Trey Popp ventures out to Bala Cynwyd to try out Avril, a French restaurant that he feels lacks some focus.

When not hampered by lapses in execution, though, Gatti’s cooking is full of fresh ideas. His curried carrot mousse, whose cloudlike consistency found playful counterpoint in a crust of walnuts and whole-grain farro, was a show-stealing revelation next to a simple grilled rack of lamb. The deep meatiness of his very tender wine-braised brisket got a welcome lift from more of that cherry sauce.

Firing Blanks [City Paper]
Avril [Official Site]

King crab, foie gras, scallops, turkey, oysters and beef are upcoming special ingredients for Blackfish’s 4-course, $45 tasting dinners.

These menus are only really rivaled by Matyson for clever takes on the tasting dinner.

Check out the full menus after the jump and also worth noting, there are a few seats remaining for Monday’s Guest Chef series with “Ideas in Food’s” Alex Talbot and Aki Kamozawa.

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Jennifer Carroll isn’t the only guest chef for Blackfish Conshohocken. The first of the monthly events will be on Monday, November 2nd with Alex Talbot and Aki Kamozawa from Ideas in Food.

The dinners are seven courses and $85 per person.

Check out the November menu including fluffernutter, after the jump.

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Wegmans opened a new supermarket in Collegeville Sunday and it’s big and it has beer.

• 132,000 square foot store
• 600 employees
• Full service restaurant named the Pub
  • Seating for 300
  • Modeled after traditional Irish pub
  • Yards and Victory on tap
  • No tipping
  • Working fireplace
  • Food Menu (PDF)
  • Drink Menu (PDF)
• Beer section
  • Single beers and six packs available for purchase
  • Separate check out
  • Sly Fox Black Raspberry Reserve $9.99
• 700 types of fruit and vegetables
• 400 cheeses

Wegmans Collegeville
600 Commerce Dr, Collegeville, PA
484-902-1560

Wegmans Opens New Store in Pennsylvania [WHAM]
Sly Fox @ Wegmans [Beer Lass]
Collegeville Wegmans opening just grand [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Wegmans Opens New Collegeville Store With Full Service Restaurant and Bar Inside [The Illadelph]

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.

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The under construction Whole Foods in Plymouth Meeting has a liquor license application at the site and is expected to carry beer. We can only hope there will be  a growler filling station like this New York city Whole Foods.

It will be the first Whole Foods in Pennsylvania with a liquor license and is aiming for an early 2010 opening.

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]

Blackfish, which had stopped lunch service in April is bringing the afternoon delight back. Among the pluses for suburban office dwellers, it means the “big burb burger” is back.

Check out the full lunch menu after the jump.

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Coyote Crossing’s Conshohocken courtyard is one of the best places to dine outside in the area and now there are several incentives to get you there.

Coyote Fajitas, Chile Abuelita, Poblano Rellenos and Grilled Chicken Mole entrees are all priced under $20.

After 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays late-night specials are available at the outdoor lounge. Margaritas and glasses of wine are $5 and Mexican beers are available for $3. Plus there are also complimentary hors d’oeuvres.

Save another wayby going to the Latest Dish blog and printing out a coupon good for a free margarita.

Coyote Crossing [Official Site]
Dine Under the Stars for Under $20 at Coyote Crossing [The Latest Dish]

Each Monday Blackfish chef and owner Chip Roman has been creating a 4-course chef’s tasting menu focusing on a single ingredient. So far the $45 menus have featured beets, radish, watercress and peas. But starting this Monday and going forward the special ingredient that is included in each course becomes a lot more interesting .

• April 27: Lobster
• May 4: Scallops
• May 11: Crab
• May 18: Fruits de mer

Blackfish [Official Site]