A 'Whole' New Plymouth Meeting

Here's a “whole” new reason to go to Plymouth Meeting: Yesterday was the grand opening of the region’s largest Whole Foods. It's big news for health-conscious foodies living in the area. Located at the Plymouth Meeting Mall, the 65,000-square-foot “anchor” market and café is part of a $100 million redevelopment project to boost interest and traffic in this still-slightly-behind-the-times-but-improving mall.

I haven’t had a chance to check it out yet, but the rooftop café Cold Point Pub is stocked with six local beers on tap and growlers to go.

Though the grand opening has passed, the party continues with multiple free events all week, including a hot chocolate reception on the store’s roof deck (open seasonally) and a chili cook-off.

More on this exciting addition to the nearby ’hood, plus more photos, to come ...

Hours: 8 a.m.-9 p.m. seven days a week. Plymouth Meeting Mall, 500 W. Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting; (610) 832-0010, wholefoodsmarket.com.
 

Good Grog

On another note, I was very bummed when I realized I’d left out some of my favorite bar fare in my February dining feature. The revelation occurred last night while I was nibbling on a plate of Shrimp le Grog and some juicy chicken fingers with a side of zesty, hot and crispy fries at Bryn Mawr’s Grog Restaurant and Bar. The shrimp were expertly cooked, with a nice snap to them, zero mealy-ness, and a sweet burst of flavor that was all the more perfect wrapped up with thick-cut, smoky bacon. (Martha Stewart would call these “angels on horseback.”)

Well-prepared junk food is one of the best things going. There’s nothing worse than chowing down on mediocre, fattening, non-heart-healthy food; it just leaves you feeling like you made a really big mistake. Not at the Grog.

The kitchen stops serving at 10 p.m. on weeknights, so if you want some good comfort grub, cop a squat on that stool in time.

Grog Restaurant and Bar, 836 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr, (610) 527-5870.