Plumsteadville Inn
by Frank Quattrone
On an icy Monday winter’s night, when most sensible people were at home keeping cozy and warm, Eve and I were stunned to see the parking lot at Plumsteadville Inn packed with cars. Some guests were laughing as they entered the doors to the stately inn. Laughter, in fact, permeated the restaurant—from the cheerful hostesses at check-in to the spacious Tavern dining area. What was going on?
Greeted warmly by genial General Manager Matt George, who told us there were no special parties that night, we stepped into the bustling Tavern, where proprietor Angelo Evangelista (as we later learned), casually dressed, was enjoying a game of pinochle with some of his guests on Pinochle Night.
This was not what we expected when we planned for our first visit to the historic inn. But perhaps we shouldn’t have been surprised after all. Built in 1751 along a major stagecoach route and bolstered by the completion of the Philadelphia & Easton Railway line in 1904, Plumsteadville Inn has been a key cog in Bucks County’s hospitality scene for more than 250 years.
Aside from a few years when the inn was recovering from fire damage or seeking new ownership, it has been in virtually continual use since English immigrant Samuel Hart constructed his cottage and tavern at this site. In fact, the three rooms that the inn calls “Original Dining”—the perfect settings for everything from date night to private parties—date back to 1751. Behind the bar, the exquisite fireplace in the Lounge, with its attractive temperature-controlled wine closet, was built a few years later.
But today’s “Plum,” as it is affectionately dubbed, is more about hospitality than history. Clearly an inviting watering hole for Plumstead Township, especially since the Evangelista family purchased and reopened it in 2010 after a few years of inactivity, the inn again offers lodging in thirteen overnight rooms, including eight lovingly appointed historic rooms at the original site, two luxurious suites and three single rooms, with prices ranging from a very reasonable $150 to $225 per night. There’s also an amusing smoking deck (check it out, if you can) overlooking Easton Road.
But the reasons most people gravitate toward the Plum these days are the ambiance and food. Proudly trumpeting its popular motto “Burgers & Beer, Lobster & Cheer,” the restaurant features a wild and woolly menu that attracts couples on dates, friends out to celebrate a birthday or promotion, families with little children, or singles who would just rather not eat at home alone.
Evangelista knows how to please his guests. A native New Yorker of Italian lineage, he’s been in the dining business for 47 years, including stints as staff and then owner of two regional Roman Delight restaurants, as well as the Anchor Inn and La Volpe, an upscale Italian, and some restaurants in New York.
Evangelista trusts his staff to carry out the vision embodied in the Plum’s motto. Protégé Matt George also knows his stuff. On Evangelista’s staff since the late ’80s, the youthful G.M. studied hospitality at Johnson & Wales and shares his proprietor’s passion for food and making people feel great.
Executive Chef Marshall Paul, another veteran of La Volpe, allows his kitchen staff the creative freedom to come up with their own ideas for specials and more. This freedom has led to the crispy sweet potato pie crust of the restaurant’s signature dish, the Colonial classic Chicken Pot Pie, made fresh from scratch with tender bits of chicken, carrots, onions, peas, celery, potatoes, fresh herbs and spices—the best we’ve tasted this side of Philadelphia’s great City Tavern.
Before we shared the Chicken Pot Pie (one of our entrées), we enjoyed three delectable appetizers—three succulent Kobe Beef Sliders topped with caramelized onions and American cheese; the delightfully cool/warm Lettuce Wraps, grilled marinated chicken and iceberg lettuce cups, served with Asian dipping sauce; and tender Littleneck Clams Casino stuffed with diced peppers, onions and bacon.
As we awaited our entrées in the Tavern Room, outfitted with six huge strategically placed (and silent) flatscreen TVs, we admired the newly refurbished Steinway Grand Piano and the inviting stone fireplace, helping to warm an already lively room.
Eve’s entrée was Crispy Asian Duck oven-roasted and topped with an Asian glaze and fresh scallions. I ordered the equally enticing Veal Italiano, a house specialty of tender veal medallions sautéed in a white wine sauce, topped with spinach, mozzarella and prosciutto.
For dessert we enjoyed house-made Crème Brûlée, Almond Amaretto Cheesecake and a double espresso with a dash of Sambuca.
Just voted Best of Bucks for its brunch as well as Happy Hour, Plumsteadville Inn is a community haven that bears repeated visits—for special catered affairs, to enjoy a drink on the patio by the custom fire pit and waterfall, or just to share a great meal with your chosen friends and loved ones.
Plumsteadville Inn is located at 5902 Easton Road, Pipersville, PA 18947; 215-766-7500; www.plumsteadvilleinn.com. Open Monday–Thursday, 11 a.m –11 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m.–midnight; Sunday, 10 a.m –10 p.m., including Sunday Brunch, 10 a.m –2 p.m.; Happy Hour, Monday–Friday, 4–6 p.m. Kitchen closes one hour prior to closing. Reservations suggested. Available for private parties, bed & breakfast accommodations. Periodic live entertainment, dance parties. Special nights (including Kids Eat Free on Tuesdays) five times a week.