Alison at Blue Bell has closed as Alison Barshak and filed for bankruptcy protection at her still open  Alison 2 in Fort Washington. [The Insider]

the second location of Shank’s Original is set to open in December at Pier 40 on the Delaware River. [Meal Ticket]

Check out the Insider for what’s going on at the original Shank’s and Evelyn’s location in South Philadelphia. [The Insider]

Where else can you get your Stumptown Coffee fix? Savona in Gulph Mills has added the coffee geeks coffee to its menu. Savona is the first area restaurant to add the Brooklyn roasted coffee to its menu. [Philadelphia Inquirer]

Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza, a Florida based chain is heading to Lancaster Avenue in Wayne. [Main Line Dine]

Mom’s Kitchen joins Joseph Tucker’s mini-empire of two Joe Pesce restaurants and Thomas’ Ristorante. Mom’s is an Italian comfort food restaurant in Collingswood. [Philadelphia Inquirer]

All month Alison two is celebrating its first birthday with prix fixe meals, complimentary desserts, parties and gifts.

This week it’s a $7 lunch of a grilled burger with smoked bacon, bibb letuce and buttermilk bun served with house made potato chips.

Check out the full schedule after the jump.

Read the rest of this entry »

Alison Barshak dropped us this cryptic note this morning about lobsters and Alison two.

We would like to take a moment to talk to you about something very serious. Packs of stray lobsters are trying to take over our kitchen. We have managed to keep them at bay and temporarily contain them.
Please help us by adopting a FREE lobster Thursday, July 30Th, and we will show our appreciation by preparing them with butter, lemon, and lots of love for all who come out to enjoy.
For reservations, call 215.591.0200.

Free??? We await confirmation on just what this means but felt it better to let you know immediately in case Alison is cut off from the computer and phone by packs of lobster ruffians.

Alison two [Official Site]

Craig LaBan has been loving his Yards Brawler recently but in last Sunday’s paper he had lots of nice things to say about Sly Fox and how well it pairs with Han Dynasty’s spicy fare. 

He also informs us that on Tuesdays, all growlers can be filled for just $6 at Sly Fox’s Royersford location. 

Sly Fox is also going to be featured at an Alison two (just across from the R5’s Fort Washington station) beer dinner on Wednesday, May 6th. The 5-course meal will pair beers from Sly Fox and the cost is an all inclusive $56 per person. 

Call Alison two at 215-591-0200 for tickets.

Check out the menu after  the jump.

Read the rest of this entry »

Alison two is serving up Passover on Wednesday, April 8th and Thursday April 9th. There will be Matzah Ball Soup, Gefilte Fish, Charoset and a free glass of wine. For entrees choose from salmon, chicken or beef short ribs. $35 also includes dessert. [Alison two]

Le Castagne is offering a special Passover dinner on the 8th and 9th. [Le Castagne]

London Grill is offering a Seder Menu on April 8 and 9 plus Passover specials all week. The four course meal (fish, soup, main and dessert) is $40 per person, $20 for those under 11. [London Grill]

Seafood Unlimited’s David Einhorn breaks out his grandmother’s Gefilte Fish recipe. Just $3.75 per piece. [Seafood Unlimited]

Zahav goes with a Passover menu from the 8th to the 15th of April. The $42 menu includes handmade Matzah, Salatim and hummus, Yemenite-style Matzah Ball Soup, hot-smoked sable with Sephardic charoset, coffee-braised brisket with horseradish and truffled potato kugel and finally chocolate Matzah torte. [Zahav]

Joy Manning reviews Alison two and has a very different take than Craig LaBan.

It’s the food that sets Alison Two so far ahead of the local curve. Barshak’s style has been shaped by her work experience and extensive world travels: A shrimp papri chat salad was inspired by street food in Singapore’s Indian district, and seared tuna, joined with tender oxtail morsels and pho-style rice noodles in a savory broth, is based on the flavors of her sojourn in Vietnam. Barshak’s talent lies in her ability to draw on these disparate influences without rendering her dishes fussy or fusion-y. Her personal culinary style — a delicate hand and an understanding of seafood — combined with her international prowess unifies the diverse and impressively large menu.

Food: A
Service: A
Vibe: B+

Twice As Nice [Philadelphia Magazine]
Alison two [Official Site]

Oof, Craig LaBan likes the bar scene and bites at Alison two but struggles to find praise elsewhere.

Alison two, in general, is not quite what I’d hoped for from Barshak, who’s had more ups and downs in her career than a ride at Wildwood. Over the course of that roller coaster, though, from her splashy rise at Striped Bass, to the flop of Venus and the Cowboy, to her bright resurgence in Blue Bell, long one of my favorite suburban BYOBs, I’ve grown to appreciate her culinary aesthetic – a knack for pairing great ingredients with focused, inventive dishes inspired by her international travels.

But Barshak isn’t cooking here, having ceded the kitchen to another chef for the broader responsibilities of managing the big Alison expansion picture. (Blue Bell, which now has a liquor license, has been closed for renovations but is scheduled to reopen soon.) And it’s too obvious in the lack of finesse and consistency here that this otherwise appealing menu is missing a steady hand.

One Bell – Hit or Miss

Alison two [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Alison two [Official Site]

In today’s Daily News, Joe Sixpack visits a four-pack of new suburban beer friendly establishments.

• Craft Ale House – Limerick
• Alison two – Fort Washington
• Ron’s Original Bar & Grille – Exton
• The Tap Room & Grille – Haddon Twp, NJ

Joe Sixpack: And now, the best of the beer in the ‘burbs [Philadelphia Daily News]

Finally! Earth, Bread & Brewery is opening to the public this Thursday on Germantown Ave. The Kleinsider has the details on what will be pouring from the four taps. [The Insider]

Rejoice again Mt. Airy. Come spring time, Mt. Airy will be home to the 4th Capogiro. [Blogalicious]

Jack Curtin has the opening beer list for Fairmount’s Tiedhouse. [Liquid Diet]

The bar at Alison two is now open with the dining room opening for dinner on October 16th.

Mi Lah Vegetarian is the name of the new vegetarian retaurant set to open on October 10th at 16th and Chancellor. [Living On The Vedge]

Sakeya has opened as an izakaya in the Academy House. We wish them luck in that tough space. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

The former Ecco Qui is being turned into a sports bar but it won’t be the Yardhouse, it’ll be Mikey’s American Grill & Sports Bar. [The Triangle]

Alison Barshak’s new restaurant, Alison two may not have made it open by Labor Day as initially expected but you can wear your winter whites. Reservations are now being accepted for dinners starting on October 23rd.

Also Alison has updated her construction blog and gives an enlightening look at the lighting.

You Light up My Life [Alison's New Restaurant]
Alison two [Official Site]