The former Blue Ox Bistro at 7980 Oxford Ave. in Fox Chase, where the Grey Lodge owner is expanding. Click to enlarge.

The horizon for the opening of Hop Angel Brauhaus, the re-imagined Blue Ox Bistro in Fox Chase from Grey Lodge publican Mike “Scoats” Scotese and partner Pat McGinley, has become clearer.

The project is on schedule and due for a soft opening in September and a grand opening in October, says Scoats. The pair has been leading cosmetic work to the historic 7980 Oxford Ave. location, which has nearly 330 years of history as a pub.

“The renovation will involve more sweat than cash,” Scoats says.

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Are you looking for a great spot to go and hang out with your friends?  Are you looking for that great spot to be in the NEast?  Well look no further, because Cafe MichelAngelo at 11901 Bustleton Ave. is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. until 2 a.m.   Providing great service, fabulous food and a cozy ,warm environment even on the outside patio area, MichelAngelo’s is the place to be.  Prices are reasonable and the food is fantastic. continue reading »

Looking for a casual evening out?  Why not try Gearo’s in Bustleton, located at 1913 Welsh Rd. Open seven days a week, this laid back eatery is great for relaxing either for lunch or dinner.

When its first location closed after 41 years of service, Gearo’s worked hard to make the second location on Welsh Road as warm and inviting as possible.  There is usually plenty of parking, and street parking is usually readily available if needed as well.  The dishes offered are very ordinary and while they are tasty, there is not much to write home about. continue reading »

One word to describe Nick’s Roast Beef: WOW!  Nick’s is open until 2 a.m. all week long and is always ready to serve up a hot, tasty and mouthwatering roast beef sandwich that will keep you coming back for years.

Located on Cottman Avenue between Bustleton and Castor, this large yet scrumptious restaurant is definitely worth a visit.  You are welcome to dine in the restaurant area, which is very casual, or hold a banquet in the large hall which, can seat anywhere from 40 people to 100 people.  There is also a spacious bar area that is great for relaxing and unwinding with friends.  Drinks are very reasonably priced, as is the rest of the menu.  Specials are offered throughout the week for happy hour and into the late evening. continue reading »

Recently redesigned, Alfie’s in the Blue Grass Shopping Center [map], has reopened to offer food and entertainment.  Aside from a full menu, Alfie’s offers Sunday night salsa (and other dances throughout the week) until 1 a.m. — a great way to forget about the upcoming work week.

There is plenty of parking in the spacious lot of the shopping center just outside Alfie’s.  Since the nightclub/restaurant has been renovated recently, the entire place is new and sparkling with freshness.  The floors and tables are kept clean, as are the dishes..  The staff from the hostess to servers is very friendly and always eager to help you.  I was also very pleased to see how well kept the bathrooms seemed to be, given the large crowd that usually appears on Sundays. continue reading »

Now that the holidays are over and life has resumed its daily hustle and bustle, why not give your family a treat that is quick and tasty.  For those of you out there who love seasoning and spicy food, this is a great recipe for you.

If you have a milder palate, just lower certain spices and the dish will still come out scrumptious.

This Spicy Pepper Steak and Rice dish will take you only 20 minutes to prepare and cook.  More great news is that it will definitely stay in your budget, and still have your family and friends praising your culinary skills. continue reading »

In the mood for sushi but not in the mood to head to Center City?  Makiman Sushi restaurant right on Oxford Avenue near Rising Sun Avenue is the perfect dining destination to satisfy your sushi cravings.  Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner, this casual, cozy little Japanese eatery offers takeout in addition to sit-down meals.

The restaurant itself is very small, but it does have a warm and inviting atmosphere. Even if you’re not in the mood for sushi, Makiman offers a variety of cooked Japanes-style dishes. But I would highly recommend getting the sushi dishes.

The seafood at Makiman is fresh and delicious, prepared well and doesn’t leave a bad after taste in your mouth. The service was wonderful, timely and friendly.  Unlike other sushi bar, where there is often a long wait for food, at Makiman, my food was prepared and served in a very acceptable fashion. continue reading »

In the mood for a quick bite or some fantastic pizza?  Montesini’s on Frankford Avenue in the Mayfair Shopping Center has delicious food at very affordable prices.  Whether you are in the mood for pizza shop fast food, or a sit-down, relaxed, casual dining experience, Montesini’s can accommodate.  Parking shouldn’t be too much trouble with the abundance of the shopping center spaces, but beware: with the holidays rapidly approaching, the malls are becoming more crowded.

Very small and common, Montesini’s may not impress you much by its look or décor, but taking the advice of an old adage “never judge a book by its cover,” you will be pleasantly surprised by the taste of the food.  The staff manages to keep the restaurant relatively tidy and the silverware and flatware is clean, which is always a good sign.  The service is very friendly and fast.  I ordered my food, and in less than 10 minutes it was at my table prepared steaming hot. continue reading »

Turkey, stuffing, cranberries, squash and yams– it must be Thanksgiving.  What better day to stay in and have a wonderful home-cooked meal with family and friends.  Of course, no Thanksgiving meal would be complete without the traditional pumpkin pie, but here’s a great recipe for those looking to add a different flavor that still works with the color scheme of yellows, reds, oranges and browns.

Lemon meringue pie is a tasty treat that accompanies pumpkin pie, or can be served on its own.  This year, surprise your family and friends with a new end to Thanksgiving that they are sure to enjoy.  This wonderful pie could feed anywhere from eight to 12 people depending on your serving slice. continue reading »

With the increasing financial hardship and economic strain, more NEasters are choosing to dine in and save some money, rather then eat out.  Given the fact that more and more people are taking on this custom, I am including a recipe that I came upon a few weeks ago for all our money-saving friends, and those who want to try a little something different.  A Beef teriyaki with cucumber salad recipe I discovered in an Asian-style cookbook (Homestyle Asian) intrigued my creative side, as well as my taste buds.

The preparation time is around 20 to 30 minutes, takes 20 minutes to cook and serves 4 people.

What you will need for the beef teriyaki:

• 4 filet steaks
• 2 tablespoons mirin
• 1 tablespoon of sake (optional, but recommended)
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of ginger
• 1 teaspoon of sesame seeds
• 1/3 cup of soy sauce

What you will need for the cucumber salad:

• 1 large cucumber, peeled and diced
• 2 scallions, thinly sliced
• 2 teaspoons of sugar
• 1 tablespoon of vinegar (rice wine vinegar preferred)
• ½ red pepper, diced
• ¼ a cup of water

Continue reading for cooking instructions continue reading »