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.

Screaming Eagle, Aruba, (Dec 2013)

I’ve posted about Screaming Eagle restaurant before, but it’s been quite a while. Last night, I enjoyed a very good meal there, complete with excellent service and ambiance. This is an upscale place, located along Aruba’s Eagle Beach, close to the “low-rise” area. Seating is both indoor and outside. Take your pick and enjoy. Let’s get to the food. This little plate was served as a “gift of the chef.”

"Gift of the Chef" plate served at Screaming Eagle, Aruba.

“Gift of the Chef” plate served at Screaming Eagle, Aruba.

All bits of goodness on there, including cheese shaved into the shapes of flowers, a touch of orange, piece of walnut, a delicious “mayonnaise” and tiny circle of brioche. Flavors blended perfectly with subtlety that hinted of good things to come. Next came a pair of appetizers including a “truffle spaghetti” that you see below. (It included serano ham and a poached egg.)

Truffle spaghetti with serano ham and a poached egg.

Truffle spaghetti with serano ham and a poached egg.

Again, flavor here was off the chart, the combination working together in ways one might not expect. Then there was a Caribbean salad that included all the greens and goodness I need to have several times a day. Check it out:

Caribbean Salad at Screaming Eagle, Aruba.

Caribbean Salad at Screaming Eagle, Aruba.

The chef dresses the salad in the kitchen, adding the right amount without overpowering the ingredients. Thus, you get to taste it all, which is the point, right? Moving on to entrees, let’s first look at the simple chicken and vegetables:

Chicken and vegetables at Screaming Eagle, Aruba.

Chicken and vegetables at Screaming Eagle, Aruba.

Standard fare here, prepared the way I like it with lots of crispy contrasts. Now for the exotic. The next dish was a special for the week. Here’s grilled kangaroo with apricot chutney:

Grilled Kangaroo with apricot chutney at Screaming Eagle, Aruba.

Grilled Kangaroo with apricot chutney at Screaming Eagle, Aruba.

That’s a zany dish with unique flavor that those with a adventuresome taste buds will have to sample for themselves to get the full effect. Finally, we selected a traditional Dutch Christmas desert of almond flavored cake with ice cream that you see in the final photo:

Dessert at Screaming Eagle, Aruba, December 2013.

Dessert at Screaming Eagle, Aruba, December 2013.

One very, very good meal here in a pleasant setting with attentive service. I found it worth every penny and will be back again to try some other dishes.

The Kitchen, Aruba

The Kitchen is an easy-going, friendly place for a reasonably priced meal. Located just on the edge of Oranjestaad, close to the large grocery stores, it offers up a wide menu of choices. We dined there a few nights ago, starting with a couple of salads, including this chef’s salad:

Chef Salad at The Kitchen, Aruba

Chef Salad at The Kitchen, Aruba

Note the glass of wine on the side, which was reasonably priced and tasty. Then there was a mixed green salad as seen next.

Mixed Green Salad, The Kitchen, Aruba.

Mixed Green Salad, The Kitchen, Aruba.

This time, to the right you see some fresh toasted bread with tapenade of olives and tomatoes, both of which were quite flavorful. The salads were very fresh and loaded with ingredients. Finally, we tried the tenderloin. It is served on a hot skillet with veggies and a potato. Here it is:

Tenderloin Platter, the Kitchen, Aruba.

Tenderloin Platter, the Kitchen, Aruba.

The steak was good, a little tough, but for the price was a fair value. Most of all, we had great service. I also mention the drink prices as seen here on the table card.

Drink Card, The Kitchen, Aruba.

Drink Card, The Kitchen, Aruba.

For anywhere near the tourist area in Aruba, these prices are excellent. Plenty of seats front the well-stocked bar, so you can stop in for a drink and a snack and stay on budget. Bon dia.

Local Red Sauce Joint, w/photos

Everyone has their local joint for various types of food. In the past several years (think difficult economy) some of my regular places closed. Thankfully, a new one opened, called Amici, that serves up some Italian standards that are quite tasty. Popped in there for the third time in three months and was well pleased. First off, you have to eat your greens. Take a look at this salad:

Amici salad.

Very fresh that salad was, with all the things I like under a tangy dressing. A great way to start the meal. Moved on to the old linguine with meat balls in an arrabiata sauce.

Amici linguine with meatballs in arrabiata sauce.

The sauce had some kick to it, much better than your standard marinara or other options. Plus, they don’t skimp on the meatballs. Plenty to eat here, but not excessive. As an alternative, there is also the eggplant which is served as an appetizer. However, as you can see in the next photo, is about big enough for an entree, especially if you started out with another appetizer.

Amici eggplant.

Service here is very good, including from the well-stocked bar. If you’re near the Morton Train Station in Morton, PA (Delaware County), you’ll enjoy a good meal at Amici, paying a price that is reasonable. Soon, I’ll be lingering at the bar for people watching and other forms of entertainment.