Craig LaBan delivers one last steak house review for 2009 and after several of these reviews this year we can say for sure that LaBan sure doesn’t like swarmy, upselling steakhouse waiters. This weekend he targeted the staff and steak at Parker’s Prime in Newtown Square.

One Bell – Hit or Miss

Parker’s Prime [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Parker’s Prime [Official Site]

Perhaps you’ve heard of Terrain At Styers, the garden store from Urban Outfitters in Glenn Mills. In addition to the “inspiring containers,” “artisinal vessels” and all sorts of landscaping help, the 10-acre site is also home to Styer’s Garden Cafe.

The cafe bar is open from 9am to 5pm daily, serving up weekday lunches and weekend brunch. Fare ranges from zucchini and olive oil soup to a summer crab cake with sweet corn and basil vinaigrette.

There are also special events held throughout the month.

• Thursday, August 14th 3-5pm – Afternoon Tea
• Thursday, August 21st 6-8pm – Girls Night Out Outdoors
• Saturday, August 23rd 11:30am-3pm – Heirloom Tomato Discussion
• Thursday, August 28th 6:30 through 8pm – Chef’s Dinner

Details after the jump.

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Craig LaBan checks out the sexy Azie in downtown Media and finds it wanting.

Where is the restaurant that will finally put Media on the map as the next budding West Chester, Collingswood or Manayunk? By all logic, it should be Azie. This newcomer is such a stunningly designed contemporary space, and has such a pedigreed kitchen – “one of the world’s greatest Japanese chefs,” according to the press release – I wasn’t a bit surprised when the glowing propaganda started sizzling in my e-mail box.

But logic, I’ve since been reminded by a couple of less than stellar dinners here, doesn’t do the cooking.

One Bell – Hit or Miss

Azie [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Azie [Official Site]

Foodie Victor Fiorillo gets an authentic experience at Pojangmacha, the Korean restaurant just outside the city limits in Upper Darby.

Seoul, Upper Darby [Philadelphia Magazine]

What was originally just a Wednesday offer is now being expanded to Mondays and Tuesdays as well. Yes, 333 Belrose is offering a half-price bar menu on Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays!

Enjoy Beef Skewers, Cheeseburger Sliders, Spicy Korean Chicken Wings, Grilled Beef Tenderloin, Blue Cheese Quesadillas, Crispy Salt-and-Pepper Calamari, and more.

333 Belrose [Official Site]

Elisa Ludwig tests out Pojangmacha, a Korean restaurant in Upper Darby housed in what was once a White Castle.

The specialty of the house is gamjatang, a spicy, make-you-sniffle stew of potatoes and pork in a crimson chili-paste broth strewn with long strands of scallion, served with a burner and finished on the table. The pork in question is spine, so eating the stew is a process of disentangling the tiny sculpted bones from the shreds of meat. The quartered potatoes, meanwhile, absorb the simmering bone marrow and take on an unctuous, buttery texture. A few spoonfuls followed by sips of sweet wine very quickly becomes an addictive little pattern that could have you there for hours at a sitting, thanking your lucky chopsticks that this wagon isn’t going anywhere.

Pojangmacha [City Paper]

Craig LaBan focuses in on the short-rib popovers at Big Fork in Chadds Ford.

[Chef Kevin] Diskin braises the beef for nearly eight hours, then wraps the deeply flavorful shreds inside a triangle of buttery puff pastry. Baked and served alongside a mustardy slaw of crunchy celery root, it’s almost like eating a warm terrine en croute.

Short-Rib Popovers [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Big Fork [Official Site]

Well you’ve survived the holidays. And if you’ve only gone up one waist size you’re feeling pretty good about yourself. But seriously, it is time to get back to the gym. And what better incentive to do just that than some healthy food and a free pass to the gym. That’s exactly what 333 Belrose and Summit Sports Training Center have combined to offer.

Dine on any healthy appetizer, salad or entrée from 333 Belrose’s healthy menu in January and receive a two week pass to Summit Sports Training Center in Bryn Mawr.

333 Belrose Offers Diet & Fitness [Latest Dish]
Win $50 Gift Certificate to 333 Belrose [Latest Dish]
333 Belrose [Official Site]

Rick Nichols visits with Susanna Foo at Susanna Foo’s Gourmet Kitchen, her new dumpling house in Radnor.

It hasn’t been the best of years for Susanna Foo, her mother died, she’s closing up her Atlantic City restaurant and been cuffed by Philadelphia Police.

But this new baby in Radnor might be the turnaround, the end of the run of bad luck. The room is handsome in a tailored, businesslike way, dark bamboo screening the sophisticated bar, soft light shimmering from crimson-drum chandeliers, gongs hung in cutout C’s in the stonework. (Outside, patios with tall brick walls await the spring. What hidden gardens they’ll be!)

Susanna Foo returns to Radnor in style [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Susanna Foo Gourmet Kitchen

On Wednesdays at 333 Belrose you’ll find a special half priced bar menu all evening long. Choose from tuna, burger or crab cake sliders, beef skewers, calamari among other 333 Belrose fare. This is all in addition to 333 Belrose’s regular weeknight happy hour specials of $2 domestic beers, $4 house wine and $4 mixed house drinks from 5 to 7 PM.

333 Belrose [Official Site]