Greatest of the Main Line
Where to wine, dine, shop, and be inspired.
The Main Line is celebrated for its rich history, ideal location, and, more than anything else, a sky-high quality of life: a wealth of culinary, retail, and community destinations; grand estate homes on exquisite tracts of land; revered educational institutions; numerous concerts, festivals, and community events; and convenient access to the richness of Philadelphia.
In other words, there’s no place quite like the Main Line. Its towns and neighborhoods are a study in abundance, as proven by the following destinations for culture, dining, recreation, shopping, and more.
The Blue Elephant in Wayne (and its sister location in Pottstown) serves up an experience to remember. The décor and atmosphere are exquisite, and the creative menu is best described as a fusion of Italian and Asian cuisines. Can’t-miss dishes include the steamed gyoza, the kabocha squash ravioli, and the edamame truffle tortellini. blueelephantwayne.com
Chanticleer will soon go dormant for the winter, but Wayne’s famed public garden has been welcoming visitors for more than 30 years. The 50-acre grounds (35 of which are open to the public) provide a lovely respite from the outside world, teeming with all kinds of artfully manicured fauna. Its magical grounds aside, Chanticleer connects with community members through a full roster of classes, workshops, and events. chanticleergarden.org
Chanticleer will soon go dormant for the winter, but Wayne’s famed public garden has been welcoming visitors for more than 30 years. The 50-acre grounds (35 of which are open to the public) provide a lovely respite from the outside world, teeming with all kinds of artfully manicured fauna. Its magical grounds aside, Chanticleer connects with community members through a full roster of classes, workshops, and events. chanticleergarden.org
Northeast Philadelphia native Matt Rathgeb is no stranger to hard work. Over the course of two decades, he built his enterprise, Rathgeb Painting, into a flourishing business. He has since joined forces with a national partner and rebranded his company under the Groovy Hues moniker. Whether Main Line homeowners need to refresh their properties inside or out (or both), Rathgeb prides himself on the company’s informative, no-pressure sales calls; free color consultations with a designer; quick and convenient scheduling; zero-percent financing options; and clear communication throughout the duration of the project. groovyhues.com/philadelphia-pa
Family-run Holland Floor Covering began its life in Bucks County, where it continues to thrive. It has since expanded to the Main Line with a showroom on Lancaster Avenue in Wayne. The product mix has expanded, too, to include virtually every kind of floor covering possible, from natural high-quality carpet to hard-surface options such as tile, natural stone, and hardwood. hollandfloor.com
Ivory Tree Portraits’ Wayne studio grew out of owner Lara Aman Mattey’s desire to make family photography seamless and easy for busy working parents on the Main Line. The images captured by Ivory Tree photographers are the kind that families will want to display for years to come, in part because they’re meant to capture a child’s true essence—a timeless reminder of what makes her or him unique. Readers who live closer to Bucks County can also visit Ivory Tree Portraits’ second location in Newtown. ivorytreeportraits.com
Main Line Art Center provides countless opportunities for members of the community to grow, create, and experience joy through the visual arts. The Haverford nonprofit offers classes and camps (digital photography, mosaics, and jewelry making, among many others), public exhibitions and events, and outreach programs to inspire art lovers, as well as foster connections among people throughout the community. mainlineart.org
Wayne-based Main Point Books gives book lovers of all ages a sanctuary where they can expand their horizons, build community, and indulge their fondness for the written word. Whether you’re on the hunt for a new novel from Matt Haig, TJ Klune, or Jodi Picoult, or you just want a comfortable space to be by yourself or connect with others, you’ll find all of it—and so much more—at Main Point Books. mainpointbooks.com
Wayne-based Main Point Books gives book lovers of all ages a sanctuary where they can expand their horizons, build community, and indulge their fondness for the written word. Whether you’re on the hunt for a new novel from Matt Haig, TJ Klune, or Jodi Picoult, or you just want a comfortable space to be by yourself or connect with others, you’ll find all of it—and so much more—at Main Point Books. mainpointbooks.com
Many vegetarians find it relatively easy to swear off meat, but cheese is a different story. It’s one of those staples, like coffee and pizza, that just make life a little bit better. You’ll find an extraordinary assortment of fine cheeses (plus charcuterie, spreads, olive oil, chocolate, and more) at The Grand Fromage in nearby Skippack. Whether you prefer raclette from Switzerland, goat cheese from France, or gouda from the Netherlands, you’ll find what you’re looking for—and likely some selections you didn’t know you wanted—at this diminutive wonder on Skippack Pike. thegrandfromage.com
People’s Light, now celebrating 50 years in Malvern, represents the voices of every feather through new and traditional stage productions. Coming in January: Tommy and Me, Ray Didinger’s autobiographical show about Eagles great Tommy McDonald’s drive to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. With each production, People’s Light hopes to entertain, to challenge the way people view the world around them, and to connect guests through the power of story. World-class theater aside, the seven-acre campus includes a restaurant dishing up seasonally inspired fare in a restored 18th-century farmhouse. peopleslight.org
Once a freight house and part of one of the first rail stations on the Main Line, The Pullman Restaurant & Bar in Bryn Mawr serves up fine food and signature cocktails in a stylish yet approachable atmosphere. Regulars swear by the lobster bites. The aptly named 10/14 Bar on the Rails offers a one-of-a-kind alfresco experience in kinder weather. thepullmanrestaurant.com
The following businesses, artisans, institutions, and professionals contribute to the high quality of life enjoyed by those who live, work, and play on the Main Line: the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur (ndapa.org), Dr. Sheedeh Madani and her team at Bala Kids Dentistry (balakidsdentistry.com), Dr. Louis P. Bucky and Bucky Plastic Surgery (drbucky.com), Chester County Bamboo (ccbamboo.com), Dilworth’s Custom Design (dilworthscustomdesign.com), Dunwoody Village (dunwoody.org), Friends’ Central School (friendscentral.org), Friends School Haverford (friendshaverford.org), the Lynise Caruso Team of Keller Williams Main Line (lynisecarusoteam.com), Main Line Armory (mainlinearmory.com), Dr. Peter Flaherty and his team at Main Line Smile (mainlinesmile.com), Dr. LynAnn Mastaj and Mastaj Orthodontics (lynannmastaj.com), Optima Jewelers (optimajewelers.com), Salon Amar (salonamar.com), the Trish Dantis Real Estate Team (trishdantis.com), Dr. James A. Vito (jamesvito.com), and Waverly Heights (waverlyheightsltd.org).
People’s Light, now celebrating 50 years in Malvern, represents the voices of every feather through new and traditional stage productions. Coming in January: Tommy and Me, Ray Didinger’s autobiographical show about Eagles great Tommy McDonald’s drive to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. With each production, People’s Light hopes to entertain, to challenge the way people view the world around them, and to connect guests through the power of story. World-class theater aside, the seven-acre campus includes a restaurant dishing up seasonally inspired fare in a restored 18th-century farmhouse. peopleslight.org
Once a freight house and part of one of the first rail stations on the Main Line, The Pullman Restaurant & Bar in Bryn Mawr serves up fine food and signature cocktails in a stylish yet approachable atmosphere. Regulars swear by the lobster bites. The aptly named 10/14 Bar on the Rails offers a one-of-a-kind alfresco experience in kinder weather. thepullmanrestaurant.com
The following businesses, artisans, institutions, and professionals contribute to the high quality of life enjoyed by those who live, work, and play on the Main Line: the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur (ndapa.org), Dr. Sheedeh Madani and her team at Bala Kids Dentistry (balakidsdentistry.com), Dr. Louis P. Bucky and Bucky Plastic Surgery (drbucky.com), Chester County Bamboo (ccbamboo.com), Dilworth’s Custom Design (dilworthscustomdesign.com), Dunwoody Village (dunwoody.org), Friends’ Central School (friendscentral.org), Friends School Haverford (friendshaverford.org), the Lynise Caruso Team of Keller Williams Main Line (lynisecarusoteam.com), Main Line Armory (mainlinearmory.com), Dr. Peter Flaherty and his team at Main Line Smile (mainlinesmile.com), Dr. LynAnn Mastaj and Mastaj Orthodontics (lynannmastaj.com), Optima Jewelers (optimajewelers.com), Salon Amar (salonamar.com), the Trish Dantis Real Estate Team (trishdantis.com), Dr. James A. Vito (jamesvito.com), and Waverly Heights (waverlyheightsltd.org).
Did we miss one of your favorites? If you have a suggestion for a can’t-miss restaurant, shop, cultural icon, or other “must” destination (on the Main Line or elsewhere), let us know. Email us at editor@suburbanlifemagazine.com.
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Life magazine, October 2024.
