Photos courtesy of Weld Photogtraphy and Betsy Barron Photography

“Thank you to everyone who made 2011 a very exciting and memorable year for AroundMainLine.com! I cannot wait to share the amazing projects we have in store for 2012 with all of you.” Sarah Lockard, AroundMainLine.com CEO and Publisher

2011 certainly was a memorable and very exciting year for AroundMainLine.com and our wonderful team. Where to begin? So many incredible memories, fantastic clients, events, parties and more to reflect upon…

First and foremost, I want to thank our outstanding social media audience of over 3,700 Facebook fans and over 5,100 Twitter followers. AML’s Twitter account is among the 10% most popular in the world now—and for me personally its been an exciting way to connect with thousands of new people weekly.

MAIN LINE RESTAURANT WEEK

2011 was the first year that we produced two regional Main Line Restaurant Weeks. Both the Spring and Fall events were phenomenally successful and drove thousands of new patrons to our wonderful participants. Our staff photographers of Courtney Apple, Betsy Barron, Weld Photography and Perretti Photography worked tirelessly to capture the incredible culture and cuisine that the western burbs have to offer. I am proud of the direction Main Line Restaurant Week is headed and we are in the fun planning stages for Spring Main Line Restaurant Week which will return Monday, April 23rd through Sunday, April 29th.

Over the last year we have been getting lots of requests from our Main Line Restaurant Week participants to add lunch to the dining experience. Ask.and you shall receive. Spring 2012 Main Line Restaurant Week will not only offer exciting values on prix-fixe dinners, but you can dine out during the day and enjoy a special lunch value as well. Dinner AND lunch all week long for Spring 2012 MLRW—now that’s great news for all our AML foodies!

A YEAR OF EXCITING EVENTS

AML was incredibly privileged and honored to partner with our new friends at QVC to host an inaugural event “AroundMainLine.com’s Holiday Shopping Night at Studio Park” on December 7th.

2011 also brought our first ever AroundMainLine.com Oktoberfest with the fine folks of Wegmans Pub in Collegeville as our host. It featured the region’s top breweries paired with the fantastic food Wegmans offers and was a HUGE success. Look for the second annual AML Oktoberfest coming to the burbs in the new year!

Wednesday Night Whinos, Philadelphia’s most popular ladies social club, continued to grow this past year as we hosted regular shopping and dining events around the western suburbs. One of the main reasons Whinos has been so popular is that, unlike other networking groups or business associations, Whinos is completely free to attend with no membership fees or obligations. Whinos first fun party in the new year will be Wednesday, January 11th from 6pm to 8pm at the Main Line’s hottest new restaurant, Ella’s American Bistro in Wayne!

In addition, I was incredibly privileged and honored to partner with our new friends at QVC to host an inaugural event “AroundMainLine.com’s Holiday Shopping Night at Studio Park.” Despite an evening of torrential pouring rain, wind and very cold temperatures, over 300 locals joined us December 7th at QVC’s very cool Studio Park store located at their West Chester headquarters. It was such a joy to work with the team at QVC and we are already working on additional AML/QVC event ideas…so stay tuned!

SPECIAL THANKS

I want to give special thanks to all the AML clients I had the privilege of working with this year. I am very grateful for your outstanding support.

In closing, AML would not be possible without the following VIPS who I want to highlight below.

Courtney Apple: Courtney’s incredible photos graced the pages of AML, our Facebook page and MainLineRestaurantWeek.com. Courtney’s talent is something very special and she also happens to be one of the most down-to-earth humble artists I know. I feel especially honored to work with Courtney and her creativity and artistic vision is so inspiring. You can also find many of Court’s fine work regularly in Philadelphia Magazine.

Betsy Barron: Betsy joined AML in March as a staff photographer and has been a fireball of energy, passion and friendship. Betsy’s photography business is thriving and I am excited to see what the new year brings this very special person I am proud to know and call friend.

Jessica and Bradley Weld: A recent addition to the AML photo family and a husband and wife team based in Media, PA, the Welds have become fast friends and AML regulars covering many of our recent events, especially our exciting first ever AML Holiday Party at Harvest Seasonal Grill in Glen Mills, PA last week. Jessica and Bradley consistently produce outstanding images and our clients have given us rave reviews who have worked with them. They are a dynamic duo I adore!

Felicia Perretti: Felicia and I connected via Twitter and after reviewing her breathtaking food photography, I was sold. Felicia and I tackled restaurant shoots for Main Line Restaurant Week and experienced the creepy, haunted walls of Eastern State Penitentiary together-one of my favorite shoots of the year! Look for Felicia and I to take on the Philadelphia dining scene together in 2012…exciting things to come!

ME Photo & Design: New AML photographer Meagan Ebersole is opening a brand new studio in downtown Media in January! In addition, Ebersole is focusing on growing her pet photography business-along with her thriving wedding clientele. Meagan is a joy to work with and recently generously donated her time to cover AroundMainLine.com’s charity event with ‘Give a Dog a Bone’ at Redhound Grille in Paoli.

Vance Bell: Our incredible web designer and one of the smartest, most talented business people I know. To work with Vance is an incredible privilege.

In closing, I wish you and yours a wonderful and blessed holiday season and I look forward to having you continue on the exciting AML journey with us in 2012.

Cheers!
Sarah Lockard
AroundMainLine.com CEO and Publisher

BE SOCIAL WITH AROUNDMAINLINE.COM

Facebook: Join AroundMainLine.com on Facebook.
Twitter: Follow AroundMainLine.com on Twitter.

Want to contact AroundMainLine.com’s Publisher Sarah Lockard directly? Drop me a note.

Photos courtesy of Betsy Barron Photography

A shopping extravaganza with over $3,000 in giveaways awaits at AroundMainLine.com’s first ever Holiday Shopping Night at QVC Studio Park. The grand prize is a $2,000 beauty basket brimming with QVC’s top products!

It is no doubt the most incredible AML party in our three year history and an outstanding night of holiday shopping with our great friends at QVC! Join us for a festive evening at the Studio Park QVC store Wednesday December 7th from 6pm to 8pm for AroundMainLine.com’s Holiday Shopping Night at QVC Studio Park. There is no cover to attend, the evening will be catered by The Classic Diner and we will have surprises and giveaways galore!

Shop the very cool Studio Store that features QVCs’ top lines and most popular products including Philosophy, Joan Rivers, Bare Escentuals, Diamonique, Wen Hair Products, Kitchen Aid, Quaker Factory, Temptations, Lock and Lock and more!

QVC Hosts and Celebrity Appearances!

Several of our favorite QVC hosts will also be making an appearance at the event including: Lisa Robertson, David Venable, Dan Wheeler, Antonella Nester, and Jill Bauer! In addition, celebrity hair stylist Chaz Dean, who has single-handedly transformed the beauty industry with the wildly successful WEN Hair & Body Care line, is flying in from L.A. with his entire staff and his famous dogs JUST for the party!

Several QVC hosts will be popping in to say hello over the course of the evening in the Studio Park Store.

Exciting Giveaways!

Every half hour starting at 6:30 sharp, we will be giving away the most amazing prizes of QVC products to some very lucky guests! Our GRAND Prize for the evening will be an enormous basket with over $2,000 of QVC BEAUTY PRODUCTS! The Grand Prize winner will be announced that evening on AroundMainLine.com’s Facebook page!

Nom Nom Nom!

Did we mention the delicious complimentary food you can nosh on at the party? Malvern’s popular The Classic Diner will be catering the evening and Delaware’s Desserts by Dana (yeah, those folks of TLC’s The Next Great Baker fame) will be sampling their incredible desserts all night long!

How to RSVP

We have already received well over 300 RSVPS for this incredible event. It is very important that you RSVP in one of three ways so that we can plan to the best of our ability with our fine friends at QVC. Note, you do not have to RSVP to attend. We will accept walk-ins but it is tremendously helpful to us, QVC and our incredible vendors if we know you are attending as well as the size of your party.

1) RSVP on AML’s Facebook Event Page

2) RSVP on QVC’s website

3) Email: rsvp@aroundmainline.com with your name and party size.

Party Attire

Party attire is business casual. Absolutely no baseball caps, ripped jeans or sweatshirts are permitted. Dress to Impress!

In closing, I am beyond excited for this event. It will no doubt be the most maginificent AML event ever and a night to remember. We look forward to seeing all of you on Wednesday, December 7th. My best advice is to arrive between the times of 6-6:30pm as we expect the night to be very popular and we could approach full event capacity at any one time.

Be Social!

Join QVC on Facebook.

Follow QVC on Twitter.

Directions to QVC Studio Park

When you arrive at QVC (1200 Wilson Drive, West Chester) please follow signs to the Studio Store and bear left at the Main QVC sign. Parking lot is on the left hand side. Studio Store entrance will be to your right.

Photos courtesy of Betsy Barron Photography

With fall in full swing, AroundMainLine.com has put together the perfect guide for apple picking around the Delaware Valley.

The leaves are turning, the temperatures are dropping and the apple picking season is most definitely upon us! With fall in full swing, AroundMainLine.com has put together the perfect guide for apple picking around the Delaware Valley. Our local orchards and farms are an integral part of the region’s culture and community and we could not think of a better way to celebrate them!

Here’s to lots of fun adventures, great memories and of course…yummy apples!

Cheers,
Sarah Lockard
AroundMainLine.com

Berks County

Weaver’s Orchard Farm Market
40 Fruit Lane, Morgantown, PA
Web: weaversorchard.com
Facebook: Click here to become a Facebook fan
Twitter: @WeaversOrchard
Phone: 610-856-7300
Seasonal Hours (May-October): Monday-Friday 8-7; Saturday 8-5; Closed Sunday
Winter Hours (November-April): Monday-Friday 8-6; Saturday 8-5; Closed Sunday
Details: Weaver’s Orchard Farm Market is a fourth generation family farm nestled in the scenic hills of Berks County, just 15 minutes south of Reading, Pennsylvania. The orchard farm market is open year-round featuring fresh, local and homegrown fruits and vegetables. Choose from a variety of bakery fresh pies, pastries and artisan breads, deli sandwiches and cold cuts, free-range meat from local Pennsylvania farms, hormone-free dairy products and much more. Nestled in the beautiful hills of Berks County just 15 minutes south of Reading, between Morgantown and Green Hills on route 10, Weaver’s Orchard is a destination for family fun in Pennsylvania, offering many activities for the family such as festivals, wholesome entertainment and educational events throughout the year.

Snipes Farm, Nursery and Golf
890 W. Bridge Street, Morrisville, PA
Web: snipesfarm.com
Facebook:Click here to become a Facebook fan
Phone: 215-295-1138
Email: info8@snipesfarm.com
Hours: Open Daily 9am to 4pm
Details: Sister and brother team, Susan Snipes-Wells and Jonathan Snipes, manage the family farm. They hold a vision that Snipes Farm is a green jewel in congested lower Bucks County. A love of the land and a spirit of peace guide the Snipes family, and the many dedicated Snipes employees, as they work to keep the farm a beautiful and welcoming place for the public. A lot has changed since James and Joan Moon arrived in Bucks County in 1682, but 323 years later Snipes Farm’s 150 acres of recreation, fruit orchards and ancient trees still welcome visitors. Apple picking runs through Oct. 30th based on crop availability.

Solebury Orchards
3325 Creamery Road, New Hope, PA
Web: soleburyorchards.com
Facebook:Click here to become a Facebook fan
Phone: 215-297-8079
Email: mail@soleburyorchards.com
Hours: Thurs to Sunday 9am to 6pm
Details: Solebury Orchards, located in the center of scenic Bucks County, grows peaches, apples, blueberries, raspberries and other fruits. The farm is well known for its high quality fruits which are available from summer through winter at the Solebury Orchards Market. Increasingly popular at the orchard is pick your own, where customers can enjoy themselves surrounded by beautiful fields of berries and orchards. During weekends in September and October there are wagon rides through the orchards for apple picking. All pick-your-own fruit is priced by the pound for whatever you pick, with no additional charges. Apple picking is available through Nov. 7th rain or shine.

Chester County

Highland Orchards
11000 Marshallton-Thorndale Road, West Chester, PA
Web: highlandorchards.net
Facebook:Click here to become a Facebook fan
Phone: 610-269-3494
Email: events@highlandorchards.net
Hours: Saturday 9am to 6pm, Sunday 10am to 6pm, picking registration ends daily at 5pm.
Details: With over 200 acres of growing crops, Highland boasts twenty varieties of apples. And, you can bet there is plenty of activity this time of year on the farm-from hayrides, a kid korral, scarecrow building and more. Check the orchard blog on their website for daily updates on available apples and upcoming events.

Delaware County

Linvilla Orchards, Media

Linvilla Orchards
137 W. Knowlton Road, Media, PA
Web: linvillaorchards.com
Facebook:Click here to become a Facebook fan
Twitter: @ILoveThatPlace
Phone: 610-876-8796
Email: apples@linvilla.com
Hours: Farm Market & Pumpkinland: Sunday-Thursday 9am-8pm; Friday & Saturday 9am-9pm
Details: Pick your own apples 9am-6pm every day at Linvilla Orchards. Their Pumpkinland Harvest Festival runs through November 6th. Larger than life figures and scarecrows illustrate the legends and lure of the harvest season, local history and some of the many stories of pumpkins and apples. Group programs are available for school and camp tours, evening hayrides with campfires and birthday parties. Hop on a tractor at Linvilla for a harvest hay ride and enjoy a scenic and fun tour of their fields and orchards.

Lehigh County

County Line Orchard
9200 Kings Highway, Kempton, PA
Web: clorchard.com
Facebook:Click here to become a Facebook fan
Phone: 610-756-6411
Email: todds@enter.net
Hours: July through October: Fri., Sat. and Sun. 10am to 6pm; November: Saturday and Sunday 10am to 5pm
Details: Apple picking at County Line runs from September through mid November. Varieties still available for picking include: Melrose, Rome, Ida Red, Suncrisp and Goldrush.

Strawberry Acres
1767 Clearview Road, Coplay, PA
Web: strawberryacres.com
Phone: 610-262-8484
Email: upikfruit@verizon.net
Hours: Monday through Friday 9a.m. to 7p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 5p.m.; Sunday from 11am to 5 pm
Details: Strawberry Acres provides picking containers and rides to the field. No ladders are needed to pick your own fruit. On weekends during the fall, they offer a hayride through the orchard during operating hours. It’s a fifteen minute ride with a beautiful view of Lehigh Gap and the Blue Mountain. They also offer kids crafting events for fun fall crafts to bring home to mom and dad. This takes place at 11am on Saturdays in September and October in the Johnny Appleseed Schoolhouse. A different craft each weekend—so visitors can come for one or all craft days. Recommended for children ages 5 to 10. Reservation not needed, but preferred for supply purchasing. Minimal fee. Pony Rides: Available to all riders, weekends only! Riders are led by experienced handlers.

For a complete list of locales and times for apple picking across the region, visit: www.pickyourown.org

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

By AML Publisher
Photos courtesy of Belle Vie Photography
All photos taken at Collegeville’s Varner’s Farms

On Mondays thru Saturdays, along with tractor wagons, Varner’s Farm will have teams of Belgian Draft horses to take you to cut your own Christmas tree.

Varner’s Farms
746 South Trappe Road
Collegeville, PA
610-489-8878
Hours: Christmas Tree Harvest thru December 23rd
Monday-Saturday 8am-8pm;
Closed Sundays
*Choose-n-cut fields close at 4:30 daily
Closed December 23rd at 4pm
www.varnerfarms.net

Varner’s Farms in Collegeville has a beautiful selection of Fraser Fir, Douglas Fir, and White Pine this season. On Mondays thru Saturdays, along with tractor wagons, visitors can enjoy teams of Belgian Draft horses to take them to cut their own Christmas tree-weather permitting. Varner’s also has fresh cut trees available everyday. The fresh cut trees are harvested once a week throughout the season.

Varner’s country-chic Wreath Shoppe is filled with hundreds of adorable ornaments, wreathes, roping, holly, greens, swags and mistletoe. Don’t forget to see the new look in the train shoppe. Families and visitors can warm up and enjoy a complimentary cup of hot chocolate or hot cider, as they listen to Christmas Carols and choose the perfect tree.

Varner’s will have a Live Nativity this Saturday, December 18th at 6:00pm and 7:00pm. Refreshments will be served and they will offer a special time of fellowship afterwards. Read the full story

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 courtesy of Heather Berkenstock, Belle Vie Photography

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!

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
Photos by Jubilee Photography

“My life is full; full of interests, friends, and family. But, I hope to add a special someone to share the laughter and experiences of life with,” said Bowersox.

Toni Bowersox is a self-proclaimed tomboy. And, for the 53-year-old, Wilmington native she would not have it any other way. The AML sensational single, with an adorable pixie cut and personality to match, always found playing with the neighborhood boys growing up more intriguing than hanging with the girls. And, that playfulness and outgoing part of her rings true today. “I’ve always been on the periphery – not a follower, nor a trendsetter, but someone who is comfortable in her own skin being unique, following my own style. As a young girl, I climbed trees with the neighborhood boys—pretty much a tomboy, but yet held on to my feminine charm and character. To this day I am very at ease with men and attribute this to being a part of their play from an early age,” explained Bowersox.

The mother of one whose daughter, Taylor, is a nineteen-year old with special needs and whom Bowersox calls her “greatest teacher,” Toni was married for over twenty years before divorcing in 2008. Bowersox comes from a childhood where her own parents divorced when she was eight-but family ties remained important. “As a young girl, many of my weekends were spent at the homes of my Italian relatives playing with my many cousins. I have fond memories of Saturday dinners followed by games with cousins, aunts, and uncles. And on the Polish side, we gathered as a family on Sundays at my maternal grandmother’s home. This was a much more sedate gathering, but none the less fostered that love of family, tradition, and closeness,” said Toni.
Read the full story