02/01/2010 Bistro on Bridge named Best New Reastaurant THE PHOENIX (013010) -- While the Best of designation was for the restaurant, Hoffmann has another successful business, Club 212, on the second floor of the property. Clipper Magazine recently name Phoenixville's Bistro on Bridge Best New Restaurant in their yearly Best of Edition which arrived in customer mailboxes on Saturday, January 23. The honor comes only eight months after Bistro on Bridge opened on June 1, 2009. The space has held a variety of eateries in the last ten years, including The Mill, Jester's and Tyler James Pub, none of which lasted more than 18 months at the location. Bistro on Bridge, however, seems to be on track to finally make the location successful. Bistro on Bridge is owned by Zachary Hoffmann who describes his restaurant as innovative Mediterranean cuisine. He credits his inspiration for the dishes to his mother, LaDell Hoffmann. Her family recipes are represented on the menu. Dishes like the sun-dried tomato parmesan bowl, risotto balls and Mediterranean shrimp are all dishes that Hoffmann grew up with. Mom also serves as the official taste tester. Whenever a new dish is added to the menu, Mrs. Hoffmann tests them and advised the chef of the potential success or failure of the dish. The menu at Bistro on Bridge is unexpectedly diverse making it evident that much time has been spent on obtaining high quality ingredients and presentation. While they offer fare to be expected at most pubs or bistro's, like burgers and wings, they do it just a bit better. Take their wings for instance; Bistro on Bridge offer's fourteen different types of wings from mild to 10,000 Ghosts, which is made from the hottest pepper in the world, the ghost pepper. Their wings received rave reviews on a popular Phoenixville blog site (http://oneninefoursixzero.com/wing_watch_bistro/). Bistro on Bridge is much more than just wings and burgers though. Their menu boasts dishes like Seafood Paella, Serrano Wrapped Salmon, and Sesame Encrusted Tuna as well as more traditional entrees like Chicken Piccata and Filet Mignon. Bistro on Bridge offers customers several options for seating in the 7,000 square foot restaurant. The formal dining room offers a quiet, contemporary space away from the bar for couples, and families with window seating along Bridge Street. The space also offers a section with pub style tables and seating, complete with video games, darts, shuffle board, a digital jukebox and six big screen TV's. This area is perfect for the casual diner who enjoys the pub feel and for sports fans enjoying televised sports in any season. Towards the rear of the space is the bar with three sides of seating, pendant lighting, and friendly bartenders. Across from the bar there are more pub tables and booth seating that remains from the famed Deliquilla's Restaurant and Bar that inhabited the location in the 1970's and 80's. While the Best of designation was for the restaurant, Hoffmann has another successful business, Club 212, on the second floor of the property. Unlike the previous businesses occupying the space, Hoffmann saw the utilization of this space as key to the success of the space. He fully renovated the 7,000 square foot space, formerly a banquet room left over from the Delaquilla era, into the areas hottest nightspot, complete with D.J. booth, top of the line lighting and sound system. The space currently draws hundreds of people every weekend for dancing and high quality libations. Club 212 features a 30 foot long bar, a huge dance floor, and a VIP area offering space for private parties and bottle service. Hoffmann also uses the space for special events, comedy shows, concerts and private parties.