Photos courtesy of Betsy Barron Photography

Bredenbeck’s Strawberry Shortcake

A delicious day—every day. Bredenbeck’s Bakery has been a Philadelphia and Main Line tradition since 1889. This year Bredenbeck’s will be part of our AroundMainLine.com holiday memories with their delicious petit fours, strawberry shortcake, a Jewish apple loaf cake and a fancy miniatures platter!

Check out their delectable Easter and Passover menus below. If you need to order for your holiday celebrations, be sure to call the bakery today: 215.247.7374 or email: sales@bredenbecks.com

Have a blessed holiday week, friends.

Sarah Lockard
AroundMainLine.com CEO

Easter Menu

Gourmet Cupcakes

Chickadees $3.95/each
Vanilla layer cake iced in yellow fondant, sweetly decorated to look like a chickadee.

Easter Basket Cupcakes $2.75/each
Vanilla or chocolate layer cake topped with with jelly beans. Pipecleaners and green coconut “grass” make this look like an adorable Easter basket.

Cakes

Easter Egg Cake $16.95
Butter pound cake covered in pink, yellow or chocolate fondant and festively decorated.

Strawberry Shortcake 7” $19.95 9” $25.95
Layer cake with real whipped cream and giant fresh strawberries

Easter Bunny Cake $16.95
Vanilla or chocolate layer cake with fresh shredded coconut, adorably decorated like a bunny

NEW! Triple Shot Cake 7” $29.95 9” $35.95
Moist chocolate cake soaked in coffee liqueur, filled with rich chocolate ganache, with coffee chocolate icing

Carrot Cake 7” $21.95 9” $29.95
Moist carrot cake with cream cheese icing

NEW! Tres de Leche Torte 4” $21.95 7” 29.95
Vanilla layer cake soaked with tres wash and iced in whipped cream, topped with assorted fruit

Snickers Bar $14.95
Butter pound cake tiered with dulce de leche, caramel and salted nuts. Coated in rich chocolate

NEW! Orange Peach Cake 9” $29.95
Fresh orange peach pound cake filled with hazelnut praline, iced with peach cream cheese

Petits Fours $17.95/pound
Vanilla or chocolate, iced in pastel colors with Easter decorations
Approx. 16/pound

Passover Menu

Loaf Cakes $8.95/ea
Chocolate Chip, Jewish Apple, Honey

Chocolate Flourless Cake
7” $24.95 9” $32.95
Rich chocolate cake with a mirror-like chocolate glaze

Macaroons $13.95/pound (Approx. 16/pound)
Coconut, Chocolate Coconut, Almond, Chocolate Almond

Matzoh Cheesecake
7” $23.95 9” $29.95
Creamy cheesecake with matzoh crust, topped with fresh fruit

Be Social with Bredenbeck’s Bakery

Join Bredenbeck’s Bakery on Facebook
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About Bredenback’s Bakery

Bredenbeck’s Bakery is located at 8126 Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill. To place your order for Easter or Passover call 215.247.7374 or email sales@bredenbecks.com.

Photos courtesy of Courtney Apple Photography

Upcoming Mica tasting menus courtesy of Chef Roman focus on suckling pig and beef.

Mica, Chip Roman’s newest restaurant located in the heart of historic Chestnut Hill, has rolled out a special summer four-course tasting menu. Mica’s Wednesday tastings, $45 per person not including tax or gratuity, will focus around one ingredient. As far as we’re concerned, there’s no better way to celebrate mid-week than by indulging in Mica’s Wednesday Tastings and the fine talents of Chef Roman and staff!

Upcoming Mica Tasting Menus

Suckling Pig (Weds. June 13, 2011)

First Course:
Tete de Cochon
Pickles and Mustard

Second Course:
“Scrapple”
Coddled Egg, Arugula, Charred Onion

Third Course:
Roast
Baby Vegetables, Natural Jus

Fourth Course:
Watermelon Jello
Lime, Vanilla

Beef (Weds. June 22, 2011)

First Course:
Tartar
Potato Skins, Barbeque Sauce,

Second Course:
Beef and Broccoli Hearts
Dr. Pepper, Cippolini Onions

Third Course:
Hanger
Heart of Palm, Grapes, Chimi Curi

Fourth Course:
Peach Cobbler

Related News and Notes

Congrats to Mica Chef Jason Chichonski who will be spearheading a new restaurant at 3rd and Bainbridge-the former Ansill space. The 26-year-old former Lacroix chef will be focusing on a progressive American menu. No word on the restaurant’s name or targeted opening date.

Mica is located at 8609 Germantown Ave in Philadelphia, PA 19118. Visit their website at www.micarestaurant.com. For reservations, call 267-335-3912.

By AML Publisher
Photos courtesy of Vida Carson Photography

Want to win a $200 Gift Certificate to O’Doodles? Comment below to qualify for our December 5th drawing!

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you everyone who participated! Congratulations to Lauren W. for winning the $200 gift certificate to O’Doodles Toy Store in Chestnut Hill!

It is the MOST wonderful time of the year! And, to celebrate the holiday season, AroundMainLine.com is launching a full series of fabulous holiday giveaways. We have awesome gifts for you to qualify to win that will make fantastic presents to fulfill your holiday list.

First up is an exciting $200 gift certificate to O’Doodles Toy Store in Chestnut Hill! Comment below between now and 9pm, Sunday, December 5th, 2010 for a chance to win!

In business for over a decade, O’Doodles is a family toy store where you can find the perfect gift for children up to twelve years, plus some goofy gifts parents and grandparents want to own for themselves.

O’Doodles lives by the philosophy that the best toys are ‘Toys Unplugged.’ Their toys are powered by imagination! This award winning, specialty toy shop features tons of unique and creative craft kits along with puzzles and the largest selection of board games in the area.

Website: www.odoodles.com
Location: 8335 Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill, 19118
Telephone: 215.247.7405; Fax Number: 215.247.9022
Store Hours: Monday- Friday 10am-6pm, Saturdays 10:00am-6pm, Sundays 11am-5pm. Customer Service Hours are 10:00am to 5:00pm EST. Weekdays

1. PROMOTION PERIOD. Promotion begins on announced time EST (“Promotion Period”). All entries must be received by the announced time (EST) to be eligible for that day’s drawing.
2. ELIGIBILITY. This giveaway is only open to legal residents of the 50 United States and District of Columbia who are at least 18 years old as of the date of entry, except officers, directors, members, and employees of the Sponsor, the judging organization (if applicable), or any other party associated with the development or administration of this Promotion, and the immediate family (i.e., parents, children, siblings, spouse), and persons residing in the same household, as such individuals. This Promotion is void outside the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, and where prohibited.
3. WINNER SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION. The sole winner will be drawn from all entries received during the announced Promotional Period using a randomized computer numerical system, random.org.
4. TAXES. All federal, state and/or local income and other taxes, if any, are the winner’s sole responsibility.
5. ODDS OF WINNING. The odds of winning this Promotion depend on the number of eligible entries received.
6. Winner will be announced on aroundmainline.com, Facebook (www.facebook.com/aroundmainline) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/aroundmainline).

By AML Publisher
Photos not credited are courtesy of Belle Vie Photography

All Aboard!
Ride the rails with Santa and Mrs. Claus this holiday season!

West Chester Railroad
The Santa Express
Every weekend through December 20th
Train Departs at 11am, 1 and 3pm
West Chester, PA
www.westchesterrr.com
Adults $15, Children 2+ $10

A ride on the West Chester Railroad’s Santa Express this holiday season offers kids young and old a trip back to a simple time along the beautiful Chester Creek in Chester County. The route is part of the old Pennsylvania Railroad central division on the West Chester and Phoenixville branch.

Christmas Tree Train – New for 2010!
Sundays December 12th & 19th
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM

West Chester Railroad is hosting its first Christmas Tree train this holiday season! For the first time, we have partnered with Wiggins Tree Farm in West Chester, PA. The train will board at the intersection of Adams St. and Nields St. There is a gravel parking lot at the intersection. Visit www.wigginschristmastrees.com for additional information about the tree farm. All trees have the special price of $40 for all Tree Train ticket holders.
Read the full story

By AML Publisher
Photos by Vida Carson

O’Doodles owner Fran O’Donnell embraces an ‘unplugged’ philosophy when it comes to his toy store.

Since 1997, Chestnut Hill’s renowned toy store O’Doodles has prided itself on its motto: “Toys Unplugged!” Owner Fran O’Donnell believes in bringing back the good ole days of play with his style of inventory which is, for the past, not powered by any electronics. So, you won’t find any DVDs, PS3s or Wii anywhere ‘round these parts. Instead, O’Doodles aisles are filled with puzzles, board games, books, stuffed animals and more. “I think nowadays everyone is so plugged in with either organized sports, activities or electronics-and that to kids now is defined as ‘play’. We firmly believe here at O’Doodles in a back-to-the-basics philosophy and introducing the fun of playing and encouraging imagination. So, by embracing the idea of only having toys that are powered by a child’s creativity, we offer a unique and exciting selection for parents,” explained O’Donnell.
Read the full story

By AML Publisher
Chestnut Hill photos courtesy of Vida Carson
Narberth Photos (including homepage featured shot) courtesy of Donald Groff
Photo of Finer Things courtesy of Mary Kate Burgess

Looking for a fun holiday guide for the next few weekends? We have got you covered with six super towns that are pulling out all the stops to entertain and delight the young and old.

The most cherished holiday tradition in Chestnut Hill is its Stag & Doe Nights which will be held on Wednesdays: December 9th, 16th and 23rd. Pictured is a holiday display in Robertson’s Florist.

Chestnut Hill
Holidays on the Hill
December 2nd through December 24th
www.chestnuthill.org

Discover wonderful holiday design ideas this weekend at the Chestnut Hill Holiday House Tour on Saturday, December 5th. Five magnificent homes, each with unique design and architectural styles, will be professionally decorated for the holidays and open from 10 am to 4 pm.

The most cherished holiday tradition in Chestnut Hill is its Stag & Doe Nights which will be held on Wednesdays, December 9th, 16th and 23rd, from 6 to 9 pm. Shops offer evening hours with wine and cheese or cocoa and cookies. Live music, roasting chestnuts, carolers and merriment make the nights come alive with joy and holiday spirit. And everyone looks forward to greeting Santa as he, too, enjoys the fun of Stag & Doe. New this year is Girls Night Out on Wednesday evening, December 2nd from 6 to 9 pm. Participating shops will offer lots of goodies and the ladies can get a head-start on their holiday revelry (and shopping, too).
Read the full story

Photos courtesy of Kevin E. McPherson

Part 3 of our 3 Part Series: AroundMainLine.com takes you for an exclusive, online tour of the 2008 PSPCA designer show house.

Dear AML Readers:

Every Dog Has Its Day
Designer Jim Fulton of Philadelphia's Fury Design (www.furydesigninc.com) with his French Bulldog Henry

This is AML’s third and final installment of our three-part series highlighting the PSPCA’s 2008 Doghaus. This has been such a rewarding experience for the entire AroundMainLine.com team. Animal causes are of great importance to me personally; over the past few years, I have been deeply disturbed by the number of animal-cruelty incidents exposed by the local and national media. As you may know, Philadelphia has one of the highest rates of dog-fighting of any city in America. This is really not the forum to ask why…but we should all be thinking about what we can do to protect these animals from such unimaginable circumstances.

Contributing to the PSPCA is a great first step — right now, you can donate just twenty-five dollars and get the chance to tour an incredible designer show house to boot. Doghaus waits for you to walk through its doors, which close after November 9th. So, here is your final chance to visit the Edgcumbe House in Chestnut Hill. Make sure you pencil some time into your busy schedule—you will not be disappointed!

Read the full story

Photos courtesy of Kevin E. McPherson

Part 2 of our 3 Part Series: AroundMainLine.com takes you for an exclusive online tour of the 2008 PSPCA designer show house.

Lucky Dog!
Media Night gave AML mascot Max a chance to schmooze with NBC10's Dawn Timmeney

Dear AML Readers:

This is AML’s second installment of our three-part series highlighting the PSPCA’s 2008 Doghaus. Sometimes when a fantastic charitable cause includes a beautiful venue and a slew of cocktail parties and socials, it’s easy to get caught up in the fun and forget the real purpose of the event. And, I can admit that I have been guilty of that on many occasions. However, this exciting and creative effort, that has resulted in one of the most beautiful show houses I’ve ever laid eyes on, keeps front-of-mind the fact that every single visitor who walks in the door will be contributing to the heroic efforts of the PSPCA.

The Pennsylvania SPCA (www.pspca.org) helps over 75,000 animals a year through their cruelty-and-neglect investigations, rescue efforts, medical programs, and adoption programs. I recently visited the website of the Main Line Animal Rescue (www.mlar.org) and saw the loving, beautiful faces of hundreds of animals waiting for a chance at a new beginning. And, that is just one shelter! When you think of the difference it would make if just a handful of pet owners were a bit more responsible and had their pets spayed or neutered, there would not be such a national crises. Unfortunately, that is not the reality we are facing.

Read the full story

By AML Publisher
Photos courtesy of Kevin E. McPherson

Edgcumbe House, Doghaus 2008
Chestnut Hill, PA

AroundMainLine.com takes you for an exclusive online tour of the 2008 PSPCA designer show house.

Dear AML Readers:

The Pennsylvania SPCA (PSPCA) is hosting its third annual DogHaus, a highly anticipated designer show house organized every other fall that brings together some of the Main Line and Philadelphia’s most innovative designer minds. All proceeds for the event support the PSPCA’s efforts to help abused and neglected animals throughout the state. Starting October 11th, the PSPCA will welcome thousands of visitors to the Edgcumbe House in Chestnut Hill. The estate is an impressive 10,000 square foot stone mansion built in 1861 that dominates a spacious private property on exclusive Norwood Avenue. The Chestnut Hill Historical Society prevented this architectural masterpiece (which was then owned by Chestnut Hill Hospital) from demolition in 1980. The house is now in private ownership.

Read the full story