France is Only a Phone Call Away By Jennifer Faust Chester County Life - Jan/Feb 2006 Now that the holiday rush is over and a new year is upon us – wouldn’t you like to get away just for a little while, maybe just for an evening? You don’t have to go too far, only to West Chester where you can get an authentic taste of France right on Gay Street. Set in a small yet luxurious 1890’s townhouse is Gilmore’s, the realized dream of Peter and Susan Gilmore. As much buzz-about-town that this restaurant has generated, you must know that Chef extraordinaire Peter Gilmore spent twenty-two years as head chef at that “other” French restaurant in Philadelphia. Local foodies had a real stroke of luck when a friend brought it to the Gilmores’ attention that Dinon’s in West Chester was getting ready to go on the market. It never got that far. As soon as the Gilmores laid eyes on the building, they recognized it as destined for singular greatness. As Peter said, “I didn’t want a big restaurant. I don’t want to be mass producing thousands of plates of food a year. Small is what I like.” Gilmore’s is a prime example of how great things come in small packages. You’ll feel as if you’re entering the home of a friend. The foyer is actually lined with paintings from the Gilmore’s own home. The decor is luxuriously French with warm pinks and cool greens. Candles flicker on the tables, all of which are set beautifully with fine china. Susan does most of the decorating while Peter came up with the beguiling “under lighting” effects and the mesmerizing row of palm fans swaying gently to and fro from the ceiling of the main room. There are approximately eleven tables within two dining rooms, it’s quite cozy. Peter sums it up perfectly, “We look at it as having a dinner party every night, and all our friends are here. It’s an intimate place where people feel comfortable joining each other in conversation.” That said, welcome to Gilmore’s. You’re now a member of the family. To read the entire article, click here to download the PDF.