A picture of Jim Maglio and Brian Pieri, many, many years ago...

Childhood friends since the 2nd grade, Brian Pieri and Jim Maglio grew up in Springfield, Delaware County. Brian, a graduate of Penn State University and Jim, a graduate of Villanova University, have remained in the area and although they pursued very different careers, decided it was time to join forces and create something really special.  A place to call their own.

Brian, now residing in Conshohocken, was tired of the local scene. Conshohocken has come a long way in recent years, however, many of the local establishments have become gathering places for young professionals whom are more interested in a having a few beers than eating. With a few exceptions, Blackfish, being one, many area pubs offer mediocre food, at best.

The pair, with the tremendous support of friends and family, decided it was time to change Conshohocken’s landscape. Located within walking distance of home, The StoneRose Restaurant was built. After gutting the once Y2K Tavern, a dive bar with ceilings stained of smoke so deeply they were gold, the decision was made to open up the front of the space. The goal was to create an open air feeling in the once closed-in building, with no windows.

Bamboo floors, large textured subway tiles resembling a natural fiber, and butcher block tables were employed to create a natural, pure space. A dark  marble bar top supported by neutral toned marbled wood brings depth to the front room while maintaining the openness. Rich colors such as a claret  border for the front room and chestnut walls in the back dining room were used to pull everything together.

The end result…a neighborhood bistro (they are not fond of “gastropub,” although truth be told that is where they really fall) that is focused on “refined comfort food”; think BBQ Shortrib over Mac and Cheese, Alsatian Flatbread Pizza, Parmesan Polenta Fries and Grass-Fed Pan Roasted Piedmontese Rib-eye. They offer a great beer list featuring small, local breweries and great wines, but we’ll highlight that in a future post!

Although currently open to the public, the Grand Opening is scheduled for next weekend. 

We will celebrate the opening this week with daily posts including an introduction to the chef, a look at the bar, results from their breast cancer fund-raiser, and more!

 It isn’t quite our style to “review” a restaurant on our blog. We usually leave that for The Best of Food. 

However, with everyone else weighing in, and score being kept, we felt compelled to cast our vote!

By now, the decor has been communicated throughout the blog world, so we will be brief in our description. The prohibition vibe, with the subway tiles and tin, makes for a very comfortable setting.  The large front windows add a depth of openness that is definitely needed due to the size of the space. Images of a beautiful snowfall, viewed through those windows, while saddled up to the  bar enjoying a stiff drink that warms your insides, are conjured up in our minds. We can’t wait to spend a winter day here!

As for the size of the space, I was perplexed before it opened, amazed on my initial visit, and enlightened on my third trip. The initial trip was not planned, but instead a reward after  a horrible dining experience. Arriving at 10PM, there was plenty of standing room in the narrow space in the back of the restaurant and as luck would have it, 3 empty seats at the bar. While I enjoyed my Ginger Rogers, the lengthy theatrical mixing of the cocktails became grating after waiting 10 minutes to order and then another 10 minutes for 3 drinks to be made. Subsequent visits did, however, prove that this was a bartender specific issue, if you know what I mean.

Ginger Rogers

What impressed us most about the well-designed space was the decision to use generic, black beer taps, maintaining the clean lines of the bar. All and all, there is really nothing to complain about, except the size! Which leads me to my latest visit on a Thursday night at 8:30PM when there was a wait outside, just to stand inside, as they were full to capacity. Call me cynical, but watching for 20 minutes as people were turned away and sent next door, it occurred to me what a strategically genius opening this was after all.

Tinto now receives all of the overflow.

Especially on weeknights when there are usually many vacant tables at Tinto; the financial rewards for the GRG (Garces Restaurant group) of  Village Whiskey’s size,  far outweigh any negatives of the limited seating. Just saying…

On to the food! The cheese puffs on our first visit were melt in your mouth, over-the-top, delicious, to the point of craving another trip to try them again. The 2nd order on our next visit were a little disappointing. The light-as-air center of the first order was replaced with a dense, doughy consistency on the 2nd order. The lack of consistency was explained to us as weather conditions. Unfortunately, the 2nd order was such a let down from the first, I am unable to distinguish if they weren’t good or if they just weren’t as good. I would tend to lean toward the latter.

Cheese Puffs

It was a 100% consensus from our group that the duck fat fries were a huge let-down. To be fair, I definitely prefer traditional pomme frites to the thick, dense steak fries. None of us, however, were fans of the mealy consistency in the center of the fries. That being said, the raves regarding the short rib and cheddar fries from so many others will result in the fries getting a second look by this group.

Cape May Salts

Cape May Salts were cold, briny and delicious! Popcorn shrimp were just that and really not worth discussing one way or the other. The Kentucky Fried Quail was crispy on the outside, tender on the inside and quite tasty, although borderline too salty. 

Kentucky Fried Quail

Now on to the main event; The Whiskey King.

The Whiskey King Burger

This perfectly cooked, ordered  medium-rare burger was absolutely delicious IMHO. The beef was juicy and bursting with flavor. The foie gras was cooked perfectly as well, and as been reported elsewhere, was a generous portion. We were pleasantly surprised, especially after reading the disappointing review by The Femme Fermental, that the roll not only remained in tact, but was decent. The best bun we’ve ever tasted? Absolutely not.  But, it neither detracted from the delicious burger with poor consistency, nor did it overwhelm it with immense density. The bacon is really a bit much with the amazing flavors and richness from the foie, so I chose to remove it, while my friend was happy devouring the “King” in its entirety.

Closeup of the beef that is the center piece for the Whiskey King

Is this a burger I need to have again? Probably not, but like the $100 cheesesteak, it was a “must try.”

As for Village Whiskey, it is definitely a keeper! The atmosphere is nothing short of addictive, especially with the right staff on duty!

So tell us….will you try the $24 Whiskey King? If you have, what are your thoughts?

We are very excited about the newest restaurant opening in Conshohocken in the next few weeks. StoneRose,  opening at 822 Fayette Street, will be a welcome addition to the neighborhood, providing “refined comfort food” in a relaxed, yet upscale bistro setting.

The Best of Food stopped in one day to check on the progress when Jim Maglio, the restaurant’s GM and “beverage guru,” was doing a little wine tasting.”  While construction took place inside, the wine tasting and selection, took place outside.

While the process didn’t seem as sophisticated as one might imagine, the selection process did, however, turn out a balanced wine list from small purveyors, as was the original intention. The restaurant will offer 14 wines by the glass and over 30 bottles from everywhere from Washington State to South Africa, with an emphasis on Italian reds. Prices start at a very reasonable $22 per bottle for an Italian Montepulciano and top at $100 for an ’04 Villadoria Barolo.

A few of our favorites:

Dievole Pinocchio – a young, full bodied Italian red – $39 a bottle

Terrunos Siete – a fruity  Spanish red, with a slight spice finish  – $41 a bottle

Jovly Vouvray – a floral, French, Chenin Blanc – $32 a bottle

We are very excited about the newest restaurant opening in Conshohocken in the next few weeks. StoneRose,  opening at 822 Fayette Street, will be a welcome addition to the neighborhood, providing “refined comfort food” in a relaxed, yet upscale bistro setting.

The Best of Food stopped in one day to check on the progress when Jim Maglio, the restaurant’s GM and “beverage guru,” was doing a little wine tasting.”  While construction took place inside, the wine tasting and selection, took place outside.

While the process didn’t seem as sophisticated as one might imagine, the selection process did, however, turn out a balanced wine list from small purveyors, as was the original intention. The restaurant will offer 14 wines by the glass and over 30 bottles from everywhere from Washington State to South Africa, with an emphasis on Italian reds. Prices start at a very reasonable $22 per bottle for an Italian Montepulciano and top at $100 for an ’04 Villadoria Barolo.

A few of our favorites:

Dievole Pinocchio – a young, full bodied Italian red – $39 a bottle

Terrunos Siete – a fruity  Spanish red, with a slight spice finish  – $41 a bottle

Jovly Vouvray – a floral, French, Chenin Blanc – $32 a bottle

There is a lot going on suddenly in the Flourtown/Fort Washington neighborhoods…

The location at 735 Bethlehem Pike in Flourtown has been home to Rusty’s Schooner for years, although perhaps unsuccessfully, as it has changed hands repeatedly.

It looks like it has perhaps reached the end of its life-cycle. The seafood takeout spot has  been closed and cleaned out.

—————————————————————————————————————

South Ocean, a Japanese/Chinese restaurant is due to open in the Acme Shopping  Center in late October. A conversation with the owner confirmed the space will have a sushi bar and will be BYO.

Does anyone pre-judge a restaurant by its signing? What does the appearance of the exterior of this restaurant say to you?

We couldn’t help but wondering why it’s necessary to have the neon lights in the windows and the standard “strip mall” signage. The description of the sushi bar being built created a different visual image. Imagine our surprise when this when up…

Just curious, does it matter to you?

—————————————————————————————————————–

MaGerk’s is due to open September 21st at 582 South Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington, formerly the Bent Elbow. Owners of this Maryland based Pub were born and raised in the Philadelphia area and return home now to restore this 142 year old landmark into a family friendly restaurant and bar. They will serve variation of the Philly Cheesesteak, along with other pub fare. They have over 30 televisions and 3 bars.

Visit our Facebook page for additional construction pictures of MaGerk’s.

—————————————————————————————————————–

Halligan’s Pub in Flourtown just putting finishing touches on their new rear outdoor patio.