LaBan review of Forest and Main

[AmblerGirl]

http://mobile.philly.com/food/?wss=/p...

Craig Laban just gave a pretty good review of Forest and Main. High reviews for the beers and food quality. He had some issues with seasonality of the menu. Regardless, his review made me want to have their roast chicken, wash it down with a kinch beer and end it all with a fool!

[AmblerGirl]

We finally went for dinner over the weekend an really enjoyed it. I have to say tht the Laban review must have sparked some interest in the restaurant because we arrived earl, at 5:30, and the place was mobbed. We had to wait a half hour for a table, we had our three year old daughter with us so any wait is usually a deal killer but the staff was so nice, they gave her chalk to color the walkway while we sat outside with a beer. I have to say the staff and owner (who was behind the bar) were fantastic and could not have been sweeter to my daughter and made her feel like a little grown up. The beer was very nice, we went through the Belgian side o the beer menu and the Soleil was a favorite. We also could not resist the bacon popcorn (never too much bacon!). We also had the mussels, fish and chips and the chicken confit. The food was tasty, maybe a tiny bit under seasoned, but the quality of ingrediens was high. The portions were just right, not too large, and I thought the prices were really reasonable for the level of serivce, atmosphere and quality. They did a gorgeous job on the restoratiOon, and I loved seeing old Keasby Mattison bottles decorating the walls. I was hesitant to bring my daughter, but cwdonald mentioned they are kid friendly and they really are. To me kid friendly means that they are warm and accommodating to all ages, not just that they offer a kids menu and crayons (which they don't ). We had a hard time finding something for my daughter to drink (they had some milk in the kitchen that they served her in a mini pint glass) and fortunately she is an adventurous eater because she ordered her own bowl of mussels and loved them. I think she impressed our waitress. Also, the trip to the upstairs bathroom is a huge adventure for a three year old! So, in terms of kid friendliness, don't expect chicken nuggets on the menu, but do expect a warm and accommodating staff.

[cwdonald]

You touch on what I think is the greatest weakness of the place right now, and that is the non alcoholic drink offerings. They of course offer beer, and PA wines. They do not have soda (house made sparklers maybe). So the hardest thing is to find an appropriate drink, other than water for a young child. I am glad they were able accommodate your daughter. A good friend of mine brings his daughter, (a bit older... seven) to F&M and she has been happy. One of the owners has a very young child, so i think they are more aware of what parents will need.

I was in on Friday too (I have to pick up my Yellow Springs Cheese there). And they have actually added Yellow Springs Farms goat cheese to the menu. The cheese board now has choices of different cheeses, many of which are local. I think that is a step up for their cheese plate. And their house make pickled veggies are divine.

[curly girl]

I agree with you cwdonald. Four of us went to Forest & Main for the first time on Friday evening. We really enjoyed the food, but since I am not a beer drinker, I found the additional beverage - both adult and non-adult - choices to be a bit limited. I tried the Pinot Grigio, but as I usually drink White Zinfandel or Riesling, it was not to my taste. F & M needs to add a "pink" or sweeter wine selection; as well as some type of cola, lemon-lime soda or perhaps they could offer pitchers of sparkling cider or fruit juices and allow fellow non-beer drinkers to bring vodka or rum to add to the mixers. As far as the menu choices, two of us ordered the Summer Corn Soup which was wonderful; my husband and his brother loved the Mussels in Beer Broth. Entrees were Fish & Chips - liked the fish - didn't like the chips (fries); Chicken Leg with Stone-Ground Grits - very enjoyable; and Crispy Salmon, also very good. Entree selections are limited, but it saved us from agonizing over what to order. We will return.

[sadiefox]

I've only been to F&M once and liked it very much in general. Contrary to the review, we had the mussels and found them to be excellent with plenty of delicious broth. We thought the zucchini fries were just ok, and maybe a little under-seasoned. And I really liked the pierogies. We also had the bacon popcorn and it was very tasty, but my one gripe was there was TOO MUCH (!) bacon fat poured on them, so the bottom 1/3 was soggy. Nonetheless, I sure wish we lived closer, it's a great place.

[cwdonald]

Sadie I really agree with your assessment of the bacon popcorn. It is so soggy I won't order it again. I agree with LeBan about the pierogies being a bit heavy for the season. Its too bad he didnt try the pierogies with the mushy peas. They were really good, and a nice spin on mushy peas that you get with fish and chips. Don't know if they sold well but they were very good. Also the cheese plate is quite good too (though you inevitably have to ask for more bread... ).

[Bacchus101]

"Too crowded nobody goes there any more!" YB..... We experienced slow and inattentive service, the noise was deafening in the matchbox rooms. However the brew was lovely indeed, the lamb was excellent but the rest of our dinner items were forgettable. Don't ask I forgot! LeBan, in my opinion, nailed this review! F&M deserves the notice they have been receiving and offers an uncommon approach to your local brew pub.