Fond’s suburban revival brings beloved French comfort dishes to longtime fans and a fresh audience.
Fond, a beloved dining establishment that recently relocated to Wallingford, Pennsylvania, has garnered attention for its sophisticated French fare in a casual setting. Opened in October 2023 after previously shutting its original doors four years prior, Fond has once again captured the hearts of food enthusiasts and residents of Delaware County.
The culinary journey at Fond begins with a warm greeting from familiar faces, including lead server Pierce Craft, who embodies the restaurant’s welcoming spirit. The ambiance offers a mix of casual elegance, accentuated by dark wooden tables and airy beige curtains, creating a pleasant dining environment that caters to the community’s more mature demographic. The dining experience is enhanced by the knowledge that approximately 90% of the menu is gluten-free or can be modified, ensuring accessibility for various dietary needs.
Chef Lee Styer, who trained under culinary luminaries Jean-Marie Lacroix and Pierre Calmels, emphasizes the use of quality ingredients and classic French techniques in his dishes. The menu showcases a variety of options, including tender grilled octopus with chorizo and potatoes, and the decadent puff pastry filled with perfectly cooked escargots. Notably, the restaurant’s spring menu introduces highlights such as a vibrant asparagus risotto and a uniquely crafted shrimp gâteau, which features a delightful angel hair spaghetti that doubles as a crust for poached shrimp in a saffron beurre blanc.
Fond’s culinary offerings also include a standout prime rib special, a three-course affair that pays homage to Styer’s family legacy in the restaurant business, priced at , available on the second Sunday of each month. Another fan favorite, the harissa lamb ragout, is a hearty dish that blends cavatappi pasta with aromatic spices, demonstrating Styer’s ability to create comfort food with depth.
Desserts crafted by pastry chef Jessie Prawlucki Styer further elevate the dining experience. The traditional yet artfully executed options, including a show-stopping chocolate layer cake and a sophisticated pear tart, showcase her expertise and creativity, leaving diners eager for their next visit.
Located at 21 N. Providence Rd, Wallingford, PA, Fond is a BYOB establishment with dinner entrees priced between and . Brunch is served midweek and on weekends, while dinner is offered from Wednesday through Sunday. Reservations at Fond promise a blend of quality culinary tradition and community charm, ensuring it remains a fixture in Delaware County’s dining landscape.
