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 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
Photos courtesy of Kevin E. McPherson and Mimi Janosy (www.mimiprophoto.com)

“I am really surprised about how cool the beer scene is in the ‘burbs, it blows me away,” enthused Tom Peters, co-founder of Philly Beer Week. Pictured: Bartender Steve Keenan of The Oakmont Pub, Havertown

On this morning of the eve of what has become America’s largest beer festival, there is a feeling of the calm before the storm. A storm that entails a tsunami of suds that is steering its way to the Philadelphia and Main Line region. Philly Beer Week 2009, in only its second year, is just shy of 700 individual events spread throughout its ten day gargantuan celebration of the region’s, the nation’s and the world’s best beer. PBW 2009 will kickoff with an amazing celebration at The Comcast Center lobby and Winter Garden tonight—and be followed by a flurry of fun for anyone and everyone who loves lager. From food and beer pairings, to a 5k Sunday run, beer brunches and lunches, lumberjack contests, a refined ‘Meet the Brewer’ cocktail party at The Four Seasons’ Swann Lounge and more, PBW offers something for everyone. With almost 70 events a day to choose from, it’s a most dizzying selection for any beer lover near or far.
Read the full story

By AML Publisher
Photos courtesy of Mimi Janosy
Mimi Janosy Professional Photography Studios, Philadelphia, PA
www.mimiprophoto.com

Grab your friends and celebrate safely with SEPTA’s affordable and responsible Philly Beer Week promotion. Pictured: The beer lovers from In Pursuit of Ale (www.beerlass.com)

Beer will be flowing and the ’burbs and city bars will be bustling as the highly anticipated second annual Philly Beer Week 2009 kicks off Friday, March 6th. And this year, nearing close to 500 events across the region, PBW ’09 is going to the rails—the SEPTA rails! PBW has announced an exciting collaboration with SEPTA entitled: Sip Safely with SEPTA. The Sip Safely campaign offers an unlimited, all-day, bus-trolley-rail pass for $9.00, and is valid any one day during the ten-day beer week celebration March 6th through March 15th. This pass is to encourage PBW participants to travel safely, rather than driving from event to event.

Read the full story