Posted by Sam Bloch on May 13th, 2013
The Saint James in Ardmore has been plagued by a number of poor reviews since it opened just a few months ago. Critics complained about weak service and even weaker food, to which owners Michael Schulson and Rob Wasserman responded by purging some of the opening staff (including chef Matt Moon) and reworking little things like Happy Hour menus.
But now the St. James has made a big menu change. A few weeks ago, they rolled out a new board which is much more limited than the opening menu, with the daily specials and flat breads sections cut entirely along with a number of smaller revisions. Having eaten there several times over the past few months, I saw a significant uptick in the quality of the food when I dropped by on a quiet Thursday night (less than a third of the tables were filled at 7 p.m.) after the recent change. There’s a solid raw bar, bowls of mussels, a pork belly sandwich and sides of English pea risotto and brussels sprouts with bacon. I enjoyed a simple cheeseburger that was not overdone and served on a soggy bun like the others that I had failed to enjoy on previous visits. And now, with this tighter, more focused menu, the St. James may even start producing food good enough to make folks forget about the terrible reviews handed down by both Craig LaBan and Foobooz’s Trey Popp and get some customers back through the doors.
You can check out the St. James’s new menu here.
Saint Or Sinner? [Trey Popp's Review]
St. James [Official]
Related: Food, Ardmore, Ardmore Restaurants, New Menu, Suburban Square, The Saint James
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Posted by Foobooz on March 4th, 2013
Trey Popp reviews the Saint James in Ardmore. What was once the culinary hope of the Main Line gets savaged.
Gnocchi with braised brisket featured the meat in puzzlingly large hunks, too dry to shred apart. The “juice” of a flat-iron steak had all the umami of water squeezed from cardboard. There was a properly cooked salmon fillet (sauced, in December, with pesto), and I liked a crispy clam-and-bacon flatbread. But not enough to offset the watery mushroom soup.
No Stars – Poor
The Suburban Sins of Saint James [Philadelphia Magazine]
Saint James [Official Site]
Related: From the Magazine, Reviews, American, Ardmore, Main-Line, Reviewed, The Saint James, Trey Popp
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Posted by Amanda Shulman on December 7th, 2012
On Saturdays and Sundays beginning at 11 a.m., the Saint James will be serving up brunch. While its tempting to stay cozied up at home on weekends, you should probably roll out of bed because these new offerings will put your bowl of cereal to shame. The brunch features classic fare as well as flatbreads, sandwiches, soups and salads.
Standouts include a Challah French Toast with maple syrup and cinnamon apples and an Asparagus & Crab Egg White Omelet. Round out your meal with hearty sides like cheddar biscuits and Lancaster ham. And to wash down this new brunch fare? Try sipping one of their new brunch cocktails like the Grapefruit Sparkler with sparkling wine, grapefruit and Campari. Sounds like your weekends about to get that much more delicious. Don’t worry, it’s already Friday. Only 24 hours until you can test it for yourself.
The Saint James [Official Site]
Photo by David Joseph
Related: Food, News, Ardmore, Brunch, Main-Line, The Saint James
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Posted by Foobooz on October 8th, 2012
Rouge‘s Rob Wasserman and Sampan‘s chef Michael Schulson are opening their spacious American bistro The Saint James tomorrow at Suburban Square in Ardmore.
Schulson has created the menu with Matt Moon who has previously worked with Schulson and will oversee the menu as executive chef. The menu will include everything from chicken noodle soup to a special lobster risotto on Mondays.
Check out our video walkthrough and the menu »
Related: Food, News, American, Ardmore, Main-Line, Matthew Moon, Michael Schulson, Rob Wasserman, The Saint James
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Posted by Aubrey Nagle on June 26th, 2012
Little Baby’s Ice Cream is giving out some of their cold stuff at the Urban Outfitters in Suburban Square, Ardmore on Thursday June 28th from 4-8pm. The giveaway is in conjunction with the opening of the store’s new Men’s section where 20% is taken off any Men’s merchandise when you say “I’m the man” at checkout.
In addition to all that weirdness, Little Baby’s has started a Kickstarter campaign in order to raise money to fund their dream of selling their ice cream in grocery stores. The money will go toward reusable pint containers for the ice cream as well as labels and stickers. The weird part is this ridiculously creepy and insanely awkward video that goes along with their campaign profile.
Go ahead and donate to the cause (they’re only part of the way towards their goal and donations end July 9th!), just don’t make us watch that video again.
Little Baby’s and Urban Outfitters 100% Manlier Event [Facebook]
Little Baby’s Ice Cream [Official Site]
Little Baby’s Ice Cream [Kickstarter]
Related: Deals, Events, Food, News, Ardmore, Fishtown, Free Stuff, Ice-Cream, Little Baby's Ice Cream, Main-Line
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Posted by Foobooz on June 4th, 2012
Tired Hands Brewing has opened in Ardmore. The brew pub has been under construction since last July and swung their doors open for the first paying customers last Friday evening. The bar offers eight drafts brewed on the premises and a menu of local cheeses, meats (all from within 100 miles) and housemade pickles and breads.
For now Tired Hands is open Tuesday through Sunday from 4 p.m. to midnight.
Tomorrow, Tired Hands Brewing’s beers will be part of a cheese pairing at the Chestnut Street DiBruno Bros.
Tire Hands Brewing
16 Ardmore Avenue
Ardmore, PA 19003
610-896-7621
Facebook
Related: News, Ardmore, Beer, Brew Pub, Main-Line, Tired Hands Brewing
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Posted by Foobooz on May 9th, 2012
The Beer Shoppe has quietly opened in Ardmore. The bottle shop offers hundreds of beers, gourmet hot dogs and even DiBruno Bros. cheese and meat. Since the Beer Shoppe has a restaurant liquor license the store also can offer shoppers the ability to sit down and have a draft beer while they watch one of the two flatscreen TVs.
Beer Shoppe Opens in Ardmore [ardmore.patch.com]
The Beer Shoppe
44 Greenfield Avenue
Ardmore, PA
484-416-3594
Related: Opening Soon, Ardmore, Beer, Beer Shoppe, Main-Line
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Posted by Foobooz on April 24th, 2012
Ardmore’s Tired Hands brew pub is so close to opening, they’re promising to open “in the month of May” but you don’t have to wait to sample their beer. They’ve just shipped the beer to several beer bars around the city and region.
Where to find Tired Hands »
Related: Drink, News, Opening Soon, Ardmore, Beer, Main-Line, Montgomery-County, Tired Hands Brewing
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Posted by Foobooz on December 20th, 2010
Firinji is coming to Ardmore. Named for the Turkish word for “baker,” owner Budo H. Bunul is looking to open in two weeks and he has his online ducks in a row. The International quick-serve restaurant with an emphasis on the Middle East already has a complete web site, Facebook page, and even online coupon codes. We cannot say the same for too many now-open bars and restaurants.
The menu (PDF) features breakfast bites, soups, salads, flatbreads and baked potatoes (kumpir). Everything on the menu is well under $10. According to the web site, eating and drinking something above average at reasonable prices in a comfortable atmosphere is the goal. The space will aim to be community focused with a community table for small meetings, bulletin board to post announcements and the work of local artists hung on the walls.
Firinji [Official Site]
Related: Opening Soon, Ardmore, Firinji, Main-Line, Middle-Eastern, Montgomery-County
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