Eating Local - BYOBs are your best bet!

Nothing is better than grabbing your favorite wine and heading out to enjoy a scrumptious meal from any one of these wonderful BYOB restaurants.  The relaxed down home atmosphere, knowledgeable wait staff, and attention to locally grown and sourced food is the norm for these establishments.  No wonder there is a cult-like following to them.  Many chefs bring their family recipes to the table for all to enjoy.   I love the unique settings, train stations, converted homes, little storefronts on otherwise inconspicuous streets.  It is almost like a fantastic game of “hide and go seek” finding these gems.  Once you are there and the cork is popped prepare for a feast like no other, literally, they are one of kind and each has carved out it’s own niche in the foodie community.  The passion spills out onto the plate and your tastebuds travel to cuisine from regions around the globe.  Your dinner becomes a journey and destination all in one.  And the bonus is you didn’t even have to pull out your passport.  Go explore and enjoy these wonderful establishments and join the BYOB cult!

These are a few of my favorite ones…

This list is just scratching the surface…

Trax (Ambler)

Located in the previous Ambler Train Station.

The organic food is locally sourced resulting in a seasonal menu.

  Host to the Ambler Farmers Market and farm-to-table café, serving up breakfast during the farmers market.

Bocelli’s (Blue Bell)

Located at the previous Gwynedd Train Station.

Traditional Italian fare, the garlic lures you in and keeps you in a food trance during your meal.  Traditional Italian cuisine is consistently prepared. 

Arugala (Plymouth Meeting)

Sister to Arugala in Huntingdon Valley restaurant-located in

Cold Point Village.  Modern Italian simply prepared dishes influenced from the  Amalfi Coast.  Using grass fed beef, free ranged chicken, hand made pasta.  They specialize in table side fish presentation.

Tratorria Totaro (Conshohocken)

A very friendly family run restaurant specializing in gorgeous and savory Italian dishes. They host a Game Night preparing Venison, Quail, Wild Boar etc… creating a unique dining experience like no other in the area.

TreVi(Glenside)

Italian cuisine – all homemade, a great place to bring the whole family.  The pizza is the BEST in the area and many flock to TreVi’s doors time and time again for the perfect pizza pie.

Zakes (Ft. Washington)

American fusion cuisine, set in a restored roadhouse in the middle of Ft. Washington. Brunch seems to be one of the most popular meals at Zakes but they serve all meals.  Enjoy the beautifully prepared and presented meals – but you must leave room for dessert.  The bakery case is bursting with home made delights. 

Arpeggio (Spring House)

This neighborhood restaurant serves up Pizza and fabulous Mediterranean dishes out of the two wood burning ovens, one of kind in the area.

Creating unique dishes with this cooking method further enhancing the food's flavors.

Neighborhood Spotlight - Ambler, Pa.

The iconic Ambler Movie Theater

Another one of Montgomery County’s little gems sits along the banks of the Wissahickon, an old “picnic” destination for the city folks, back in the day.  The Wissahickon Train stop (now Ambler) opened in 1855, and when it did, a town was born.  Strolling along Butler Pike, Main Street, and a handful of other avenues a feeling of nostalgia comes over you.  Beautiful architectural buildings are still the focal points along the way.  The town is rich in the arts, the old Ambler Theater looks over the borough proudly and an active live theater (Act II) is just down the block.  In Ambler the cuisine is as diverse as it is divine.  It is literally a melting pot of fare, your tastebuds will never be bored in this town.  And the variety doesn’t end, BYOB’s are numerous, there is an upscale steakhouse, a critically acclaimed indian restaurant, authentic italian, a microbrewery, BBQ, mediterranean, mexican, and a wine bar, to name a few. See a full list of Ambler's dining.

Quite a few retailers are scattered among the salons, coffee and pastry shops.  The unified Ambler Main Street organizes many events through the year: Make it Thursdays (shops and restaurant stay open late), First Friday’s, Oktoberfest, Farmer’s Market, a bi-annual Restaurant Week, 1^st Annual Bike Race, Holiday and Halloween Parades and the list goes on.  I guess you could say there is something for everyone in Ambler.  A full list of Ambler's events can be seen on it's website.

Deck's Hardware on Main Street - Est. 1908

And the community spirit spreads beyond the main drag.  Ambler can boast that its' Wissahickon High School was just ranked 15^th in the state positioning itself above the famous Lower Merion School District in the affluent Main Line.  The passion for neighborhood and quality of life are reflected in the thriving academics.  Obviously the focus is on the next generation’s success which, in turn, will benefit Ambler. With all this success you would think the taxes would be high, but not the case. A proposal for building a new high school was declined a few years ago, furthering the "little town that could" attitude.  A down home approach to community, education, and lifestyle makes Ambler, Pa. a nice place to stop and stay. 

• More info on Ambler's Business District - http://amblermainstreet.org/
• Wissahickon School District - http://www.wsdweb.org/
• More about Ambler's community- including homes for sale http://www.classictowns.org/ambler/#business-economy
• And always stay up to date by liking them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ambler.main.street

HOME PROJECTS THAT REAP THE REWARDS

When you buy your home the last thing that you may think about is selling it, or maybe that is exactly what you are thinking?  Either way, projects that improve your home should also bring more value to your home.  There are many to add and many to avoid.  I would caution extravagant and lavish renovations, for example, sunrooms, home office remodel, or an expensive “dream” kitchen re-do, just will not reap the rewards you might be looking for.  Practical renovations make more sense for you and your potential buyer.   Functional and efficient details that enhance your home will produce more buyer interest and create a home that will sell faster. Most sound investments for maximum return are the ones that are moderate, using quality products, and not over the top upgrades.  Take a look at the graphic to see the winners in the ROI department.  You will enjoy these improvements now and definitely will be happy with the money that will come back to you when it is time to sell your home.

"There's no place like HOME." - Dorothy, The Wizard of Oz

Why me, why now, why a blog, well, why not? 
And quite frankly if I keep on asking so many questions 
this blog will never be blogged.

Here’s where I start, I am Sharon, a “home enthusiast,” I live in one, I love them, I dream about them, I am obsessed with them, I help people buy and sell them and I love anything that has to do with creating a HOME. I came up with the brilliant decision to spread my knowledge, and with any luck, gain some.  
Join me as I gather and toss around ideas, inspirations, tricks, locations and communities that I consider HOMEY. (and I mean that in the best possible way) 

So, open the door, walk in, take your shoes off and stay awhile, wiggle your toes into the carpet and flop on the couch…this is your HOME!