July 5th, 2011
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Author: The restaurant renaissance in Ambler that began modestly in 1998 with the opening of Trax Café alongside the Ambler Train Station is no longer a well-kept secret. Like Manayunk, Chestnut Hill and Doylestown before it, Ambler has become a genuine restaurant destination.
And between Sunday, July 10, and Friday, July 15, during the first annual Ambler Restaurant Week, food lovers from all points can discover for themselves exactly what the buzz is all about.
It’s been a quiet evolution. At the beginning of the new millennium, only Trax Restaurant & Café, now in its 13th prosperous year with chef-owner Steve Waxman, and KC’s Alley & Bar, still owned and operated by the entrepreneurial Kevin Clib, were virtually the only places in town one could get a meal worth remembering.
Jimmy Rubino’s Ralph’s of South Philadelphia came along in 2002, followed by the Mexican restaurant La Cava two years later. Neither is still operating.
But two restaurants that opened in 2004 — Bridget’s 8 West, now a modern American steakhouse also owned by Clib, and Shanachie Irish Pub & Restaurant, delighting guests with its sophisticated Irish fare and the lively music of co-owner Gerry Timlin and other Celtic folksingers — are still doing great business and satisfying different sets of clientele along the way.
The last few years have seen a veritable boom in restaurant openings, including People’s Choice favorite Fireside Bar & Grille (2006) on Bethlehem Pike; Saffron (2009), a cozy Indian restaurant just steps away from Act II Playhouse; Dettera (2009), an upscale contemporary American restaurant offering fine cuisine and an impressive wine list that almost match its spectacular architectural features and stunning décor; From the Boot (2009), an Italian restaurant that replaced Jimmy Rubino’s and the Agave Grille & Cantina; and, earlier this year, Massa, a Greek/Mediterranean BYOB and, with its grand opening planned for the week before restaurant week, Rosey’s BBQ, the second outlet (after Jenkintown) for Chad Rosenthal’s hub of Memphis rub.
Each of these restaurants, and more, will be offering various dinner specials and prix fixe meals throughout the week.
Ambler Restaurant Week is the brainchild of Ambler Flower Shop owner Gene McGonigle, who organizes many events for Ambler Main Street.
According to Allison Wolf, who helped orchestrate the event, “It came together quickly. We just thought that with all the great restaurants we have in Ambler, why not showcase them in a nice neat package? And the restaurateurs have been totally on board and were very helpful in coming up with a plan.”
Chef Waxman, who has been an integral part of the Ambler community throughout his days at Trax, said, “Ambler’s come a long way since 1998. It’s a thriving little town. It has momentum.
“Act II Playhouse brings in people,” he continued. “So does the Ambler cinema. We can really feel the difference.”
Waxman recalled the Ambler Progressive Dinner of 2006, in which many of the borough’s best restaurants cooperated in a pleasant walking tour of Ambler that centered on having appetizers at Bridget’s and KC’s Alley, then entrées at Agave before dessert at the Shanachie.
He said that the progressive dinner brought people into town “and built some business, but it was just a bite. But restaurant week came about pretty organically, with Gene [McGonigle] and Allison [Wolf] driving the bus and Irene Baker doing most of the publicity for us. Continued…
Porcini Crusted Pan Seared Barbecue Salmon
Seasonal Grilled & Roasted Vegetables
Barbecued Chicken
3rd course (choice of):
Strawberries in Grand Marnier Sauce
Mixed Berries with Chantilly Cream
Chocolate Mousse
BRIDGET’S
3 courses $32 ($5 donated to Ronald McDonald House)
FIRST COURSE
Soup du Jour
Grilled Flat Bread Pizza du Jour
Tempura Spring Roll
Pulled Pork, Stir Fry Vegetables, Hot & Sour Dipping Sauce
Crab Cake, Panko Crusted & Baked, Avocado Salsa, Sweet Chili Butter & Crispy Apple Wood Smoked Bacon
Mixed Organic Greens, Baby Greens, Carrots, Cucumbers, Red Onion, Balsamic Citrus Vinaigrette
Classic Caesar, Hearts of Romaine, Zesty Caesar Dressing, Shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano
SECOND COURSE
Atlantic Salmon, Mango Barbeque Glazed Salmon, Crispy Parmesan Risotto Cake with Grilled Asparagus
Red Snapper Corn Meal Crusted Pan Seared Snapper, Plum Tomatoes, Olives, Balsamic Vinaigrette, Tomato Beurre Blanc, Grilled Asparagus, & White Rice
Seafood Fra Diovolo, Sautéed Shrimp & Scallops, tossed with Spicy Marinara and Served over Linguine
Braised Short Ribs, 12 Hour Braised Ribs, Roasted Tomato Beef Jus, Potato du Jour & Garlic Green Beans
Tenderloin of Beef, 6 oz. Grilled Filet Mignon, Shiitake Reduction Laced with Sake, Green Onions, Sesame Seeds, Potato du Jour & Garlic Green Beans
Sweet Chili Chicken, Honey, Garlic & Chili Glazed Breast, Black Sesame Seeds, Fried Rice & Garlic Green Beans
THIRD COURSE
Bassetts Ice Cream, Mint Chocolate Chip or Vanilla Bean
Bananas Foster, Vanilla Ice Cream
Bridgets Cheese Cake, Whipped Cream
KC’S ALLEY
3 courses $20 ($5 donated to Ronald McDonald House)
FIRST COURSE
Alley Salad, Romaine Lettuce, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Red Onions, Shredded Cheddar & Garlic Croutons
Classic Caesar Salad, Romaine Lettuce, Parmesan Cheese, Garlic Croutons, Creamy Caesar Dressing
SECOND COURSE
KC’s Classic Burger, Cheddar Cheese & Bacon
Black and Bleu Burger, Blackening Spices & Bleu Cheese Sauce
Ultimate Wrap, Grilled Chicken, Bacon, American Cheese & Honey Mustard Sauce
Blackened Chicken Wrap, Blackened Chicken, Cheddar Cheese, Romaine Lettuce,
Turkey Panini, House Roasted Turkey, Bacon, Cheddar Cheese & Ranch Dressing
Chicken Cheesesteak, Grilled Chicken Breast Strips & American Cheese on a Long Roll. Try it with a Splash of KC’s Wing Sauce!
Jerk Chicken Sandwich, Sweet & Spicy Jerk Seasoned Breast, Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, Bacon & Mango Mayonnaise on a Potato Roll
THIRD COURSE
Jewish Apple Cake
Bassett’s Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
SAFFRON
3 courses $20
Appetizer
Combination of Samosa & Onion Bhajia
Entree
Choice of one: Chicken Tikka Masala/ Saag Paneer/Mixed Vegetable Curry
Choice on One: Garlic or Plain Naan
Dessert
Rice Pudding
FROM THE BOOT
3 courses $20 or $35 with wine pairing
1st Course
Side Caesar Salad
Side House Salad
Pasta Fagioli Soup
(Pairing: Kenwood Sparking, California)
2nd Course
Rigatoni Vodka
Mussels (Red or White)
Chicken Marsala
Eggplant Parmigana
(Pairing: Araldica Gavi, Piedmont or Homegrown Red Blend, California)
3rd Course
Cannoli
Cherry Cheesecake
(Pairing: House Made Orangcello or House Made Lemoncello)
FINN McCOOL’S
4 courses $30
Fresh Atlantic Salmon stuffed with crabmeat*
Slow Roasted Prime Rib Queen Cut*
Penne Pasta with Shrimp in a Rosa Sauce
Chicken Marsala*
* Served with vegetable & choice of potato
All of the above served with an Appetizer, soup or salad, bread & butter, dessert & coffee.
SHANACHIE
4 courses $30
leek soup
shrimp bisque
soup du jour
shanachie house salad
caesar salad
salmon
chicken tullamore
pork tenderloin
black and tan chicken
beef stew
Special Entree Choices
Lemon Pepper Butter Fish “Coddle’
with Asparagus, Fingerling Potaoes and Prosciutto Ham
Stout Braised Beef ShortRibs
with wilted Bitter Greens, Baby Carrots, Buttery Mashed Potatoes
Fried Oyster Salad
with Arugula Salad of Vine Ripe Tomatoes, Pancetta Bacon and Fresh Corn. Spicy Tartar Sauce
DESSERT
bread pudding
cheese cake
chocolate fudge cake
The restaurant renaissance in Ambler that began modestly in 1998 with the opening of Trax Café alongside the Ambler Train Station is no longer a well-kept secret. Like Manayunk, Chestnut Hill and Doylestown before it, Ambler has become a genuine restaurant destination.
And between Sunday, July 10, and Friday, July 15, during the first annual Ambler Restaurant Week, food lovers from all points can discover for themselves exactly what the buzz is all about.
It’s been a quiet evolution. At the beginning of the new millennium, only Trax Restaurant & Café, now in its 13th prosperous year with chef-owner Steve Waxman, and KC’s Alley & Bar, still owned and operated by the entrepreneurial Kevin Clib, were virtually the only places in town one could get a meal worth remembering.
Jimmy Rubino’s Ralph’s of South Philadelphia came along in 2002, followed by the Mexican restaurant La Cava two years later. Neither is still operating.
But two restaurants that opened in 2004 — Bridget’s 8 West, now a modern American steakhouse also owned by Clib, and Shanachie Irish Pub & Restaurant, delighting guests with its sophisticated Irish fare and the lively music of co-owner Gerry Timlin and other Celtic folksingers — are still doing great business and satisfying different sets of clientele along the way.
The last few years have seen a veritable boom in restaurant openings, including People’s Choice favorite Fireside Bar & Grille (2006) on Bethlehem Pike; Saffron (2009), a cozy Indian restaurant just steps away from Act II Playhouse; Dettera (2009), an upscale contemporary American restaurant offering fine cuisine and an impressive wine list that almost match its spectacular architectural features and stunning décor; From the Boot (2009), an Italian restaurant that replaced Jimmy Rubino’s and the Agave Grille & Cantina; and, earlier this year, Massa, a Greek/Mediterranean BYOB and, with its grand opening planned for the week before restaurant week, Rosey’s BBQ, the second outlet (after Jenkintown) for Chad Rosenthal’s hub of Memphis rub.
Each of these restaurants, and more, will be offering various dinner specials and prix fixe meals throughout the week.
Ambler Restaurant Week is the brainchild of Ambler Flower Shop owner Gene McGonigle, who organizes many events for Ambler Main Street.
According to Allison Wolf, who helped orchestrate the event, “It came together quickly. We just thought that with all the great restaurants we have in Ambler, why not showcase them in a nice neat package? And the restaurateurs have been totally on board and were very helpful in coming up with a plan.”
Chef Waxman, who has been an integral part of the Ambler community throughout his days at Trax, said, “Ambler’s come a long way since 1998. It’s a thriving little town. It has momentum.
“Act II Playhouse brings in people,” he continued. “So does the Ambler cinema. We can really feel the difference.”
Waxman recalled the Ambler Progressive Dinner of 2006, in which many of the borough’s best restaurants cooperated in a pleasant walking tour of Ambler that centered on having appetizers at Bridget’s and KC’s Alley, then entrées at Agave before dessert at the Shanachie.
He said that the progressive dinner brought people into town “and built some business, but it was just a bite. But restaurant week came about pretty organically, with Gene [McGonigle] and Allison [Wolf] driving the bus and Irene Baker doing most of the publicity for us.
“The restaurants of Ambler get along pretty well,” he explained. “We certainly recommend Dettera or some of the other restaurants. I’ve eaten at Saffron a few times and other restaurants in town. So I’m not surprised but very happy about the attention we’ve gotten.
“I’m sure we’ll do something together again.”
Allison Wolf concurs: “We plan on making this an annual affair. We’re really trying to make it fun. It’s not just the restaurants, but other merchants in the borough are joining in the fun.”
She was referring to strolling musicians playing along Butler Avenue, Ambler’s main street, on Thursday and Friday night, July 14 and 15, the stores staying open late and many artists featuring their work in restaurants, retail stores and the like.
“And on Wednesday of restaurant week,” she continued, “Mermaid Art Studio is offering parents a safe place to drop off their kids. For $25, the kids can do arts and crafts while the parents go off and enjoy the restaurants. Or they can do flower arrangements at the Ambler Flower Shop or Veronica’s Flowers.”
The event will be followed on Saturday, July 16, with a grand Art Stroll from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. More than two-dozen participants will offer live music, fine arts and crafts and retail specials throughout the borough. Details can be found on the Ambler Main Street website: www.AmblerMainStreet.org.
Wolf said she is especially gratified by Kevin Clib’s volunteering to donate $5 from every guest’s order at both Bridget’s and KC’s Alley to Ronald McDonald House. But all the participating restaurants are featuring amazing specials.
Here are some of the highlights: Dettera, Trax and Massa will offer three courses for $30, Bridget’s offers three courses for $32, while Shanachie and Finn McCool’s will offer four courses for $30, and KC’s, Saffron and From the Boot are offering three courses for $20.
Fireside is offering one half-priced appetizer throughout the week, and look for Rosey’s BBQ’s grand opening from July 7 to 9, with live music and specials the week before Ambler’s ambitious and appetizing first restaurant week.
Ambler Restaurant Week
takes place
Sunday, July 10, through
Friday, July 15, at various
participating restaurants
throughout Ambler borough.
For particulars, contact
each individual restaurant or visit
Sample Ambler Restaurant Week Menus
TRAX
3 courses $30
1st course:
Seasonal Gazpacho
2nd course (choice of):
Pan Seared Chicken with Rosemary Lemon Caper Sauce
Porcini Crusted Pan Seared Barbecue Salmon
Seasonal Grilled & Roasted Vegetables
Barbecued Chicken
3rd course (choice of):
Strawberries in Grand Marnier Sauce
Mixed Berries with Chantilly Cream
Chocolate Mousse
BRIDGET’S
3 courses $32 ($5 donated to Ronald McDonald House)
FIRST COURSE
Soup du Jour
Grilled Flat Bread Pizza du Jour
Tempura Spring Roll
Pulled Pork, Stir Fry Vegetables, Hot & Sour Dipping Sauce
Crab Cake, Panko Crusted & Baked, Avocado Salsa, Sweet Chili Butter & Crispy Apple Wood Smoked Bacon
Mixed Organic Greens, Baby Greens, Carrots, Cucumbers, Red Onion, Balsamic Citrus Vinaigrette
Classic Caesar, Hearts of Romaine, Zesty Caesar Dressing, Shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano
SECOND COURSE
Atlantic Salmon, Mango Barbeque Glazed Salmon, Crispy Parmesan Risotto Cake with Grilled Asparagus
Red Snapper Corn Meal Crusted Pan Seared Snapper, Plum Tomatoes, Olives, Balsamic Vinaigrette, Tomato Beurre Blanc, Grilled Asparagus, & White Rice
Seafood Fra Diovolo, Sautéed Shrimp & Scallops, tossed with Spicy Marinara and Served over Linguine
Braised Short Ribs, 12 Hour Braised Ribs, Roasted Tomato Beef Jus, Potato du Jour & Garlic Green Beans
Tenderloin of Beef, 6 oz. Grilled Filet Mignon, Shiitake Reduction Laced with Sake, Green Onions, Sesame Seeds, Potato du Jour & Garlic Green Beans
Sweet Chili Chicken, Honey, Garlic & Chili Glazed Breast, Black Sesame Seeds, Fried Rice & Garlic Green Beans
THIRD COURSE
Bassetts Ice Cream, Mint Chocolate Chip or Vanilla Bean
Bananas Foster, Vanilla Ice Cream
Bridgets Cheese Cake, Whipped Cream
KC’S ALLEY
3 courses $20 ($5 donated to Ronald McDonald House)
FIRST COURSE
Alley Salad, Romaine Lettuce, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Red Onions, Shredded Cheddar & Garlic Croutons
Classic Caesar Salad, Romaine Lettuce, Parmesan Cheese, Garlic Croutons, Creamy Caesar Dressing
SECOND COURSE
KC’s Classic Burger, Cheddar Cheese & Bacon
Black and Bleu Burger, Blackening Spices & Bleu Cheese Sauce
Ultimate Wrap, Grilled Chicken, Bacon, American Cheese & Honey Mustard Sauce
Blackened Chicken Wrap, Blackened Chicken, Cheddar Cheese, Romaine Lettuce,
Turkey Panini, House Roasted Turkey, Bacon, Cheddar Cheese & Ranch Dressing
Chicken Cheesesteak, Grilled Chicken Breast Strips & American Cheese on a Long Roll. Try it with a Splash of KC’s Wing Sauce!
Jerk Chicken Sandwich, Sweet & Spicy Jerk Seasoned Breast, Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, Bacon & Mango Mayonnaise on a Potato Roll
THIRD COURSE
Jewish Apple Cake
Bassett’s Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
SAFFRON
3 courses $20
Appetizer
Combination of Samosa & Onion Bhajia
Entree
Choice of one: Chicken Tikka Masala/ Saag Paneer/Mixed Vegetable Curry
Choice on One: Garlic or Plain Naan
Dessert
Rice Pudding
FROM THE BOOT
3 courses $20 or $35 with wine pairing
1st Course
Side Caesar Salad
Side House Salad
Pasta Fagioli Soup
(Pairing: Kenwood Sparking, California)
2nd Course
Rigatoni Vodka
Mussels (Red or White)
Chicken Marsala
Eggplant Parmigana
(Pairing: Araldica Gavi, Piedmont or Homegrown Red Blend, California)
3rd Course
Cannoli
Cherry Cheesecake
(Pairing: House Made Orangcello or House Made Lemoncello)
FINN McCOOL’S
4 courses $30
Fresh Atlantic Salmon stuffed with crabmeat*
Slow Roasted Prime Rib Queen Cut*
Penne Pasta with Shrimp in a Rosa Sauce
Chicken Marsala*
* Served with vegetable & choice of potato
All of the above served with an Appetizer, soup or salad, bread & butter, dessert & coffee.
SHANACHIE
4 courses $30
leek soup
shrimp bisque
soup du jour
shanachie house salad
caesar salad
salmon
chicken tullamore
pork tenderloin
black and tan chicken
beef stew
Special Entree Choices
Lemon Pepper Butter Fish “Coddle’
with Asparagus, Fingerling Potaoes and Prosciutto Ham
Stout Braised Beef ShortRibs
with wilted Bitter Greens, Baby Carrots, Buttery Mashed Potatoes
Fried Oyster Salad
with Arugula Salad of Vine Ripe Tomatoes, Pancetta Bacon and Fresh Corn. Spicy Tartar Sauce
DESSERT
bread pudding
cheese cake
chocolate fudge cake
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