestled in a quiet and wooded parcel of land. Also on the property, and providing unique photo ops, are the ruins of a 19th century barn. In a word; enchanting. Food was brought out in a gradual, un-rushed manner. It was as if they had opened just for us. At one point, due to a possible food allergy, a plate was made (on the fly) by the chef, just in case... No decorking fee. Food was delicious and beautifully presented. Menu changes often. We were given an unscheduled tour of the grounds before leaving and informed that jazz bands play there in the warmer season. A great romantic spot. Don't be in a hurry. Make a night of it. read more

Second time we have eaten there and has been my favorite meal ever! For one price it's a five course meal and includes dessert. It's also BYOB. Nice size portions. Excellent staff and Beautiful historic building!! Can't say enough good things. My favorite part is that the tables are not on top of each other so you can actually have a decent conversation without listening to your neighbors. read more

Fabulous experience don't know how they do it but everything was perfect. All the food was cooked perfectly and presented beautifully. There certainly is no rush we spent 2 hours at our table. The grounds are a maze of stone walls and stone barn ruins all decorated with gardens and grass. A very special place highest recommendation. read more

This restaurant gets five stars because of the combination of the setting the food the service ambience and entertainment. I took my wife for her birthday dinner and went with another couple and the BYOB aspect was wonderful we were seated next to the stage where a lady playing acoustic guitar sang covers at just the right volume. The courses started promptly and came out at just the right pace. The portions were perfect and the main course was not overly filling allowing me to enjoy the appetizers and the pasta the main course as well as dessert. The setting was fantastic an old farmhouse style venue with adequate lighting. read more

Not a review of food. Not a review of service. Never been here. I called for a reservation. And called. And called again. I left messages 5 times. I used the online form at their website. For months I called and waited for a reply. Party of sixteen to big? Did I pick a bad date? Did this place burn down? Owners on permanent holiday? No idea. No one ever called me back. So I gave up. read more

Horrible! I chose inside seating because it's 100 degrees outside at 6:30, they sat us at an open door way making it probably 120 degrees and think that you can possibly eat soup or hot food...I had to leave and go back and pick up my family when they are finished eating... Ridiculous. Horrible. $60.00 per person cash only.. Never ever again, and I have been there many times. read more

Sorry that I haven't reviewed. Not sure about the other two reviews but this is not a one star dining location. It actually is probably the best restaurant in Downingtown. My wife and I went here for our anniversary in May. We had no troubles getting a reservation. When you arrive it's an old farm house that is local family owns and operates the restaurant out of. The wife is the chef. The husband runs the operations. And the sons are your waiters. There is only one seating per night and you go through all the courses together with the other patrons. The wife is from Italy and learned to cook from her grandmother. You can tell because the food is awesome. If you're having trouble getting the reservation try to email or call because you don't want to miss going to this restaurant. read more

Had great food and service. Building and property is very nice as well.

The Orangery is fantastic. The food is amazing. It its a prix fixe menu, so watch their website about what is currently offered. Everything is made by hand, sourced as locally as possible. We love going in the Spring/Summer/Fall when we can sit at the outdoor patio. With some of their menus, reservations fill fast, but I've also been able to call the week before and get a spot. There is just one seating time - 6:30 - so no table turn over, people walking around during dinner, or waiters trying to hurry you out. Family owned and operated. One note about families - there is no 'kids menu' and its not really an atmosphere for kids at all. We leave ours at home, and I'm sure the other diners would appreciate you leaving yours at home as well. I don't know if they have a policy or anything, but I've been there 3-4 times and there are never any chlidren read more

Nice, small, off the beaten trail venue, and wonderful staff run this place. Service was top notch, and the timing of the courses was near perfect. We were with another couple, but this would be a great spot for a quiet dinner with your sig other. The food was good but I was underwhelmed. Not memorable. Flavor was lacking, especially the entree. I'd definitely recommend this place if you've never been, but I probably won't be back in the near term. read more

We have eaten here twice and both times were delicious. Some of the most amazing bursting flavors I have ever placed in my mouth have been from here. Fresh fresh fresh. The portions are small but the flavors are wonderful. The atmosphere is romantic and the staff is attentive and engaging. On one of our trips we had the lasagne with the bechemel sauce which was amazing. It's about $4 worth of food that is easily worth the $50 price tag. No problems making substitutions either. Great that it isBYOB Also. We try to go once a year as it truly is a treat. It is a must eat at if you are in the area. Fixed menu is posted online and rotates about once every two weeks. You must have a reservation and there is only one seating a night which adds to the atmosphere. No one is in a rush. My favorite special place to eat. read more

We loved this establishment the first four or five times we enjoyed meals there. However, the menu now seems to be centered around chicken dishes. We could always count on seeing a meat or seafood entree being offered occasionally, but we haven't seen seafood on the menu in months. So sad! We're looking forward to update the rating when the menu returns to a semblance of the varied offerings of the past. read more

Unfortunately, my party had the same experience as Bradford G. - Left messages - no return call. Even if it would take a year to get a reservation, why not call a potential customer back? There are too many other great options in the area for fine dining. We are moving on! read more

Wow, Jim M. must have been in a really bad mood the night he visited The Orangery! Or maybe he's just holding the restaurant up against unreasonable expectations. As he says himself, expectations set the stage for everything. I found The Orangery to be a delightful little boutique eatery. We turned off the main road into the drive, and were directed to park the car in what appears to be ruins of an old farmhouse - very romantic and atmospheric. We were greeted at the door by Paul, one of the owners. He couldn't have been more welcoming and charming. The dining room is lovely - three walls are filled with French doors, so the room is light and airy, with plenty of room between the tables, comfortable seating, and charmingly eclectic dinnerware. A romantic mix of opera and Italian pop plays softly in the background. It's a lively place, and the buzz of animated conversations ebbed and flowed throughout the evening. This is not the hush and whisper of The Fountain or Le Bec Fin - the room was filled with the sound of agreeable people enjoying food and conversation in equal parts. We started with an amuse bouche of fried zucchini and mozzerella cheese. This simple, unpretentious dish was the perfect start to the meal. Each slender patty, served at room temperature, consisted of a thin slice of fresh mozzerella sandwiched between two paper thin slices of zucchini, lightly breaded and fried. The delicate seasoning was perfect. Next came the antipasti, starting with the garlic crostini - petite points of toast with a zippy, garlicky coating of olive oil - delicious! This was followed by a warm mushroom salad - baby spinach greens lightly dressed with a warm mushroom/pancetta glaze. I can't overstate how amazing this salad was. The greens were fresh and tender, and the dressing - oh, that dressing! Tiny, salty bits of pancetta, thin slices of rich sauteed mushroom, the tangy sweet and sour glaze - yum! My dining partner, who does not like spinach, or mushrooms, ate every bite and looked longingly at my plate after he had finished. There was no way I was giving up so much as a forkful, though. Our Primo course was shrimp bisque. Now, shrimp bisque is hard to do right, but this was perfectly done: the tiny shrimp perfectly cooked, still tender and juicy, the creamy broth subtly flavored with the shrimp, not too heavy, and not overly salted (two faults I often find with bisques). A crisp wafer of toast provided a nice texture contrast. Wonderful. Our Secondo course started with shrimp crepes. These were little wonders of intense flavors, each discernable but blending together into a fantastic whole. Again, the shrimp were cooked just right, plump and flavorful, tossed with thin, tender-crisp matchsticks of zucchini, delicately seasoned and wrapped in a salty crepe. A light and succulent rosa sauce finished the dish perfectly. This was followed by a crab cake - chunks of fresh, tender crab, just enough filling to hold the cakes together, subtly seasoned and cooked to perfection, sizzling and crisp outside, moist and tender inside. Beautifully done. We finished our meal with the house dessert, a chocolate chip cheesecake with warm strawberry sauce. So luscious, but so rich I just couldn't finish it, although I sincerely tried! Tiny cups of rich, sweet espresso made a perfect ending to a wonderful meal. After dinner, chef Sabrina came out of the kitchen and walked around the dining room to greet the guests. It was a pleasure to meet her - she is warm and funny, and very modest about her wonderful cooking. I would like to address some of the complaints made by Jim M, because I honestly feel his review is unfair. This place is unapologetically homespun. The waitstaff is attentive and eager to please, but if you are looking for service on the level of Le Bernardin, you are not going to find it here. You will not see waitstaff dressed in formalwear, with spotless starched white aprons and gloves. No one refolds your napkin for you if you visit the necessary room (which is beautiful, by the way). The food is not served on silver platters with domed lids to be whisked off in unison. Strict protocol may not be followed in providing and/or removing utensils. And perhaps you will not be offered your choice of sparkling or still. If these things truly matter to you, you may want to skip this one. (You will have missed out on something really special, but to each his own.) What you WILL find here is a warm welcome, an amazing meal, a beautiful and inviting dining room, an ambiance that encourages you to unwind, relax, converse, and enjoy yourself. What you MAY find here is your new favorite "best kept secret" place to eat. read more

Had dinner with a large group in early September. The grounds and interior of the house have been beautifully updated, and the place has great atmosphere. Also, if you do check the website you can see the current and future menus, as well as the clearly stated fact that they only accept cash (which is very Italian). I can't tell you how the maître d' dressed, nor did I really care. I can tell you that the service was prompt and friendly, and we were offered a choice of water. The food was excellent, and I particularly enjoyed the shrimp bisque and shrimp crepe. I also enjoyed not having to think about what to order, and the food was enough to enjoy thoroughly but still be able to look forward to the next course. If you're looking for a place where you can strap on a feedbag, this isn't it. If you're looking for good, reasonably priced Tuscan-style food (with a few twists), The Orangery is well worth it. read more

We were there the weekend before last and atmosphere was very nice, food very good and service excellent. We will go back. I will say that it took several calls and e-mail before they responded to us. Also the $$ sign is very conservative estimate, as far as I am concerned. read more

Loved it. Interesting atmosphere. Delicious food. 7 courses. Each one very interesting. Great place for a romantic dinner or relaxing dinner with good friends. read more

I'm sorry, but this place is such a huge disappointment. It all starts with how difficult it is to make a reservation. They have one seating per evening at 6:30 and I guess they only answer the phone or e-mails when they feel like it. Its really hit or miss getting a hold of anyone there and our email was never replied too. I guess that difficulty alone makes one expect something more when you finally do secure a reservation. We had our anniversary dinner there last Saturday night, after securing the difficult reservation months ago and it was fair to poor at best. It is BYOB and the server was quick to open our wine and appropriate glasses were table side. Brushettas to start that were OK, but nothing special. Then a crock of gnocchi with little pieces of Salmon which also was just OK but I felt it did not go together at all. Lastly a slice of overcooked dry pork tenderloin wrapped in bacon with a side strawberry vinaigrette mixed green (bagged) salad....I mean seriously!!?.. thats the entree??? There was no special prep of it or sauce??...A moron could make that!..Hell they come prepackaged at the grocery! I was disgusted at this point when they threw a dessert of whipped cream and canned hersheys chocolate on top of some donut piece. Also no coffee available, so don't even bother asking...I mean it just plain ole wasn't right.. Nothing was god awful, but for $50 each I expect a bit more than something any half-wit could throw together in their own kitchen. I noticed the place was only about 2/3's full so maybe it will go under. I will say despite the difficulty in making a reservation the service was prompt and friendly but that doesn't make up for so-so food on an anniversary when we had cause to expect so much more! read more

Not sure why Bradford G. had a hard time making a reservation. We wanted to dine there on a Saturday night this past December and they were booked so we made reservations for Friday night. No problem at all. This is a family run business that closes for several weeks a year while the family travels to Italy. They have just one seating per night and are only open Thurs. to Saturday. While the atmosphere and decor are fairly nondescript, the food and service were outstanding. I felt as though we were back in Tuscany at a little family run bistro. Chef Sabrina buys the ingredients for her five course fixed menu fresh each day, true to her Tuscan roots. Her husband couldn't have been more accommodating and welcoming to us and her son was a very attentive waiter. The pace and size of the five courses was perfect and we never felt rushed. It was truly relaxing and unpretentious. It was just the kind of dining experience you wish for every night you dine out. Our party had a wonderful evening and are looking forward to going back in warmer weather when we can enjoy their gardens, grounds and beautiful old home that houses this unique and warm restaurant. To answer Bradford G.'s questions, a party of sixteen might be too big for this restaurant or you probably did pick a bad date since they have limited hours. The Orangery also supports local charities and have generously donated their talents to support those in need. read more

Had dinner the other night. It was fantastic. The food was excellent and the ambiance made the evening very special. The property makes you feel like you traveled back in time! read more

One of our favorite places. Had a superb dinner on Friday evening to celebrate my father in law.... Highlights of the meal include the prosciutto crostini, pesto gnocchi, and veal saltimbocca. We have enjoyed many dinners at the Orangery and plan to return over and over again! read more

Expectations set the stage for everything. Whether it is a play, a movie, a book, or a restaurant, we all form expectations before experiencing the real thing. The Orangery at Glen Isle sets the stage with a spectacular website. It has all of the elements; reference to the chef, a sample menu, and photos of the venue. When you drive up the first thing you notice is the wonderful historic home, and the stone ruins from the barn. As you walk toward the building, expectation builds. You imagine eating alfresco on a starry warm summer evening near the pool, or on the patio. You imagine being greeted by the owner or a maître d' dressed somewhat formally, and being guided to your candlelit table. The expectations end when you walk in the door. The room is lovely, except that it's lit at a level more appropriate for an elementary classroom. The maître d' is dressed as though he just came off the golf course. I expected the maître d' to be a little more Tuscany and a little less Downingtown. We were seated at a table with a wonderful eclectic mix of China, but no offer was made for water. I would have expected to be asked if I wanted flat or sparkling water. Our wine bottle was promptly opened, but we wondered whether or not we should have also brought bottles of water. The music was so far in the background that it seemed to be coming from the kitchen. Until the final course, the music was indistinguishable from the clatter of forks and knives. On a positive note the tables were well spaced and the acoustics were acceptable. For a room with tile floor, one would expect to be unable to communicate with others at the table at a low tone. The acoustic devices in the ceiling did their job adequately and it was easy to hear and be heard. The first course was to be bruschetta. Unfortunately the waiters brought it after the salad had already been presented. The salad was as described and rather nice. It would have been better had the salad been somewhat larger. I looked at the salad and wondered, "how am I going to stretch this out over the next 15 min." I really came here to dine, did I not? As I began eating the salad the bruschetta arrived. There was one small piece of bread, un-toasted, with no basil and no balsamic vinaigrette. At several local restaurants including a popular West Chester Italian eatery, the bruschetta is so much better and so much more abundant. The next plate to arrive was a mushroom bruschetta. The mushroom portion was rather tasty. If only the bread had been toasted to remotely approachthat which one would find in Tuscany. The first, or Promo course arrived; a small dish of runny lukewarm lasagna. As I put it into my mouth, a word immediately popped into my head: "Stouffer's." The Secondo course was a chewy piece of beef wrapped around a ham. Presentation was absent this evening. The wait staff also did not understand silverware service. They cleared silver with the prior course and did not replace necessary utensils until asked. While this second course was present the third course, the Contorno arrived. It was a miniscule, shallow casserole of cauliflower au gratin. It was the only truly hot dish of the night. In fact it was too hot to be readily enjoyed. Dessert started with an Apple Tart with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce. I'm sure the vanilla ice cream was the Giant store brand and the chocolate sauce was very familiar. I've had Hershey's chocolate sauce from the can or plastic bottle most of my life. The ice cream was icy and not creamy. The tart was below average. Finally an interesting cup of chocolate mousse arrived. The music started to play and I put a spoon full of the mousse to my mouth and thought: "my, this is good, it's about time.....". The check arrived and I learned for the first time that the restaurant does not take credit cards. This is 2011, most people do not have cash. In the end it comes down to the food. Atmosphere can be bad, service can be inadequate, the restaurant can be noisy, but if the food and its presentation is spectacular, one is willing to overlook the inadequacies and wait for them to improve over the course of time. With a prix fixe menu, everything should be perfect. read more

I have never had troubles getting a reservation and I've been three times in the past year! However for people who reserve online CHECK YOUR SPAM FOLDER the confirmation was sent there. The food here is so good and one of my favourite places to have a night out. The atmosphere is both perfect for a romantic evening and for a cool place to take your friends. I was proposed to here so it will forever have a place in my hear. I know my (now) husband was really happy with the service from the owners who really helped him out with the whole proposal aspect of the evening. I've also brought a friend here from out of town and she quoted the place as one of the best places she's ever been to as well. This is definitely on my top recommended places for anyone in downingtown to go! Just remember it's cash only and byob 50$ per person before tip which is amazing for the quality food you are getting and the great vibe! read more

My wife and I have been there twice and had great meals both times. We didn't experience the reservation issues the other reviewers did. The hosts are very accommodating and will stray from the fixed menu if you need to make a change (alert them before going so they can plan ahead). The food is very fresh and nicely prepared. The grounds and house are beautiful, a nice surprise. We'll be back. read more

Wonderful atmosphere and the food is always different and delicious. I look forward to going each time.

The atmosphere is nice, but the food was just so- so. The wait staff was friendly, but did not fill our water all evening. We came with friends, and the main course was a turkey roll. It was kind of bland. All the other courses were just average as well. The meal included four pieces of bread, mashed potatoes and no fresh green veggies. I don't know that we would return for the price. Maybe this was just not their strongest menu. read more

Went here the first night it opened and was very disappointed. Loved the concept but the food just wasn't good. Lots of better options out there than this one. The location is pretty terrific though, like eating in an estate. read more

We went to celebrate my birthday with another couple. This place has potential but needs restructuring and improvement with menu and overall decor. First each of the five courses ($50 per person) were small portions each served with small pieces of bread ( with the acception of dessert). It is listed as a BYOB but when my husband asked for coffee they told him that would be served with dessert only. Dessert was a small piece of ricotta cheese cake with little taste and a small glass cup with a scoop of vanilla ice cream floating in what was at one point hot coffee.......When he asked again for coffee he was informed that was the serving of coffee they offered. I felt very disappointed and disillusioned by reading past reviews. The chef claims to be from Tuscany, Italy. When I traveled to this region I was overwhelmed by the large portions and great food which was not evident at The Oragnery. The house could also used a major decorating overhaul it felt like an eccentric old lady just moved out and left behind her out dated nick nacks- maybe tasteful antiques would be more fitting for this grand house. We can only hope for an improvement and not just a cash only establishment. read more