"Thank you for organizing such a wonderful event. We are excited to be part of the inaugural Main Line Restaurant Week." Susanna Foo, Susanna Foo's Gourmet Kitchen

AroundMainLine.com is throwing a fantastic launch party for the first ever Main Line Restaurant Week at Susanna Foo’s Gourmet Kitchen in Radnor July 22nd! In what promises to be one of the Main Line’s hottest summer events, guests will be treated to complimentary hors d’oeuvres, amazing drink specials and a festive atmosphere—with the suburbs top chefs and restaurant owners in attendance.

For more than 25 years, Susanna Foo has changed the paradigm of Chinese food melding traditional Chinese foods with classical French techniques. With two cookbooks and two internationally known restaurants, Chef Foo is a two-time James Beard Award winner and is widely recognized as one of America’s top Chinese chefs. Many Asian cuisine aficionados credit Foo with having brought Chinese food into the modern realm. In November 2006, she opened Susanna Foo Gourmet Kitchen in Radnor—now one of the Main Line’s most successful and respected restaurants.

Susanna Foo’s is one of dozens of local restaurants across the Main Line and suburban region who will be participating in the Philadelphia suburb’s largest dining event ever this fall. The inaugural Main Line Restaurant Week will run from Monday September 27th through Sunday October 3rd. MLRW is created and organized by AroundMainLine.com.

Susanna Foo is widely recognized as one of America’s top Chinese chefs.

Participating restaurants will offer special, prix-fixe menus showcasing their chefs’ greatest dishes. Menus will feature discounted, three-course dinners (e.g. appetizer, entrée and dessert) priced at $15, $20, $30 or $40 per person. The week also includes a special calendar of food-themed events, including AroundMainLine.com’s 2nd Anniversary Birthday Bash at Gullifty’s in Rosemont, a special Wednesday Night Whinos at Dettera Restaurant and Wine Bar in Ambler, and a fun Monday Night Meetup in Malvern—hosted by The Desmond—and more. To stay informed of developing party details, be sure to join us on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest.

Our fun summer MLRW kickoff party at Susanna Foo’s will offer AML friends and fans and participating restaurants a chance to meet and mingle in anticipation of the fall dining event. The event is free and open to everyone 21 and over. It promises to be a night to remember—and the perfect celebration to set the tone for a very successful Main Line Restaurant Week fall 2010!

Main Line Restaurant Week Launch Party Details

When: July 22nd, 6pm-9pm

Where: Susanna Foo’s Gourmet Kitchen (Event will be held in the private dining room and outdoor patio in the rear of the restaurant)

Why: To celebrate the fantastic restaurants and chefs participating in Main Line Restaurant Week this fall!

RSVP: Please RSVP here on our Facebook evite or kindly email us your name and party number to: rsvp@aroundmainline.com

AML’s amazing Main Line Restaurant Week Launch party offers locals a chance to meet and mingle with the top chefs of the Main Line and surrounding burbs!

‘Entrance Fee’: Supply your email address at the door via a business card or one of our registration slips to enter. The event is free.

Food: Complimentary appetizers will be served to all attendees!

Radio Sponsor: 95.7 BEN-FM is our official radio sponsor for Main Line Restaurant Week fall 2010 and is supporting our exciting launch party as well!

Décor: Gorgeous table linens provided by Select Event Rentals (weparty.com)

Floral: Malvern’s Flowers by Priscilla (flowersbypriscilla.net) will provide the beautiful arrangements for the event.

Party Raffle: Bring business cards for networking but also for our party raffle. Drop a biz card at our registration table (or fill out a slip) for a chance to win dinner for two at Susanna Foo’s!

Website: Check out our prelaunch site: MainLineRestaurantWeek.com. The full site will be up in a few weeks with our growing list of awesome participating restaurants!

Facebook: Join our Main Line Restaurant Week Facebook fan page for updates and info all summer long!

Guidelines: This event is for attendees 21 and over. Children are not permitted. No cameras are allowed at AML events outside of working local media or approved food bloggers.

With Conshohocken’s only open air dining setting, The Stone Rose Restaurant has become a popular neighborhood destination.

AML’s Monday Night Meetup, our fun, regular social get-together, returns this Monday evening, June 21st, at Conshohocken’s popular Stone Rose Restaurant. Stone Rose opened last October with owner Brian Pieri, a former executive in the financial industry, and executive chef Jason Mase spearheading one of the Philly’s burbs hottest new dining spots.

Stone Rose is tucked away off the main stream of restaurants in Conshohocken near the corner of 9th and Fayette—across from the Conshy Fire Department. The welcoming exterior with outdoor seating gives way to a cozy and sexy upscale neighborhood restaurant inside. The front room boasts a beautiful fifteen seat bar. The ‘Rose’ also has an intimate back room, rustic Italian accents and Conshy’s only open air dining setting.

Mase is a North Central, PA native who has been a chef for nineteen years. He joined The Stone Rose shortly after their opening last fall and boasts experience as the executive chef at The Guard House in Gladwyne and at The Four Seasons downtown. The cuisine is largely American continental with international influences. “We are fine dining with a comfort food spin. We try to use local, organic produce resourced from Southeastern PA,” explained Mase. His braised short ribs over homemade mac and cheese, a signature dish influenced by Jason’s mother’s recipe, is offered as an appetizer or entrée, a Rose customer favorite. In addition, pan seared diver scallops with prosciutto and pea risotto with roasted mushrooms in a mushroom cream sauce are a menu highlight. For a steady lunch crowd, Mase’s diners often order the seared burger, cooked in a cast iron pan on a bed of kosher salt—with Spanish onions, homemade French fries, and remoulade on a challah roll. And, beer geeks will be glad to know that Stone Rose only serves local beers on tap.

Crab and Avocado Salad

As for Pieri, a Conshohocken native, dashing entrepreneur and Penn State grad, the restaurant world is a new venture as he spent his first ten years out of college building a very successful career as a stock broker. Pieri met Mase through a friend and brought on lifelong friend Jim Maglio as general manager. Thanks to Pieri’s savvy marketing skills on their popular Twitter account (StoneRoseConshy), the restaurant has become the buzz of the burbs. “I was very aware of marketing strategies and client relations in my previous career. I kind of laugh when I see restaurants tweeting in all caps, or only using Twitter to talk about themselves and their daily menu ad naseum. It is a great connector and really a shared network—we have had dozens of customers walk through the door (from Twitter) and ask for me personally. That has been a large part of our early success,” said Pieri.

Stone Rose owner Brian Pieri will be our gracious host for AML’s next Monday Night Meetup.

As for the name, the restaurant is Pieri’s way of honoring his mother Rose, who he lost to cancer five years ago. “Everything here is personal—has personal meaning and is connected to my life. The pictures on the wall are my family and their vineyards from Italy. Jim came from a family of stone masons—so that’s how Stone Rose came about. This is my neighborhood, my customers are like family to me and it’s been a dream of mine,” explained Pieri.

AML Monday Night Meetup at Stone Rose Conshohocken

When: Monday June 21st 6-8pm

Where: Stone Rose Restaurant, 822 Fayette Street, Conshohocken

RSVP: Respond on our Facebook fan page.

Details: Monday Night Meetups are free and all are welcome to attend, 21 and over. No children permitted.

Phone: 484-532-7300

Website: www.thestoneroserestaurant.com

Facebook: StoneRose Conshohocken

Twitter: StoneRoseConshy

Nectar executive chef and partner Patrick Feury is hosting a beer dinner with his brother, chef Terence Feury, and Bill Covalescki of Victory Brewery.

The bad news? Philly Beer Week is coming to an end. The good news? If you have not had time to partake in the hundreds of events across the city and suburbs this week, a fantastic finale is planned this Sunday at Bryn Mawr’s popular pan-Asian restaurant, Nectar.

Executive chef and partner Patrick Feury has teamed up with Downingtown’s Victory Brewery and his brother, Fork executive chef Terence Feury, to launch Fists of Feury. Fists is an English pale ale created via the Victory collaboration. It is only available at Nectar, Old City’s Fork and Victory while the batches last. Sunday both Feury brothers and Victory’s Bill Covaleski will host a special four course beer dinner at Nectar, with one seating, starting at 5 p.m.

AroundMainLine.com: Chef Feury, I love that, as one of the Main Line’s most prestigious and respected chefs, you are vested in beer and food pairings. How did this event and relationship between Nectar and Victory come about?

Patrick Feury: I’ve known Bill (Covaleski) for many years and I’ve been home brewing since I was very young. So we decided to do a beer that was ‘chef driven’ and paired well with food. It’s the perfect marriage and it’s been a great learning experience for Terry and me.

AML: What inspired you to brew an English pale ale specifically?

PF: My mom was born in England and my dad is first generation Irish. We really wanted a brew that was similar to our heritage and so Terry and I took English hops and American hops and came up with Fists.

AML: I guess we can let everyone in on the ‘secret weapon’ in Fists of Feury-rosemary.

PF: I use rosemary a lot in my food at Nectar as a background accent that people may not realize is in their food. Even my citrus vinaigrette that I use for my salads has rosemary. I thought rosemary would be fun in the beer!

AML: Count me in for Sunday night! What can the diners expect with this event?

PF: We designed the dinner to be a loose, fun party atmosphere, with stellar food, for everyone on Sunday. Its not so structured as you would think for a four course dinner. We will also be serving Victory’s Summer Love ale-and Bill has never launched two ales at once which I think beer lovers will appreciate. Its really going to be fun.

Fists of Feury Beer Dinner at Nectar

When: Sunday June 13th 5 p.m. Please arrive by 5 p.m. as there is one seating.

Where: Nectar Restaurant, Bryn Mawr

What: A special four course dinner celebrating the release of Fists of Feury, a limited release English pale ale

Cost: $55 per person, beer included, gratuity is additional

Reservations: Call Nectar for reservations, seating is limited: 610-725-9000

Address: 1091 East Lancaster Avenue, Berwyn

Website: www.tastenectar.com

Facebook Fan Page: Nectar Restaurant and Lounge

Prep School 101 blogger Jennifer Grove
Photo courtesy of Jubilee Photography

Baltimore’s Jennifer Grove, 35, is a single mom to five-year-old Calista and one savvy blogger and businesswoman. Grove created the blog Prep School 101 in May 2009 after writing a fashion and entertainment blog for several years. Grove saw very strong reader feedback when she posted personal pictures and stories and, most importantly, her recipes. Her ex-husband was a sommelier in Manhattan and she spent ten years dining in New York’s finest restaurants, developing a sophisticated palette.

Over 5,000 unique visitors a week across the country checked in on Prep School 101-a chic mix of East Coast fashion, food, wine, family fun, and more. As if the blog and her duties as a single mom didn’t keep her occupied enough, Jennifer recently launched a brand new website and company in late October. A few weeks ago, this mompreneur began her second business venture with Sky Blue Events (www.skyblue-events.com), a Baltimore-based wedding and event planning company. Sky Blue designs and provides consulting services for stylish soirées, private gatherings, formal affairs, chic weddings, milestone celebrations, store openings and corporate functions throughout the Baltimore region.

Now, Grove takes those memories (and very loyal audience) and her current fun family times with Calista (and her boyfriend) to her popular new blog, blog.skyblue-events.com. With everything Jennifer is successfully juggling, we asked her to offer AML fans one of her delicious seasonal recipes from her Prep School repertoire! And, we were thrilled when Jennifer said she was game. Grove’s own take on an American classic, deep dish apple pie, is below.

Bon Appétit!

Deep Dish Apple Pie

Bring fresh apples home from a nearby orchard, like Media’s Linvilla, for your delicious Deep Dish Apple Pie recipe.

Pie Crust:

3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
3/4 pound (3 sticks) cold, unsalted butter, cut into bits
3/4 cup ice water

Directions for pie crust:

Using two pastry blenders or a food processor blend the flours, salt and sugar to combine. Add butter and blend or process until butter is incorporated and mixture is coarse. Slowly add 1/2 to 3/4 cup ice water until the dough holds together. Do not overwork the dough.

Turn dough out onto a piece of plastic wrap. Press into a flattened circle and wrap up with the plastic. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before using.

Filling:

All-purpose flour (for dusting)
2 pounds of Gala apples
2 pounds Granny Smith apples
2 pounds Empire apples
4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 cup sugar
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
6 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into 6-tablespoons
1 large egg yolk
Sugar (for sprinkling)

Directions for filling and assembly:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Place three-quarters of the pie crust on a lightly floured work surface and roll into a 12-inch-diameter circle, 1/8 inch thick. Brush off excess flour; roll dough around the rolling pin and lift it over your deep-dish pie pan. Gently press the dough into the pan and into the corners. Trim the dough so that it hangs over pie plate by about 1/4 inch. Roll out the remaining dough to a 10-inch-diameter circle and transfer it to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Put both crusts in the refrigerator to chill.

Peel, core and cut apples into 1/4-inch-thick slices. As you go along, place the slices in a large bowl and sprinkle them with the lemon juice to prevent discoloration. In a small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon. Toss apple slices with the sugar mixture.

Divide the butter between 2 large skillets and melt over medium-high heat. Divide the apples between skillets, and cook, stirring often, until sugar melts and apples are golden (but still firm) and coated in syrup approximately 8-10 minutes.

Remove the crusts from the refrigerator; transfer cooked apples to prepared pie pan and make a mound of the apples at the center. Whisk egg yolk with 2 tablespoons water to make an egg glaze. Brush glaze on edge of dough. Center the rolled pie dough over apples. Tuck edges of the top crust between pie pan and bottom crust. Using your fingers, gently press crusts together along edge, and crimp.

Using a fork, prick the pie crust in several places. Using a knife cut several steam vents into crust, in a circle. Brush surface with egg glaze, and sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon sugar. Collar the crust with foil. Bake pie until golden brown on top, about 15 minutes. Remove foil collar and reduce heat to 350 degrees. Bake until the crust is crisp and the apples are soft, 45 to 50 minutes more. Let stand at least 30 minutes before serving.

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

For more fantastic, seasonal recipes, check out Jennifer’s new blog, blog.skyblue-events.com. Did you make this recipe? Let us know how it turned out! Feel free to comment below.

The area’s top culinary talent will be on hand at the Wachovia Center for Appetite for Awareness on September 30th.

You’ve probably heard the term ‘gluten-free’ by now, or, most likely know someone who is not able to include gluten in their daily diet. Celiac disease, which is an autoimmune disorder that involves intolerance for the protein found in wheat (known as gluten), affects 1 in 133 Americans. And through their annual event, an Ambler-based nonprofit is working to make Philadelphia one of the top cities in America dedicated to raising awareness and education about celiac disease.

Tonight, September 30th, the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness will hold its annual Appetite for Awareness: A Gluten-Free Cooking Spree. Top chefs and doctors will be assembled into teams at the Wachovia Center in a challenge to create the best gluten-free dish. Guests will enjoy sampling gluten-free creations from over twenty-five of the area’s preeminent restaurants, gluten-free beer, wine, and products from over fifty of the nation’s finest gluten-free vendors.

Now in its sixth year, Appetite for Awareness is the largest and most innovative educational program dedicated to the topic of celiac disease. Comcast Spectacor Chairman Ed Snider, who is a member of the NFCA Board of Directors, generously donated the use of the Wachovia Center for the event last year. Alice Bast, a celiac herself and the Executive Director and founder of NFCA, met with Snider six years ago after a personal connection led her to find out he had been hospitalized and diagnosed with celiac disease. “Ed saw the passion and energy we had with NFCA; he saw that the NIH had given us a grant. That is how the relationship started and we were off and running-we brought Jefferson and CHOP right on board with the organization. I promised Ed that we were going to change the face of this disease nationwide-right here in Philadelphia,” explained Bast.

Spearheaded by Comcast Spectacor Chairman Ed Snider, pictured center, Philadelphia’s top medical professionals and premier chefs will unite to increase awareness of celiac disease and the gluten-free lifestyle.

Last year, NFCA anticipated that they would have about 750 attendees for their first Appetite at The Wachovia Center. Over 1500 attendees enjoyed the event. Bast emphasized that Appetite is a night for foodies across the Philadelphia region to appreciate that learning about celiac disease, a serious medical and sometimes life-threatening condition, can be an enlightening experience. “We always joke with the event and say Appetite answers one of the country’s most pressing questions ‘Who has bigger egos, the chefs or the doctors?’ It always makes people stop in their tracks and think-of course we are joking! This is one competitive atmosphere. Tapping into competition is our strategy for spreading the word and making our lives better, creating collaborations, developing new relationships and educating Philadelphia and the country that we can live and thrive with celiac disease. For the chefs, they get to cook and experiment with gluten-free grains that they maybe never considered using before in their repertoire. We want everyone to walk away from the night knowing gluten-free can be delicious!”

Cooking challenges are part of the festive atmosphere expected to draw 3,000 attendees.

In conjunction with Appetite for Awareness, all participating restaurants receive training in gluten-free kitchen protocol through NFCA’s Gluten-Free Resource Education Awareness Training (GREAT) program. Philadelphia’s fabulous restaurants participating include Vetri, Osteria, Distrito, Chifa, and Little Fish. Christina Pirello, Emmy Award-winning host of the national public television series ‘Christina Cooks’, will emcee the event.

Chef Marshall Green of Café Estelle, in South Philly, is one dozens of local restaurants who will be participating this year. At Appetite for Awareness, Green will be serving a delicious potato latke bound with rice flour, a crispy potato pancake, complimented by a sliced brisket and accented with a dollop apple sauce in honor of the upcoming Hanukkah season. His current menu at Café Estelle has numerous gluten-free options for his customers. “When you are serving the public you have to take into account everyone’s different tastes, needs and dietary restrictions. We do all of our baking here in house at Café Estelle, so we are very cognizant of what our ingredients are in our dishes. Besides customers with celiac disease, we cater to any specific allergy or restriction. It’s really not difficult as a restaurant if you are using the highest quality ingredients and, as a chef, you are educated about the importance of truly serving a gluten-free menu item,” explained Green.

Due to the efforts of the NFCA, Philadelphia is now the first recognized gluten-free, celiac friendly city in the U.S.

Appetite for Awareness 2009: Wachovia Center Sept. 30th

WHEN: Wednesday, September 30th 2009, 7:00pm. – 9:30pm, VIP reception from 5:30pm-7:00pm.

WHERE: The Wachovia Center, 3601 Broad Street, Philadelphia.

WHY: Appetite for Awareness is one of the leading educational events dedicated to celiac disease. By uniting foodservice and healthcare professionals, this innovative event integrates the medical and lifestyle aspects of the disease and increases understanding of the autoimmunedisorder among these critical populations. Together, the participating doctors and chefs will expand Philadelphia’s Gluten-Free Neighborhood, first in the US, while serving as exemplary models for promoting awareness of celiac and the health of those who suffer nationwide.

HOW: Register online at www.celiaccentral.org. Admission fees are $250 VIP reception, $75 Early Bird Registration ($100 General Admission after September 1st), and $35 for students (with valid ID).

HONOREE: The NFCA will be honoring John Binswanger and his family for their leadership and support in building NFCA over the last five years.

BACKGROUND: The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) is a non- profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funding for celiac disease that will advance research, education and screening amongst medical professionals, children and adults. Visit celiaccentral.org for more information.

AML Fans: Mark your calendars for the 7th Annual West Chester Rotary Chili Cookoff, Sunday October 11th from Noon to 3pm! We will be there with a table to meet and great all of our loyal supporters.

Chili lovers across the Delaware Valley-rejoice! There’s a whole lotta cookin’ going on for the upcoming West Chester Rotary Chili Cookoff. The 7th annual event, hosted by the town’s Rotary Club, is a food and chili aficionados dream. The Cookoff returns to downtown West Chester on Sunday, October 11th from noon to 3pm.

Comcast Spotlight is one of the major corporate sponsors who have supported the community event from its inception.Their tented area will keep ‘hungry’ Eagles fans satisfied as they are bringing in large big screen televisions and a makeshift sports lounge to accommodate the crowd. Those attendees whose snag a lucky seat, and some delicious chili, can sit back and capture the Birds 1pm kickoff as they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Scott Mays, a regional director of sales for Comcast Spotlight’s Metro Philadelphia division, says the Chili Cookoff is a great way to connect one-on-one with the community. “It’s a lot of family fun, a lot of organizations come together to cook their best chili and it’s something Comcast looks forward to each year. It’s a great value as well; you pay your fee and off you go to enjoy a fantastic fall afternoon in West Chester. It’s the perfect town and makes for a wonderful day out with family and friends,” said Mays.

www.westchesterchilicookoff.com

Over 60 teams will compete for the People’s Choice Award and the acclaim of having the “Best Darn Chili in Chester County.” These teams will also compete in one of five divisions: Business, Restaurant, Non-Profit, Volunteer Organization or Hometown Cook (for family, friends and neighbors). Thousands of hungry chili fans are expected to gather on Gay Street to vote for their favorite chili and enjoy over forty food, business and craft vendors, as well.

Leigh Timberman of Infiniti of West Chester, the presenting sponsor, says for those who have not had the pleasure of experiencing this great Chester County community event, it’s always a terrific party. “The number one reason we love the Chili Cookoff is that we get to see so many people that are current customers of ours and socially reconnect, shake hands and see how they are doing. And, secondly, the atmosphere is fantastic-it is jammed packed with people, everyone is in a big party mentality and the vendors really take the Cookoff seriously,” explained Timberman. Car lovers will appreciate that Infiniti will be proudly showcasing the new G37 convertible at their tent. It’s an exciting, sleek addition to their line as the three-piece retractable hardtop is the first convertible for Infiniti in over a decade.

7th Annual West Chester Rotary Chili Cookoff 2009

So you think you make the Best Darn Chili?

Hurry and enter your chili team online before the final team deadline of September 16. Win cash prizes in five competitive divisions: Restaurant, Business, Non-Profit, Hometown Cook, or Volunteer Organization. Each team will prepare their best darn chili and submit a sample to our panel of local “celebrity judges” who will name the Best Chili in each category. Chili teams can apply online.

Website: www.westchesterchilicookoff.com

Host: West Chester Rotary

What: 7th Annual West Chester Rotary Chili Cookoff

Where: Downtown West Chester, PA on Gay Street from High St. to New St. and Chestnut to Market Sts. This is a rain or shine event.

AroundMainLine.com is proud to be a Platinum Sponsor of this year’s West Chester Rotary Chili Cookoff.

When: October 11, 2009, Noon to 3pm, Gates open at 10:30, Awards at 3:30pm

Why: The Chili Cookoff is the largest and most profitable fundraiser for the West Chester Rotary Club. Proceeds go directly to programs that the Rotary Club of West Chester supports.

How: Purchase your $10 All-You-Can-Eat Chili wristbands at the event’s sales booths located on each corner of Gay Street during the event. Discounted wristbands available now on line or at the Chamber of Commerce office: 3/$25 from now until Friday, Oct. 9, 2009.

Wristbands: All-You-Can-Eat-Chili wristbands can be purchased on-line prior to the event at a discounted price of 3/$25 at westchesterchilicookoff.com. Wristbands can be purchased the day of the event for $10 at sales booth located at each corner of Gay Street between High Street and New Street.

Fun For The Kids: Kids ten and under eat free with a paid adult. Take your lil’ buckaroos to the YMCA Kiddie Korral for face painting, Moon Bounce fun, arts & crafts and fun games.

Eagles Fans: Never Fear, The Birds are Here! Eagles Fans can watch the Birds take on the Bucs at the Comcast Spotlight Sports Booth/Tent. Several wide screen flat screens are going to cover all the exciting Eagles grid iron action. What could be better than chili and a big Birds win on a crisp fall afternoon?

Cash Prizes: Winner of the 2009 People’s Choice Award will receive a grand prize of $300. Each divisional Chili winner will receive a $250 prize.

No No’s: No Alcohol and No Pets. The West Chester Police will strictly enforce this policy.

PARKING IS FREE. Several parking garages are a short walk to the Chili Cookoff. Remember the Moestellar Garage is being torn down, so your best bet is to go to the one on High Street, right past Market Street. Attendees are also encouraged to park at the Justice Center Garage on Market Street, near Darlington. Street parking is also available.