A five course meal that celebrates Spring and whiskey

What happens when you combine Dad's Hat Rye with smoked pork bellies?

Herman Mihalich (on the left) and John Cooper are the founders of Dad's Hat Rye.
Source/Dad's Hat Rye

Love the spicy taste of rye whiskey? Here's a five-course whiskey dinner just for you. 

West Chester's Roots Café, located at 133 E. Gay Street, is partnering up with local award-winning distiller Dad's Hat Rye in a multi-course meal that pairs various version of the hard spirit with food inspired by the Spring season.

Dad’s Hat Rye’s co-founder John Cooper will be there to provide tasting notes. “It will be a fun, informative and really tasty experience,” said Chef Dan Merola. Reservations are recommended for the $80 per person dinner scheduled for Wednesday, April 3 from 6 to 10 p.m.

Here’s the menu for the five course feast:

Crispy Smoked Pork Belly
Charred Spring Onion & Sweet Potato Gratin, Brown Butter Cornbread Streusel, Plum Gastrique
Dad’s Hat Pennsylvania Rye Whiskey (90 proof)

Coffee Rubbed Bavette Steak
Sauteed Fiddlehead Ferns, Parsnip Puree, Blue Cheese Butter
Dad’s Hat Pennsylvania Rye Whiskey Finished In Port Wine Barrels (94 Proof)

Lobster Antoine
Pea Shoots, Crispy Edamame, Scallop Mousse
Dad’s Hat Pennsylvania Rye Whiskey Finished In Vermouth Barrels (94 Proof)

Rack of Lamb
Morel Spaetzle, Enoki Mushrooms, Blackberry Brandy Robert
Dad’s Hat Pennsylvania 4 Year Old Straight Rye Whiskey (95 Proof)

Apple Fritter Profiterole
Peanut Butter Mousse, Macerated Berries
Dad’s Hat Pennsylvania Rye Whiskey Finished In Maple Syrup Barrels (90 Proof)


RELATED: The PLCB is auctioning a 70-year-old bottle of whiskey; the starting price is $25,000Drink up, 'Game of Thrones' fans, Johnnie Walker is releasing GOT-inspired whiskey


Dad’s Hat Rye based in Bristol, Pa., was awarded Whisky Advocate's  Craft Whiskey of the Year Award in 2016 and recognized by Wine Enthusiast as one of “The Top 100 Spirits of 2015.”  Esquire magazine also named the distillery’s Classic Rye as “the best whiskey in Pennsylvania and the 7th best whiskey produced in the U.S. outside of Kentucky.” 


Five Course Whiskey Dinner 

Wednesday, April 3
6 to 10 p.m | $80 per person plus tax and tip
Roots Cafe
133 E. Gay Street, West Chester, Pa. 
610-455-0100