Masonic Day Trip to Scranton

Thankfully I took yesterday off because the alarm began blaring early this morning. By the time I got out of bed I knew that my schedule was probably not going to hold up. I had arranged to pick up my mentee by 7:00 am but thanks to some heavy eyes and a few undesirable drivers on the road, I didn’t pull up to his front door until quarter after. With a MapQuest estimate of 2 hours 30 minutes we got on the road with just about 2 hours to make the stated meeting of the Pennsylvania Lodge of Research in Scranton.

As soon as we got on the highway and began heading north, it seemed as though we had a chance to make the meeting on time. We had a great conversation over the many miles and I kind of surprised myself as to how much I have been able to absorb over the past year that I was able to relay to him. Of course, it was also nice to have a few things in common so that we were able to talk about firearms, politics, and may other topics that would make some other people cringe.

With a few miles to go I glanced over at the clock and was shocked by the time that was being displayed… we had over 30 minutes to spare (yes, I stayed close to the speed limit the whole way)! A couple of turns off the highway and we were turning down the block to find parking near the Hilton which we found immediately across the street for five dollars (all day rate). I can’t remember the last time I turned into a parking garage and found rows and rows of open spots as soon as I turned the first corner. You could tell that Scranton party town on Saturday morning.

Once we were able to stretch and walk around to recover from the drive we made our way into the hotel and up the stairs to the meeting were we found a few other brothers from around the commonwealth to chat with for the last few minutes before the gavel sounded. The meeting itself was in a form that we were well familiar with the presentation of a couple of very interesting research papers that I look forward to reading at a later date. The meeting ended about an hour earlier than we were both expecting and, instead of trying to get a couple of last minute tickets for the hotel lunch, we walked down the block a little bit where we came across the numerous statues that surround the Lackawanna County courthouse.

 

We continued down the street reading the inscriptions and enjoying the different vantage points of the beautiful building.

 

Before we knew it we had gone around the block and passed what seemed to be a common Rite Aid store until we glanced at the plaque just below the high windows of the pharmacy...

 

…that’s right, it wasn’t just any Rite Aid, it was the first Rite Aid.

We walked a couple more blocks, enjoyed the clean streets and some of the very well preserved architecture…

…before stopping at City Café Mediterranean Restaurant just as they were opening their doors for lunch. The food was good, not great but good, and the prices were excellent. It was a great way to conclude our time in Scranton as we were only a half block away from the parking garage. While it took us much longer to get back than it did to drive into the mountain town, there was good reason for our delay but I will write more about that little detour on Monday. In the meantime, I look forward to returning to Scranton. This was my first time there and I hope to do some more exploring the next time I am in town (maybe next time I can go up there during the week and stop by Dunder Mifflin).

Restaurant Routine

There are a few restaurants in the area that my wife and I frequent. We don’t go out to eat as often as we used to so when we do we usually go to the same places over and over again. We would much rather go somewhere that we know has good food and reasonable prices than somewhere that we know very little about.

We reserve the adventurous dining experiences for when we are on the road. As a result we have had some amazing meals (the pastrami salmon sandwich at Bar Louis in Milford) and some downright horrendous piles of food-like substances (the fish and chips at the Hilton Hotel in East Brunswick, New Jersey) during our travels this summer. Overall, we have been mostly lucky and even when we weren’t we didn’t get sick.

When we are at home and we are looking for something quick and inexpensive, we usually end up at Hummus Mediterranean Grill in Ardmore. While my wife usually rotates her selection between the chicken kabob and the vegetable platters I am pretty set in my ways and I get the combination platter every time. While this pales in comparison to the many delectable dishes we enjoyed in Jerusalem (particularly around the Mahane Yehuda Market), this may be the best Israeli style Middle Eastern food I have been able to find in the states. I recommend first timers go hungry and order the combination platter to get a little taste of everything. If that still isn’t enough, and I doubt that, get a side order of fried cauliflower to top off your bursting belly.

Hummus Mediterranean Grill

18 Greenfield Avenue, Ardmore, Pennsylvania 19003

http://www.hummusardmore.com/

Urban Spoon Rating: 100% (2 reviews)

Zagat Food Rating: 19/30

Dining room photo taken from the website.

Fellini Café in Newtown Square is our other usual dining spot which we were first introduced to by my parents a few years ago. What confuses some on the Main Line is the common name that this establishment shares with other restaurants in Ardmore, Berwyn, and Media. Do not be mistaken, these are completely separate eateries and the others can’t hold a candle to the one in Newtown Square which, simply put, has the best authentic Italian food on the Main Line. For this reason, reservations are recommended.

Each and every ingredient can be differentiated in their dishes which do not try to dazzle you with fancy twists or interpretations. This is best exemplified in their Eggplant Parmesan which I frequently order as my entrée (don’t be fooled when you see it listed as an appetizer). It has just the right bite and light breading smothered in a simple red sauce covered in a perfect blanket of creamy fresh mozzarella. So simple but addictively delicious; this is as good as it gets.  

Fellini Café

3541 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania 19073

http://fellinicafenewtownsquare.com/

Urban Spoon Rating: 83% (43 reviews)

Zagat Food Rating: 24/30

Exterior photo taken from internet.

There is only one establishment that I visit on a regular basis which is Aldar Bistro right down the street in Bala Cynwyd. Each week I attend my Rotary meeting at this restaurant and I have never been disappointed even having ordered nearly half of the dishes over the past year. A regular special is the cocoanut crusted honey mustard salmon which is one of the best pieces of fish you can order in the area.

Even though it is described as a Mediterranean restaurant (in more of the Lebanese style) there is a wide variety of other options on the menu that compliment the more traditional food quiet well. However, equally exceptional is the service as Host and general manager Walid Assaf and the rest of the staff treat guest more like family than customers. While the food and service is exceptional no matter what time of day, it is especially nice for a casual business lunch. If so inclined, you can also join us for a Rotary meeting on Wednesdays at 12:15 PM.

Aldar Bistro

281 Montgomery Avenue, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania 19004

http://www.aldarbistro.com/

Urban Spoon Rating: 84% (66 reviews)

Zagat Food Rating: 20/30

Exterior photo taken from website.

So those are my three regular spots where I go out to eat. Hopefully this gives you some additional options of where to eat in the Philadelphia suburbs. Whether you live in the area or you’re just visiting for a few days, set aside a meal or two and indulge yourself with some incredible food without having to sell your first born to afford it.