Ambler, PA

[Arthur Filderman]

Any recommendations for Sunday dinner in or near Ambler? Going to Act II theater matinee.

[schpsychman]

Not sure if it's open on Sundays, but the Trax Cafe in Ambler is very nice and serves very good food and is BYOB. Ravenna in the Skippack area is also very nice. Stay away from Ralph's, it isn't very good at all.

[Ellen]

Check out Ristorante San Marco, 504 N Bethlehem Pike, Spring House, PA 19477 Phone: [phone]. I ate there once based on recs from this board and thought the food was very good.

[Jennifer]

I agree about both Trax and Ralphs. Trax has great applewood smoked chicken. Ralphs was slow, loud, the service was terrible- and the food was nothing special, although very expensive for what you got.

[mrichey]

Has anyone ever here of a place called the Pit in Ambler? I'm not sure if it's even a restaurant or someone outside cooking but it's suppose to be great BBQ in Ambler.

[AmblerGirl]

Wow - this is a really old thread!

I think I know what your talking about. There is a spot for BBQ in West Ambler, right off of the train tracks that has BBQ on Saturdays in summer. I have not yet tried it but I have heard it is amazing. It is not a restaurant, more like an outdooor stop for it. I wish I had more details, I think its called Whooley's and it was given a shout out in Philly mag a few years ago.

[FoodieFay]

I went to the opening of the new Ambler "hot spot" last night, Daterra. The ambience was gorgeous! cozy outdoor seating, with a fireplace. This place is good for groups as well as one on ones. The wine list is extensive and above the bar there is an amazing display of wines. The menu had everything from pizzas to edamame truffle potsitckers (which were to die for)! The prices are reasonable. I felt as if I was in Manayunk or Philly ... check it out!

[crazyspice]

Thanks for reporting in. I can't wait to try it!

[AmblerGirl]

I am so glad that it finally opened, I have been eagerly watching the progress! Maybe we'll stop by tonight to check it out. Thanks for posting this!

[jujuthomas]

where is Daterra, do they have a website?
thanks!

[AmblerGirl]

Its on Butler Avenue, a few doors down from the Schanachie. I searched everywhere but cannot seem to find a website.

[jujuthomas]

yeah. I googled their name and tried a couple different URL versions and got nothin. Is this the wine bar you mentioned a couple months ago?

[FoodieFay]

Daterra does not have a website yet. On another note.. I went to Chestnut Hill to Cuba, (a cuban BYOB). Do not waste your time. The service was lousy! I was so dissapointed . I was with a big group well 6, and it was my friend Bday. We didnt even go at a busy time. The food wasnt exactly up to par either. Everything about the experience was lousy , well except... the ambience, the company and the alcohol we brought

[ambler_zach]

Your thinking of the VFW Post in Ambler. Its off of Mt Pleasent between railroad & maple ave. Most of us know it as Hooley's. They make their own BBQ sauce which is a mix of sweet and spice. They usually only cook when its nice out and only on the weekend. I have heard lately that Hooley isn't cooking anymore and someone else took over.

[crazyspice]

The father said he is moving to North Carolina and the sons were taking over. They catered a graduation party 2 weeks ago.

[AmblerGirl]

I have been dying to go there for years. Are they still cooking there? What are the best times to head over? Even though the father is not there I'd still like to try it but honestly am nervous to go over since I am pretty clueless.

[ambler_zach]

Usually they cook Friday afternoon / dinner & Saturday early afternoon. Just drive by and if you see smoke from the home made grill stop in.

[Dennis]

I'll second San Marco on Bethlehem Pike. Also, Alison at Blue Bell on Rt 73

[JohnnyT]

Another vote for San Marco!

There are two new restaurants in Ambler, one Mexican and the other Irish. I have not tried either, and have not heard much about them. If you go, please give us a report.

[Jen]

I hear that the new restaurant Cava, next to Act II Playhouse is very good and authentic Mexican.

Haven't been yet.

[Jen]

My husband and I went to dinner at La Cava in Ambler before a performance at the Act II Playhouse tonight. All we can say is "yum." While this is a fairly pricey place, the flavors and quality of the food were well worth it. We're so glad that this restaurant is in the burbs and local - it will definitely become a place we go again and again for special meals.

We started with a tomato, avocado and lump crabmeat salad with tamarind vinaigrette. Very fresh, with a sweet, tangy dressing. Then I had the rack of lamb with chimichurra sauce - excellent quality of meat and the sauce was garlicky and green and very very very good - like "lick the sauce off the fork" good. My husband had a whole red snapper in a satisfying and savory toasted garlic sauce. Both sauces made the quality ingredients shine. Dessert was crepes with a goat milk caramel sauce - a little odd since the goat milk (think chevre cheese) flavor came through as a musky bottom note. But it set this dish apart from a typical caramel flavor, so it was really worth trying.

We would highly recommend eating here (and seeing a show at Act II). It's BYO and they take credit cards.

[ambler_zach]

If you want a laid back atmosphere try Fireside on Sunday. Its on Bethlehem Pike near Butler. The Sunday special is $9.95 Prime rib. Make sure you go hungry because its huge!

[TeamPhilly]

Ditto the Prime Rib special. It comes with a veggie, potato and salad to go with the hunk of meat.