Terrain Cafe — Restaurant in Easttown Township

Had somewhat high expectations coming from Terrain Glen Mills. Nothing went right today. Update: the kitchen gave us some free ice cream (nice touch, but it was okay to boring ice cream) to apologize for the long wait for dessert. (Outdated as of 8/24/18: This alone made this 2 stars rather than one.) UPDATE 8/24/18: management seems unresponsive. I downloaded the Yelp app and posted my review there. No response either. Very disappointing...

Where to begin. The corn fritters were good, but my mom came on opening day and said it was quite inferior, too much flour not enough corn. The farmhouse cheeseboard barely had any cheese. When we asked for more of the complementary bread (it was very tasty!!), we were told the kitchen was behind. And we never got more. It was understaffed, and the service was very irregular and inconsistent. The staff were friendly, but we didn't get good service. Not enough staff. This is Thursday at 1pm if still crowded! (I personally did not like the peppercorn in my butter (my wife did). It was odd, if visually appealing. I had wished the pink flecks were Himalayan salt.)

The burger came, and it was very pedestrian, bordering on bland, and a messy presentation. Way different than the Glen Mills location (sublime burger there). The fries were good, but definitely over, and frankly there were way too many broken pieces. The chicken breast was very, very dry, and the corn sauce was just not up to par. I had complained about it and was promised a manager. None came. To be fair, I was immediately offered a replacement chicken breast. So props to Terrain for their policy. But the wait was already long, and the chicken uninspiring, so I passed. I don't think a less dry chicken breast would have been that much better. It was underseasoned. I was hoping to see how the manager might rectify it, but (s)he never came. Our waitress seemed tired and very busy, so perhaps she forgot.

The fig toast was excellent. Probably the high point. With almond butter it was an elevated "PB&J" kind of toast. But the portion size was a bit small. For $15, the bread was ... Ordinary. Overall, with the over 2 hour lunch, it would be very difficult for me to come back. If this is an accurate picture of what Terrain Devon has to offer, I can't in good conscience recommend this location. I do hope things will improve (or that today was a fluke). In summary, I was quite disappointed. I have nothing against Terrain and like the Glen Mills location. Today was definitely a miss. On a positive note, I did very much love the interior space. Spacious and well designed and well lit. The space was more roomy and accommodating than the Glen Mills space, which is...

Nestled in the Devon suburb, Terrain Cafe attempts to marry the bounty of local produce, meats, and dairy with an ambiance that whispers of nature's serenity. According to their ethos, this greenhouse cafe is more than a dining destination; it's an environment crafted with meticulous care, aiming to blur the lines between the indoor and outdoor. Each visit promises a unique décor, inspiring a connection with the seasons and the local landscape.

On the occasion of our wedding anniversary, we found ourselves enveloped in Terrain's deliberately designed space, where the rustic charm meets modern finesse. The promise of a dining experience that's both inspiring and unique was met with an ambiance that truly sets Terrain apart. Amidst this thoughtfully curated backdrop, our anticipation for a meal that mirrored the environment's vibrancy was palpable.

The culinary journey, however, was akin to a stroll through a garden with both blooms and buds yet to open. The Baby Kale Salad stood out as a bloom in full splendor, a harmonious blend of roasted grapes, butternut squash, walnuts, and camembert cheese, dressed in a cider vinaigrette that was as refreshing as a crisp autumn morning. The Chocolate Terrarium dessert was another unexpected bloom, offering a playful yet profound exploration of textures and flavors that delighted the senses.

Yet, amidst these highs were the buds that hadn't quite blossomed. The Brussels Sprouts and Atlantic Halibut, though promising in concept, were under-seasoned, failing to reach their full potential. The Seared Scallops, slightly over-cooked, left us yearning for the accompanying squash puree more than the scallops themselves.

Service was as friendly as the environment was inviting, yet our special occasion went by without the acknowledgment we had hoped for, leaving our celebration feeling somewhat overlooked in this beautifully designed space.

Terrain Cafe, with its commitment to local sourcing and its uniquely inspiring setting, holds the seeds of greatness. It's a place where the environment and the promise of seasonally changing menus create a backdrop for memorable dining. However, like any garden, it requires careful tending to ensure that every dish, like every bloom, reaches its full potential.

For those drawn to the allure of dining within a space that captures the essence of the outdoors, Terrain offers a picturesque setting. Yet, for an experience where every dish consistently matches the environment's promise, there may still be room for growth. Here's to hoping Terrain's culinary offerings will flourish to fully complement the inspiring dining experience their unique environment...

The gardener and botanophile in me really wanted to love this place. The atmosphere is stunning; the air is fresh, and the sunlight offers a bright and cheery respite from these cold end-of-winter days. The service was amiable, and the mocktails were well-balanced and reasonably priced.

It is rare for brunch restaurants to accommodate my spouse's celiac disease, so we really appreciated their willingness to do so. Unfortunately, though, the food left something to be desired.

The complimentary bread muffin — served cleverly in a terra cotta pot — was stale and cold. I would have expected to find it in the discounted "yesterday's goods" bin at a grocery store. It could hardly be saved by the whipped maple butter. The mushroom frittata was merely okay but unpleasantly dry and served without any sauces.

The side of greens served with the entrees was exactly that — a literal pile of spring greens, lacking any additions. Frankly it was reminiscent of a snack for small rabbits or squirrels. Mine was served without dressing (which was brought when I asked) and topped with a large, spoiled brown leaf. Honestly, I get it; I might have even considered eating the leaf if it had come from an expired bag at the back of my fridge in the nearly untouched salad drawer. But we're spending good money here. Please, just take the time to remove the brown, spoiled leaf from my greens pile.

The smoked salmon toast was advertised as sourdough, but I tasted no sourness and am convinced it wasn’t sourdough at all. However, the beet relish was excellent and complemented the smoked salmon well. Without that combo, I would have rated the food 2 stars or fewer.

Lastly, we had a very odd experience with our stroller. We brought our baby and a small collapsible stroller, and strategically sat in the corner away from the midday brunch rush. We were told that having a stroller was a health code violation because it brings in germs (?!?). It is almost certainly not a health code violation. The stroller was not blocking egress either. Of course, it’s the restaurant’s prerogative whether to allow strollers, but please don’t lie to us about code violations that we know don’t exist.

All that said, I think we’d be willing to give this restaurant another shot, but we’ll likely be more particular about what we order. Hopefully, the kitchen can make some...