Volume 1, Presented in “geographic” order, from Bala Cynwyd to Paoli
The Landing, Bala Cynwyd
Beautiful location, clean restaurant and amazing food. Bonus- it’s pup friendly.
The Landing Kitchen is a breath of fresh air (literally because they can open the garage doors) and serves up delicious food. They just opened today so please visit them. I had the greens and beet salad with walnut vinaigrette. I got a blackberry ginger scone to go and loved every bite.
I was partial to the Landing’s signature, a fluffy blanket of fresh scrambled egg folded over a Philly muffin with Cooper Sharp cheese and a house chicken-maple sausage drizzled with the zing of a jalapeño-tomatillo salsa verde.
Core de Roma, Belmont Hills
I chose the bucatini matriciana and it was a beautiful melding of sweet, spicy and savory tastes..as authentic as it comes. In addition to the pasta, no one does artichokes better (a family recipe with specially-sourced artichokes), and the Supploni al Telefono (ostrich egg-sized fried risotto balls with fresh mozzarella) we’re also a special treat.
I ordered their “Core de Roma” with veggies & potatoes but you can have it with spaghetti! It was chicken with crab meat on top and melted cheese, absolutely delicious! This meal I recommend. I also got mussels with white wine sauce and it wasn’t the best I ever had but still good, there were no regrets ordering it. My friends ordered their cacio e Pepe (and we all studied abroad in Rome) and they both absolutely loved it and was so happy they ordered it. We also got the cannoli & tiramisu which are homemade there and both were really good and not too sweet which is how I like my desserts!
All sheet and rolled pastas—lasagna, ravioli, gnocchi, fettuccine—are made in house. Rich sauces include pomodoro, Gorgonzola, vodka and wine. Loaded with seafood, my hearty bowl of linguine pescatora marinara paired perfectly with a favorite bottle of sauvignon blanc.
Coco Thai Bistro, Narberth
Wonderful restaurant. They give a nice amount of diverse vegetables with their entrees along with a nice amount of protein portion as well. Had the green curry and pad thai. The flavors are good and the curry had a good balance of thickness to it. The food was clean in taste. Hardly any msg or very little (sidenote, there are some key Asian sauces that are hard to find without msg so sometimes its unavoidable to have some msg in certain dishes).
Let’s start with the beautiful atmosphere, everywhere you look there are plants. I’m a lover of indoor plants and appreciate the time and care that is added to their busy days just to keep them alive and flourishing.
For our apps we ordered steamed vegetable dumplings and chicken satay which were tasty and a bowl of lemongrass soup which had a nice warmth to it. We both had the Thai Basil with chicken for our entrees which was so flavorful and fresh. We were both satisfied with the spice levels we chose, his being a 5 and mine a 3.
The service was great! Our server Emilio was very attentive and took the time to make sure our order was placed correctly (QR code and online ordering) and made himself available throughout our meal.
Hymies, Merion
First time visiting Hymie’s but it certainly won’t be my last. I had chicken matzo ball soup and a corned beef and pastrami sandwich. The soup was good but the sandwich was amazing!!
Just had my first corn beef special from Hymie’s… oh my was that a treat. — at Hymie’s.
Lunch brings out young mothers with kids to enjoy all the standard Jewish delights (corned beef specials, sliced brisket, piled-high pastrami) and droves of seniors turn out for the matzoh ball soup and roast chicken in the evenings.
Pub of Penn Valley, Penn Valley
Everything I’ve gotten at the Pub of Penn Valley has been great. My fiancee’s uncle has even ordered lamb chops and said they were great. I wouldn’t dare order lamb chops at a “pub” but this place is no ordinary pub. They have an extensive menu for even the pickiest eater (raises hand). From fried pickles to salads to lobster, the Pub of Penn Valley has everyone in your family covered.
If “Cheers” came back then they relocated here. Just loved the very casual, welcoming vibe here. The owners, Jeanine and David were continuously checking on all the guests, staff etc to make sure everyone was taken care of. Very accommodating and gracious. 
It did start to drizzle when we arrived but luckily there is covered outside seating. I think they have heat lamps for when the weather gets cold. 
We ordered the crab dip with chips, cheeseburger, ribs and shrimp scampi (normally over linguine but without me even asking, Jeanine offered to put them over veggies). 
For drinks we got the Moscow Mule and the Blood Orange Margarita. Food was very good and portions were great too. Loved how family friendly the menu and staff was. They had a paper menu with crayons to keep my shrunken human entertained.
Most dishes at Jeannine and David Hamilton’s friendly neighborhood pub are less than $20. And that’s the way they want it. The idea is to offer a selection that lets regulars stop by a few times during the week, whether for homemade soup, a sandwich and a beer, or a well-prepared entrée. Among the best selections is baby rack of lamb with mushroom shallot sauce. A late-night happy hour, after 9 p.m. on Sunday; after 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday, offers discounted munchies and beer specials. Sports fans can be sure that the game is always playing.
Sang Kee Asian Bistro, Wynnewood
The first night shrimp with black bean sauce, crystal shrimp dumpling, udon duck noodles, pork dumplings and the second time we got the short ribs, dry pepper shrimp, wonton soup and pork dumplings again. Everything was extremely delicious and things were ready when they said they would be ready.
Started with the crystal shrimp dumplings and went to my late father’s favorite, clams in black bean sauce. Just like I remembered. Then finally the duck and pork with green vegetable (Choy sum?). Took most of the last dish home for a future dinner. Can’t wait till next time
At lunch, indulge in steamed watercress dumplings or one of the many noodle dishes containing vegetables or roast pork. Vegetarians might enjoy a tofu salad. In the evening, make yourself heard over the noise of the crowd and order the famous Peking duck, chicken with eggplant in garlic sauce or salt-baked squid in five-spice dressing
Ripplewood, Ardmore
We started off with the knob creek house bourbon which was fantastic. The bouquet has great longevity and the flavor is really smooth. Sweet but not syrupy.
The real slam dunk here is are the “for the table” and “shareable” plates. We enjoyed the pretzeled Parker house rolls, spinach and artichoke dip, wings, ricotta toast, and wild mushroom flatbread. The house rolls are a sort of Challah bread with a yummy cheese sauce. The flatbread was delicious as well. The ricotta bread was my least favorite of the bunch but the bread was outstanding. Artichoke dip had nice big chunks of artichoke and plenty of spinach that made it feel almost healthy in a good way.
The wings though. Oh my lord were the wings good. Maybe the best wings I’ve ever had? Super crisp skin and flavorful meat. I recommend getting sauce on the side and trying it both with and without their homemade hot sauce.
Ricotta donuts for desert were really interesting. They’re donut balls and come with chocolate and blueberry sauce. Super delicious.
Parker House pretzel rolls are a must. Grilled octopus and honey ribs… likewise. Burger was a perfect pink medium rare, and a very tasty blend of ground beef (two patties on a brioche roll.) Blackened Mahi Mahi was a tad dry, but that’s not unusual for that fish. Surprise was the spaghetti with roast pork and Calabrian peppers. Held together with a hint of olive oil, scallions, peppers, broccoli rabe and crispy bits of pulled pork, it was more than the sum of its parts. Cocktails were interesting and well-prepared (but not cheap.) Will def return.
I took my time savoring every morsel of my new burger idol — its dry-aged beefy oomph, its pillowy soft pain au lait bun (somehow still able to absorb all that juice!), delicate butter leaf lettuce, tangy pickled red onions, and caper-filled special sauce. Is that an echo of smoked tomato in the background harmonizing the bologna? Oh, yes. Yes, it is.
Avalon, Bryn Mawr
We thoroughly enjoyed the cheesesteak egg rolls, truffle fries, fried calamari, Avalon burger and Scottish salmon, which comes with a spectacular, super-delicious array of veggies. Drinks were good, although the Boulavardier (bourbon) cocktail was a bit too strong for me. Overall, they are doing a really great job.
Tonight was date night in Bryn Mawr at Avalon Bistro – and it was just wonderful! I requested a romantic table on Resy and we were seated at a banquette in the back of the restaurant which was perfect. We enjoyed cocktails to start the evening – an espresso martini for me and a bourbon smash for my hubby and then had appetizers (which I forgot to photograph) of bacon wrapped dates and the meatballs. They were so tasty yet not too filling. We then moved on to our entrees of chicken Milanese (served with burrata – a great addition) and the filet tips with shrimp (hubby loves a surf and turf).
Self-taught in the kitchen, Brandt-Lee has thrived on a menu that keeps dishes simple with limited ingredients. He’s also adept at stirring up savory sauces to complement his Italian-inspired repertoire. On our visit, we enjoyed a well-executed lamb bolognese, sautéed mussels, Scottish salmon, and the signature Judie Foodie Pasta Special (named after local influencer and retired volunteer Judy Carrino) of shredded beef short ribs, mushrooms, caramelized onions and pappardelle.
The Refectory, Villanova
I keep a running list in my mind of the 3-4 dishes that I would consider life-altering (dramatic, I know), and now Refectory’s branzino is at the top of that list. Everything about this dish is perfectly balanced- the crisp of the skin vs the butternut paste, the flakiness of the fish vs the al dente bite of the celery root, the spicy chimichurri vs the vinegary tang/sweetness of the sauce. I would make a trip here just for the branzino, honestly.
My wife said that the cream of mushroom soup was excellent. The grilled octopus was a scant portion yet absolutely wonderful and grilled perfectly and tender. The Nova Fries again were a very small portion but perfectly cooked with some melted cheese and brisket on top. My wife’s filet came sliced but cooked perfectly and was nicely seasoned. I have a bad habit of asking for a salt and pepper shaker but it was not required. My lamb was a wonderful portion with perfect presentation however it came out 10 minutes after my wife’s meal. The manager and several other servers apologized and comped us a round of drinks and they took my lamb off the check.
The brunch menu has anything one could imagine. There are soups, salads, sweets, flatbreads and sandwiches, accompanied by a raw bar and potato variations. Not many brunch locations can say they offer oysters, chicken and waffles in one menu. Some top menu items are the PB&J Stuffed French Toast and the restaurant’s handheld sandwiches. Although a bit pricier, these items are comparable to the popular local brunch spots off of Villanova’s campus.
Teresa’s Café, Wayne
The Emiliani is one of the best pasta dishes I’ve ever had. Hands down, it was just amazing, so there’s that. Secondly, the quack sandwich. Ok, I thought this would warm, but the meat is actually cold, and stacked really high. The sauce and other stuff on the sandwich go with it perfectly. Really, really good, and very unique.
The Tomato Pie Supreme. It’s a large rectangle, with an airy medium thick crust. The sauce is fresh and chunky, and they add marinated artichokes, pickles hot peppers, grilled onion, and oil-curried dark olives. Normally I would’ve asked for it without the olives, because I don’t like olives. But I have so much faith in Teresa‘s flavor combinations that I left it at as is and I am glad I did! These olives had a very subtle brined bite and a warmth that I have never experienced in an olive. It went really well with every thing else on the pie, I’m so glad I tried! I can’t wait to go back:)
This family-friendly eatery is really two restaurants in one: Teresa’s draws a loyal following thanks to dependably fresh, contemporary Italian food. There are small, thin-crust pizzas from the brick oven — we suggest the goat cheese with mushrooms — along with pastas that won’t break your budget. Fish and chicken are given the same loving attention. Try the chocolate pizza for dessert.
Frankie’s Fellini Café, Berwyn
I had stuffed shells, the sauce was excellent and cheesy just as it should be. I also had a salad which was fresh and crisp and the home made blue cheese dressing was second to none.
I finally got the linguini and clams the right way!!! I’m not sure if anyone remembers me asking for recommendations a while back, but this is how it’s done!
FRANKIE’S Fellini’s Cafe in BERWYN was great. They took the time to go over a lot of questions we had and the food was ready right on time. Everything was delicious and we only were able to eat half.
The Chicken Francese had the perfect trace of lemon to give it a little tang as it melted in my mouth, and the homemade tomato sauce that topped the pasta on the side had a pinch of spice that gave it a powerful aroma and savor. My parents were also extremely impressed with their meals, both the Tagliatelle with Meatballs and the Penne alla Sofia Loren, which includes tomatoes, broccoli and chicken in a blush cream sauce.
Olive Tree, Paoli
231 W. Lancaster Ave. (Rt. 30)
Paoli, PA 19301
Phone: 610.993.9393
I’ve been so pleased with the quality of Olive Tree’s food! I haven’t made it past the Greek Sampler and Meat Sampler entrees because they are just so tasty and satisfying for a Mediterranean craving; always generous portions, delightfully herbed works of culinary art! Meats are succulent, packed with smoke and savory flavor, and always high quality. Their rice is crack pellets! Omg, it is so extremely tasty! Too many Grecian spice and herb secrets in there for me to unpack, but just ladle it down my throat, please! Yum! Their grilled veggies are the best I’ve ever had. My grilled tomato tonight was also savory and smoky, but still full of that robust red tomato juice flavor. Their pitas are great quality too, with velvety, herb-bombed tzatziki, that is divine!
The Greek salad with lamb was fresh and the dressing was spot on, and it came with 2 stuffed grape leaves (Dolmades) that were also delicious. We also had hummus with grilled pita which was also great!
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Frankie Fellini’s was my favorite restaurant in the area. They import their bread from New York City. I always enjoyed the company of my dining neighbors. One night a week an opera singer would come in and serenade us through the meal. Frankie’s is a BYO restaurant. Their limited desserts are luscious. Meal portions are ample.