Blackworth Live Fire Grill Lititz, PA

Saturday, we Dragons ventured forth to Lititz, hoping to revisit some old lairs.   That we did, but found a new one as well! The Blackworth Live Fire Grill.

A few years ago the old Wilbur Chocolate Factory was refaced and the interior remodeled. There are apartments on the backside, with shops and a restaurant on the front side. The restaurant is the Blackworth Live Fire Grill. We went for a Saturday Lunch and they were fortunately not swamped.  Still I could see how this place could get very busy.

Okay, we got lucky.  We were wandering down the street like a couple yabbo's gawking at all the shiny things, when we almost literally stumbled on the steps of this place.  Braving our fortune and pushing our luck, we went inside.  They did not.... and I repeat.... did NOT throw us out at once.  That speaks to their warmth and questionable judgement.  Let's just say we were dressed 'casually', and Blackworth sure does look purty inside!

They are tastefully decorated in brick and neutrals with soft and comfortable club chairs at round tables, and lots of windows. We were greeted by a jovial fellow, who asked if we wanted the lounge or dining area. We chose the lounge and are glad we did. You get to sit slightly above street level and watch the cars and people go buy. 

The chairs really were comfortable.  We always opt-out of bar stool seating whenever possible, and this is why.  Standard bar stools are just not comfy for a relaxing meal.  The chairs in their 'lounge' however were well padded barrel looking affairs straight out of the 1970's (IMHO).   We liked them!

We started with drinks. I had their Smoky Pom Pom. A blend of Mezcal, pomegranate juice, ginger beer, prosecco, and orange slice and pomegranate seeds. It was a little tart, a little spicy, and not too sweet. Honestly, the perfect brunch drink! It came in at $15.00.

Himself had a Founder ($15.00). That was a blend of Bulliet Rye, amaro, sweet vermouth, walnut bitters, and a luxcardo cherry. It looked lovely and the cherry I stole was delicious! 

We started with the warm olives for an appetizer and I am not sure I will ever enjoy olives cold again. Warming them completely changes the flavor profile. It helped that these were damn good olives. They were warm and briny, and well herbed. I honestly thought Himself was going to lick the bowl. He is a big olive fan. 

The main course came, and for that we went with the day's special. It was not on the regular menu. It was a turkey sandwich with lettuce and tomato, cheddar, tart cranberry relish and an herbed aioli. The gratin potatoes and the cornbread with honey butter came as separate sides.

The turkey sandwich ($12.00) was good! A soft butter roll, piled high with fresh cut white meat turkey breast. It could have done without the tomato. They are bland and out of season and it added nothing to the sandwich except to make it slippery. The cranberry spread was delicious and really pulled the sandwich together, in my opinion. It came with a pickle on the side.   A few things here.  The sammich, on arrival, looked about a foot tall.  A leaning tower of Sammich if you will.  On the plate with it, a quarter of a Kosher dill.

Now, that pickle was OUTSTANDING.  I loves me a good pickle!

That said, the sammich looked pretty lonely on the plate.   A great sandwich it was, except I 'smooshed' it a bit cutting it in two.  It might have been better served in plating by slicing it in the kitchen, and letting that cover some of the white space on the plate.

Yes, I know... I know..... 'Trendy' plating calls for isolated food to show off it's features.  But.... it looked lonely, you know?

It was worth every penny of the $12, but I would have happily paid $14 to see it come with chips as outstanding as the rest of the food was.  Like super crispy hand made chips.... MMMmmmm.

Their cornbread ($6.00) is served as individual little madeleines and it is sweet and dense. It is super moist and almost like corn pudding! It is served warm with a honeyed butter. There is a hint of spice on the back of the palate and was so delicious I likened it to a sexual experience. It was so, so GOOD!  

Their corn bread fingers WERE excellent, and as good as any corn bread I make at home.  I can swear I tasted red pepper bloomed in the wet ingredients just like I make.  That said, $2 per piece of cornbread... just a bit pricey perhaps.  I'd consider dropping the price of that appy a dollar, or adding value in some way.

Then there was the gratin potatoes ($12.00). On the menu it is described as "smoked gouda, truffle peelings, and thyme". In my pie-hole I can tell you it was described as "Holy cow this is AMAZE-balls! Stop trying to stab me with the fork and share!" It is rich and full of flavor and honestly could be a meal on it's own. 

The Gratin Potatoes.... oh man.  First of all, I can certainly see these on the 'sides' part of the menu, but the price ($12) should have clued me in.  They serve enough to make a side for three hungry people.  

The 'side' of Gratin Potatoes really belongs as an entrée, except the lunch menu doesn't show entree's.  Add a choice of diced ham or roast turkey, and I'd happily pay $15 for it as a main.

How did they taste?   To be honest, I wish I could make a gratin dish this good.   A humble potato and cheese dish elevated to eye rolling goodness.

There are a few things, I noticed about the restaurant that I feel I should point out.  While we were there for lunch and the staff was dressed low-key (read as jeans and button downs, or henleys, with man buns) this is definitely elevated casual dining.

The  menu is limited and a-la-carte, so going with multiple friends to share things and taste a couple different things would be a great idea! 

We decided we would share everything (olives, corn bread, gratin potatoes, and the sandwich), and were plenty satisfied. We did wind up bringing home some of the sandwich and potatoes as leftovers. 

This restaurant is not an inexpensive option. Drinks ran $15.00 each and the small dish of olives were $5.00. They do pride themselves on locally sourcing a lot of their food and beverage options and list those partnerships on the back of their menu, which is a nice touch.

Service was excellent and all in all it was a wonderful experience and I would 100% go back again. 

So how does Blackworth in Lititz fork up: 

5.0 Forks for flavor.
5.0 Forks for atmosphere
3.25  Forks for location. (Parking can be an issue, and if you weren't looking for it, you might struggle to find it! )
3.75 Forks for your value.
5.0 Forks for service. 

4.4  Total Forks Given

This one does not fork up badly at all!