Valley Green Inn Awards

Valley Green Inn Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant: Looking for a brunch or dinner spot to please your relatives from 7 to 70? This is it. The charming historic inn is not only a one-of-a-kind within city limits, but it is also one of Philly's most painted buildings --- which a trip to the Philadelphia Art Museum will prove. Residing in the Valley Green park and alongside the creek (bring some bread to feed the ducks), the restaurant has long been popular with hungry day hikers and Sunday strollers in spite of below average food.

Food: The menu focuses on regional and seasonal American, farm-raised and free-range meats and fowl, and locally grown vegetables when possible. Among the best choices are cornmeal-coated catfish with spicy shrimp andouille étouffée and couscous; jumbo lump crab cakes with black rice, baby bok choy and house-made curry with coconut oil; and a grilled pork chop with pearl barley orzotto, kale and baked quince purée. The desserts could still use some work (try the chocolate mousse), but overall Valley Green is coming up in the world.