Next Door Bar

126 N. Wayne Ave., Wayne, PA

http://www.teresas-cafe.com/

We had some time to kill before catching a train into the city, so we decided to get a quick drink and nosh beforehand. Seeing as how there is nothing within walking distance to my usual R5 stops, we journeyed to Wayne, where I knew there had to be something. Walking from the train station, I remembered hearing about the bifurcated Teresa’s Cafe/Next Door Bar and thought that might be a good option.

We sat at the end of the bar, which wasn’t exactly the most desirable place, as it was where servers congregated waiting for drink orders and also where dirty glasses were deposited for the bartenders to wash; I would think there would be a better system for that, but if that’s my only complaint, then you know it was a good experience.

And it was. We didn’t have all that much time before our train left, so we ended up going small — a couple of salads and a shared cheese plate. To start though, we each chose a beer, and I chose the wonderful Allagash White, which is my new favorite beer: a classic Belgian from the fruity, wheaty side of the family (see Delerium Tremems, Golden Monkey, et al.), it wasn’t quite as misstep-inducing as its brethren, which was exactly what I wanted. I can’t remember what Rick ended up having, because I was so obsessed with the Allagash.

Our salads were quite good, save for perhaps being a bit overdressed and undertossed: I chose the nuts and berries (spinach, bleu, walnuts, currants) while Rick chose the three bean (fava, English peas, and haricots verts) and radish. They were both tasty and hit the spot. We then shared a generous serving of Humboldt Fog with an assortment of bread and some seriously good balsamic strawberries.

As I said in my previous posts, I would kill for a place like this around us: a relatively affordable gastropub that served great beers and great food — someplace that had a good vibe where you could go for a good meal or just a beer. Please. Do this, someone.

Turning Japanese

I really think so.

In a recent post, I noted how the addition of Yoshi brings to three the number of sushi-offering restaurants in our area. I also should note that with Wegman’s coming in October (were I in possession of the actual opening date I would literally be counting the days), there’ll be four sushi offerers within five minutes.

I needn’t wait: according to Michael Klein, Jannie will be opening at the Target plaza in Royersford in the coming weeks. With outposts in NE Philly and Warrington, Jannie is apparently a Chinese/Japanese place, with equal emphases on both cuisines (Menupages menu).

This is just odd to me. We’re big sushi fans and also enjoy the other Asian offerings, but is there really a need in this area for Japanese/Korean (Bonjung), fast Japanese (Yoshi), Chinese/Japanese (Jasmine), and another Chinese/Japanese? This does not include a Thai place and an authentic Szechuan place another five minutes up from Jannie. It’s not that I’m really complaining, but, as I’ll note soon enough in an upcoming review, I’d love to have a strong gastropub or a good authentic or even decent Mexican place, among other options. Apparently though, we just really need another Asian place.

Or we’ll see.

Yoshi Sushi and Yogurt

Collegeville Shopping Center, Collegeville, PA

As Rick noted when we were at Yoshi, we now have three places that serve sushi within about five minutes of our house. This is what happens when you live in a resort community.

Seriously though, how did this happen? Bonjung is a great standby (whose bento box lunch I had just t’other day and was reassured of its value and taste) and Jasmine also serves sushi (though we haven’t tried it). Now there’s Yoshi.

Which is a completely different kind of restaurant. With only a few small tables and a bar, it’s tiny; it’s obviously intended to be much more of a casual takeout place. And, I can see that — as long as they get their act together.

We walked in on what I believe was their first day, and were greeted warmly. As with many just opened counter service places, it wasn’t exactly clear where a line formed or where to order (despite there actually being a side; see Barrister’s Bagels for the same problem which has been slightly resolved). Once we finally came up with selections from the printed menu, the menu on the wall and the menu on the wall with pictures, we were told it was going to be a while — 15 minutes.

Not that big of a deal for us (we could do our Mother’s Day card shopping), but that’s not really going to work if you’re going to do takeout — unless you call ahead (which we’ll likely do in the future).

When we got back from Hallmark, we arrived to find a table waiting for us with complimentary soups and the first of our rolls. Nicely done. Our other rolls soon followed: we ordered a spider, Philly, California, and Alaska (salmon, avocado, cucumber) roll. To be honest, the spider and Alaska rolls where both overpowered by the accompanying sauce; the California roll is by definition pedestrian — strangely, the Philly roll was our favorite. The miso soup was just fine. Our salads were relatively standard in terms of ingredients — lettuce, cabbage, carrots, ginger dressing — but they were enormous and very fresh, if not a bit overdressed.

The prices were reasonable and the service a bit unpolished but awfully friendly. I don’t know if we can support three sushi places, but I hope Yoshi does well.

PS: you’ll note no mention of the yogurt: I don’t mention it because I didn’t see it on the menu nor anywhere else in the menu. Future expansion?

PPS (7/1/09): Check out my updates for another recent visit to Yoshi.