I have a sweet spot for locally owned neighborhood restaurants. They often fly under the radar but can be counted on for a great dinner, an approachable wine list and a comfortable atmosphere. Al Dar Bistro in Bala Cynwyd is one on my list.
We first ventured here a few years ago on a whim and it’s turned into one of my favorite international finds. And I must not be the only one to think so. Al Dar, which translates to “a room for a feast,” has been around for over thirty years, a feat for a restaurant in our area.
Al Dar is owned by the Wakim family (who also run Murray’s Delicatessen as of a few years ago). The menu here is described as Middle Eastern and Mediterranean. These cuisines share many similar ingredients and flavors, and are differentiated the respective regions.
By day, Al Dar is a calm, quiet place for lunch with friends or colleagues. My best friend and I often meet-up around lunchtime on a Saturday to gossip over mezza and beer. What better way to spend the day?
By night though, Al Dar takes on a completely different feel. Packed to the brim at the bar and around the tables, this is where (some of) the action is around Bala Cynwyd. With the lights low, the lush, earthy ambiance – designed to reflect the Lebanese heritage of the owners –comes alive. Exotic chandeliers and gold-hued drapery surprisingly complement rustic red brick walls.
The menu has all the dishes you’d expect from a Mediterranean restaurant. Hummus, baba, tzatziki, feta and tomatoes, shish kabob and kibbe are the dishes that we know well and love, and can linger over for hours.
Keep going on Al Dar’s menu, though. It’s extensive and holds many other interesting options. “Chicken and vegetables” incorporates apples, raisins, pineapple and a light cinnamon curry sauce over couscous. Pita pizza pies are Al Dar’s version of a wood-fired pizza, with toppings like grilled eggplant and roasted peppers, pesto and mozzarella. If all else fails to entice you, go for their classic like the falafel in pita, a tender mixture of chickpeas, broad beans and spices.
Find Al Dar Bistro at Al Dar 281 Montgomery Avenue in Bala Cynwd. Call 610.667.1245 or visit www.aldarbistro.com.
