Restaurant Rec: Fernielea Cafe
Tucked away in Coatesville, we discovered an amazingly kid-friendly restaurant that is worth the drive. Fernielea Cafe, conveniently located right across the street from the Coatesville Market should you plan a first-Sunday-of-the-month excursion to this part of the world, is the perfect place to stop and eat if you’ve got small children in tow and want a casual but delicious meal. The cafe has three seating areas: indoor, patio, and outdoors. There is table service throughout as well as “cabinet food” which can be purchased from the counter and taken to go.
We managed to have an outdoor table so the kids could enjoy the small playscape, sand pit, and trampoline while the adults had a real, almost uninterrupted conversation. The tables are generally shaded, though the play area does get sun so you should come prepared with hats and sunscreen. The whole back dining and play area is fenced in, so there was little chance of the kids escaping (yeah!) unless they felt compelled to climb the fence. If you know my kids, you know that is always a real possibility. The entertainment options were spot on for kids eight and under.
The menu was a combination of breakfast, brunch, and heartier lunch options. The kids’ menu consisted of predictable favorites like hot cakes, sausages, and toasties. There was also an extensive drink menu and incredible coffees. I didn’t get a picture of it, but my cappuccino came complete with elaborate bunny in the foam. There were other touches that elevated the experience as well, like sprigs of fresh mint in the water carafes and gorgeous displays of homemade desserts and sweets. I was very tempted to get marshmallow wands for the kids because they looked so glamorous sitting in the glass jar at the counter.
For lunch, I ordered - and devoured - the chicken avocado salad. I’m not sure what voodoo is in the mango mayo, but it was unbelievable and I would happily eat it on just about anything. Others ordered off the breakfast menu, and I was very impressed by the eggs Benedict perfection on my friend’s plate.
Ferniela Cafe is best visited with friends on a sunny day. It is an ideal location for relaxing with good food and good company. We’ll be back!
