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Chicken Tortellini / Ron Knerr
Alessandro’s Wood Fired Italian and Bar (Wayne, PA)
We heard about Alessandro’s earlier this Fall by a “word of mouth” recommendation at a local golf club’s 19th hole watering spot. After initially confusing it with the previously reviewed Antonella’s (Villanova), an online search nailed down the location of this touted spot near the Wayne train station. A corner location with adequate parking in the rear makes for a hassle-free visit.
Alessandro’s takes its name from Chef Alex Fiorello who operated the Arde Osteria (2014 - 2020) in the same location prior to the COVID pandemic. Fiorello undertook modest interior modifications and a revamp of the menu, keeping the wood fired oven imported from Italy as a vital preparation tool. A son of Italian immigrants, Alex spent his youth in the family restaurant business. Prior to Arde, Fiorello was the executive Chef at his dad’s Fiorello’s Café in West Chester. Southern Italian cuisine, an imported Italian Wood Fired oven and interesting cocktail creations differentiate Alessandro’s from many other restaurants in the genre.
Read the rest of Ron's column below ...
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Chef Jose Garces brings Buena Onda
Restaurant to Radnor
Coming this spring, the Main Line will welcome Buena Onda, a Baja-inspired taqueria by the famed Food Network Iron Chef, Jose Garces. Samantha Geiger in an article in Main Line Today said, "Along with a location in Center City, the Radnor location will open early to late spring, just in time for its summer, Baja-inspired menu. Signature dishes will include seafood tacos, classic tacos, Buena bowls, nachos, guacamole, chips and salsa, rice and beans, churros and much more."
“Inspired by surf towns along the Mexican coastline, this quick-service restaurant features a menu focused heavily on seafood. Options such as shrimp and fish tacos, alongside more classic options such as pork al pastor tacos, nachos, guacamole and meatless tofu chorizo tacos ensure every palate will leave pleased,” explains Chef Garces... Not sure about you all, but we know one of the first stops planned once the weather breaks for Spring, and Buena Onda Baja Taqueria opens its doors!
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Chef Jose Garces / delcotimes.com
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Pure Roots Provisions in KOP
This one struck us as an interesting and intriguing concept for modern eateries... Per Pure Roots Provisions website, they are an "innovative food hall with seven restaurants under one roof! Everything is handmade fresh to order by our talented chefs then delivered straight to you by our professional team!"
Pure Roots Provisions works with local farms and vendors to provide fresh and convenient meals delivered straight to your door, and they do it to build a community and provide a one-stop shop for all of your culinary needs. The website went on to say, "We believe our community needs a reliable place to get fresh meals delivered straight to you. Unlike delivery apps like Grubhub and Doordash, we are the whole process. Our menus are cooked by our chefs and delivered by our best drivers. No more late deliveries and cold food, with Pure Roots you are guaranteed restaurant quality food in the comfort of your own home!"... Like we said... pretty interesting concept right?!
If you get there before we do, let us know what you think and drop us a line at amoveablefeastmontco@gmail.com.
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Timshel Coffee in Norristown closes its doors
Timshel, a small coffee shop on Main Street in Norristown (near the intersection with DeKalb Street), has closed its doors indefinitely. After serving up good coffee, baked goods, and conversation to the Norristown community since April of 2018, Timshel will cease operations. We'll hate to seem them leave, but we thank them for their time spent in and passion for Norristown and its surrounding neighborhoods!
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Timshel Coffee / Stan Huskey
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HIT THE SLOPES!
With the cool temps and snow in the forecast, what better time to pack up the family, and see what Pennsylvania's winter sport attractions have to offer?! Whether you ski, snowboard, tube, or snowshoe, there's always an opportunity at the many slopes and resort locations within close proximity... Check out onthesnow.com for Pennsylvania's snow reports, and varying information regarding the plethora of winter sport opportunities in the area. We'll see you on the slopes!
The Motorsports Race Car & Trade Show
Another event in the coming weeks at the Expo Center is Oaks! This will take place on January 21st 2:00pm – 9:00pm, and January 22nd 11:00am – 9:00pm. The Motorsports Race Car & Trade Show combines industry, media, and consumer audiences exploring the newest equipment and most innovative technology in the motorsports industry. All forms of motorsports are represented, including circle track, drag racing, road racing, dirt and asphalt. Join us for two action-packed days! Visit this website for more information and advanced ticketing options.
Gear up to hit the water this Spring at the Philadelphia Fishing Show
February 18th, 19th, and 20th at the Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA! Find the latest and greatest in guides, lodges, rods, reels, lures, tackle, gear, apparel, art, marine, and more!
Fun for all ages, enjoy FREE Seminars by Guides and Captains daily! Whether an enthusiastic novice, experienced professional, or indulgent shore support, there is something for everyone to learn and discover. For more information and advanced tickets, checkout the Philadelphia Fishing Show website here.
Lititz Fire & Ice Festival
The 2022 Lititz Fire & Ice Festival will take place February 18th - 27th. Instead of one weekend, the event will be spread out over a week and a half, with rotating sculptures placed throughout the town! Stop by the event and order at one of the local restaurants, peruse the quaint shops and boutiques and enjoy the masterfully crafted ice sculptures! Find out more cool winter events at discoverlancaster.com.
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9 ways to make your fruit and veggies last longer
An article from goodhousekeeping.com says, "it's easy to overbuy when you're doing your weekly shopping, or forget fruit and vegetables lingering in the back of the fridge or the bottom of the fruit bowl."
Luckily, there are some thrifty tricks that can help you avoid such waste, save you money, and to help you "get greener"... Here are 9 ways to make your fruits and veggies last longer!
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Richard Drury / Getty Images
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Gift certificate for La Michoacana!
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La Michoacana Mixed Fajitas
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Sign up to be a member of the A Moveable Feast Members Club, post a foodie photo on Instagram with #amfeastagram, or just send an email to the A Moveable Feast Guy and you'll be entered to win a $25 gift certificate to
La Michoacana!
Join our Members Club below and you're automatically entered to win every month. Remember, 10 percent of your 99 cent membership each month goes to the Montco Anti-Hunger Network!
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New swag offer!
Enjoy your morning coffee with A Moveable Feast! Send a link to this newsletter to just 5 of your friends, and if they sign on to receive our free newsletter, or even if they don't, you'll receive this A Moveable Feast mug! All you have to do is email us at amoveablefeastmontco to let us know you did indeed send the link to five friends and we'll send you a mug! Oh, and just to make it as easy as possible, here's the link!
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... the rest of Ron's column
Although the bar menu includes several draft and bottled beers as well as wine, we started with signature drinks from the rotating specialty cocktail menu. DW Sherri chose the “Let’s Make a Dill” cocktail, created with Stateside Vodka, Harken Chardonnay, fresh Pear, Dill and Lemon, and I chose the “Kevin!”, made with Lunazul Reposado Tequila, Ancho Reyes Verde (Poblano Pepper Liqueur!), Cranberry, Chili Peppers and Lime. If you are adventurous, check the cocktail creations for something unique – even an Old Fashioned prepared with Buffalo Trace and Demerara sugar served smoking at the table is available.
The menu includes numerous appetizers, salads, pasta dishes and entrees. The typical appetizers of Calamari, Burrata and Grilled Octopus are available, but Grilled Artichokes and Baked Clams are also options as somewhat atypical choices. Six types of Wood Fired Pizza are offered ranging from the basic Margherita to a Truffle or Short Rib topped Pizza.
House baked fresh bread was brought to the table to start the meal, accompanied by Olive Oil enhanced with Roasted Sweet Red Peppers. The warm bread was moist and carried a nice density, and the accompanying oil was a great pairing. DW Sherri chose a Insalata Limone as a starter and I chose the Chicken Tortellini soup of the day. The salad was dressed with a Lemon Vinaigrette that was refreshing but short of lip puckering, and somewhat of a unique find during our travels. The sizable bowl of soup had a rich tomato base and was chock full of tortellini, vegetables, and chunks of chicken. Both appetizers were very good, and I confess the soup rates as one of the best I’ve had over the course of the MFMontco reviews.
For our dinner choices, DW Sherri chose the Chicken Parmigiana with Pasta, and I chose the Paccheri Amatriciana – Cured Pork Cheek with Onions prepared with Calabrian Chilies and fresh Tomato over Pasta. (bonus points for those readers who didn’t need to consult Grandma for a translation). The chicken dish featured a thick cutlet of Chicken Breast that was well prepared and accompanied by Marinara sauced Rigatoni. My dish contained Mezzi pasta (large Rigatoni) that was accompanied by a fresh tomato sauce with bits of pork jowl and an underlying Calabrian pepper spiciness. As my dish was a selection from the Pasta menu, the balance of ingredients was shifted toward the pasta instead of the protein, so diners should not expect large protein component on items in the Pasta menu. Both main dishes were great, and the portions were large enough to take some home.
So, we got to the dessert course and readers know we like to sample dessert when the preceding courses justify further food exploration. We chose to share the Lemon Tart, served with Blueberry Sauce and White Chocolate Lemon Crumb. A creamy tart filling was layered over a light pastry crust and the Blueberry Sauce provided a bit of sweetness to balance the lemon’s tartness.
Reservations on Resy, and outdoor dining weather permitting.
Rating 4.25 / 5
Alessandro’s Wood Fired Italian and Bar
133 N Wayne Ave
Wayne, PA 19087
Ph (484) 580-6786
HOURS:
Sunday - Thursday: 5pm-9pm
Friday - Saturday: 5pm-10pm
https://alessandroswoodfired.com/
https://www.facebook.com/alessandroswoodfired/
Ron Knerr is a 30+ year cooking hobbyist who has been a “foodie” before the term was popular. His home arsenal includes a smoker, a sous vide immersion heater, a sausage stuffer, and several crockpots.
Send comments and suggestions to: RonKnerrFeast@gmail.com
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