Summer Kitchen Inc

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Lingo

Joined 4 years ago

Hidden Treasure. Folded 9/2010.

In a charming rural courtyard with ample parking in the middle of a village founded in 1690, the Summer Kitchen is located smack in the center of suburban Bucks County about 15-20 minutes from the I-95 Newtown exit. Yet, CIA safehouses might be easier to find; even the village it's in, Penn's Park 18943, isn't on all maps, and as you can see Citysearch has it mis-located in Newtown 18940. Worse, this bistro is all but hidden from busy Second Street Pike (Rt. 232), with an itsy-bitsy painted sign and the entrance is visible only in the courtyard out back. Nevertheless, it is handily just south of Rt. 413 about ten minutes equidistant from Richboro, Newtown or New Hope, and near Wrightstown's border with Buckingham; that is, not far from the more-visible Pineville Tavern. It offers some of the county's best food -- from appetizers to mains to desserts, with everything but bread and butter made fresh on the premises. Prices are almost Reagan-era, plus it's a BYO, making it a bargain among area fine restaurants (Note: no liquor stores nearby). Indoor dining, as well as alfresco both roofless (with umbrellas) and covered (sometimes warmed by space heaters) in a lovely rural courtyard, although there's some traffic noise in the covered portion. Bested in central Bucks/Lambertville arguably only by pricier Rouget in Newtown. Open except Monday for lunch/Sunday brunch; for dinner Wednesday (Tuesday during summer) through Sunday. Its menu changes seasonally and reflects the chef's Cuban origins, e.g. empanada appetizer, duck or paella mains, any soup (top-notch soups here) or Caribbean/Central American dish, Key lime pie, chocolate torte and bread pudding with occasional specials such as Coco Loco cake and bourbon pecan pie. Tea selection is vast and the hot chocolate is superb, but coffee varies. Service is small-town casual, while a classical guitarist entertains every other Friday evening. In all, a hidden gem, with very nearly the best dining in central Bucks in a lovely but handy location with prices from a bygone era. Using Center City standards, figure 4 stars for cuisine, 5 stars for warm-weather outdoor ambience, 3-4 stars for indoor ambience, 3 stars for service and 4-5 stars for being generally spotless.