Interesting article on Philly.com that mentions TJs, The Drafting Room and more.

We’re not sure what to make of the fact that gourmet cupcake bakers are popping up everywhere, but we’re sure happy they came to our neck of the woods. Frazer’s Cupcakes Gourmet offers a wide variety of traditional and trendy flavors, all of which are excellent. Our favorites so far are the chocolate with vanilla buttercream dipped in chocolate ganache and the chocolate chipotle (fridays only).

They aren’t cheap ($3.25 for a large, one-something for a mini), but keep in mind that these are hand-crafted treats, not mass-produced, supermarket junk. Stop by and check them out!

[http://www.cupcakesgourmet.com/]

Though we were disappointed that Bruster’s Frazer branch closed, our current favorite thing is Handel’s Chocoholic Chunk ice cream — DARK chocolate ice cream with chunks of dark chocolate. This insanely decadent creation just might be the greatest ice cream flavor ever created.

After a short run, Lew’s NY Deli is closed in Paoli. Personally, we had hit or miss experiences there, loving the “Fancy Schmancy” and the “Einstein”, but not really liking the pastrami (there’s something wrong with that, of course).

At least we still have Murray’s!

Lew’s is now open, and they have a website!

http://lewsnydeli.com/

I tend to write these particular updates with a bit of trepidation, because change can be a scary thing, especially when it comes to one of your favorite restaurants. When I heard the news that Teresa’s was moving next door and adding a bar, for example, I panicked. How could they do this to my favorite little BYOB? When I heard that Mayuree Cafe was moving out (er, being forced out) of Wayne, I was worried for their future. When I heard Kooma was adding a liquor license (seems so long ago now), I was concerned for my own wallet.

Sometimes these work out for the better, other times they are disasters and the restaurant won’t make it much longer. With Kooma’s latest move — expanding into the next space and adding a “lounge”, the jury remains out. Will they take total hold on the WC dining and drinking scene, or will the overextend themselves and fizzle out?

So long as they keep brining in that phenomenal raw seafood, it should remain the former.

Some neat news for WC folks — the folks at Kreutz Creek are opening a tasting room in the heart of downtown West Chester. According to the folks over at WC Dish, it is opening this weekend!

Great news for winos like us…

Details here

Dock Street Brewery is now open in West Philadelphia, a short ride down Haverford Ave. for those of you on the Eastern Main Line. Aside from the beer, rumors abound about how great the wood-fired pizzas are.

701 S. 50th St.
215-726-2337

Just a few years ago, having Lager and Guinness on draft in this area was considered to be a solid beer selection. Now, however, the Main Line boasts three of the best beer bars we’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting.

The great beer bars are, in no particular order: Teresa’s Next Door (TND) in Wayne, The Flying Pig in Malvern and TJ’s Everyday in Paoli. We started this post with the intention of crowning one the “best area beer bar”, but as we write we wonder what purpose this would serve. If you love the Belgians and other imports, TND is the place for you… but “The Pig” probably represents the American craft brewers a bit better. TJ’s, on the other hand, uses craft and specialty beers to cook virtually everything on the menu. Does this make one better than the other? Who cares! Any visit to one of these bars will result in the enjoyment of great, varied beer, and, perhaps more importantly, something new on each visit.

Get out and enjoy!

P.S. The Drafting Room in Exton deserves mention here as well; though perhaps not “on the Main Line”, it is a short drive away and boasts a phenomenal variety of brews.

Bad news, WC sandwichionados: Murray’s Deli of West Chester will be closing very soon. We were enamored with the sandwiches and upscale bar of Murray’s but we suspect the location (on the much less tred Market St vs Gay St — It’s amazing what a block can do) and the questionable service (as commonly reported by readers on this very website) did them in.

Great news for Western Main Liners though: Deli War II is set to begin! Murray’s will be opening a Berwyn location, and while that isn’t exactly across the street from the planned Lew’s NY Deli in Paoli, we’ll be sure to compare the pastrami as soon as possible.

Update: along with the deli, upscale bistro M is also planned for the same location (575 W. Lancaster Ave.)