New executive chef Greg Vassos has some big plans for Lola’s Garden in Ardmore.
Vassos, one of the leading farm-to-table chefs in the country, is starting with the kitchen.
“Monday and Tuesday we are working on expanding the kitchen,” Vassos said. “The rest of the week we concentrate on making the best food possible.”
Lola’s Garden in the center of Suburban Square has always been known for a menu that changes with the seasons. Vassos, who moved from the Logan Inn in New Hope, has already put his spin on the meals.
“This is an extremely exciting project,” said Vassos. “Lola’s Garden from the get-go aimed to be this farm-to-table destination for all people in the area and outside of Philly. What we’re trying to do here is really take that and push it even further. Particularly for dinner we’re really looking to push the refinement and use everything while it’s the best in season.”
Icing on the cake
Vassos is known locally for Racine, his 30-seat BYOB restaurant in Pottstown, which has a daily changing four-course menu sourced only from local farms. His prior work is extensive and placed him on both coasts in addition to time spent in Europe and the Caribbean.
Vassos worked in and alongside five-star award-winning chefs and establishments like The French Laundry in California’s Napa Valley, Alinea in Chicago and The Penrose Room at The Broadmoor, Colorado’s only Five Star Five Diamond property, where as its executive chef, The Penrose Room became one of the world’s longest standing and consecutive five star restaurants.
“This opportunity got me excited because it’s going back to my passion,” said Vassos. “Using local farms, being whimsical and creative with the food, giving, you know, people a different level of dining. So when I saw the space and spoke with (owner Avram Hornik), I just saw it as having a ton of potential and saw this restaurant for what it really could be.”
The new menu is filled with some interesting pairings. One absolutely incredible highlight is the Scallops a la Plancha, which includes caramelized cauliflower puree, brussels sprout petals, golden raisin relish, crispy capers topped with a brown butter vinaigrette.
There is also a half-pound dry aged burger with caramelized onions, gruyere cheese, smoked dijon aioli, bordelaise sauce, brioche bun and duck fat fries. Sunday brunch features a menu with enough variety to satisfy any eater.
“I hope the options excite the palate of our guests. It’s something their eyes are pleased with and it’s an experience they want to come back to,” said Vassos. “We don’t want this just to be a special-occasion restaurant. We want this to be a regular restaurant because you have had something so creative that you can’t wait for the next menu change or the next season to come back and try what’s next.”
‘Sourcing it locally’
Lola’s Garden also offers an array of drinks made with, of course, fresh ingredients daily. They offer flights based on tequila and vodka drinks in case picking just one is impossible.
“We’re also adding an open fire grill to the kitchen.” Vassos said. “I think Pennsylvania has some of the best farms in the tri-state area as well as New Jersey. So we’ll be using both. That’s what makes food special: sourcing it locally and using it at the height of its season. And, you know, it’s a bonus that we’re supporting local farmers in the area as well.”
With a year-round outdoor dining area filled with fresh flowers, Lola’s Garden melds nicely into the Suburban Square vibe.
“We want to be part of that energy and the new direction for Suburban Square as it evolves into an urban pedestrian-friendly town center and community hub. And we want Lola’s to be the epicenter for a great meal and refined dining experience,” said Hornik. “I’m really excited about Greg, whose vision is one we feel best fits the experience we strive to offer our guests. We hope they enjoy the attention to detail Greg takes in his approach to the menu and become regular visitors as a result.”
The particulars menu
• 51 St Georges Road, Ardmore, PA 19003
• info@lolasgardenrestaurant.com
• 484-412-8011
• Learn more at www.lolasgardenrestaurant.com.
• Hours are Tuesday to Thursday, noon to 10 p.m., Friday, noon to midnight; Saturday, 10 a.m. to midnight; and Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Kitchen closes at 10 p.m.
Source: Berkshire mont
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