Dial Up Good Times and Food at Chestnut 7

Replacing a popular restaurant, Chestnut 7, 8201 Germantown Avenue, provides diners with a grand selection of handcrafted food that everyone in your party can appreciate. If you decide to dine alone you won’t stick out by enjoying the intimate setting whether you choose to eat your meal indoors or out.

Right on Germantown Avenue, the outdoor seating area is separated from the public pedestrian area. It’s nicely decorated with fauna and lights. You’ll appreciate that every table comes with a large umbrella for when the sun blazes at its worst.

On this day after a late afternoon shower and more clouds approaching in the early evening, I decided to try Chestnut 7 not too long after they officially opened their doors. The restaurant’s name is derived from the days where letters were used in telephone listings as opposed to numbers. Luckily there is nothing else antiquated about this Chestnut Hill establishment.

Before you dine, you have the choice of wine, bottle or draft beers, and house cocktails such as Grey Goose martini, white sangria, blood orange margarita, or an original concoction basil martini that is prepared with a house-infused pineapple vodka, pineapples, basil, and lemon.

The beauty of Chestnut 7 is that it takes the common American menu then molds it to their own personal style. Their veggie burgers, for example, are handmade in-house. There’s no prepped with a box cutter here. For the meat lovers, there’s not one distinct burger selection, but several varieties to choose from.

Another variation of a common theme rested in the starters. There was typical Americana fare such as Mac & Cheese and Meatball Sliders. Then you can choose to go south of the Mason-Dixon line for Shrimp & Grits.

For my visit, I chose the Chinese / Philadelphia cuisine hybrid of Cheesesteak Spring Rolls. This was shaved rib eye, melted pepper jack cheese to give it some heat,  and peppers and onions, deep-fried in a spring roll wrapper. Although the size of an egg roll, this delicious creation was suitable enough for two but you may not want to share.

If you want to beat the heat with a lighter and cooler meal you can discover one of their four salad options such as House, Chop, Caesar, or Cobb. For an additional price, you can add chicken, beef, or crab to give it something extra.

My server suggested I try one of the pizzas. Like everything else on the menu, it was familiar territory given its original flair. Once selection called simply Ricotta offered plum tomatoes, mozzarella, ricotta, and spinach.

Although my server gave me a plate and eating utensils, I found it difficult to eat using them. I had to get down and dirty and use my hands like a Neanderthal. Barbaric or not, it was worth it. The handmade pizza crust dough was crispy and yet chewy.  Not like a cracker or a piece of toast, it was a firm, thin dough, strong enough to hold the light and flavorful toppings. Not overbearing for this warm summer month, it was a nice variation for the season.

To close the meal, Chestnut 7 presents a line of homemade desserts. Pick the Jewish Apple Cake, Bananas Foster, or Bread Pudding. Going again with my server’s advice, I went with the Bread Pudding that changes daily. Delivering a dessert to customers that varies each day or season is a pleasant optionthat many chefs do not take advantage of.

Showing that they are unique, but traditional, Chestnut 7 offers options that will change during the season and trends. With a comfortable setting indoors featuring  hardwood floors and tall, high-backed chairs, it’s a difference from their outdoor seating.

Chestnut 7 is accessible by foot, car, or public transportation.  There is metered street parking and free residential parking on the side streets. Only opened for a few weeks,  this neighborhood restaurant is already becoming a hotspot.