The city is beginning to heat up this summer season with pandemic restrictions lifting, and the same goes for the suburbs as well. Recently, Main Line Today and Today Media (a multi-platform communications company) announced the debut of Main Line Today Restaurant Week with a 14-day culinary celebration that will showcase the talents of top chefs and restaurants in Montgomery, Delaware and Chester counties. On top of the festivities brought on by eateries, the event will also spotlight and highlight local purveyors in a campaign that encourages restaurants to support small, local farmers and other suppliers.
With over 30 restaurants already registered to partake, the event will kick off later this summer on Aug. 23 and will run until Sept. 5.
“Main Line Today Restaurant Week will be a 14-day celebration of our region’s top chefs, restaurants and purveyors,” said Main Line Today Associate Publisher Marie Edwards in a statement. “We want to make a real and genuine difference to the smaller and independent mom-and-pop restaurants that have been profoundly affected by the pandemic. We spent months talking to our culinary community and gathering input to see how we can best offer our support. We’re proud to have the community’s support as we present something we hope will be truly memorable and impactful—not just this year but in years to come.”
Already on the docket for its inaugural year are some popular spots and fan favorites including 333 Belrose Bar & Grill, Al Pastor, Alessandro’s Wood Fired Italian & Bar, Amis Trattoria, Avola Kitchen + Bar, Cornerstone Bar & Grill, DiFabios, Harvest Seasonal Bar and Grill, Jasper’s Backyard, La Cabra Brewing, Liberty Union Bar and Grill, Lola’s Garden, NECTAR, Pizzeria Vetri, Pomod’oro Pizza and Italian Restaurant, Rams Head Bar & Grill, Revival Pizza Pub, Ryan Christopher’s BYOB, Stove & Tap Landsdale, Stove & Tap Malvern, Stove & Tap West Chester, Terrain café, The Desmond Hotel and Conference Center Malvern, The Gables at Chadds Ford, The Goat’s Beard and Victory Brewing Company.
During the maiden voyage of the edible occasion, the Main Line restaurant community have decided to join forces with local media and businesses to showcase the culinary talent of the area for Philadelphians and beyond. The release also states that while all restaurants in Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties are invited to participate, there is a special focus on independent and locally operated restaurants. In addition to the restaurants, the program also supports the local farmers and purveyors hit hardest by the pandemic. The latter will have a chance to shine at the first-ever Purveyor Showcase, held on Aug. 17. Participating eateries will receive tickets to this exclusive event, so they can connect with purveyors, network with other chefs and restaurants, and get energized for the days ahead.
Restaurant and purveyor registration is now open, and any eatery that wants to participate still has some time to do so. Out of the already 30 confirmed spots, the organizers are hoping to add about 20 more to reach 50 by the kickoff in late August. Main Line Today Restaurant Week is supported by presenting sponsor Firstrust Bank, with additional support from Ferguson Bath, Kitchen and Lighting Gallery, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Visit Delco, PA, Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board, Chester County’s Brandywine Valley, Metro US, Yelp Philly, Philly Chit Chat and Aversa PR.
When planning for this event, an advisory board of volunteers was selected with top leaders from area restaurants, hotels, tourism organizations and small businesses. Members include Rob Donaldson of 333 Belrose Bar & Grill, KC Kulp of The Whip Tavern, Ann Kolenick of The Gables at Chadds Ford, Vern Burling of La Cabra Brewing, Rachel Riley of the Valley Forge Tourism Board, Patrick Feury of NECTAR, Ben Fileccia of the Pennsylvania Lodging and Restaurant Association and more.
Committee members also helped Main Line Today pick a time of year when restaurants can benefit most from the event. As a magazine that has honored the area’s top restaurants, shops, personalities and service providers with its prestigious “Best of” designation, Philadelphians will truly be in for a treat with this all-new culinary event.
Philadelphians can follow @mainlinetoday #MLTrestaurantweek on social media for updates and previews. For a full list of sponsors, restaurants and other details, visit MainLineToday.com/Restaurant-Week or call 610-325-4630.
