185490 Sat Apr 15 17:54:09 -0700 2006 11 15 Pennsylvania 0 994197 Anyone have any ideas on decent food in the Collegeville/Trappe area (same neck of the woods as Ursinus Collge)? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Sat Apr 15 17:54:09 -0700 2006 0 UnamiQueen 1 994199 How much are you looking to spend? Are you talking fancy or laid back? What sort of cuisine? Sat Apr 15 18:53:14 -0700 2006 994197 0 EMZ 2 994230 I'm in shock at getting an answer! I was losing all hope. I'm open to all options as far as food goes - although fancy dress is not my style. Casual & laid back would probably be more valuable, since I'm hoping to meet old friends from down in Malvern and we'll want to talk, w/o having to scream. Mon Apr 17 10:22:09 -0700 2006 994199 0 UnamiQueen 3 994245 There's The Black Lab Bistro in Phoenixville. It used to be one of our favorite places to eat, but they recently changed the menu and it's now a little more fancy and expensive. IMO, they should've stuck with the original menu. Anyhow, you can still find some decent dishes there and it fits your bill for casual. There's Liki Sushi, also in Phoenixville. We've gotten decent sushi from there before and the prices are reasonable. Too bad you aren't looking for a more upscale place. There's a fantastic one called Twin Bays Cafe that we just visited last weekend. Amazing food. Anyhow, good luck.:) Mon Apr 17 15:09:26 -0700 2006 994230 0 EMZ 4 994259 Heard alot lately about the Black Lab and all the new restaurants in Phoenixville. Can't find a website for their menu, any help? Would like to try it again, haven't been for awhile. Mon Apr 17 21:35:05 -0700 2006 994245 0 margo r. 5 994282 I don't think they have a menu online. I'm pretty bummed out that they changed everything around. And I recently talked to a former employee of the Lab who dished the dirt - owners sound like great big jerks. She also mentioned that they deliberately got rid of the kids menu because they do not want it to be a family friendly place. It used to be such a homey little bistro where you'd be guaranteed a decent meal for an affordable price. Now the service is iffy (long waits for a table and for food to be served) and the dishes don't fit the steeper price tag. I realize they need to compete with all the other restaurants popping up in Pville, but they had such a good thing going before. They need to realize that there's no way they'll ever be able to compete with their neighbor, Majolica. Tue Apr 18 10:13:55 -0700 2006 994259 0 EMZ 6 994441 FYI Black Lab has a web posting connected to a restaurant magazine FineFood&Fun.com. I hate to disagree, but I love all the changes the Black Lab has made. My partner told me the owners once ran the Herb Garden Cafe which was my favorite place to dine for years. I first read about them in the Phila INKY when I moved to the area in a B.Y.O. feature. Truth is I like the new place and new concept better! Great food and fun atmosphere..not stuffy and pretentious. As a matter of record, I've seen kids there on several visits and guess what?!! they eat real people food...what a great lesson to teach our kids. Mon Apr 24 02:12:17 -0700 2006 994282 0 Leah 6 994449 I couldn't disagree with you more! I think the revamped Black Lab is very delightful...(as are the owners) Everytime we dine at the Black Lab, we have a wonderful conversation with them. I don't think they are trying to compete with Majolica, but rather, are doing a good job with bringing a come back to Phoenixville. Change is not always a BAD thing! Some people just don't like change... I however embrace the fact that they are changing things up and can not commend them more! Mon Apr 24 13:57:51 -0700 2006 994282 0 Heather 6 994459 I don't understand why this message board should be used for personal attacks on individuals. Frankly it's not the first time I have seen this EMZ make personal comments about restaurant owners.Do you generally suspect that former employees are a good source of accurate information? Maybe there is a reason they are no longer employed. Mon Apr 24 22:30:05 -0700 2006 994282 0 jtong 1 994252 Bonjung in the shopping center across from the Collegeville diner. Very good & beautiful sushi Tortuga, BYOB in the little strip of stores around the corner from Sears. Good very reasonable (but don't tell too many people) La Fontana on Ridge Pike, Reasonable Itallian with Bar Mon Apr 17 16:32:09 -0700 2006 994197 0 ksk 2 994280 Lots of people seem to like Tortuga. I don't get it. It reminds of the old Chi Chis chain restaurants. Tue Apr 18 10:09:04 -0700 2006 994252 0 EMZ 3 994291 We like good food. Except for it being 1/25 the size, no bar, no canned decorations, spanish speaking servers, fresh made guacamole, fresh tortillas and food that doesn't leave me with indigestion, I can see how it resembles Chi Chi. Tue Apr 18 14:12:47 -0700 2006 994280 0 ksk