Just because overlooks the links at the Club at Morgan Hill in Easton doesn’t mean they cater exclusively to golfers. The parking spaces are large enough to accommodate more than just a golf-cart, and you certainly don’t have to be a club member to dine there.
“‘Country club restaurant’ has a stigma to it,” said owner and executive chef Mike Pichetto. “We worked hard to get away from that.”
Although Vintage has plenty to boast about—chief among them being the scenic views, the large outdoor patio, and fireside dining tables—they still describe themselves as a casual restaurant, but with the flair of fine-dining experience.
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The stained-wood wainscoting and classic style lend to the overall high-profile atmosphere. The outdoor deck can seat around 50 guests and overlooks the golf course and surrounding landscape of the Morgan Hill development, just off of Route 78.
Vintage Restaurant & Bar opened in 2005 in the high-altitude Club at Morgan Hill. Pichetto, who lived in northern New Jersey, worked for Marriott for 12 years, until caterer friends that were already involved in a golf-course restaurant were hired to develop the Morgan Hill location. When they decided not to take it on, the Pichettos stepped in.
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Pichetto describes his menu as “classic American, rustic Italian, and provincial French.” The lunch and dinner menus are separate; lunch is generally geared towards the golf crowd, and includes sandwiches, burgers and salads.
Dinner is decidedly more of a fine-dining affair. Popular dishes include the Chicken Under A Brick, which is a half-chicken seared under a heavy weight (usually, a brick). The dish was removed from the menu for a short period, but had to be put back on after guests rallied for its return.
According to Pichetto, filet mignon is always popular, as well as his Pappardelle Bolognese, an Italian dish using wide noodles and a unique meat sauce made with beef and pork.
Vintage prides itself on being a scratch kitchen, simply meaning that everything is homemade, right down to the desserts. Meats and produce are always fresh and brought in locally whenever possible.
The restaurant recently increased its by-the-glass wine list up to 26 selections, and approximately 80 varieties are available by the bottle. Rebecca Pichetto, the owner’s wife, is the Vintage sommelier.
A recent demographic survey done at Vintage Restaurant revealed that the average patron’s drive-time is around 30 minutes, reaching nearly to Clinton, New Jersey and as far west as Allentown.
It’s no small wonder; Vintage has won all sorts of awards, from Best Wine List to Favorite Chef. The Sunday brunch, served up every week from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., was voted Best Brunch by Lehigh Valley Style.
Vintage Restaurant has daily specials for every day that they’re open, Tuesday through Sunday. Live music is performed every Wednesday night from 7 to 10 p.m., and Happy Hour is Tuesday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.
The restaurant is also a popular spot for weddings; almost every Saturday in this season is booked. Popular wedding website The Knot named Vintage Restaurant their 2010 Best Pick.
Vintage accepts reservations, and is group- and kid-friendly. They provide catering for off-premise events as well as on-site private dining. In the warmer months, Vintage sets up a climate-controlled outdoor tent on the scenic lawn for weddings or gatherings.
Vintage Restaurant & Bar is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Visit them on the web to see daily specials, happy hour drink specials, and Sunday brunch details.