Featured photo of Ruth’s Chris Steak House courtesy of Betsy Barron Photography. A la Maison Bistro photo courtesy of Courtney Apple Photography.

A la Maison Bistro in Ardmore has a fantastic dinner menu planned for New Year’s Eve along with a Christmas Eve brunch not to be missed.

Thinking of dining out around the Main Line this year for New Year’s Eve? You are not alone. Over 100 million Americans will dine out this New Year’s Eve. AML hunted around and found the six top local spots. Happy New Year!

Sarah Lockard

A la Maison Bistro

Ardmore, PA
alamaisonbistro.com
Ardmore’s popular French BYO A la Maison Bistro has a fantastic New Year’s Eve night planned with a $160 three-course prix-fixe dinner per couple (plus dessert, live music and champagne). In addition, A la Maison is serving a Christmas Eve brunch with a buffet and a selection of a main course for $29. Call 484-412-8009 to make your reservations.

Redhound Grille

Paoli, PA
redhoundgrille.com
Paoli’ Redhound Grille has a fantastic New Year’s party planned! Enjoy a three-course prix-fixe dinner for $45, live music and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Guests will be shaking their tails into 2012 thanks to the popular band Special Brew’d. Visit redhoundgrille.com for additional details and a complete menu.

The Radisson Valley Forge

King of Prussia, PA
valleyforgenye.com
The Radisson’s popular masquerade party returns this year. Join guests in the Waterford Ballroom for an enchanting evening from 8:30 to 1:30 a.m. Tickets are $99 per person with tax and gratuity included. The Radisson will provide masks during the event but recommends you find an elegant mask to match your attire and personality! Guests will enjoy live music by Vibe Tribe, premium dinner and dessert stations, a deluxe bar package, champagne toast at midnight, party favors and masks, complimentary parking. Watch the ball drop live from New York City on the big screen at midnight! Cocktail party attire and masks are encouraged. For tickets call 610-354-8000. Overnight packages are also available—call 610-768-3215.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

King of Prussia, PA
ruthschriskop.com
Ring in the new year at one of the region’s most beloved steakhouses—King of Prussia’s Ruth’s Chris. Recently renovated and now serving lunch since December 1st, Ruth’s Chris has a fresh face and elegant new look. Book one of their private dining rooms for you and your friends and toast 2012 in style! Call Julie Devaney, director of private dining, at 610-992-1818 or email: sales.ruthschriskop@gmail.com.

Ella’s American Bistro

Wayne,PA
ellasamericanbistro.com
The Main Line’s hottest new restaurant, which opened Monday, December 19th, will be serving an exciting prix-fixe dinner menu throughout the evening on NYE. Ella’s American Bistro and Bar is an upscale casual restaurant with the focus on a local farm-to-table dining concept.

The Gables at Chadds Ford

Chadds Ford, PA
thegablesatchaddsford.com
The Gables offers one of the region’s most romantic dining scenes, as the historic building and barn dates back to the 1800’s. From 7pm to 10pm on NYE enjoy music and entertainment from Peter Scott Ruben, a popular Frank Sinatra impersonator. Celebrating the new year at The Gables is an excellent choice. You and your friends will have a fantastic night of dinner, music and dancing complimented by the festive atmosphere of the The Gables—gorgeously decorated for the holiday season.

Featured photo courtesy of Betsy Barron Photography. Photos of Wegmans and Silverspoon Café courtesy of Courtney Apple Photography. Dig In and Win logo design courtesy of Corey Weber Pontz Design Studio.

The Pub at Wegmans is part of Main Line Restaurant Week for the first time with both Collegeville and Malvern restaurants offering $20 dinner menus!

Main Line Restaurant Week, Philly’s largest suburban dining event, returns with dozens of the region’s top restaurants across the Main Line and western suburbs participating. Main Line Restaurant Week, celebrating its first anniversary, is being sponsored by Main Line Health and welcomes OpenTable back as its reservation partner.

Founded by AroundMainLine.com CEO Sarah Lockard in 2010, Main Line Restaurant Week kicks off Monday, September 26th and runs through Sunday, October 2nd. “I am thrilled to be celebrating our first anniversary with Main Line Restaurant Week. The response from the community over the past year has been exceptional and our amazing participating restaurants have embraced it 150%. When we launched last fall, the feedback we immediately heard was ‘Why didn’t someone think of this before?’ And we took that opportunity and really ran with it. Since then, our social media audiences have championed for us to keep the ball rolling and grow this event. Last fall was such an outstanding success we decided to make Main Line Restaurant Week a biannual event-our run this past spring was also very encouraging. Now, here we are with a year under our belt and another phenomenal group of restaurants and chefs to honor,” enthused Lockard.

Participating restaurants across the Main Line and Philadelphia’s western suburbs 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 $20, $30, or $40 per person.

Sponsored by Main Line Health

This Fall, Main Line Restaurant Week has welcomed a corporate sponsor—Main Line Health. “Main Line Health is a phenomenal, community-based health system and we are extremely proud to have their support of Restaurant Week. As a company, the community is everything to us and what makes us tick and having MLH with us is a true honor,” said Lockard.

Gluten-Free Menus

Silverspoon Café in Wayne offers several gluten-free options on their exciting, 3-course $30 Main Line Restaurant Week menu. Pictured here is their gluten-free entree: Crispy Salmon – potato and leek soubise, roasted tomato basil compote

New this fall for foodies is a focus on gluten-free menus and a fun promotion called ‘Dig In and Win.’ “We listen very closely to the valuable feedback of our Facebook fans and Twitter followers as we continue to evolve Main Line Restaurant Week and requests for gluten-free options were at the top of that list. With a nutrition background, I am cognizant of the importance of catering to celiacs and those with dietary restrictions who want to dine out and still enjoy phenomenal, gourmet cuisine. Many of our restaurants are offering several gluten-free options with their dinner menus or the opportunity to adjust those options for gluten-free customers. Silverspoon Cafe in Wayne, one of our exciting new restaurants, has a huge focus on gluten-free cuisine on a regular basis and their Main Line Restaurant Week menu reflects that,” explained Lockard.

‘Dig In and Win’

In addition, Dig In and Win is a new concept that rewards Main Line Restaurant Week fans and participating restaurants in a fun, interactive manner. Local foodies are encouraged to take a picture of their dining experiences at local restaurants who are listed on MainLineRestaurantWeek.com, upload a photo and caption to MainLineRestaurantWeek’s Facebook page and earn a chance to win a gift certificate to a participating Main Line Restaurant Week restaurant as their reward.

“We are so thankful to our restaurants who have embraced Main Line Restaurant Week and recognized the phenomenal exposure it offers them—so I’m constantly looking for additional ways to celebrate this group of chefs and restaurateurs. Our restaurants are the crème de la crème of the suburban dining scene and our amazing Facebook and Twitter fans are equal participants in this success. So, Dig In and Win brings them both together in an interactive fashion. Our fans have already started uploading photos and experiences on our Facebook page. For our restaurants, this is an awesome value that we are placing them on an permanent, prestigious radar of where to dine on the Main Line and around the western suburbs—not only during Restaurant Week-but throughout the year. As we evolve we are letting the community know that these are the best restaurants the burbs have to offer-bar none,” said Lockard.

Visit MainLineRestaurantWeek.com for a complete list of restaurants and menus participating this week!

Come be social with Main Line Restaurant Week!
Become a fan on Facebook
Follow Main Line Restaurant Week on Twitter

Photos courtesy of Courtney Apple Photography. Mondays Without Meat logo design courtesy of Sevag Creative Agency.

White Dog Wayne is resourcing its local farms for fresh, seasonal items to include in its exciting Mondays Without Meat menu options.

Beginning Monday, July 11th, AroundMainLine.com’s Mondays Without Meat encourages vegetarian options at local restaurants around the Main Line. Eight restaurants are participating and will be offering diner specials each of the four Mondays—through August 1st—focusing on new or prix fixe vegetarian appetizers and entrees.

It’s the perfect time of year to embrace the seasonal fruits and vegetables that our chefs across the region can resource. In addition, we are highlighting restaurants that have a special vested interest in their vegetarian customers.

We encourage you to make reservations for Mondays Without Meat this week. The full list of restaurants is below with many offering menu details. In addition, we will be updating AroundMainLine.com’s Facebook page as we receive restaurant information.

Follow Mondays Without Meat on Twitter: @MondaysWOMeat

A very sincere thanks to our fantastic participants and we hope you enjoy the inaugural Mondays Without Meat.

Bon Appetit!
Sarah Lockard
AroundMainLine.com Publisher

Eight Participating Restaurants for Mondays Without Meat

Alfredo BYO, Berwyn
Doc Magrogan’s Oyster House, West Chester
Gullifty’s, Rosemont
Harvest Seasonal Grill and Wine Bar, Glen Mills
Khajuraho India BYO, Ardmore
Red Hound Grille, Paoli
Saffron Indian Kitchen, Bala Cynwyd
White Dog Wayne

Mondays Without Meat Sample Menus

Restaurants may be offering additional or different options depending on the popularity of dishes. Sample menus are subject to availability.

Harvest Seasonal Grill and Wine Bar, Glen Mills

Spinach and Artichoke Dip Appetizer
Roasted Garlic, White Truffle Panko, Asiago Cream & Toasted Pita

Truffled Caprese Salad
Heirloom Tomatoes, House Made Mozzarella, White Truffle & Ricotta Cream

Pear and Blue Cheese Flatbread
Seasonal Pears, Birch Run Hills Farm Bleu Cheese, Baby Arugula & Fig Glaze

Tofu Stir Fry
Baby Bok Choy, Carrots, Pineapple, Yellow Peppers & Snow Peas

Choice of Dessert

Doc Magrogan’s Oyster House, West Chester

Cashew Encrusted Tilapia
Served with Jamaican Rum Butter Sauce and Mango Salsa

Thai Chili Glazed Tuna
Served with a Wakame Seaweed Salad and a Wasabi Sauce

Doc’s Salmon
Served over Sweet Potato and Crab Meat Hash with BBQ Burre Blanc

Saffron Indian Kitchen, Bala Cynwyd

Vegetarian prix fixe special:
$14.00 per person for 3 courses

Appetizer

Bekaneri Kabob-a crisp golden fried kabob made from grated vegetables and spices

Entree (choice of one)

Chana Saag-served with grilled tandoori vegetables and saffron rice

Navratan Korma-A blend of mix vegetables cooked in a creamy cashew sauce, served with grilled tandoori vegetables and saffron rice

Dessert (choice of one)

Naan or Whole Wheat Roti.

White Dog Wayne

Appetizers

Summer Fruit Salad—baby arugula, local berries, watermelon, feta cheese, marcona almonds, aged balsamic vinaigrette

DiBruno Brothers Burrata—heirloom tomatoes, torn croutons, basil pesto

Entrees

Vegetable Enchiladas—branch creek farm zucchini blossoms, fresh tomatillo puree, avocado, micro cilantro

Wood Grilled Tofu—red pepper coulis, eggplant caponata, olive tapanade

Alfredo BYO, Berwyn

(Additional vegetarian options will also be available during Mondays Without Meat)

Yellow Fin Tuna Tartare served with avocado

Olive Board, marinated mix & bagna cauda

Smoked Eggplant Braciole, filled with fresh house made ricotta, San Marzano salsa verde

Seasonal Homemade Gelato, daily selection

Khajuraho India BYO, Ardmore

Vegetarian prix fixe special:
$15.95 per person for 2 courses (appetizer and entree)
$17.95 per person for 3 courses (appetizer, entree and dessert)

Customers can choose from the current vegetarian menu options, plus the following:

Eggplant Spread (appetizer)

Pakora Curry (entree)

Redhound Grille, Paoli

July 11th

Mediterranean Plate
Homemade Hummus with grilled Pita Bread served with Olive Medley and Roasted Red Peppers

Falafel Sandwich
Falafel served on grilled Pita Bread with Hummus and fresh Bean Sprouts

July 18th

Arugula Salad
Herbed Goat Cheese Croquette, toasted Almonds and a Raspberry Vinagrette

Vegetarian Moussaka
Layers of Grilled Eggplant with fresh Tomato Basil Sauce and Mozzarella Cheese

July 25th

Chilled Melon Soup

Fresh Tomato Mozzarella Flatbread Pizza with fresh Basil

August 1st

Grilled Watermelon
Topped with wilted Mixed Greens, Goat Cheese and Balsamic Reduction

Potato Gnocchi
Baby Spinach, Roasted Butternut Squash, Exotic Mushrooms and a Mushroom Broth

Gullifty’s, Rosemont

Grilled Summer Vegetables (Vegan)
Served over short grain brown rice with a balsamic reduction

Baked Brie
Peach sauce, toasted pine nuts, fresh basil

Basil Pesto Pizza
Roasted red peppers

Fettucine Alfredo
Portobello mushrooms, red onion and fresh blueberries

Photos courtesy of Courtney Apple Photography

Old world country French flair is part of the appeal of the popular Main Line BYO, A la Maison bistro. A la Maison returns to Spring 2011 Main Line Restaurant Week with a 3 course dinner for $30.

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you to everyone who participated!

With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, we thought we would celebrate one of the Main Line’s most romantic dining spots—Ardmore’s A la Maison bistro. One very lucky AML fan will win a $100 gift certificate to the bistro by commenting below between now and 9pm Thursday, February 10th, 2011.

A fabulous French Bistro and BYO located in the heart of the Main Line, the winner will experience classic French comfort food in a relaxed setting accented by old world country French flair and great service. A la Maison returns to Spring 2011 Main Line Restaurant Week with a 3 course, prix-fixe dinner for $30.

For those looking for a fantastic dining experience for Valentine’s Day, Executive chef Sean McMonagle put together a special prix-fixe ‘aphrodisac’ menu complete with caviar, clams, lobster bouillabaisse and more.

Happy Valentine’s Day and good luck Main Line foodies and friends! Read the full story

By AML Publisher
Photos courtesy of Belle Vie Photography and Courtney Apple Photography

Have you made plans for your Valentine’s Day dinner? If not, no worries because AML has you covered here with six of the suburb’s best around the Main Line and beyond. And, that’s not all. Stay tuned for more dining suggestions and menus all this week on AroundMainLine.com’s Facebook page. Lastly, be sure to check out our $100 gift certificate giveaway from Ardmore’s A la Maison bistro—let AML treat you to an amazing experience at one the burbs best BYOs!

Happy Valentine’s Day!
Sarah Lockard
AroundMainLine.com ePublisher

AroundMainLine.com 2011 Valentine’s Day Main Line Dining Guide

Chocolate Terrine
macerated berries, raspberry sauce
Photo courtesy of Courtney Apple Photography

georges’
Friday, February 11th –
Monday February 14th
5:30pm-9:30pm
Eagle Village Shops
503 West Lancaster Avenue
Wayne, PA
610-964-8744
www.georgesonthemainline.com
Valentine’s Weekend Dinner Specials
A La Carte Menu Also Available

Appetizers
Housemade Potato Gnocchi
braised duck ragout, cremini mushrooms
$15

Lobster Bisque
croutons, crème fraiche, tarragon
$12

Roasted Pear Salad
endive, smoked bacon, roquefort, port vinaigrette
$10

Entrees
Braised Veal Osso Buco
roasted garlic pomme puree, fava beans,
baby carrots, red wine sauce
$38
Read the full story

Photos by Courtney Apple Photography

Main Line Restaurant Week is Philadelphia’s largest suburban dining event!

It was most certainly a week of culinary delights to remember! 38 restaurants participated in the inaugural Main Line Restaurant Week, organized by AroundMainLine.com. This incredible celebration of the region’s finest chefs proved to be the most successful restaurant event to date in the Philadelphia suburbs.

Main Line Restaurant Week, which offered fixed price dinner menus for the entire week of September 27th through October 3rd, brought tens of thousands of locals out to support the western suburbs’ tastiest restaurants. “I’m so proud to have worked closely with so many of the area’s best restaurants. There has never been a dining event of this magnitude in the suburbs and I felt our area was long overdue. Many restaurants are reporting they had record weeks or were sold out several of the nights, so I know we have a good thing going here. I am thrilled everything turned out so well!” enthused Main Line Restaurant Week founder Sarah Lockard. Read the full story

Photos courtesy of Courtney Apple Photography

Saffron Indian Kitchen, a popular BYOB with locations in both Bala Cynywd and Ambler, has received a tremendous response for reservations for Main Line Restaurant Week starting September 27th.

It is the Philadelphia suburb’s largest dining event ever—Main Line Restaurant Week! Created and organized by AroundMainLine.com, a week of culinary delights awaits thousands of foodies across the western suburbs starting tomorrow night, September 27th and running through October 3rd, 2010.

I have been a huge fan of the Main Line and western suburb dining scene having grown up here. And, we have some of the best chefs in the region and the most successful restaurants right in our own backyard. To me, it was due time to bring Main Line Restaurant Week to life this fall. When I announced the launch in early May, the immediate and enthusiastic response from our 2,200 AroundMainLine.com Facebook fans proved that we were on our way to a very successful event.

Here’s how it works. Our restaurants offer a prix fixe, three course dinner menu for one of the four tiers: dinner for $15, $20, $30 or $40. In addition, starting Monday night September 27th, we will kick off the first of eight special events that are a part of Main Line Restaurant Week with a ‘Monday Night Meetup’ at The Desmond in Malvern! Read the full story

By AML Publisher

Nectar’s beautiful outdoor deck overlooks an Asian garden.
Photo courtesy of Courtney Apple Photography

Ardmore

Plate
www.platerestaurant.com
Ever since Reese (Witherspoon) decided to dine frequently at Plate last summer while filming her movie with Paul Rudd, Plate has enjoyed a very sweet flurry of activity. For those wishing a meal outdoors, Plate offers a full-service outdoor dining area that seats 75. Their chic cedar pergola and café tables and chairs allow diners to savor a good meal while basking in the beautiful weather. Afterwards, take in all the great shopping Suburban Square (Lilly Pulitzer, Blue Mercury, and Ann Taylor) has to offer.

Read the full story

By AML Publisher
Featured photography courtesy of Belle Vie Photography

Chesapeake City, Maryland oozes with old world charm, quaint shops, gorgeous gardens and great dining. It’s a great daycation spot with mom and less than a 90 minute drive from the heart of the Main Line. Photo courtesy of Jubilee Photography

1) Chesapeake City, Maryland
www.chesapeakecity.com
Read our full story on Chesapeake City

Quaint, historic and charming Chesapeake City, Maryland-located in Cecil County-is a short and beautiful drive from Philly’s western suburbs. It is one wonderful daycation for a very deserving mom in your life! Chesapeake City’s historic area is on the National Historic Registry, as well as Maryland’s Historic Registry. The town has many restored historic homes, shops and galleries, featuring hand-painted originals and prints, antiques, collectibles, clothing, gifts and crafts.

Boasting a bevy of B&Bs, it’s a perfect getaway for mom and daughters or sisters for the holiday weekend. The town’s holiday dining spot for Mom’s Day is, without doubt, the Bayard House.The restaurant serves award-winning crab soup, tournedos Baltimore, and a breathtaking tableside view of the famous Chesapeake and Delaware Canal (C&D Canal), one of only two vital sea-level canals in the United States.

Additional sites include the Canal Museum, art galleries, summer concerts, boat tours, and tours of the nearby horse country. Convenient to several large cities on the east coast, this historic village on the banks of the C&D Canal is a favorite spot for those seeking a weekend getaway or a vacation retreat.
Read the full story

By AML Publisher
Photography provided by April Ziegler Photography, Bernadette Uzcategui and Stacey Granger/Life Art Imaging

My beautiful mother, Lisa Lockard, at a recent family wedding, dancing the night away. Photo courtesy of Joe Craig Photography www.joecraigphoto.com

It is one of the best holidays and a personal favorite—Mother’s Day! This year, the city and suburbs abound with so many great selections—classic and new—to consider for your special family celebration. Whether you are headed downtown, eyeing up the Main Line, or venturing out to the countryside, AML has done our due diligence to highlight thirteen terrific selections to choose from for Mother’s Day 2009. These are in no particular order…so sit back, grab your favorite beverage, and enjoy our suggestions for your important and fun celebration of the great women in your life. Whether you will be toasting with your own mom, an aunt, sister or dear friend, we wish you a meaningful and wonderful day filled with great memories and a whole lotta love.

Love You Mom!
Sarah Lockard
AML Publisher
Read the full story