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WYNNEWOOD’S ENGLISH VILLAGE: A (QUIET) PRESERVATION SUCCESS STORY

CHASING THE HUNT (ON TWO WHEELS AND FOUR)

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THE BLUE ROUTE A STOP-AND-GO HISTORY OF I-476

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2026 COLLEGE GUIDE INSIDE!

CONTENTS VOLUME 31

ISSUE NO. 1

JANUARY 2026

DEPARTMENTS

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

5 FOREWORD

88 EPICURE

6 COMING UP + WEB EXTRAS

Neos Americana emerges in Conshohocken with fresh flavors and a modern design. PLUS: Ardmore’s Brew Room. By Ed Williams

8 SCENE

96 LAST LOOK

FRONTLINE

Snow scene. By Ed Williams

11 FROZEN IN TIME

Unknown to most, Wynnewood’s English Village is a unique ode to the previous century. By Paul Jablow

WYNNEWOOD’S ENGLISH VILLAGE: A (QUIET) PRESERVATION SUCCESS STORY

36 FEATURES

13 THE HOT SEAT

Pam Phojanakong, the Junior League of Philadelphia’s first Asian president, takes our questions. By Gina Lizzo

14 FADING GLORY

As America marks 250 years, the region’s largest patriotic mural faces its own uncertain future. By J.F. Pirro

20 CALLED TO BE HEARD

Vanessa Lambre shares her voice in every way she can. By J.F. Pirro

SPECIAL INSERT: COLLEGE GUIDE 2026

THE BLUE ROUTE A STOP-AND-GO HISTORY OF I-476

24 BLUE ROUTE BLUES

The piecemeal history of a 21-mile stretch of asphalt that, love it or hate it, we can’t live without. By Michael Bradley

30 OTHER MODES

You don’t have to ride a horse to experience the thrill of the chase. By Roger Morris

THIS MONTH’S COVER

36 TIMELESS TAKE TWO

A 1980s Gladwyne home is redesigned for a new era. By Eileen Smith Dallabrida

20 ( T O P) R AC HE L M C GINN

CHASING THE HUNT (ON TWO WHEELS AND FOUR)

( A B OV E ) T E S S A M A R IE IM AG E S

E D WIL L I A M S

Photo by Ed Williams AI design by Jorge Márquez

2 January 2026 | mainlinetoday.com

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Jaime Lynn Curley, Kim Douglas, Paul Jablow, Eils Lotozo, Elijah McDow Contributing Illustrators Jim Graham, Jon Krause, and Photographers Michele Melcher, Tessa Marie Images, Erik Weber, Ed Williams Editorial Intern Lauren Armstrong

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(1962-2019) MAIN LINE TODAY 41 Leopard Road, Suite 101, Paoli, PA 19301 PHONE: (610) 325-4630 FAX: (610) 325-4636 SUBSCRIPTIONS: (888) 597-0159 January 2026, Vol. 31, Number 1 Copyright © 2026 by Today Media. All Rights Reserved. This magazine or its trademarks may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system now known or hereafter invented without written permission from the publisher. Editorial submissions: Unsolicited manuscripts and photographs, unless specifically assigned by an editor in writing, are not the responsibility of this magazine. Submitted color photography, requested or unsolicited, is always nonreturnable. Letters to the editor are welcome. Letters should include name, address and a daytime phone number so that authenticity can be verified. Subscriptions: $24 a year. Subscription queries: Mail: Main Line Today, PO Box 291785, Kettering OH, 45429 E-mail: mainlinetoday@sfsdayton.com Phone: (888) 597-0159 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Single copies/back issues: Single copies and back issues are available at the cover price, plus $2 postage and handling, with bulk rates available. Call (610) 325-4630 or go to mainlinetoday.com.

4 January 2026 | mainlinetoday.com

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FOREWORD

HIT THE HIGHWAY

HOBART ROWLAND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ED WILLIAMS

t’s a moment behind the wheel that’s burned into my memory. The year was 1983, and riding shotgun was an overbearing driver’s ed instructor with a tendency to apply the passenger-side brake pedal at the slightest infraction. This time, the infraction came as I was merging too slowly from a tiny left-side on-ramp onto the stretch of I-76 that runs east to west between Center City and King of Prussia. My only options: an abrupt stop or a collision with an unyielding vehicle in the right lane. My instructor wisely chose the former. Anyone from my generation likely has some sort of physical evidence that warrants the Schuylkill Expressway’s ominous “Sure Kill” nickname. Five years after my first encounter with the Sure Kill, PennDOT completed improvements that included actual shoulders, the occasional extra lane and on-ramps that didn’t resemble dead ends. Short of an upper level, that’s about as much as you can expect for a highway mostly wedged between riverbanks and hills made of metamorphic rock. The Blue Route’s official 1991 unveiling offered some additional relief—but it was a long time coming. You can relive what I like to call the “Big Wait” (think of it as the Philly counterpart to Boston’s Big Dig) in our cover story by contributing writer Michael Bradley. “No one was happier than me when the Blue Route opened fully,” says Bradley. “I’d been using the three-plus-mile stretch by Conshohocken for several years, and the idea that it would be possible to drive unimpeded from the turnpike to I-95 was remarkable. An area that had been so underserved by highways was finally growing up.” Named after the blue line used on planning maps, the much-disputed portion of I-476 was 25 frustrating years in the making. Some sections stayed deserted for so long that neighborhood kids took to them regularly on their bikes and skateboards. When the Blue Route finally did open, things were great. Then came the congestion, the delays, the anger. “In my research, I learned a lot about how highways attract people to live and work around its exits, and that makes sense—but I don’t have to like it,” Bradley says. “Understanding the issue helps, but it doesn’t mean I don’t get furious inching along the once-magical highway. Fifty years ago, we were promised flying cars. Well, we’re waiting.”

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COMING UP + WEB EXTRAS Follow us facebook.com/mainlinetoday @mainlinetoday

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ONLINE • Lights, camera, action: Catch our region on screens big and small with help from our guide to locally focused shows and films at mainlinetoday.com/movies. • Doodles on display: A Wayne artist has a wildly creative solution for displaying your kids’ artwork. Read more at mainlinetoday.com/popart. • Cold-weather comfort: It’s that time of year for simple classics like grilled cheese. Find our favorite spots for this staple at mainlinetoday.com/grilledcheese.

6 January 2026 | mainlinetoday.com

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8 January 2026 | mainlinetoday.com

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FRONTLINE OUR TOWNS

FROZEN IN TIME UNKNOWN TO MOST, WYNNEWOOD’S ENGLISH VILLAGE IS A UNIQUE ODE TO THE PREVIOUS CENTURY. BY PAUL JABLOW

ED WILLIAMS

t was a drizzly late-summer Saturday in 2024 when about three dozen residents of Wynnewood’s English Village finally admitted defeat and moved their traditional block party indoors. It hadn’t been held since before Covid, but the neighborhood has always looked for ways to keep the flavor of the 1920s alive—in more ways than one. Last year marked the 100th anniversary of this cluster of 29 Tudor-style homes. Tucked away between Cherry Lane and Wister Road near Lower Merion High School, the neighborhood’s medieval charms are an offbeat surprise even to some locals. “Nobody would build this today,” says architect Tom Hall, who

moved to nearby Bryn Mawr eight years ago and hadn’t a clue about the English Village. “It’s sort of like the Grand Canal in Venice.” “It aimed to evoke a setting that felt genuinely old and organically evolved,” adds Kathleen Abplanalp, Lower Merion Conservancy’s director of historic preservation, noting its stone and brick facades, leaded glass windows, Moravian tiles, stone floors and broad fireplaces. “Residents recognize the neighborhood’s distinct character and have worked to preserve it.” For the English Village, the passage from the 20th to 21st centuries hasn’t always been smooth, but its certification as a state historic district in 2010 has assured

the preservation of its unique exteriors. “It keeps anyone from putting in Andersen windows,” says Mark Dinneen, a resident for 30 years. But costs for owners have ballooned, mainly because of the small number of companies skilled enough in historic preservation to do the work. Many newcomers make interior changes, which aren’t regulated but can still be pricey. Nonetheless, Dinneen says vacancies are rare—and when they do occur, a home is snatched up quickly. Each fresh arrival brings a “new vibe” to the neighborhood. “There’s a surprise around every corner,” Dinneen notes. Jesse Kahn became a resident in 2022. The psychotherapist can’t imagine any mainlinetoday.com | January 2026

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FRONTLINE OUR TOWNS

“NOBODY WOULD BUILD THIS TODAY. IT’S SORT OF LIKE THE GRAND CANAL IN VENICE.” —ARCHITECT AND RESIDENT TOM HALL

As you might expect, there’s a certain reverence for history in the English Village. Hall’s wife, Lisa, notes that most residents have previously lived in hundred-year-old homes. But this doesn’t always mean they’re thrilled with the regulations that come with living in a historic district. “People say, ‘Why do we need this?’” says Megan McNish, a community coordinator for the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office. Many Main Line buyers are attracted to vintage homes. “But they want move-in condition,” says Mike McCann, a realtor who’s sold in the area for decades. “Historic homes are desirable if they tell a good story, but more people want contemporary modern these days.” Over the years at the English Village, Abplanalp has seen one constant: “Residents have been loving and respectful students of their houses.” Hall’s house was the rare exception. Neglected when he bought it, renovations took a year while the couple lived

elsewhere. Lately, the only major structural change made in the village was a garage expansion approved by the township. In 2020, Abplanalp helped spread the word about the English Village community by sharing a self-guided, eight-stop walking/cycling tour of its two streets, Loves Lane and Arthur’s Round Table. She also provided a detailed history to the Lower Merion Conservancy. “During Covid, there were more people on Loves Lane than in Times Square,” says Dinneen half-jokingly. Greg Prichard attributes the English Village’s success story to the people who call it home. “The character has been maintained now for a century thanks to the dedicated residents who understand and appreciate the uniqueness and importance of the community,” says Lower Merion Township’s historic preservation planner. “The work to preserve its character has been an effort spanning generations.” Visit lmconservancy.org/the-englishvillage-historic-district.

DEVELOPER DONALD M. LOVE AND HIS ARCHITECT BROTHER, S. ARTHUR, BUILT THE ENGLISH VILLAGE IN THE 1920S, BACK WHEN INTEREST IN STYLES OF THE PAST WAS HIGH.

ED WILLIAMS

tensions with his neighbors—and if you have a dog, you’ll soon know every other dog owner in the village. Decades ago, Elaine Serota and her husband were so charmed by the place that they left a note with several households expressing their desire to live there. “The religions and the marriages are mixed,” says the painter and woodcut artist, who’s been a resident since 1972. “We’ll stay until we can’t.” Developer Donald M. Love and his architect brother, S. Arthur, built the English Village in the 1920s, back when interest in styles of the past was high. Both had spent time in England’s Cotswold District— Donald as an infantry captain in World War I and Arthur as a student at Oxford University. Neither was an artist, but they started the village as a colony for creatives. To a degree, it remains so to this day. After looking at many “sterile” houses, interior designer Jane Moore and her architect husband, Isaiah King, made the move from of their Brooklyn, New York, apartment in 2023. Their English Village house reminds her of Disney World’s Epcot. She also appreciates the “strong, well-bonded community.” And while the coveted Lower Merion School District is a big draw for families, newcomers tend to be closer to middle age due to home prices. Late last year, a four-bedroom, three-bath house in the neighborhood sold for just under $1 million.

12 January 2026 | mainlinetoday.com

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FRONTLINE THE HOT SEAT

GREAT ESCAPE

EQUESTRIAN HOUSE

G R E AT E S C A P E : ( TO P ) C O U RT E S Y O F EQ U E S T R I A N H O U S E , ( M I D D L E ) M E R I T X E L L C I D/ S TO C K . A D O B E .C O M

T H E H O T S E A T : L A U R Y N S W A V E LY

PLEASANT MOUNT, PENNSYLVANIA Named for its former life as a horse farm in the northern Poconos, Equestrian House sits on over 100 secluded acres and offers a host of recently renovated accommodations. Choose from a four-bedroom log cabin, a two- to four-bedroom cottage, or a one- or two-bedroom suite. Cottages have bunk beds for the kids, and pets are welcome. Extensive nature trails invite hiking—or bring your gear for cross-country skiing. There’s also sledding and snow tubing on the property.

SKIERS’ SECRET: With some of the best runs in the state, low-key Elk Mountain is one of Pennsylvania’s first commercial ski areas. Also a great spot for snowboarding, it’s just 16 miles from Equestrian House. Night skiing is available ThursdaySaturday. DRIVE TIME: 2 hours, 30 minutes. JANUARY RATES: Starting at $145. 10 Equestrian Road, Pleasant Mount, Pennsylvania, (570) 798-3234, equestrianhousepa.com. —Marilyn Odesser-Torpey

PAM PHOJANAKONG 2025-26 PRESIDENT, JUNIOR LEAGUE OF PHILADELPHIA BY GINA LIZZO

This past May, Pam Phojanakong took over as the new president of the Junior League of Philadelphia, making her the first Asian woman to hold the position. Now halfway through her term, the Philadelphia resident sat down with us at JLP headquarters in Ardmore to discuss how she’s shaping the next generation of this esteemed century-old organization. MLT: What have you focused on during your JLP term? PP: We’re still very much in the thick of food insecurity as our community cause. If you’ve ever volunteered at a food bank, you have the feel-good moment of handing someone a box of food. But what happens in the time between that person coming back to get their next meal? Where will they access it? How will they prepare it? Will they even eat it? Top of mind is thinking about the structural issues and some of the deep inequities that our neighbors face. MLT: You’re an epidemiologist by training and working as a principal consultant for Penn Medicine. How does your professional life complement your role at the JLP? PP: The league’s community impact focuses on food

insecurity. When I joined, I’d been working on a research project studying chronic disease and inequities in health outcomes in women, children and caretakers in general. It’s a nice coalescence—the perfect storm of things I really care about and a chance to work on them. As a woman in the sciences, you dial parts of yourself back. There’s the professional you versus the passionate you, and the Junior League was the first place where all the versions of me could coexist. MLT: How do you balance honoring tradition while pushing for progress? PP: The two, at first blush, seem like competing needs. But, really, if you take a closer look at Junior Leagues, there’s not been a moment where there hasn’t been a push. The first Junior League was

founded in 1901. Women chartered an organization at a time where they couldn’t vote and weren’t being included in universities or politics. So, in some respects, the tradition of the Junior League has always been about fighting for progress. MLT: For you, what does it mean to not only be the first Asian woman to hold this position but to do so as a first-generation American? PP: I hope it’s a microcosm for the possibilities in America, where you can be the first in your family to go to college, vote or be a doctor. You can also be the first Junior League president in your family. To me, it means anyone can find a place to belong and be embraced. Visit jlphiladelphia.org.

mainlinetoday.com | January 2026

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FRONTLINE CURIOSITIES

FADING GLORY AS AMERICA MARKS 250 YEARS, THE REGION’S LARGEST PATRIOTIC MURAL FACES ITS OWN UNCERTAIN FUTURE.

hen Ted Kunda’s sign company relocated to King of Prussia in the 1970s, he chose a former steel tubing plant with high ceilings that could accommodate large-scale projects. Turns out he had one in mind: a massive bicentennial mural of George Washington and his soldiers at Valley Forge. “After the scaffolding was in place, panel by panel, we prepped the boards,” recalls his son, Teddy. “The setup alone took a couple months. Then, for six or seven months, we went to town on it.” Teddy’s father painted it all himself— and at the time, it was the world’s largest outdoor mural. Made of 40 individual 4-by-10-foot plywood panels, it measured 20 feet high and 80 feet long. Twice altered and once restored, it’s still on outdoor display on the Colonial Electric Supply building at the corner of Henderson and Church roads in King of Prussia. At this

busy intersection, the mural continues to serve as a reminder of Upper Merion Township’s role in the nation’s history and a salute to the country’s first veterans. “My father was proud of his own military service and his country—a patriot inspired by the proximity of Valley Forge,” says Teddy, who’s now 80. Sadly, the mural is disintegrating. “It’s pretty much destroyed,” Teddy admits. As the nation begins its 250th anniversary celebration, the fate of the Kunda mural hangs in limbo. First installed in 1976 on a building then owned by Louderback Moving Services off the Valley Forge exit of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, it remained there for over two years. It was then slightly altered to fit inside the old International Arrivals Terminal building at Philadelphia International Airport until a reconstruction uprooted it. Next, it spent 30 years in storage before it was most recently resurrected for the township’s

tricentennial in 2013. Wayne artist and Rosemont College alum Jane Hill Golas handled the touchup work, thanks to the support of volunteers and donors. Conestoga Renovations’ Scott Schneider hung the reworked mural in its current location. “Washington’s face is bigger than my entire body. All the panels fit together like a jigsaw puzzle,” he says. “I’m amazed at how someone could paint that, and I remain willing to help in any way I can.” Skip Kunda, Ted’s 74-year-old godson, was the “push person” behind the 2013 restoration. Now, with age and medical battles, he can’t make it a priority. “I hate to be negative, but I thought the last time was the last hurrah,” says Skip. “Now, it’s on the way to becoming embarrassing.” With the clock ticking, the most expensive option is an artistic and structural restoration. More financially practical, however, is a vinyl replica or a traveling projected image. At press

ED WILLIAMS

BY J.F. PIRRO

14 January 2026 | mainlinetoday.com

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FRONTLINE CURIOSITIES

time, the township’s effort remained “discombobulated,” as one insider notes. “We’ve unfortunately not had much success in finding an artist to restore it,” says Amanda Lafty, Upper Merion Township’s assistant manager, who also heads its America250 committee. “While a restoration would be amazing, we’re unsure of the feasibility, and the Philadelphiabased mural group has been unresponsive.” Mural Arts Philadelphia’s Jane Golden says she’d gladly help within parameters, knowing that her already over-committed organization only tackles commissioned projects outside the city if they’re prefunded. “We could at least take a look and give a free consult,” says Golden, Mural Arts’ founder and executive director. “The mural seems like it’s worth it. It seems like it’s important and the right thing to do— a goodwill gesture for a stranded asset.” There have been discussions about weather-resistant vinyl substrates used for things like outdoor signage, decals and durable flooring. The best might last 10 to 12 years before fading. The cost could fall anywhere between $10,000 and $40,000. Jim Pinheiro insists the township has enough money to fund the project.

“Upper Merion Township loves the idea of working out the details and figuring out the right way to reproduce it,” says the vice chair of the Upper Merion Historical Commission. A more reasonable solution might rest with West Chester’s Michael Lynch, director of undergraduate research at Lincoln University. His Projected in Place project has presented large-scale images of Andrew Wyeth’s Brandywine Valley artwork. He deems the Kunda projection “very doable,” with an emphasis on a permanent installation and a virtual/ traveling museum show throughout the semiquincentennial year. He estimates a cost of $1,000 to $2,500 for projection equipment and a weather-resistant structure. Thereafter, it’s a matter of paying the electric bill, which Colonial is already doing. “We’re interested in finding someone to restore it,” says Steve Bellwoar, Colonial’s president. “But in lieu of that, we’ll happily part ways with it.” It’s a position echoed by Bellwoar’s partner and brother, Dave, who estimates the electric bill to illuminate the mural would cost a few hundred dollars a year. Interestingly, the mural began with a

TWICE ALTERED AND ONCE RESTORED, THE MURAL IS STILL ON OUTDOOR DISPLAY ON THE COLONIAL ELECTRIC SUPPLY BUILDING AT THE CORNER OF HENDERSON AND CHURCH ROADS IN KING OF PRUSSIA. SADLY, IT’S DISINTEGRATING. projection, when Ted Kunda made copies of the 1883 oil painting “The March to Valley Forge, December 19, 1777” by disabled Montgomery County artist William Brooke Thomas Trego. Kunda then rendered his version in pencil outlines, projecting it on a wall for spatial definition. What would its creator say about the mural’s past, present and future? “I think he’d say it served its purpose,” Skip says. “He’s busy working on angel portraits in heaven.” MLT

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Submit it to MainLineToday.com/calendar

FRONTLINE PEOPLE

MY TOP 5 LAURA MANION

LAURA MANION: COURTESY OF CHESTER COUNTY CHAMBER OTHER PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE BUSINESSES

PRESIDENT & CEO, CHESTER COUNTY CHAMBER OF BUSINESS & INDUSTRY

1. TWIN VALLEY COFFEE. This is the best kept secret in Chester County. Some mornings, I drive an extra 20 minutes just to fuel up with one of their cold brews. I’m hoping owner Lynne Burkholder sees this and opens one near me soon. Various locations, twinvalleycoffee.com. 2. HOMECOOKED. As a busy mom of two (soon to be three) little ones, I’m always running around. Knowing I can pop into HomeCooked and have my family fed for the night (or week) in minutes is the greatest gift. They have everything you need for a snack or multicourse meal ready to pop in the oven. 1 Paoli Plaza, Paoli, (610) 647-1002, homecooked.net.

3. GENERAL WARREN. Through my position with the chamber, I host countless dinners and events throughout the region—and this is one of my favorite venues. The owners and staff are some of the best people I’ve worked with, and you can’t beat the quality of food and amazing prices. They also make a fantastic martini. 9 Old Lancaster Road, Malvern, (610) 296-3637, generalwarren.com. 4. MADI’S ON A ROLL. Another easy on-the-go family meal. Owner Madi Coble has more egg roll combinations than you’d ever dream of. Need a last-minute tray to bring to a tailgate or party? Madi has you covered. 290 Lincoln Hwy., Exton, (610) 721-2470; 313 Bridge St., Phoenixville, (610) 721-2473; madisonaroll.com.

3 truly appreciated all it has to offer until I joined the board of the Valley Forge Park Alliance. There’s so much to do beyond walking, running or biking. They offer educational programs, mindfulness walks and a fantastic speaker series. 1400 N. Outer Line Drive, King of Prussia, (610) 783-1000, nps.gov.

5. VALLEY FORGE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK. I grew up down the street from the park and never

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FRONTLINE STYLE

LOCAL FASHIONISTA

DARA TYE GOLDSTEIN STYLE INFLUENCER & PERSONAL STYLIST VILLANOVA BY GINA LIZZO

HER STYLE: Feminine, classic and sleek.

Their effortless, feminine style is always stunning and inspiring.

FASHION ROOTS: My love of fashion definitely began at home. My parents were both so stylish, and I was influenced by them from a young age. I remember how they carried themselves with such poise and confidence with every fashion choice. In fact, my brand, Carry On About Style, is named after my father, Cary, who was my true style inspiration.

FASHION NO-NO: Dressing for trends instead of for yourself. I believe style should reflect who you are, not what’s popular at the moment.

INDISPENSABLE WARDROBE ITEM: A little black dress. It’s so versatile and a mandatory closet staple. FAVORITE PLACES TO SHOP: Neiman Marcus in King of Prussia, Skirt and Kirna Zabête in Bryn Mawr, and Ilyan Jewelry and Marlyn Schiff Boutique in Haverford.

MAKEUP TIP EVERY WOMAN CAN APPRECIATE: I wear makeup every day, even if it’s just a touch, because it works like fashion for your face. It instantly makes you feel puttogether, confident and ready for the day. FAVORITE FRAGRANCE: Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf. THOUGHTS ON AGING: I see it as something to be embraced, not feared. My 40s have given me a deeper sense of confidence. I know who I am, what suits me and what truly matters. I still care about looking my best, but it’s less about perfection and more about presence.

BEST FASHION BUY EVER: My hot pink Chanel classic double flap handbag. Pink is my signature color, and this bag is perfection.

BEST FASHION ADVICE: Build a wardrobe around timeless pieces that make you feel confident. Trends come and go, but style is about knowing what truly suits you.

FASHION ICONS: Victoria Beckham and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.

Follow on Instagram @carryonaboutstyle.

E R I K W E B E R ; H A I R BY M A R I A TA H O P O U LO S ; M A K E U P BY A S H L E Y B O H L

WHY FASHION MATTERS: It’s a form of self-expression that speaks before you even say a word. The way we dress influences how we feel and how we’re perceived. There’s something special about putting on an outfit that reflects who you are.

INDISPENSABLE ACCESSORY: My Chanel ballet flats. They’re undeniably classic and make any outfit look super-polished.

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FRONTLINE STYLE

2 1

GET THE LOOK I Brave the winter elements in style. 1. The Mackage MAI wrap coat has fluid lines with a waterfall collar, responsibly crafted from double-face wool. $1,090. Available at Boyds, 201 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne, (610) 726-0036, boydsphila.com. 2. Crafted in Italy, the Ganni wool scarf features fringed edges. $215. Available at Boyds. 3. With a hand-hammered design by Pennsylvania jewelry maker Carolyn Keys, these diamond hoop earrings are a riff on the traditional. $120. Available at Dandelion Jewelry, 31 Coulter Ave., Ardmore, (610) 649-8303, dandelionjewelry.com. 4. Barbour tartan waxed gloves combine durability with touchscreen ease. $80. Available at Orvis, 525 W. Lancaster Ave., Haverford, (484) 383-0756, orvis.com. 5. With a squared toe and suede uppers, Anthropologie western ankle boots make a chic statement. $190. Available at Anthropologie, various locations, anthropologie.com. —Eileen Smith Dallabrida mainlinetoday.com | January 2026

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FRONTLINE THE ARTS

CALLED TO BE HEARD VANESSA LAMBRE SHARES HER VOICE IN EVERY WAY SHE CAN— AS A SINGER, AN ENTREPRENEUR, A PREACHER AND AN AUTHOR. BY J.F. PIRRO

anessa Lambre is a gospel singer, a radio host, a licensed preacher and a soon-to-be published author. The two common strands: her voice and the need to find outlets for it. Now 44, Lambre took the first steps toward her vocal vocation 40 years ago, when she had the gumption to get up and sing at church in her native Haiti. “Church is where it starts,” says Lambre, who now lives in Collegeville. “Since then, I found the passion. Doors always opened for me, and I knew it was the gift I was given—or at least something I knew was within myself.” Lambre most recently performed under her married name, Vanessa Howard, but she’s since shortened it to Nisa. She’s shared her voice through her 2017 album, “We Celebrate” and the 2019 EP “Instantly.” She’s released five singles since 2013, the latest, 2024’s “Celebrate,” as Nisa. “Vanessa is very gifted and has a great vocal style,” says Austin Woodlin, a Philadelphia gospel

and jazz musician who produced Lambre’s 2021 single, “All I Have Is Jesus.” “She’s still experimenting with blending classical and gospel but has grown and still has lots of potential. She’s developing a sound that’s hers.” For two years, Lambre’s ministry show, “Total Transformation Radio,” aired on WWDB-AM on Mondays. She’s also an entrepreneur and vocal advocate for children with special needs. The latter inspired the subject matter of the forthcoming “More Than Enough: Broken Crayons Still Color.” She started working on the book in 2007. “It’s a story about my life raising my son who has special needs. As a caregiver, you give so much of yourself,” she says. “You don’t have a lot of time to sit with yourself and your thoughts to figure out who you are. I’ve been a caregiver my whole adult life.” Lambre also works for Greater Love continued on page 22 Productions, which hired

“THE GREATER PHILADELPHIA REGION: A NEW HISTORY FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY” BY HOWARD GILLETTE JR AND CAROLYN T. ADAMS

Expand your knowledge of the places we call home through historical accounts, origin stories and vivid imagery. Each chapter features local spots to visit. University of Pennsylvania Press, 368 pages. —Gina Lizzo

TESSA MARIE IMAGES

MLT READS

20 January 2026 | mainlinetoday.com

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FRONTLINE DIVERSIONS

MAIN EVENTS BY GINA LIZZO

FOR MORE EVENTS, VISIT

MAINLINETODAY.C OM/ CALENDAR

Jan. 8-18

Inner Works: 2026 Goal Setting and Vision Board Experience

“Pinkalicious the Musical” West Chester

Malvern

Victoria and Elizabeth Kann’s beloved children’s book takes center stage at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center in a story that follows Pinkalicious as she comes down with a case of “pinkititis,” turning her pink from head to toe. It’s the perfect excuse to get your stir-crazy youngsters out of the house. Visit uptownwestchester.org.

Weekends in January

Wine & Cheese Pairings

Jan. 9

Chadds Ford

“We the People” Delco Semiquin Kick Off Party

COURTESY OF PHILADELPHIA AUTO SHOW

Sip away the winter blues inside Penns Woods Winery’s heated tasting room. During this special two-hour seating, four of their homegrown wines will be paired with local cheese and accoutrements. Be sure to make a reservation. Visit pennswoodswinery.com.

Wayne America’s 250th birthday is finally here—and the America250PADelco commission is wasting no time with a celebration at Valley Forge Military Academy and College. Get a sneak peek at the many programs and celebrations to come in 2026. Visit america250padelco.org.

Thru Feb. 1

Flight on Ice Newtown Square Jan. 31-Feb. 8

Philadelphia Auto Show Whether you’re in the market for a new vehicle or simply a car enthusiast, this annual Center City event features the latest models, perennial fan favorites and interactive exhibits. Jan. 30’s Black Tie Tailgate celebrates 40 years of philanthropy, benefitting the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Visit phillyautoshow.com.

The Energy Transfer Veterans Memorial Rink is open once again for seasonal outdoor fun. Take a glide on the ice, then head to the fire pit with a snack or drink. A portion of the proceeds go to the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association. Visit flightonice.com.

Work by Catalina Chang.

Jan. 12-Feb. 20

The Lunar Project Haverford At Main Line Art Center, 12 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders showcase ceramic pieces that pay homage to an animal of the Asian zodiac. Local artists also share their takes on 2026’s zodiac animal, the horse. The exhibition’s Jan. 17 opening reception features a curated talk. Visit mainlineart.org.

V I T KOVA LC I K / S TO C K . A D O B E .C O M

THE WORKS

Start off your year on the right foot with 2025 Main Line Today Power Woman Tessa Jenkins at the Works. The session begins with some gentle yoga movement, then moves on to journaling and meditation. You’ll leave with a personalized vision board to manifest your 2026 goals. Visit theworksmalvern.com.

COURTESY OF MAIN LINE ART CENTER

EDITOR’S PICK Jan. 4

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FRONTLINE THE ARTS continued from page 20

her as an elementary music teacher at Philadelphia’s Southwest Leadership Academy. Through her Inspire Music Academy for Growth, she teaches children to sing and play piano out of Phoenixville Recreation Center. And each year, she opens the Garrett Hill July 4th Parade with a performance of the national anthem. “I feel like my music launched me, but I also feel my life story and book can launch me,” she says. “I see myself getting invited on radio and TV shows and teaching others how to navigate and advocate. So much emphasis is put on the person with the disability that caregivers are overlooked.” To that end, she’s also started Inspire 4 Hope, a nonprofit advocacy group for caregivers of special-needs individuals. “As a caregiver, you always see what’s around you, but you don’t take care of yourself,” says Lambre. “You neglect yourself. Even with me now, I know something’s pulling on my spirit.” The oldest of three sisters, Lambre left Haiti at age 7, spending most of her childhood in New York. She graduated from Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, a premier funnel for students at the prestigious

Juilliard School. She might have gone on to Juilliard in 2000, but she enlisted in the Army National Guard instead. When her first son, Marcus, was born two years later, she was granted an honorary discharge based on his medical needs. Even while stationed in the military in Bucks County’s Southampton, Lambre found outlets for her voice. Following her rendition of the national anthem at a promotion ceremony, a major awarded her a gold coin. “I guess he was impressed,” Lambre says. “I’ve done a lot of great things—sang on award shows and had my music played on the radio and placed on buildings. But then you have to tour and do other things to really spread the word and make money.” Traveling remains a concern for a mother of two other children—14-year-old daughter Zion and 6-year-old Matthew. She had both with her second husband, the Rev. Dr. Manuel A. Howard, a celebrated athlete at Radnor High School and current senior pastor at St. John AME Church in Garrett Hill. The two once entertained the thought of co-pastoring, but juggling marriage, kids, Marcus’ needs, ministry, and growing her business and professional artist career proved

too challenging. “I couldn’t be grounded in one and perfect that one thing,” Lambre admits. When Marcus was born, he spent three months in the hospital before he came home with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy. “We didn’t know what life would look like,” Lambre says. Two years later, Marcus’ father was murdered. Though estranged, she became a single mother and a widow. Now 23 years old, Marcus has aged out of public school services. He lives with his mother as they await 24-hour care placement. In the meantime, Lambre continues to educate herself. She has five online classes left for a master’s degree in faith, justice and advocacy through California’s Fuller Seminary. She’s also teaching others. “Vanessa’s a beautiful person inside and out,” says Toyea Dungee, a Bryn Mawr parent on the board of Lambre’s nonprofit. “She’s a great leader, pastor and friend.” As for her music, Lambre says it’s “standing, but standing still,” adding, “Music has attracted a lot of people to me, but maybe the book opens the door for the music. I can be the author who can also sing when I’m invited to speak.” MLT

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A rare weekday respite from heavy traffic on the Blue Route.

24 January 2026 | mainlinetoday.com

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BLUE ROUTE BLUES

THE PIECEMEAL HISTORY OF A 21-MILE STRETCH OF ASPHALT THAT, LOVE IT OR HATE IT, WE CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT. BY MICHAEL BRADLEY

TUESDAY, 4:15 P.M. ... You’re stuck in a southbound bumper-tobumper nightmare approaching Exit 5. WEDNESDAY, 8:23 A.M. ... The line for the I-76 ramp is so long you fear getting rear-ended by a passing motorist.

ED WILLIAMS

SUMMER FRIDAY AFTERNOON, 3:20 P.M. ... An epic backup on the I-95 ramp means a timely dinner at the Shore house is looking less and less likely.

or decades, the Schuylkill Expressway has held the title of most frustrating freeway in the Philadelphia region. But in recent years, it has had a formidable challenger. It goes by a few names: I-476, the Mid-County Expressway, Veterans Memorial Highway. But for many of us, it will always be the Blue Route—inauspiciously named after the color of the line used by highway planners more than a half century ago. Today, it’s an artery so often clogged that driving apps direct motorists onto the very local roads it was supposed to unclog.

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“BY THE TIME WE GOT TO THE 1970S, PEOPLE WERE MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS. PARTS OF THE ROAD THAT WERE GOING THROUGH INFLUENTIAL AREAS RAN INTO NIMBY—NOT IN MY BACKYARD.” —JIM BILELLA, PRESIDENT AND CEO, URBAN ENGINEERS

2030. The project also includes expanding the interchange at I-95 to reduce congestion there. Naturally, the extensive road work will mean even more delays.

ntil the pandemic, traffic volume along the Blue Route had been on a steady upward climb for almost 20 years. In 2000, somewhere in the neighborhood of 120,000 vehicles a day drove the Blue Route between the turnpike and I-76. By 2019, it was around 130,000. Along the span from Route 1 to I-95, the numbers grew from 95,000 to 102,000 over that same period. Thanks to Covid and the ensuing rise of the remote workplace, the volume has shrunk to a more encouraging 101,000 and 94,000, respectively. But congestion remains a daily fact of life. “Adding lanes doesn’t make everyone’s lives better,” says Tim Stevenson, PennDOT’s assistant district executive for project delivery. “We’re trying to make sure congestion isn’t spilling over onto local roads.” When Stevenson started at PennDOT in 1992, its offices were in St. Davids, and he was commuting from Lancaster County. “It was an amazing freeway to have open,” he says.

ED WILLIAMS

“I’m as frustrated as anybody,” says Pennsylvania Sen. Tim Kearney, whose district includes several Delaware County municipalities and who met with PennDOT officials about the road not long after taking office in 2023. “When I’m driving home from Harrisburg, the hardest part of my commute is from King of Prussia to Swarthmore. As soon as it opened, the Blue Route was already not enough.” This year, the Blue Route celebrates its fully operational 35th anniversary as the final link of pieced-together beltway around the city that also includes the Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-95. Its long-fussed-over debut was heralded as a milestone, the byproduct of more than 50 years of planning, construction, wrangling, lawsuits, protests and resident acrimony. Today, it’s a source of year-round agita for commuters. In a long-overdue move, PennDOT is working on plans to turn median strips and shoulders into high-volume release valves. Over the next few years, construction will take place between the Route 3 and I-95 exits in both directions. Welcoming all vehicles, the extra lanes will open during rush hour and other heavy-travel periods. Drivers heading north from 95 should have them in 2027, while those heading south will likely have to wait until

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These days, Stevenson calls it a “workhorse”—which almost sounds like a veiled compliment. But positive Blue Route vibes are a hard thing to come by for most commuters. “Its design is horrible,” says Sean Verdeur, who drives it multiple times a week for his pool service. For Tom Ksiazek, a professor at Villanova University, even midafternoon drives can add 30 minutes to what’s already a long commute from his Bucks County home. “Well before rush hour, it’s backed up at the Schuylkill interchange and then where it reaches the turnpike,” laments Ksiazek. Some of the grumbling has also been directed at Swarthmore College and the surrounding communities, which are largely responsible for the four-lane tight squeeze heading through Delaware County. “Think of all the dollars wasted as people sit in traffic when it goes from six lanes to four,” Verdeur says. “All the wildlife they tried to save is now suffocating in the carbon dioxide the cars are putting out. So much for good intentions.”

he original concept for the Blue Route is almost a century old. In the early 1930s, two options for the highway were proposed as part of a comprehensive plan created by a municipal reform organization called the Regional Planning Federation of the Philadelphia Tri-State District. But due to a variety of factors—not least the Great Depression and World War II—nothing came of it until 1955, when a proposed 19-mile expressway was approved. A year later, the Federal-Aid Highway Act promised funding for up to 90% of its cost. Potential paths for the stretch were designated in yellow, green and blue. Initially proposed as red, the yellow option ran through Springfield Township and other high-density, mostly blue-collar communities in eastern Delaware County. The green route skewed farther west through what was mostly undeveloped land at the time. The map’s blue line followed a path similar to the yellow before making its way through the Crum Creek watershed and the western reaches of Swarthmore College. The yellow route was the state’s first choice, as it was the cheapest and most direct. After protests from local residents, the federal government rejected the plan. In 1960, the state proposed an alternate blue path that bypassed Swarthmore College. This wasn’t wildly popular with homeowners in Nether Providence Township, prompting an extended delay in the selection process. Moving forward despite growing opposition, the federal government approved a revised Blue Route plan with a few conditions: The impact on Swarthmore College should be mitigated; the state would aid the school in finding land to offset its losses; the highway’s design must conform to the area’s natural aesthetic; and portions of the Crum Creek watershed would be available for public use. The state broke ground on the Blue Route in 1966, but acquisition delays and conflicts with local municipalities would be stumbling blocks for more than 20 years. A few municipalities sued to prevent its construction, including the Swarthmore borough and Radnor and Marple townships. Inexplicably, the initial plans failed to account for interchanges, so each required separate negotiations and approvals by the state and affected municipalities. By 1970, less than 10% of the Blue Route had been built, and its estimated cost had ballooned from $30 million to $173 million. In the beginning, it was easier for the government to acquire land, and there were fewer environmental considerations. But as negotiations with municipalities dragged on, things got more complicated. “By the time we got to the 1970s, people were

A BLUE ROUTE CHEAT SHEET 1932: A comprehensive plan for Delaware County is released that includes a proposed expressway to alleviate congestion on local roads. 1955: The Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Planning Association approves a proposal for a 19-mile highway. 1956: The Federal Highway Act bankrolls up to 90% of construction costs for the road. 1960: Pennsylvania Department of Highways (later PennDOT) chooses a blue-colored route on a map for the highway. 1963: Pennsylvania Gov. William Scranton approves the Blue Route project. 1966: The state officially breaks ground on the Blue Route. 1969: The National Environmental Policy Act is passed, requiring states to file environmental impact statements for all federally funded projects, giving Blue Route opponents ammunition in their fight. 1979: The first Blue Route stretch opens between the Schuylkill Expressway and Exit 19 in Plymouth Meeting. 1980: U.S. Rep. Bob Edgar establishes a task force, making changes that include fewer lanes and smaller interchanges on parts of the Blue Route. 1981: The Federal Highway Administration approves the new plan. 1986: The U.S. Supreme Court upholds the Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision so Blue Route construction can continue. 1991: The Blue Route opens in full on December 19. Final cost: $750 million. 2024: PennDOT announces a multiyear plan to ease Blue Route congestion that includes flexible lanes along inner medians during periods of high traffic.

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ED WILLIAMS

THE BATTLE FOUGHT YEARS AGO TO MAKE THE BLUE ROUTE AS UNOBTRUSIVE AS POSSIBLE IN PARTS OF DELAWARE COUNTY HAS LED TO THE NEED FOR CONSTRUCTION THAT WILL ADD HIGH-CONGESTION LANES.

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A planning map from 1960 shows the three possible options for the Blue Route. (Right) One of many newspaper articles on the highway’s stalled progress.

more environmentally conscious,” says Jim Bilella, president and CEO of Philadelphia-based Urban Engineers, which oversaw construction of the highway. “Parts of the road that were going through influential areas ran into NIMBY—not in my backyard.”

warthmore-based civil engineer Albert Federico grew up in Philadelphia and Delaware County. He spent the ’90s in Florida before returning to the area in 2000, settling in Swarthmore. “When I came back from Florida and introduced myself, people would say, ‘You live in Swarthmore? You stopped the Blue Route,’” he says. “I told them, ‘I’m new here.’” When Sony Devabhaktuni started as an assistant professor at Swarthmore College two years ago, he knew nothing about the Blue Route and its history. Now he’s and expert. In the fall of 2025, he taught a class in Delaware County infrastructure. “The Blue Route has occupied such a big place in people’s imaginations,” says Devabhaktuni, who lives just a few blocks from campus and doesn’t even own a car. As he studied the road’s history, Devabhaktuni tracked the resistance to it over the years. In the 1950s, concerns were mostly about traffic noise. In the 1970s and ’80s, the topic of discussion was the impact on the Crum Creek watershed and its wildlife. “That tracks with the environmental movement,” he notes. Activists rallied behind the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, which required states to file environmental impact statements for all federally funded projects. Several EIS-related court decisions prevented work on most of the approved route during the early ’70s. In 1974, PennDOT was ordered to present an EIS for each section of the Blue Route not already under construction, requiring more public hearings. Meanwhile the protests continued, and construction limped along. PennDOT submitted a revised Blue Route plan to the Federal Highway Administration in 1978, but a state budget crisis stalled its review until a year later. In 1979, a new stretch of highway between I-76 in Conshohocken and Exit 19 in Plymouth Meeting served as a Blue Route tease for more than a decade. Between Broomall and Radnor, a section of highway awaiting an interchange sat empty until it was finally completed in 1988. Raised in Garrett Hill, Joe Henderson recalls accessing the span near Radnor Valley Country Club and Ithan Elementary School. “You could ride bikes or walk for several miles toward the old Haverford State Hospital,” he says. “I remember seeing a few dozen people walking and riding on it.”

In 1980, U.S. Rep. Bob Edgar, whose district included Swarthmore and other key areas directly impacted, tried to broker a peace. If the road was to become a reality, his task force concluded, there was no way it could have the six lanes planned for the northern section that led to the turnpike. PennDOT scrapped concepts for the wider expanse through most of Delaware County, reducing it from six to four lanes and shrinking the size of the interchanges. Meanwhile, resistance to the project began to subside. “People who wanted no Blue Route for 15 years started to write letters saying, ‘Please finish this,’” says Leo Rothenberg, a Swarthmore junior who served as Devabhaktuni’s research assistant this past summer. Included in the pro-Blue Route crowd was Herb Leimbach, a Swarthmore alum and the school’s golf coach in the ’80s. He wrote to the school’s board on behalf of alumni and faculty who wanted the road completed. In 1982, Swarthmore students Tom Klein and Boyd Brown submitted their own letter to the Philadelphia Inquirer that began, “We believe that Swarthmore College has been unjustly maligned as being unanimously opposed to the Blue Route.” They went on to extol the “multitude of benefits” the road would provide, noting that “neo-New Deal projects” like the Blue Route were in line with the college’s progressive values. They also concluded that protecting open lands from the highway would hinder families “hit hard by recent Reagan Administration budget cuts.” The authors closed by taking a shot at Swarthmore’s “ivory tower upper-middle-class idealism.” None of this was well received by college administrators. “The president of Swarthmore called them into his office,” says Devabhaktuni, who discovered the letter during his research. The acrimony officially ended in 1986, when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that the project could continue. The case centered on whether the federal government had fulfilled its requirements continued on page 40 mainlinetoday.com | January 2026

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OTHER

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MODES YOU DON’T HAVE TO RIDE A HORSE TO EXPERIENCE THE THRILL OF THE CHASE. By Roger Morris Photos by Jim Graham

ost Saturday mornings from late summer through the following April, a pack of cars and trucks assembles at the starting point of the day’s Kimberton Hunt Club foxhunt. Meanwhile, at the kennels just off Doe Run Road outside Unionville, Michael Beeson readies his Ford F-150 XL and trailer to transport the designated number of foxhound “couples” to the start of the Cheshire Hunt’s morning outing. Before leaving the area, Beeson slaps a panel of emergency lights atop the truck’s cab and attaches a Garmin DriveTrack GPS dog tracker to the inside of his windshield. Further to the east, Genevieve Snyder suits up to join Radnor Hunt’s morning chase, strapping a 50mm camera into a chest harness before hopping onto her mountain bike. Like everyone else, she’s anticipating a brisk two or three hours of following the pursued and the pursuers across the rolling Chester County countryside, traversing fields, streams and forests. Foregoing formal red or black livery, these enthusiasts are known as car followers, whether fans of the sport or acting in some official capacity. In theory, the chase is a rather straightforward affair. The official hunting party consists of a few dozen or more

Genevieve Snyder tails riders on her mountain bike at Radnor Hunt.

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“

"I ONCE GOT BUCKED OFF MY BIKE. THERE'S A TRADITION WITH THE HUNT THAT IF SOMEONE GETS THROWN OFF THE HORSE, THEY BUY THE HUNTSMAN A CASE OF BEER. SO LATER, I DROVE OVER TO THE HUNTSMAN WITH MY CASE OF BEER." — GENEVIEVE SNYDER

mounted riders, usually decked out in formal red or black. They assemble at one of their various starting points, the hounds are loosed, and a wild fox is eventually flushed from cover and chased until it “runs to ground” in a hole or rock enclosure. Hunters and hounds then look for another fox or return to the starting point. Along the way, there will be a rider or riders on the periphery called “whippers-in” or “whips” to keep the hounds in a pack so they don’t wander off chasing a deer or other distraction. It’s all marvelous theater—the hounds racing through fields and woods, baying in full cry, with the riders charging after them, their mounts jumping across hedges and fences, splashing through rocky streams and occasionally dismounting their riders in the process.

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THE RADNOR BOOSTER CLUB HAS ABOUT 80 PAID MEMBERS WHO FOLLOW THE HUNT.

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BEFORE THE HUNT STARTS, ROAD WHIP MICHAEL BEESON IS BRIEFED ON HOW THE HUNT MIGHT UNFOLD AND WHAT ROADS OR OTHER SPECIAL CONDITIONS TO LOOK FOR. MRS. NANCY PENN SMITH HANNUM, LEGENDARY MASTER OF THE CHESHIRE HUNT FROM 1948 TO 2003, WASN'T A FAN OF RADIOS. "WE'VE ONLY HAD THEM SINCE 2007-08," HE SAYS.

At times, parts of this equine panorama unfold in full view of the followers as they drive along narrow country roads. This is especially true when a fox crosses a highway and drags the whole hunting retinue after him. Part of the thrill for followers is trying to guess where these crossings will occur and how to be nearby when they do. mainlinetoday.com | January 2026

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ichael Beeson serves as Cheshire Hunt’s kennelman, with about 33 couples to attend to daily. He’s also road whip—that is, he helps keep track of where the fox and hounds are, then relays the information back to huntsman Mary Taylor Miller, the primary whip. “When we talk by radio, Mary Taylor and I try to keep it brief and accurate,” says Beeson. “I may see a fox running, so I’ll ask her if that’s the right one or not.” As with the other hunts, Cheshire’s dates and starting points are usually posted online and on social media. Before it starts, Beeson is briefed on how the hunt might unfold and what roads or other special conditions to look for. Nine of the 25 or so hounds have GPS units on their collars so he can keep track of them. Mrs. Nancy Penn Smith Hannum, legendary master of the Cheshire Hunt from 1948 to 2003, wasn’t a fan of radios. “We’ve only had them since 2007-08,” Beeson says. When fox, hounds and hunters do cross a road, Beeson or followers help stop traffic until the parade has passed. Most drivers who just happen across the action are usually patient, enjoying the theater and often seizing the opportunity for

an Instagram photo. “We always have a stalwart group of car followers,” says Cheshire Hunt secretary Kelley Ford. “Some used to ride with the hunt and no longer do. Some used to be on staff. Others are just interested in the hunt. But we don’t keep any sort of record of the followers.” Unlike Cheshire, the Radnor Hunt has official followers. “I read about the activities of the booster clubs attached to the British hunts, very much the way their football (soccer) clubs there have boosters,” says Collin McNeil, who runs Radnor’s booster club with his wife, Virginia. “I thought it would be a good idea for Radnor, and so eight years ago, we took the idea and elaborated on it.” The Radnor booster club has about 80 paid members who follow the hunt while sporting official car flags. The boosters also have monthly events featuring some aspect of the hunt. They occasionally do “hilltopping”—watching from an elevated vantage point—and also have a storeroom of booster merchandise. “I started car following about 12 years ago, looking for photo images for my paintings,” says Snyder, a club member and a professional artist. “But I got frustrated because you’d sometimes get stuck in traffic, so my husband and I started following on mountain bikes

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about five years ago. Riding on bikes also gives you the feeling of being outdoors as part of the hunt.” Of the three local hunts, Radnor has the smallest hunting area, which can be an advantage for followers. “Because the area is fairly contained, sometimes you can see the fox as well as the hunt and the riders— especially in winter when the leaves are down,” says Snyder, who’s careful to stay out of the way of hounds and hunters and sometimes helps control road traffic. “I once got bucked off my bike. There’s a tradition with the hunt that if someone gets thrown off the horse, they buy the huntsman a case of beer. So later, I drove over to the huntsman with my case of beer.” As Kimberton’s master of the foxhounds, Barb Mueller relies on followers more than ever for traffic control—“especially since Route 100 runs through our territory and has gotten quite heavily traveled.” The Kimberton hunts are held twice a week (Wednesdays and Saturdays) and range across Chester County and a portion of Berks. “Our hounds all have GPS collars, so one of the car followers will have GLS tracking to see where they’re going,” Mueller says, “We urge the followers to carpool.” Whether serving in an official capacity or not, followers serve as protectors of

Russell Jones engages in some “hilltopping” in Cheshire Hunt country. (Top) Avid car follower Jon Smith seeks out his own prime viewing spot during the same hunt.

the hounds. “Since I’ve been here, we’ve lost only three hounds to automobile accidents,” says Beeson, who’s logged over 20 seasons. Finally, before driving off into the sunset, Beeson has one more job to do:

taking care of any property damage the hunt might’ve caused in passing. “We have a supply of posts and fencing supplies right by the kennels,” he says. Visit cheshirehuntconservancy.org, radnorhunt.org and kimbertonhunt.org. mainlinetoday.com | January 2026

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IN A DINING AND SEATING AREA, A HAND-PAINTED DE GOURNAY WALLCOVERING DEPICTING JAPAN’S KISO MOUNTAINS BECAME A DEFINING FEATURE.

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TIMELESS TAKE TWO A 1980s Gladwyne home is redesigned for a new era. STORY BY EILEEN SMITH DALLABRIDA PHOTOS BY RACHEL MCGINN

athed in natural light and grounded in a palette of emerald greens and soft neutrals, this 8,000-square-foot Gladwyne home is calm, elegant and timeless— much like its sophisticated, well-traveled owners. The ’80s-era house was reimagined by designers Dana Bergman Falcione and Erica Vassalotti of Bergman Vass, who set out to infuse warmth and character into a space that had once felt

austere. “The main goal was to add personality to the house, which had previously been sparsely decorated with contemporary Italian furnishings and Venetian plastered walls,” says Falcione. The dining and seating area overlooks the rolling hills of Philadelphia Country Club’s golf course. Its hand-painted de Gournay wallcovering depicting Japan’s Kiso Mountains became a defining feature. “It seemed to replicate and extend the view from

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the rear windows of the home,” Falcione says. “We wrapped the door to the kitchen so as not to interrupt the landscape. It was a dramatic and bold gesture, and I think very successful.” Throughout the house, reflective glass and polished metals balance luxurious fabrics and plush textures to create a sense of serenity. The home’s most indulgent space is the dressing room adjacent to the primary bedroom. To transform a dated home office into a private retreat for the lady of the house, the designers enveloped walls and ceiling with a shell-encrusted Nobilis wallcovering. Adding to the glamour: a curved mid-century sofa in lush mohair and a custom mirrored vanity. “This project was the most collaborative I’ve ever worked on, combining collected art and furnishings and old and new,” says Falcione. “We really learned from each other and respected one another’s taste.” That spirit of collaboration has inspired new creative directions for the designers, who recently collaborated on a furniture line with a maker in Connecticut. “Together, we experimented with unique finishes, shapes and textures, and the results were so lovely that we decided to create a collection,” Vassalotti says. “We find ourselves designing custom furniture pieces more and more for the projects we’re working on.” MLT

“

THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE, REFLECTIVE GLASS AND POLISHED METALS BALANCE LUXURIOUS FABRICS AND PLUSH TEXTURES TO CREATE A SENSE OF SERENITY.

“

TO TRANSFORM A DATED HOME OFFICE INTO A PRIVATE RETREAT FOR THE LADY OF THE HOUSE, THE DESIGNERS ENVELOPED WALLS AND CEILING WITH A SHELL-ENCRUSTED NOBILIS WALLCOVERING. BERGMAN VASS

1113 ADMIRAL PEARY WAY, PHILADELPHIA (267) 807-2472 BERGMANVASS.COM

CALIFORNIA CLOSETS

130 E. LANCASTER AVE., WAYNE (610) 337-3377 CALIFORNIACLOSETS.COM

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| BLUE ROUTE continued from page 29

under the National Environmental Policy Act. “The first time, the district judge said the government didn’t do the environmental impact statement properly,” says Susan Bricklin, one of the lawyers on the case. “The second time, we presented a huge administrative record in brief form and showed arguments that supported our case.” By that point, the Blue Route’s price tag had skyrocketed to more than $600 million. There were some Hail Mary attempts at fending off the road’s completion, but they were dismissed. On December 19, 1991, the Blue Route opened for full travel. But it wasn’t long before discontent was brewing again.

t’s hard to imagine a more thankless job than trying to ease commuter angst. “We don’t hear a lot of praise,” says PennDOT’s Stevenson. In working to improve the Blue Route’s flow, Stevenson and fellow engineers enter directly into the fray between those who travel the highway and those who live near it. While the Blue Route was built to relieve some of the chaos on local roads, it has since contributed to increased residential and business growth nearby. Think of all the activity near Villanova’s Exit 13 that wasn’t there 20 or 30 years ago. King of Prussia is now a mini city, and Wilmington is far more accessible. Much of that is due to the Blue Route. “People saw the benefit of it,” says Bilella. “They realized they could get to Wilmington in 15 to 20 minutes and King of Prussia in 15 to 20 minutes.”

In 1996, 553,445 people lived in Delaware County. As of 2022, there were 575,182. That 4% increase may not seem like a lot, but those additional 20,000 people can tax the infrastructure and the roads. “You build a highway, and there’s nothing there. But you put in an interchange, and people start to settle around it,” Bilella says. “People move further and further away from the city because the highway helps their commute, but the population growth turns what was an hour commute into a two-hour commute. The office moves out to the suburbs, bringing more people. It’s the nature of how suburban areas grow.” And so, the battle fought years ago to make the Blue Route as unobtrusive as possible in parts of Delaware County has led to the need for construction that will add high-congestion lanes. Once the expansion program is complete, the traffic patterns will resemble those on area bridges to New Jersey, with overhead gantries bearing lights that indicate whether a lane is open. Ideally, if there’s an accident blocking a lane, an overflow passage will keep traffic moving. “PennDOT thinks this will do the trick,” says Sen. Kearney. “It’s just going to take time—and that’s the hard part.” Adds Swarthmore’s Devabhaktuni: “I haven’t heard anyone oppose the plan to open the median.” What’s to be done with a road that’s this essential and this infuriating? As with everything in life, there is no perfect solution. “You can’t build your way out of congestion,” Bilella says. “You have to manage it.” MLT

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SCORE YOUR DREAM INTERNSHIP

REAL TALK: ADVICE FROM STUDENTS

HOT MAJORS FOR THE FUTURE

COLLEGE GUIDE ’26 ALL THE FACTS ON THE REGION’S SCHOOLS

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PARTNER CONTENT

EXPLORE. DISCOVER. BECOME. At the University of Delaware, you won’t just earn a degree—you will unlock your potential. Situated on a campus so stunning The Princeton Review has called it “absolutely the most gorgeous anywhere,” UD is home to a thriving community of educators, artists, researchers, and explorers whose talent, vision, and commitment push new boundaries and shape the future. Here, you won’t just discover who you are—you will unlock who you can become. You will explore uncharted paths, discover your full potential and become the driving force behind tomorrow’s breakthroughs. If you are a Delaware resident, you can apply for a SEED Scholarship or UD’s First State Promise, making higher education more accessible than ever.

UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE Newark, DE 19716 Undergraduate info: 302.831.8123 www.udel.edu/admissions Graduate info: 302.831.6824 grad.udel.edu

The future depends on vision. It requires imagining a new and better world and making that world flourish. It depends on students of all ages with drive and ambition taking on new challenges and seeing new opportunities—students like you. At the University of Delaware, we welcome visionaries, problem solvers, scientists, athletes, artists and dreamers. We welcome you.

Learn more at udel.edu/apply

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CONTENTS All the basic facts you need on over 35 schools.

Editor-in-Chief Hobart Rowland Managing Editor Gina Lizzo

CG5 SCORING THAT INTERNSHIP

Eight tips to master the interview and lock down the semester of your dreams.

CG6 MAJOR OPPORTUNITIES

CG12 KNOWLEDGE IS POWER The story behind GlobalPost.

CG13 DON’T FORGET!

Add these commonly

overlooked items to your dorm-room packing list.

LEF T: JOESUNT/STOCK .ADOBE .COM

Thanks to evolving industries and current trends, these specialities could open doors.

TOP: COURTESY OF L A SALLE UNIVERSIT Y

CG4 FIND YOUR FIT

Group Publisher Robert F. Martinelli Delaware Today Associate Publisher Ruth Gilbert Main Line Today Associate Publisher Dave Cuddihy

Creative Director Jorge Márquez Production Manager Eric Bolis Graphic Designers Kyle Manzolillo Natalie Newhart Rosalinda Rocco TODAY MEDIA President Robert F. Martinelli Secretary/Treasurer Richard Martinelli IN MEMORIAM Chairman Angelo Martinelli (1927-2018) Vice President Ralph A. Martinelli (1962-2019) DELAWARE TODAY 1000 N. West St., Suite 601, Wilimington, DE 19801 PHONE: (302) 656-1809 FAX: (302) 656-5843. Subscription queries: Mail: P.O. Box 291785, Kettering, OH 45429 Phone: (888) 597-0159 Email: delawaretoday@sfsdayton.com. Single copies/back issues: Single copies and back issues are available at the cover price, plus $2 postage and handling, with bulk rates available. Call (302) 656-1809 or go to delawaretoday.com. MAIN LINE TODAY 41 Leopard Road, Suite 101, Paoli, PA 19301 PHONE: (610) 325-4630 FAX: (610) 325-4636 Subscription queries: Mail: P.O. Box 291785, Kettering, OH 45429 Phone: (888) 597-0159 E-mail: mainlinetoday@sfsdayton.com. Single copies/back issues: Single copies and back issues are available at the cover price, plus $2 postage and handling, with bulk rates available. Call (610) 325-4630 or go to mainlinetoday.com.

MAKES IT DOABLE.

WORK WHILE EARNING A DEGREE With workforce development, you can work in fields like culinary and education while completing your degree.

MAKE YOUR MOVE. VISIT DTCC.EDU TO VIEW PROGRAMS

JANUARY 2026 | todaymedia.com | CG3

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FIND YOUR FIT

All the basic facts you need on over 35 schools. Compiled and edited by Gina Lizzo

Drexel University is one of several top-tier schools in Philadelphia.

Delaware County Community College

Enrollment: 9,989 Tuition: $3,310-$3,460 (in state), $7,675-$7,825 (out of state) Athletics: NJCAA Division III Student/faculty ratio: 26:1 Acceptance rate: 100% Application deadline: rolling 901 S. Media Line Road, Media, Pennsylvania, (610) 723-2000, dccc.edu

Delaware Technical Community College-Terry

Enrollment: 12,955 Tuition: $4,575 (in state), $11,438 (out of state) Student/faculty ratio: 13:1 Acceptance rate: 100% Application deadline: rolling 100 Campus Drive, Dover, Delaware, (302) 857-1000, dtcc.edu

Montgomery County Community College Enrollment: 9,827 Tuition: $6,440 (in county), $11,508 (out of county), $16,576 (out of state) Athletics: NJCAA Division III Student/faculty ratio: 16:1 Acceptance rate: 100% Application deadline: rolling 340 Dekalb Pike, Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, (215) 641-6300, mc3.edu

Information is based on the 2025 U.S. News & World Report education rankings and institution websites. Other statistics taken from data compiled by the Princeton Review. Certain categories were unavailable or not reported by some schools.

COURTESY OF DREXEL UNIVERSIT Y

COMMUNITY & TRADE COLLEGES

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REAL-WORLD ADVICE “It’s going to be a lot all at once, but make the most of it. There’s no better time to explore as much as possible and meet as many people as possible. Remember to eat, take care of yourself and try to avoid the freshman flu (although it may be inevitable).” —Steven Li, University of Pennsylvania Class of 2027, Class President

Arcadia University

SCORING THAT INTERNSHIP Eight tips to master the interview and lock down the semester of your dreams.

TOP LEF T: COURTESY OF ARCADIA UNIVERSIT Y

TOP RIGH T:DJR ANDCO/STOCK . ADOBE .COM

Williamson College of the Trades Enrollment: 249 Tuition: $33,100 Average financial aid awarded: $38,900 Athletics: NJCAA Division III Student/faculty ratio: 10:1 Acceptance rate: 30% Application deadline: Jan. 22 106 S. New Middletown Road, Media, Pennsylvania, (610) 566-1776, williamson.edu

PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES Arcadia University

Undergraduate enrollment: 2,163 Tuition: $49,980 Average cost after financial aid: $28,861 Ranking: 76 (Regional Universities North) Athletics: NCAA Division III Student/faculty ratio: 10:1 Acceptance rate: 80% Test score range: 1065-1265 (SAT), scores optional Average high school GPA: 3.3 Application deadline: rolling 450 S. Easton Road, Glenside, Pennsylvania, (215) 572-2900, arcadia.edu continued on page 7

1. Networking is key. Ana Welsh was waiting tables to pay her way through college when a customer became an unexpected resource. “I shared my desire to get an internship with quite a few people, and one of my regulars offered to introduce me,” says the successful Wayne-based leadership consultant, talent developer and business school lecturer. “That internship led to four others. You truly never know who can help out.” And when networking at official events, don’t overextend yourself. “Aim to click with just one person,” Welsh says. “They could really help, teach or guide you—and even change the trajectory of your career.”

job will set them up for success. For Welsh, 30% selfish is the cutoff. “If you lead by being selfless, you actually end up getting what you want down the road,” she says.

2. Maintain a strong social media presence. Broad Street

7. Don’t try to be a know-it-all.

Communications’ Sarah Maiellano notes that every aspect of it should be professional—or even private. 3. Do your research. When

interviewing potential interns for his Pel Productions, West Chester’s Josh Pellegrini looks for candidates who “researched the company, make a personal connection and seem genuinely excited about working together.” As a brand talent manager at QVC, Brooke Lancianese wants an intern who asks questions about the industry, culture and expectations of the role. “I love when interns understand the concept of interviews being a two-way street,” she says.

4. Be a team player. A red flag for local realtor Renee Ryan: internship candidates who talk only about how the

5. Look the part. Your appearance

should be polished and professional. “If you’re interviewing virtually, make sure you have great lighting, your background isn’t blurred or messy, and you still dress like you’re interviewing in person,” Welsh says.

6. Master your handshake and body language. Welsh recommends

pairing a shake with a smile, a hand on top or even a verbal supplement like, “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Eye contact is also key.

Mary Kleffner appreciates applicants who have some knowledge or experience—but there are some things that are harder to teach. “Good communication, problemsolving skills, comfortable mediating conflict, open to collaboration, flexibility, etc.,” says the assistant department manager at Nordstrom. “I always look for interns who seem eager, willing to learn and be a part of a team.”

8. Never forget to follow up.

Be sure to send a well-executed email thanking your interviewer for their time. “When I started looking for interns, I was so surprised how only one in every 10 would send a follow-up email,” says Cristina O’Rangers, founder of Bella Vita Media Marketing. And consider reaching out again if you haven’t heard back after a week.

—Gina Lizzo

JANUARY 2026 | todaymedia.com | CG5

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MAJOR OPPORTUNITIES

PA P E R - O W L / S T O C K . A D O B E . C O M

Thanks to evolving industries and current trends, these specialities could open doors.

CG6 | todaymedia.com | JANUARY 2026

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REAL-WORLD ADVICE Delaware State University: Computer Science major/minor Drexel University: Computer Science major/minor

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Applicable to nearly every industry, this major preps students for AI-related system design and more.

Where to Study … Chestnut Hill College: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning concentration Drexel University: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning major/minor, Economics and Data Science major Gwynedd Mercy University: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning concentration Saint Joseph’s University: Artificial Intelligence for Business minor Thomas Jefferson University: Artificial Intelligence in Health Analytics Leadership certificate University of Delaware: Artificial Intelligence Engineering major University of Pennsylvania: Artificial Intelligence major Ursinus College: Artificial Intelligence minor Villanova University: Analytics and Artificial Intelligence co-major/minor, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning minor Wilmington University: Artificial Intelligence certificate

Eastern University: Computer Science major/minor Gwynedd Mercy University: Computer Information Science major/minor Haverford College: Computer Science major/minor/concentration Holy Family University: Applied Computer Science major, Computer Information Systems major/minor Immaculata University: Applied Computer Science major La Salle University: Computer Science major Manor College: Computer and Information Systems major Neumann University: Computer Information Systems major, Computer Programming major Saint Joseph’s University: Computer Science major/minor Swarthmore College: Computer Science major/minor Temple University: Computer Science major/ certificate, Computer Science and Physics major, Mathematics and Computer Science major, Mathematics and Computer Science with Teaching major University of Delaware: Computer Science major/minor, Computer Science and Business major University of Pennsylvania: Computer Engineering major, Computer Science major Ursinus College: Computer Science major/minor, Theoretical Computer Science concentration Villanova University: Computer Engineering major/minor, Computer Science major/minor

COMPUTER SCIENCE Students learn to code, problem solve and innovate, developing skills crucial for everything from app development to healthcare and entertainment.

West Chester University: Computer Science major/minor Widener University: Computer Science/ Information Systems major/minor Wilmington University: Computer Science major

Arcadia University: Computer Science major/minor

CYBERSECURITY

Bryn Athyn College: Computer Science major/minor

As digital threats rise, this major trains students to protect systems and data.

Chestnut Hill College: Computer and Information Sciences major/minor, Mathematical and Computer Sciences major

FIND YOUR FIT continued from page 5 Bryn Athyn College

Enrollment: 273 Tuition: $28,275 Average cost after financial aid: $19,637 Ranking: 180 (National Liberal Arts Colleges) Athletics: NCAA Division III Student/faculty ratio: 8:1 Acceptance rate: 74% Test score range: 1060-1298 (SAT), scores optional Application deadline: rolling 2945 College Drive, Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, (267) 502-6000, brynathyn.edu

Bryn Mawr College

Enrollment: 1,368 Tuition: $67,730 Average cost after financial aid: $41,833 Ranking: 30 (National Liberal Arts Colleges) Athletics: NCAA Division III Student/faculty ratio: 8:1 Acceptance rate: 29% Test score range: 1280-1510 (SAT), 29-33 (ACT), scores optional Application deadline: Jan. 15 101 N. Merion Ave., Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, (610) 526-5000, brynmawr.edu

Chestnut Hill College

Enrollment: 972 Tuition: $39,400 Average cost after financial aid: $25,461 Ranking: 128 (Regional Universities North) Athletics: NCAA Division II Student/faculty ratio: 10:1 Acceptance rate: 79% Test score range: 890-1090 (SAT), 22 (ACT), scores optional Application deadline: July 1 9601 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, (215) 248-7000, chc.edu

Drexel University

Where to Study …

Bryn Mawr College: Computer Science major/minor

“You may not find your forever friends in the first week or month of college. Bonding and friendships take time. And learn time management earlier rather than later. Study hard but know when to take a break.” —Liza Flavin, Widener University Class of 2029, Women’s Softball

Where to Study … Chestnut Hill College: Cybersecurity major/minor

Undergraduate enrollment: 11,757 Tuition: $61,842 Average cost after financial aid: $23,242 Ranking: 80 (National Universities) Athletics: NCAA Division I Student/faculty ratio: 9:1 Acceptance rate: 79% Test score range: 1240-1440 (SAT), 27-32 (ACT), scores optional Average high school GPA: 3.8 Application deadline: Jan. 15 3141 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, (215) 895-2000, drexel.edu continued on page 9 JANUARY 2026 | todaymedia.com | CG7

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Drexel University: Computing Security and Technology major

certificate, Statistical Science and Data Analytics major

Goldey-Beacom College: Cybersecurity concentration

University of Delaware: Mathematics and Data Science minor, Statistical Data Analytics minor

Gwynedd Mercy University: Cybersecurity and Computer Forensics concentration Holy Family University: Cybersecurity Administration major/minor, Cybersecurity and IT Management major Immaculata University: Cybersecurity major La Salle University: Cybersecurity major Manor College: Cybercrime certificate

University of Pennsylvania: Data Science and Analytics minor, Statistics and Data Science major, Survey Research and Data Analytics minor Ursinus College: Data Analytics minor West Chester University: Data Analytics concentration Wilmington University: Data Analytics major/certificate

Neumann University: Cybersecurity major Temple University: Computer Security and Digital Forensics certificate, Cybersecurity major, Cybersecurity and Human Behavior certificate

Villanova University: Cybersecurity major/minor

Students can cultivate the skills they need to launch startups or bring their own ideas to established organizations.

Where to Study … Arcadia University: Arts Entrepreneurship and Cultural Studies minor Delaware State University: Entrepreneurship minor

DATA SCIENCE From healthcare to marketing, employers rely on data to drive decision-making and innovation.

Where to Study … Arcadia University: Data Science major Bryn Athyn College: Data Science minor Bryn Mawr College: Data Science minor/concentration Chestnut Hill College: Data Science major Delaware State University: Data Analytics major Drexel University: Data Science major/minor Eastern University: Data Science major/minor Gwynedd Mercy University: Data Analytics minor Saint Joseph’s University: Data Science major/minor Temple University: Data Science major, Data Science: Computational Analytics

Where to Study … Bryn Mawr College: Environmental Studies major/minor

Delaware State University: Environmental Science major/minor

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Wilmington University: Cybersecurity major, Cybersecurity and Fintech certificate

These majors tackle hot topics like climate change, conservation and sustainable resource management.

Chestnut Hill College: Environmental Science major/minor

University of Delaware: Cybersecurity minor, Cybersecurity Engineering major

West Chester University: Computer Security certificate

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND STUDIES

Drexel University: Corporate Entrepreneurship minor, Entrepreneurship certificate, Entrepreneurship and Innovation major/minor, Social Entrepreneurship minor Goldey-Beacom College: Entrepreneurial Studies concentration La Salle University: Entrepreneurship minor Saint Joseph’s University: Entrepreneurship major/minor Temple University: Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management major University of Delaware: Entrepreneurship major/minor University of Pennsylvania: Entrepreneurship and Innovation major Ursinus College: Entrepreneurial Studies minor, Entrepreneurship concentration Villanova University: Engineering Entrepreneurship major, Entrepreneurship major, Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation minor West Chester University: Entrepreneurship minor Wilmington University: Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management minor/certificate

Drexel University: Environmental Science major, Environmental Studies minor, Environmental Studies and Sustainability major Eastern University: Environmental Science major/minor Haverford College: Environmental Studies major/minor Holy Family University: Environmental Science minor Immaculata University: Environmental Science and Ecology minor La Salle University: Environmental Science major Saint Joseph’s University: Environmental Science major/minor Swarthmore College: Environmental Studies major/minor Temple University: Environmental Engineering major, Environmental Science major, Environmental Studies major, Environmental Sustainability certificate University of Delaware: Environmental and Resource Economics major, Environmental Education major, Environmental Soil Science minor, Environmental Science major, Environmental Studies major University of Pennsylvania: Earth and Environmental Science major, Environmental Science minor, Environmental Studies major Ursinus College: Applied Sustainability minor/concentration, Earth and Environmental Science minor/concentration, Environment and Sustainability major/minor Villanova University: Environmental Science major, Environmental Studies major, Sustainability Studies major West Chester University: Applied Community and Environmental Sustainability minor, Environmental Health major/ minor/certificate

CG8 | todaymedia.com | JANUARY 2026

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University of Delaware

Widener University: Environmental Engineering minor, Environmental Health and Sustainability Management major/minor, Environmental Law Studies minor, Environmental Science and Sustainability major/minor, Environmental Studies minor Wilmington University: Environmental Science and Policy major

NEUROSCIENCE This interdisciplinary major explores the various ways the brain shapes behavior and decision making—valuable skills for careers in medicine, research and technology.

FIND YOUR FIT continued from page 7 Eastern University

Undergraduate enrollment: 2,500 Tuition: $39,188 Average cost after financial aid: $25,144 Ranking: 146 (Regional Universities North) Athletics: NCAA Division III Student/faculty ratio: 21:1 Acceptance rate: 91% Test scores: optional Average high school GPA: 3.2 Application deadline: rolling 1300 Eagle Road, St. Davids, Pennsylvania, (610) 341-5800, eastern.edu

Where to Study … Arcadia University: Neuroscience minor Bryn Mawr College: Neuroscience major/minor Drexel University: Neuroscience major/minor Haverford College: Neuroscience major/minor Holy Family University: Neuroscience major/minor Saint Joseph’s University: Neuroscience major/minor

Goldey-Beacom College

Swarthmore College: Neuroscience major

Enrollment: 697 Tuition: $17,010 Average cost after financial aid: $19,276 Ranking: 128 (Regional Universities North) Student/faculty ratio: 18:1 Acceptance rate: 85% Test scores: optional Average high school GPA: 3.2 Application deadline: rolling 4701 Limestone Road, Wilmington, Delaware, (302) 998-8814, gbc.edu

Temple University: Cognitive Neuroscience minor, Neuroscience major, Neuroscience Cellular and Molecular major, Neuroscience Research minor University of Delaware: Neuroscience major/minor University of Pennsylvania: Computational Neuroscience minor, Neuroscience major, Neuroscience and Health Care Management minor Ursinus College: Neuroscience major/minor Villanova University: Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience major

Gwynedd Mercy University

This high-tech blend of computer science and engineering enables graduates to craft the next generation of smart machines for a variety of industries.

Where to Study … Drexel University: Robotics and Automation minor Widener University: Robotics Engineering major/minor CG

C O U R T E S Y O F U N I V E R S I T Y O F D E L AWA R E

ROBOTICS

Undergraduate enrollment: 1,301 Tuition: $40,560 Average cost after financial aid: $28,217 Ranking: 273 (National Universities) Athletics: NCAA Division III Student/faculty ratio: 12:1 Acceptance rate: 90% Test score range: 1023-1186 (SAT), 18-21 (ACT), scores optional Average high school GPA: 3.4 Application deadline: Aug. 20 1325 Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania, (215) 646-7300, gmercyu.edu

Harcum College

Enrollment: 1,150 Tuition: $33,200 Average financial aid awarded: $12,693 Athletics: NJCAA Division I & II Student/faculty ratio: 8:1

REAL-WORLD ADVICE “Be the one to break the ice by introducing yourself to your dorm neighbor, asking a classmate for their number or walking up to a table at the involvement fair. That small moment of courage can turn into a new friendship or even a lifelong best friend.” —Kyra Pylaras, West Chester University Class of 2027, Alpha Phi Sorority

Application deadline: rolling 750 Montgomery Ave., Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, (610) 525-4100, harcum.edu

Haverford College

Enrollment: 1,431 Tuition: $73,030 Average cost after financial aid: $21,464 Ranking: 24 (National Liberal Arts Colleges) Athletics: NCAA Division III Student/faculty ratio: 9:1 Acceptance rate: 12% Test score range: 1460-1550 (SAT), 33-35 (ACT), scores optional Application deadline: Jan. 15 370 Lancaster Ave., Haverford, Pennsylvania, (610) 896-1000, haverford.edu

Holy Family University

Undergraduate enrollment: 2,650 Tuition: $17,550 Average cost after financial aid: $13,285 Ranking: 98 (Regional Universities North) Athletics: NCAA Division II Student/faculty ratio: 11:1 Acceptance rate: 71% Test score range: 910-1150 (SAT), scores optional Average high school GPA: 3.4 Application deadline: rolling 9801 Frankford Ave., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, (215) 637-7700, holyfamily.edu

JANUARY 2026 | todaymedia.com | CG9

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Holy Family University

REAL-WORLD ADVICE “If something is out of your comfort zone, take the chance. Now is the time to do so. And don’t let one setback set the tone for the rest of the week or the semester. One bad exam doesn’t define who you are.” —Emily Carrillo, University of Delaware Class of 2025

Neumann University

Undergraduate enrollment: 1,658 Tuition: $19,065 Average cost after financial aid: $28,241 Ranking: 128 (Regional Universities North) Athletics: NCAA Division III Student/faculty ratio: 13:1 Acceptance rate: 81% Test score range: 848-1100 (SAT), scores optional Average high school GPA: 3.2 Application deadline: Sept. 2 1 Neumann Drive, Aston, Pennsylvania, (610) 459-0905, neumann.edu

Saint Joseph’s University

Undergraduate enrollment: 5,044 Tuition: $55,180 Average cost after financial aid: $31,894 Ranking: 6 (Regional Universities North) Athletics: NCAA Division I Student/faculty ratio: 11:1 Acceptance rate: 89% Test score range: 1170-1350 (SAT), 28-31 (ACT), scores optional Average high school GPA: 3.7 Application deadline: Feb. 1 5600 City Ave., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, (610) 660-1000, sju.edu

Swarthmore College

Undergraduate enrollment: 1,652 Tuition: $28,970 Average cost after financial aid: $28,931 Ranking: 301 (National Universities) Athletics: NCAA Division III Student/faculty ratio: 11:1 Acceptance rate: 86% Test score range: 1156-1323 (SAT), scores optional Average high school GPA: 3.4 Application deadline: rolling 1145 W. King Road, Immaculata, Pennsylvania, (610) 647-4400, immaculata.edu

La Salle University

Undergraduate enrollment: 2,077 Tuition: $38,200 Average cost after financial aid: $12,991 Ranking: 257 (National Universities) Athletics: NCAA Division I Student/faculty ratio: 11:1 Acceptance rate: 86% Test scores: not accepted

Application deadline: rolling 1900 W. Olney Ave., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, (215) 951-1000, lasalle.edu

Manor College

Enrollment: 834 Tuition: $10,595 Average financial aid awarded: $6,775 Athletics: USCAA Division I Student/faculty ratio: 14:1 Acceptance rate: 96% Application deadline: rolling 700 Fox Chase Road, Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, (215) 885-2360, manor.edu

Moore College of Art and Design

Enrollment: 390 Tuition: $52,444 Average cost after financial aid: $36,872 Acceptance rate: 61% Application deadline: rolling 1916 Race St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, (215) 965-4000, moore.edu

Thomas Jefferson University

Undergraduate enrollment: 3,772 Tuition: $48,022 Average cost after financial aid: $26,290 Ranking: 132 (National Universities) Athletics: NCAA Division II Student/faculty ratio: 12:1 Acceptance rate: 81% Test score range: 1160-1330 (SAT), 25-30 (ACT), scores optional Average high school GPA: 3.7 Application deadline: July 31 4201 Henry Ave., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, (215) 951-2800, jefferson.edu

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITIES

Immaculata University

Enrollment: 1,623 Tuition: $68,766 Average cost after financial aid: $21,595 Ranking: 4 (National Liberal Arts Colleges) Athletics: NCAA Division III Student/faculty ratio: 8:1 Acceptance rate: 7% Test score range: 1490-1560 (SAT), 33-35 (ACT), scores optional Application deadline: Jan. 4 500 College Ave., Swarthmore, (610) 328-8000, swarthmore.edu

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Immaculata University

La Salle University

Saint Joseph’s University

University of Pennsylvania

Undergraduate enrollment: 10,013 Tuition: $63,204 Average cost after financial aid: $26,138 Ranking: 7 (National Universities) Athletics: NCAA Division I Student/faculty ratio: 8:1 Acceptance rate: 5% Test score range: 1510-1570 (SAT), 34-36 (ACT) Average high school GPA: 3.9 Application deadline: Jan. 5 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, (215) 898-5000, upenn.edu

Ursinus College

Enrollment: 1,502 Tuition: $61,500 Average financial aid awarded: $41,000 Ranking: 84 (National Liberal Arts Colleges) Athletics: NCAA Division III Student/faculty ratio: 10:1 Acceptance rate: 92% Test score range: 1200-1385 (SAT), 28-32 (ACT), scores optional Average high school GPA: 3.5 Application deadline: May 1 601 E. Main St., Collegeville, Pennsylvania, (610) 409-3000, ursinus.edu

Swarthmore College

Villanova University

Undergraduate enrollment: 7,009 Tuition: $69,846 Average cost after financial aid: $43,090 Ranking: 57 (National Universities) Athletics: NCAA Division I Student/faculty ratio: 10:1 Acceptance rate: 27% Test score range: 1395-1510 (SAT), 32-34 (ACT), scores optional Average high school GPA: 3.9 Application deadline: Jan. 15 800 E. Lancaster Ave., Villanova, Pennsylvania, (610) 519-4500, villanova.edu

Widener University

Undergraduate enrollment: 2,811 Tuition: $58,280 Average cost after financial aid: $31,703

Ranking: 301 (National Universities) Athletics: NCAA Division III Student/faculty ratio: 11:1 Acceptance rate: 84% Test score range: 1050-1260 (SAT), 20-26 (ACT),

scores optional Average high school GPA: 3.45 Application deadline: rolling 1 University Place, Chester, Pennsylvania, (888) 943-3637, widener.edu JANUARY 2026 | todaymedia.com | CG11

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University of Pennsylvania Wilmington University

Undergraduate enrollment: 9,355 Tuition: $12,330 Average cost after financial aid: $15,343 Ranking: 395-434 (National Universities) Student/faculty ratio: 12:1 Test scores: optional Application deadline: rolling 320 N. Dupont Hwy., New Castle, Delaware, (302) 356-4636, wilmu.edu

PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES Cheyney University of Pennsylvania

Enrollment: 724 Tuition: $7,994 (in state), $15,988 (out of state) Average cost after financial aid: $12,532 (in-state)

Ranking: 183-201 (National Liberal Arts Colleges) Student/faculty ratio: 15:1 Test score range: 650-830 (SAT), 14-21 (ACT), scores optional Average high school GPA: 2.4 Application deadline: rolling 1837 University Circle, Cheyney, Pennsylvania, (610) 399-2275, cheyney.edu6

Delaware State University

Undergraduate enrollment: 4,581 Tuition: $9,593 (in state), $19,584 (out of state) Average cost after financial aid: $12,544 Ranking: 121 (Regional Universities North) Athletics: NCAA Division I Student/faculty ratio: 17:1 Acceptance rate: 47% Test score range: 800-1020 (SAT), 19-24 (ACT)

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER Through their Global Education Initiative, GlobalPost provides high school and college students with free daily e-newsletters featuring a worldwide mix of enriching stories. “Democratizing access to world news for young people is critical in today’s complex, globally connected world,” says Chester County’s Julia Sherwin, who serves as executive director of the Global Education program. “With GlobalPost, my children and other young people throughout the world can read about the fight for better social services in Morocco, the beginning of elections in Syria after a long civil war, or even the discovery of a planet 400 light years away.” Over 16,000 students and teachers at schools across 110 countries are keeping up with the world through this daily content. Sign up at globalpost.com/signup.

REAL-WORLD ADVICE “Before arriving on campus, I wish I’d known how quickly I’d get wrapped up in all the student clubs and organizations. It’s become crucial for me to identify what taking on too much looks like while balancing leisure time with my social interactions. Remember to stick with those who resemble who you want to become.” —Lauren Tauber, Saint Joseph’s University, Class of 2026

Average high school GPA: 3.1 Application deadline: rolling 1200 N. Dupont Hwy., Dover, Delaware, (302) 857-6060, desu.edu continued on page 14

TOP LEF T: ERIC SUCAR TOP RIGHT: COURTESY OF WILMINGTON UNIVERSIT Y BOT TOM RIGHT: KKKIIM GRAPHIC/STOCK .ADOBE .COM

Wilmington University

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DON’T FORGET!

Add these commonly overlooked items to your dorm-room packing list. 1. Upright vacuum or Swiffer. Quick weekly cleanups will keep your room neat throughout the year. 2. Iron or a steamer. A must for interview outfits. 3. Hat and gloves. For that first frosty morning and beyond. 4. Chip clips. Beyond keeping snacks fresh, they keep curtains drawn tight. 5. Doorstop. It makes the move-in process easier—and passers-by can introduce themselves. 6. Reusable bags. Pack your things in them, then keep them stashed under the bed for grocery runs. 7. Clothes hangers. Every college “tips and tricks” video recommends bringing clothes pre-hung to school. But what about new wardrobe acquisitions?

C LO C KW I S E F R O M TO P LE F T: S O M E N A B E G U M / S TO C K . A D O B E .C O M , PI X E L- S H OT / S TO C K . A D O B E .C O M , R E T B O O L / S TO C K . A D O B E .C O M , S B M C R E AT I V E S / S T O C K . A D O B E . C O M , B AY H A K I / S T O C K . A D O B E . C O M , P I X E L - S H O T / S T O C K . A D O B E . C O M , R A M S E S / S T O C K . A D O B E . C O M

8. Lint roller. Dorm dryers aren’t always top of the line. Keep this on hand for black leggings and sweats.

9. Proper business attire. From career fairs to internship interviews, you shouldn’t be scrambling when the time comes to look your best. 10. Scissors. A move-in no-brainer.

11. Tape. Whether it’s double-sided for walls or duct tape for repairs. 12. Tool kit. Useful for just about anything, from hanging pictures to fixing a dresser. 13. Water bottle. Make sure it’s durable and good quality. —Lauren Armstrong

5 6

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Delaware State University

REAL-WORLD ADVICE “Explore the surrounding area. For Eastern, downtown Wayne has such a fun and lively atmosphere. I definitely recommend going for walks, watching sports games in the fall and taking in the energy of campus life.” —Tia Argento, Eastern University, Class of 2027, Women’s Soccer

FIND YOUR FIT continued from page 12

Eastern University

Undergraduate enrollment: 21,428 Tuition: $17,136 (in state), $30,864 (out of state) Average cost after financial aid: $23,742 Ranking: 102 (National Universities) Athletics: NCAA Division I Student/faculty ratio: 12:1 Acceptance rate: 80% Test score range: 1180-1390 (SAT), 23-31 (ACT), scores optional Average high school GPA: 3.4 Application deadline: Feb. 1 1801 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, (215) 204-7000, temple.edu

University of Delaware

Undergraduate enrollment: 19,287 Tuition: $15,280 (in state), $40,840 (out of state)

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CG14 | todaymedia.com | JANUARY 2026

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TOP RIGHT: COURTESY OF TEMPLE UNIVERSIT Y

BOT TOM RIGHT: MADISON OGLE

REAL-WORLD ADVICE

Temple University

“Join clubs and organizations that fit your passions or career interests. It’s such an easy way to get involved in the campus community and gain experience in your field of study. You’ll always look back postgrad and realize you were contributing to something bigger than yourself.” —Claire Herquet, La Salle University, Class of 2027, Dance Team, Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority

Average cost after financial aid: $17,713 (in state) Ranking: 88 (National Universities) Athletics: NCAA Division I Student/faculty ratio: 13:1 Acceptance rate: 69% Test score range: 1200-1390 (SAT), 28-32 (ACT), scores optional Average high school GPA: 3.9 Application deadline: Jan. 15 210 S. College Ave., Newark, Delaware, (302) 831-2792, udel.edu

West Chester University

Undergraduate enrollment: 14,449 Tuition: $7,716 (in state), $19,290 (out of state) Average cost after financial aid: $24,128 (in state)

Ranking: 242 (National Universities) Athletics: NCAA Division II Student/faculty ratio: 21:1 Acceptance rate: 78% Test score range: 1100-1270 (SAT), 24-28 (ACT), scores optional Average high school GPA: 3.4 Application deadline: rolling 700 S. High St., West Chester, Pennsylvania, (610) 436-1000, wcupa.edu CG

West Chester University

Like & Follow Us: @DelawareToday

See our photos: @DelawareTodayMagazine

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FITNESS AND WELLNESS Since 1984, family-owned acac Fitness & Wellness has helped members move, feel and live their best. With expert trainers, state-of-the-art equipment, aquatic centers and energizing group exercise classes including Pilates and cycle, their clubs offer fitness for every age and ability. A proud member of the West Chester community since 2001, and with locations in Wayne and Exton, acac makes it easy to find a community that supports your health and wellness goals.

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MEDICAL AND COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY Bala Dermatology is a boutique practice providing personalized medical and cosmetic dermatology. Dr. Mary Griffin offers expert skin cancer detection, treatment for all skin conditions, and advanced cosmetic procedures to keep your skin healthy, radiant and protected. From acne to aging, we’re committed to helping you achieve your best skin.

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MAIN LINE AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING Family owned and operated, Bob Cermignano Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. has been serving the Main Line’s HVAC needs for over 45 years. As a Bryant Factory Authorized Dealer, its team undergoes continuous training and specializes in the sales, installation and service of air conditioning, heating and indoor air-quality systems. Understanding that no two jobs are alike, they also have an in-house sheet metal fabrication shop to customize all the duct work needed to complete each project. To achieve maximum comfort in your home, reach out to the experts at Bob Cermignano Air Conditioning & Heating Inc.

BOB CERMIGNANO AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING INC. 32 Saint Pauls Road, Ardmore, PA 19003 610.642.6323 • bobsredtrucks.com

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ORTHODONTICS Bryn Mawr Orthodontics offers a distinctive, patient-centered approach to orthodontics that focuses on smile esthetics. Led by board-certified orthodontists Dr. Karen Conn and Dr. Ross Segal, the practice tailors treatment plans to create natural-looking smiles for patients of all ages, focusing on more than just straight teeth. Bryn Mawr Orthodontics is a Top 1% Invisalign provider, and Drs. Conn and Segal have been recognized with several industry awards for their innovative techniques and personalized care. Whether it’s Invisalign or braces, Drs. Conn and Segal are dedicated to designing healthy, confident smiles that exceed patient expectations. Schedule a free consultation today.

BRYN MAWR ORTHODONTICS KAREN CONN, DMD, MS ROSS SEGAL, DMD, MS 1 Town Place, Suite 120, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 484.383.0055 • brynmawrorthodontics.com

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CREATING BEAUTIFUL SMILES IN CHESTER COUNTY Since 1981, Chesterbrook Dental Associates has proudly served patients of all ages with high-quality, patient-centered care. With two convenient offices in Berwyn and Phoenixville, Drs. Fitzgerald, Dollfus and Bowen provide a full range of services, including implant dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, implant dentures, veneers and preventive care. Committed to excellence, their practitioners have been recognized among Main Line Today’s Top Dentists. For patients without traditional coverage, their in-office insurance plan allows affordable access to care. At Chesterbrook Dental Associates, clinical expertise, personalized attention and a welcoming environment come together to create healthy, confident smiles for life.

CHESTERBROOK DENTAL ASSOCIATES Berwyn: 610.296.9990 • Phoenixville: 484.927.4344 chesterbrookdental.com

Pictured left to right: John B. Fitzgerald III, DMD, Robert J. Dollfus III, DMD, Brooke Bowen, DMD

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FIREPLACE AND HEARTH DESIGN For over 35 years, Chimney Cricket and Hometown Hearth have been trusted by families throughout Delaware and New Castle counties and beyond for their exceptional fireplace and hearth design. From concept to completion, they bring warmth and craftsmanship with their attention to every detail. Whether restoring a historic hearth or creating a modern centerpiece, Chimney Cricket’s decades of experience and passion for timeless design transform ordinary spaces into warm, inviting retreats that inspire comfort and connection in every season. They’re proud to be the area’s first choice for fireplace and hearth design.

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CUSTOM LUXURY HOME BUILDING For over 70 years, Cullen Construction has been shaping the Main Line and surrounding counties with homes that blend timeless elegance and modern living. As a third-generation, family-owned firm, they honor the trust of past clients while bringing quality craftsmanship to every project. Known for crafting the quintessential Chester County luxury home, the team also excels in restoring cherished historic properties and building fully custom dream homes. Through close collaboration with homeowners, architects, and designers, Cullen delivers meticulous craftsmanship and enduring results, transforming every vision into a home as remarkable as the people who live in it.

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LUXURY SENIOR LIVING “Freedom. It’s more than just our name.” Standing out from the rest means offering something truly remarkable. As you plan what’s next for your retirement, you want to know you’re partnering with a place you can trust above all else—a place where you can relax and enjoy the successes you’ve earned and live the kind of lifestyle you’ve always imagined. That’s the kind of community you’ll find at Freedom Village at Brandywine, all under one roof. Remove some of life’s biggest what-ifs and rest easy knowing that, with one move, you can enrich your days and feel more confident about your future.

FREEDOM VILLAGE AT BRANDYWINE 15 Freedom Blvd., West Brandywine PA 19320 484.288.2200 • fvbrandywine.com Freedom Village at Brandywine sales team

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CHIMNEY RESTORATION As a second-generation, full-service chimney and masonry restoration company, D.J. Cross is the oldest in the region with the most industry-certified technicians on staff. Family owned and operated for nearly 45 years, D.J. Cross is ready to restore or maintain your hearths or chimneys, whether they were built last year or before the turn of the last century. Their team is committed to delivering superior workmanship and technical expertise, which is why customers trust them season after season with their wood or gas fireplaces.

D.J. CROSS, INC. CHIM CHIMNEY

300 S. Pennell Road, Media, PA 19063 484.254.4490 • djcrossinc.com Pictured: Benjamin and Jonathan Cross

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HOME AND COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION For more than 25 years, the Hazley Family has been committed to quality, innovation, and integrity in construction. Deeply rooted in the region, Hazley Builders | Architects and Hazley Commercial Construction collaborate with clients and business owners to design spaces that are both beautiful and functional. From renovations and additions to custom homes and commercial projects, their unique architect-led, design-and-build process provides a seamless building experience. United by a shared vision, the team applies the finest materials and advanced techniques to deliver projects defined by precision and exceptional craftsmanship.

HAZLEY BUILDERS | ARCHITECTS & HAZLEY COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION 1101 Telegraph Road, West Chester, PA 19380 610.696.6264 • hazleybuilders.com

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CUSTOM FENCES AND DECKS Building outdoor living spaces of the highest quality is a given at Integrous Fences and Decks. From first phone call to final screw, their experienced team will walk you through each step in the design and installation process so you’re never left wondering what’s next. Once your project is complete, they stand by their work with a comprehensive five-year warranty, so you can enjoy wraparound support for up to 20 seasons after installation. Give Integrous a call or visit them in-person at their headquarters to start bringing your dream fence or deck to life today.

INTEGROUS FENCES AND DECKS 32 PA-41, Gap, PA 17527 610.430.0743 • integrous.com

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WEALTH AND RETIREMENT LIVING As a Barron’s Hall of Fame Advisor and author of Am I Going to Be Okay?, Patti Brennan leads a wealth management team that takes a client-centered approach—listening deeply, helping simplify complexity, and striving to treat every client as a person, not a portfolio. Key Financial helps high-net-worth individuals and families make sense of wealth, retirement decisions and multigenerational planning. Drawing on expertise in investment management, tax-efficient strategies and long-term financial design, Patti and her team give clients the information and perspective needed to create a plan that supports both present priorities and future generations.

KEY FINANCIAL, INC.

1045 Andrew Drive, West Chester, PA 19380 610.429.9050 • keyfinacialinc.com Pictured: Patti Brennan, CFP. Securities offered through Osaic Wealth, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Key Financial, Inc. located at 1045 Andrew Drive, West Chester, PA 19380 610.429.9050. Osaic Wealth, Inc.. is separately owned, and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Wealth, Inc. The Barron’s Hall of Fame acknowledges advisors who have appeared in Barron’s annual Top 100 Advisor rankings for 10-plus years, honoring advisors who exemplify long-term success and commitment to their clients. Rankings and recognition from Barron’s are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a current or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance results. Such rankings should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor. Please see barrons.com for more information.

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MODERN MEDICAL ARTISTRY At La Chelé Medical Aesthetics & Wellness, beauty is both science and art. Guided by aesthetic visionary Dr. Lisa Espinoza and her physician-led team, La Chelé is known for advanced injectable artistry, refined spa treatments and one of the most sophisticated laser collections on the East Coast. Celebrated as Best of Philly and Best of the Main Line for several years and ranked among the nation’s Top 20 Botox and filler practices with over 18 years in business, La Chelé continues to redefine what it means to age beautifully. Each treatment blends education, precision and luxury to deliver results that look natural, feel timeless and inspire confidence—unmistakably La Chelé.

LA CHELÉ MEDICAL AESTHETICS & WELLNESS 101 Squire Drive, Suite B, Newtown Square, PA 19073 215.714.7104 • lachele.com

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YOUR TRUSTED GARAGE DOOR EXPERT Locally owned by a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Main Line Garage Door is Southeastern Pennsylvania’s trusted name for garage door installation, repair and maintenance. With over 300 five-star reviews, they serve the Main Line, West Chester and greater Philadelphia communities with premium products from Clopay, C.H.I., Wayne-Dalton, Raynor and LiftMaster. Owner Michael Forrest brings over 40 years of family tradition, blending old-school craftsmanship with modern precision. From custom wood carriage doors to smart-enabled openers, Main Line Garage Door delivers quality, reliability and personal service. It’s people before profit—because your home deserves the best. Main Line Garage Door: Family Values. Veteran Integrity. Local Excellence.

MAIN LINE GARAGE DOOR

319 Westtown Rd. Suite U, West Chester, PA 19382 484.715.0033 • mainlinegaragedoor.com

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GREAT ADVERTISING PARTNERS As the only lifestyle brand serving Philadelphia’s Main Line and western suburbs, Main Line Today is the region’s leader in integrated media solutions. The mission of our advertising and marketing team is simple—to craft customized multiplatform campaigns that help businesses of all sizes grow and thrive in their communities. From our Top Doctors, Realtors, Dentists and Lawyers features to strategic digital solutions across search, social and streaming to premier events like Best of the Main Line and Power Women, we deliver unmatched reach and results. When you partner with our team, you’re not just advertising—you’re working with the best.

MAIN LINE TODAY

41 Leopard Road, Suite 101, Paoli, PA 19301 610.235.4630 • MainLineToday.com Pictured left to right: Christine Hutkin, Karen Martinelli, Carol Henderson, Paula Pedana, Shari Seitz and Samantha Oughton

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TAILORED HOME ENTERTAINMENT & TECHNOLOGY Main Line Sound & Video is the premier provider of home entertainment solutions in Philadelphia and the surrounding tri-state area. Pete and Kristina Colabelli established Main Line Sound & Video in 2003 and continue to grow a family-owned company that’s been in the same location for the past 22 years. They specialize in creative solutions specifically designed for each client, including home theater design and installation, multi-room audio/video systems, Wi-Fi networking and whole-house automation. Along with a wide selection of audio/video components and speaker systems, they offer automated window treatments with interior design services. Working with homeowners, designers and builders, Main Line Sound & Video strives to consistently provide a rewarding experience that exceeds client expectations.

MAIN LINE SOUND & VIDEO

503 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne, PA 19087 610.687.3555 • info@mainlinesv.com • mainlinesv.com

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BOUTIQUE LIFE PLAN COMMUNITY LIVING The new year invites us to reflect and explore the possibilities ahead. What’s next? What exciting experiences await? Can life be easier, more fulfilling and invigorating? A wonderful way to uncover these answers is by considering the benefits of a Life Plan Community where connection, well-being and security flourish. With a warm and dedicated team eager to show you stunning residences, exceptional amenities and engaging programs, the Mansion at Rosemont is the perfect place to begin this journey. Located in the heart of the Main Line, the Mansion beautifully marries historic elegance with modern independent living, personal care and memory support, creating a vibrant community where you can thrive and feel right at home.

THE MANSION AT ROSEMONT 404 Cheswick Road, Rosemont, PA 19010 610.549.1314 • TheMansionatRosemont.org

Pictured left to right: Steve Pargeon (Director of Buildings and Grounds) Sara Kelly (Executive Director) Lavera Wilkins (Personal Care Administrator) Eric Cimini (Executive Chef) Ryan Klag (Human Resources Manager) Karen D’Orsogna (Director of Sales) Mary Elizabeth Gantz (Director of Community Life)

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THERAPY AND COUNSELING A certified master’s-level psychotherapist for over 20 years, Matthew Gelber offers experience and understanding that gets to the heart of the issue for his clients. He’s a compassionate therapist who helps individuals, couples and families achieve favorable outcomes in different areas of their lives, with a focus tailored to their needs and goals. He asks constructive questions, providing nonjudgmental feedback and insight that helps patients bring meaning and vitality to their lives. Please contact him to schedule an appointment.

MATTHEW WELDON GELBER MS, PSYCHOTHERAPIST 45 Darby Road, Suite 3E, Paoli, PA 19301 610.310.5898 • matthewgelber.com

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MAIN LINE HOMES The Meghan Chorin Team is consistently ranked one of the top teams along the Main Line and in Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties. With backgrounds in nursing, social work, education, business/marketing and real estate investment, their team members offer a client-focused approach to buying and selling homes. With over 22 years in the business, over $1 billion in closed transactions and a dominant presence in the area, they have the experience and expertise you can trust. Let the Meghan Chorin Team help make your real estate dream a reality.

THE MEGHAN CHORIN TEAM, COMPASS RE 216 E. Lancaster Ave., Wayne, PA 19087 M: 610.299.9504 • O: 610.947.0408 meghan.chorin@compass.com • meghanchorinteam.com

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INTERIOR DESIGN For those building or transforming a home, design is more than a look, it’s a lifestyle decision. Nicole Bailey Designs brings “smart luxury” to every detail, blending architecture, interiors and project management into a seamless concierge-level experience. Known for elevated yet livable spaces, Nicole guides clients who value beauty, efficiency and the freedom of peace of mind. As one of the region’s most sought-after design studios, NBD manages complete transformations, from luxury residences to coastal retreats. With the new Shoreline Showhouse, the firm is redefining what it means to live beautifully, homes that function flawlessly and feel extraordinary.

NICOLE BAILEY DESIGNS

105 S. High St., Suite A, West Chester, PA 19382 215.896.9500 • nicolebaileydesigns.com Nicole Bailey, founder and creative director.

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BREAST CANCER SCREENING Dr. Jenn Simmons is redefining how we screen for breast cancer. A breast surgeon turned integrative oncologist, she’s leading a movement grounded in safety, accuracy and informed choice. She believes screening should never hurt—or harm—and that every woman deserves options beyond mammography. Her approach begins with Auria, a simple, at-home tears-based test that reveals your current breast cancer risk. For imaging, she only recommends safe options. At PerfeQTion Imaging, QT technology uses soundwaves to create a 3D reconstruction of the breast—with clarity even through dense tissue and without radiation, compression or gadolinium. This is screening that honors women—gentle, intelligent and truly preventive. The future of breast health starts at PerfeQTion Imaging. Visit Auria.care and enter code DRJENN20 for 20% off this month.

PERFEQTION IMAGING

346 W. Lancaster Avenue Haverford 610.288.5383 • perfecqtionimaging.com Pictured: Jenn Simmons, MD Functional Medicine Physician

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EDUCATION LAW AND ADVOCACY Sereni Law Group represents school districts, charter schools, private schools, intermediate units, municipalities and universities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. As founder and team attorney, Gabrielle C. Sereni leads a team that delivers practical counsel in K12-higher education, solicitor/ municipal, employment, Title IX/discrimination, board policy and right-to-know. Their powerhouse team of educational consultants offer highly skilled Act 48/ASHA-approved professional development for educators. They focus on early resolution, clear communication and compliance that withstands scrutiny. When necessary, they litigate with purpose. Their attorneys and consultants understand classrooms, boardrooms and courtrooms, helping leaders manage risk. Trusted, responsive and solutions-driven, Sereni Law is your partner, your team.

SERENI LAW GROUP

32 Regency Plaza, Glen Mills, PA 19342 610.357.2016 • serenilawgroup.com

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SELF CARE Founded in 2012 by husband-and-wife team Cate and Bill, RejuvePod offers a fresh take on the traditional spa. What began with just three rooms and two services has grown to a 3,000-square-foot wellness space in Concordville Town Centre offering over 30 unique treatments across 11 private rooms. Their laid-back, client-focused environment sets them apart from national chains, thanks to a passionate team of 20 dedicated providers. RejuvePod has built lasting relationships with clients, who often feel more like friends. As they continue to grow, their mission remains the same—to deliver exceptional service, real value and a human touch to the Glen Mills community.

REJUVEPOD

600 Town Centre Drive, Glen Mills, PA 19342 484.842.1885 • rejuvepod.com

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FINE JEWELRY, CRAFTED TO LAST At Sunshine Fine Jewelry, craftsmanship is a promise. Each custom design is made with care, reflecting our belief that fine jewelry should be as enduring as the stories it holds. From bespoke creations to expert repair, cleaning and resizing, Sunshine is raising the standard for how jewelry is made and maintained. Built to last, meant to be loved and crafted to shine through every chapter.

SUNSHINE JEWELRY

45 E. State St., Media, PA 19063 484.442.8577 • sunshinejewelryinc.com

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EXCELLENCE IN PERSONAL INJURY LAW Cindy Silver has established herself in the community through her compassion, integrity and the excellent results she achieves for her clients. Cindy has stood up for thousands of people dealing with the impact of severe personal injuries due to accidents, falls and other negligence matters. She holds companies accountable when their mistakes hurt others and gets her clients the compensation they deserve. With over 40 years of award-winning service in the Main Line region, she’s the first one to call when you need help after a serious accident. The Silvers always go the extra mile to treat clients like family.

SILVER & SILVER ATTORNEYS AT LAW 42 W. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore, PA 19003 610.658.1900 • SilverAndSilver.com

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THE BEST MUSIC STORE AND MUSIC LESSONS IN THE MAIN LINE Taylor’s Music Store & Studios Sales, School Rentals, Instrument Repair, Lessons A family-owned music store located in downtown West Chester, Taylor’s has served the area for over 96 years. A perennial Best of the Main Line & Western Suburbs Reader’s Choice winner, they sell new and pre-owned pianos, orchestra instruments, guitars, drum kits and other percussion instruments, sheet music, and accessories. Their school instrument rental program is preferred by many area schools and teachers, and they also offer lessons taught by more than 25 professionally qualified teachers. Taylor’s also repairs pianos, guitars, orchestra instruments and more. They look forward to providing a lifetime of quality service for all your musical needs.

TAYLOR’S MUSIC STORE & STUDIOS 116 W. Gay St., West Chester, PA 19380 610.696.1812 • taylorsmusic.com

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LUXURY OUTDOOR LIVING Since 1982, Ted’s Pools has transformed outdoor living into an art form. Each custom Gunite pool is designed to reflect your lifestyle and crafted with precision, beauty and innovation. From the most prestigious neighborhoods to the ones they call home, Ted’s builds pools of any shape or size across New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania—including Montgomery, Bucks, Chester and Delaware counties. From concept to completion, they deliver exceptional value and timeless design at a price that fits your budget. For a space where you can entertain, relax and savor every moment, trust the artisans at Ted’s Pools to bring your vision to life. Discover what it means to truly “Dream Underwater.”

TED’S POOLS

823 Lincoln Ave., Building #3, West Chester, PA 19380 610.544.7665 • tedspools.net

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RESILIENCE: A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO MENTAL WELLNESS & RECOVERY Dr. Aviva Zohar has built a better way to heal. At Thalia Medical Center, her team blend integrative mental health and substance use treatment—combining evidence-based practice with innovative treatments such as outpatient detox and ketamine-assisted therapy. Providers meet you where you are—listening deeply, slowing down, and exploring what healing means for you. For many, it’s the first time they feel genuinely understood. By honoring each person’s story, nervous system, and pace, Dr. Aviva creates a grounded, welcoming space where real change can occur—reminding you that healing begins not with quick fixes, but with presence.

THALIA MEDICAL CENTER

822 Montgomery Ave., Suite #314, Narberth, PA 19072 610.455.4254 • thaliamedical.com Pictured: Dr. Aviva Zohar

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LUXURY CARS ON THE MAIN LINE When you bring your car to Wilkie Lexus, you’ll receive service that’s backed by years of experience and excellence. Wilkie is one of only four Lexus dealerships in the country to win the Elite of Lexus Award every year since the brand’s inception—32 years in a row. The award is granted to Lexus dealerships who exceed customer expectations when it comes to service, facilities and other aspects. The goal at Wilkie Lexus is simple: Treat customers with the utmost respect.

WILKIE LEXUS

568 W. Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA 19041 610.525.0900 • wilkielexus.com

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EPICURE QUICK BITES P.91 | FOOD & DRINK GUIDE P.93

REVIEW

MEDITERRANEAN REBIRTH NEOS AMERICANA EMERGES IN CONSHOHOCKEN WITH FRESH FLAVORS AND A MODERN DESIGN. STORY AND PHOTOS BY ED WILLIAMS

hen water damage from a broken pipe shuttered Daniel’s Restaurant a year ago, owners Kurt Benkurt and Annalise Long didn’t just renovate— they took the opportunity to reinvent themselves. From that forced pause arose Neos Americana, a soulful blend of Mediterranean inspiration and no-nonsense Conshy-style ambition.

The new dining room is virtually unrecognizable from its Daniel’s days after a thoroughly modern metamorphosis. The dark woods and pub-like aesthetic have been replaced by a brighter, airier palette that evokes the Greek coast. A onceawkward center bar has been relocated to the back wall, framed by ceiling-height mirrored shelving and a sexy granite-like bar top. The open layout—no booths,

no nooks—allows the room to breathe, improving foot traffic and creating a more communal vibe. Lighter floors and walls, camel-colored chairs, and sculptural gold lighting add warmth without overwhelming. On our visit, the scents of grilled lamb and roasted lemon pervaded the space— a gentle reminder that even in upheaval, something fresh can take shape. “It was

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EPICURE REVIEW

(Clockwise from above) Octopus over zhoug; owners Kurt Benkurt and Annalise Long; beef cheek dolmades.

an extreme struggle for our company, our staff and for us,” says Benkurt of the sudden closure. “Annalise and I wanted to start everything from the beginning, as fresh as the Greek word ‘neos’ (new).” Executive chef Michael Austin brings a decade of culinary experience from Starr Restaurants, the MINA Group and MGM National Harbor. Offering meze, tapas, small plates, pastas and larger entrées, his menu is designed for sharing. We began with the tahini-blended hummus topped with tapenade and warm, fresh pita soft enough to tear easily with our fingers. The thinly sliced strip-steak churrasco arrived with peppy rojo and verde sauces, and the tender Greek-style potatoes got an aromatic lift from the lemon and oregano. NEOS AMERICANA 16 E. 1ST Ave., Conshohocken, (610) 941-4652, neosamericana.com COST: $12-44. ATMOSPHERE: Bustling and sexy. HOURS: 5 p.m.-1 a.m. Monday-Friday; closed Saturday and Sunday. ATTIRE: Elevated casual.

mainlinetoday.com | January 2026

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EPICURE REVIEW

(Clockwise from above) Saganaki delivered in a hot cast-iron pan; the Reality Czech cocktail; the fish of the day; chef Michael Austin at work.

We skipped the house-made pastas, opting instead to share the fish of the day—a whole branzino freshly split, flattened and roasted in a grill basket, which gave it a gentle, smoky flavor. The uncomplicated essence of the flaky, lightly seasoned fish spoke for itself. Other menu standouts include the roasted pork, fried cheese saganaki, taramasalata dip and grape leaves stuffed with beef cheek. Food came out of the kitchen at a perfect pace. And our server (not to be confused with her twin sister, who also works at the restaurant) was always quick with a smile and a spot-on recommendation. The prices at Neos Americana are reasonable given the quality of the food, and diners should expect a noisier, more energized experience during peak hours. With its infused syrups, bold spirits and subtle showmanship, the Greek-themed cocktail program is, continued on page 92 in a word, lively. The Fig Fire Fashion is

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EPICURE QUICK BITES

GREEK GRIND

D ED WILLIAMS

anny and Eleni Chrisidis have given Ardmore an inviting new hangout at the corner of Lancaster and Anderson avenues. Their recently opened Brew Room showcases Greek coffee culture with standout Freddo espresso and cappuccinos, plus an a impressive glass case of authentic spanakopita, bougatsa, koulouri and Santorini pie. A rotating selection of salads and sandwiches rounds out a menu that already feels at home in the neighborhood. 6 W. Lancaster Ave., (484) 412-8577, thebrewroompa.com. MORE NIBBLES: The latest from Loïc Barnieu (La Belle Epoque, Sterling Pig, Tap 24), Maris Mediterranean should be open now in the former Two Fourteen space in Media. Expect a Greek-inspired, seafood-centric menu (whole branzino, raw bar, seafood towers), along with

a reimagined island aesthetic of crisp whites, blues and pink floral. 214 W. State St., (267) 500-2979, marisseafood.com. … Philadelphia’s much-loved Sichuan hub EMei Restaurant is making its first foray into the Main Line region, taking over the John Henry’s Pub space in Ardmore. Owner Dan Tsao has acquired the property and liquor license and is eyeing a Summer 2026 debut, with up to 125 seats and a menu anchored in bold, authentic fare. 98 Cricket Ave., emeiphilly.com. … Ogyu Japanese tabletop barbecue (aka yakiniku) is coming to Ardmore Plaza’s former Iron Hill Brewery. Sam Li, the guy behind Osushi in Wayne and Ardmore

Brew Room’s Danny Chrisidis.

and the higher-end Hiramasa in Newtown Square, is planning a 250-seat eatery with a menu featuring all kinds of meats for grilling. 60 Greenfield Ave. … Fans of V Empanadas can now follow their cravings on the move. Veronica Fitzgerald—Ecuadorian-born and well known for her handcrafted empanadas at Wayne’s Lancaster County Farmers Market—has launched a gleaming red-and-gold food truck. Look for it this year on street corners and at local events and parties. (445) 233-2256, v-empanadas.com. —E.W.

LOOKING FOR THINGS TO DO?

Plan Your Day Out on MainLineToday.com/calendar mainlinetoday.com | January 2026

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EPICURE REVIEW continued from page 90

WSFS Bank, Member FDIC. Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB d/b/a WSFS Bank. Bryn Mawr Trust is a division of WSFS Bank. WSFS Private Banking is a division of WSFS Bank. Bryn Mawr Trust Advisors, LLC. is an SEC registered investment adviser and a subsidiary of WSFS Financial Corporation. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. INVESTMENTS: NOT A DEPOSIT. NOT FDIC - INSURED. NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY. NOT GUARANTEED BY THE BANK. MAY GO DOWN IN VALUE.

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Neos Americana’s two-story exterior and reworked first-floor bar.

a dreamy take on an old-fashioned, the aroma of fig and charcoal wafting from the glass. The bourbon-based Reality Czech sipped like a delicate Manhattan, with a hint of gingery Becherovka and a touch of sweet Nonino. But it was the Caprese Milk Punch that left the most lasting impression. Basil-infused vodka, curdledmilk clarification, vinegary tomato shrub and a splash of sherry commune in a silky, tartly sweet elixir that’s far more elegant than the name suggests. Benkurt curates a selection of more than 50 domestic and imported wines, each chosen for its ability to complement the restaurant’s Mediterranean-focused dishes. We also suggest lingering over after-dinner drinks, coffees and the small dessert menu. The olive oil cake, in particular, was wonderfully flavorful. Also new is Café Neos—Annalise’s concept—which is already a neighborhood favorite. Open weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., it offers a range of caffeinated beverages alongside a savory-sweet lineup that runs from light sandwiches, salads and soups to galettes, tarts and pies. Together, Neos Americana and Café Neos mark a spirited new chapter on East 1st Avenue—one built on resilience, bright flavors and the kind of hospitality that makes an inspiring comeback story feel like an authentic new beginning. MLT

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DINING GUIDE

FOOD & DRINK A list of the area’s finest eateries and drinkeries curated by our editors. Those preceded by a check mark [a] were reviewed by our critics. Advertisers are guaranteed placement. For expanded dining listings, visit near-me.mainlinetoday.com/restaurant.

ARDMORE

aChar & Stave. This coffee spot and cocktail bar from Bluebird Distilling’s Jared Adkins offers a foamy, whiskey-tinged caramel latte that’ll become your new best friend. Pastries are available for breakfast. 21 Rittenhouse Place, (484) 414-4102, charandstave.com. aDanDan. The successful Center City concept finds its way to the suburbs, offering authentic SzechuanTaiwanese cuisine with a spicy kick. Various locations, dandanrestaurant.com. aDePaul’s Table. If you’re looking for a prime cut, look no further than this sophisticated modern Italian steakhouse. The tomahawk ribeye is a showstopper big enough to share. 7 E. Lancaster Ave., (610) 589-0500, depaulstable.com. aDelice et Chocolat. Indulge in sweet or savory

croissants, a curated selection of macarons, locally roasted Valerio coffee, and colorful pastries. 9 E. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore, (610) 649-7001; 112 E. Lancaster Ave., Wayne, (484) 367-7610; delicechocolat.com.

aIzzy’s Cocktail Bar. The handwritten menu at Izzy’s is as carefully constructed as the quirky-sleek vibe. Seasonally fluid, the offerings are designed for small-plate sharing. The bao buns are a true standout. 35 E. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore, (610) 952-0631, @izzys_ardmore on Instagram. aLocal Wine & Kitchen. Sip by the glass, bottle

or wine flight while savoring shared plates with your crew. 39 W. Lancaster Ave., (610) 896-4740, localwineandkitchen.com.

aLola’s Garden. Boasting prime views of Suburban

Square’s courtyard and fountain, Lola’s offers fourseason alfresco dining and a modern American menu with options for all. 51 St. Georges Road, (484) 412-8011, lolasgardenrestaurant.com.

aMac Mart. A proprietary seven-cheese blend serves

as the inspiration for this tasty take on America’s favorite pasta dish, supplemented with hearty additions like bacon, buffalo chicken, rib-eye, crab dip and more. 40 Rittenhouse Place, (445) 787-4438, macmartardmore.com.

aRipplewood Whiskey & Craft. This speakeasyinspired tavern’s comfort fare includes fries with Fontina-cheddar and brisket chunks, and a heavenly charred octopus. 29 E. Lancaster Ave., (610) 486-7477, ripplewoodbar.com. aSongsan Korean BBQ. At this intimate nook, diners prepare hearty combo platters of marinated short ribs, chicken, pork belly and beef brisket on their own grill. 66 Rittenhouse Place, (610) 642-3184. BYOB aTired Hands Brewing Company and Fermentaria. The focus may be on award-winning beer, but the sandwiches, cheeses and charcuterie are also noteworthy at Tired Hands. 16 Ardmore Ave., (610) 896-7621; 35 Cricket Terrace, (484) 413-2983; www.tiredhands.com.

BALA CYNWYD

aCore de Roma. Standout dishes include tender saltimbocca, bucatini alla matriciana and classic pasta fagioli soup. 201 Jefferson St., (484) 278-4567, corederomabelmont.com. BYOB aThe Landing Kitchen. Located in the former Pencoyd Ironworks site on the banks of the Schuylkill River, this cafe’s patio is a great place to unwind with a menu of enticing upscale-casual fare. 617 Righters Ferry Road, (484) 434-8765, thelandingkitchen.com. aLark. Six stories up in the Residence Inn, the

Landing Kitchen’s higher-end neighbor offers exquisite handmade pasta and imaginative options like sea urchin deviled eggs and red snapper tartare. 611 Righters Ferry Road, (484) 434-8766, larkpa.com.

aSaffron Indian Kitchen. Blended spices are the true stars at Saffron, which offers an exceptional array of nouveau and traditional Indian cuisine. Various locations, saffronofphilly.com.

BERWYN

Frankie’s Fellini Cafe. At this popular family-owned gem, signature dishes include the veal chop and house-made pasta with meatballs and/or roasted sausage. 678 Lancaster Ave, (610) 647-1737, frankiesfellinicafe.com. BYOB

Nectar. The late Patrick Feury’s legacy lives on at this Main Line favorite, with excellent Asian fusion cuisine delivered in a posh setting. 1091 Lancaster Ave., (610) 725-9000, tastenectar.com.

aTiramisu Ristorante. This low-key eatery delivers fried artichokes, veal scallopini and other Roman-Jewish classics with a twist. 720 Lancaster Ave., (610) 906-3299, tiramisuberwyn.com. BYOB (Thursday-Sunday) aSettantatré Pasta & Provisions. Orginally launched with a focus on house-made gluten-free pasta, the menu at this mom-and-pop shop has grown to include traditional focaccia, tomato pie and take-home frozen entrées. 802 Lancaster Ave., Berwyn, (610) 314-0876, settantatrepasta73.com. aVeekoo Asian Cuisine. Grab a seat at the sushi bar, or try any of the Chinese, Thai and Japanese specialties at this consistently excellent Asian outpost. 564 Lancaster Ave., (484) 318-7655, veekoorestaurants.com. BYOB aWill’s + Bill’s Brewery. Will and Bill Mangan have rebooted their former McKenzie Brew House location with a more upscale look and menu. Try the one of a kind Wagyu beef frankfurter. 324 Swedesford Road, (484) 318-8538, wills-bills.com.

BIRCHRUNVILLE

aBirchrunville Store Cafe. For 25 years, this unassumingly unique BYOB has enjoyed a stellar reputation. Clean flavors and layered textures are the norm—and don’t miss the mini butterscotch Bundt cake drizzled with caramel. 1403 Hollow Road, (610) 827-9002, birchrunvillestorecafe.com. BYOB

BRYN MAWR

aBar Avalon. Chef John Brandt-Lee’s kitchen skills shine in the savory sauces that complement Bar AV’s Italian-inspired menu. 818 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr, (610) 520-9700; 116 E. Gay St., West Chester, (610) 436-4100; avalonrestaurant.net. aThe Choice. Volodymyr Hyvel is a gifted chef who specializes in Euro-fusion-style preparations like chicken pâté, pan-seared foie gras, Chilean seabass with miso sauce, and grilled New Zealand rack of lamb. 845 Lancaster Ave., (484) 383-3230, thechoice-restaurant.com. BYOB aDua Restaurant. Chef Bledar Istrefi effortlessly blends Greek, Italian, Israeli and Albanian fare. 1000 W. Lancaster Ave. (484) 380-2053, duarest.com. aExit 13 Gastrobar. The former Garrett Hill Pizza is now a sleek gastropub with retractable garage-style doors and bar stools made from Vespa seats. The menu is heavy on Italian specialities, and the pizza is a highlight. 910 Conestoga Road, (610) 525-3842, exit13gastrobar.com. The Grog Grill. This well-established tavern features high-quality food and an extensive wine, liquor and beer selection. 863 W. Lancaster Ave., (610) 527-5870, thegroggrill.com.

aIl Fiore. An Italian steakhouse that embraces the concept that food is to be shared, whether it’s antipasti, fresh pasta or a top-notch protein. 915 W. Lancaster Ave., (484) 380-2059, ilfiorephl.com. aJin Ding. At this well-frequented spot in the former

Yang Ming space, the buns, dumplings and rice rolls don’t disappoint—and the six-piece dumpling sampler is a great place to start. 1051 Conestoga Road, (610) 5273200, jindingbrynmawr.com.

aLa Cabra Brewing Smokehouse. La Cabra’s Smokehouse excels at wood-fired brisket, baby back ribs and wings, all of which pair perfectly with a selection of unique brews. Also check out the original location in Berwyn. 810 Glenbrook Ave., Bryn Mawr, (610) 526-2337; 642 Lancaster Ave., Berwyn, (610) 240-7908; lacabrabrewing.com. aLourdas Greek Taverna. The authentic fare at this family-owned institution includes gyros, moussaka, souvlaki, fresh seafood and more. 50 N. Bryn Mawr Ave., (610) 520-0288, lourdasgreekrestaurant.com. BYOB aManorah. Bryn Mawr’s latest Asian BYOB spotlights flavors from all over Thailand. A must for first-timers, the Manorah Sampler combines crispy pork, shrimp and shiitake dumplings, turmeric-spiced chicken satays, and spring rolls. 656 W. Lancaster Ave., (610) 771-8005, manorahthai.com. BYOB aOtto by Polpo. Highlights on a diverse antipasti list include shrimp, Italian sausage and burrata. The menu also includes house-made pasta, a selection of risotto dishes and a daily catch fileted tableside. 52 N. Bryn Mawr Ave., (610) 880-0001, ottobypolpo.com. BYOB aPho Street. Pho Street’s tasty street food takes its

inspiration from the markets of Vietnam’s Nam Dinh Province. 1001 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr, (610) 527-1413; 204 Baltimore Pike, Springfield, (610) 544-3934; pho-street.restaurants-world.com. BYOB

aPinwheel Provisions. Anjali Gupta has taken it to another level with her ’Wich Way Sandwich Bar. Manned by former Nectar chef Colin Mason, the kitchen offers seasonal sandwiches and salads with a global flair. 824 Lancaster Ave., (610) 314-7893, pinwheelprovisions.com. aThe Pullman Restaurant & Bar. This sophisticated railside eatery offers globally focused New American dining, plus live music in the piano lounge. 39 Morris Ave., (610) 727-0777, thepullmanrestaurant.com. aSontuosa BYOB. Chef Ernesto Guzman has been curating his international menu for over five years. Regulars rave about the truffle mushroom gnocchi, roasted cauliflower steak, and Chilean sea bass over Jerusalem artichoke purée. 26 N. Bryn Mawr Ave., (484) 222-6216, sontuosabyob.com. BYOB aWhite House Tajine. With roots in Casablanca, White House thrives on variety and authenticity, its quirky menu offering a blend of authentic Mediterranean cuisine, plus pizza and burgers. 1047 W. Lancaster Ave., (484) 380-3532, whtajine.com. BYOB

CHADDS FORD

aAgave. The well-executed traditional dishes at this low-key gem include creamy guacamole, octopus ceviche, tacos, enchiladas and burritos. 1620 Baltimore Pike, (484) 770-8345, agavechaddsford.com. BYOB Antica. Affordable and authentic, Antica brings regional Italian flair to the Brandywine Valley. 1623 Baltimore Pike, (484) 770-8631, anticapa.com. BYOB Chadds Ford Tavern. This busy spot offers steaks, seafood and elevated pub fare in an upscale yet comfy setting. 1400 Baltimore Pike, (484) 800-4084, www.thecftavern.com. The Gables at Chadds Ford. A revamped menu spotlightslocal, seasonal ingredients. 423 Baltimore Pike, (610) 388-7700, thegablesatchaddsford.com.

aOsoSweet Bakery Cafe. Talented pastry chef

Tess Wofford’s versatility is evident in her mastery of everything from cookies to scones to breakfast pastries. 1609 Baltimore Pike, Suite 500, (610) 880-8118, ososweet.shop.

aOsteria Ama. Breads and pastas are produced on site, and Naples-style pizzas are fired in a massive wood-burning oven from Italy. 100 Ridge Road, Suite 24, Chadds Ford, (484) 800-8676, osteriaama-cf.com; 34 Street Road, West Chester, (484) 301-3955, osteriaama-wc.com BYOB

CHESTER SPRINGS

aBloom Southern Kitchen. Bloom exudes ambition and heart with Lowcountry-inspired dishes like shrimp and grits, Cheerwine-braised boneless short ribs, and chicken and waffles. 123 Pottstown Pike, (484) 359-4144, bloomsouthernkitchen.com. aFlour & Oats. At this rehabbed former yoga studio, specialties include scones, granola and decadent cookies—all sweetened with Pennsylvania’s Nova Maple Syrup. 1600 Yellow Springs Road, (484) 341-0443, flour-and-oats.com.

COATESVILLE

aKings Tavern. The former Mr. E’s Tavern & Fine

Food has been upgraded with a new look, a raw bar, handhelds, huge salads, steak frites and more. 313 W. Kings Hwy., (484) 786-8120, kingstavern.net.

aStottsville Inn. The kitchen at this restored circa-1858 stayover destination offers a creative spin on chicken wings (charred), steaks, seafood, pan pizza and other comforting standbys. 3512 Strasburg Road, (484) 718-5121, www.stottsvilleinn.com. The Whip Tavern. Authentic British pub fare and an idyllic creekside setting make this rural Chester County anomaly worth the drive to horse country. Beer and ciders only at the bar. 1383 N. Chatham Road, (610) 3830600, thewhiptavern.com. BYOB

COLLEGEVILLE

aChow. Just across from Ursinus College, Chow’s classic feel matches homestyle dishes like Kennett Square mushroom flatbread, Thai chicken dumplings and honey-barbecue meatloaf. 454 E. Main St., (484) 902-8495, www.chowbistro.com. BYOB

CONSHOHOCKEN

aBlackfish. Esteemed chef Chip Roman continues to thrill the palette with his sophisticated flair for freshness, texture and presentation. 119 Fayette St., (610) 397-0888, blackfishrestaurant.com. BYOB Conshohocken Brewing Company. Excellent small-batch brews include the Conshohocken IPA and award-winning Puddlers Row ESB. Various locations, conshohockenbrewing.com.

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DINING GUIDE Coyote Crossing. This Conshy institution features authentic Mexican food and the best mezcal bar in the Philadelphia region. 800 Spring Mill Ave., (610) 825-3000, coyotecrossing.com.

aThe Daisy Tavern. The menu here mimics that of its sister Goat’s Beard eateries in Wayne and Manayunk, with deep-dish Detroit-style pizzas, cheesesteak eggrolls, and the spicy Daisy Nuggets. 1100 Hector St., Suite 110, (484) 533-3236, thedaisytavern.com. aJasper’s Backyard. Draped in white lights and anchored by a converted garage, this unique outdoor space is secluded and intimate. Locally sourced ingredients define the seasonal menu. 101 E. 7th Ave., (610) 897-8212, jaspersbackyard.com.

DEVON

aBlack Cat Cafe. At this well-loved spot, all

net proceeds go toward the pre-adoption care of cats and kittens. Menu favorites include breakfast sandwiches, wraps and paninis. 42 Berkley Road, (610) 688-1930, theblackcatcafedevon.org.

aBua Loy. Chef Sean Phengmisouk’s authentic Laotian and Thai dishes are as flavorful as they are affordable. Standouts include the tapioca noodles, satays, curries and stir-fries. 300 W. Lancaster Ave., (610) 341-8162, bualoycuisine.com. BYOB aPizzeria Vetri. At this suburban offshoot of the Philly pizzeria, sauces are made on site, and a wood-fired oven gives pies their dappled look and crisp texture. 138 W. Lancaster Ave., (484) 207-6663; 150 Main St., King of Prussia, (267) 422-4201; pizzeriavetri.com.

DOWNINGTOWN

Anthony’s Cucina Fresca. A welcoming trattoria known for its delicious antipasto, handmade pizza, build-your-own pastas, hearty entrées and more. 78 W. Lancaster Ave., (610) 873-5544, anthonys-cucina-fresca.res-menu.com.

aEast Branch Brewing Company. Though East

Branch is known for its award-winning beer, the food is a step above typical pub fare. No-brainers include the house-made pickles and the brisket noodles. 202 E. Lancaster Ave., (484) 593-0815, eastbranchbrewing.com.

aLa Sponda Italian Restaurant & Bar. Riverside dining is back in Downingtown thanks to La Sponda, where standouts include braised short ribs and grilled whole bronzino. 20 E. Lancaster Ave., (484) 593-4488, lasponda.com. aR Five Wines. The focus is on French Rhône Valley-type varietals at this tasting venue, where you can also enjoy canned and bottled beer, house-made pizzas, and cheeses from local farms. 206 E. Lancaster Ave., (484) 364-4504, rfivewines.com. Pomod’oro Pizza & Italian Restaurant. A family-owned institution specializing in hearty Italian dishes and decadent desserts. 200 Chestnut St., (610) 873-0405, pomodorodowningtown.com. BYOB

aThe Social Downingtown. Executive chef Dan Funk oversees the same tried-and-true New Orleans-inspired menu at this West Chester institution’s second location. 541 W. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown, (484) 593-4113, socialon30.com; 117 E. Gay St., West Chester, (610) 738-3948, thesocialwc.com. Victory Brewing Company. With taprooms in Downingtown, Kennett Square and Parkesburg, this Chester County standout has earned national acclaim since opening over 20 years ago. Various locations, victorybeer.com.

GLEN MILLS

aAvenue Kitchen. The menu at this hip eatery tends toward simpler fare and uncomplicated ingredients. 509 Wilmington West Chester Pike, (484) 800-8070, avekitchen.com. aFava Ristorante Italiano. One of Glen Mills’ more recent spots offers authentic Mediterraneanaccented dishes and some of the best pastas around. 1102 Baltimore Pike, Suite 101, (484) 840-8603, favaglenmills.com. Il Granaio. A hidden gem known for its tasty Italian dishes made with local ingredients. There’s a full bar, but you can also bring your own wine and champagne. 711 Concord Road, Glen Mills, (610) 459-8469; 184 Bridge St., Phoenixville, (484) 924-8423; ilgranaiopa.com. BYOB Shere-E-Punjab. The diverse menu at this sophisticated local chain offers an authentic and flavorful take on the cuisine of India. Various locations, shere-e-punjab.com.

aTesta Rossa. This spunky little sister of Fearless Restaurants’ Rosalie Wayne brings a vibrant Italian‑American concept to the former Ruby’s Diner. The snazzy 50-seat patio is one of the more fabulous alfresco destinations in the area. 919 Baltimore Pike, (610) 335-9900, testarossa.restaurant.

GULPH MILLS

Savona Restaurant. This well-heeled favorite excels at classic Riviera-inspired dining. 100 Old Gulph Road, (484) 841-6345, savonarestaurant.com.

HAVERTOWN

aThe Bookery. Gina Ranieri opened this delightful spot right next door to her Plant Roots shop. Her lattes and lemonades pair perfectly with local offerings from Lee Cee Pie, Sweet Messina’s Bakery and Wee Marie’s Scottish Shortbread. 19 Brookline Blvd., plantrootsandthebookery.com. Pepperoncini. A charming spot offering Italian favorites like fried ravioli and chicken Parmesan, plus sumptuous seafood dishes. 25 S. Eagle Road, (484) 454-5995, pepperoncinihavertown.com. BYOB

KENNETT SQUARE

aHearth Kitchen. Bryan Sikora’s stellar

contribution to the suburban culinary scene boasts playfully upscale standouts like ricotta gnocchi and chopped-clam-and-bacon toast. 847 E. Baltimore Pike, (484) 732-8320, platinumdininggroup.com/location/ hearth-kitchen.

aLa Verona. Among the standouts at this local favorite are antipasti classics like bruschetta and mussels marinara. The house-made pastas are exemplary. 114 E. State St., (610) 444-2244, laveronapa.com. aLetty’s Tavern. At the historic Kennett Square Inn, local farms provide the ingredients for a well-executed modern American menu. 201 E. State St., (610) 444-5688, lettystavern.com. aPortabellos. Classic dishes and a homey setting complement a refreshingly old-school approach to cookery. 108 E. State St., (610) 925-4984, portabellosofkennettsquare.com. BYOB aSovana Bistro. At this beloved culinary mainstay, dishes spotlight local purveyors. 696 Unionville Road, (610) 444-5600, www.sovanabistro.com.

EXTON

aSweet Amelia’s. Sweet Amelia’s is knocking it out of the park with its sharable plates. Especially impressive is the deliciously unique chicken-skin tea sandwich. The menu caters exceptionally well to vegans. 102 E. State St., (484) 732-7943, sweetameliasksq.com.

a South Philly flair to his pies, with names like the Donato and Corleone. The cheesesteaks also impress. 318 E. Lincoln Hwy., (610) 477-7747, gentilispizza.com.

KING OF PRUSSIA

aMama Wong. Chef Hongbin Luo offers superior dim sum and tried-and-true favorites like General Tso’s chicken. 268 Eagleview Blvd., (484) 713-8888, bestmamawong.com. BYOB

short ribs and pork chops are standouts at Davio’s, with a diverse selection of seafood close behind. 200 Main St., (610) 337-4810, davios.com/kop.

aGentili’s Pizza & Steaks. Tony Altomare brings

aDavio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse. The filets,

Ron’s Original Bar & Grille. Specialties include filet mignon, crab cakes, and slow-roasted beef and pork sandwiches. The bar offers an award-winning beer list. 74 E. Uwchlan Ave., (610) 594-9900, ronsoriginal.com.

Workhorse Brewing Company. Sip top-flight brews and nosh on tasty bar grub at this spacious indoor/ outdoor brewery. 250 King Manor Drive, Suite 300, (484) 681-9928, workhorsebrewing.com.

Stolen Sun Brewing and Roasting Company. This family-owned operation brews great beer and small-batch Colombian coffee, both of which pair perfectly with its pub fare. 342 N. Pottstown Pike, Suite B, (484) 879-4161, stolensun.com.

MALVERN

GLADWYNE

aHomeroom. This elevated breakfast-and-lunch

cafe is ideal for a quick caffeinated beverage or a more leisurely late-morning meal. Try the exceptional salmon toast. 358 Righters Mill Road, (610) 615-5985, homeroomgladwyne.com.

aAnthony’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant.

This is the place for pasta purists, thanks to a high-end pasta extruder from Italy. The modern machines are faster, but the wait is worth it. 127 W. King St., (610) 647-7400, anthonysmalvern.com. Brick & Brew. Exceptional hand-crafted cocktails and a vibrant twist on traditional gastropub favorites. Various locations, bricknbrewpub.com.

aFattoush. Fattoush’s super-fresh Mediterranean

menu includes falafel, hummus, stuffed grape leaves, beef and chicken shawarmas, and much more. 182 Lancaster Ave., (484) 568-4465, fattoushhealthydining.com. BYOB Fork & Bottle. Fresh seafood, prime beef and exceptional pasta, paired with a variety of wines, spirits and beers. At the Desmond Hotel Malvern, a DoubleTree by Hilton, 1 Liberty Blvd., (610) 296-9800, forkandbottlemalvern.com. Fox & Hounds Pub. A welcoming spot for casual dining, with a diverse selection of beer, wine and cocktails. At the Desmond Hotel Malvern, a DoubleTree by Hilton, 1 Liberty Blvd., (610) 296-9800, foxandhoundsmalvern.com. General Warren. An exceptional fine-dining experience, this historic B&B also offers quaint lodging in elegant guest suites restored to their 18th-century charm. 9 Old Lancaster Road, (610) 296-3637, generalwarren.com.

aThe Fern & Fable The rebranded historic 18th-century farmhouse on the People’s Light property raises the bar on your standard dinner and a show. 39 Conestoga Road, (610) 647-1900, ext. 158, thefernandfable.com. Joey Chops. Great cocktails accompany raw-bar selections and prime cuts of meat. For dessert, customize your slice at the cheesecake cart. 245 Lancaster Ave., (484) 450-8890, joeychops.com. Locust Lane Craft Brewery. Named after the street where the owners met, Locust Lane offers on-tap staples, plus a selection of seasonal and experimental brews. 50 Three Tun Road, Suite 4, (484) 324-4141, locustlanecraftbrewery.com.

aMalvern Buttery. A unique eatery and coffeehouse combination, the Buttery offers fresh bread, rustic sandwiches, fresh salads, sublime quiche, great coffee and much more. 233 E. King St., (610) 296-2534, malvernbuttery.com. Sunset Grille. Seasonal outdoor dining in a beautiful all-weather space with firepits. Sunset Grille’s team is passionate about serving farm-fresh food with a fun, laid-back attitude. At the Desmond Hotel Malvern, a DoubleTree by Hilton, 1 Liberty Blvd., (610) 296-9800, desmondgv.com/restaurants.

MEDIA

aAzie. Pan-Asian favorites get an upscale twist in Azie’s modern setting. The sushi rolls are a menu highlight. 217 W. State St., (610) 566-4750, azie-restaurant.com. aCafesphere. This neighborhood favorite offers an exceptional list of Italian coffee drinks, zero-proof cocktails, loose-leaf teas, croissants, baguettes, cakes and pastries. 25 E. State St., (484) 445-2946, cafesphere.cafe. aDeparture Restaurant & Lounge. With its nostalgic airport vibe, this unique addition to downtown Media offers tapas-style small plates that celebrate big flavors from around the world. 2 S. Orange St., (610) 502-3833, departuredelco.com. DiFabio’s Market + Tap Restaurant. Enjoy Italian classics and Philly favorites in the casual dining room or taproom. For a more upscale ambience, try dinner in the Sky Bar. 1243 N. Providence Road, (484) 444-0850, difabiosevents.com.

aDos Gringos Mexican Kitchen. Tasty basics like enchiladas and tacos are standouts, along with grilled ahi tuna, tilapia, Mexican-inspired pork chops and more. 113 S. Olive St., (610) 565-7794, dosgringosmedia.com. BYOB La Belle Epoque Bistro. At this Media mainstay, you can enjoy specialties like French onion soup, crêpes and seasonal entrées, along with craft cocktails. 38 W. State St., (610) 566-6808, labellebistro.com.

aLa Padella. Expect modernized Italian American classics like veal Parmesan and bone-in marsala. 100 State Road, (484) 445-4445, lapadellamedia.com. aMargaret Kuo’s Kitchen. This last bastion of a local culinary empire is known for its exceptional Asian cuisine and first-rate service. 1109 W. Baltimore Pike, Suite A, (610) 891-8880, margaretkuoskitchen.com. Pinocchio’s Restaurant. Recognized as the first pizzeria in Delaware County, this family-owned spot sets the standard for fresh homemade pies. 131 E. Baltimore Ave., (610) 566-7767, pinpizza.com.

aProperly Pressed. This cold-pressed juice joint uses

organic produce as the base for tasty concoctions with whimsical names like Bruce Banner and Fineapple. You’ll never taste a sweeter, cleaner apple cider. 300 W. State St., Suite 106, (484) 443-8427, properly-pressed.com. Sterling Pig Brewery. This popular local brewery offers wood-fired pizzas, hearty signature barbecue and several rotating taps. 609 W. State St., (484) 444-2526, sterlingpig.com.

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DINING GUIDE Tap 24. Gastropub cuisine, 24 rotating craft beers, craft cocktails and more keep regulars happy at Tap 24. 36 W. State St., (484) 442-8839, tap24media.com.

aThe Towne House. Native Irishman Brian McLaughlin has reshaped the old Towne House into five innovative themed dining destinations. 117 Veterans Square, (484) 445-2041.

MERION STATION

Zagafen. Kosher cuisine and cocktails, sublime fish dishes, pastas, grilled pizzas, and some tasty vegan options. 370 Montgomery Ave., (610) 667-7777, zagafen.thaitomseattle.com.

NARBERTH

aCoco Thai Bistro. At Coco, orchids, philodendron, lavender and daisies abound. The menu offers standouts like spicy quinoa, shrimp and crab served with Massaman curry. 231 Haverford Ave., (610) 6677634, cocobistro.com. BYOB Ryan Christopher’s. This much-loved neighborhood favorite delivers well-executed American bistro fare in a casual setting. 245 Woodbine Ave., (610) 664-9282. ryanchristophersbyob.com. BYOB

NEWTOWN SQUARE

Teca Newtown Square. A classy, roomy spot that keeps them coming back with Neapolitan pizzas, rich pasta dishes, great service and a popular happy hour. 191 S. Newtown Street Road, (484) 420-4010, tecanewtownsquare.com. Teikoku. The real standout at this Japanese-Thai fusion eatery is the extravagant Sunday brunch, with sushi, filet mignon, dumplings and more. 5492 West Chester Pike, (610) 644-8270, teikokurestaurant.com.

NORRISTOWN

aThe Cage. At this whimsical oasis with a junglelike vibe, menu highlights include the Korean tacos. Cocktails come with personalized toppings and glitzy garnishes. 711 S. Trooper Road, (267) 652-7777, www.thecagecocktailbar.com.

PAOLI

aMain Line Tavern. Third time’s the charm for Philip Ferro, whose Main Line eatery joins his existing taverns (Chadds Ford and Kings). Expect elevated pub fare, with daily specials catering to the local crowd. 516 E. King Road, (484) 320-8198, mainlinetavern.com. aTJ’s Restaurant & Drinkery. A beer-centric saloon

offering numerous brew options, plus favorites like the chicken-and-waffle sandwich and braised short-rib tacos. 35 Paoli Plaza, (610) 725-0100, tjsbeer.com.

PHOENIXVILLE

aAvlós. At this Greek eatery, the octopus tops a list of must-tries that also includes the chargrilled lamb chops. 258 Bridge St., (610) 455-4110, avlosgr.com. BYOB aBistro on Bridge. A vintage Volkswagen bus serves as the centerpiece for the bistro’s second-floor Analog Room and Outdoor Beer Garden. The menu features handhelds, pizza and wings. 212 Bridge St., (610) 935-7141, bistroonbridge.com. aExcursion Ciders. Jillian Antonelli and Doug Reeser use only locally sourced apples for their hard cider. The food menu offers charcuterie, soups, fresh salads and rustic desserts. 14 Prizer Road, Phoenixville, (484) 3661511, excursionciders.com. Root Down Brewing Co. Graffiti-adorned walls, classic arcade games and ample beer hall-style seating make this award-winning 13,000-square-foot brewpub exceptionally cool. 1 N. Main St., (484) 302-5407, rootdownbrewing.com.

aRivertown Taps. Lewis Leiterman’s innovative gastropub fare goes above and beyond what you’d expect. He also runs a pretty cool beer joint, with a wall of self-serve taps. 226 Bridge St., (484) 924-9112, rivertowntaps.com.

RADNOR

333 Belrose Bar & Grill. Chef Ross Essner’s seasonal New American cuisine is made with the best local products and ingredients. 333 Belrose Lane, (610) 2931000, 333belrose.com. Amada Radnor. Jose Garces brings his flagship concept to the Main Line, serving authentic Spanish tapas in a rustic-chic setting. 555 E. Lancaster Ave., (484) 429-2158, amadarestaurant.com.

aMama-San. WIN Signature Hospitality is making its

mark on the fast-casual sector, delivering affordable, high-quality sushi and other Asian dishes with an approachable efficiency. 226 N. Radnor Chester Road, (484) 580-6942, mamasan-restaurant.com.

RIDLEY PARK

aArdour Bakery + Coffee. You can grab a sandwich, but it’s the croissants, turnovers, muffins and cookies that truly live up to the moniker. 119 E. Sellers Ave., (610) 521-0450, ardourbakery.com. Rosemary. At this snazzy spot, menu highlights include the warm, crisp house-made focaccia, marinated steak skewers over charred Turkish flatbread and a tender octopus dish. 25 E. Hinckley Ave., (610) 671-3770, rosemaryrp.com.

SPRINGFIELD

Tavola Restaurant + Bar. Springfield Country Club’s stylish American eatery is open to the public seven days a week. It offers a spacious dining room and an outdoor patio. 400 W. Sproul Road, (610) 543-2100, tavolas.com.

THORNTON

aBierhaul Farmhouse. This rustic sudsy hang offers tons of beer options and modern American classics like lobster grilled cheese and bourbon steak tips. 341 Thornton Road, (610) 550-3440, bierhaul.com.

UNIONVILLE

aFarmer & Co. Victorian-style digs provide a

charming setting for savoring chouxnuts, custom cakes, breakfast bars and caffeinated creations. 5 Cemetery Lane, (610) 347-0209, farmerand.co.

VILLANOVA

aThe Refectory. A Villanova University gem, the Refectory offers an exceptional dining experience with some of the most attentive service on the Main Line. 862 Lancaster Ave., (610) 519-5786, refectorynova.com.

WAYNE

a118 North. This popular live music venue keeps music fans happy with poutine-inspired fries, savory burgers and more. 118 N. Wayne Ave., (610) 971-2628, 118northwayne.com. aA Taste of Britain Cafe. Enjoy afternoon tea served all day, or choose from a selection of homemade sandwiches, desserts and more. 503 W. Lancaster Ave., (610) 971-0390, atasteofbritain.com. BYOB aAt the Table. Tara Buzan-Hardy and Alex Hardy

craft exquisitely plated seasonal à la carte selections and six-course tasting menus. 118 W. Lancaster Ave., (610) 964-9700, atthetablewayne.com.

aAutograph Brasserie. With its quality ingredients and upscale bar scene, Autograph succeeds in celebrating pop culture and first-rate cuisine all at the same time. 503 W. Lancaster Ave., (610) 964-2588, autographbrasserie.com. aThe Blue Elephant. An elegant fusion restaurant blending Asian, Thai and Italian cuisines. The signature Blue Elephant cocktail is almost too pretty to drink. 110 N. Wayne Ave., Wayne, (484) 580-6142; 152 E. High St., Pottstown, (484) 949-9084; blueelephantwayne.com.

aRosalie. Located in the Wayne Hotel, this classy Italian-focused eatery makes the most of quality ingredients, excellent preparations and a shared dining experience. 139 E. Lancaster Ave., (610) 977-0600, rosaliewayne.com. aThe Silverspoon. Ruth and Rich Silverberg oversee this rustic yet elegant Main Line favorite. 503 W. Lancaster Ave., (610) 688-7646, silverspoonwayne.com. BYOB aTakumi. An artisan’s attention to detail shines through in the sushi and sashimi at this sophisticated Asian spot. 821 Lancaster Ave., (484) 584-4035, takumibistro.com. White Dog Cafe. A quintessential Main Line eatery known for its whimsical canine-themed décor and upscale tavern fare. Various locations, whitedog.com.

WEST CHESTER

a9 Prime. This high-end steakhouse concept brings a level of elegance to the borough. 9 N. High St., (610) 365-3309, 9primewestchester.com. Andiario. Reservations are a must at this acclaimed foodie haven, where an open kitchen turns out decadent pastas and more. 106 W. Gay St., (484) 887-0919, andiario.com. BYOB

aBierhaul Townhouse. Bierhaul Farmhouse brings its earthy Delco vibe to West Chester. Both locations share the same menu, which includes a solid smash burger, a hearty lobster dip and three tasty variations on steamed mussels. 15 N. Walnut St., (717) 918-0868, bierhaul.com. aDolce Zola. Pastas are the real standout here. Especially good are the pappardelle, paccheri and bucatini, with hearty sauces like ragu, Bolognese and carbonara. 134 E. Gay St., (484) 887-0760, dolcezola.com. Four Dogs Tavern. This old favorite keeps the crowds coming with its well-executed comfort food and lively outdoor patio. 1300 W. Strasburg Road, (610) 692-4367, thefourdogstavern.com. Greystone Oyster Bar. A seafood-heavy menu, with $1 oyster specials on Monday nights. 7 N. Church St., (610) 241-3369, greystoneoysterbarwc.com.

aJolene’s. Josh McCullough and his 3 West Hospitality Group give West Chester foodies their first taste of authentic French cuisine since Gilmore’s closed in 2012. Think caviar, escargot and a perfectly executed duck breast. 29 E. Gay St. (484) 947-5444, joleneswc.com. Levante Brewing Company. Known for its Cloudy & Cumbersome IPA, Levante offers a bevy of other unique brews. 208 Carter Drive, Suite 2, West Chester, (484) 202-0622, levantebrewing.com. Limoncello. Both busy locations specialize in rustic and rich Southern Italian cuisine, with a vast and diverse menu and a lively bar scene. 9 N. Walnut St., West Chester, (610) 436-6230; 499 E. Uwchlan Ave., Chester Springs, (610) 524-3112; limoncellorestaurant.com. Mercato Ristorante & Bar. Italian-American cooking and brick-oven pizza served in a lively atmosphere. 33 W. Market St., (610)-701-6326, mercato-wc.com.

aOpa Taverna. At this prime corner spot, the Mediterranean coastline is evoked in everything from the citrusy hummus to the gyro platters. 40 E. Gay St. (610) 696-4100, opataverna.com. BYOB aThe Pear. Sovana Bistro’s Nick and Linda Farrell have resurrected historic Dilworthtown’s long-empty Blue Pear Bistro, expanding the bar and upgrading the food with an impeccable seasonally driven menu. 275 Brintons Bridge Road, (484) 260-1425, thepeardilworthtown.com. Pietro’s Prime. This family-owned spot is known for top-notch seafood, steaks and martinis. The setting is chic and cozy, and live music is the norm. 125 W. Market St., (484) 760-6100, pietrosprime.com.

aRoom 109. Venture into the basement of West Chester’s Hotel Indigo to find this cozy speakeasy, which is rife with nods to area history. 39 E. Gay St., (484) 630-2980, wcseafoodkitchen.com/room-109.

aSedona Taphouse. A large patio, tasty Southwestern cuisine and over 250 brews give this franchise an indie feel. Various locations, sedonataphouse.com.

aCornerstone Bistro & Artisanal Market.

The market stocks local cheeses and hard-to-find beers and wines. The bistro offers finesse from start to finish. 1 West Ave., (610) 688-1888, cornerstonewayne.com.

aRoots Cafe. A busy, brunch-focused eatery delivering food as honest as the menu’s farm-sourced philosophy. 133 E. Gay St., (610) 455-0100, rootscafewc.com. BYOB

Stable 12 Brewing Company. A small-batch brewery offering 10 varieties of beer and tasty pub fare. 368 Bridge St., (610) 715-2665, stable12.com.

aMaison Lotus. Win Hospitality’s French Vietnamese-

aSlow Hand. Retro vibes abound at this two-story gem, which serves a locally sourced menu. 30 N. Church St., (484) 999-8638, slowhand-wc.com.

Steel City Coffeehouse & Brewery. This local live-music hub excels at artisan suds and a creative selection of flatbreads. 203 Bridge St., (484) 924-8425, steelcityphx.com.

aVintner’s Table. The blends produced at the Kutztown-based Folino Estate Winery are the backbone of a unique eating and drinking experience highlighted by charcuterie, sandwiches, salads and flatbreads. 135 Bridge St., (484) 408-6147, vintners-table.com.

themed jewel is housed in the former flagship location for the pioneering Margaret Kuo’s empire. It offers an elevated Asian-fusion dining and drinking experience. 175 Lancaster Ave., (610) 527-5700, maison-lotus.com.

aOsushi. This busy sushi spot offers an extensive menu of specialty rolls. 613 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne, (484) 584-4067; 36 Greenfield Ave., Ardmore, (484) 4128155; osushipa.com.

aSpence Cafe. Andrew Patten is a culinary fixture in West Chester thanks to dishes like Baked Oysters Spence and the braised short rib. 131 N. High St., (610) 918-1272, spence.cafe. BYOB aStove & Tap. A cool, rustic Americana vibe, plus great burgers, pizza and more. 158 W. Gay St., West Chester, (484) 999-0922, stoveandtap-wc.com; 329 W. Main St., Lansdale, (215) 393-8277, stoveandtap-lansdale.com. MLT

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