Anthony Andiario — who runs West Chester’s Andiario, one of the region’s most popular restaurants, with his girlfriend Maria van Schaijik — is not planning to return to normal once the pandemic is behind us, writes Jason Sheehan for Philadelphia magazine.

Before the pandemic, and not long after launching in 2018, Andiario quickly became one of the area’s best-known restaurants. At one point, reservations for its prime hours had to be made three months ahead.

But that did not make the chef as happy as he expected. He found himself working too much, and the cooking process more arduous.

“I’m not trying to run a real restaurant,” he recalled thinking. “I’m just trying to cook. And the restaurant gets in the way.”

When the pandemic came, he pivoted to takeout, which provided him with an opportunity to think.

Now, he has decided some changes are in order. Currently, Andiario is open three nights a week. He has reduced the number of seats to 22 from 38 and now has a prix-fixe menu.

He also plans to close his doors annually for one month. He’ll use the free time to travel, recharge, and work more on his new farm.

Read more about Anthony Andiario in Philadelphia magazine.