Volume 2, presented in “geographic” order, from Malvern to Bala Cynwyd.
For your dining pleasure, we present five different restaurants with a variety of Asian styles, two places for Italian food, an Israeli restaurant, two good spots for brunch, some high-end fine dining (literally – it’s got a great river view) and a “saloon” with an excellent beer selection, and good bar food.
The Flying Pig Saloon, Malvern
121 E King St
Malvern, PA 19355
(610) 578-9208
If you are a beer lover, this is your spot. Whatever your feeling like that night, I’m sure they have it, either on tap, in a bottle or in a can! They also have a full bar and fun mixed drink specials. You can seat yourself and the staff just rotates around, helping out wherever needed. The food was good. The spinach dip had good flavor but also an odd texture – almost like spinach baby food mixed with cheese. The Prime Example sandwhich was very tasty.
I have always loved this place but hadn’t been there in a few years and this visit did not disappoint! This neighborhood bar is still a great place to drink and eat with friends and family!!! I had the roasted pork, a Philly staple, and I absolutely enjoyed my sandwich along with a few beers served on tap.
M&M Dim Sum, Paoli
1776 E Lancaster Ave Paoli, PA 19301
(484) 568-4494
The snow peas was so pleasant and fresh. The chow haw fun was light and crispy, and thankfully they were able to accommodate to my less onion/scallion situation, and their clay pots (we got fish and beef tendon) were divine!
We had the Peking Duck Bao buns, shrimp shumai, pork shumai, soup dumplings, and Hong Kong fried rice. The owner, Joe, made sure every table was well cared for, and the staff was very attentive too. I can’t wait to go back and try other dishes!
Tiramisu, Berwyn
I ordered the Baked Fontina Cheese and Truffled Filet Tips for appetizers and they were great! For my main I had the Salmon, and I loved it! For dessert I had the apple crisp and a desert cocktail. Such a nice Friday night dinner!
We started with the antipasto sampler as a way to try a few different items. This included calamari (very good), mozzarella (good), smoked salmon (excellent), chickpea salad (excellent) and their artichokes (phenomenal). I just have to note that the artichokes were some of the best I’ve ever had!!!
Their warm bread selection is savory and satisfying (particularly enjoy the rosemary). We shared the insalata bistro (light, lovely dressing and fresh, soft goat cheese), the fried artichoke appetizer (I could make a meal of those alone), and the capellini with veal sausage .
Nectar, Berwyn
Chicken Curry Dumplings – a perfect Asian Indian dumpling with just the right amount of spice.
Crispy Calamari & Edamame – two of my favorite appetizer options come together with the right amount of spice and two delicious dipping sauces.
Yellowtail Scallion Roll – The perfect not too fishy roll to share with some people who aren’t that big on sushi.
Sea Salt Crusted Shrimp and Beef Tenderloin – tender flavorful beef combine perfectly crusted shrimp, zucchini, asparagus, and some fresh chiles for a bit of a kick.
Deconstructed S’mores – S’mores get better when you use peanut butter creme brulee and banana marshmallows.
Nectar Valrhona Chocolate Torte – When your waiter surprises you with a chocolate torte for your birthday, you pass it around the table and savor that incredible dark chocolate and smooth raspberry coulis!
I had the shrimp pad thai and I doubt I will ever get pad thai anywhere else. My mother, who doesn’t understand the photographing of food, had the tenderloin sliders that she devoured, so I guess she liked them.
Bua Loy, Devon
The Tom Kah had a light coconut milk in it, which was a nice change from the traditional Tom Kah that I’ve had and has always been much heavier. The Tom Yum was light and had a perfect hint of lime, with delicious tender mushrooms.
For a main meal I had the Larb Gai Salad, and with the request of some additional pieces of lettuce, we ate this like lettuce wraps. The onions and peppers that were in the mixture were shaved very thinly, allowing them to add flavor while also making the mixture easy to eat as wraps. We also shared a shredded cabbage salad that was very flavorful, and some of the most delicious dumplings.
Silver Spoon, Wayne
Wife had brioche French toast with a blueberry sauce…she loved it. I had the Farmers omelette and we also ordered a side of the caramelized pepper bacon. Both were to die for. The omelette was so good I almost ordered another. Not because it wasn’t enough just because it was that good. On top of all that, the coffee was amazing.
Unbelievable dinner at Silverspoon tonight. Short rib toast with smoked goat cheese, barramundi and sweet potatoes, short rib with whipped potatoes entree and the warm apple bread pudding.
Azie On Main, Villanova
789 East Lancaster Ave
Villanova, PA 19085
(610) 527-5700
The shrimp, calamari, pot stickers and chicken satay are really good. The short rib melts in your mouth and the jus is delicous. The drunken noodles were perfect! The shrimp entree comes with the biggest shrimp I have seen and done beautifully. Really cute patio area and lots of parking.
Delicious dinner. Daughters had avocado rolls, volcano roll and another roll (forgot what kind), husband had braised short rib and I had filet mignon (all pictured). We also shared the rock shrimp app (forgot to take a picture) which we all loved and have had many, many times (and it’s also one of few items my vegan daughter will break “veganism” for).
Yamazaki Ramen, Bryn Mawr
We started with the karaage chicken and crispy (you can get soft) bao buns. I’ve never had crispy before and let’s be real, anything fried is gonna have an edge. But this bun.. It didn’t lose any of the flavor of the bun, and honestly the entire bun was just fantastic. The karaage was a little smaller a serving than I’m used to but still very tasty!
Just ordered from Yamazaki in Bryn Mawr and everything was delicious! I attached a photo of what we ordered. It’s nice to have good ramen for delivery.
Autana, Ardmore
4 Station Rd
Ardmore, Pennsylvania 19003
(484) 416-5843
Chicken Chupe Soup is awesome as are multiple other pastries and empanadas we have tried (sorry haven’t got a bad one yet)! Another stand out was the brie/honey sandwich on the brunch menu. Imagine the most delicious grilled cheese sandwich you have ever had.
Sabrina’s, Wynnewood
The French toast is like eating a piece of heaven, then there’s the burgers and fries, shrimp and grits, that are to die for even when you order takeout or delivery, it’s good, but my favorite is the stuffed French toast.
Nana’s Kitchen, Narberth
I do not usually visit restaurants that concentrate on vegetarian dishes. There are however a few fish dishes, on the menu, so I tried the fish and chips. It was by far the best that I have eaten on the Mainline or in the rest of Pennsylvania. Both the fish and the fries were done to perfection. As a fan of the British approach, I usually pair french fries with malt vinegar but instead, I tried chimichurri sauce. An outstanding combination. The batter was paper-thin, as it should be and the fish was flaky and succulent. I will repeat my visit and try their Argentinian empanadas.
Lark, Bala Cynwyd
We got a bit of everything and loved it all! I would highly recommend the duck, shrimp, and the octopus. The desserts were also to die for – we had a Budino and Panna Cotta. The Naked and Famous cocktail was perfection!
We started with a cocktail (the 24-carrot which was scotch, carrot, Meyer lemon and ginger) and a mocktail (iron rose which was Meyer lemon, ginger and rosemary) – both were quite refreshing. We shared a couple of starters that were not only delicious but most beautifully presented – the burrata with marinated peaches & pancetta, and the braised chilled leak. Loved the summery feel of the peaches and the leak was just such a different taste combo for us which makes dining out a real treat. For entrees, I opted to select a pasta, the ricotta dunderi (which were like gnocchi) with fresh corn and black truffle while hubby enjoyed the pork Milanese special. Hubby devoured the pork which was breaded ever so lightly and topped with pickled apricots (he kindly shared a couple of bites with me).
If you like this story, please share it.