Charcoal BYOB
I enjoy going out for breakfast and have frequented many of the places in lower Bucks County. This place has been one of my favorite. Charcoal Steaks and Things have been doing business in Yardley for many years. It was flooded out several times and finally succumbed to the river in April of 2005. After a couple of years, the place was rebuilt. This time elevated to avoid future flooding. The change was dramatic. Now diners can have a wonderful view of the river while they dine in the upstairs dining room.
Not only has the building changed, but the menu has too. Breakfasts have been extended to include brunch on the weekends. The dinner menu has changed completely and presents some very enticing choices. Charcoal is a BYOB restaurant that serves modern American/French cuisine prepared by the owner, Tony Plescha, and chef sons, Mark and Eric. They creatively find ways to enhance everyday ingredients like meat, vegetables, seasonings, sauces and presentation. The pasta is homemade from ingredients imported from Italy. The ice cream, breads and donuts are also homemade.
Charcoal Steaks and Things is a two story building that stands next to the Delaware River. The restaurant is on the upper level (to avoid floods). But, don’t worry about stairs because there is an elevator. Once seated in a room that seats about 70 guests, you will have a beautiful view of the river.
I have sampled a variety of their breakfast items and found them all to be more than satisfactory. The usual egg and pancake dishes are available. But the breakfast menu also includes such items as Salmon & Eggs Benedict with Hollandaise, a Broccoli Rabe and Cheese Omelet, and other omelets custom made to your specification. Coffee is freshly ground and served piping hot. Fresh homemade pastries and donuts are also available.
On Saturday, my wife and I went for brunch which is served until 2 pm. The menu featured a nice variety of salads, sandwiches and hot dishes in addition to some creative breakfast items. My wife ordered a Green Goddess sandwich which was served on homemade multi grain bread with avocado, lettuce, tomato, pickled onion, mozzarella cheese and green goddess dressing. It was deliciously accompanied by a tasty “coal” slaw. I ordered a scrumptious Crab Cake sandwich with lump crab meat, baby red romaine lettuce, and tartar sauce on a fresh English muffin. A side of roasted beets with citrus yogurt and walnuts was a nice companion. The crab cake was seasoned perfectly and was large enough to cover the muffin completely. For dessert, we shared the Cinnamon Donut Sundae which was a decadent huge donut, homemade vanilla ice cream with caramel syrup. Other items on the brunch menu included a Classic Club sandwich, Korean Fried Chicken, a Darn Good Cheese Steak, and Eggs Benedict with Poached Lobster or Smoked Salmon.
The dinner menu changes seasonally and represents a broad and eclectic selection. No longer just a steak house, there are pasta and fish dishes that are extraordinary. The current menu features Duck Breast with gnocchi, asparagus and chanterelle mushrooms. The Diver Scallops with summer beans, pears, Sicilian pistachios and blue cheese are a real treat. Other fish dishes have included Salmon, Trout, and Tile Fish. The Braised Short Ribs with roasted baby potatoes, broccoli and dill Salsa Verde is fit for a king. The ribs were braised to moist tenderness and full of rich flavor. For an appetizer you might try the Spanish Rock Octopus with spicy pepper marmalade, the Grilled Louisiana Shrimp & Grits or a bowl of delicious homemade soup. The owner tells me that dinner is so successful that you often need to book reservations two weeks in advance.
I am pleasantly surprised by the pasta dishes offered on the menu. Homemade from imported ingredients, the noodles are perfectly al dente and flavorful. Try the Rye Radiatori with bacon bolognese, arugula, egg yolk and parmagiano-reggiano or the A1 Rigatoni with roasted mushrooms, sun dried tomato and vodka sauce. The chefs really know what they are doing and have created such other items as Linguini Alfredo, Cherry Pepper & Ink Fusilli, and various eggplant dishes.
The desserts are equally flavorful and creative. Homemade Cinnamon Donuts (alone or as a sundae with homemade ice cream), Chocolate Mousse, and Apple Brown Butter Cake.
Of course, there is always the fantastic view of the Delaware River to enjoy while dining. You will not be disappointed by the friendly welcome from the Plescha family and their staff. Charcoal Steaks and Things has weathered the ravages of river flooding and brings good food and atmosphere to Yardley. My wife and I can hardly wait to go back and try some of the dinner treats.
Breakfasts $6 – $15
Entrées $14 – $37
Breakfast & Lunch
Tuesday – Friday 8am-2pm
Saturday – Sunday 8am-2pm
Dinner
Tuesday – Thursday 5pm-9pm
Friday – Sunday 5pm-10pm
Reservations strongly recommended on weekends
