Antica's is the New 'Go-To' for Italian

It was just after sunrise when I found myself digging into a to-go container with the remnants of my pulpo contadino—tender chunks of lemon-splashed Spanish octopus with cannelini, diced pepperoncini and herbed crostini. The mélange was among several dishes that had comprised our dinner the night before at Antica Italian Restaurant & BYOB, the 1-year-old restaurant on U.S. 1 in Chadds Ford. It is a gem. For starters, the zesty fried calamari passed muster, as did the balsamic-creamed Caprese salad. Soaked for hours in balsamic vinegar, red wine, garlic and a tangle of caramelized onions, Antica’s 12-ounce strip steak was a marinated marvel—tender to the core and a bargain at $23. There’s more, of course, and it’s all good. See why dining critic Ken Alan liked it so much in the January issue of Delaware Today.