Tired of the sandwich you typically have for lunch?
La Verona urges you to shake your sandwich habit and give their summer lunch special a try. For $12.50, you can order any pasta, chicken or fish of the day entree plus your choice of either a soup or salad. The special runs seven days a week from 11:30 − 3 p.m.
Owner and Chef Jack Mavraj invited me to stop by for lunch, so I did just that. On a beautiful summer weekday, with the temperature in the mid-eighties, I dined al fresco along State Street.
I started with the caesar salad (pictured below), which was fresh with crunchy croutons and just the right amount of caesar dressing.
For my entree, I chose the Petto Di Pollo alle Melanzane (pictured above). For those who don’t speak Italian, this was a tender chicken breast topped with fresh eggplant, gooey provolone cheese, and a tomato aurora sauce that I found myself sopping up with bread at the end! The chicken dish came with a plentiful side of spaghetti, as well. It was a refreshing lunch alternative to the typical sandwich fare.
Now, if you want to kick it up a notch, remember La Verona now has their liquor license and a full bar. Jack showed me their new cocktail menu, which includes a full list of martinis. And there is only one martini to try when in the mushroom capital of the world – the Kennett Square Martini! This martini is La Verona’s take on the dirty martini – instead of olives it’s served with marinated pickled button mushrooms! Simple, yet classic.
Jack pointed out the new patio being installed along the side of the restaurant, and told me that will provide even more outdoor seating in the summer and fall months. The outside patio wall features a fresco by Kerry Sacco and Laura Barton that showcases Kennett Square athletes in action.
Jack’s cousin Ari is the host who greets diners as they enter the restaurant. Ari stopped by to remind me that now, with their liquor license, La Verona is hosting happy hours five nights a week. From 3–6 p.m., they offer a 20-percent discount on drinks and provide snacks in house.
It was at this point, while sipping my martini in the summer shade, it struck me that happy hour was only an hour away, and I couldn’t think of a reason to leave.
La Verona is located at 114 East State Street, Kennett Square, PA. Call 610-444-2244 for reservations.
