The Je Ne Sais Quoi of Eclipse Bistro

What is it, exactly, that makes this Wilmington eatery so special?

If you want to get a sense of how diners feel about Eclipse Bistro, scan the reviews on Yelp. One such review was from a diner who traveled all day from California to Philadelphia, then drove an hour to Wilmington to eat there. He describes his experience as “immensely rewarding” and says it was definitely worth the cross-country trek.

That’s the thing about Eclipse—while it may not look like much from the outside, the food, service and ambiance make up for its somewhat nondescript exterior.

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Carl and Lisa Georigi opened Eclipse Bistro in 1996. It was the first restaurant in the Platinum Dining Group, which now consists of three other restaurants and a retail market.

The intimate dining area is comfortable. You are never too close to your neighbors, but you can see the entire dining room from your seat. The bustling bistro never feels too congested; in fact it is always downright cozy.

Chef J.D. Morton modifies the menu frequently, but there are a few staples that are dependably divine, including the succulent mussels, the pillowy scallops and the praiseworthy pappardelle Bolognese. The food is fancy, but not fussy. The service is attentive, but never aggressive.

It’s hard to pinpoint what exactly makes Eclipse Bistro so enticing. Whatever it is, Eclipse continues to wow and surprise its diners, even after over 20 years in the biz.

See more 2018 Best of Delaware winners.

Eclipse in Wilmington shines with dishes like the braised
veal roast with root vegetables, micro greens and a rich
pan gravy.//Photo by Joe del Tufo

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