FSFOT..What's The Deal??

Malvern's Own.....Ristorante Verona...Buon Appetito!!

2012-10-25T17:45:00.003-07:00

“We will RRRoCC you!!”

288 Lancaster Avenue

Malvern, PA

610-644-7464

Hours: Monday-Friday 11:30 am-10 pm

Saturday 5 pm-10 pm

Closed Sunday for private functions

www.ristoranteverona.com

Restaurant Synopsis:

Ristorante Verona is a tantalizing slice of Italy tucked into the Boutique Shops on Lancaster Ave in Malvern. Owned and operated by the Fusaro family, Ristorante Verona offers a wide array of culinary delights, all prepared to order by Chef Fabrizio, a native of Pescara, Italy. Bring your favorite libation with you to this BYOB, or enjoy a complimentary glass of wine with your meal. With three separate dining rooms, Ristorante Verona is well suited to private parties and corporate events. Full catering is also available for in home parties and special events. Ristorante Verona is open Monday through Friday beginning at 11:30am, and on Saturday from 5pm. The restaurant is closed to the public on Sundays to accommodate private functions. Gift certificates are available, and reservations are accepted and encouraged. This treasure in our backyard has been recognized with a Zagat rating for three consecutive years.

What we sampled:

Carpaccio di Manzo $15.00

Insalata de Cesare $8.00

Portobello Ripieno $12.00

Calamari Fritti $10.00

Pumpkin Gnocchi $20.00

Penne alla Vodka $15.00

Pappardelle con Portobello $23.00

Vitello Saltimbocca $22.00

Pollo Cardinale $19.00

Canolli $6.00

Italian Rum Cake $6.00

Tiramisu $6.00

Kelly Says:

"The Insalata di Cesare was outstanding, with a homemade dressing that was light, creamy and flavorful. The crisp pieces of romaine were dressed perfectly, and the homemade croutons partnered well with the fresh shaves of Parmigiano Cheese. A trademark of all excellent Italian restaurants, the Calamari Fritti was lightly breaded and crispy. The bountiful serving was enough for sharing, and the spicy marinara offered a medley of flavors that left my mouth singing.

I was fortunate enough to come in on a night when the special was Pumpkin Gnocchi. Words fail to adequately describe the heaven that was this dish! The ricotta based gnocchi was mixed with enough pumpkin to offer a hearty seasonal flavor. The sauce was a light and creamy blend of Alfredo spiced with nutmeg to create a delicate and sweet vehicle for the plump gnocchi. The dish was garnished with crushed walnuts, and I had to work hard to resist the urge to lick my bowl. I was also highly tempted to place an order to go, but I was so full by the end of my meal, I couldn’t consider any more food. I regretted not taking some with me as soon as I woke up the next day. This was a truly outstanding dish!

After the amazing gnocchi, the fact that anything else tasted good was quite a testament to Chef Fabrizio. I also sampled the Paparadelle con Portobello, which is a generous serving of sautéed portabello mushrooms decorating paparadelle pasta (my favorite kind of pasta). Braised leeks add a wonderful flavor, and the sauce is a combination of Wild Mushroom Consomme, White Truffle oil, and Gorgonzola Cheese. This delicious pasta offering is available on the regular menu, and offers a filling option for your entrée, without leaving you feeling overstuffed (so you have room for dessert!).

The final entrée on my list was the Pollo Cardinale. This tender chicken breast was topped with a thick slice of roasted red pepper that was flavorful and amazing. Proscuitto topped the roasted red pepper, underneath melted mozzarella cheese, which was garnished with grape tomato halves. The chicken was then drizzled with a white wine sauce that was flavorful and substantial. Sides of roasted red potatoes and crisp sautéed vegetables rounded out this wonderful dish, though pasta is also an option as a side.

Dessert is generally my favorite part of any meal, and I was really looking forward to trying the Tiramisu after reading about it on the website and seeing pictures of it being made. You can check out the pictures of Chef Fabrizio creating this masterpiece here - http://www.ristoranteverona.com/Photos.html#26

The tiramisu did not disappoint! The kahlua soaked lady fingers carried an amazing flavor and the thin layers of cream and custard really accentuated the coffee flavor of the kahlua. The Rum cake was another winner. This moist cake offered hints of rum flavor with a layer of chocolate mousse. Topped with a light icing and chocolate chips, I couldn’t decide which of these desserts I liked better. Naturally, I made a mental note to bring someone to share them both with me when I returned. And return I will – thanks so much to Dan Fusaro for the opportunity to review your fine establishment! Thanks also to Devon, our capable server, who took such great care of us when we were in, and the rest of the Ristorante Verona team for a wonderful experience. I’ll be seeing you soon!"

Melanie Says:
"Ristorante Verona is a charming, intimate Italian eatery located in the Knobb Hill Shops on Lancaster Avenue in Malvern. All of the dishes on the menu are made to order with fresh ingredients. I threw caution to the wind the evening I was there and asked Chef Fabrizio Spina to make me whatever he wanted me to try, and he dazzled me from start to finish.

My first dish was the Carpaccio di Manzo; thinly sliced rare Filet Mignon drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and topped with capers and shaved Parmesan cheese. After pushing aside the capers and lettuce, I feasted on the garlicky beef and strong Parmesan cheese. This was a light appetizer, and left me plenty of room for more. Next up was Portobello Ripieno; a stuffed Portobello mushroom with lump crab in a lobster brandy sauce. The warm, rich crab paired with the light, buttery sauce and meaty mushroom was absolutely delicious!

My first sample entrée was the Penne alla Vodka; penne pasta in a blush vodka sauce. Rich and cheesy, with a sweet tomato sauce, this dish had a generous amount of garlic without being overpowering, it was perfect.

My second sample entrée was Vitello Saltimbocca; medallions of veal with prosciutto, sage and mozzarella cheese in a sherry mushroom sauce. The tender veal was beautifully seasoned with just the right amount of sage. The robust mushrooms, light sauce and mozzerella cheese were the perfect compliment to the delicious veal; this dish was a show stopper.

For dessert, I was presented with a huge Canolli; with a light, flaky crust and rich cream filling with chocolate chips this was the perfect ending to my wonderful night!

Thank you so much to Dan Fusaro, proprietor of Ristorante Verona for inviting me to his fabulous restaurant! Thank you also to Chef Fabrizio and our fantastic server Devon, I had a terrific night!

~Melanie & Kelly

www.facebook.com/RealReviewsChesterCounty

RRRoCC'ed Cheesburger in Paradise in Exton!!

2012-08-21T16:00:00.001-07:00

“We will RRRoCC you!!”

116 N. Pottstown Pike
Exton, PA 19341

484-875-4502

www.cheeseburgerinparadise.com

CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE ON FB!

Hours:

Monday: 11:30am - 11:00pm
Tuesday: 11:30am - 11:00pm
Wednesday: 11:30am - 11:00pm
Thursday: 11:30am - 11:00pm
Friday: 11:30am - 12:00am
Saturday: 11:30am - 12:00am
Sunday: 11:30am - 10:00pm

Happy Hour

Monday-Friday 5:00pm-7:00pm
$2.00 American Drafts
$3.00 Sangria
$3.50 Classic Margaritas
$3.50 Mojitos

Restaurant Synopsis:

Cheeseburger in Paradise is a good time restaurant, located across the country in 16 different states. Paying homage to Jimmy Buffet’s famous tune, this Exton establishment is the only PA location - we are so lucky! The décor is beachy, so you can slip away for a little vacation time without leaving the county. You can find Cheeseburger in Paradise on all forms of social media, and earn rewards and coupons for following all the exciting happenings. Cheeseburger in Paradise offers so much to so many, from a daily happy hour, a rewards program (Become a Board Member), entertainment (including Karaoke), and sports events, it is so much more than just a place to go for a great meal! Speaking of great meals…

What we sampled:

Spiced Berry Sangria $3.00

Frickles $5.69

Bonfire Shrimp $8.99

Loaded Chips $8.99

Coastal Tacos with Grilled Fish and Rice $10.99

Cuban Burger with Sweet Potato Chips $8.99

Sweet Fire Chicken Sandwich with Teriyaki Broccoli $8.79

Which Way Combo with Tomato Basil Soup and Jerk Wings $7.99

Chocolate Nachos $6.99

Official Reviews:

Melanie says:

“Cheeseburger in Paradise is an oasis of tropical paradise in landlocked Exton. Surrounded by palm trees and surfboards it’s impossible not to get in the spirit of the islands.

I started my evening off with the Loaded Chips. Fresh cut Idaho potato chips cooked on site, topped with cheddar and jack cheeses, bacon, tomatoes, green onions and sour cream drizzles, these chips were a work of art! The thick cut potato chips gave a great crunch to their loaded baked potato flavor.

Next, I sampled the Which Way Combo of Tomato Basil Soup and Jerk Wings. The creamy tomato soup was garnished with shredded cheese and tasted exactly like fresh baked pizza without a crust. (I was probably the only person in Cheeseburger in Paradise who ordered soup in 95-degree weather, but I loved it!) The Jerk Wings, recommended by our very helpful “islander” (server) Jaime, were a combination of sweet and spicy. They were very crunchy and meaty and had quite a kick.

Since I was in Cheeseburger in Paradise I knew I had to have a burger, and menu guru Jaime recommended the Cuban Burger. Ham, salami, Swiss cheese, mayonnaise, mustard, pickles, a (in my case medium rare) beef patty on sourdough bread, pressed to toasty perfection. A meat lovers dream, this sandwich was heaven! Rich and meaty with the mustard giving a slight tang, this pressed burger definitely was a “cheeseburger in paradise”. I chose the homemade sweet potato chips as my side. Thin and crispy with salt and pepper they were deliciously addictive!

To top off my already full belly, I sampled the Chocolate Nachos. The in-house handmade chocolate and flour tortillas are fried, sweetened and covered with Cheeseburger in Paradise’s homemade chocolate sauce, diced strawberries, rainbow sprinkles and served with Blue Bell vanilla ice cream for dipping. The chocolate nachos had a taste that was reminiscent of hot chocolate, the flour tortillas were light and crunchy and dipped in the ice cream they were fantastic! A two-napkin dessert, these were unlike anything I have ever had, and I will be back to have them again!

A big thank you to our charming and knowledgeable “islander” Jaime, and managers Chrissy and Sara who made us feel at home, and the very talented kitchen staff who kept the hits coming one great dish after the next. What a fun night at Cheeseburger in Paradise!”

Kelly Says:

We arrived for our review at the tail end of the daily 5p – 7p happy hour, so I took advantage of one of their great drink specials and enjoyed a spiceberry sangria for only $3. The sangria is served in a small pitcher, which filled my glass a few times. This refreshing spirit was slightly sweet, and spiced with a dash of cinnamon floated on an orange slice. This is a drink that is sure to please through the summer and into the fall!

I started off my culinary tour with the Bonfire Shrimp – small shrimp flash fried and tossed in CIP’s famous Dragon Fire sauce, which is slightly spicy and sweet. The combination of flavor and crunch was a real treat. The shrimp came nestled in a bed of lettuce, which provided some cool contrasts to the flavor fiesta of the Bonfire Shrimp. I also sampled the Frickles, which came very highly recommended by Jamie, our incredibly capable server. Frickles are thinly sliced dill pickles, lightly breaded and fried (think dill pickle flavored potato chips with more substance and flavor). Accompanied by a horseradish dipping sauce, I was surprised and delighted at how much I enjoyed this dish. The pickle slices were the perfect size, with just the right amount of breading, and offered a well balanced treat.

For dinner, I was fortunate to sample both the Coastal Tacos with Grilled Fish and the Sweet Fire Chicken Sandwich. I am a huge fan of fish tacos, and the CIP fish tacos did not disappoint! Chunks of grilled and seasoned white fish were topped with a mound of crunchy cabbage, a generous scoop of pineapple cilantro salsa, and a drizzle of fresh avocado cream, wrapped in a soft tortilla. The contrasting, yet complimentary textures and flavors were divine, and the generous three taco portion provided me with lunch the next day. For my side choice, Jamie recommended the rice pilaf, which was a soft, flavorful rice served with carrots and cilantro. I enjoyed every bite! The Sweet Fire Chicken Sandwich, according to Jamie, was messy, but worth it. He really only stretched the truth on the messy part (either that or I ate it so fast, there was no time for a mess!). A blackened chicken breast is coated with Dragon Fire sauce (the same slightly spicy and sweet sauce that made my shrimp appetizer such a treat) and topped with pepper jack cheese, lettuce, onions, and banana peppers and served on a soft onion roll. The banana peppers were the star of this sandwich, in my humble opinion – really kicking the flavor and heat up a notch. This is not your standard chicken sandwich, and if you like chicken and some flavorful heat, don’t pass up your next chance to give this sandwich a try! For my side with this sandwich, I opted for the Teriyaki Broccoli – steamed broccoli dressed up with garlic and teriyaki sauce. Mmm Mmm Good!

Many, many thanks to Jamie and Sarah and the rest of the team at Cheeseburger in Paradise for their excellent recommendations and attention – it was a great meal and a great evening!"

~Melanie & Kelly

MelanieRRRoCC@aol.com

KellyRRRoCC@aol.com

www.facebook.com/RealReviewsChesterCounty"

RRRoCC'ed Judy's Healthy Kitchen in West Chester...prepare for LUNCH!!

2012-08-13T08:01:00.003-07:00

"We Will RRRoCC You!"

211 East Market Street

West Chester, PA

610-696-4814

Hours: Monday-Friday 10am-2pm

Eat In/Delivery

Click here to check out Judy's Website!

Join Judy's on Facebook!

Restaurant Synopsis:

Judy’s Healthy Kitchen in downtown West Chester is a new kid on the block, but with a daily lineup of fresh and tasty offerings, they promise to be around for a long time. Located just two and a half blocks east of High St on Market, Judy’s is convenient to anyone in West Chester looking to have a healthy and delicious lunch. They also deliver, but you don’t want to miss a visit to this warm and welcoming eatery that is reminiscent of a visit to Grandma’s house. With magazines to entertain the adults, coloring books and crayons for the younger customers, and a theater-style popcorn machine full of fresh popcorn for kids of all ages, a visit to Judy’s Healthy Kitchen can be about so much more than lunch! In fact, Judy’s is about so much more than lunch - with 24-48 hours notice, Judy and her gang can prepare entire meals for busy people who crave a home cooked dinner and just don’t have the time. Customers can opt for the regular version of a meal or the healthy version, which involves less fat and calories and vegetables included in the recipe in some surprising (and sneaky) places. Judy’s Healthy Kitchen also offers catering, including sandwich trays using their homemade rolls. And their space is available during the off hours to anyone that may be looking for a gathering place. Game nights, meetings, parties and other events work nicely in the bright and open café. There is no charge for renting the space, just a requirement of a food order. Whether it is dinner, snacks, breakfast, or something else, Judy and her team will provide you with the space and the sustenance your next gathering needs and you don’t have to clean up! Whatever you are looking for, you can find it at Judy’s Healthy Kitchen. Judy’s is open from 10am – 2pm Monday thru Friday, at 211 East Market St. You can all Judy at 610-696-4814 and visit them on the web at www.judyshealthykitchen.com

What we sampled:

Complimentary Relish and Chips

Decadent Dills (included in all box lunches)

Deviled Eggs $2.00

Potato Salad $2.00

Noodle Salad $2.00

Chicken Noodle Soup $4.00 bowl/$2.50 cup

Vegetable Soup $4.00 bowl/$2.50 cup

New England Clam Chowder $4.00 bowl/$2.50 cup

Hot Roast Pork with Ham, Potato & Cabbage Soup (hot lunch special)

Egg Salad Sandwich $4.75

Chicken Salad Sandwich $4.75

Grilled Cuban Sandwich $4.75

Smore (included in all box lunches)

Pound Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream and Raspberries

(Box Lunch: 1 sandwich or 1 soup or ½ sandwich ½ soup plus 1 side $5.95)

RRROCC OFFICIAL REVIEWS:

Melanie says:

Judy’s Healthy Kitchen is located in the heart of West Chester on bustling Market Street. Upon entering, I was engulfed in the mouth-watering smells emanating from Judy’s country style kitchen. Judy and her friendly staff make everything from soups to breads from scratch daily on site. After being seated in her charming dining room, Judy proceeded to pamper us and make us feel like family.

I was excited to sample Judy’s Deviled Eggs. Made from scratch, they were “just like Mom makes”; creamy with a smooth blend of mayonnaise and mustard with paprika on top to make them pretty: delicious.

Next was Noodle Salad. A twist on traditional pasta salad, the Noodle Salad featured angel hair pasta with feta cheese and black olives. Creamy and loaded with feta, I enjoyed this summery dish while successfully avoiding the olives.

Judy’s Chicken Noodle Soup was the next dish out of the kitchen. Made fresh daily, the Chicken Noodle Soup was very meaty with a rich and flavorful broth (not salty like canned soups). She pairs her soups with her fresh baked rolls which are crumbly on the outside and soft on the inside and served warm with butter on the side.

The first sandwich I tried was Egg Salad. Served on freshly baked, dense, grainy bread the Egg Salad with green olives was creamy and delicious, (I removed the lettuce and tomato that came with it), a perfect summer sandwich.

The next sandwich I tried was the Chicken Salad. Served on the same delicious bread as the Egg Salad, Judy’s Chicken Salad was hearty. Made from scratch with all fresh ingredients (they have a restaurant garden out back) with just the right amount of mayonnaise to enhance and not overwhelm (plus no celery, yay!) this sandwich was fantastic!

Honestly, at this point I could have used a nap; but Judy had other plans for me. She includes one of her Smores in all of her box lunches, because Judy says everyone should have a little something sweet at the end of a meal. A low fat graham cracker with a marshmallow and dark chocolate drizzles, Judy’s Smore was a tasty, sweet treat.

I was so comfortable and at home at Judy’s Healthy Kitchen I never wanted to leave! Thank you so much to Judy and her wonderful staff for an unforgettable and delicious lunch!

Kelly says:

Sometimes, healthy can be synonymous with bland, but not at Judy’s. With a menu line-up that includes homemade everything, your taste buds are in for a treat that won’t leave you regretting your choices. Our dining adventure started with a complimentary dish of tortilla chips and house made relish. The relish consists of their homemade pickles, sweet onion and black beans. This sweet and zesty relish is a wonderful complement to the crunchy chips, and is the perfect starter. The pickles, referred to as “Decadent Dills” are served with every meal, and are unique and delicious. Created by Judy’s daughter, the pickles are made with cloves of garlic, cinnamon sticks, and their secret ingredient, which is ordered by the case from Alabama and found in just about everything on the menu at Judy’s Healthy Kitchen. The menu appears simple, offering basic sandwiches and sides, but appearances can be deceiving. The Grilled Cuban, a new addition to the sandwich lineup, contains thick slices of roasted (in house, of course!) turkey and ham, swiss cheese, mustard, Italian mayo (Judy’s husband’s secret recipe), and the decadent dills between slices of homemade bread, grilled until warm and crispy on a Panini grill. The bread is hearty and flavorful, and the combination of flavors in the Cuban is a delight. The café also features a Hot Lunch Special, which was a Roast Pork Sandwich the day of the review. The open faced sandwich consisted of thick slices of oven roasted pork served on a slightly sweet homemade white bread that had just come out of the oven. The sandwich was topped with a parsley garnish straight from the herb garden in the backyard, and gravy that was more au jus than gravy, keeping the pork moist and enhancing the flavor without soaking the bread. It was amazing! Of the side options (think summer picnic), the potato salad was my favorite. It’s Judy’s Mom’s recipe, and is simple and delicious. The potatoes are not overpowered by the other ingredients in the dish, and every bite is light and tasty.

Judy also offers a trio of homemade soups – Chicken Noodle and Vegetable are on the menu consistently, and the third soup changes daily. The Vegetable soup is hearty, and contains carrots, celery, peas, corn, tomatoes, and squares of cabbage. With a hint of salt, the flavors of the vegetables really shine through. When we visited, the soup of the day was New England Clam Chowder, which was chock full of clams and chunks of potato in a well seasoned and light, creamy broth. Soups are always best the day after they are made, and I was treated to a sampling of the soup for the next day as well. It was hard to imagine the pork, potato and cabbage soup getting better, though I knew it would. With thick pieces of pork that had been roasted in the oven, and bites of cabbage that were small enough to be tender, and large enough to have texture and flavor, this soup was a winner from the start. The potatoes were fresh and substantial and the broth was delicious all on its own. Each cup of soup comes with a homemade roll and butter, and I’m still not sure which was better – the soup of the bread. What a welcome dilemma!

Saving room for dessert was a challenge, and I couldn’t wait to see what kind of wonderful options there were to finish off the meal. I was delighted with the homemade pound cake, which was thick and moist with a hint of citrus. It was served grilled with scoops of vanilla ice cream, fresh raspberries and a sprinkling of cinnamon... perfect! Judy’s Healthy Kitchen is a real family affair, with recipes that span the generations of Judy’s family, and chef appearances by Judy’s husband and daughter. As Judy says, “I want guests to feel at home here, like they are having lunch at their Grandmother’s house”. Well, Judy – mission accomplished! Thanks so much for a wonderful meal and a delightful visit. I look forward to the next time!

~Melanie & Kelly

MelanieRRRoCC@aol.com

KellyRRRoCC@aol.com

www.facebook.com/RealReviewsChesterCounty

RRRoCC'ed La Bella Stalina---Fresh Pasta & A True Hidden Gem in Dtown!

2012-08-01T07:56:00.000-07:00

"We Will RRRoCC You!"

Hours:

Closed Monday

Tuesday thru Thursday 5:00-8:30

Friday and Saturday 5:00-9:00

Sunday 5:00-8:00

La Bella Stalina's Website!

Restaurant Synopsis:

La Bella Stalina means “The Beautiful Little Star”, which is an appropriate name for this star of a restaurant tucked away in St. Anthony’s Lodge, an Italian Social Club located on Church St. in Downingtown, PA. Kathleen and Louie DelPiano took over as owners of La Bella Stalina earlier this year, realizing their dream of owning and operating their own restaurant after over 20 years in business. A “local’s secret”, La Bella Stalina is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday nights from 5pm – 9pm, serving up the very best in Italian fare in their intimate dining room. The last Thursday of every month is Ladies Night, with a full meal from a special menu of options for $20. Every Tuesday is Create your Own Pasta night, with a choice of three pastas, three sauces and six toppings for $10. The pasta is made fresh at La Bella Stalina, and the quality is unparalleled. I am fortunate enough to live around the corner and was tipped off about this gem shortly after moving to Downingtown. It quickly became one of my favorite restaurants, and I am delighted for the opportunity to give them an official RRRoCC review!

What we sampled:

Calamari Fritti $8.00

Bruschetta $9.00

Beet Salad $6.95

Aglio e Olio with Pappardelle $11.00

Ricotta Gnocchi Marinara $12.00

Spaghetti and Meatballs with Sunday Gravy $15.00

Linguini Alfredo $13.00

Parmigiana di Melanzane $15.00

Pollo Ripieno di Asparagi $17.00

Vitello con Gamberetti $20.00

RRROCC OFFICIAL REVIEWS:

Kelly says:

"We started our meal with samples of the Bruschetta and the Calamari Fritti. The Bruschetta is a blend of fresh Roma tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, fresh basil and a splash of fresh lemon juice piled high on thick slices of rustic Italian bread. Fresh is the operative word in this description, and the flavors meld perfectly with every bite. This dish is a great way to wake up your taste buds for the culinary delights that await you during your meal. The Calamari Fritti is one of my personal favorites… crispy and flash fried, each piece is crunchy goodness. Well paired with a side dish of homemade marinara sauce, one order of Calamari Fritti is generous enough to satisfy 3 – 4 people. I especially like my Calamari sprinkled with fresh grated Parmesan cheese. The Beet Salad started as a summer special one evening, and has been so popular, it has been on the nightly specials list for weeks now. And rightly so – this dish is beautiful and delicious! A bed of Spring Mix holds thick slices of roasted beets and tomato, chunks of tangy cheese (sometimes goat cheese and sometimes gorgonzola cheese, which are both equally good on this salad) dressed with fresh herbs, olive oil and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.

The list of sauce and pasta options offered at La Bella Stalina provide for endless combinations of homemade delicacies. At the top of my list is the Aglio e Olio with Pappardelle pasta. A simple sauce of olive oil, with crispy chunks of garlic, pecorino cheese, pepperoncino and fresh parsley, this is my absolute favorite. The Pappardelle pasta is thick and wide and an ideal carrier for the layers of flavor in the Aglio e Olio. I was also delighted to finally try the Alfredo sauce, which I paired with the Linguine. The Alfredo is made with fresh Pecorino Cream and cracked black pepper. It was creamy and thick, and coated each piece of Linguine with gentle flavor.

In addition to the pasta and sauce options, La Bella Stalina offers Italian Chicken, Veal and Seafood dishes, including their Chef’s Signature Dish – Pollo Ripieno di Asparagi. This consists of chicken breast stuffed with layers of prosciutto and provolone cheese rolled around spears of asparagus and finished in a white wine and chicken broth reduction. There is a reason this is the Chef’s signature dish. The medley of flavors surrounding the asparagus is music to your mouth, with each flavor pairing perfectly with the others. The Italian dishes come with your choice of potatoes and a vegetable or a side dish of pasta, any way you like it. My chicken came with brightly steamed broccoli and roasted red potatoes that were crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside, with a light seasoning that was perfect.

One of my favorite aspects of dining at La Bella Stalina (and there are many) is the availability of wines and spirits at club prices. A generous 6oz pour of the house Chianti, which is my regular order, is less than $4 a glass – unbelievable!! Many, many thanks to Kathleen and Louie for providing us with a first class meal that offered a sampling of so many of the wonderful dishes on the menu; to Sue for taking such good care of us during our visit; and to Roberto, the head chef, for slaving over a hot stove to make our mouths water and out stomachs sing. You don’t want to miss out on this beautiful little star of a restaurant for one more day – make sure to stop by soon!"

Melanie says:

"La Bella Stalina is a neighborhood restaurant known to Downingtown locals tucked into St. Anthony’s Lodge on Church Street in Johnsontown. With Frank Sinatra music playing in the dining room, and tantalizing smells coming from the kitchen, I could hardly wait to dig in!

My first dish was Ricotta Gnocchi with Marinara. Obviously homemade, these cheesy gnocchi were the size of marshmallows! The smooth, sweet marinara was a lovely compliment to these homemade masterpieces!

My next dish was Spaghetti and Meatballs with Sunday Gravy. I went old school Italian on this one and was not disappointed! The massive meatballs were homemade, stuffed with cheese and garlic and absolutely perfect! The Sunday gravy was a nice, thick traditional homemade sauce that smothered the homemade spaghetti and was absolutely delicious!

I was already stuffed on the generous “sample” sizes the kitchen sent out, but I still had more to go! I was presented with the lovely Vitello con Gamberetti next. Veal with Grand Marnier cream; this cream sauce almost did me in! Rich with a hint of smoky sweetness the Grand Marnier cream took my veal dish to a whole new level; a beautiful accompaniment to the tender beef, it was unbelievable!

I had barely recovered from the veal when the Parmigiana di Melanzane arrived. Cheesy, heavy and dense this dish was eggplant Parmesan heaven! The many layers of eggplant, sauce and cheese made for warm, gooey nirvana!

To top off this Italian feast, I had to have Cannoli. Sweet, fluffy generously filled, the cannoli was the perfect ending to an extravaganza of eating!

Thank you so much to our wonderful server Sue and the outstanding kitchen staff at La Bella Stalina for a fantastic (and filling) night!

~Melanie & Kelly

MelanieRRRoCC@aol.com

KellyRRRoCC@aol.com

www.facebook.com/RealReviewsChesterCounty

RRRoCC'ed Grill at Fore in Thorndale!! Southern Home Cookin' anyone??

2012-07-23T09:22:00.000-07:00

"We Will RRRoCC You!"

300 N. Bailey Road

Thorndale, PA

484-786-9768

Hours:

"Grill on the Green"

("Grill at Fore's" side dining area off the Ingleside Golf Course)

Monday: 10:30 am - 9:00 pm

Tuesday: 10:30 am - 9:00 pm

Wednesday: 10:30 am - 10:00 pm

Thursday: 10:30 am - 11:30 pm

Friday: 10:30 am - Midnight

*Saturday: 7:00 am - Midnight

*Sunday: 7:00 am - 6:00 pm

*Breakfast served Sat. & Sun mornings, from 7 am - 10:30 am

Main Dining Area

Wednesday: 4:30 pm - 10:00 pm

Thursday: 4:30 pm - 11:30 pm

Friday: 4:30 pm - Midnight

Saturday: 11:00 am - Midnight

Sun. Brunch: 10:30 am - 3:00 pm

Grill at Fore on FB!
Fore's Website

Restaurant Synopsis:

The Grill at Fore is an exciting addition to the restaurant lineup in Thorndale, PA. Located on the picturesque Ingleside Golf Course, and in the summer home of former president James Buchanan, the scenery is beautiful inside and out. The rolling hills and lush greenery make a stunning background for the historic building, which is full of charm and mystery. Enjoy your meal in the bar room, with tables nestled up to the windows, or on the sun porch, with a wonderful view of the surrounding grounds. The black and gold lounge is open in the cooler weather, with outside seating, and décor that pays tribute to the Pittsburgh Steelers. There are private rooms upstairs that are available for events and private parties. The owners at the Grille at Fore have lots of fun and unique happenings in the works. You can read about their paranormal events (which will be resuming in the fall, since they have to shut down all of their systems, including the ac during the event) on their website – www.grillatfore.com/paranormalevents . Also keep your eye out for a Murder Mystery dinner, Oscars Party, and lots of fun times during football season in the Black and Gold Lounge. The Grill at Fore is so much more than a place to get a great meal! Speaking of great meals, however…

What we sampled:

Wings 6/$6.00, 12/$10.00, 24/$18.00

Pulled Pork Sliders $8.00

The Blue Wedge $6.50

Sauteed Vegetable Plate $7.00

Alligator Sausage $18.00

Steel Curtain Sandwich $10.00

Home-style Mac & Cheese $5.00

Cornbread $1.00

Coleslaw $1.00

Chocolate Chip Paradise $7.00

RRROCC OFFICIAL REVIEWS:

Melanie says:

"The Grill at Fore is located on the green at the Ingleside Golf Course in a newly renovated historic building, specializing in home cooked Southern comfort food, in a casual atmosphere.

The Grill at Fore is becoming well known for their smoked wings. I had the pleasure of sampling three different flavors of them, the first being their North Carolina wings. Soaked in vinegar, the North Carolina wings had a unique tang and were very hearty. The Pepsi wings were next, and the sweetness of the Pepsi was a wonderful compliment to the smokiness of the wings. Finally I tried the Buffalo style wings. They were very spicy and juicy and packed quite a punch. All three were delicious in very different ways.

Next up from the appetizer menu were the Pulled Pork Sliders. These mellow, vinegary sandwiches were a warm, drippy masterpiece with provolone cheese. The potato roll added just a hint of sweetness to this Southern staple.

For my entrée, I took a walk on the wild side and ordered the Alligator Sausage. It looked like an etouffee: rice, Cajun pepper sauce, onions, peppers and celery with alligator sausage medallions throughout. I took one bite of the sausage and turned to Kelly and said, “it’s Cajun kielbasa!”. As a proud Ukrainian-American I have eaten more than my fair share of kielbasa; and you could have knocked me over with a feather when I found out that alligator sausage tasted like my grandmother’s Christmas dinner! The sausage was mild and seasoned with a touch of black pepper. The sauce was smooth and rich and beefy without being heavy, with a small Cajun kick. As side dishes, I got two of my favorite comfort foods, cornbread and mac & cheese.

The cornbread was homemade, and tasted like it came straight from a Southern kitchen. Made with buttermilk, real corn kernels throughout and topped with a sprinkling of powdered sugar it was a slice of heaven.

The Home-style Mac & Cheese was rich and buttery, chock full of cheddar cheese, and so good I could have eaten it as a meal.

The Grill at Fore was a great place to relax, unwind and indulge in Southern cooking and hospitality. Thank you so much to their wonderful owners and staff for making my night so enjoyable!"

Kelly says:

"The Grill at Fore describes their menu as “An American Grill with BBQ and Southern Food”. When I hear Southern food, I think heavy and deep fried. Not so at the Grill at Fore! Though there are certainly some deep fried options available on the menu, the focus is on family recipes and full flavor. They are known by many for their Cole Slaw, and after trying a side of the specialty, I can certainly understand why. Crisp cabbage and veggies are tossed in a tangy smooth vinegar dressing that dances on your tongue. Crunchy and refreshing, this side is sure to brighten anything else you are eating. I sampled the Wedge Salad, being a lover of blue cheese dressing, and intrigued by the replacement of the traditional bacon with caramelized onions. The caramelized onions provided an earthy sweetness that complimented the rest of the ingredients in the salad perfectly, and the homemade blue cheese dressing was creamy and thick, with abundant chunks of mild blue cheese. This is my kind of Wedge Salad! I shamelessly asked for a container to bring the extra dressing home with me, and enjoyed it for days. The Sautéed Vegetable Plate, actually a bowl, is piled high with a mixture of broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, carrots, and more, and is billed as a Tuscan blend of mixed vegetables. The veggies were crisp and accented with a medley of spices that enhanced the flavor of every piece in the dish.
From the moment I perused the Grill at Fore menu, I knew I had to try the Steel Curtain sandwich. Pulled pork, Cole slaw, tomatoes, French fries, and cheese are layered between slices of grilled bread and crowned with a dill pickle spear. I love a mélange of flavors in a dish, and the Steel Curtain sandwich delivered with every bite. The Pulled Pork, which is another house specialty, is smoked before it is cooked with homemade barbeque sauce and makes a solid base for this party in your mouth sandwich. The tomatoes, French fries, pickle and cheese pull it all together for an incredibly satisfying dish. With all of the wonderful food that landed on our table, it was an incredible effort to save room for dessert. Well, until the Chocolate Chip Paradise arrived, that is! The Grill at Fore menu describes this as a “Large homemade chocolate chip cookie baked to order in a cast iron skillet topped with two scoops of vanilla ice cream covered in chocolate sauce and homemade whipped cream.” Words cannot do this delicacy justice… the cast iron skillet arrives at your table hot, with the fresh out of the oven chocolate chip cookie crisp along the edges and gooey in the center. The cool and creamy vanilla ice cream and the homemade whipped cream provide a delightful contrast to the warm cookie and chocolate sauce. The aroma itself was enough to crumble any resolve I may have had, and not diving in to the skillet of heaven was never an option. It was an amazing end to a truly fun and fabulous meal.
The Grill at Fore offers so much – Authentic Pit BBQ on Fridays and Saturdays and smoked burgers, wings, and pork every day of the week. You can literally follow your nose to this gem of a restaurant located at 300 N Bailey Rd in Thorndale. Many thanks to the owners and management at the Grill at Fore for a great meal and a wonderful evening – I will be seeing you again soon!"

~Melanie & Kelly

MelanieRRRoCC@aol.com

KellyRRRoCC@aol.com

www.facebook.com/RealReviewsChesterCounty

RRRoCC'ed Doc Magrogan's in West Chester--left us seeing "Bleu"!!

2012-07-16T19:58:00.000-07:00

"We Will RRRoCC You!"

117 East Gay Street~West Chester, PA 19380

610-429-4046

Hours: Sunday & Monday 11am-10pm
Tuesday & Wednesday 11am-1am
Thursday, Friday & Saturday 11am-2am
~Parking validation at the Chestnut Street Garage for up to 2 hours

Doc Magrogan's West Chester on Facebook!

RRROCC OFFICIAL REVIEWS:

Kelly says:

"Doc Magrogan’s in West Chester may be best known as an Oyster House, but they offer so much more! For oyster lovers, Doc’s offers a wide variety of fresh oysters for your shucking pleasure. With a menu detailing their location of origin and their flavor notes, you can be as selective as you want about your oyster experience. With a multitude of ways to enjoy your oysters, whether it be raw, baked or with alcohol, you will be well served. And you don’t want to miss out on Buck a Shuck Mondays.

That being said, and being a non-oyster lover myself, I was delighted with the delicious seafood options at my disposal for dinner. I began with the Pan-seared Tuna, which was perfectly rare, crusted with sesame seeds, and served over a drizzle of creamy wasabi and an Asian chili sauce with a side of well seasoned slaw. The slaw was crunchy, and complimented the flavors of the tuna and the sauces perfectly.

Tiffany, our server, brought is a basket of warm bread sticks (I love warm bread!) with butter that was lightly seasoned with Old Bay. I enjoyed my bread stick with the salad that came with my entrée – a lovely bowl of spring mix and fresh veggies with a side of blue cheese dressing. For dinner, I ordered a selection off Doc’s Fresh Catch menu, which according to them is “Flown in fresh, hand selected and hand filleted on site”. My Broiled Tilapia tasted just as good as I expected it to, crispy and browned in sections on the top, and light and flaky on the inside. The fish was moist and tasty, even without the butter lemon sauce that accompanies the dish. I asked for the sauce on the side, but enjoyed my fish so much with just some fresh lemon juice squeezed on it that I only dipped a couple of bites in the sauce. The lemon butter sauce was wonderful, but I decided to forgo those calories in favor of dessert. The vegetable side with my meal was an assortment of snow peas, julienned peppers, green beans and squash that was a perfect al dente, with a great flavor. They were sauteed in a light butter, garlic and white wine sauce – no wonder they were so good! I even had some of Melanie’s vegetables. The mashed potatoes were creamy with just the right amount of lumps, and were lovely with the other pieces of my dinner.

Our dessert options were presented to us on a large paddle, with nine holes in it. Five of these holes were filled with 4oz glasses of heaven. Our choices were Key Lime, Raspberry Truffle, Tiramisu, Apple Crisp and Smores. Each dessert was a pudding/mousse with toppings and cake or pie crust mixed in. I opted for the Tiramisu on Tiffany’s recommendation and was not disappointed in the least! The custard was superb, and supported the Kahlua soaked lady fingers which were moist and dreamy. The 4oz. glass of Tiramisu was just the right amount, and left me feeling happily full, not overstuffed.

After our meal, Amber, one of the managers and their marketing maven, gave us a quick tour of the Shore Shack, which is an outdoor area in back with picnic tables, reminiscent of the beach. Patrons can order crabs and other steamed seafood and eat to their hearts content on paper covered tables. Next time you are yearning to pick crabs, but can’t make it to the beach, head on over to Doc’s Shore Shack for the next best thing! Doc’s also has a private party room upstairs with a bar that can accommodate up to 88 people. My impression was that Doc’s is a place that suits multiple occasions, whether you are in the mood for a fun happy hour at the bar, an elegant dining experience in their Victorian feeling dining room or their deep wood club feeling dining room, or a fun outdoor meal, you can find what you are looking for at Doc Magrogan’s on Gay St in downtown West Chester. Doc’s will even validate your parking for up to two hours at the Chestnut St. Garage! Thanks so much to Tiffany and Amber and the rest of the team at Doc Magrogan’s for a fabulous meal and an enjoyable evening!"

Melanie says:

" I love Gay Street! It is like a kinder, gentler version of Philadelphia’s South Street. I could go out to dinner once a month, to a different restaurant each month, and after a year still not have tried them all. Walking along Gay Street and shopping in their boutiques or dining in their restaurants is just one of the many benefits of living in Chester County. Unfortunately, the evening of our review was a rainy one, but with the whole summer ahead of me I am sure I will be back one sunny day at least.

Doc Magrogan’s is right next to the West Chester post office. Ducking in out of the rain, I was greeted at the door and welcomed into the mellow atmosphere of Doc Magrogan’s. We bypassed the lively bar to sit in their wood paneled dining room that has a subtle nautical theme.

At this point in my review, I feel I have a confession to make: I have never ordered seafood for dinner. I enjoyed the crabmeat in my Nola Fries at Appetites On Main, and the seafood in two of the Mac & Cheese Cook-Off entries, but a seafood dinner is not for me.

So, after receiving the menu, I turned right to the “Landfood” section. I ordered Doc’s Bleu Sirloin; a 10 ounce sirloin with melted bleu cheese served with crispy onion rings, mashed potatoes and vegetables. I ordered my steak rare, and was pleased to see that it was cooked to pink perfection! The steak was very juicy, and the tangy, rich bleu cheese was an excellent compliment to the beef. The mashed potatoes were creamy and buttery and definitely homemade, as I hit the occasional potato chunk, much to my delight. There is nothing like good old-fashioned mashed potatoes like Mom used to make (usually only at Thanksgiving though!). The onion rings were very breaded and super crispy, a nice crunchy touch to the meal. I did not eat the vegetable medley served with my steak. I just had the broccoli rabe in my Pork Italiano at Appetites On Main, and two servings of vegetables in one week might shock my system!

I ended my dinner with a sweet treat presented to me table side from an oar believe it or not! I had the Smores; a parfait style dessert with layers of mini marshmallows, graham cracker crumbles and rich chocolate mousse.

Even though Doc Magrogan’s is a “seafood place”, a landlubber like me can still enjoy a wonderful meal from the excellent staff of a West Chester institution. Thank you so much Doc Magrogan’s for a fabulous night!"

~Melanie & Kelly

MelanieRRRoCC@aol.com

KellyRRRoCC@aol.com

www.facebook.com/RealReviewsChesterCounty

Chester County Mac & Cheese Cook-Off Review!

2012-06-14T11:06:00.000-07:00

"We Will RRRoCC You!"

June 10, 2012 12-4

1 Park Lane

Downingtown, PA

What We Sampled:

Cheddar, Swiss and Arugula Pesto Mac & Cheese…Station Taproom

Station Taproom's FB Page LIKE !

Mac & Cheese with Italian Style Stewed Tomatoes…Beaver Creek Tavern

Beaver Creek Tavern's FB Page LIKE!

Mac & Cheese with Pulled Pork…Midway Bar and Grill

The Midway Bar and Grill Website

Crabby Macky…The Hotel

The Hotel's Website

Mushroom Mac & Goat Cheese…The Bordley House Grill

Bordley House Grille FB Page LIKE!

Jalapeno Mac & Cheese…Foster Boys

Foster Boys FB Page LIKE!

Wild Mushroom Ham Mac & Cheese…Firecreek

Firecreek Restaurant's FB Page LIKE!

Jambalaya Mac & Cheese…Molly Maguire’s

Molly Mguire's FB Page LIKE!

Classic Five Cheese Mac & Cheese…Triple Fresh Caterers

Triple Fresh's FB Page LIKE!

RRROCC OFFICIAL REVIEWS:

Melanie says:

"The first annual Mac & Cheese Cook-Off was filled with kids laughing, everyone covered in sunscreen, and lots of sighs, moans and groans of people enjoying a large variety of mac & cheese. The Downingtown and Thorndale Rotary Clubs did a great job dazzling our taste buds at this event! All nine restaurants that participated brought their own unique twist to an American staple. I was worried before arriving that the dishes would all taste similar; I ended up worrying for nothing! Local cheeses, Kennett Square mushrooms, the bounty from restaurant gardens and seafood all made appearances in the entries.

Business was brisk, and unfortunately I missed my chance to sample the lone home cook Andy Keen’s Buffalo chicken inspired entry the “Mac Daddy”. I asked Andy if he enjoyed the experience and he said: “This was great! I never entered a contest as a single person before. When tasters said my mac & cheese was restaurant quality, it was great!”. Proud Mom Lori Keen, a member of the Rotary chimed in on the event saying: “We had an overwhelming turnout!”. She was very pleased with the success of the event. She told me that the proceeds would go to local, regional and international Rotary approved needs. It is the top goal of Rotary International to eradicate polio worldwide.

I enjoyed all of the mac & cheese entries, but the stand out dish for me was the Mac and Cheese with Pulled Pork by The Midway Bar and Grill. It tasted like a Southern pork barbeque and homemade mac & cheese rolled into one. Two of my favorite comfort foods, together at last! I happily cast my vote for The Midway Bar and Grill and was rewarded with a second helping by the enthusiastic staff manning the booth. They didn’t have this particular mac & cheese on their menu, but I hope it is added as it was delicious!

The Bordley House Grille won both People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice awards sweeping the competition. Triple Fresh Caterers won the Kid’s Choice award.

I can’t wait until next year to sample some more creative, local mac & cheese dishes! Thank you so much Autumn Katzenmoyer for allowing me to cover such a fun event!"

Kelly says:

"The blistering heat on Sunday did not keep the crowds away from the first annual Chester County Mac-n-Cheese Cook-Off. By the time I arrived at 1:10pm, the turnout had already exceeded the Thorndale-Downingtown Rotary Club’s expectations, according to Laurie Keen, rotary member and mother of the one non-restaurant person entering the competition. All of the proceeds from the Cook-Off support the charitable projects of the Rotary Club on local, national and international levels. There were nine restaurants, and one individual that entered the Cook-Off this year, which provided for some amazing varieties of Mac-n-Cheese.

Andy Keen was the one individual who entered the competition with his signature Buffalo Mac-n-Cheese dish. Even though he cooked five pounds of his specialty, he had run out by the time I arrived at his table. That bodes quite well for the quality of Andy’s dish, but not so well for me – I was really looking forward to sampling that!

Molly Maguire’s was the first restaurant table I visited, and was treated to a sampling of their Jambalaya Mac-n-Cheese. Chicken, shrimp, andoulie sausage and lobster paired beautifully with the blend of cheeses and penne pasta. It was tasty with a kick! I look forward to Molly Maguire’s opening up in Downingtown in January or February of next year in the old firehouse on Lancaster Ave – a welcome addition to the great variety of restaurant options in Downingtown.

Triple Fresh, a market and caterer located in E. Fallowfield, offered a Five Cheese Mac-n-Cheese with a buttered Panko Bread Crumb topping. Cheesy, crunchy and flavorful, this dish featured Gouda, Fontina, Cheddar, Blue Cheese and Parmesan Cheese all from Lancaster County, and milk from the dairy in Cochranville. The fact that all of the ingredients were locally sourced made my sample taste even better! Triple Fresh was the recipient of the Kid’s Choice award – congratulations Triple Fresh!

Foster Boys, a Downingtown pizza and sandwich shop, offered a Jalapeño Mac-n-Cheese. This was a cheesy dish, but it was not greasy. And the addition of fresh jalapeños gave their Mac-n-Cheese a crunch and a zest that I have never experienced before with Mac-n-Cheese. Unique and delicious!

Firecreek restaurant, another Downingtown favorite, offered Mac-n-Cheese with Gouda, Havarti and Cheddar cheeses, brown sugar rubbed bacon and wild mushrooms. The cheese and bacon were from Wyebrook farms in Honey Brook, and the mushrooms were from Kennett Square. Another locally sourced winner! In fact, Firecreek came in second in every category – People’s Choice, Kid’s Choice, and Judge’s Choice, and I have seen some suggestions floating around Facebook that they may want to consider adding the dish to their menu. Hmmm…

The Bordley House Grill at Broad Run, in West Chester, served up a Mushroom Mac-n-Goat Cheese that won my heart and my vote. The mushrooms were from Kennett Square, and the Goat Cheese was from Yellow Springs Farm in Chester Springs and they went together beautifully. The amazing flavor of their dish was accented by fresh rosemary from their own herb garden, which was the perfect touch! The Bordley House Grill took first place in both the People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice categories – congratulations Bordley House Grill! I will be seeing you soon.

The Hotel Sports Pub and Grille, in Downingtown, offered Crabby Mac-n-Cheese, which contained baby spinach, plum tomatoes and crab. It was a saucy and flavorful mixture. Their sister restaurant, The Midway Bar and Grille, in Coatesville, provided a refreshing change of pace with their Middy Magnifilious. This dish contained pork ribs (without the bone), cheese whiz and heavy cream, among other ingredients. The flavor was part Mac-n-Cheese, and part Pork BBQ – quite a tantalizing combination!

The Beaver Creek Tavern, in Downingtown, was the only participant to make a “traditional” Mac-n-Cheese, with extra sharp cheddar cheese and Italian style stewed tomatoes. It was quite a treat amongst the exotic renditions of Mac-n-Cheese I had sampled elsewhere. And last, but certainly not least, was the Station Taproom’s Cheddar, Swiss and Arugula Pesto Mac-n-Cheese. It was light and tasty, and the Arugula came from the herb garden that kept behind their restaurant. I love that!

Even though there were ten different types of Mac-n-Cheese, the portion cups they were served in helped to provide a sufficient portion for sampling, without being overwhelming. I was amazed at the variety of renditions of this classic dish, and at the creativity of the chefs that worked so hard to keep everyone impressed and entertained.

Speaking of entertainment, the Rotary Club provided a Craft tent for the kids, a live band (where one of the members was the brother of a member, if I heard correctly), and a B 101 tent, for tunes while the band was on break. In addition, the Club manned a beverage stand, with sales of water and lemonade and soft pretzels going to support the Rotary’s charitable causes. Victory Brewing Company also stepped in with some libations in their Beer Garden, and offered some non Mac-n-Cheese food for those that hadn’t quite gotten their fill. Margo’s ice cream of Downingtown was scooping away and doing a brisk business in the heat, offering about five options of homemade ice cream – the perfect dessert!

Small in size, only filling about ¾ of the Kerr Park parking lot, this event was extra large on community – bringing in over 600 guests. This took many of the participants by surprise, and several of the restaurants had run out of their samples by 2pm. Members of the Rotary Club are already looking forward to next year’s event, where everyone can come prepared with plenty of samples for the 2^nd Annual Chester County Mac-n-Cheese Cook-off. Many thanks to the Downingtown Thorndale Rotary Club for their hard work and for giving me the opportunity to review this great event!"

~Melanie & Kelly

MelanieRRRoCC@aol.com

KellyRRRoCC@aol.com

www.facebook.com/RealReviewsChesterCounty

RRRoCC Appetites on Main in Exton...yum!

2012-06-12T10:43:00.000-07:00

"We Will RRRoCC You!"

286 Main Street

Exton, PA 19341

610-594-2030

Hours: 11am-2am daily

Food served until 1:30am

Appetite's On Main

Restaurant Synopsis:

Appetites on Main is a family owned and operated eatery located in the Main Street at Exton shopping center, on Rt. 100 in Exton. Celebrating their tenth year in their current location in December, it’s no surprise that this friendly place does well year round. Perhaps most widely recognized for their outside seating and pet-friendly patio, you don’t want to miss stopping in, no matter what time of year it is! Our server, Chris, took great care of us, keeping Melanie’s diet coke full, and Kelly’s beers and water flowing. It turns out that Chris, having worked at Appetites for three years, is one of the newer team members. Most of their team has been there for 5 – 8 years, which is a strong testament to a great workplace. In addition to offering fantastic food and an exceptional beer selection, Appetites on Main has some great entertainment going on. From Karaoke to DJ’s to live bands, your music options are wide open. They are also a great place to go for trivia and Texas Hold’em tournaments. And for you adventurous folks, Thursday night is Beer Pong night. This is on top of the sports action offered on their 11 high definition TV’s, with specials that coincide with the games. Please be sure to check out their website www.appetitesonmain.com for daily specials, and entertainment and events throughout the year. You can also find Appetites On Main on Facebook – be sure to add them to your friends!

What we sampled:

Nola Fries $9.49, half order $5.99

Spicy Mini Tacos $7.59

Buffalo Chicken Dip $8.49

Pork Italiano $9.99

Reuben $9.79

Chicken Cheesesteak $6.99

Funnel Cake Fries $7.99

Chocolate Reese’s Torte $6.59

RRROCC OFFICIAL REVIEWS:

Kelly says:

"I was first introduced to Appetites On Main at the end of May, when our book club met there. This is a book club of five, that had swelled to 42 with the selection of our May book, “Fifty Shades of Gray”. Brad, the owner, willingly offered up a private room for our meeting, so that we could talk freely, and talk freely we did (but that is another story)! I was impressed at how accommodating they were for a group our size, and by the quick and efficient service, even when the power went out due to some serious weather.

I was delighted to hear that Appetites On Main was going to be our next restaurant to review, and couldn’t wait to sample some of the many tempting dishes on their menu. With an incredible variety, you would be hard pressed to not find something to please even the pickiest eater in your group. Melanie and I learned from our last review and insisted on small portions of everything we tried, since we won’t write about it if we haven’t tasted it, and a girl can only eat so much! The chefs were more than accommodating, and everyone benefited-Melanie and I got to sample a lot of wonderful food, and you get to read about it. The only problem now is that I have a list of things I want full servings of the next time I go in, and the time after that, and the time after that!

We started off with the Nola Fries, which are a tribute to the Big Easy Saloon. These crinkle cut fries were perfectly crispy, and carried the toppings of crab meat, homemade cheese sauce, and Cajun seasonings with authority. There was a generous amount of crab on the fries-some for every bite. The Cajun seasoning was just enough to enhance the flavor of the dish without overwhelming it. And the cheese sauce (I did save the best for last here) was heaven. Perhaps knowing that it was homemade, and not out of a can predisposed me to liking it-this was no whiz, people! It was wonderful, and I had to restrain myself from scraping the plate with my finger. Fortunately for me, our sample of the Spicy Mini Tacos also came with a side of the cheese sauce, and some sour cream. There could be no better accompaniment to the two-bite sized mini tacos that were stuffed with chicken and just enough jalapenos to give them a mild kick. Crunchy and flavorful, and dipped in cheese and sour cream, these Spicy Mini Tacos are unique and tasty. We capped off our appetizer round with a sampling of the Buffalo Chicken Dip. The story behind the dip is almost as good as the dip itself-Sara (one of the servers there) would make her special Buffalo Chicken Dip for the team get-togethers, and it was a consistent hit and always requested. Finally, they decided to put it on the menu-thank you Appetites On Main! This bowl of goodness contains the perfect balance of cheesiness, spice and chicken (so you can feel virtuous for the protein you are getting when you eat it). It comes with chips and celery (again, points for virtuousness) for dipping, and it was wonderful. This time, Melanie and I were battling it out to see who got to scrape the bowl, and rest assured, no dip was left behind. Sara’s Buffalo Chicken Dip is definitely on the list of things I need a full portion of on my next visit!

Thank goodness we had sample size portions of the appetizers, because I was feeling great when the parade of sandwiches began. First we got a sample of their Reuben, aptly named one of the house specialties. This Reuben has ruined me for any other Reuben anywhere. It was the next item on my list of things I need a full portion of on my next visit (and maybe every visit thereafter). This sandwich was grilled crispy on the outside, and warm and gooey on the inside, with just the right amount of sauerkraut and Russian dressing to compliment the corned beef and Swiss cheese. The rye bread was amazing, and it turns out it’s from a bakery in South Philly, as are all their breads. No wonder it was so good-best Reuben ever! All their sandwiches come with a side of their homemade potato chips, and again, I love the fact that they are not coming out of a bag. They are crispy brown and delicious. Next we sampled the Pork Italiano-roasted pork nestled in a South Philly roll with aged provolone shreds and broccoli rabe. My initial thought was that the sandwich was a bit dry, especially compared to the cheesy goodness we had been feasting on all night. Then I got a bite with all the ingredients together and it was a trifecta of flavors…the bite of cheese, the garlic juiciness of the broccoli rabe and the roasted pork together is divine. Closing out the sandwich parade was a chicken cheese steak on a garlic bread roll. More cheesy goodness, and the garlic bread roll just put that sandwich over the top. Another one for the list! Turns out, you an order any of the sandwiches on a garlic bread roll…good to know if I can ever get past that Reuben. Vegetarians-you can order a chicken or beef fake steak for just $1.00 more-I don’t know how the fake steak tastes, but with everything else they can put on that roll, that sandwich has got to be good. I don’t know where I thought I was going to put the antipasto salad that came next. With a refreshing combination of Italian meats and provolone cheeses, roasted red peppers and other fresh veggies, this salad was a flavorful medley in my mouth. The Balsamic Vinaigrette had just a hint of kick, and while I couldn’t finish the salad, I enjoyed every bite. It was no surprise to me that it is also a house specialty.

Dessert was a true treat-Funnel Cake Fries and Chocolate Reese’s Torte. The fries were sweet and chewy…how can you go wrong with fried dough topped with powered sugar? The strawberry sauce on the side was cool and complimented the heat of the fries nicely. I also enjoyed dipping the Funnel Cake Fries in the chocolate sauce on our Torte plate. Next time, I will ask for a side of chocolate sauce with the Fries. The Chocolate Reese’s Torte was a tall cake with layers of chocolate cake, peanut butter mousse and chocolate ganache with a peanut butter buttercream icing, peanut butter ganache and peanut butter cups. Need I say more? The perfect ending to an exceptional meal!

With everything that Appetites on Main has to offer, I can’t believe that it took me as long as it did to discover it. And I am sure glad that I did! I am really grateful to Sean, the manager, and Chris, our awesome server, for a wonderful night, and to everyone at Appetites On Main for creating such a wonderful and warm place for people to land. I look forward to seeing you there"

Melanie says:

"The first thing I noticed about Appetites On Main was how comfortable and friendly it is. It is the kind of place that makes you instantly relax. Upon meeting our server Chris, she was immediately a friend. (I invited her to the aforementioned book club and she eagerly accepted.) Chris told me she loves her job and loves the great staff she works with at Appetites On Main, and it shows. What other restaurant would include an employee’s party dish on their menu?

Kelly and I started our feast with the Nola Fries; a little Cajun, smooth, rich and cheesy they were an indulgent treat! The crunchy Spicy Mini Tacos were next. They had a little punch from the jalapeno that was cooled nicely with the sour cream and homemade cheese sauce. We moved on to the Buffalo Chicken Dip, which is homemade, and absolutely delicious! It was served nice and warm and was the ultimate blend of heat, blue cheese and chicken. This is a hearty dip and would probably be enough for dinner if you can keep your tablemates from trying it!

The first sandwich we tried was the Reuben. When Chris set the plate down, I thought the bread was sourdough at first since it was so thick. She assured me it was the traditional rye…I have never seen rye bread so thickly cut! And I was so happy it was thick since the bread usually disintegrates when eating a cheesy, hot, slippery Reuben and this bread held up the whole time. The Reuben is a house specialty at Appetites on Main and I highly recommend it! It was so good I licked my fingers right at the table when I was done! I was a little nervous about our next sandwich, the Pork Italiano, since it has broccoli rabe and I am not so great at vegetables. I tried it, and I actually liked it! (Don’t tell my Mom!) The aged provolone in this sandwich takes it from good to great! Tender pork, broccoli rabe and aged provolone on a sesame seed long roll=heaven. I loved the cheese so much, that I will order double cheese on it next time! Our last sandwich was chicken cheese steak on a garlic bread roll. They had me at garlic bread roll! The roll was soft and buttery and garlicky without being overwhelming. The chicken was juicy and delicious.

After eating this last sandwich, I commented to Chris that the garlic bread roll from the chicken cheese steak plus the aged provolone from the Pork Italiano with some meatballs and tomato sauce would make a great sandwich! The next thing I know, Sean the manager presents me with a meatball to try! The meatball was huge! Perfect on a sandwich with Appetites On Main’s homemade tomato sauce! (If Appetites On Main does add this sandwich to their menu Melanie’s Meatball Hoagie has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?)

All of our sandwiches were served with Appetites On Main’s thick cut, homemade potato chips. They were super crunchy and great for scooping up the bits of chicken cheese steak and Reuben that fell out of the rolls while I ate them.

We rounded out our feast with Funnel Cake Fries and Chocolate Reese’s Torte. The Funnel Cake Fries were light and sprinkled with a generous amount of confectioners sugar. The strawberry dip added a sweet touch to a classic. Chris recommended the Chocolate Reese’s Torte; a dense chocolate cake with peanut butter icing…it was very peanut buttery, which I love! It was topped with whipped cream and chocolate sauce, sinfully good.

What a fun and fabulous meal I had at Appetites on Main! I made new friends, had great food, and can’t wait until book club to enjoy their wonderful food and atmosphere again! Thank you so much Chris, Sean and everyone at Appetites On Main!"

~Melanie & Kelly

MelanieRRRoCC@aol.com

KellyRRRoCC@aol.com

www.facebook.com/RealReviewsChesterCounty

Innocent Anastasia or Damaged Christian--which are you?

2012-05-23T18:16:00.000-07:00

WARNING---if you are not 18, TURN AROUND! If you are not into open conversations, STOP NOW! If you are a desperate Chester County house wife who is home right now, hoping the kids go to bed, cleaning up dinner, figuring out how to get the laundry done, dished cleaned and the dog groomed before the weekend, STOP, head right now to B & N or other online place and buy FIFTY SHADES OF GREY by E.L James. You need a break! And if you are reading Fifty Shades of Grey--proceeds with an open mind and get ready for some thought provoking questions.

Who would have thought that sitting in a dive pizza shop 1 month ago, 5 ladies reviewing Lisa Scottoline's most recent book would have picked a book that is now getting such hot talks, being banned in some libraries, I mean I must be honest, we checked out about 3 books to compare for this month, and I swear sometime during the negotiation of which book to read this month, we choose it because it was cheaper then the rest! LOL We had no idea that this book was HOT on everyone's mind, that it would change a book club of 5-6 to an event that 22 now have RSVP'ed to, and needed to book a private room in a local restaurant to host all of us! I had no idea how intense this book was until I read the first scene, wow, this was NOT meant for the prude or PG book club go-ers. Chesco Does Nick---see you knew we were fun ! lol

So, anyway back to this book. I am not sure if you have heard of the hype this book has caused, and if you haven't you might as well crawl back under your rock, it is everywhere! I have seen girls talking about it on public FB walls, have seen Moms very openly reading it at the park, have HEARD men asking other men if their wives were reading it, which all leads me to question number 1: Did this trilogy finally make sex and talking about it acceptable? Seriously think about it, when was the last time you went out in public and people were talking about porn or the likes so openly? This book truly is soft porn, no ifs, Ana's or butts (spanked or not) about it. It is not just a romance, it's not just a bit of steamy relations, it is something that is not the norm of conversation but somehow right now, everyone is opening up a bit, and talking a bit more about this subject that in American has been so hush hush for quite some time.

I have received emails from women who want to know about the book cub, who have said it has made them more interested in sex, their husbands love that they are reading the book, their hormones are jumping out of their skin and some seem to think, wow this is fun! The topic even came up at a Thirty One party last night, lol it is NOT to be ignored anywhere! It has made many ladies re-evaluate the whole subject of S & M, re-evaluate the schedule they normally stick to, and the "I have a headache" excuses, because we all know Christian would NOT care about a headache, in fact he might like that he caused it. So it's funny to me that my thoughts of porn usually go to "creepy" men, hidden magazines and books and pay per view, but this book has changed that. It no longer the men who are talking about it, it is all women! The women are the ones who are all hyped up over this book, and the men aren't quite sure how to take it :) So do you think this has made "porn" a bit more acceptable, with a different view of what porn can mean and be to many of us?

One of my other thoughts while reading this book was are more people like Anastasia, innocent, but strong, and very mothering to others, or are more people like Christian, damaged, holding hidden secrets, and at the brink of being emotionally broken which could make you grow or could completely destroy you? I think we tend to think people are in the middle but as I sat and put names to this and tried to put people in 1 or 2 categories I truly felt like most people I could put in the Ana or Christian category. Christian, no matter how damaged and dark needed someone to love him, and Ana needed to fix him and show him love. We are like that, and it's funny how some graphics and wording changed these 2 people into such sexy, hot, steamy characters. For aren't we all triggered by things? Don't things in our past cause us to react to situations differently depending on our own experiences? This is really all that Christian and Ana have showed us.

So as your mind wonders tonight, either reminiscing over this book, or wondering what you are missing, (again stop asking,and just go buy it) think about how open this has made a lot of people. Think about how much discussions it has caused between girlfriends, husband and wives and so many more---isn't that a great thing? I could never see how so many kids and adults got so excited over the Harry Pottery books, but I always loved that the author brought such a positive light on the literacy world, and got so many people into reading who hadn't been before, and LOVE that the author made so much money on a BOOK! Not on a new hi tech gadget or a luxury car, but on an old fashion book! So I feel the same about this, Ana & Christian have become part of our every day conversations and have opened many up to talks that wouldn't have had before, and it starting more people reading!! That is SEXY!

My last thoughts are who do you think will play Ana & Christian when this book becomes a movie, as we all know it has to!! And will it be NR or R or what will happen with all of those scenes? Post your own thoughts under the blog!

Thanks for your open minds, and hope to see many of you next Tuesday, 5/29 at our Book Club, 6p-8p at Appetite's On Main in Exton--private room, just come in and ask for us. RSVP to our event page : https://www.facebook.com/events/232843410150552/

All people who RSVP will be receiving a fun little gift bag thanks to a local vendor!!

~~Joy
forsalechesco@aol.com

Butchers Burgers got RRRoCC'ed! First Official Review!

2012-05-22T09:22:00.001-07:00

Real Restaurant Reviews of Chester County

"We Will RRRoCC you!!

221 Eagleview Blvd. Exton, PA 19341

610-594-5500

Hours: Monday-Thursday 10-9

Friday-Saturday 10-10 Sunday 11-8

Delivery available within 5 miles

www.butchersburgergrill.com

Restaurant Synopsis:

To Butcher’s Burgers and Grill, food is synonymous with freshness, quality and a hot grill. They are your quintessential family business, preserving one of America’s great traditions: a really good burger. They keep it simple, staying away from assembly-line work and prepare their dishes upon ordering and entirely from scratch.

What we sampled:

Mediterranean Fries $3.99

Gorgonzola Burger $6.99

Golden Burger $6.99

Butcher Dog $3.29

Chocolate Milkshake $3.99

Black and White Milkshake $3.99

After dinner, we sat down with George, Butchers owner, as he told us about some of the other offerings on the menu. He has chicken breasts for his salads and sandwiches that he marinates in a homemade marinade and cooks to order (just like everything else). Their cheese steaks are another popular item, which George attributes to the finer cuts of beef he gets his steak from. Their Gyros are a source of pride for him, with a homemade marinade specific to the sandwich, and that amazing tzatziki sauce. All of their breads (except for the burger rolls) are delivered fresh from the Conshohocken bakery, which makes for an excellent sandwich, no matter what you choose.

George offers generous and customizable catering trays, with the option for weekly and monthly accounts. He also offers packs of mini-burgers, which are great for a picnic lunch or a day of boating at Marsh Creek Park. The Butcher’s Burgers and Grill menu included coupons for your next visit (and we are offering coupons as part of this review too), and believe me, you will be back. Scroll down under reviews for coupons!!

RRROCC OFFICIAL REVIEWS:

Kelly says:

Butcher’s Burgers has been around for a while in the Lionville Shopping Center, but new owners George and Theo have made some sweeping changes to the restaurant in the five months that they have been at the helm. From the outside, it looks like your basic burger joint, but looks can be very deceiving! With indoor and outdoor seating, this clean, fast casual eatery offers something for every appetite. And with nothing on the menu over $9.00, it offers something for every budget as well. Butcher’s Burgers offers café style service, where you place your order at the counter, and get your food delivered to your table.

The new menu additions include hoagies, Panini’s, wraps, and an expanded salad and specialty burger menu, as well as some Mediterranean specialties that

definitely do not fit in the “burger joint” mold. Melanie and I started our meal with Mediterranean fries that are hand cut on site, and topped with oil, vinegar, herbs and feta cheese-definitely a step up from your cheese fries with whiz! The presentation of the fries was superb, prompting Melanie and I to capture a photo before digging in. They were delicious, and I had to fight to not lick the wrap once we finished every single one of them. Well, OK, once I finished every single one of them! Our burgers came out shortly after the fries, and I am not exaggerating when I say that mine was heaven on a bun. The meat, which is ground from thick slabs of beef that are on display for the customers, was fresh and hearty, and done to perfection. I ordered the Gorgonzola burger, based on George’s recommendation, and was delighted with the generous amount of perfectly sautéed portabella mushrooms, flavorful roasted red peppers and gorgonzola cheese that decorated my patty. The toppings and the burger were perfectly balanced, and enveloped in a wonderfully soft Pepperidge Farm bun. The bun was just enough, not an overabundance of bread, because George says, “It’s all about the burger, right?”.

After we polished off our burgers, one of the team members brought us their Butcher Dog, which is a house specialty. The implication that this dish has anything to do with a hot dog is a gross injustice! It is described on the menu as “homemade beef sausage on a hoagie roll”, which also doesn’t quite fit this sandwich. It doesn’t taste like sausage-the beef that George cooks with onions and garlic and herbs has a flavor that is unique and wonderful. It is served on a roll fresh from the Conshohocken bakery and is topped with lettuce, tomato, onion and their own homemade tzatziki sauce, which is a Greek cucumber and yogurt sauce with a garlic kick. The Butcher Dog comes with a side of onion rings, which are substantial rings, with a crisp batter coating-great flavor and texture!

To top off our meal, we indulged in the milkshakes, since they are also a hot item. Consisting solely of ice cream and milk, the shakes were the perfect thickness, and absolutely delicious.

I am only sorry I didn’t leave room to try some of the other offerings on the menu, like the Spicy Tex Mex salad, the Chicken Gyro, or the ALT (avacado, lettuce and tomato). Needless to say, I will be back, and will resist the urge to order another amazing burger so I can sample some of the other dishes that come so highly recommended. Thanks to George and his team for showing us how great a “burger joint” can be!

Melanie says:

Butcher’s Burgers and Grill is a 50’s style restaurant tucked onto Eagleview Blvd. adjacent to Target and close to both Rt. 100 and Rt. 113. An affordable family friendly restaurant, Butcher’s Burgers and Grill has something everyone in the family will enjoy; there are even four vegetarian entrees to choose from. The kids have three budget friendly (under $5!) meal combos that are sure to please even the pickiest eater. And Mom and Dad have over fifty mouth-watering entrees that are freshly prepared and cooked to order to select from on Butcher’s Burgers Grill’s detailed menu.

Kelly and I started our dinner with Mediterranean Fries; fresh, hand cut fries, drizzled with olive oil and vinegar with sprinkles of feta cheese on top. I have never had fries like these before! Lighter than traditional cheese fries, these were flavorful without ruining my appetite for my burger.

And thank goodness for that! I ordered the Golden Burger: bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, Parmesan cheese and mayonnaise on a soft sesame seed bun. (Confession: I didn’t get the lettuce, tomato and onion on my burger, as I am not a big fan of vegetables.) I ordered my burger rare, and was pleased to see the pink in the center. These guys really do cook to order! The mayonnaise and Parmesan cheese was a smooth, cheesy compliment to the crisp bacon. My burger was so tender, that a couple of chunks of it fell off of the bottom as I was eating it. I love when that happens!

Next, Kelly and I split a Butcher Dog, which was not a “dog” at all! A unique blend of spices was throughout the beef, which was topped by Butcher’s Burgers and Grill’s own homemade tzatziki sauce. Their tzatziki sauce is a blend of garlic and cucumber, giving a sweet, tangy flavor to the sandwich. It was topped with lettuce, tomato and onion (which I removed from my half) and came with onion rings. I thoroughly enjoyed the unique “dog”, it has a flavor combination I have never had before, and I highly recommend you give it a try when you visit them. (And at $3.29 it is a super affordable lunch!)

Even after eating all of that, I managed to save room for a chocolate milkshake made the old fashioned way. Butcher’s Burgers and Grill uses only milk and ice cream to make their milkshakes…no fake syrups here! (Which means no added sugar!) It was the perfect ending to a delicious meal! Thank you Butcher’s Burgers and Grill!

~Melanie & Kelly

MelanieRRRoCC@aol.com

KellyRRRoCC@aol.com

www.facebook.com/RealReviewsChesterCounty

So now you have read 2 fabulous reviews after our team RRRoCC'ed Butchers Burgers !! Why not try them out? Use the coupon attached and enjoy a good meal! Make sure to tell them you read their review and check out those "dogs"!!

ENJOY THIS AWESOME COUPON!

Chester County or Bust!

2012-04-13T06:07:00.000-07:00

How many of you remember living here as kids, and wishing and dreaming we could get out of this God forsaken hole in the wall? I remember in high school thinking how horrible West Chester was, and why would anyone want to live her, let alone actually move here on purpose.
I grew up in Chester County, this barren land, that as a teenager was boring!! And now...I sit back and see that I started a family here in a place I couldn't wait to get away from. I have become so connected to so much in this community that I couldn't see my life anywhere else.
We are all so lucky to raise our families in a community that cares about each other, and I mean truly cares. I couldn't decide what was going to be my 1st topic for this websites blog, and then it hit me,. after seeing over 115 shares in less then an hour, on my post about the 12 year old missing girl, my blog topic would be Chester County. This place is amazing.
We take so much of it for granted, and it is honestly far superior to anywhere else I would ever think of living. We have such diverse cultures, landscapes, all in a very small area.
I started this page last August, because I wanted to buy and sell from other locals, instead of from people in the city etc. After 8 months of building this page, this community has come together in so many ways. We have feed families together, we have celebrated holidays for those who could not have done it on their own, we have collected money in the cold for those less fortunate, we have made new friends, we have helped our neighbors, we have helped local businesses prosper, and we have helped connect those who might never have connected.
I am so thankful for each and every one of you. To those of you who have made this road a bit rougher then I ever expected and to those who helped pave it smooth. I can't imagine what my life would be like now without you all. It has only been 8 months and this group again makes me appreciate this community, this Chester County community we are all so lucky to live in.

So on days that you are bored, wishing you were lying by a nice warm sunny beach, or a beautiful old relic in Europe, remember, this place has more then those places ever could offer, it has a community that I don't hear about from many others, and look around, Chester County truly is beautiful!! Walk the fields, enjoy the fresh air, stroll through one of our towns, eat in a small cafe, have lunch at a local park, and remember how lucky you are to be part of such a tight knit community...I know I certainly am!

Chesco...here we go!!
www.forsalefreeortrade.com LAUNCH!

~Joy

FSFOT...yes I am a real person! :)

2012-03-29T20:20:00.000-07:00

So I receive so many emails in a day asking what's going on, links to events, rule clarifications etc, so I decided to start a blog to keep everyone updated on what's going on. I do get asked am I really a local mom, is there really only 1 person, and the answer is yes. I am a local wife and mother of 2 beautiful girls. I grew up in East Goshen and still live here today. I went to WC East, Millersville and then worked in Corporate World USA--yuck! I then got married, ran an advertising business that I then became an owner in and resigned 5 years later to start a family. So now I am home with my 2 little ones, and enjoying every minute. So please be patient, I seriously am just 1 person weeding through the 500+ emails a day. Please start "following" this blog so you guys can stay up to date on what's going on! I will have giveaways and more done here too!

I am super excited for the website launch next week! The website is going to include a Featured Member area each week, a Featured Local Business each week, a calendar of events for each county, and For Real Deal links to deals at local businesses at least 50% off retail exclusive to you guys! I am also going to have a link to Chester County news...sponsored by the Chesco Does team. I will have a link to Chesco on The Cheap, a local blog all about saving you money.

I have learned a lot since this page started, August 22nd 2011, yes it has only been 8 short months since this local addiction started. I apologize to the spouses who are complaining about their better half's addiction and constant refreshing of this page. I hear about laptops in bed, "just one more minute" on the page, and so many other funny stories. My husband is excited for the potential of this page to actually become a business because as of right now he just sees it as me "playing on the computer" that takes up a lot of time and money. :) I have heard hysterical stories about buying and selling. I have learned of friendships being formed from this site that blows me away. We awarded a prize of over $1500 to a local member thanks to local businesses!

I sit back and think about how many people this page has helped and it makes me realize that in life, everyone can make a difference. YOU all have made a difference in another member's life. We were able to provide Christmas for 2 families this year, and 2 very nice Christmases at that! We booked out 5 days of Bell Ringing for Salvation Army to raise money to support local in need, we have hosted multiple Charity Online Auctions to raise money for animal rescues, cancer charities and more!

I thank you all, I am PROUD of this page and what it has helped to accomplish for so many. I look forward to the day we are known nationwide not only for selling and buying, but for bringing an online community together in each of our neighborhoods! I look forward to the day that people start talking to their neighbors again and join in fun OUTSIDE events, not just things online. I look forward to the day that we purchase more from local business them from the big names.

So we all have an agenda, and mine is to reach 10k by August 22nd, anyone able to help spread the word?? Share www.facebook.com/forsalechestercounty

Chat Soon~

Joy