steak

Beer, Eating out, Food, Philadelphia suburb, Restaurant, Reviews, steak

The Refectory – Villanova, PA

January 9, 2022February 13, 2022 ILoveEatingOut

Wow just wow. It was just what I needed to restore my love of eating out and “talking” about it! Everything was simply perfect. The Refectory is located on Villanova’s campus below a student residence hall. But do not let this deter you because you would never know students live in the floors above and quite frankly, everything was so lovely that it really doesn’t matter.

When we first walked into the restaurant, we were pleasantly greeted and taken to our table. We had a reservation and I suggest you make one as this place was hopping. First impression was awesome. I loved the 80’s music playing in the background…not too loud, but just loud enough. The restaurant is quite large. There is a beautiful bar and several booths and tables, large enough to fit all your plates and glasses and tables spaced far apart enough that you aren’t too close to strangers. We were seated close to the open kitchen, so we got to see all of the happenings and it was very cool.

We ordered come drinks, nothing too crazy. A couple of us had wine, an old fashioned was ordered, a Monks sour beer and some chilled club soda. All were happy with their drinks. I did notice they have a nice beer and wine selection, as well as some interesting cocktails. I saw several of them being served throughout our evening and they looked lovely.

We started with some apps to share. We ordered Brussels Sprouts (bacon lardons, apple, balsamic mustard) for $12 and Buffalo Cauliflower (house hot sauce, buttermilk ranch) for $13 and lastly, Nova Fries (brisket, house wiz, pickled onion) for $9.

The cauliflower was lightly breaded and lightly tossed in sauce but still crispy. The brussel sprouts were charred as expected and the bacon consisted of nice chunks…no burnt bits. Also for flavor and added texture, there were delicious golden apple chunks. All were amazing! I personally enjoyed the fries the most, but I’d recommend all of these. You will not be disappointed.

Brussels sprouts and Buffalo cauliflower

At this point in the meal, we were all laughing about and almost had full tummies because we overordered on the apps (2 cauliflower, 2 brussel sprouts and the fries) but we knew we had another amazing course making its way to our table and I can’t wait to show you.

I had the Bronzino for $32. The fish was so good. The skin was crispy and seasoned heavily with herbs. It was served with chard fennel which is a first for me. It’s a veg I never really considered as a good side but let me tell you it was a nice change for something different.

Side note: while preparing this blog I referenced back to the menu, and I noticed that some of the dishes have changed. The branzino filet is on the menu for $23 with different sides and a different preparation. But if it is anything like the fish I had, you will not be disappointed.

The Hubs enjoyed the Kobe New York Strip for $32. The steak was served with onion soubise, royal trumpet mushrooms, cippolini onions and a bordelaise sauce. Just look at how perfectly cooked this delectable piece of meat was. I had a taste, and it was tender and delicious.

Our other party members enjoyed a Branzino (like mine) and one had a very special dish of the night. In addition to their standard menu, the chef had a special offering of wagyu beef starting at $40 for 2 ounces. Yes, you read that right. It was pricey. Below you can see the final presentation. We all tried a piece. The best way I can describe this is that I’ve never had anything like it before. The texture was soft. It was beyond tender. The meat literally melted in my mouth with minimal chewing involved. It was an unexpected feeling, and the taste was magnificent. Now if you like a steak with some structure to it where there is come chewing involved, this would not be for you.

Dessert was the only disappointment of the evening. We ordered the Zebra Cake which is passion fruit cake, coconut cream and dark chocolate for $8. The only thing I liked about the dessert was the passion fruit syrup served on the plate. The white “icing” encasing the cake was so weird. It literally had the look and texture of drying paint. I do not recommend this at all…although it did look beautiful. I guess that is the upside.

One note for the reader…parking is not the best. We had to park in a parkiing lot, across the street. Be prepared to walk a minimum of one block and cross a busy street. I did not see any closer parking or valet.

In conclusion, the vibe was uplifting and positive, and the food and service were tremendous (minus the disappointing dessert). If you are looking for an exciting and fun night out with your special person or even a girl’s night out, I recommend giving Refectory a try. I give Refectory 4.25 out of 5 forks. Thanks for reading and eat out more often folks!

Eating out, Food, Philadelphia suburb, Restaurant, Reviews, scallops, steak

White Dog Cafe, Haverford, PA

October 3, 2019 ILoveEatingOut

There were four of us that met out for dinner at White Dog Cafe in Haverford. We started with Sandy Ridge Farm Deviled Eggs for $11 which included a half dozen, cage-free eggs with an assortment of seasonal fillings. Ours included caviar and chives, a crispy potato crumble and a blue cheese and bacon topping. These were fantastic and unlike any deviled eggs we had ever had. They were so creamy and the toppings were unique and complimentary.

We also shared Parmesan Fries with truffle oil, grana, and chives for $8. They were cooked just right and were served with care. However, they could have used a bit more truffle oil. You could barely taste or smell the truffle oil but they were still tasty.

The Hubs ordered the Butcher’s Cut which was a filet mignon. It was served with locally sourced, shallot butter, house made steak sauce, truffle fries and arugula salad. The plate looked nice but the filet was overcooked. He ordered medium but there was no pink inside. The Hubs isn’t a complainer but I could tell he was a bit disappointed.

I had the Locust Point Farm Chicken served with goat cheese whipped potatoes, baby spinach and mushroom marsala for $27. Now this chicken could not have been cooked more perfectly! It was so tender and juicy and the skin was so crispy. The potatoes were a little runny but I think that’s because the chicken on top was so juicy. The flavors were divine. I would order this again.

Our friends ordered Yellowfin Tuna Tartare served with avocado salsa, sesame soy emulsion and true leaf micro cilantro for $16 (no photo taken). They also ordered the special appetizer for the evening. It was a Tempura Battered Cauliflower all sauced up.

For their entrees they ordered the Cape May Scallops served with sweet corn ragout, basil charred tomato romesco sauce and almond crumble for $35 and the fish special which was swordfish with various accompaniments. They enjoyed their entrees although they (and we) struggled to finish them as we had so many apps and a few cocktails. We were even all so full and content that we skipped dessert!

The decor was very warm and comforting. There are a few rooms available for dining. We were seated in The Living Room. It was super crowded so make sure you make a reservation. There are adorable pictures of dogs a dog related art throughout the restaurant and I loved it. I even enjoyed my trip to the ladies room because I got to enjoy more of the dog related decor.

The bar is small and it was crowded. The bartender and the servers were personable, attentive and knowledgeable. It’s a great date place and a nice place for friends to gather. I do not think it’s a good place for small children so best to get a sitter. I give White Dog Cafe in Haverford 4.5 out of 5 forks. It’s a bit pricey but totally worth it. Thanks for reading folks and eat out more often!

Eating out, Food, Philadelphia suburb, Restaurant, Reviews, steak

Texas Roadhouse, Royersford, PA

September 4, 2019 ILoveEatingOut

Talk about bang-for-your-buck! If you are in the mood for a decent steak you must try this place. It’s a chain and they are all over so you should be able to find one within a reasonable distance.

Our server was pleasant and attentive despite how busy she was. The restaurant employs servers, bus people, runners, and frankly enough people that they seem to have their stuff together. No long waits and all of our courses came out in a timely fashion and just as we had ordered with no screw ups. Know that lines are to be expected on a busy family out-to-eat-night so be sure to call ahead since they offer it!

The meal started with warm, shiny, soft rolls with a creamy, cinnamon butter. All you can eat on these little suckers but my 46 year old bod said stop at just one.

As if the cinnamon rolls weren’t enough, they have all you can eat peanuts sitting on each table. I restrained myself from these as I knew I had a plethora of food to come. But I suspect these are good to entertain the littles….or maybe get them in trouble?

The entrees (specifically steaks since that’s what we got) include two sides. They have many sides to choose from. One interesting side offered is a cup of chili. I thought that was different anyway. Also, they offer a house salad or a caesar salad as a side and I love that!

I got the caesar and Dan got the house. The caesar was great with the perfect amount of cheese, dressing and crunchy, fresh croutons….nothing like a stale crouton to ruin a caesar. Dan’s salad was a meal in itself. It included your usual lettuce, tomato and croutons but also included chopped up hard-boiled egg and lots of shredded cheddar. Yum.

If you sign up on their website you get coupons and deal notifications. Also near your birthday you get a free appetizer (or dessert I think) so Dan and I ordered the Cactus Blossom. It’s normally $6.99 but free for us since I had my birthday coupon. The Cactus Blossom is a large onion, golden-fried and served with a cajun horseradish sauce for dipping. According to the Texas Roadhouse nutritional guide, the onion with 3 oz. of dipping sauce totals 1,970 calories. WHHHAAAATTTT! It’s quite the treat but note this is a sharing appetizer people. Do not attempt it by yourself!

Dan ordered the 8 oz. Dallas Filet with a loaded baked potato for $20.99. It was cooked perfect and tasted good. BTW the “loaded” part is butter, sour cream, bacon bits and shredded cheddar. (I’m salivating as I type). Also the potatoes are baked with little bits of sea salt on the outside which really brings out the flavor of the baked potato. The steak was cooked just right and everything came out hot and juicy.

I ordered the smaller option of their New York Strip. It was a 8 oz. thick cut New York Strip smothered in sauteed mushrooms and a loaded baked potato. It was $14.99 for my meal plus an extra $1.99 for mushrooms. Isn’t that nuts! What a deal. The mushrooms were so flavorful and they added so much to the dish but you do have to be a mushroom lover because when they say smother, they mean smother. Note you can also get your steak smothered with sauteed onions, jack cheese or brown gravy….any combination of the 4 toppings that is for a measly $1.99. You couldn’t even see my steak they gave me so many mushrooms but believe me, it was there and it was cooked just as I requested.

Just a quick observation. I’m not quite sure why they call it “thick”. It wasn’t very thick to me but for $14.99, I’m not complaining.

An important feature here That I must mention is that you can actually go to their meat display counter and choose the steak you want them to cook for you! Fun for the whole family lol.

So in conclusion, the food was plentiful and satisfying. The restaurant was busy and loud but that’s okay so long as it’s not a romantic evening out. I say its a good place when you are craving a steak, don’t want to lose and arm-and-a-leg and don’t mind the busy atmosphere with lots of children buzzing around. I’m mean sure if you go to a fancy steakhouse and pay $50 for your steak and $10 for your side, the quality of the cut of meat is better and it might be a bit more tender, etc. (or at least it better be) but really this place was perfectly fine in satisfying our carnivorous craving. Well gitty up partners! I give Texas Road house a 3.25. Thanks for reading and eat out more often folks!

duck, Eating out, Food, Philadelphia suburb, Restaurant, Reviews, scallops, steak

Blue Bell Inn, Blue Bell, PA

August 3, 2019August 11, 2019 ILoveEatingOut

Busy so make a reservation if you plan to go. We started with an appetizer. We shared the Pan Seared Diver Scallops with Corn Puree, Summer Succotash and Bacon Jam for $17. This was very good however, it came with only two scallops. We suspected that it would have at least three for $17. Give me a break…what a rip-off. Sorry we devoured it before I took a picture because like I said, the scallops were delish.

I ordered the 14 oz. New York Strip with Potato Wedges, Creamed Corn and Black Garlic Butter for $39. Let’s be honest, for a steak to be good it has to be cooked properly. The steak I had was cooked perfect. 30 seconds more it would have been borderline over and 30 seconds less it would have been under BUT for $39 (please just make it $40 on the menu!!) the sides were VERY underwhelming. Come on…3 fried potatoes wedges!? That was literally 1/2 of a potato. And an obvious house-made creamed corn was very lose. Sadly I believe it was the same corn used in our appetizer. Boy that was a bummer. You can probably tell in the pic it was soupy. The flavor was there but it was more like a corn soup, not even worthy of the word chowder. And they must have just simply forgotten the black garlic butter. Oh and lastly, the 4 shavings of sea salt seen on the steak in the pic are not enough. Any chef will confirm you must season with salt and pepper…generously! What the heck! Boo on the sad presentation!

Dan had the Half Roasted Duck with Frisee Lettuce, Crispy Fingerling Potatoes, Pomegranate Seeds with a Grand Marnier Glaze for $32. Dan said it was good but I think he was being generous just to not get me going. He’s smart like that. I had a bite of the duck and the meat was dry. Sorry to say but it is true. Duck is supposed to be moist! The skin, however, was deliciously crispy as it should be. The potatoes were far from crispy and the lettuce was plain old boring. Presentation was nice but overall, I wasn’t impressed.

Dessert was the cream brulee and a bull crap of a “cookie”. It was dry and tasteless. It was a disintegrating biscotti served on the side. The menu indicated that the cream brulee was to be served with a cookie of the “Chef’s Selection”. I said to Dan it’s probably a stale biscotti from a bulk Costco pick up. I know that seems harsh especially if someone there did bake it but it’s important that I am honest with my readers. And if by chance the person that did bake it reads this they will know the truth and maybe make it a little better or let it not get so stale before serving. The cream brûlée was okay. The sugar was a touch overdone but not ruined. The cream had a delicious flavor however the texture was a bit thick and not light in the least. Not terrible but definitely not award worthy.

Drinks

The best part of the meal was the cocktails. Not really much more to say about this place. I am surprised and disappointed to say the least. They have such a good reputation but with the meal we were served, I’m not quite sure why. Now I have heard that the raw bar is very good so if that’s your thing, give it a try especially during their happy hour. A couple of people told me this was good. I don’t do raw so I won’t be back for that. Also a note that the clientele is of a more mature group so if you are looking for a good’ole hang out of a time, this isn’t your place. Its probably a good place to take your grandmother for her birthday. Sorry, not sorry. This place gets a 2 out of 4 forks. Thanks for reading and eat up folks!