La Porta (restaurant, 2014)

La Porta is a new find for me, a little place in the Philadelphia suburbs that I wish I had stumbled into sooner. The restaurant has a Media, PA address, and is located on Route 352 on the way to Edgemont. Not hard to find and exploring is half the fun. So, let’s talk about the food. Well, started with a couple of appetizers, one being this portabello mushroom topped with a fried egg that was a creative and tasty treat. Take a look:

"Portafoglio"… a crispy portobello mushroom with fried egge, sharp provolone, and caper butter.

“Portafoglio”… a crispy portobello mushroom with fried egge, sharp provolone, and caper butter.

Also had a delicious and varied chop salad with all my favorite ingredients including golden raisins, almonds, and more! Here it is:

Chopped salad with all the good stuff at La Porta, Media, PA.

Chopped salad with all the good stuff at La Porta, Media, PA.

Greens are good for you. Eat them often! Next we enjoyed a couple of entrees, one being this salmon over various greens:

Salmon over arugula and radicchio at La Porta.

Salmon over arugula and radicchio at La Porta.

Yes, that salmon was cooked perfectly. Then there was a pizza, which had to be tried because this place is known for pizza. Take a look:

Pizza special at La Porta, Media, PA.

Pizza special at La Porta, Media, PA.

This pizza was a special. It included caramelized onions, some exotic cheeses, and a great sauce. AND, it was baked to absolute perfection with just a touch of char on the bottom. Really, some of the best pizza I’ve had in a decade. Here’s the menu for a look at the selections and prices:

Current menu (spring 2014) at La Porta, Media, PA.

Current menu (spring 2014) at La Porta, Media, PA.

La Porta is worth your visit. Service is good, wine selection plentiful, and the food terrific. If you’re in the area, give it a try, or make the journey. Enjoy every meal!

Published in: on April 7, 2014 at 10:29 am  Leave a Comment  
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Don Jacinto Restaurant, Aruba

Don Jacinto is a Colombian restaurant located in Oranjestaad, Aruba. The place serves all your favorite Colombian dishes in an air-conditioned environment. They do a busy lunch trade, so plan accordingly.

Don Jacinto Restaurant, Aruba.

Don Jacinto Restaurant, Aruba.

I enjoyed lunch here recently. Ordering a couple of favorites to test the quality of the food. First, here’s a quick look at the seating area:

Main dining room at Don Jacinto, Aruba.

Main dining room at Don Jacinto, Aruba.

Plenty of tables for groups large and small. Good service, too. Now, here’s a look at the grouper filet with sides of rice and potato.

Grouper filet at Don Jacinto, Aruba.

Grouper filet at Don Jacinto, Aruba.

Fish was perfectly prepared and that potato on the side is boiled with an onion flavor that really was clever and delicious. Next, you see their version of the bandeja paisa platter:

Bandeja paisa platter at Don Jacinto, Aruba.

Bandeja paisa platter at Don Jacinto, Aruba.

This version of the platter was slightly different from what I’m used to. Instead of a steak, it was shredded beef in the upper center of the tray. Also, the beans were on the plate instead of in a separate bowl to the side. It was all quite tasty, however, and went down well with the local hot sauce. Finally, here’s a look at a page from the menu for a look at some other dishes and current prices (February 2014):

Menu at Don Jacinto, Aruba.

Menu at Don Jacinto, Aruba.

If you’re on the island of Aruba, this may be an easy stop with reasonable prices and decent food as well as something different. Enjoy every meal.

Published in: on February 28, 2014 at 12:42 am  Leave a Comment  
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Classic Diner (January 2014)

The Classic Diner in Malvern, PA, USA, is a favorite stop of mine. Breakfast and lunch here is a delicious feast at a reasonable price with great service. Make sure you are HUNGRY before you get here because the portions are large. I might also add, they use the best ingredients. So let’s start healthy, with a spinach salad that you see here:

Classic Diner (Malvern, PA) spinach salad.

Classic Diner (Malvern, PA) spinach salad.

That’s a beautiful salad, no doubt about it. And dig the lox on the side with capers, eh? Nice. For those who really need to fill up, try the cheeseburger with a side of onion rings that you see next:

Cheeseburger with a side of onion rings at the Classic Diner, Malvern, PA, USA.

Cheeseburger with a side of onion rings at the Classic Diner, Malvern, PA, USA.

That, my friends, is one good burger. The onion rings… crispy and sweet, the way you like them. Again, service is exceptional here and prices are reasonable. Be advised, the place gets BUSY, so go slightly off peak breakfast and lunch times. Enjoy every meal.

Published in: on January 17, 2014 at 12:27 am  Leave a Comment  
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French Cannoli (from Rocco’s, NYC)

Way back in 1986, I came across Rocco’s Pastry Shop on Bleeker Street in New York City. We’ve had a close relationship ever since because I love pastry and Rocco’s makes some of the best. My favorite quick and ready item is the French Cannoli with almonds you see here:

French Cannoli with almonds from Rocco's Pastry Shop, NYC.

French Cannoli with almonds from Rocco’s Pastry Shop, NYC.

The pastry is incredibly light, the custard filling cool and balanced, the toasted, shaved almonds the perfect crunch counterpoint. Yes, it’s that good and you should go get one right away to see for yourself. Of course, there are many other baked items to enjoy at Rocco’s, where they also serve various Italian coffees. Enjoy every meal.

Published in: on January 15, 2014 at 12:46 pm  Leave a Comment  
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