News & Gossip – Week of 12/21/10

News & Gossip

Conshohocken’s Blackfish has been named the No. 1 restaurant in the Philadelphia area by Philadelphia Magazine.  That is right, not just the best restaurant in Conshy, or Montco, or the suburbs, but the whole entire region.  Take that Rittenhouse Square!

Unrelated to the story above, here ate 20 Questions with Chef Chip Roman, the owner of Blackfish, on Philly2Night.com.  Spamps was also given a shout out by Philly2Night.com as a great place to enjoy festive holiday drinks.

Brunch is coming to Conshy!  There has always been a lack of breakfast/brunch options in Conshy (yes, I know the 401 Diner and until recently Boccella’s), but there has never really been a place to go on Saturday or Sunday morning to enjoy a bloody mary or even a nicer place to take your parents when they are in town.  During the past couple months, breakfast/brunch has become an area that local restaurateurs see potential to make an impact.  The Outbound Station currently offers breakfast sandwiches, but is planning for a brunch on Sundays.  8 East opened in November with a Sunday brunch menu.  Guppy’s has been serving breakfast on Sundays and now is planning to build on that success and offer a brunch menu.  Gypsy Saloon announced on their Facebook yesterday that they are adding a brunch in the future and the new Conshohocken Cafe plans to make brunch on Saturday and Sunday an integral part of their business.  There are also rumors of a new diner in downtown Conshohocken for next year.  On top of all this is Andy’s Diner on Ridge Avenue that  opened last year, which has a buffet and omelet station every weekend.  That is a lot of eggs!

Hey buddy, can I borrow a quarter?  Conshy cop arrested for allegedy stealing quarters from the parking meters.  I guess he won’t be “summering in Conshy.”

Flanigan’s Boathouse has added a new wing sauce…hot honey citrus.

Is a boathouse coming to Conshy?  Malvern Prep and Haverford (school) have proposed to build a boathouse on the river on borough owned property that would allow for public (that is you) access to the river.  Did you know that the borough controls from the water’s to 100 feet inland?  I didn’t, but I learned that last night at a Conshohocken Business Development Commission meeting.  Basically, the schools would row out of the boathouse and the residents would have an opportunity to finally utilize the river.

On A Roll has moved next door to what was formally Boccella’s, and opened very softly.  They are still waiting the delivery of their coffee machines, artwork and some furniture, so don’t go and expect a complete coffee house/cafe experience yet.  They plan for a grand opening after the start of the new year.

Through Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School, MoreThanTheCurve.com and PlymouthWhitemarsh.com has secured three interns to help cover local stories and events.  If you have any event you want covered, etc., please send me an email at kevin@morethanthecurve.com and, if possible, myself or one of the interns will come take pictures and write a story.  Below the first story to appear on MoreThanTheCurve.com from one of the interns.

On Saturday December 18th, Suburban Sports Training Center held a FUNdamental Soccer program free open house.  Kids ages 18 months to 8 years old were treated to a fun morning of soccer games and instruction and the chance to try out the soccer classes available at the facility.  Located at 1032 Conshohocken Road, Suburban Sports Training Center, a 16,000 square foot indoor sports facility, offers many programs for children and adults to learn and have fun.  SSTC offers year round leagues that are both competitive and recreational in a variety of sports, as well as party packages and fundraising opportunities.  SSTC strives to provide facilities and coaches that can help you or your children learn and enjoy a wide range of sports in an indoor facility that makes you feel like your right outdoors.  For more information on the activities and programs offered, visit http://www.suburbansportstrainingcenter.com.  (Correspondent – Jaclyn Jaffe of Plymouth Whitemarsh High School)

Anthony J. DeMarco of Conshy was indicted for a mortgage scheme.  I guess he won’t be “summering in Conshy” either.

Conshohocken native writes book on eating cheaply and healthy…Elizabeth Fisher is the Dollar Diva.

The Lenfest Foundation of West Conshohocken has granted $750,000 to the city of Philadelphia to help two programs aimed at boosting the number of city residents with college degrees: PhillyGoes2College and the CollegeReady Committee.

Foodie Events

Trattoria Totaro is offering the Feast of the Seven Fishes for dine-in and take-out. You can see the dine-in menu here.

Spamps is having a Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve. Call 610-825-3151 for details.

Pepperoncini is having a Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve (take out only). Call 610-941-7783 for details.

Every Tuesday, Blackfish offers a four course dinner featuring a different ingredient.  Lobster will be the featured ingredient on December 28th.  Price is $45 per person. Call 610-397-0888 for more info.

Daily Specials

Wondering which bar or restaurant has your favorite beer or drink on special? Click here for the run down on specials around town.

Events & Happenings

Want to know where you can hear live music, play quizzo or sing karaoke? Check out the Conshy Calendar by clicking the box above.

Find out what 11 bars and restaurants are doing at CountdownConshohocken.com.

Totaro’s is celebrating their 50th anniversary on New Year’s Eve. You can see all the details here.

Maloney’s is having a “no cover” New Year’s Eve. You can see all the details here.

Londonbury and Daily Grind Fitness are hosting a holiday happy hour on December 22nd from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at 8 East.

Mark your calendars for Happy Hour on January 14th at Maloney’s Pub with The Other Side!  The Other Side will be performing from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a mix ranging from 311 and Sublime to Social D and Johnny Cash.

Local Democrats are getting together for breakfast at the Lincoln Fire Company on January 15th from 10:00 a.m. to noon.  You are encouraged to bring canned goods to donate.

Real Estate

Interested in multi-family properties in Conshy?  Here are the current listings, pending, and sold in the last 6 months courtesy of 19428homes.com.

Candy of the Week

Still need to pick-up something to take to a holiday party or grandma’s house?  Edwards-Freeman has every kind of sweet and nut you can think of, plus a wide selection of trays and gift baskets.

Business News

Marsh & McLennan Agency, a subsidiary of insurance broker Marsh Inc., announced it has acquired Trion Group Inc. of Conshohocken.

Kathryn R. Doyle, former head of Philadelphia-based Drinker Biddle & Reath’s life sciences team, opened the doors to the Riverside Law Firm in Conshohocken, a new intellectual property boutique that exclusively bills on a flat fee basis.

Following a strong performance in 2010, Fairmount Partners added two new bankers this month. Allen Born has joined the firm as a Director and Bill Rottschaefer has joined as an Associate. With the recent additions of Bill Burns (Analyst) in June and Laura Bilazarian (Associate) last December, Fairmount has added four investment bankers during the past 12 months.