Ambiance - Warm and cool at the same time. It's a cozy little bar/restaurant located in an historic building in our historic, cozy, artsy, eclectic, Southern, sophisticated, down to earth Deland. The decor is a rebellion against the Prohibition and a celebration of the fun and excitement of regaining the freedom to let the taps flow and the whiskey age. The bar is beautifully wood crafted and loooooong. The scale of the bar might give the illusion that this is primarily a bar that serves food. But, you would be mistaken. The bar is, very obviously quite grand. But don't let it fool you. This is, most definitely, an incredible Restaurant.
The Food - ...The menu is varied and thoughtfully curated. Whoever put the menu together is definitely a lover of food. Which works wonderfully, for me at least, because I too, am a lover of food. And the food that they serve is INCREDIBLE. This is not a place for the faint of heart, and I probably wouldn't venture in if I was on a diet. Because, although there are delicious salad and vegetable options, many of the appetizers and entrees available are downright SINFUL. The kind of sinful where that first bite hits your tongue and all you can do is close your eyes and moan (hopefully, quietly). Try the loaded chips. I know. Potato chips, what's the draw, right? I said, "Meh...", but my husband persisted and ordered them, anyway. And that is why I will keep him around for the next 15 years and the 15 after that. The chips are covered with a blue cheese fondue and crumbled blue cheese, and I'm not a fan of blue cheese at all. But if I could have licked that plate clean without embarrassing myself, I would have. It is DE-LEC-TA-BLE and doesn't taste blue cheesy at all. It just tastes like creamy, cheesy, bacon-y, crispy, eye closing, heart pounding...heaven. Their risotto is amazing and the TPO Mushroom Chicken is my favorite. Their food has always been fantastic, but with the newly hired chef, it has reached five star phenomenal status. Succulent, grilled boneless, skinless chicken breast that almost bursts with juiciness when you take a bite, perfectly done al dente sundried tomato and mushroom risotto...sigh.... Eh hem...sorry. Where was I? Oh, moving on...
Last, but not least, The Service - Somehow, they've managed to find some of the nicest, most patient, thoughtful people in the whole county to work here. They always have a great attitude and they're always willing to take time to explain the dishes and even share their favorites. But if you're venturing out, you should know that this is more of a European dining experience than American. Don't go here looking for a quick meal. The best things in life take time. To create and to enjoy. This is a place to sit down and relax, have a few drinks and appetizers and enjoy each other's company while you leisurely wait for dinner to come. It's a place to take the ones you love or those whom you want to get to know better.
Dining at The Parched Oak is not just about the amazing food. It's about the experience. It's time to eat great food, enjoy the atmosphere and actually take the time to listen, interact and connect with others. It's a food and family experience that I can't see ever giving up. read more