Serving Up Delicious Dishes at Ann's Choice

Imagine savoring a home-cooked meal without having to shop for groceries, turn on the oven, or wash the dishes.

At Ann's Choice, an Erickson Senior Living community in Bucks County, Pa., this dream is a reality! With six on-campus restaurants just steps from their apartment homes, residents can share made-to-order dishes with friends for breakfast, lunch, and dinner--without all the hassle. 

"Having a place to eat right here and not having to go out is really nice," says resident Anne Slowicki, who dines at the community's restaurants several times a week.

And because the menus feature a variety of local favorites, modern takes on classic dishes, and innovative fare, there's always something new to try.

Light bites

Dining venues at Ann's Choice range from casual cafes and pubs to full-service restaurants, where specialties are impeccably prepared and plated. 

Banners Cafe, a New York deli- style venue, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast features favorites like pancakes, waffles, and custom omelets, as well as some lighter options. Lunch at Banners includes various burgers, sandwiches, and a variety of salads and side dishes. 

Dinner boasts a robust menu with entrees like Aunt Millie's Meatloaf, linguine with meat sauce, and oven-roasted chicken. 

Acorn Pub, a casual sit-down venue, features lighter fare such as scratch-made soups, salads, handhelds, burgers, and desserts. Lunch is available Monday through Saturday. 

Next year, the much-anticipated Oak Terrace will open with grab-and-go breakfast and lunch. 

"Evergreen Terrace will eventually offer al fresco dining as well," says Dining Services Director Richard Weise. 

Something for everyone

The Fireside Restaurant offers sit-down dinner service and an upscale menu of beef, chicken, seafood, burgers, sandwiches, and entree salads. 

Although the menu is updated regularly to reflect resident feedback and seasonal availability, recent specialties have included grilled bourbon-pecan chicken, mussels in fennel-tomato broth, and tofu tikka masala. 

Embers Tavern, the bar within Fireside Restaurant, is the perfect place to grab a drink with friends before or after dinner. 

Serving lunch Monday through Friday, dinner Monday through Saturday, and a buffet-style Sunday brunch, Signatures Restaurant is a go-to spot for residents. Scratch-made soups, salads, homemade flatbread pizzas, wraps, and sandwiches grace the lunch menu. At dinner, guests can find burgers, chicken, seafood, pasta, and vegetarian dishes.

Joe Mahon, executive chef at the Garden Room Restaurant, passionately plans the menus to include a balance of beef, chicken, seafood, and vegetarian entrees. Residents recently enjoyed flounder meuniere, grilled filet mignon, cauliflower parmesan, and barbeque pulled chicken.

Personal touch

To ensure resident satisfaction at each of these unique eateries, Weise and his team of expert chefs conduct "table touches." 

"Our chefs will occasionally leave the kitchen to mingle with residents. It adds a personal touch to mealtimes," he explains. "All the front of the house managers are constantly touching tables, too, talking to residents."

"And if a resident doesn't like a dish or has a concern about it, a chef will go out and sit with the resident to address it in the moment," adds Weise, who started working at Ann's Choice as a dishwasher while in high school. "After being here 19 years, I've discovered that listening to residents goes a long way."

Anne, who serves as dining liaison for the Resident Advisory Council, notes that these interactions make mealtime special. 

"It's fun, having the chefs come out and visit with us," says Anne. "It's really authentic, and we like being recognized and knowing that our money's going to a good dining service and a good experience here."

Because all entrees are cooked-to-order, chefs can easily swap out or remove ingredients to cater to residents' allergies and sensitivities. 

Fostering community

Anne appreciates the community's dedication to offering fresh, delicious meals and believes the social atmosphere in each of the restaurants is the perfect accompaniment.

"It's always a social event," Anne says. "The camaraderie that comes with dining is a really important part of the day."

Fun and interactive themed dinners, holiday meals, and events also bring the whole community together.

"Whether we are serving a daily meal or holiday dinner," Weise says, "the Dining Services team takes so much pride in what they do."

Invest in your future self at Ann's Choice. From top-notch amenities to affordable, maintenance-free apartment homes, you are sure to live your retirement to the fullest. Request more information today!