Meghan's Lee's Heirloom restaurant is comfortably ensconced in a refurbished mansion at 212 Savannah Road (corner of 3rd & Savannah) that dates back to 1899, when the floorplans were created by architect George F. Barber for original owner, J.B. Robinson, who used the building for his dentist office. Lee has integrated the old plans into the décor. Three cozy dining rooms seat around 65 people. There is a separate room with a bar and perimeter seating, along with a special chef's table (it's bright red – and looks great) in a private room with an observation window into the brand-new kitchen. Outdoor seating is also quite popular. Meghan, whose credits include Sovana Bistro in Kennett Square and the opening management of Talula’s Garden in Philadelphia, brings a wealth of fine-dining experience to Lewes.
Their ridiculously good sourdough bread is crunchy on the outside, light and yeasty on the inside wonderfulness is topped with sesame, caraway, fennel and pumpkin seeds. The butter that accompanies (in a cute little glass container) is made in house as well, using Lewes Dairy heavy cream. They even make the salt.
In mid-summer 2021, Executive Chef Matt Kern moved on from Heirloom. It happens. Chefs like to keep things fresh, and can often pick and choose when the opportunity arises. I have left the photos in the gallery of original chef Jordan's and Matt's dishes. I suspect Meghan will keep the quality up, so use these photos only as a reference!
Even in the off-season, seats are the holy grail at Heirloom. And like so many local fine-dining joints here are the beach, the menu changes often. So use the descriptions and images as a guideline only. The images posted here are from former chefs Matt and Jordan, but they are still quite representative of what you will discover when you visit Heirloom. The menu is easy to navigate, with a wide selection of items. “Beginnings” consists of eight selections ranging from salad to beef carpaccio. Our other beginnings included the Charred Atlantic Octopus. I developed a taste for octopus rather recently because of the excellent preparation at two other local eateries. Well, I now have to add Heirloom to that list. A magical combination of smoked chilis, twice-fried potatoes and … wait for it … butterscotch(!) makes for a taste greater than the sum of the parts. Get this dish! Another must-get is the Crispy Veal Sweetbreads. This is another dish for which I have acquired a taste because of some excellent local preparations. Meghan's Kennett roots are obvious in the bed of gently brandied mushrooms upon which the crispy, almost southern-fried sweetbreads sit. A light and golden tangle of potato-parsnip crisps tops it off. The darn thing is as fun to look at as it is to consume!
A slate of charcuterie appeared at the table. Thin-as-air slices of duck ham are accompanied by a spicy grain mustard and pickled onions. On the other side of the plate is a flavorful pork mortadella. I suspect that the choices of meats and preparation will change with the seasons. This was the prefect preprandial bite and worked perfectly with a frosty and delightfully gingery Moscow Mule (decorated with rosemary, lemon and a couple of happy little cranberries).
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Chix under a brick6/39 
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Sweetbreads with frizzles and ‘shrooms8/39 
Kale salad9/39 
the gingery mule10/39 
The ‘shrooms11/39 
That octopus12/39 
Heirloom13/39 
Short rib14/39 
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Chicken Reoulade with kumquats, olives and rainbow carrots16/39 
Crispy skin redfish with Kennett mushrooms17/39 
Hudson Valley Foie Gras with maple-brandy poached pears and apples.18/39 
Lancaster Chicken & Dumpling soup19/39 
Pressed persimmon caprese20/39 
Pot de Creme/dolce de leche/candied peanuts with ricotta beignets in the background21/39 
Beef Tartare22/39 
Seared Venison with cocoa nibs23/39 
Matt's apple orchard salad24/39 
Matt's version of the Berkshire pork chop25/39 
Sweet potato biegnets!26/39 
Matt's Grilled octopus27/39 
A little cheese amuse28/39 
Cherry pannacotta29/39 
Matt's take on the Chicken under a Brick30/39 
House-made Concord Grape Sorbet31/39 
Duck with a poached egg raviolo.32/39 
Matt's amazing Lambcetta33/39 
Some bathroom humor at Heirloom.34/39 
Peach Trifle35/39 
Matt's Seared Scallops36/39 
Matt's Seared Foie Gras37/39 
I took this beignet closeup to show off a new lens.38/39 
Matt's Beet Salad39/39
Shortly after they opened, one of the most popular dishes was the Crispy Chicken Under a Brick. This rather involved preparation creates an exterior crunch while maintaining a moist and juicy interior. It's kicked up even further with a honey/orange jus, crowned by a perfectly baked biscuit. In tribute to Meghan's Kennett Square history, we ordered the Kennett Square Mushroom Mix from the “Table Shares” section. The ‘shrooms were allowed to maintain their integrity with the simple addition of butter and some herbs. So many restaurants find it necessary to load their mushroom dishes up with spices and other strong flavors; at Heirloom, the mushrooms were given center stage.
After giving the obligatory lip service to being too full to even think about dessert, we proceeded to order the Heirloom Cookie Plate (it has since left the menu. Hope that it returns) with a French Press coffee service of Brazil Blue Diamond. I love the French press table presentation, and your brew doesn't get much fresher than that. Take a look at the photo gallery to see the cookies, which included ginger spice, a double chocolate-pistachio biscotti, an almond butter cookie, shortbread and a chocolate chip sea salt. I love it that our Cape Region dining mecca has gotten to the point where restaurants employ pastry chefs! I am going back to get the warm ricotta biegnets and the pink lady apple crumble. Again, I'm sure that the dessert choices will mirror the seasons.
Chadds Ford native Meghan Lee hit the ground running with Heirloom. Reservations are strongly recommended. Call 302-313-4065.
Following a Whole Food Plant Based Diet does NOT stop you from wanting to treat yourself to “Chef Quality” food. Chef Mathew Kern at Heirloom Restaurant did not disappoint. After describing the guidelines to him, the surprised this hungry diner with a wonderful, absolutely delicious dinner.Who knew that acorn squash and broccoli-rob partner so well. Thank you again Chef. I will be back.
All in all, II enjoyed my visit to Heirloom but had too few vegetarian options and if seafood items were off limits, I would’ve had precious little to eat. I had a radish app that was undistinguished. The scollups were lightly sauted and delicious. The atmosphere and service were good.
Had a wonderful meal for New Year’s Eve. The seared octopus outstanding. The duck cooked perfectly. Do suggest less oatmeal with the duck more greens. Strongly recommend ending with the buttermilk panna cotta with cherries. Service and atmosphere as usual made for an excellent dining experience.
We ate at Heirloom after reading a favorable review in Delaware Today. We were disappointed overall in the food and the service. The service was perfunctory but efficient. The chicken was OK but at $29 was too expensive. The sea bass was good but not great with too much broth and inadequately cooked veggies. The ravioli skin was too hard and again the veggies undercooked. The manager graciously returned the ravioli for another dish. We were advised that the undercooked veggies was the chef’s style. We wish them well but will have to up their game with competition like Nage, A(muse) and Salt Air.
I was exited, and curious as we walked up to this restaurant, Sort of felt like we were walking into a semi private eatery. There is not much signage to signify that you are walking into a restaurant.
Once inside I could see the homey, informal, sparse, sort of new age country atmosphere that they are going for.
As far as the food and service goes, the one bite of the foie gras appetizer that my dinner partner gave me was very good. My steak tartare appetizer on the other hand, was seasoned and filled with adjunct to the point where I could not taste the meat at all. Sweetbreads where prepared “a la General Tso’s Chicken” complete with the broccoli.
For the main dish, I had the “Royal Bass” in a very, very clear vegetable broth liberally poured on to the dish, table side , by the server. (more like a fish soup) Fish was OK, but the vegetables taste like they were frozen, and were suspiciously evenly cut into perfectly square half inch pieces like they came out of a bag.
Service was, personal, and unpretentious. Good bartender.
Superb food, good and friendly service, and enjoyable setting. Overall, it is an excellent night out with superior dining.
Second visit in as many weeks, perfect food, perfect service. Kudos to Meghan and her team. Top on our list!
An early birthday dinner treat it was. We had reservations at 6, and soon after the place was full on a Sunday night in the winter! Cauliflower Brussel sprouts, charred octopus, fried sweetbreads and duck entrees were outstanding. Carrot/apple soup had good flavor but they snuck in toasted pinenuts which were not necessary and a surprise choking hazard. I didn’t expect to have to chew my soup. The temperature was also lukewarm, which is disappointing on a cold night when a hot bowl is expected. Maybe leave out the creme fraiche?
Top notch service, right down to the refolded napkins after you return from the restroom. Only other suggestion is perhaps put a cushion on the hard wood bench. Pillows are great for lumbar support but after a while, even my well padded rump was starting to get cold and numb.
Will definitely return but without the anemic wine list by the glass. And $13 for a glass of mediocre wine is a bit hefty even for this caliber of a restaurant.
In hindsight the plan for dinner at Heirloom without dinner reservations wasn’t one of my better ideas especially apparent once we were informed the dining room was booked for the evening. Really, without a sign and in the off season??? I quickly redeemed myself with a move to the bar. From hopeless failure to glorious dining provided a great contrast to the evening. Octopus, Carpaccio and cauliflower Brussels combo were all outstanding. Chris made my Rose Kennedy up in a martini glass and so I did a toast to my persistence but know that hope is not a method for dining here….even without a sign.
Stopped in tonight for a solo dinner at the bar. Excellent service and wow what a pretty place. The wine lists were thoughtful. I saw some great looking cocktails being made. Was surprised with a complimentary glass of bubbly! I ordered the scallop entree with citrus flavoring over pistachio hash. It tasted heavenly, paired with a Savignon Blanc. Home made bread so crusty and light very worth eating. Can’t wait to try other things on the menu!