We love summer! With some of the freshest local harvests stocking restaurant kitchens up and down the Main Line, what better way to take advantage of the best that the season has to offer than with a great (and most times nutritious) salad?
We love ours crisp, colorful and full of flavor. No need to be boring here as we crunched, munched and nibbled our way from Malvern to Manayunk and came up with a small and well-worth-it list of our favorites.
Winnie’s LeBus
The streets of Manayunk keep tossing some of the best salads this side of the Schuylkill River, and Winnie’s blue Colorado salad is a definite standout. You’ll enjoy this entree-sized ($14.75) mix of char-grilled ancho-glazed chicken atop mixed greens with grape tomatoes, grilled corn, asparagus and maytag blue cheese, blended perfectly with red wine vinaigrette from the kitchen of executive chef John O’Brien. 4266 Main St., Manayunk, (215) 487-2663
Paramour
No tour of the Main Line would be complete without a stop at the elegant Paramour anchored within the Wayne Hotel. Relax on the Veranda and sip a signature cocktail with close friends while you peruse the award-winning menu. A must-have is the Northeast Louis entree salad, which splashes tender bibb greens with chilled blue crab, day boat scallops, chunks of Maine lobster and fresh asparagus. 139 E. Lancaster Ave., Wayne, (610) 977-0600
Julie Anne’s Place
As Malvern continues to grow, it still has a way of keeping its small-town charm. Point made with this nostalgic flower-laden townhouse with a wraparound porch and park view. Chef/owner Laura Iezzi offers a simple mix at $6.95 with her signature Raspberry Blue salad. Grab a sweet tea as you dig your fork into this plate of mixed greens, sliced apples and crunchy candied walnuts, all tossed with a housemade walnut raspberry vinaigrette and topped with crumbles of bleu cheese. Add a scoop of her renowned chicken salad and you’ll thank us later. 22 S. Warren Ave., Malvern, (610) 640-1482
30 Main
Located in a prime corner space just across from the Berwyn train station is Mike DiDomenico’s unwavering service with a smile inspired menu. Go a bit retro with a classic wedge of well-executed crisp iceberg lettuce dotted with pancetta, crumbled gorgonzola, grape tomatoes, candied hazelnuts and house made blue cheese dressing for 8 bucks. You just can’t beat the family-owned vibe. 660 Lancaster Ave., Berwyn, (610) 220-2367
White Dog Cafe
In our opinion, the Wayne location of this Main Line staple is top dog for any meal, but we’re focusing on salads this time so we want it straight up. On point is the Strawberry Salad that perfectly harmonizes marinated berries with baby rocket greens, fried goat cheese, shaved fennel, almonds, saba and lemon olive oil. The place is upscale casual with whimsical displays of man’s best friend in every conceivable corner. 200 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne, (610) 225-3700
BIGA Pizza & Beer
This funked up new kid on the block in Bryn Mawr has owner Sean Weinberg (of Malvern’s Restaurant Alba) creating a simple but oh-so-hip menu of insalata. Go out on a limb with the escarole, Sicilian tuna, peppadew chilis, warm potato and saba vinaigrette while checking out the modish mural by local Philly street artist NTel. Be cool and order up a custom growler for the road. 810 Glenbrook Ave., Bryn Mawr, (610) 525-4800
Honeygrow
Temple alum Justin Rosenberg’s farm-to-fork, clean-eating hub wraps fast, convenient food into a mindful, organic, good-for-you experience. Salads are aplenty here—we recommend the vegan Roasted Tomato Miso Kale that combines kale, organic spicy tofu, apples, carrots, roasted beets, red onion, radishes and sesame sticks. Whew! Did we forget anything? Roasted tomato miso dressing, of course. 169 E. City Ave., Bala Cynwyd, (610) 667-2573
Sweetgreen
With an inclusive list of seasonals, signatures and the option to make your own salads (with a mile-long list of clean dressings), you’re covered at this healthy choice fast-food chain in Ardmore. We love the focus on keeping food sustainable and locally sourced and favor the 480 calorie Spring Chicken salad. Who can argue with shredded kale, organic mesclun, roasted zucchini and yellow squash, asparagus, basil, shredded carrots, parmesan crisps with roasted chicken all topped with pesto vinaigrette? We can’t. Go. Now. 68 Coulter Ave., Ardmore, (610) 642-9400
- Top photo (from Exton's Pour House), BIGA photo: Ed Williams
- Paramour photo: Paramour
- 30 Main photo: 30 Main
One Comment