Wild Game Dinner w/ Beer Pairings

Thursday, March 1st

On Thursday, March 1st, Vince Totaro of Trattoria Totaro is offering one of his famous Wild Game Dinners.  The event is $55.00 per person with open seating and each course is paired with craft beers.

First Course

Antelope lentil stewoup (soup so thick you’ll think it’s stew)

Second Course

Radicchio and arugula, toasted pine nuts, purple onion, sliced grape tomatoes and gorgonzola cheese tossed in fig vinaigrette, topped with grilled frogs legs

Pasta Course

Buffalo Bolognese

Ground buffalo sautéed with mushrooms in a classic blush sauce, tossed with fresh cut fettuccine and topped with grated romano cheese

Main Course A sampling of each:

Wild River Steelhead

Served over saffron basmati rice

Roasted Rabbit

Served over a mix of green olives, golden raisins, capers and pine nuts with a foie gras sauterne drizzle

Roasted Boned Duck

With Pomegranate Koresh (scallion, garlic, orange zest, onion, walnuts, cinnamon, saffron and pomegranate)

Buffalo Bracciola

Caramelized onions, fontina cheese, fire roasted poblano peppers, spinach and egg, wrapped with flank steak brushed with olive oil, garlic and herbs. From the Double J Ranch, the buffalo is grass fed only, then fed corn the last two weeks.

Grilled wild boar tenderloin in a prune and cherry red wine sauce

Dessert

Family Style Dessert Sampler

$55 per person

Trattoria Totaro

639 Spring Mill Avenue

Conshohocken, PA 19428

610-828-7050

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IT’S BACK!!!!!!

2011 Contestants compete in Mussel Bowl 8

Chick’s Tavern’s

9th Annual Mussel Bowl

Sunday, January 29, 2012

CONTEST BEGINS at 3PM ~ GET THERE EARLY!!

Chick’s Tavern has been owned and operated by the Chiccarine family since 1935. On Sunday, January 29, 2012, Chick’s Tavern will host their 9^th Annual Mussel Bowl at 3:00 pm.  The Irish Thunder Pipe Band will also perform.

Last Year’s Event was a HUGE success and each year’s Mussel Bowl draws a larger crowd, and a more exciting competition! Last year, the 8th Annual Mussel Bowl, held on January 30, 2011 was a record breaking day. Tim Kinney, representing the AOH, ate 280 mussels in ten minutes!

The Irish Thunder Pipe Band performed before and after the competition.

2011 Mussel Bowl winner, Tim Kinney with Chick’s owner, Amy Chiccarine.

Also in last year’s Mussel Bowl at Chick’s Tavern,  the youngest competitor ever, at the age of 12, eating 143 mussels in 10 minutes, was MY SON, Tanner. One year later, and significantly larger, he will again seek the title.

My 12 year old son, Tanner, excitedly anticipates the start of Mussel Bowl 2011

THE YEAR’S COMPETITION

Sunday, January 29, 2012

3:00 PM

• The competition will feature two rounds of eating, 5 minutes each, with a ten minute break in between.
• The winner will receive Free Mussels for one year on Monday nights.
• The Irish Thunder Pipe Band will perform prior to the event start, so get there early!
• The entry fee for contestants is $20, with those proceeds donated to Retired Officer Steve Savo, Badge # 40 of the Bridgeport Police Department and the AOH Irish Club.

RULES AND ENTRY FORM

Chick’s Tavern

231 East 4^th Street

Bridgeport, PA

610-279-9606

 For more information, please contact Dave Chiccarine or Amy Young

Follow Chick’s Tavern on twitter

Chick’s Tavern on facebook

Trattoria Totaro

Hosts a December

Wild Game Dinner

Thursday December 15th

Five courses of exotic wild game such as quail, kangaroo,

wild boar, elk and duck

Each course paired with micro brewed beers

$55.00 per person

Open seating, but seating is limited!

For reservations call: 610-828-7050

Trattoria Totaro

639 Spring Mill Avenue

Conshohocken, PA 19428

Men’s Italian Night at Chick’s Tavern

Tuesday, October 4, 2011 – 7pm

Family Style Menu:

Appetizers:

Mixed Garden Greens with Tomato, Fresh Mozzarella & Shrimp,

Pasta Fagioli Soup, Garlic Bread with sautéed onions & peppers,

Broccoli Rabe and White Mussels

Entrees:

Chicken Parmigiana

Penne in an Arrabiatta Sauce

Eggplant Parm Rollatini

Roasted Pork Sirloin with Red Bliss Potatoes

Home-made Desserts

$25 per person – Reserve your table today!

Chick’s Tavern

231 East 4th Street

Bridgeport, PA

610-279-9606       www.chickstavern.net

The 2nd Annual Conshohocken Restaurant Week will be held from June 13-19, 2011!  Each participating restaurant will feature a $20.00 and/or $35.00 fixed price menu. This is a great opportunity to sample foods at the Conshohocken restaurants you’ve been dying to try.

HIGHLIGHTS

Eggplant Rollatini From Trattoria Totaro

For Trattoria Totaro, this is a fabulous opportunity to differentiate themselves from Totaro’s on Hector Street. The popular BYO offers an amazing 3 course menu for $35.

Sushi rolls at Spamps

Haven’t tried the sushi at Spamps yet? On their 3 course $35 menu you can have sushi, an appetizer and dessert! Not in the mood for sushi, try their rib-eye instead.

Chicken Parm from Spampinato’s

Spamps sister restaurant, Spampinato’s is authentic Italian cuisine prepared by owner Mike Spampinato. This is still a hidden gem in Conshohocken, often overlooked for the larger Spamps. You MUST try the braciole! It is terrific. Their menu is a bargain at 3 courses for $20!

Sesame crusted yellow fin tuna from Stonerose

I am still amazed at how many people have not tried Stonerose yet! While their most popular dish still remains the shortrib over mac and cheese, do not overlook that fabulous burger! Their new spring menu entree, the wild boar chops are included on the $35, 3 course menu and this is the perfect time to try!

Salad from blackfish

Winner of this year’s Philly Mag Best of Philly honors, Blackfish will offer a 2 course $35 menu. I highly recommend the skate. Don’t forget that they are BYO!

There are other great restaurants participating in restaurant week as well. The complete list:

Blackfish

8 East

Fayette Grill

Boathouse

Great American Pub

Guppy’s

The Gypsy Saloon

isabella

Pepperoncini

Piatto Grill

Shula’s

Spamps

Spampinato’s

Stella Blu

Stonerose

Totaro’s

Trattoria Totaro

For Menus for all of the participating restaurants, please visit

More Than The Curve

This Tuesday night head to Bridgeport for a great night with that special someone!

Couples Italian Night at

Chick’s Tavern

Tuesday, June 7, 2011 – 7pm

Menu:

Appetizers:

Spring Mix Garden Salad, White Mussels,

Broccoli Rabe with Garlic Bread and U Peel Shrimp

Entrees:

Chicken Parmigiana

Grilled Chicken & Spinach in a Rose Sauce over Pasta

Parmesan Crusted Tilapia with Sautéed Vegetables

Assorted Desserts

Family Style Menu

$45 per couple

Reserve your table today!

Chick’s Tavern

231 East 4th Street

Bridgeport, PA 19405

610-279-9606

Veal Vivian

Everybody has a fabulous Valentine’s Day menu this year, but Vince Totaro, owner of Trattoria Totaro in Conshohocken has created a terrific dinner for you married folks with children to enjoy at home, on a Monday night. His motto:

“Grab a bottle of wine, put the kids to bed and enjoy a delicious 5 course meal”

♥Trattoria Totaro Valentines Day 2011  Take Out Menu♥

5 Course Dinner for Two – $75.00 Per Couple

First Course – Soup: Choose one to share:

Seafood Bisque – Italian Escarole – Minestrone

Second Course – Salad: Choose one to share:

Nuts and Berry Salad

Spring Mix, Maytag Blue Cheese, Dried Berries, Walnuts, Red Onion and Tomatoes tossed in a Berry Balsamic Vinaigrette

Caesar Salad

Crisp Romaine Lettuce, Fresh Ground Black Pepper and House Made Croutons tossed in our Cheesy Caesar Dressing

Third Course – Pasta Sampler – A sampling of three pastas to share:

Ravioli Victoria, Cavitelli Desperada and Fettuccine Canadese

Fourth Course – Entree: Choose two:

Rack of Lamb

Grilled to order with Greek yogurt and cherry honey compote.

Served with a side of French green beans and sweet potato risotto

Pescatore

Clams, mussels, scallops, shrimp and jumbo lump crab meat in a spicy marinara sauce or

garlic butter and white wine sauce, served over home made pasta

Veal or Chicken Val d’Asta

Sautéed veal tender topped with sautéed baby spinach, prosciutto di Parma and mozzarella cheese, finished with wild mushroom marsala sauce. Served with a side of wild rice and grilled asparagus.

Petite Filet and Shrimp and Scallop Scampi

Filet mignon topped with gorgonzola butter and caramelized onions,

with crispy pancetta and fontina cheese stuffed baked potato and grilled asparagus

Veal or Chicken Vivian

Sauteed veal tender topped with lump crab, baby spinach and mozzarella cheese in a white wine cream sauce served over home made pasta and topped with grilled asparagus.

Dessert Sampler:

Assorted Italian dessert tray

Orders must be in by Feb.13^th, Pick up by 6:00pm, Delivery may be available

610-828-7050

Trattoria Totaro

639 Spring Mill Avenue

Conshohocken, PA 19428

Want to go out instead? They have a few menu with a few late tables available MENU

The Winning Meatball!

As you may recall, we blogged about Meatball Wars last month. Eight restaurants competed in order to raise money for the charity 100 for 100 kids. The winner took home the title of BEST MEATBALL. I didn’t really have any expectation of who would ultimately prevail, but as a judge of the event, I know everything was fair, and that, in fact, Pasta Via‘s meatball was the best meatball that day!

Mary Schaffer of The Outbound Station, Betty Stanley, owner of Pasta via, Betty’s mother and Mary’s daughter at Meatball Wars ~ picture from More Than The Curve

I grew up in Conshohocken, as I have mentioned, like 1 million times, and therefore it is very near and near to my heart. We used to order delivery from Pasta Via when my husband and I had our 1st home there. We always loved their food. I have been to family events where their food was served and I always enjoyed it, but I am not sure why they don’t immediately come to mind when I think of restaurants in Conshohocken.

After their victory, I just had to go back again. When I walked inside, I remembered immediately why I don’t think of them. It is very small inside with only 3 or 4 tables. We are a family of 5, so our group noise alone would shut the place down! For me, that makes Pasta Via take-out or catering as my two viable options. Because I don’t live in Conshohocken any longer, I don’t really take-out from restaurants there very often, unless I am in town already, but catering is a wonderful option for one of the children’s next birthdays!

If I did still live in Conshohocken, I would be a regular again. Owner Betty Stanley has been serving her family’s Italian specialties for more than 17 years. The pastas are delicious and the portions are generous. All of their food, from sandwiches to salads are substantial in portion size and priced well.

Mushroom and Pepperoni Pizza from Pasta Via

The one thing I never realized was that they also have pizza. It never occurred to me! If you read my blog on pizza, you would know that I have become disillusioned with my childhood favorite, although it is still good, my tastes have changed and with 3 growing children, so has my budget! On Friday nights, Pasta Via offers a pizza special: Buy 1 large, 16 inch pie, get the 2nd at 1/2 off, which is $16.45 for 2 large pizzas….hmmmm, I guess to be fair I should add them to my pizza blog!

If you live or work in the Conshohocken area, and haven’t been to Pasta Via, they are definitely worth checking out. In the summer they have outdoor dining and you can BYO. There is seating inside and the “people watching” is definitely entertaining. They also do catering through the entire Philadelphia area, as well as, deliver lunch and dinner to area residents and businesses.

Pasta Via

824 Fayette Street

Conshohocken, PA 19428

610-940-0722

Chick’s Tavern will host a Happy Hour for a great cause tomorrow night in advance of Saturday’s Purple Stride Walk !

The proceeds from the Happy hour supports the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

Come out and support a great cause!

Where: Chick’s Tavern 231 East 4th Street, Bridgeport PA

When: Friday, November 5th from 7:00pm -9:00pm

RSVP to Event

Arugula Ristorante

Huntingdon Valley welcomes a Tuscan BYO!

I’ll be honest, I do not get to Huntingdon Valley very often. It’s not very far from my home, but my car just isn’t “programmed” to go that way. Having grown up in Conshohocken, gone to school in the city and worked out to the west of King of Prussia for years, heading in that direction isn’t second nature to me. So, when someone told me that I HAD to get there and check it out, I blew it off, initially. Then I got another recommendation, and then another.

As I traveled down, or up, (I have no sense of direction), County Line Road, I thought to myself, “Why would anyone open a restaurant here.” It’s not an especially “exciting” area. Then I arrived at the even less exciting strip mall where Arugula is nestled at the end. All I can say is, “Thank god they opened here!”

Main Dining Room with Open Kitchen

Chef/Owner, Michael Buscio has an extensive background in cooking in Italian kitchens throughout the Philadelphia area including Radicchio Cafe in South Philadelphia and felt the need to bring authentic Tuscan cuisine to the burbs via Arugula. The space is quite large and has a private dining area, as well as, a beautiful outdoor patio set with heat lamps for cool evenings.

Outdoor Patio

There is a lovely brick oven for the house specialty thin crust Tuscan style pizzas, which I plan to return to try soon! The remainder of the menu focuses on Italian specialties such as pastas, seafood, grilled fish and of course, arugula salad!

Brick Oven

Seafood Pasta served with your wine (BYO)

The Pasta was cooked perfectly! The seafood was so fresh and the sauce wonderfully zesty! They also filet branzino, which is flown in daily, table-side.

Arugula Salad with Italian Goat Cheese and Pine Nuts

I could personally eat arugula every day, and in fact, I do! This salad was something special, even for me. The combination of this amazing cheese (the chef would not share the exact type…shhhh it’s a secret and like nothing I have ever tasted) and the pine nuts with the tart vinaigrette was addictive.

Check out their Lunch Menu and Dinner Menu.

Arugula Ristorante

1051 County Line Road

Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006

215-355-5577