Chefpaulo's Profile
Best Carrot Cake in the mont/bux burbs?
I'll second Zake's for anything..
However, I fondly remember my first slice of carrot cake ever at the Country Club Diner on Cottman Ave. around 1975 - you know, back in the days of wine and cheese parties, spinach dip in the hollowed out boule and Harvey Wallbangers. It was superb but unlike there anymore.
CP
Thai Aroma - Blue Bell
My friend, Ken, and I met there for lunch on Friday (and ironically seated at the same table we had during our sole visit to Everest Grill) and we both found it to be a welcome and innovative approach to Asian fusion based on traditional Thai/Vietnamese fare. Of note is the large number of vegan offerings or dishes that can be made vegan upon request..
Except for the wall hangings, I don't recall the interior having changed much since the Everest days. Staff members were accommodating and attentive while not hovering. We were presented with the menu of luncheon specials which include soup, appetizer and entree or pho, most between $11 and $13 with the seafood pho lunch combo topping the list at $15. Soup and appetizer arrived on the same plate (sufficient in portion to be a lunch alone) with two nods of approval for the traditional Tom Yum and Tom Kha soups. Ken had the traditional Spring Rolls while I had the Seitan (wheat gluten) rolls (actually deep fried panko crusted vegetable triangles) served with a basil-avocado dipping sauce which were very good. Generous entrees then arrived with Ken's Green Curry in coconut milk proving a bit frustrating with the small plate although he fully approved. My Thai Basil Chicken was also perfectly spiced and the vegetables done to perfection. Perhaps Mookleknuck was there on an off night but I found the rice to be OK.
We passed on desserts as I was unable to finish the entree and had it packed up for the road. Rarely do I do this for lunch anywhere so come hungry.
We'll definitely be back as the dinner and weekend brunch (Sat. - Sun. 10 - 2) menus offer some intriguing and creative fare that begs a return visit. The brunch offerings include such eclectic fusions as Sausage, Avocado Oven Biscuits with Coconut Shrimp and home fries; Coconut-Corn Pancakes with Caramelized Palm Sugar; Fresh Mushrooms baked in Phyllo with a Cashew Cream Sauce and a Thai Omelet of bitter melon, mushrooms, tomatoes and minced pork served with home fries. Dinner fare appears to be more traditional.
Prices may seem on the high side but, like me and Mookleknuck, you'll be able to bring home one or more additional meals from what you can't finish there. There's a real talent in the kitchen and I wish her all due success.
CP
Mothers Day in New Hope/Lahaska?
I agree that reservations are a must tomorrow and that your selected area will be inundated with locals and tourists alike. My mom detested the long waits for the "reserved" table, the limited prix fixe menus and the inflated prices. She was a pragmatist who preferred to go out on Saturday night, get the flowers and gifts on Sunday, have us make her dinner (often the first barbeque of the season) and call it a wrap.
CP
dinner halfway between Warminster and Collegeville, PA (just outside Philly)
Skippack would be a good half way place with plenty of good places: Parc Bistro (my favorite), Black Dog (upscale Asian fusion), Justin's Carriage House or Bella Rosa at the Hotel Fiesol.
Olce Pizza - excellent thin crust pizza - in Cedars (Rt. 73 south of Skippack) is likely the most kid friendly and is BYO.
CP
Thai Aroma - Blue Bell
JuJuT, Is just the sign announcing the opening up or are they actually open? A friend and I would like to explore lunch on Friday if they are in fact operational.
CP
jules thin crust pizza
Jules (well, her mom and dad) opened a new one in Wayne that I had the opportunity to try today. Attractive but spartan atmosphere (with a large canvas photo of Jules and her sister as the only artwork), an array of intriguing and artfully presented elongated ovals of ....um...flat bread (they don't claim its pizza), pleasant young staff members and a large cooler of complimentary ice water greeted me. (Other drinks available). After perusal, I opted for the Veggie #1 and the Meat # 1 as my choices. Even though not a meat eater, the slices of pepperoni and sweet sausage were thin enough to be benign on my gullet and I ordered. Cut and rewarmed on the conveyor toaster, they were presented to me on a flat board cut into two half sections. Initial impression: where's the flavor? Such visually tempting slices of whatever you call it had a remarkable dearth of flavor impact. Perhaps in their efforts to be health conscious, there was minimal salt or oil and I needed immediate doctoring with some pepper flakes, garlic powder and grated cheese to bring them to life. The serving temperature was also disappointingly low.
Jules, tell mom and dad that some flavors are oil soluble and need some lipids while others could use some enhancing with salt, anchovy paste, garlic or something. I really like the concept but felt that the palate experience did not meet the visual presentation. A bit more topping might also be in order. I don't know if this is a chain-wide issue or just the new folks in Wayne, but good luck,! I'd like to see you take this nationwide.
CP
All-Clad Outlet in PA?
And its much more than All-Clad cookware. Well stocked with all sorts of gadgets and utensils as well - some a bargain, some not.
CP
Springhouse Drafting Room To Be Andy's Diner
Bacchus, Wow! I had forgotten all about the horrific accident. Mom and I went there for dinner one evening and found the doors locked at 6 p.m. on a weeknight. We knew something was wrong. Only afterward did we find out about the accident in the Ambler Gazette.
It was a family favorite and the place where I was first introduced to deep fried calamari. I still hold their rendition as a standard, only matched by Teresa's Cafe in Wayne.
Love it. and I, too, miss Dori's.
CP
Springhouse Drafting Room To Be Andy's Diner
Jdbc, I recall the header of the Pike menu saying "Since 1951."
San Marco is the fourth (maybe fifth?) in a long line of restaurants in the old schoolhouse at Dager and Bethlehem. Before San Marco, it was The Newport House and, before that, Christopher's. Christopher's came in after it was vacant for several years subsequent to The Gallery closing down in the early 70s. I faintly recall another very short-lived venture there but forget the name.
Springhouse Drafting Room To Be Andy's Diner
I grew up in the area in the days of The Vineyards, Dori's, The Pike "Family Restaurant" (as I was corrected by the hostess one day - they despised the "diner" designation) and Christopher's - later The Newport House (or was it the other way around??) The area could use a great diner. As for good Italian, San Marco does it but sparingly on my budget considering the outrageous tabs I've encountered. Bring back The Vineyards - a frequent and fondly remembered Sunday dinner destination of childhood .
CP
Trying to remember name of old Lansdale restaurant
Carbs, As Jdbc noted above, the restaurant Alistair ran was Rhapsody's, which later became Carolyn's . I don't remember either one.
CP
Trying to remember name of old Lansdale restaurant
Disregard above post. We found the phantom restaurant.
CP
Trying to remember name of old Lansdale restaurant
I just remember mom and I arriving there for dinner sometime in 1988 or '89 to find it suddenly closed. It was a major disappointment and I'm sorry you missed out.
CP
Trying to remember name of old Lansdale restaurant
Yes, the Sumney Tavern. McPhee's was noted for its Scottish specialties. They had a great selection of single malts, Scottish beer and ale, smoked salmon, steak and kidney pie and, yes, you could even get haggis. I also recall an oddity called "Bubble and Squeak " - whatever that was. My mom and I had many a fine dinner there until they closed rather abruptly in the late 1980s. Been to Sumney Tavern only once. 'Nuf said.
CP
Trying to remember name of old Lansdale restaurant
Do you mean The Hotel Tremont? That was certainly worth remembering and the only one I can recall on Broad at the corner of Main. However, the owner's name was Marcel.
CP
Trying to remember name of old Lansdale restaurant
Was it McPhee's at the corner of West Point and Sumneytown Pike?
CP
Sunday Brunch near Ambler
BTW, what ever happened to Jim? He's certainly disappeared from the local scene.
CP
Smoke Daddy's is baack. Next weekend only
So glad I got up there before 4:00 today. The line had not yet formed and Michael was able to chat and even take a few phone calls. I tried to convince him to stay but he insists on the Georgia thing.
ARRRRRGH.....ever try driving from Lansdale to Collegeville with a whole hot Smoke Daddy's chicken on the passenger seat? Ohhhh, the aroma. Torture.
Hurry back, Michael. You have fans.
CP
Smoke Daddy's is baack. Next weekend only
Carbs, It was the smoked chicken I had and I'll be there for more.....providing cw's caveat is not true. Could you check out the Eagle's Lodge parking lot on Friday and let us know before we trek over to a smokeless joke on us all?
CP
Smoke Daddy's is baack. Next weekend only
That's great news. I really loved his chicken but never expected he'd be dragging that enormous thing up for just a weekend. I smell something else going on. Maybe there's too much competition down there and he'll be back for good.
CP
Best Pizza in Fort Washington/Ambler/Springhouse/Dresher
If you don't mind a few minutes of extra drive time, Olce in Cedars (Skippack Pike north of Valley Forge Rd.) has my stamp of approval. Thin, crispy crust and a range of topping choices that earned a "Best of Philly" award. My fave is the shrimp scampi.
CP
Lunch in Monrgomeryville/North Wales
I think so. I'm having difficulty visualizing that corner so I'll defer to carbs' observation.
The Tremont was an unassuming four or five story brick.building with an equally unassuming vertical sign. You'd never know that such a great bistro was inside unless you were tipped off as it was a well-kept secret. The restaurant had a bar area, a large main floor and a balcony. You could get literally anything from cheeseburgers to escargots all under the eye of perpetually inebriated, wine-sipping, hand-kissing, butt-patting French owner, Marcel. I had many a fine dinner there.
CP
P.S. I think you mean Mainland Inn - another sorely missed favorite.
Lunch in Monrgomeryville/North Wales
The Joseph Ambler Inn has a really nice list of lunch specials. However, I don't know your ceiling that constitutes a breakable bank.
For those around long enough to remember, The Hotel Tremont in Lansdale would have been my overwhelming choice for just about any event. Ultra high quality, immense menu, eccentric and temperamental owner (Marcel) and sorely missed. The last true French bistro in Montco.
CP
ISO Schmaltz
ShopRite at Germantown Pike and Rt. 202 has it. Nothing better for sauteed veggies.
CP
Winthorpe & Valentine in The Westin - Anyone Else Catch the Trading Places Reference?
I have no recollection of the names from the movie although I did see it eons ago.
As for current connections, I bought the TravelZoo coupon deal a few weeks ago for a four course dinner for two with cocktails for $69. Portions were more than substantial and food was OK. Better than Holiday Inn but not Bibou. Hey, its a hotel.
CP
Breakfast near Wayne?
The Terrace Room at the Radnor Hotel has a breakfast buffet and table service.
CP
PA's crazy liquor laws -- another example!
"and any unfinished wine should be taken by the customer off the licensed premises".
So the cops can stop you and charge you with having an open container? Who writes these anyway?
CP
PA's crazy liquor laws -- another example!
I know of two Japanese restaurants that allow regular patrons to keep a bottle of sake on the shelf with their name on it. Is this storing for the restaurant or for the customer? These idiotic laws need to be overhauled. And to think of all the great products not available because the Chairman doesn't think they're profitable enough.
CP
