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

See What Fresh Really Tastes Like at Legal Sea Foods

George Berkowitz was following in the footsteps of his father when he opened the first Legal Sea Foods in 1950—kind of. His father wasn't a restaurateur, but he was a small business owner of sorts. He ran the Legal Cash Market just next door for Berkowitz's Legal Sea Food. Its moniker actually inspired the name of George's seafood market. That market thrived for nearly 20 years until, in 1968, the Berkowitz clan took yet another chance on a new business: a seafood restaurant. It wasn't anything fancy, just broiled or fried seafood dished out on paper plates and eaten at picnic tables. But the seafood was so fresh that it wasn't long before a steady stream of regulars flowed in and out of the eatery.

Now more than six decades since the very first Legal Sea Foods debuted, George and son Roger have expanded the business to include locations up and down the East Coast. One resides at the King of Prussia Mall. It's a popular spot for a slightly upscale meal of fresh fish. Yelp reviewers particularly love the Maryland cream of crab soup, but you can also dig into Legal's signature crab cakes for dinner. The nutty Faroe Island salmon, Louisiana catfish, and seafood casserole are also good, hearty options. If you're ravenous, though, try one of the surf-and-turf options, such as baked stuffed shrimp with filet mignon.

Legal Sea Foods
680 W. Dekalb Pike
King of Prussia, PA 19406
(610) 265-5566
www.legalseafoods.com/restaurants/king-of-prussia-king-of-prussia-mall
www.yelp.com/biz/legal-sea-foods-king-of-prussia-king-of-prussia

Fresco Pizza and Grill: Pizza in KOP

When nothing will put the squeeze on your hunger but a big, sizzling Italian pie, make Fresco Pizza and Grill your go-to place. Sidle up to one of their pizza combo specials, like the Mediterranean with grilled eggplant, roasted peppers, olives, mushrooms, red onions, fresh mozzarella & feta cheese, or the Fresco Special with pepperoni, sausage, ground beef, mushrooms, green peppers, broccoli, mushrooms & onions. Sandwiches in a variety of styles are also on the menu. Choose from gyros, burgers, hoagies, grinders and deli-style sandwiches. Stromboli, fresh salads and pasta entrees like Spaghetti with Sausage and Ravioli are also an option. Eat in or call for carry out or delivery. Open Monday through Friday for lunch and dinner.

Fresco Pizza and Grill,
599 Summit Street
King of Prussia, PA 19406
(610) 292-9700

www.frescopizzakop.com
www.yelp.com/biz/fresco-pizza-and-grill-king-of-prussia

Crack Open Six Different Types of Crab at Joe’s Crab Shack

Of the 50 states, more than 60 percent of them play host to a Joe's Crab Shack. Lucky for the residents of Pennsylvania, their home state is on that list four times over. One of those eateries sits right along Mall Boulevard in King of Prussia. Like its many sister restaurants, the Joe's Crab Shack near Philly is always shelling out fresh seafood and happy hour treats.

Swing by after work with a few friends to grab a Patron Rita for $5 (or another libation for $3) and a few appetizers to share. Though happy hour is only held at the bar, you'll still be able to sample some of the fresh seafood that makes Joe's such a popular spot. Come for a dinner if you want the full experience, though. Regulars recommend calling ahead—the host will text you when your table is ready.

Dig into one of the eatery's signature "buckets of crab," which are exactly what they sound like. Snow crab, queen crab, and king crab are just a few of your options, and they all come with your choice of potato and either corn on the cob or hush puppies. Order them with one of Joe's six house seasoning blends, like garlic herb or spicy boil. Customers also praise the steampots, which showcase massive medleys of fresh seafood.

Joe's Crab Shack
244 Mall Boulevard
King of Prussia, PA 19406
(610) 265-2237
www.joescrabshack.com
www.yelp.com/biz/joes-crab-shack-king-of-prussia

Enjoy Aged Steaks at The Capital Grille in King of Prussia

The dry-aged steak served at King of Prussia's The Capital Grille takes roughly three weeks to prepare—but don't worry, chefs get a headstart on the process long before you order. At chain locations all over the country, including the King of Prussia eatery, steak sits in a special temperature- and humidity-controlled dry aging room for about 21 days. During that time, it takes on a tenderness and flavor that can only be obtained via the lengthy dry-aging process. When the meat reaches peak texture and taste, The Capital Grille's kitchen staff cuts it and tenderizes it further before a chef sticks each cut into an infrared broiler. These perfectly-calibrated ovens sear the outside to a crispy shell while leaving the inside moist and juicy. And voila—The Capital Grille's lauded steak au poivre is born!

But steak is just one of the many high-end offerings at this chic restaurant, designed like the other locations to evoke a classic American steakhouse in every inch of careful architecture. You can also order seafood such as citrus-glazed salmon or lobster mac and cheese, and finish off your dinner with some crème brûlée. Sip on one of the signature cocktails as you enjoy your meal.

The Capital Grille
236 Mall Boulevard
King of Prussia, PA 19406
(610) 265-1415
www.thecapitalgrille.com/pages/locations/?id=8043
www.yelp.com/biz/the-capital-grille-king-of-prussia

Maggiano’s Little Italy: Authentic Italian Fare in King of Prussia

A cut above other Italian chain restaurants, according to customers, Maggiano's Little Italy is a top contender for its atmosphere as much as its cuisine and cocktails. Despite having four locations sprinkled throughout the Philadelphia area, each Maggiano's feels like a distinctive restaurant thanks to the crisp white table linens and lively ambience (perhaps, at times, a bit too noisy, say some customers).

The chicken and spinach manicotti garners the highest praise from KoP customers, according to reviews, but the menu is extensive. Try a classic or specialty pasta dish, such as the signature Rigatoni "D" with herb-roasted chicken and caramelized onions and mushrooms in a Marsala cream sauce. Or order a more substantial entree such as veal parmesan or center-cut filet mignon. The seafood options are also extensive, encompassing everything from linguine and clams to balsamic-glazed salmon, as is the list of wines and other drinks.

Maggiano's Little Italy
205 Mall Boulevard
King of Prussia, PA 19406
(610) 992-3333
www.maggianos.com/en/Pages/home.aspx
www.yelp.com/biz/maggianos-little-italy-king-of-prussia-2

Try Tropical Cocktails and Tasty Food at Bahama Breeze

Michelle Riesling wine and a splash of Myer's dark rum create a cocktail worth singing about—at least according to Bing Crosby and the other classic artists who covered Yaka Hula Hickey Dula​. The song's title also happens to be the name of a fruity Hawaiian drink that headlines the list of tropical cocktails at Bahama Breeze in King of Prussia. Just one of many Bahama Breeze locations on the East Coast, the KOP eatery fulfills tradition by serving delightful cocktails—and cuisine—during happy hour and dinner.

At the King of Prussia location, happy hour runs from 5 to 6 p.m. every weeknight, as well as 10 p.m. to closing time Sunday through Thursday. During those hours, you can grab a specialty cocktail like a Bahamarita for $4, a classic Jose Cuervo tequila cocktail for $3, and a pint of beer starting at $2. They come with half-priced apps that range from the tropical skillet-simmered jerk shrimp (a customer favorite) to all-American buttermilk-fried chicken sliders. Enjoy the cocktails and apps or stay for dinner to the tune of live music.

Bahama Breeze
320 Goddard Boulevard
King of Prussia, PA 19406
(610) 491-9822
www.bahamabreeze.com
www.yelp.com/biz/bahama-breeze-king-of-prussia

The Melting Pot: Fondue in King of Prussia

Check out The Melting Pot, a fun fondue eatery offering an interactive dining experience. For the uninitiated, fondue hails from Switzerland, where in its most basic form, it consists of a simmering pot of melted cheese placed on the table in which cubes of bread are dipped with a long fork.

The Melting Pot lets you choose from a variety of fondue options, including several types of cheeses, as well as oil, and broth for cooking little chunks of meat and veggies. Meat, poultry, vegetables, artisan bread and seafood are the choices for dipping. Don’t skip dessert, because few things are as delightfully decadent as fresh berries dipped in chocolate. An expansive wine selection, beer and cocktails are also available.

The Melting Pot
150 Allendale Road
King of Prussia, PA 19406
(610) 265-7195
www.yelp.com/biz/the-melting-pot-king-of-prussia

Burgers and Shakes Are Served With a Side of All-American Charm at Shake Shack

For diners who've already bitten into one of Shake Shack's juicy cheeseburgers, the fast-casual franchise needs no introduction. But for the uninitiated, here's a primer: Founded in 2004, Shake Shack was born from a single hot dog cart in Manhattan's Madison Square Park. Nowadays, the "modern-day roadside burger stand," as the restaurant puts it, boasts more than 35 Shake Shack locations worldwide.

Here in KOP, there's a Shake Shack just on the fringe of the King of Prussia Mall Plaza parking lot. Opened in 2013, the location earns the unique distinction of being one of two solar-powered Shake Shacks, but the menu offerings here are identical to what you'll find at Shake Shack locations worldwide: wax paper-wrapped burgers, griddled hot dogs, and crinkle cut fries, all of which bolster the franchise's all-American, old-school vibe by being made to-order. Dessert isn't overlooked here, either: Straws stand upright in Shake Shack's hand-spun milkshakes, while Concretes tempt a sweet tooth with spoonfuls of creamy custard blended with the diner's choice of candies, cookies, and sauces.

Shake Shack's King of Prussia location is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. The promise of draught beer and wine by the glass up the franchise's popularity; expect a wait.

Shake Shack
160 N. Gulph Road
King of Prussia, PA 19046
(267) 428-7560
www.shakeshack.com/location/king-of-prussia
www.yelp.com/biz/shake-shack-king-of-prussia

Find Thin-Crust Pies at Little Sicily Pizza

Chefs at Little Sicily Pizza don't chop and cook their fresh ingredients beyond recognition before scattering them across your pie. True to Italian tradition, they maintain the colors, flavors, and aesthetics of whole foods throughout the entire preparation process so that the finished product looks almost too beautiful to eat—almost.

Regulars of this King of Prussia pizzeria seem to agree that signature pies like the Meat Lover's pizza and chicken buffalo pie will persuade you to dig in, despite the artwork evident in every square slice of thin crust. Right down to the meatballs, pepperoni, sausage, ham, and mozzarella on the Meat Lover's pie, every pizza component is fresh and prepared just as chefs would in Old World Italy.

The same could be said of other menu items, which range from stromboli and calzones to pasta and sandwiches to veal parmigiana and chicken alfredo. Dine in or take home your meal here for an authentic experience. Visit Little Sicily's website to learn more about this KoP pizzeria!

Little Sicily Pizza
26 Crooked Lane
King of Prussia, PA 19406
(610) 278-3702
www.littlesicilypizza.com/home/1370614
www.yelp.com/biz/little-sicily-pizza-king-of-prussia

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