Update: Porterhouse Brewpub=poor service

Porterhouse Brewpub Restaurant
5775 Lower York Road
Lahaska, PA
215-794-9373
http://www.porterhousepub.com/index.html

NHY Rating: 1 of 10 (for bar only); 5 of 10 for restaurant
Food: American
Serves: lunch and dinner
Price: A little pricey. The bar menu alone starts with sandwiches and salads from $9-$15. Dining room menu from $20-32.
Ambiance: Downstairs had a nice brewpub feel. The room is open, comfortable and large. The upstairs is a more formal dining area with great views. The whole restaurant is smoke free.

Comments: Unfortunately another visit to this place lowers it score even further. I reviewed it back on 11/29/07 as well. I am lowering the score due to their obvious lack of customer service. Their wait staff has absolutely no "sense of urgency" and seem to walk around as if lost in a dreamland. I am basing this review not only on my new experience there but also that of a friend who was there a week ago and herself waited almost a half hour for a simple appetizer. When she asked about her food, not only was she NOT given an apology for their slow service but instead a look of disregard. I'm sorry folks, but that is just horrendous. Restaurants are a service industry and it's not like they are in short supply.

The other night some of my friends planned a gathering there and again, the bar staff worked like slugs. To make things even worse, 45 minutes before the bar was close began the process of cold shouldering the customers right out the door. It was 10:15 pm folks on a Saturday night. In my book, they need to change their name because brewpub they are not. They can consider themselves a glorified restaurant that tries to appear as though they cater to beer drinkers but I would say they cut that achievement short by not only not creating their own beer on site but also by not providing adequate bar service.

Fu Li: Superb Chinese/Japanese Restaurant

Fu Li Chinese/Japanese Restaurant
24-25 Logan Square Shopping Center
New Hope, PA
(215) 862-3018

NHY Rating: 8 of 10
Food: Chinese & Japanese
Serves: lunch and dinner
Price: Very reasonable
Ambiance: Oriental, classy, clean, simple.

Comments: Fu Li is a diamond in the ruff. If you are looking for some authentic, quality Chinese or Japanese food, this is the place. It also will not break your wallet. You get a lot for your $$ here and the selection of the menu is quite extensive.

The food is always, and I mean always freshly prepared, hot and of good quality. This is no fast food Chinese restaurant. We visit probably once a month and get take-out weekly. The dishes that I have enjoyed that are most delicious are their steak teriayki, shrimp tempora, spicy tuna roll, veggie rolls, specialty maki and many others. Unfortunately, they do not have a web site but their menu is quite extensive.

The service there is fair. We have occasionally had to wait for service but I would consider them more leisurely in their presence than lacking total customer service.

This place is indeed kid friendly. The kids will love to stare at the very large fish tank when you come in.

Special note: This restaurant is not on main drag of New Hope but located off of Rt 202 in the Logan Square shopping center in the very front so you will have no parking issues.

To read other reviews that mention Fu Li, click here.

Porterhouse: Delicious crab cakes

Porterhouse Brewpub Restaurant
5775 Lower York Road
Lahaska, PA
215-794-9373
http://www.porterhousepub.com/index.html

NHY Rating: 2 of 10 (for bar only); 7 of 10 for restaurant
Food: American
Serves: lunch and dinner
Price: A little pricey. The bar menu alone starts with sandwiches and salads from $9-$15. Dining room menu from $20-32.
Ambiance: Downstairs had a nice brewpub feel. The room is open, comfortable and large. The upstairs is a more formal dining area with great views. The whole restaurant is smoke free.

Comments: Basically this place is all about the food and beer. They have a pretty wide selection of brews ("a twist on the traditional Belgian, English, and German beer"). The beer is actually from the Riverhorse Brewing Company in Lambertville. Their food has always been good. We have eaten both upstairs and downstairs several times. I would highly recommend the Smoked Chicken & Andouille Spring Rolls ($8.50), the Chesapeake Crab Bisque ($6.00), and the Roasted Pork Tenderloin Sandwich ($8.00). They also have a great crab cake sandwiches and salads.

For dinner, they have dishes such as Striped Bass Ala Rousse ($23.50), Veal Isabella (veal medallions stuffed with crab-boursin filling ($24), Horseradish and Crab-Crusted Strip Loin $29). They also have a nice selection of pastas. Literally everything we have had here has been outstanding.

As far as service goes, unfortunately this has not been their strong point. Most of the time we are greeted and seated quickly but then the good part stops there. Several times we have had to wait a long period of time for our food.

The reason I gave the bar service a low score is because of the terrible service. More than once we have had to wait for drinks or appetizers. Recently, we visited on a weeknight and the bar was very slow. Instead of coming back to see if I needed another drink, the bartender decided to clean the whole bar instead. I waited 10 minutes when I had even put my empty glass in plain sight. It was irritating since we had just started our spicy appetizer and the need for a drink was pretty important.

This place is generally kid friendly (at least downstairs) but not so much in the formal upstairs.

Special note: This restaurant is closed on Mondays. I am not sure why; seems like it could disappoint some people who may be in town that night. Also, they usually have valet parking on the weekend.

To read other reviews that mention Porterhouse (i.e. Riverhorse Brews), click here.

Tastebuds: It's all in the name!

Tastebuds
49 W. Ferry Street
New Hope, PA
215-862-9722
http://tastebuds-newhope.com/index.htm


NHY Overall Rating: 9 of 10
Food: American with a Mediterranean twist
Serves: Dinner
Price: $$$. Competitive
Ambiance: Minimalist but cozy. Simply chic.

Comments: A friend of ours actually referred us to this establishment and although at first glance I felt the decor was a bit too simplified and the techno music a little trendy, it only took a few minutes to feel the room blend together. Inside, there are 3 small eating areas. Luckily there is not a lot of in and out traffic as we were seated near the front door. This appears to be the type of place though you don't dare walk in without a reservation. The other two seating areas are a bit more secluded and private.

The bottom line about Tastebuds...it is all about the food. Between the 3 of us we had several things off the menu and everything, I mean everything was outstanding. The portions were a bit small but the flavor and quality of the food meant everything.

A few of the things we splurged on were the Butternut Squash Dumplings ($8), Chicken and Apple Sausage ($10), the carmelized Beef Tenderloin with Ancho Chile Rub ($32), and the Striped Bass En Papillote ($25). And as far as the dessert, Chocolate Mousse, again outstanding.

Tastebuds is BYOB so don't forget your favorite beverage. The service was timely and well done. This is a place that will definitely make a trip to New Hope more than worthwhile! I can't wait to eat there again.

To read other reviews, see here.

Villa Vito is all about family

Villa Vito Ristorante
26 W. Bridge Street
New Hope, PA
215-862-9936


NHY Overall Rating: 7 of 10
Food: American, Italian
Serves: Lunch and Dinner
Price: $$. Reasonable.
Ambiance: Italian family feel, like Momma's parlor

Comments: Villa Vito is a great New Hope favorite. I can best describe this restaurant as a family-run, comforting, homey establishment. The Favoroso family is welcoming and ready to please. Don't be afraid to ask them how the family is, and they will do the same. Remember, this is a family type of place so don't be offended if they treat you like cousin Angelo (who never calls) for a minute. Be sure to be vocal about what you need and they can help you out.

They have 3 dining areas. A bistro type downstairs, a cozy parlor room upstairs, complete with family photographs and a large outdoor patio with garden which is very romantic in the evening.

They are well suited towards kids and also are very reasonably priced. That is probably another reason Villa Vito is always on our list. They claim the "best caeser salad" in town and in my opinion, they are right. Their menu is also comprised of homemade Italian favorites as well as gourmet pizza. Their bread is fresh so if you are in the mood just for a good steak sandwich you will enjoy it. Their also serve alcohol with a variety of different drink specialties as well as wine & beer.

As far as the service, on almost all occasions, we been served quickly and very pleasantly. I have heard stories from a couple of people that have unfortunately not had the greatest service while visiting. We have had such 1 occasion where we were left a bit stranded but in my mind, the proportion of good versus bad service is still much on the positive side.

We order take-out quite frequently well as they are one of the few that deliver and we are never disappointed by their pizza or salad. When they have made a mistake with our order, they are good to make it up returning with the correct stuff and maybe throwing in a dessert.

Also, here is a secret for those that don't know. They have a tiny parking lot for Villa Vitos, right next to it, alongside the canal. If you are lucky and you give it a shot, you might get a spot there and avoid looking along the street.

To read other reviews, see here.

When visiting New Hope with...

Just to squeeze in here some helpful recommendations on places to go based on who you are visiting with, here is my 2 cents...

Best places to go when:

Visiting New Hope with a group of friends

Fran's - A place right on Main street that won't break your budget. They have a nice mix of food but they are on the less pricey side. They are known for catering to bikers but on a typical Friday or Saturday night, there is a wide mix of folks. One drawback is that Fran's is mostly outside place, so if it is a cold day it is not a good choice as there is not a lot of seating inside (and it is quite smoky).

Triumph - Great parking and nice atmosphere. If you are meeting up with a lot of people, Triumph is in a great locale and you can park right there (no finding a meter and walking 1/2 mile). They also are spacious, have indoor and outdoor seating and can usually accommodate a large # of friends. Only drawback is their menu does not the largest selection.

Logan Inn - A little more pricey and on the sophisticated side but the food is yummy so if you are meeting with another couple or two that don't mind shelling out a few bucks, the Logan Inn is a great spot. Plus, they have parking right there and you get a 2 hour limit free in the lot. Also to shave off some cost (only if you are going on a weekday), they may have a coupon on restaurant.com so check there first.

Visiting New Hope with significant other and/or kids

El Taco Loco - Now this is strictly Mexican food but the atmosphere is very casual and the food is cheap. Kids can make some noise in here and not upset the stuffy people. The place is small but every time we have been there we always get a seat. The owner is also a very nice guy.

Giuseppi's - This is off of the main drag on Route 202 but this is an ideal family restaurant. They are geared towards families. They have a very good menu for kids and are very reasonable. They also have alcohol for parents who still want to celebrate the evening.

Triumph - There are no jungle gyms here but bringing kids is in fashion. They are pretty good about seating the families in one room and the couples who want quiet in another. It wouldn't be my first choice if you have a toddler age child but you can be asked to be seated where there is a view of the train and ask to have a quick server. I think it is fair to ask this when being seated in a restaurant with kids. Again, though menu is somewhat limited and a little bit pricey.

Visiting with a loved one/or trying to impress:

Karla's - see previous post/review

Wildflowers - see previous post/review

*Esca - A very romantic cozy place. Just be sure to give a call first to be sure they do no have any large (and noisy) parties that night. We made the mistake once showing up for a nice romantic dinner and were sat right next to a 50th birthday party. The love talk was slightly difficult to hear over the noise.
*Update: Esca has closed and is now re-open as Tuscany on the Towpath- no review of this new restaurant as of yet.

Visiting with someone who wants to splurge:

Marsha Browns - Right on the Main street and offering valet parking. Make a reservation and be ready to enjoy steak, sushi, or whatever in this old, renovated church. A unique atmosphere with high end service. Also, may have a coupon on restaurant.com to use for weekday only.

The Landing - An old time favorite of mine. They are awesome when it is nice enough to sit on the outside patio. They back up directly to the river so the view is great. I have eaten here at least 5 times and never had a bad meal or bad service.

Tastebuds - They are only open for dinner and their menu speaks for itself.

Havana: Everyone knows this place.

Havana
105 S. Main Street
New Hope, PA
215-862-9897
www.havananewhope.com


NHY Overall Rating: 6 of 10
Food: Variety of American, Carribean, European and Latin America
Serves: Lunch and Dinner
Price: $$. A little pricey for the portions. A burger will start you at $12 and that doesn't even include fries. Dinner entrees will run you from $15-22 (even just a salad entree is starting around $15).
Ambiance: Artsy. Comfortable. Nicely decorated.

Comments: Almost everyone who visits New Hope is somehow introduced to this place. They have been around a long time and have renovated quite a bit to become a larger more dominating restaurant/bar/club. Although I have visited more to drink out on the very large and scenic outdoor patio (complete with colorful lights and heating lamps), we have also eaten here quite a bit and to say the least, the food is pretty average. For first time visitors to New Hope this would not be my recommendation as the service and food is definitely not consistent.

As far as brining the kiddies, I think Havana is pretty accommodating to that during the day; not so much at night as the bar atmosphere really takes over.

I have had their Apple Pecan Chicken Salad ($15) which I would say with confidence was good. I have also tried their Chicken and Cheese Quesadillas ($14) which were horrible and I am not sure how you can even mess that up. The Black Bean Nachos ($12) were good but basically I could have eaten the whole dish myself; the portion said "large" but only if you are a midget.

For dinner, they have items such as Lump Crabcake-Cajun Remoulade ($22), Pan Sautéed Tilapia ($16) and Tequila-Lime Duck Breast ($18). They have an array of pasta dishes as well. If you are in the mood for a sandwich you can find on their menu items such as Chicken-Spinach and Asiago Panini ($14) and BBQ Brisket Sandwich ($14).

Although the name implies a taste of Cuba, you will not find much of this here. In general, the food is satisfactory and the service depends on the day. They probably have a higher turnover therefore the training and level of experience is not consistent. My biggest complaint overall, being a local, is that I feel this places does not have the cozy New Hope flavor and also is a bit over-priced, especially for drinks.

To touch on the bar and entertainment side of Havana for a second I would have to say that they do have the market when it comes to this. Other than John and Peters, Havana is really the only other places that has bands and other types of entertainment. During the week they have karoke night (Mondays), which is basically a handful of local types that support each other through their addictions to sing (and make a fool of themselves).

They also have Kinky Quizzo on Wednesdays which is really fun if you can make it out with a group. I believe they have an open mic night as well. Their bands on Thursday through Saturday are usually a mix of cover bands that play rock and pop, those that play jazz, blues and then those of what I would say falls into a whole other category. This is usually the night I turn around and go to John and Peters. It is best to find a night when they have drink specials since drinking there could cost you an arm and leg. Don't try to impress to quickly buying a big round unless you have a big bank account that won't shrinking just a tad. They have a nice selection although some beers you can only get at the outdoor bar (the good ones). Service has been fair at the bar. Again, it really depends on how busy they are and as you go into the later part of the night (about 10-1pm) you are likely to wait a few minutes unless you have a cute butt smile.

Update: Their onion rings are the bomb!