1906 at Longwood Gardens Evaluation: A Superb Eating Expertise

 

Our 1906 at Longwood Gardens restaurant evaluate begins on a snowy February afternoon. 

A brief drive from The Inn at Whitewing Farm took us alongside quiet nation roads lined with winter surroundings earlier than we arrived at Longwood’s distinctive entrance, the place well-marked indicators guided us in.

Named for the 12 months Pierre S. du Pont bought the Kennett Sq. property, this beautiful restaurant reopened in fall 2024 as a part of the $250 million Longwood Reimagined undertaking.

Positioned inside Longwood Gardens’ Conservatory District, 1906 gives a novel eating expertise the place friends can get pleasure from seasonal delicacies and discover the plush, climate-controlled gardens above. With entry to this vibrant indoor oasis regardless of the climate, the setting alone makes it a perfect winter eating vacation spot.

 💡 Earlier than you arrive, right here’s a useful tip: Reaching 1906 requires a five-minute stroll by way of the out of doors gardens. Sure, which may appear daunting on a chilly winter day, however don’t let it deter you. The stroll truly enhances the expertise, immersing you within the serene fantastic thing about the grounds earlier than your meal. The workers on the guests heart offers you a Longwood Gardens map and inform you precisely tips on how to get there.

Simply gown appropriately. And, don’t fear about cumbersome winter gear as soon as inside. The restaurant’s glorious coat verify will retailer every part from hats, gloves, and umbrellas. They’ll even maintain onto your leftovers when you discover the gardens.

After our go to, it’s clear—1906 is not only assembly expectations; it’s exceeding them.

The Setting: The place Winter Meets Heat

Entering into 1906 seems like discovering a secret greenhouse that’s been remodeled into a chic eating room. The designers have achieved one thing exceptional right here – an area that feels particular occasion-worthy, but genuinely comfy. 

Ground-to-ceiling home windows body the snow-covered Main Fountain Garden. Above, vaulted ceilings with their basket weave lattice create an ethereal environment that by some means nonetheless feels intimate. Customized tables, crafted from fallen Longwood timber, add character and historical past to the room. Even on the grayest winter day, the house glows with pure mild and heat from amber coloured wall sconces.

With its dramatic archway and illuminated cabinets, the bar and lounge space instantly captivates, highlighting a formidable assortment of spirits. Snug seating invitations you to settle in for a pre-lunch cocktail, towards a wall of show circumstances housing botanical curiosities beneath cloches – a intelligent nod to The Conservatory setting that provides to the room’s subtle allure.

Our desk provided an expansive view of the winter gardens, and we rapidly understood why the restaurant has almost doubled its seating capability to 240 on this new house. Regardless of its measurement, purposeful design components and well-spaced tables allow you to maintain a dialog comfortably – a element we significantly appreciated throughout our meal.

A Backyard-Impressed Cocktail Program

Talking of cocktails, the 1906 beverage menu is one thing particular. We tried the Frosted Violet, a vibrant, gradient-purple creation that matched the orchids blooming within the gardens. The mix of mezcal, reposado tequila, pineapple, and crème de violette created layers of taste as complicated because the drink’s look. It arrived on a crisp, linen-like serviette emblazoned with “1906” – certainly one of many elevated touches that have been quickly to observe.

There’s additionally a menu of non-alcoholic mocktails, with artistic elixirs that incorporate garden-fresh elements.

A Menu Blooming with Taste

Government Chef George Murkowicz has created a menu that artfully divides into three classes: Flora, Fauna, and Funga – the latter, a considerate nod to Kennett Sq.’s mushroom heritage. 

What makes the menu actually particular is its connection to Longwood’s gardens. Via the eating room, we might see the brand new Ornamental Kitchen Garden the place many elements are grown. However this isn’t only for present. Twice weekly, the culinary and horticulture groups meet to debate what’s rising and prepared for harvest. We even watched a chef fastidiously choosing herbs and edible flowers from indoor develop cupboards close to the kitchen – a stage of care that confirmed up on each plate.

The Meals: Paintings on a Plate

From the Flora menu, we began with the Flower Salad – a dish that introduced springtime to our winter desk. Crisp blended greens have been adorned with edible flowers (vibrant yellow and purple violas), creating a ravishing backyard on the plate. Sunflower sprouts offered a nutty base, whereas bee pollen and honey vinegar added delicate sweetness. Every forkful blended shades of purple and gold with vivid inexperienced leaves and no two bites have been fairly the identical.

The Funga choices showcased Kennett Sq.’s heritage brilliantly. A artistic mushroom pâté arrived trying deceptively conventional however providing a pleasant shock – it was as wealthy and creamy as any basic liver model, however with deep umami notes from the mushrooms. Crispy enoki mushrooms topped the highest, offering a pleasant crunch that made every chunk extra satisfying than the final. The nice and cozy brioche on the facet, formed like a mushroom, was a enjoyable technique to get pleasure from this progressive unfold.

The Tarte Flambée arrived as our second mushroom exploration – a skinny, crackling crust layered with caramelized onions, wild mushrooms, and pancetta, completed with dollops of contemporary goat cheese and vivid herbs. Served on a country picket board, it struck that perfect stability between refined method and basic consolation meals.

Shifting onto Fauna/Ocean, the kitchen’s experience shined significantly vivid with the Atlantic Halibut. A beneficiant portion of fish arrived fantastically seared. Buttery and flaky, it virtually melted on the fork. The miso beurre blanc sauce added velvety richness and the brilliant pops of trout roe with contemporary radish offered fantastic texture and bursts of taste. 

Lastly, from Fauna/Pasture, the handmade trofie Bolognese was completely addictive. The pasta itself strikes that perfect stability of tenderness and chew that solely comes from cautious hand rolling.

The sauce, a harmonious mix of lamb, veal, and pork, coated every pasta twist completely. Crumbles of contemporary goat cheese melted into the nice and cozy pasta, including tangy complexity, as contemporary herbs brightened every chunk. It’s the form of dish that has you planning your return go to earlier than you’ve even completed your plate. Even after scripting this, I need to return proper now.

Dessert: A Candy Finale

Dessert at 1906 is pure theater. The “Banana” dessert arrived as a mysterious caramel-colored sphere that remodeled as heat dulcey sauce was poured over it, melting away the shell to disclose banana cake and occasional ice cream inside.

However the true star was the Caramelia – a whimsical mushroom-shaped creation that pays homage to Kennett Sq.’s fungi heritage. Wealthy chocolate mousse, accented with espresso caramel is about on a “forest flooring” of cocoa soil and adorned with edible flowers. Our server then sliced it in half to disclose layers of mousse and cake inside. Caramelia managed to be each playful and complicated, proving that even dessert might inform a narrative about its setting.

Past the Plate: Particulars That Delight

What elevates 1906 from glorious to distinctive is the eye to element. Our server’s options have been spot-on and he or she even shared fascinating information about each the meals and the gardens all through our meal. Once we couldn’t end our plates, she offered a numbered verify ticket – like a coat verify for leftovers – so we might discover the gardens with out carrying takeout luggage.

Even the restaurant’s sustainability efforts add to the expertise. The house is heated and cooled by an progressive geothermal system, and the kitchen maintains a complete composting program. Any unused produce from the backyard goes to a neighborhood meals pantry. It’s the form of community-minded effort that makes you be ok with selecting to dine right here.

Timing Your Go to to Longwood Gardens

 💡 One essential piece of recommendation: Plan your timing fastidiously. 1906 serves lunch and dinner and is closed on Tuesdays. The gardens shut at 5 PM, so that you’ll need to take into consideration whether or not you like to discover earlier than or after your meal. We arrived for our 1:00 PM lunch reservation, loved a splendidly unhurried meal, however that left us solely about 90 minutes to discover The Conservatory afterward. Whereas that was sufficient time to soak up the instant environment, we might have simply spent longer, and we remorse not arriving earlier.

A brand new choice price contemplating is “1906 Nights” – particular night eating experiences that embrace backyard admission. These reservations provide you with entry to the brand new Longwood Reimagined areas throughout dinner hours, although be aware that different areas of the gardens received’t be accessible.

Suggestions for Visiting 1906 within the Winter

To brighten gray winter afternoons, there’s no higher treatment than lunch in 1906, adopted by a wander by way of Longwood’s conservatories. Simply keep in mind to decorate for that five-minute stroll – belief us, you’ll be glad you probably did.

In the event you’re touring from out of city or eager about a staycation. See where to stay and explore around Longwood Gardens. 

Important Particulars

• Make reservations by way of Tock, particularly for dinner service
• The restaurant is open Wednesday by way of Monday for lunch (11 AM – 3:30 PM)
• Particular dinner hours can be found on choose evenings by way of March
• Costume is backyard informal, so come comfy for exploring
• Enable time earlier than and after your meal to benefit from the gardens
• Think about timing your go to to catch the fountain reveals throughout hotter months

Pricing

Sure, 1906 could also be a splurge. Anticipate to pay $35-40 for primary programs, with the five-course tasting menu at $90. However the high quality of meals, service, displays, and setting positively justify the fee. All the expertise delivers.

The Last Phrase

Whereas any meal in 1906 can be particular, there’s one thing magical about eating right here in winter.

The distinction between the snowy panorama outdoors and the nice and cozy, plant-filled house inside creates an environment you received’t discover anyplace else. Positive, you’ll want backyard admission to dine right here (except you’re reserving a type of special evening reservations), however contemplate that a part of the expertise. 1906 isn’t only a meal, it’s an escape right into a world the place winter blues don’t exist.

On a chilly winter day, there won’t be a greater retreat for heat, magnificence, and distinctive delicacies. It’s simply what you’d hope for from a vacation spot restaurant at Longwood Gardens, and precisely the positive eating expertise that these nice gardens deserve.

1906 is situated within the decrease stage of The Conservatory district inside Longwood Gardens. Along with a reservation, admission to the Gardens is required. Make a reservation for 1906.

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