oliviasaru's Profile
Tien Thai Pho in Abington: anyone eaten there
Ate there once. Service was quite slow, even though there weren't many customers. Fried tofu appetizer was very tasty, pho just average. I'm planning to go again at some point to try out their other Thai offerings, but for Vietnamese I'll stick with Pho and Beyond. Hope this helps!
Looking for new Chinese takeout in Jenkintown area
Thanks, Dzane! Seven Stars has undergone so many changes since it was Lum Fong. I think it was the last iteration before SS when I tried their Thai food which was painfully bland. We'll give them another try. And it's funny, we eat in at Hunan Village every couple of months or so, but I hadn't thought of them for takeout! Thanks again for the recommendations!
Local Raw Honey in Montgomery County?
I don't know if they have it in stock right now, but Morris Arboretum sells its own honey (from the hives on the Arboretum grounds) in their gift shop.
Looking for new Chinese takeout in Jenkintown area
For over 10 years we have gotten our Chinese takeout from Szechuan Mandarin in Elkins Park (about a 5-minute drive from our house), but in the last six months or so I've noticed a definite decline in the quality and flavor of the food. Dishes ordered "extra spicy" are anything but, and many of the sauces seem to taste the same anymore: decidedly bland. Does anyone have a recommendation for flavorful Chinese takeout in the Jenkintown/Glenside/Elkins Park area? For comparison, I've had several delicious eat-in meals at King's Garden in Chestnut Hill, but don't really want to drive that far for takeout if I can avoid it. Thanks!
Celebration dinner at kid-friendly restaurant?
My sister had her wedding dinner (about 20 people) in a private room at Ruth's Chris Steak House on Broad Street when my daughter was 3 and my brother-in-law's nieces were 1 and 3. It was a wonderful experience - the food was good, the staff were very attentive, and being able to shut the door and let the toddlers roam a bit when they got antsy was just the ticket to ensuring that everyone was able to relax and enjoy themselves. Our daughter has been going to restaurants since she was an infant and often gets complimented on her behavior, but the challenge with toddlers in restaurants is their NEEDING to move around at a certain point and your needing to be respectful of other diners. A private room will help you contain them while still allowing them some freedom.
I'm sure other people can give more recommendations for special-occasion restaurants with private rooms, either in town or out on the Main Line. Good luck!
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay Thread - 3rd quarter 2011 [Old]
I did them in the oven, since I don't have a microwave anyway. Turned out pretty tasty for a quick snack - I agree that they can't hold a candle to the real thing, but not bad in a pinch.
Yalda Grill in Horsham
Someone said on Yelp that they had shown up for Father's Day and found the door locked and windows papered over. Yikes.
Anything worthy in Abington/Jenkintown Area
The Drake is convenient (we live around the corner), but the food is often WAY too salty. If we're driving, I prefer Vintage which is a little further down Old York Road in Abington (on the left, just past the YMCA). West Avenue Grill is consistent, if a bit ho-hum.
Great at Yalda Kabob in Horsham
Yalda seems to have closed! Does anyone know what happened? I'm hoping this is all just a terrible dream...
Yalda Grill in Horsham
Yalda seems to have closed! Does anyone know anything about what happened? I'm hoping this is all just a terrible dream...
Organic you-pick fruit strawberries within 1.5 hours of Philly
Looks like the grand opening is June 4th: http://www.greenerpartners.org/farms/collegeville-norristown.php
Great places for a picnic lunch?
Believe it or not, we LOVE Laurel Hill Cemetery for picnics, views, and general seclusion. There are many romantic views over the river, either looking towards Manayunk or towards Center City. The volunteers at the gatehouse are unfailingly enthusiastic and helpful - if you stop in there, they will give you a map and direct you to the most scenic overlook. There is so much there that is beautiful and fascinating - it's not even remotely creepy, especially on a sunny day.
It gets crowded on the weekends, but Belmont Plateau (or above it, at the Belmont Mansion) has stunning views of the city. Lemon Hill, also in Fairmount Park, overlooks the river and the Art Museum. The grounds of the Horticultural Center are beautiful, free, and there is a long pool with fountains that's lovely to sit by. We're usually there on weekdays so of course it would be very quiet then, but even on weekends it seems to be more of a "hidden gem" kind of place aside from festivals.
Hope this helps!
Black Forest Cake
This is making me crave Black Forest Cake! Eagerly awaiting recommendations...
Trevi in Glenside - at last, something good in the 'hood!
Thanks, potroastcat! Yeah, I was hoping my (clearly real) review would outweigh the suspect ones. I'm sure these kinds of things are always by well-meaning friends and relatives, but why don't people realize that one-line glowing reviews stink to high heaven? ;)
Trevi in Glenside - at last, something good in the 'hood!
We ate there again last night and had another terrific meal. They've added an amaretto bread pudding for a dessert special (which may make its way on to the regular menu), and it was really, really good. A nice portion size (looks like it was baked in a large muffin tin), crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The flavor was delicate and reminded me of french toast - definitely not too sweet. We're really luxuriating in this new, delicious neighborhood dining option! :)
Lunch near the zoo
Yes, it really isn't a walking-lunch kind of area. If you give us an idea of your route, we might be able to recommend something not too far off your path for before or after the zoo.
Trevi in Glenside - at last, something good in the 'hood!
I think the sign is finally gone, yes. And I saw that they've added a limoncello cheesecake to their dessert offerings - yum!
For those who were wondering about parking, it's worth noting that the meters only go until 6PM in Glenside, so parking after that time is free.
I don't think the Korean/Italian restaurant made it a year. Hopefully TreVi will be there much, much longer!
Trevi in Glenside - at last, something good in the 'hood!
Parking's not really an issue - there's parking on the street directly in front of the restaurant, and there's a municipal lot just across the street, down Bickley Road. All parking is metered.
Rizzo's was the go-to place for my family when I was growing up in Wyncote. Even though Trevi is very different, it's nice to have a good Italian place in that space. And for anyone who remembers the scungy Rizzo's bathrooms, the revamped washrooms are a real treat! ;-)
Rita's Water Ice at Stenton & Mt Pleasant in Mt Airy Gone?
I don't know about that one, but the location on Willow Grove Avenue in Wyndmoor is undergoing the same change. Odd.
Trevi in Glenside - at last, something good in the 'hood!
We ate at the newly-opened Trevi Restaurant on Glenside Avenue last Thursday, and it was terrific. The space has been completely redone from its days as Rizzo's and feels much larger and more open. A new mural depicting the Trevi Fountain in Rome covers one wall, and the overall effect is modern, clean, and expansive.
The food was consistently well-executed. My husband had the mixed greens salad with house dressing (a lively vinaigrette) and the egg pappardelle with bolognese sauce. He pronounced it spectacular, with perfectly-cooked noodles and just enough of the rich sauce to coat. I enjoyed an arugula salad with walnuts and "tomato raisins" (grape tomatoes dried slightly to enhance their flavor) dressed in a light lemon vinaigrette, and the 12" house margherita pizza. The pizza was simply delicious, with a slightly-chewy-but-still-crispy wood-fired crust, very fresh tomato sauce, basil and fresh mozzarella cheese browned to perfection. I ate three quarters of that pizza all by myself, and there was still enough for my husband to take for lunch the next day. We didn't think we would get dessert, but seeing that the tiramisu was served in a small cup we figured we could share without getting overly full. The coffee was very good as well. They did only have two dessert options on the night we dined, and it would be nice to see a dessert special or third regular dessert to round out the choices in future.
Their full menu is up on their Facebook page, with website coming soon. Trevi is byob (we did), and the prices are very reasonable. Our meal was just $43 before tip, and we left feeling happy and satisfied. We are so glad to see life returning to a space that holds such happy memories for so many people in the area! We look forward to our next meal at Trevi.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Sweet Bytes is closing!
Oh my goodness, NOOOOOO! Those cupcakes were some of the best I've ever tasted. I haven't gotten there since they switched focus - this is such a shame. :(
Sweet Bytes Bakery (yes, Bakery!) Grand Opening
Sweet Bytes is fantastic - their cupcakes are to die for, and I'm not usually a huge fan of cupcakes. Can't wait to support their new bakery endeavor!
School Christmas hard candy
This looks a little like some of the varieties: http://www.nutsonline.com/chocolatessweets/old-time-candy/christmas-candy.html?gclid=CMrW0_Wq1aUCFYHc4Aod3nXAkw
I also remember getting those boxes of candy, usually after the Christmas play. You might also call your local parish school and see if they still do it and if they have a source.
Irish/British food stores in Philly? Lyle's GOLDEN SYRUP
Not in Philadelphia proper, but O'Neill's Market in Glenside carries it.
FOILED AGAIN by the bizarro hours at John's Roast Pork.
Google Central Parking Philadelphia for great coupons in Chinatown, or take the train into Market East. Have fun! My foodie friends from Boston just hit RTM for the first time two weeks ago, and they're still raving about it. :D
Hibachi virgin here, need help....
It's been a couple of years, but the last time we had teppanyaki at Fuji it was pretty good and not nearly as expensive as Ooka or even Hibachi in Jenkintown (which is right around the corner from us). The cook was amusing without being too corny about it. Like I said, though, it's been a couple of years so you might want to call around for current pricing.
What discontinued products do you miss?
Hostess Pudding Pies! Tasty-Klair pies can't come close. :(
Sweet bytes in Ambler?
I wanted to bump this up since I enjoyed my first visit to Sweet Bytes today. I had a little more than an hour to kill while I waited for my daughter to finish her Scout meeting, and Sweet Bytes definitely fit the bill! I had originally planned to go to Toto's Caffe across the street on the recommendation of a friend, but they don't take cards and I had spent my last 50 cents in the meter, so I was grateful to be welcomed so warmly at Sweet Bytes. I had a terrific, chocolatey cafe mocha and a sinful Devil's Food cupcake. The proprietress, Lorraine, was super-friendly and the atmosphere was just what I was looking for. The lunch items I saw on the menu looked really exciting as well - I'll have to go back for lunch some time soon. I only wish we had a place like this in Jenkintown!
Your Favorite Pasta Dish?
My daughter's and my favorite pasta dish is something I cobbled together a few years ago (my husband likes it, too, but isn't as devoted to it as we are!):
Two pints grape tomatoes, halved or quartered depending on size
(I've also diced sweet heirloom tomatoes for this, but I can't always get those)
4-5 cloves garlic, sliced paper thin on a tiny mandoline slicer I bought at the Asian market
Zest and juice of two lemons
Olive oil enough to make it a little soupy
a bunch of shredded basil
Fresh ground pepper and kosher salt to taste
Bowtie pasta
I mix this all together and leave it to rest while the pasta cooks. When the pasta is cooked, I drain it and toss it with the sauce and that's it. My daughter and I love to eat this as-is, but my husband likes the addition of some cooked and crumbled bacon. Yum!
