Meet Some Friends for Burgers and Brews at Plymouth Meeting’s Redstone American Grill

The Plymouth Meeting location of Redstone offers a modern and trendy atmosphere that is perfect for any crowd or occasion. In fact, the eatery's outdoor seating area—complete with a covered open bar—is a particularly popular spot for post-work gatherings with friends. The area is even open in the winter with overhead heaters to keep you warm on cooler nights.

Redstone seems to be most known for their cornbread appetizer, served with their maple butter. For dinner, their rotisserie chicken is cooked over a wood fire and is served on flatbreads, salads, or on its own with sides of garlic mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus. Save room for dessert, as regulars rave about the Stone’s chocolate cake, served with chocolate frosting, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and chocolate fudge sauce. Along with a unique lunch and dinner menu, Redstone also serves a creative brunch menu.

Redstone is usually very crowded, even on weeknights. Regulars say the trick is to arrive early to beat the crowd or make reservations just to be safe!

Redstone American Grill
512 W Germantown Pike
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
(610) 941-4400
www.redstonegrill.com

Gino’s Restaurant and Pizzeria: Tasty Slices in Norristown

Pizza is something there’s no shortage of in Pennsylvania, but everybody has a favorite spot where they claim the pie is a cut above the rest. For Norristown diners, that spot might just be Gino’s. For over 35 years, this family-owned Italian restaurant has been satisfying locals with hearty portions, delectable flavors and good prices. The food here is authentic Italian, not Americanized, and regulars praise the extensive menu. Some of the most popular dishes include the eggplant parmigiana, which is breaded to perfection and served with the right amount of cheese, as well as the lobster ravioli with crab sauce that has a generous amount of seafood in every bite. If you’re craving pizza, the pies here are top of the line, with a crisp, tender crust and an exceptional house-made sauce. Note that Gino’s, like many Pennsylvania restaurants, is BYOB.

Gino's Restaurant and Pizzeria
2401 W. Main Street
Norristown, PA 19403
(610) 539-0155
www.myginos.com
www.yelp.com/biz/ginos-pizzeria-and-restaurant-norristown

KC’s Alley: Drink Up in Ambler

KC's Alley is the perfect spot to chill out with friends over a cold draft beer and a bite to eat. The atmosphere is friendly and laid-back, with big-screen TVs to watch all of your favorite sports events. A nice selection of craft beers rotates on 14 taps, offering lots of options for just about any taste. Pair your libation with a tasty nosh like Lollipop Ribs with homemade barbeque sauce, or Fried Mozzarella with house made marinara. Heartier options include wraps, sandwiches, entrée salads & burgers. A Barbeque Pork Sandwich, Buffalo Chicken Salad, Black & Bleu Burger, Veggie Burger, and a Grilled Chicken Chipotle Wrap are among the offerings. A tasty $5 kid’s menu gives the tykes some great options. Open every day.

KC's Alley
10 West Butler Avenue
Ambler, PA 19002
(215) 628-3300
http://www.yelp.com/biz/kcs-alley-ambler

Don’t Skip the Grilled Calamari Appetizer at Arugula Ristorante

According to Arugula regulars, there are really no other authentic Italian restaurants quite like it around. Not willing to take our word for it? Sample the menu for yourself! Start with the crowd-favorite grilled calamari appetizer, which is served over baby arugula with black olives, capers, chopped tomatoes, and dressed with fresh lemon juice and olive oil. As for entrees, Arugula is known for their sweet langostine, and the branzino is also a must try.

With a variety of specials each evening and seasonal menu changes, you’ll find yourself frequently returning to Arugula to try something new. You can also change it up and dine on their outdoor patio.

Arugula is BYOB so make sure to bring your favorite bottle of wine to pair with your dinner. But before you head over, be sure to make reservations, as Arugula is very popular on the weekends!

Arugula Ristorante
2350 Butler Pike
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
(610) 941-1177
www.arugulacoldpoint.com

Umai Japanese Restaurant: Sushi Served With a Smile

While Umai Japanese Restaurant in Lansdale garners praise for its carefully prepared and beautifully presented sushi, sashimi, and maki rolls, it’s the service at this restaurant that draws the loudest cheers from locals. Chef Ray warmly greets each patron who enters the restaurant, and his welcoming attitude trickles down to the rest of the staff. The customers clearly appreciate this, and reciprocate this hospitality themselves—it has become unique tradition at this BYOB for customers to pour a drink for Chef Ray, who will happily enjoy a glass of wine at your table.

In an area that’s home to many sushi bars, Ray’s personality shines through on the menu, as well as in the dining room. Standout dishes include the thick, chewy udon lunch noodles, the high-quality fatty tuna, and the expertly spiced beef negimaki. The fried banana dessert is popular, too. Be apprised, however, that this place is popular, and unless you have a reservation, you may need to wait!

Umai Japanese Restaurant
220 Pennbrook Parkway
Lansdale, PA 19446
(201) 855-5544
umaisushibar.com
www.yelp.com/biz/umai-lansdale

Gino’s: A Norristown Italian Restaurant

If you’re in the mood for tasty Italian food, head to Gino’s, a comfy eatery where you can get your fill of pasta, pizza and other dishes of the region.

Gino's Neapolitan-style pizzas come in some tasty combos, like the Pizza Di Parma with sliced Italian prosciutto and fresh garlic, and the Mediterranean with calamata olives, red Bermuda onions and anchovies. Pasta dishes feature traditional faves like Spinach Ravioli, Lasagna, Shrimp Fra Diavalo and Baked Ziti. You can also mix and match pasta types with different sauces. Other entrees include Veal Milanese, Chicken Marsala, Shrimp Scampi, Chicken Parmigiana, and Chopped Sea Clams in Marinara Sauce. Traditional Italian 12-inch sandwiches and burgers are also on the menu.

Gino's is open every day.

Gino's
2401 W. Main Street
Norristown, PA 19403
(610) 539-0155
www.myginos.com
www.yelp.com/biz/ginos-pizzeria-and-restaurant-norristown

Pin Wei: Authentic Chinese Fare in an Upscale Atmosphere

Chunks of cucumber tossed in scallion oil or marinated seaweed. Fish and shrimp swimming in home-style veggies or stir-fried lamb. Tea-smoked duck in an artful arrangement or beef in hot sauce. These are just a few of the spicy Szechuan-style dishes that garner acclaim at King of Prussia's Pin Wei restaurant.

Owned by the Kuo family, who immigrated from Taiwan, Pin Wei is a departure from your typical Chinese restaurant. Instead of snapping up food and taking it home, guests seem to want to sit and stay a while at this chic eatery, which several fans describe as higher-end than they expected. Leather banquettes and chairs, clean and simple place settings, and soft lighting all make Pin Wei a place where you really want to savor your food.

And that's exactly what the Kuo's wanted when they dreamed up their restaurant. In fact, cultivating a comfortable atmosphere was only secondary to crafting authentic Chinese food, which the Kuo's couldn't find anywhere in the area before opening Pin Wei. Regulars seem to agree that the couple has hit the mark, particularly praising the dan dan noodles.

Pin Wei
314C Henderson Road
King of Prussia, PA 19406
(610) 768-5888
www.pinweikop.com

www.yelp.com/biz/pin-wei-king-of-prussia

Get Your Grub On at Zachary’s BBQ

Keith Taylor, a well-regarded chef in the Philadelphia catering business, founded Zachary’s BBQ in Norristown to pay homage to his family’s roots in the South. Inspired by Taylor's grandmother, this restaurant specializes in slow-cooked, hickory-smoked American comfort food.

If this is your first time visiting, do yourself a favor and order the Zachary’s Sampler Platter, which lets you try three different meats, two sides, and a slice of cornbread. Don’t be afraid to ask for a sample before making your selection, or just ask the folks behind the counter what's good today, because they're eager to help you get your meat at its juiciest and most flavorful.

Regulars of this Norristown eatery praise the convenient location, friendly service, and generous portions. Catering and take-out service are also available.

Zachary's BBQ
1709 Markley Street
Norristown, PA 19401
(610) 272-1800
www.zacharysbbq.com
www.yelp.com/biz/zacharys-bbq-southern-comfort-and-catering-norristown

Aman’s Authentic Indian Cuisine: Singular Flavors

Indian food is becoming more and more popular and for good reason – the incredible diversity of the country translates well to a cuisine that delivers a variety of unique and attractive flavors. If you’re in the Norristown area, it’s worth a stop at Aman’s, a local Indian place not too far from ARK by Korman Blue Bell that has been wowing diners with high-quality food at fair prices for years. The menu is extensive, spotlighting a variety of ingredients. Some favorites of frequent diners include the chicken tikka masala, which has the perfect amount of spice, as well as the fiery lamb vindaloo. Make sure to order some of the overstuffed vegetable samosas to start your meal, and get extra naan bread to soak up the tasty sauces. They also offer an extensive list of vegan and vegetarian dishes. If you’re on a budget, stop in for the very affordable lunch buffet – it’ll let you sample some of the best dishes.

Aman's Authentic Indian Cuisine
2680 Dekalb Pike
Norristown, PA 19401
(610) 277-5565

www.amansauthentic.com
www.yelp.com/biz/amans-indian-cuisine-norristown

Sessano Cafe and Deli: Splendid Sandwiches

There are plenty of places to get a good Italian sandwich or a cheese steak in the Norristown area, but diners frequently rave about Sessano Cafe and Deli for one very good reason: the roast pork. Owner and head chef Santino Ciccaglione is justifiably proud of his recipe, which slow-roasts a huge pig until it’s amazingly tender and moist, not dry like the competition. In Italy, this kind of roast is called the “porchetta,” and it’s started gaining a following in America in recent years. Served on a wide Hoagie roll, the meat comes out hot and covered with melted sharp Provolone and peppers. It’s seriously one of the best sandwiches the town has to offer. The rest of the menu is fair to decent as well, with some Italian specialties and burgers, but the real draw here is the porchetta. They also do catering and delivery. Prices are extremely reasonable.

Sessano Cafe and Deli
1840 Markley Street
Norristown, PA 19401
(610) 270-9607
www.sessanocafe.com
www.yelp.com/biz/sessano-cafe-and-deli-norristown

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