JUNE 24, 2009 PAGE: 4 CONCIERGE CHRONICLES C H PAGE: 6 E S CHEF Q&A T E PAGE: 8 R BY FRESH, BUY LOCAL C O U N T Y C U IS IN E & N IG H T L IF E GALLERY/STUDIO WALK PAGE: 5 OGS UR D FO RN TAVE PAGE: 6 0543614 xxx xxx /PAGE 3 TABLE JUNE 24, 2009 MAGA xxx ZINE CHESTER COUNTY CUISINE & NIGHTLIFE xx xxx OF STAFF: xx xxxCONTENTS Randall P. Notter Publisher Andrew M. Hachadorian Editor Justin McAneny Contributing Writer/Editorial Coordinator PAGE: 5 Studio/Gallery Arlene McGranaghan Tour Advertising Director CC is a magazine of the Daily Local News, published ev- ery other Wednesday and distributed free through- out Chester County. Our offices are located at 250 North Bradford Avenue, West Chester PA. PAGE: 4 PAGE: 6 Copyright 2009, Daily Local News. Reproduction Concierge Chef Q&A of CC, in part or in whole, is prohibited with- out written permission. Chronicles: With David Cox Ron’s Original To advertise in CC, call Bar & Grille Jim Steinbrecher at 610-430-1138. MARY’S MESSAGE: PAGE: 8 Good lord. Did you SEE that grilled cheese sandwich on Buy Fresh the front of this issue? I don’t know about you, but I Buy Local wasn’t even hungry before I previewed this issue and it only gets better inside. Get your fi ll of delicious food pictures and stories from front to back that’ll make you drool and get up to speed PAGE: 12 on local food news. Wanna know the inside scoop to Center how to order a drink without pissing off the bartender? Check out page 13 for a little crash course in ordering Stage booze at your favorite drinking hole. Impress your friends with obscure facts about local music and look like a rock star after reading up on pages 12, 20 and 22. Take a bite PAGE: 14 out of the Chester County art scene on pages 5 and 24. WC Dish And for pete’s sake... have fun. Enjoy everyone! Top Picks Cheers everyone! Mary Bigham Contributing Editor www.wcdish.com UPCOMING: Concierge Chronicles, Random Rants, the Bar- tender, Sound Check and much more PAGE: 20 Send comments to: Sound [email protected] Check [email protected] We’re on Facebook! search for CC Cuisine & Nightlife PAGE: 9 Pub Tour PUBLISHED BY: PAGE: 11 The Blob Ball PAGE: 15 Rock ‘n Roll After School POWERED BY: PAGE: 18 He Said She Said PAGE: 22 In the Studio PAGE: 24 Inebriated By Art xxx xxxxxx xxxxxxx 13th Annual xxxx JUNE 24, 2009 /PAGE 4 0537741 xxx xxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxx xxx xxxxxx xx xxxTHE Sponsored by CARE xx xxx Compassion for Animals - Respect for the Environment CONCIERGE Saturday, June 27, 2009 (Rain Date June 28th) xx 12 noon - 4 PM - Hoopes Park, West Chester, PA CHRONICLES Donation: Adults - $12 / Children - $5 xx Tasty Vegan Food • Exhibits • Literature • Music • Children’s Activities For more info: www.CARE4animals.org or 484-631-7878 RON’S RROBYNOBYN’’SS NNESTEST ORIGINAL CCATERINGATERING BAR and 3030 WWAYSAYS LLANEANE GRILLE BY KEN ALAN KKENNETTENNETT SSQUAREQUARE,, PAPA WC DISH WRITER, CORPO- Robyn’s Nest Catering, specializes in RATE CONCIERGE, AND FOOD various types of cuisine when catering small WRITER and large events, corporate events and parties onsite at the Italian American Club or offsite at your location. 610-636-9225 [email protected] www.RobynsNestCatering.com 0534413 If “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy” as Benjamin Franklin once postulated, then Ron’s Original would surely make the Founding Father all warm, fuzzy and foamy, if he were with us today. Ben would undoubtedly enjoy this wicked black, and is tricked-out with salads, sandwiches, hoagies & wraps, popular Exton eatery, especially its cool flame decals. along with platters and those ever- amped-up and well-thought-out se- popular pizzas, stromboli’s and lection of craft brews, which are part Long-time owner Ron Inverso obvi- unique “ovals” (pizza served on of the overall re-branding Ron’s in- ously recognized the need for re-con- slightly-askew dough). troduced two years ago. ceptualization within his formerly sleepy, 6-stool bar. Today, without a My wife goes gah-gah over Ron’s que- Gone are the old “Ron’s Schoolhouse” doubt, the much larger and welcom- sadillas, loaded with beef (or chick- name and simple cafeteria-like motif ing lodge-like lounge is the Happy en), while my kids’ mouths water that went along with it. (Think about Hour place within Exton, a spot from the Buffalo chicken pizza, or, it: “School” and “Bar” = Not PC. No teeming with regulars who enjoy the sometimes, a white pizza customized sir-ee) vast beers and spirits offered there, with roasted red peppers, fresh basil and, I might add, service via a very and spinach. Still a family restaurant, the Ron’s of professional team of bartenders, led I, on the other hand either stick with today has a stylish and sophisticated by their hands-on manager Chris a platter, such the blackened salmon ambiance thanks to its stunning Baxter. tortellini, or, I’ll enjoy a simple pair- stone foyer, arching brick doorways, ing of sweet/hot peppers, olives & faux distressed walls - in all, a very All the renovations in the world provolone antipasti, sided by good ‘n rustic, if not Tuscan-inspired, grotto wouldn’t make Ron’s Ron’s though, if garlicky sautéed broccoli rabe. appearance. it didn’t maintain quality food at a good value. All foods are freshly prepared in- Even the old school bus front section The basic yet consistent fare, with its house with nothing on the menu mounted along a dining room wall huge menu of hearty staples ranging that’s over twenty-bucks – it’s no 0543659 has seen change: It’s now painted a from finger foods and dig-in apps; CONTINUES ON PAGE 10 R JUNE 24, 2009 /PAGE 5 ON THE JUNE 10, 2009 /PAGE 5 xxxxxxx COVER BY JUSTIN xxxxxxxMCANENY xxxxxxxSTAFF WRITER xxxxxxx xxxxxxx LET’S BE HONEST -- viewing art can be boring. Paintings, sculptures, pottery – whether hanging on walls or sitting on shelves isn’t the most exciting way to spend an afternoon or evening – even if there is free booze involved. It’s no knock to any artist anywhere. Painters will be painting; glass blow- nario’s Coffee & Tobacco is happy to an interest and show there are lots of They need to display their work so ers will blow glass; furniture restor- play according to owner Brenden artists in (West Chester).” you can see it and then buy it which ers will restore furniture; ceramics Greene. supports them creating more art. It’s will be created; and someone will be -- Art will be on display at Fennario’s the nature of the beast, but such a tattooed. For artists who don’t have a Fennario’s opens its doors so that Coffee & Tobacco at 111 Church Street boring beast – maybe Shrek instead studio in the borough, Fennario’s younger artists can display during of the Werewolf. Coffee & Tobacco will have art on the walk, but Greene is very quick to -- Woodworking restoration demonstra- display in their upstairs space. It’s a give credit to Burk to helping orga- tions will take place at Rose Valley Resto- And whenever a gallery is involved day to see art created, not just see art. nize the displays. “He’ll teach them rations at 132 East Prescott Alley can feel stiff, like you don’t want to how to do shows,” Greene said, point- linger in front of one piece for too Burk also wanted “to bridge the gap” ing out that there’s more to just -- Douglas J. Scherbak will be tattooing at long for fear that those around you on people’s perceptions of art. That’s hanging art on a wall – that it needs High Roller’s Tattoo Parlor at 130 E. might think you don’t get what why he’s included furniture restora- to flow and have reasonable prices. Market St. you’re supposed to get. Or there is the tion and a tattoo artist. “(Art) is feeling that if you move and touch broader than people think.” Having art on display during the day -- Erica Brown will be giving demonstra- something, you’ll break it and there- fits in with the atmosphere Greene tions at her studio at 28 N. New St. od loves us and wants fore be handing over the credit card That idea is what sparked tattoo art- wants to go along with live music at to pay off a piece that costs more than ist Douglas J. Scherbak of High Roll- Fennario’s, having a place where -- James Lee Burk will be painting an out- us to be happy” as Benjamin Franklin once your rent. er’s Tattoo Parlor. He’ll be tattooing “you can go out, have fun and stay door mural at 25 W. Miner St. someone during the walk. “My main sober,” he said. postulated, then Ron’s Original would surely Those are feelings that West Chester- interest,” he said, “was to show peo- -- Professor Thomas Hittner will be giv- based artist James Lee Burk (yep, the ple that when they see a tattoo being But the most basic idea behind the ing hands on demonstrations in ceramics make the Founding Father all warm, fuzzy same one that writes for CC) wants done … we’re doing art. … I want to event, Burk said, “is to try and spark at 25 W.