Following the presentation, guests will receive a gluten-free product tour of Wegmans extensive gluten-free inventory.

May is Celiac Awareness Month. And for the thousands of celiacs diagnosed monthly across the Delaware Valley, Wegmans supermarket, in conjunction with The Celiac Center at Paoli Hospital, is hosting special in-store events (Downingtown & Malvern locales) as part of their vested community outreach programs.

‘Understanding Celiac Disease’ will be held starting at 6:30pm on Wednesday, May 11th at their Downingtown location. On Tuesday, May 17th, the Malvern store will have the same seminar, same time, for their customers.

Nearly one out of every 133 Americans suffer from celiac disease, a digestive disease that damages the small intestine because of sensitivity to gluten, which is found in wheat, rye, barley, and oats. This hereditary disorder interferes with the absorption of nutrients from food.

The Celiac Center at Paoli Hospital provides a local resource to help people manage and embrace the gluten-free lifestyle. Whether you believe you or a loved one may have celiac disease, are newly diagnosed or have lived gluten—free for years, their team is committed to helping you through it all. From screening and nutritional counseling to consultations with our specialists, Paoli Hospital has a team of medical professionals ready to work with you.

Click here for more information on Paoli Hospital’s Celiac Center.

‘Understanding Celiac Disease’ at Wegmans

When: Wednesday, May 11th 6:30pm, Downingtown
Tuesday, May 17th 6:30pm, Malvern

Where: Downingtown Wegmans, Malvern Wegmans

Details: Click here to view the information on MainLineHealth.org

Registration: Required-call 1-866-CALL-MLH (866-225-5654)

Why: In recognition of May as National Celiac Awareness Month

Event Itinerary:

• 6:30-7:00 p.m. Gluten-Free Cooking Class with the Wegmans Chef
• 7:00-7:45 p.m. ‘Celiac Disease 2011: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly.’ Presentation and Q & A with Keith J. Laskin, M.D. Gastroenterologist and Medical Director, Celiac Center at Paoli Hospital
• Gluten-Free Product Tour immediately following presentation

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

Pan Seared Halibut
tomato-basil marmalade, white asparagus,
scallion potato cake, aged balsamic
$36

Lamb Tenderloin
sweet potato puree, sautéed spinach,
maitake mushroom sauce
$32

Desserts
Chocolate Terrine
macerated berries, raspberry sauce
$9

Alfredo’s BYOB, Berwyn
Photo courtesy of Courtney Apple Photography

Alfredo’s BYOB
Monday, February 14th 5pm-9pm
668 Lancaster Avenue
Berwyn, PA
610-640-BYOB (2962)
www.alfredobyob.com
$50 per person
Sample of Menu Choices/Not Complete Menu

First Course
Lobster Bisque with Tarragon aged sherry
Diver Sea Scallops, Grilled and served Spinach, Lemon Sage Balsamic
Burrata, Creamy mozzarella with Fig balsamic reductions, Ciliegine tomatoes
Gnocchi della casa, house made, fresh mozzarella, marinara

Second Course
Rack of Lamb, oven roasted with Rosemary, Mint, Cognac Sauce
Ossobuco truffle infused veal shank with Home made fettuccine
Lobster Ravioli, brandy cream sauce, jumbo lump crab meat
Chicken Scarpariello, roasted pepper, sausages, white wine

Dessert
Select your favorite from Alfredo’s homemade dessert

Amani’s BYOB
Monday, February 14th 5pm-10pm
105 East Lancaster Avenue
Downingtown, PA
484-237-8179
amanisbyob.com
$75 per person
Includes glass of champagne and homemade limoncello
Sample of Menu Choices/Not Complete Menu
Amani’s Valentine’s Day menu will be available, in addition to their regular menu, from Friday February 11th through Sunday, February 13th.

First Course
New England Clam Chowder, Baby Clams, Bacon, Celery, Onions, Potatoes, Cream
Beef and Vegetable Soup, Roasted Prime Rib, Carrots, Celery, Potatoes, Onions, Peppers
Stacked Tomato & Bucheron, Beefsteak Tomatoes, Locally Made Bucheron Cheese, Bell Peppers, Virgin Olive Oil

Second Course
Schezuan Beef Wontons, Peppers, Onion, Chili, Garlic, Ponzu Ginger Sauce
Duck Confit Flatbread, Foie Gras Mousse, Roasted Tomatoes, White Truffle Oil, Micro Greens
Yellowfin Tuna Tartar, Micro Greens, Wonton Crisps, White Truffle Oil, Sea Salt

Third Course
Pan Seared Diver Scallops – White Chocolate Sauce, Blood Orange Beurre Blanc, Sautéed Asparagus, Truffle Risotto
New York Strip Steak – Black Garlic Compound Butter, Sautéed Haricot Vert, Roasted Bliss Potatoes
Porcini Crusted Grouper – Morel Consommé, Truffle Scented Risotto, Steamed Asparagus, Roasted Garlic

Dessert
Tiramisu
Espresso Liqueur Soaked Lady Fingers, Mascarpone Mousse, Cocoa Powder, Mocha Crème Anglaise
Banana Foster Bread Pudding – Caramelized Bananas, Caramel Sauce, Vanilla Ice Cream

Wayne’s ‘A Taste of Britain’ is hosting a Valentine’s Day celebration on Sunday, February 13th. Guests can delight in decadent chocolate mousse shots, cheesecake lollipops, petit fours, plus more delicious British fare.
Photo courtesy of Courtney Apple Photography

A Taste of Britain Celebrates Valentine’s Day
Sunday, February 13th
11am-5pm
Eagle Village Shops
503 West Lancaster Avenue
Wayne, PA
610-971-0390
www.easyelegance.net
$28 per person, complimentary Mimosa

Tea Sandwiches
Beef Tenderloin with cherry chutney, Turkey with Cranberry Butter, Cucumber and Dill Creamed cheese Hearts, Smoked Salmon with caper creamed cheese

Warm Raspberry with White and Dark Chocolate Scone
Served with Double Cream, Lemon Curd and Preserves
Decadent Chocolate Mousse Shots, Cheesecake Lollipops, Petit Fours, plus more decadent surprises!

Glemorgan Bar & Grill at The Radnor Hotel
Friday, February 11th-Monday, February 14th
5pm-10pm
591 East Lancaster Avenue
Radnor, PA
610-341-3188
glenmorgan.com
Four course prix-fixe, $100 per couple

First Course
Glenmorgan Salad
Classic Caesar Salad
Mixed Greens Salad

Second Course
Glenmorgan Mussels
Roasted Corn & Butternut Squash Soup
Baked Brie with Harvest Fruit Chutney

Entrée
8oz. Filet Mignon
Cedar Plank Roasted Salmon
Scallops Gratin
Sage Fried Chicken & Bacon Waffles
Braised Beef Ravioli & Mushroom Ragout

Dessert
Champagne Sorbet & Mixed Berries
Ice Cream Sliders
Fudge Brownie Sundae

Ruth and Rich Silverberg welcome you to dine for Valentine’s Day at Silverspoon Café in Wayne!
Photo courtesy of Belle Vie Photography

Silverspoon Café
Saturday, February 12th
Monday, February 14th
5:30PM to 9PM
Eagle Village Shops
Wayne, PA
610-688-7646
silverspoonwayne.com
$55 per person

First Course
shaved serrano jamon, queso de espana, toasted baguette, pimenton saffron mousseline, blood orange
belgian endive and radicchio salad, poached cherries, wild mushroom pate, candied walnuts, port wine vinaigrette
eastern coast oysters “five cocktails” (bloody mary, brandy alexander, cosmopolitan, mojito, gin and tonic)

Second Course
artichoke veloute, purple kohlrabi sprouts, lemon thyme oil, toasted pine nut dust
clam consomme “manhattan” style, fritters

Intermezzo
meyer lemon granita, rose water caviar, smoked sea salt

Third Course
bison strip loin, french pink fingerlings, puree of cardoon, foie gras butter, fleur de sel
pan-seared red snapper, baby bok choy, oyster tempura, king trumpet mushrooms, black sesame, yuzu mirin emulsion
rendered long island duck breast, black truffle risotto, artichoke pesto, blood orange gelee
seared sea scallop, roasted veal scallop, farro milanese, english peas, pancetta, sherry sage sauce

Dessert
angel food cake, plum compote, florentines, mascarpone sorbet
guava cheese cake, nutter butter crust, poached figs in port
chocolate decadence cake, fresh berries, italian meningue

The fall foliage is in full swing and the brisk evening air means All Hallow’s Eve cannot be far away! For the last two weekends of October—and beyond—AML has the best places to pick apples, find a great pumpkin, hitch a hayride, take in a fall festival, and more.

Enjoy the wonders of the autumn season,

Sarah Lockard
AML Publisher

Enjoy Harvest Days at Lansdale’s popular Merrymead Farm

Merrymead Farm
Harvest Days
Lansdale, PA
www.merrymead.com

The Rothenberger Family invites you to bring your family and enjoy their Montgomery County farm during their Harvest Days! A family owned and operated working dairy farm and farm market, Merrymead is one of Pennsylvania’s Century Farms and has been in the same family for over 100 years.

Harvest Day Activities continue on Saturday October 23rd and Sunday October 24th from 11 AM to 5 PM on Saturdays and 12 PM to 5 PM on Sundays. Merrymead will also have Harvest Days on Saturday October 30th from 11 AM to 5 PM and Sunday October 31st from 12 PM to 4 PM. Please note, activities will stop exactly at 4 PM on Halloween!

Enjoy a delicious ice cream cone or take home a Gram’s Apple pie, fresh from their bakery!

Fall Store Hours: Mon. – Sat. 8AM – 9PM, Sun. 12PM – 9PM

*Please note: Harvest Days begin at 12PM on Sundays.

Pick your own apples at Highland Orchards!

Highland Orchards Fall Harvest Festival
West Chester, PA
highlandorchards.net

Highland’s Fall Harvest Festival is Noon-5pm every weekend in the fall through November 1st. Highland offers 45 acres of delicious apples to be picked every day from 9 a.m. to 5p.m. For families, Highland offers hayrides, scarecrow building, fun children’s activities and shuttles to prime picking spots. Their market is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. Call 610-269-3494 or visit www.highlandorchards.net.

Linvilla Orchards
Media, PA
Linvilla.com

Linvilla’s annual Halloween Costume Parade is Sunday, October 24th. Registration starts at noon.

Halloween Costume Parade
Halloween Parade
Sunday, October 24th
Noon to 4:30pm

Registration begins this Sunday at Noon and runs through 2pm. A dance party is scheduled for 2pm, the parade will run from 3-4pm. Families will enjoy a Makin’ Music performance at 4pm with the winners announced at 4:30pm. Each child receives a treat! The Grand Prize is a $100 gift certificate to Linvilla Orchards.

Three winner will be picked from each age group—and all receive a prize.

Age groups are: Under 1, 1 & 2, 3 & 4, 5 & 6, 7 and up and Groups & Families.

Witches Hayride
October 1 thru 3, 8 thru 10, and 15 thru 30
Fridays and Saturdays 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Sundays through Thursdays 5:30 – 8:00 pm

Linvilla Orchards famous Hayride to the Witches House is a hayride to visit the friendly Witches House in the woods. Our witch tells stories and jokes and gives all of the kids a treat. The hayride ends at a campfire where we provide a sample of our apple cider and marshmallows to roast.

This hayride is especially for children up to age 10 or 11. It is not a Haunted Hayride. Parents are welcome and encouraged to join their children on the ride.

The hayride departs from Pumpkinland and lasts approximately 15-20 minutes. You can get on a ride anytime between the hours listed. We operate many haywagons at the same time during our peak hours. The hayride to the Witches House is $8 per person.

Longwood Gardens
Kennett Square, PA
Pumpkin Playground
Daily from Saturday, October 02, 2010-Sunday, October 31, 2010
9:00 AM — 5:00 PM

Kids can discover the fun of rolling, hugging and sitting on pumpkins, while creating an ever-changing display in the Idea Garden. Visit LongwoodGardens.org for more fun seasonal activities in October.

West Chester Rail Road
www.westchesterrr.net

The Great Pumpkin Express
Oct 23rd, 24th, 30th, 31st

All aboard the Great Pumpkin Express! Take a ride on The West Chester Railroad’s ‘haunted train’ as the friendly ghoulish crew hands out treats to all passengers. Everyone is welcome to dress up in their Halloween costumes. Halloween fun while you enjoy the Chester Creek autumn scenery from a heated train. Not too scary for the little ones!

Ride the Rails: October 23, 24, 30, 31 at 12PM & 2PM
Cost: Adults – $12.50 Children (2-12) – $10.50
Toddlers (under 2 not on parent lap) – $5.00

Fall Foliage Express
Nov 7th, 14th , 21st

Enjoy a brisk fall afternoon along the Chester Creek Valley from our heated train as we take you on a 90 minute journey back in time to the village of Glen Mills and back.
Ride the Rails: November 7, 14, 21
12PM & 2PM
Adults – $12.50 | Children (2-12) – $10.50 | Under 2 ride free!

For more infomation or directions, visit their website westchesterrr.net.

Second Annual Harvest Festival at the Willows
Sunday, Oct. 24th
1pm to 5pm
Presented by The Friends of the Willows & Greener Partners
Grounds of the Willows Park
490 Darby-Paoli Road
Radnor, PA
www.willowscottage.org

The Friends of the Willows Cottage and Greener Partners are throwing the second annual Harvest Festival on the grounds of the Willows park, 490 Darby-Paoli Road in Villanova, from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 24. The event will raise money to both create a sustainability education center at the cottage and support the pilot community supported agriculture project Skunk Hollow Farm, located next to the Willows.

There will be three opportunities for attendees to compete for prizes in fun, wholesome events: Bring your already-carved jack ‘o lantern pumpkins for judging and prizes; Bring your best home-made pie, which will also be judged and prizes awarded; There will be a pie-eating contest for children and adults of all ages.

There is no need to preregister for the contests. Just bring along your pumpkins and pies!

All food, drinks, entertainment and games will come with the price of an admission ticket. Tickets to the Harvest Festival cost $25 per adult, $10 for senior citizens, kids under 12 and students under 21, and $75 for a family. Volunteers are also needed at the event. To help out, email info@willowscottage.org.

Visit www.willowscottage.org and greenerpartners.org for more information on the nonprofit organizations and the event.

Plymouth Meeting Mall Fall Festival
Saturday, October 30th
3 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Celebrate the changing of the seasons with family fun at Plymouth Meeting Mall’s Fall Festival on Saturday, October 30 from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. in Center Court. The event also serves as the kick-off of Plymouth Township Police Department’s Lieutenant Patty Simons Food Drive. Attendees are encouraged to donate to the Food Drive for a goodie bag.

From interactive games to pumpkin decorating, there will be several festive activities for children of all ages in addition to arts and crafts, prizes and more. The South Philly Vikings of the Philadelphia Mummers will have a special craft and costume station, and fortune-tellers will be available to read your palm and tarot cards. The Fall Festival is free and open to the public.

Peddler’s Village Tricks ‘N Treats
Saturday, October 30th
Rain or Shine
Featuring Giggleberry Fair Spooktacular
Lahaska, PA
www.peddlersvillage.com

Calling all ghosts, goblins and ghouls for a day of Halloween family fun! Peddler’s Village presents Tricks ‘n Treats featuring Giggleberry Fair Spooktacular on Saturday, October 30th. Wear your costume for trick or treating, pumpkin painting, hay maze, costume parade and more! The spooky schedule of events includes:

• All Day Trick or Treating in Peddler’s Village shops
• 1 p.m.- 4 p.m. Giggleberry Fair Spooktacular includes Pumpkin Painting, Face Painting and Balloon Sculptor FREE with purchase of Activity Pass
• 4 p.m. Halloween Costume Parade at Giggleberry Fair
• 3-6 p.m. Halloween DJ music, Costumed Characters & Stilt Walker on Main Green
• 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Giggleberry Fair Hay Maze-$3 per person or 2 for $5
• Extra spooky fun! The first 250 people to sign up for the Halloween Costume Parade at Giggleberry Fair will receive a Halloween Goody Bag full of prizes and coupons!

Peddler’s Village annual Apple Festival is Saturday, November 6th and Sunday, November 7th, 2010.

Peddler’s Village 39th Annual Apple Festival
Sat., November 6 & Sun., November 7, 2010
10:00 am to 6:00 pm
FREE ADMISSION & FREE PARKING
Lahaska, PA
www.peddlersvillage.com

Scrumptious apple treats including country apple butter, apple cider, apple dumplings, apple fritters and everyones favorite—apples dipped in caramel! Take home a bushel fresh from the orchard. Juried Artisans sell their wares and demonstrate their skills at our Street Road Green Artisan Area. Live entertainment and apple pie-eating contests add to the festivities of this traditional autumn celebration. Traditional Fall celebration, featuring juried artisans, live entertainment and pie-eating contests. Enjoy a variety of apple treats including apple butter, cider, dumplings, fritters, dipped in caramel and fresh and unadorned.

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.

Main Line Restaurant Week’s official reservation partner, OpenTable, “was absolutely instrumental in the success of Main Line Restaurant Week. They are a wonderful event partner lending their marketing support and visibility to the participating OpenTable member restaurants. The Delaware Valley and Main Line have a strong dining culture and OpenTable allowed us to get in front of these diners to let them know Main Line Restaurant Week is here to stay,” said Lockard.

Plans for Main Line Restaurant Week Spring 2011 are underway!

Plans for Main Line Restaurant Week Spring 2011 are underway. “We’re looking forward to welcoming even more restaurants in 2011. I feel like this is one of those cases of ‘If you organize it, they will come.’”

Words from excited Main Line Restaurant Week Fans:

“Main Line Restaurant Week is an excellent idea. Dinner @ Legal Seafood was tremendous.” —Ed

“Thanks again to the Main Line Restaurant Week organizers and participating businesses. It’s certainly nice to have these community events.” —Joan

“I took my friend to Verdad last night for MLRW……..absolutely PHENOMENAL…..!” —Lauren

“Main Line Restaurant Week is a great idea. George’s was fabulous!” —Sue Thomulka

“Main Line Restaurant week was a great idea, It show cased some great restaurants with great deals.” —Katrin

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!

Main Line Restaurant Week, as you will notice with our website and list of 38 participating restaurants, is open to all surrounding towns who wanted to be a part of this inaugural event. Two of Manayunk’s top restaurants are participating—MangoMoon and Jake’s and Cooper’s Wine Bar—as well as two restaurants from the Northern Liberties’ neighborhood who saw the value of marketing to a broad suburban and city audience—Sonata BYOB and PYT Burger.

Chef Nicholas Farina’s Verdad is one of the Main Line’s hottest restaurants.

You will see some of the Main Line’s most popular dining spots on our list—as well as some new faces including A Taste of Britain. Located in Eagle Village Shops, the successful British tea shop is launching dinner for the very first time during Main Line Restaurant Week with a gorgeous new outdoor patio to boot!

In addition, Main Line Restaurant Week is an official OpenTable event. OpenTable is the world’s most successful online reservation website and has offered us tremendous marketing support for our 22 OpenTable restaurants who are participating.

So, if you have not made your reservations for Main Line Restaurant Week—DO NOT WAIT! Click here to view our list of participating restaurants and their menus and prices.

Thank you all for your awesome support of Main Line Restaurant Week!

Bon Appetit!
Sarah Lockard
Creator and Organizer, Main Line Restaurant Week

Main Line Restaurant Week Fans Speak Out!

Eight special events are on the agenda during the seven days of restaurant week, including Mussels Mania at Exton’s top restaurant: Brickside Grille, Saturday October 2nd from 12 to 4pm.

“Thanks for this website and the amazing job you guys are doing planning Main Line Restaurant Week!” —Sherri

“We can’t wait for Main Line Restaurant Week!!” —Nicole

“What a great way to bring the community together—we need more of this!” —Laura

“Great Idea…just what we need along the Main Line…the opportunity to introduce our great restaurants to our great family of residents & friends. Bravo!” —Al

“Woo hoo! Can’t wait for Restaurant Week!” —Andrea

Main Line Restaurant Week’s Eight Special Events

Monday, Sept. 27th: Monday Night Meetup: Desmond Hotel in Malvern, 6-8pm

Tuesday, Sept. 28th: Benefit Party for the PSPCA at PYT, starting at 6pm.

Weds., Sept. 29th: Weds. Night Whinos at Dettera Restaurant and Wine Bar, 6-8:30pm

Thurs., Sept. 30th: AroundMainLine.com’s 2nd Birthday Bash at Gullifty’s, 5-9pm

Friday, October 1st: Celebrate with Sarah at georges’ in Wayne, 5-7pm

Sat., October 2nd: Mussels Mania at Brickside Grille in Exton, Noon to 4pm
Du Jour After Dark!, 8pm to Midnight.

Sunday, October 3rd: Pigksin Party Fun Finale at Flanigan’s Boathouse in Wayne, 4pm-7pm.

Main Line Restaurant Week Grand Prize Giveaway

The Grand Prize giveaway for the inaugural Main Line Restaurant Week is a luxurious spa getaway at Joseph Anthony Retreat Spa and Salon valued over $1,000!

Click here to comment on MainLineRestaurantWeek.com for a chance to win! The contest runs Monday, September 27th through Sunday, October 3rd, 2010.

Main Line Restaurant Week Sponsors

BEN-FM

Secrets Limousine

Courtney Apple Photography

Belle Vie Photography

Mille Fleurs, Floral Design

OpenTable

Vance Bell, Web Design

Two Paperdolls

Main Line Restaurant Week’s 38 Participating Regional Restaurants

• A La Maison bistro
• A Taste of Britain
• alfredo byo
• Amani’s BYOB
• Azie On Main
• Bistro on the Brandywine
• Blackfish Restaurant
• Brandywine Prime Seafood and Chops at Chadds Ford Inn
• Brickside Grille
• Dettera Restaurant and Wine Bar
• Doc Magrogan’s Oyster House
• Du Jour
• Flanigan’s Boathouse – Conshohocken
• Flanigan’s Boathouse – Wayne
• Generations Restaurant
• georges’ Restaurant
• Great American Pub – Narberth
• Gullifty’s Pizza Bar and Grille
• Harvest Seasonal Grill and Wine Bar
• Jake’s & Cooper’s Wine Bar
• Legal Sea Foods
• MangoMoon
• Morton’s The Steakhouse
• Nectar
• PYT
• Ruth’s Chris Steak House
• Saffron Indian Kitchen – Ambler
• Saffron Indian Kitchen – Bala Cynwyd
• Sonata Restaurant BYOB
• Styer’s Garden Cafe at Terrain
• Sullivan’s Steakhouse
• Susanna Foo Gourmet Kitchen
• The Grille at Chesterbrook
• The Hunt Room at The Desmond Hotel
• The Paddock at Devon
• Uno Chicago Grill
• Verdad Restaurant and Tequila Bar
• Yangming

Main Line Restaurant Week starts Monday, September 27th and runs through Sunday, October 3rd, 2010. Visit MainLineRestaurantWeek.com for full details and menus.

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.

Berwyn

Nectar
www.tastenectar.com
Chef Patrick Feury’s fantastic menu is enough reason to experience one of the Main Line’s most popular restaurants. Add to that a back patio-that is in high demand-with a serene Asian garden and you are good to go.

Tango’s outdoor deck is located just off the train tracks in Bryn Mawr.
Photo courtesy of Courtney Apple Photography

Bryn Mawr

Tango
www.tastetango.com
Tango’s menu offers contemporary American cuisine in a comfortable setting, located just off the train tracks in Bryn Mawr. A large wrap-around patio comfortably seats guests under a shaded canopy or along a fun and fabulous Cantina Bar. Visit Tango’s happening deck bar for happy hours, for a bite to eat or dine out under the stars. Main Liners can watch the trains roll by as others are wading their way home from their hectic day.

Chesapeake City, Maryland

The Bayard House
www.bayardhouse.com
If you are looking for a bit of a getaway from the hustle and bustle of the Main Line, hop in your car and head to Cecil County, Maryland. A little over an hour from Wayne, Chesapeake City’s Bayard House Restaurant offers romantic dining along the C&D Canal. Enjoy lunch or dinner on their front lawn with spectacular views of a serene waterfront. The Tournedos Baltimore will not disappoint.

Chesapeake City’s charm includes outdoor dining on the C&D canal at The Bayard House.
Photo courtesy of Jubilee Photography

Downingtown

Firecreek Restaurant
www.firecreek-restaurant.com
Firecreek Restaurant and Bar is located on the bank of the Brandywine River in the center of Downingtown, PA. Firecreek offers an expansive outdoor dining area, all with panoramic views of the Brandywine. The Historic Paper Mill structure is a paradigm of vernacular architecture. Firecreek Restaurant preserves the building’s historical integrity and pairs it with modern decor, to create an exciting and eclectic dining destination.

Gulph Mills

Bar Savona
www.barsavona.com
Last summer, Savona Restaurant reinvented its upscale, popular dining experience into Bar Savona ($30 and under) in what has turned out to be a terrific business decision in an unknown economy. Part of the introduction of the more casual menu was the sexy outdoor patio-which is hopping seven nights a week with some of the Main Line’s most beautiful people-and biggest movers and shakers. If you want to dine outside to be ‘seen’, Bar Savona is your place.

Malvern

McKenzie’s Brew Pub
www.mckenziebrewhouse.com
With locales in Malvern and Chadds Ford, McKenzie’s offers fantastic beer and two outdoor patios. The Chadds Ford locale, on Route 202 and just five minutes north of the Delaware state line, just opened their new outdoor deck this summer.

Media

Dining Under the Stars
www.visitmediapa.com
Media boasts a warm weather outdoor dining event well known and loved called Dining Under the Stars: ‘Stroll, Shop, Dine!” Every Wednesday night now through mid-September from 5pm to 10pm, State Street in Media, PA is closed to traffic to provide ample space for outdoor dining at Margaret Kuo’s, Azie on Main, Sligo’s on State and more. Don’t forget to grab your honey’s hand once dinner is wrapped up and shop Media’s fantastic retail scene. Live entertainment rounds off the experience!

Plymouth Meeting

Redstone Grill
www.redstonegrill.com
Right off 476, Redstone American Grill is one of the burbs’ hottest up and coming al fresco dining destinations. Main Liners are flocking to their outdoor patio year round thanks to a fire pit that will make you think you are closer to a Rocky Mountain High than a major suburban roadway.

Radnor

Susanna Foo’s Gourmet Kitchen
www.susannafoos.com
Foo’s two outdoor patios are serene and simple-and are ideal for a business party or rehearsal dinner. Chic torches offer the perfect touch when the sun goes down and the party heats up. Foo’s main patio seats about 60. An adjacent patio which connects with a private room (good for about 75) seats another 40.

Gullifty’s Gaarden
Photo courtesy of Courtney Apple Photography

333 Belrose
www.333Belrose.com
Available for private parties, Belrose’s elegant outdoor patio is ideal for baby and wedding showers, intimate family functions, rehearsal dinners and more. Chef Carlo DeMarco is considered one of the Main Line’s top chefs-and his seasonal cuisine never disappoints. Plus, it’s a hop, skip and jump from the Blue Route.

Rosemont

Gullifty’s
www.gulliftys.com
Gullifty’s Gaarden is one of the Main Line’s premier outside dining experiences. The Gaarden opened in July of 2004 and is truly a unique experience-with a fully functioning, self contained outside kitchen and bar. The menu is exclusive to outside customers and everything is prepared in an open kitchen behind the bar. The Gaarden seats 90 people and prices range from $8 to $22. This season Gullifty’s Gaarden, in cooperation with Lancaster fresh farms has introduced grass fed, pasture raised and grazed, and 100% organic beef burgers.

Wayne

Christopher’s
www.christophersaneighborhoodplace.com
Molly Todd and chef Chris Todd have a good thing going with Christopher’s right on restaurant row in the heart of downtown Wayne. Come spring and through the first week of October, Wayne restaurants open their sidewalks to their patrons-and Christopher’s is one of the great places to grab a bite al fresco. With six rotating draft beers and a friendly staff, almost any night there’s a good reason to choose Chris’s.

Great American Pub
www.greatamericanpub.com
Rare is a sunny afternoon or evening along the Main Line’s top dining scene (Wayne) that GAP’s outdoor seating area is not completely packed. Main Line singles, moms, shop owners and more make this the place to network and ‘be seen’ seven days a week. Thanks to a new fountain and growing greenery, diners experience a fun, more private ambience with just North Wayne Avenue traffic only a few feet away.

By AML Publisher
Photos by Belle Vie Photography

Chef and ‘Mommy Martini Night’ hostess Olga Sorzano is available for private parties and functions around the Main Line and Delaware Valley.

Chester County chef Olga Sorzano wants her clients to consider her “a party chef, not just another caterer. I am bringing the experience of a gourmet restaurant and my love of people into your home,” insisted the former personal chef and house manager to a prominent Chester County family. Sorzano, mother to daughters Tessa, 15 months, and Kira, 2 months, left quite an impression on AML staff photographer Heather Berkenstock recently when the two met up in the checkout line at the Downingtown Wegman’s. With a shopping cart brimming with gourmet food (enough to feed dozens), a curious Berkenstock struck up a conversation with the 33-year-old statuesque blond. Turns out, Sorzano was preparing for a private holiday party she had been hired to cater in December. A brief business card exchange and a follow up email from Sorzano and AML had happened upon one great connection.

Sorzano, who grew up in Siberia, has been a successful figure in the local restaurant scene for years. She is a graduate of The Restaurant School of Walnut Hill College and studied in Italy, Thailand and Switzerland. Most notably, Olga trained with renowned Chef Jim Coleman of Normandy Farm in Blue Bell. She continues to work with Chef Coleman with television appearances and occasional cooking classes at the Dilworthtown Inn.

Chef Olga’s Cranberry Apple Pie Martini

Today, as a young mother, Olga is looking to work her way back into private functions for clients across the Delaware Valley. I asked Olga to keep Heather and myself in mind the next time she had a girlfriend get-together so we could check out her yummy faire and drinks.

The email invite that came across my desk a week later mentioned a fun ‘Mommy Martini Night’ at Olga’s Downingtown home-girls only! Suffice to say, Heather and I were game. Below are the recipes for the trio of marvelous martinis Sorzano selected to serve and two of my favorite appetizers. “You always want to look at what you are serving guests for drinks and consider your appetizers. For the Mommy Martini Party, we did not have overpowering food because our drinks were very fruity and stood on their own. Be sure to be seasonal with your food selections as well,” explained Sorzano.

My pick of the night-hands down the French Silk Pie Martini. Berkenstock selected the Key Lime and also raved about Sorzano’s scrumptious artichoke dip. Planning a house party for the big game or having friends over for a winter ‘chill?’ Check out Olga’s awesome recipes below.

Cranberry Apple Pie Martini

1 T fresh cranberry puree^*
1/2 oz Goldschläger liqueur
2 oz bitters
2 oz vodka
1 1/2 oz apple cider
Fresh cranberries for garnish

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with cracked ice and shake well. Strain into chilled Martini glass. Garnish with fresh cranberries on a skewer.

^* To make cranberry puree put 1 cup of cranberries in a small food processor, add a few tablespoons of water and puree for 15 sec. Left over puree can be frozen for later use.

Key Lime Pie Martini

1 lime wedge
Graham crackers for garnish (optional)
1 part vodka
1 part Limoncello
2 part Licor 43
2 parts fresh lime juice^*
2 parts heavy cream

Pour the graham cracker crumbs in a shallow dish. Rub a lime wedge around the edge of a chilled martini glass and roll the edge in the graham cracker crumbs.

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with cracked ice and shake well. Strain into the prepared martini glass.

^* Fresh squeezed lime juice really makes a difference. You will realize that the effort is paid off when you take the first sip of this outstanding martini!

Note: Do not use light cream or half and half instead of heavy cream because the mixture will curdle.

Decadent and delicious French Silk Pie martinis were made with Godiva liquor.

French Silk Pie Martini

1 part vodka
1 part cream of cocoa
1 part chocolate Godiva liquor
1 part Bailey’s Irish Cream
1 part Half and Half
Chocolate Syrup

Chill the glass until ready to use. Drizzle chocolate syrup inside the martini glass for decoration.

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with cracked ice and shake well. Strain into the prepared martini glass.

Hot Artichoke Dip

1 cup sweet Vidalia onions, medium chopped
1 T oil
2 14-oz can artichoke hearts, coarsely chopped
1 roasted red pepper, medium chopped
2 cups light mayo
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1 t fresh oregano, finely chopped
1 t fresh thyme, finely chopped
1 t marjoram, finely chopped

Special equipment: Fondue pot or small chafer dish, tea candle or sterno

1. Saute the onions in the olive oil over medium heat until very soft, about 7-10 min.
2. In a medium bowl mix onions with remaining ingredients.
3. Transfer to the heavy pot. Cook over medium low heat until the cheese is melted and mixture is heated thoroughly, stir frequently.
4. Serve in fondue pot with toasted lavash or pita bread.

To make in advance follow steps 1 and 2. Wrap and refrigerate up to 12 hours.

Bruschetta with Goat Cheese and Glazed Figs

Bruschetta with Goat Cheese and Glazed Figs

1 French baguette
8 oz fresh goat cheese, room temperature
Glazed figs, recipe follows

1. Cut baguette into rounds.
2. Spread about 2 t goat cheese on top.
3. Cut glazed figs into thin slices and place 2-3 slices on the cheese.
4. Drizzle with reserved orange balsamic reduction.
5. Enjoy!

Orange Balsamic Glazed Figs

1 cup dried Black Mission figs
2 cups Orange juice
1 cup balsamic vinegar
1 cinnamon stick
6 whole cloves
1/2 vanilla bean, cut length wise
1 anise star (optional)

1. Place the figs, juice, vinegar and spices in the heavy pot.
2. Bring to boil and cook over medium heat until the figs are soft and the liquid is reduced to 1/3 cup.
3. Cool.

Figs can be kept in the refrigerator up to two weeks.

Chef Olga Sorzano, of OnCallGourmet.com, is available for private parties and functions around the Main Line and Delaware Valley-including Mommy Martini Nights! Contact Chef Olga at 267-738-1973 or send an email to Olga directly: olga@oncallgourmet.com

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

1. Union Trust Steakhouse, Philadelphia
717 Chestnut Street 215-925-6000
www.uniontruststeakhouse.com

Union Trust’s historic building is a breathtaking backdrop for your Mother’s Day 2009.

When putting together our list, there was little debate that Union Trust Steakhouse, also known as ‘UT,’ should be among our picks. Center City’s phenomenally extravagant steakhouse, in the historic building that was renovated by French-American architect Paul Philippe Cret in 1923 and once housed The Union Trust Company, is the brainchild of seasoned restaurateurs Ed Doherty and several partners. UT opened to great acclaim in February and has not looked back. If there is one day of the year to roll out the red carpet for Mom, Philadelphia’s first independently owned steakhouse is the perfect pick. From an incredible raw bar (stocked with Shigoku oysters), top of the line USDA prime courtesy of Chicago’s prestigious Allen Brothers and a beautiful, experienced staff, UT will not disappoint.

Expect a world class dining experience from the minute you walk up with mom to the hostess stand to the last little nibble of your key lime tart with citrus infused graham cracker crust and raspberry puree, courtesy of renowned pastry chef and New Jersey native Christina Diekewicz. Loaded with amenities, the spectacular old bank boasts 65 foot ceilings, red leather seating, a sensational wine list and a breathtaking mezzanine. Union Trust will open at 2 p.m. on Mother’s Day with their full dinner menu available.

2. Moshulu, Penn’s Landing, Philadelphia
401 S. Columbus Boulevard 215-923-2500
www.moshulu.com

It’s all aboard at Marty Grims’ Moshulu. Show Mom how much you care by treating her to an elegant afternoon or evening on the world’s oldest and largest four-masted tall ship. The Penn’s Landing restaurant and Philly landmark offers a breathtaking setting-with majestic masts rising 200 feet above the Delaware River. Executive Chef Ralph Fernandez and his staff have a grand buffet planned for $49.95 per person from 10AM to 2:30PM. The Moshulu’s a la carte dinner for Mom’s Day runs between 5-9PM. And, whether you are in a private dining room or outdoor deck, the setting the ship offers is simply spectacular. Highlights of the brunch include: pancakes and waffles with seasonal accoutrements, carving stations featuring spiral glazed ham, whole prime rib and roasted turkey, create your own omelet station and more. The dessert buffet will feature dual chocolate fountains and bite sized delights. Get ready to set sail on a spectacular Mom’s Day on the Moshulu.

3. Chanticleer Gardens, Wayne
786 Church Road, 610-687-4163
www.chanticleergarden.org

Chanticleer Gardens, Wayne, PA

Walking the grounds of one of the region’s most popular gardens has become a Main Line Mother’s Day tradition for thousands of locales. So much so, that last year the staff of Chanticleer was forced to put a nix on picnicking on their gorgeous 30 acres-due to the high volume of families who make this an annual Mom’s Day destination. The former Adolph Rosengarten estate is open on Mother’s Day rain or shine and is first come, first serve. Want to capture some gorgeous pictures of mom and the family among the perfectly manicured acres of gardens, lawns and meadows? The assorted Crabapples are now in full bloom in the Orchard as are the tulips. And, you can’t beat the price-$5 for adults, children under 16 are admitted for free. Chanticleer makes an educational and affordable choice for Mom’s Day. But, arrive their early (operating hours are 10am to 5pm) and be prepared to wait for parking availability, especially if Mother Nature cooperates.

4. The Valley Forge Radisson, King of Prussia, PA
1160 First Avenue 610-337-2000
www.radissonbrunch.com

Conveniently located off of 76 and a stone’s throw from the King of Prussia Mall, the Valley Forge Radisson has quite a Mom’s Day brunch planned in their grand ballroom. Live entertainment, a piano player, table side magic, and a complimentary glass of champagne with brunch—the Radisson is offering something for everyone! The special kids’ buffet is pint sized, so the children can create their own delicious concoctions. Children can dine on peanut butter and jelly pinwheels, grilled cheese sandwiches, hotdogs, fairy pancakes and macaroni and cheese.

Brunch will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. For adults, the Radisson’s culinary team is offering a tempting selection. The buffet includes a fresh salad and fruit station and the option of creating your own omelet and waffle masterpieces. In addition, families can dine on gourmet slow roasted prime rib au jus and apple roasted pork loin, carved freshly by the chef. The Radisson is also offering a “create your own crostini station” with olive tapenade, hummus, roasted red peppers and more. Entrée options include Jail Island Atlantic salmon, wild mushroom risotto stuffed chicken breasts and broccoli rabe ravioli. To finish off your Mother’s Day brunch at the Radisson, there will be a wide variety of desserts including a chocolate fountain. The price is $29.95 for adults, $26.95 for senior citizens, and $14.95 for children under 12. Children under five dine for free.

5. XIX Restaurant at The Bellevue, Philadelphia
200 South Broad Street, 215-790-1919
www.nineteenrestaurant.com

Indulge mom in a most decadent brunch buffet at The Bellevue, with the sweet delights of XIX’s new pastry chef Matthew Maslowski.

XIX (Nineteen), situated on the nineteenth floor of the Park Hyatt at the Bellevue, offers one of the most breathtaking views of the city, with its gorgeous dining room and four balconies. This year, with renowned pastry chef Matthew Maslowski on board, the temptation to dine at XIX is almost too hard to resist. XIX will be offering a decadent brunch buffet menu, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring over 20 dishes. Families can dine on savory fare such as: raw bar selections, poached eggs and black forest ham on buttermilk biscuits with cheddar cheese sauce, smoked prime rib, and maple-glazed free range turkey. A dessert table offering a variety of scrumptious sweets, compliments of Chef Maslowski (formerly of the Trump Marina Hotel, Lacroix and the Four Seasons), will offer: strawberry shortcake parfait, white chocolate raspberry martinis, blackberry panna cotta and more. Mother’s Day brunch at XIX is $65 for adults, $32 for children’s selections and children under five eat for free.

6. Avalon Restaurant & BYOB, West Chester
312 South High Street, 610-436-4100
www.avalonrestaurant.net

For those in the Chester County region, West Chester’s well known eclectic Italian BYOB Avalon Restaurant is a safe bet for a terrific brunch or dinner with Mom. This year’s three course brunch options (which can be enjoyed weather permitting on a charming outdoor patio) include antipasti, an entrée and dessert. Avalon will feature a BYOV as well-a popular Create Your Own Bloody Mary bar during their 11-2pm brunch hours. The price is determined by your entrée selection and kids 10 and under dine for $12.95. Some of Avalon’s Mother’s Day 2009 brunch menu highlights include: cream of asparagus soup, lump crabmeat and grapefruit salad, sautéed P.E.I. mussels, cream of filet tips with poached egg, cheesy potato and pancetta hash ($29), and egg battered brioche with mascarpone and strawberries ($27).

Avalon’s Mother’s Day dinner menu includes a four course small plate with antipasti, pasta, meat or fish and dessert. (For dinner, kids 10 and dine for $15.95.) The pasta choices alone for dinner are outstanding with gorgonzola, ricotta and poached pear tortelloni with a walnut basil pesto, and black and white crab ravioli with mussel, crab and tomato broth among the scrumptious selections. Entrée options include pan seared sea scallops with toasted orzo and blueberry vinaigrette ($37), Atlantic salmon with eggplant caponata and sun dried tomato aioli ($35) and slow roasted pulled pork with creamy polenta in an orange Sambuca sauce ($35). Cap off your perfect Italian meal at Avalon with lemon curd, chocolate mousse, or maple mascarpone cheese cake, among other sweet selections.

7. The Philadelphia Zoo
3400 West Girard Avenue, 215-243-1100
www2.philadelphiazoo.org

The Philadelphia Zoo offers members and non-members a Mother’s Day brunch and a chance to experience the fantastic faces and personalities of their animals.

It’s such an exciting year for one of Philadelphia’s great treasures as the Zoo celebrates its 150th birthday! The Philly Zoo makes for a unique and rewarding Mother’s Day experience. Families can enjoy a special brunch and tour the amazing atmosphere this Philly landmark has to offer. The classic Mother’s Day brunch buffet will feature scrambled eggs, crisp bacon, country sausage, French toast and more. In addition, each seating will feature a craft table for kids, live animal interactions, the opportunity to see a special animal feeding and a self-guided tour of the Zoo’s animal mothers. For members, Mother’s Day Brunch at the Zoo is $35 for Adults, $30 for kids 2-12 and children under two are free. For non-members, its $48 for Adults, $43 for kids 2-12 and children under two are free.

8. Plate Restaurant, Ardmore
105 Coulter Avenue, 610-642-5900
www.platerestaurant.com

Suburban Square’s Plate Restaurant has a terrific reputation for extraordinary cuisine, and one of the Main Line’s best dining locales. After you treat Mom to brunch at Plate, you can enjoy all the outdoor shopping Suburban Square has to offer. In addition to their standard Sunday brunch menu, Plate is offering the following mouthwatering additions for Mom’s Day 2009: Asparagus Bisque ($7.50), Crispy Skin Artic Char ($26) with porcini mushroom risotto, roasted garlic haricot verts and port wine buerre rouge, Grilled Lamb T-Bone Chops ($28.95) with feta and oven-dried tomato cous cous, Maple-glazed Brussels sprouts, mint demi-glace and a sophisticated selection of Mother’s Day petit fours ($9) topped off with chilled strawberry bubble tea.

9. Belrose 333, Radnor
333 Belrose Lane, 610-293-1000
www.333belrose.com

Radnor restaurant staple Belrose 333 is a popular destination for Main Line moms. This year, Belrose is offering a classic buffet, from 11-3pm-$26.95 per person, children under 12 pay their age. The feast will offer a waffle, omelet and carving station, assorted fruits and pastries, a dessert table, and complete breakfast assortment. Patio seating will be available weather permitting and reservations are highly recommended. In addition to their Mother’s Day brunch, Belrose recently started a terrific special-buy one, get one free all entrees Monday through Friday from 5-6:30pm.

10. The Mercer Museum, Doylestown, PA
845 Pine Street, 215-345-0210
www.mercermuseum.org

The Mercer Museum’s 36th Annual Folkfest, a Bucks County tradition, falls on Mother’s Day Weekend.

The Doylestown’s museum is in its 36th year for their annual Mother’s Day Folk Fest weekend. Rain or shine, families can enjoy a variety of family entertainment on the sprawling lush acres on Saturday and Sunday May 9th and 10th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Traditional artisans will make the skills and trades of early America come to life with all-day live entertainment, costumed craft demonstrations, militia encampment, a quilt raffle, shopping, picnic foods and more. The children’s stage will feature puppetry, storytelling and music while the main stage will include performances by jugglers and blue grass music. In addition, there is a children’s craft tent where youngsters make a craft to take home. Visitors can also ride a horse-drawn hay wagon or take a unique horse-powered carousel ride.

More than eighty talented crafters from nine states will participate in this year’s festival. For Main Liners, the Mercer is a short walk if you take the R5 and get off at the Doylestown station. And, the Folk Fest makes for an affordable adventure on Mother’s Day weekend. Admission is $9 for adults, ages 12 and under are free. For more information on the Mercer Museum, read our recent article on AML.

11. Taquet Restaurant at The Wayne Hotel, Wayne, PA
139 East Lancaster Avenue, 610-687-5005
www.taquet.com

An AML staff and family favorite for over fifteen years, the sweeping front porch of The Wayne Hotel combined with the amazing menu Taquet regularly delivers make this a top consideration for wining and dining Mom. Now under new ownership, Taquet is making subtle changes to their menu this spring. And, come July, will be adding on their main bar area with an exciting expansion. If there is great weather for Mother’s Day, reserving a table on the porch will be tight so make your reservations ASAP! There are eight seating times total at Taquet for May 10th: 11/11:30, 1/1:30, 3/3:30 and 5/5:30.

Mother’s Day menu highlights at Taquet include appetizers such as country pate with onion marmalade and cornichons; prosciutto and watermelon salad with Belgian endive; and house smoked Salmon with potato gaufrettes and baby argula.For their entree (ranging from $31-$47) choices, Mom can select from a grand assortment of ten dishes including: quiche with bacon, leeks and Gruyere cheese; braised Norwegian Salmon with tomato and extra virgin olive oil; rack of lamb with shallot emulsion; and sautéed shrimp over pea risotto with lemon butter. Dessert selections include: a floating island of poached meringue with crème anglaise and toasted almonds and an apple tart with a puff pastry served warm with ice cream.

Taquet is also offering a children’s menu ($15.75 for children 10 and under) which includes as some of the options: carrot ginger soup, waffles and strawberries, scrambled eggs with roasted potatoes, ravioli, and dessert.

12. Teresa’s Next Door, Wayne, PA
126 North Wayne Avenue, 610-293-9909
www.teresas-cafe.com

Marvelous Mussels For Mom
Teresa’s Next Door, Wayne, PA

Belgium phenomenon and the undisputed rock star of Main Line restaurants since their opening in 2007, TND will be the lucky destination for a few handful of families who secure their seat. Chef partner Andy Dickerson isn’t planning on any special Mom’s Day menu and the restaurant will honor its usual Sunday hours of 11am to 1am. Make sure you order some mussels for Mom, complete with Teresa’s irresistible (and an AML staff favorite) pomme frites.

The wings are a terrific way to start off on the right foot, along with the skewered grilled day-boat sea scallops wrapped in applewood smoked bacon with lemon horseradish aioli. Pair that up with a selection from the four page beer menu, and check out the Wurst platter: grilled bockwurst, knackwurst and bratwurst served with beer braised apple-kraut and German potato salad, strong mustard and a roll. For vegetarians, Teresa’s Herbivore entree offers grilled Portobello mushrooms layered and baked with gruyere, roasted plum tomato, caramelized leeks and artichoke hearts drizzled with 30-year-old balsamic vinegar and chive oil. Order Mom a cold Stella, be sure to tip Nick (the handsome bartender) generously and you are all set with TND as your day’s ideal destination.

13. Firecreek Restaurant and Bar, Downingtown, PA
20 East Lancaster Avenue, 610-269-6000
www.firecreek-restaurant.com

If you have not checked out the brand new restaurant on the banks of the Brandywine that everyone is buzzing about, be sure to call ahead for directions to Firecreek. The historic paper mill structure building does not have easily visible signs and sits in a rather unassuming fashion on the left hand side—if you drive into Downingtown via west on Route 30. It’s officially located at the intersection of 322 and Lancaster.

333 Belrose Chef Carlo deMarco and proprietor Ronald Donaldson, along with developers Tom Deignan and Kevin Silverang, opened their American grill on April 2nd. The main dining room is expansive, with sleek black tables, touches of tangerine, large banquet areas and a bustling, super friendly staff perfectly coifed in persimmon ties. Chef deMarco’s menu includes appetizers such as crispy calamari with cilantro lime aioli and a pan blackened crab cake duo. Among the dizzying selections for a main course are slow roasted prime rib with roasted garlic mash, blackened swordfish with pico de gallo and smashed yams and a domestic lamb loin chop with red pepper polenta, with Kennett Square mushrooms in a cabernet demi.

Mother’s Day will be the first time Firecreek is open for biz on a Sunday. The restaurant will be offering brunch from 11am-2pm, with dinner from 4-7pm. In addition to a ‘make your own’ omelette option and Belgian style waffles, Firecreek’s inaugural brunch menu highlights include: a South of the Border breakfast burrito complete with chorizo sausage, scrambled eggs, black beans, pico de gallo and pepper jack cheese; a steak and eggs entrée accommodated by cheddar-scallion scrambled eggs and sliced tomato; and Firecreek’s cheese burger with Havarti, caramelized onion topped with a special sauce.

If you decide to take advantage of Firecreek’s cozy setting for dinner, you can’t go wrong with the prime rib, partnered with buttermilk mashed potatoes, three-cheese mac and cheese, creamed spinach and an Argentinean cabernet. Be sure to request Christine to be your server. And, top off your terrific Firecreek Mom’s Day experience with the insanely delicious apple cider donut bread pudding, using donuts compliments of Marshallton’s Highland Orchards.

Have a Mother’s Day favorite in the Philadelphia region you would suggest? Let us know-post your comments and recommendations below! Or, share with us where you dined and enjoyed Mother’s Day 2008 around the Delaware Valley.