Chic, inviting and stylish in décor, the DoubleTree Hilton in downtown Reading, just opposite the Santander Arena, houses a gem of a restaurant named, appropriately, Cheers. Everything about this fine dining experience is upbeat and classy, yet it is personable, friendly, and — most importantly — deliciously satisfying. With a stellar Executive Chef, Dan Wooten, who favors fresh, natural and organic products (many from local purveyors), this dining establishment delivers a sparkling lift to all who walk through its doors. Moreover, the menu pages display a great deal of care with regard to diners’ preferences and health concerns, noting heart-healthy dishes, gluten-free fare, and so forth.
The Cheers bar with its full complement of drinks is set apart but tied to the dining area. It features specialty Bloody Mary cocktails, including a Classic version that is large and spicy, served with two fat olives and lemon. The Gin and Ginger cocktail is concocted using Bombay Sapphire, St. Germain, Domaine de Canton (ginger liqueur from Indochina), fresh lemon and ginger ale. Draft beers, fine wines — it’s all here. If it’s a special occasion, there’s even Dom Perignon.
Cajun Filet Medallions
Treat yourself to the Cajun Filet Medallions appetizer. These perfectly blackened tenderloin bites are enlivened by roasted corn and an unusual asparagus salsa and rounded out by an aged balsamic gastrique with just a touch of sweetness – all set on a pure white rectangular plate. It’s a dish that’s lovely to look at, and even better to eat.
Other notable appetizers are the Lobster Mac ’n Cheese (made with five cheeses), Hot ’n Tasty Wings, and Frickles Ranchero (yup—fried dill pickles with chipotle avocado sauce). Soups include a crazily named Never Sink Wild Mushroom Matzo Ball (heart healthy) and Lobster Bisque.
The cozy bread basket contains a warm homestyle Italian and a nutty variety with toasted almond crust, both suited for soaking up piquant basil pesto with pinenuts.
All of Cheers’ salads are incomparably fresh and tasty, starting with the crunchy, juicy Sourdough Caesar with its grilled croutons and, if you like, added protein choices. But — fair warning — it’s extremely easy to get addicted to the outstanding City Parc Power Salad: it’s a holistic medley of crunch and chew, tang and sweet, made with kale, apricot, almonds, feta, pom berries, quinoa, lime and mint vinaigrette.
Elegant Meatloaf & Ravioli Raves
Cheers Veal Meatloaf is a comfort food lover’s delight. Wrapped in apple-smoked bacon with a wild mushroom demi glace that’s smoky-sweet on the tongue, the veal is tender and rich in flavor. Complementing the lusciously fat meatloaf is a fine helping of Asiago Whipped Potatoes with the skins folded into soft peaks of delicate cheesy flavor. Smoked asparagus lends counterbalance and fiber.
Smoked Mozzarella & Arugula Ravioli (vegetarian) is aimed at pasta fans. It is drizzled with an aromatic, roasted heirloom tomato sauce light in color yet quite rich. Sauteed baby spinach and shaved Parmesan cheese adorn the al dente pasta pockets. The whole meal is hearty — a stunning, memorable entrée in every way.
Other enticing entrees include: Super Lump Crab Cakes, Herb Grilled Chicken Breast (made piquant by baby arugula and grilled peach salsa), Crispy Jurgielewicz Duck Breast, and a juicy 8-ounce Angus Center Cut Filet.
All of the tasty Bistro sides are creatively designed to wow discriminating palates: Grilled Zucchini Steak Fries, White Truffle Whipped Potatoes, Mac ‘n Cheese Skillet, Truffle Goat Cheese Pomme Frites, and Smoked Asparagus.
Cosmopolitan in Variety, Top-Notch Service
The Cheers kitchen has astonishing variety and flexibility: There’s a full Signature Burgers option, where diners choose their base and toppings, and even a meat-free Faux Lafel burger. Sandwiches range from tacos to ahi tuna, salmon, prime rib and corned beef (Open-Faced Reuben).
Don’t be surprised if DoubleTree’s congenial General Manager Craig Poole walks over to ask if everything is satisfactory at your table. They’re sticklers for customer service, and the whole Cheers staff appears to reflect that caring style. (Note: As a destination for private parties, weddings, other celebrations, conferences, and business meetings, the hotel will provide catering.)
Dessert to Swoon For
If chocolate calls your name, deciding on dessert is going to be easy. The Cheers Cup is a decadent, fun, super-chocolatey Olympian of a dessert. And it’s beautiful. The dark chocolate mousse is carefully loaded into an edible chocolate cup-shaped receptacle and surrounded by raspberries and plump, juicy blackberries for counterpoints of fruity, tart and sweet, then topped with whipped cream. Words do not suffice: this dessert is a truly elegant experience.
Banana Foster Cheesecake, using a New York-style cheesecake with whipped cream and bananas all around, will satisfy anyone who loves the buttery, brown-sugary flavor of cooked bananas and strong hints of vanilla. Best with coffee and extra forks, for sharing.
By Marian Frances Wolbers | Photos by Heidi Reuter
