Suburban Life - Central Bucks/Montgomery

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SL_M2K Restaurant Profile_0123final.qxp_Layout 1 1 / 31 / 23 3 : 35 PM Page 1 by Leigh Stuart | photos by Alison Dunlap The Story Continues HOSE FAMILIAR WITH AMBLER ARE LIKELY added a new jewel in its crown : The Second NO STRANGER TO M2K RESTAURANT GROUP , Story , a cocktail lounge and event space lo - TheSecond Story , Thelmed by restaurateur Kevin Clibanoff . cated just above Bridgets . Here , guests will If the name of the hospitality group does enjoy a wholly different experience than in aone - of - a - kind event not ring a bell , its restaurants — KC’s Alley either of the larger restaurants , which focus space and cocktail lounge and neighboring Bridgets Modern Steak - on larger plates and more traditional dining . house — certainly will . At The Second Story , the focus is on fromthe owner of Bridgets Clibanoff , who has been working in providing an intimate and sophisticated hospitality since his first job as a busboy in lounge atmosphere with a menu of creative ModernSteakhouse and 1979 , is somewhat of a pioneer among cocktails and small dishes . Clibanoff decided Ambler’s restaurateurs . He opened KC’s KC’sAlley , adds another to build the lounge last year to accommodate Alley back in 1999 . untapped demand . chapterto Ambler’s “ In 1999 , nobody came to Ambler , ” he “ I wanted to give people a space for says . “ You couldn’t get anybody to go there . private events , ” he adds . “ I’m trying to vibrantdining scene . I wanted to create something there . Ambler create something that the suburbs does is surrounded by so much wealth — Lafayette not have — a lounge where people can enjoy Hill , Wissahickon , Plymouth Meeting — and started opening , and more things started music , watch the game , or just hang out . ” I thought : If we can get people to buy into happening in Ambler , and it became what His original rooftop concept evolved this town , maybe we have something here . it is today . Today , everyone thinks Ambler into an enclosed space featuring scores of “ Little by little , things matriculated , ” he is great , and it truly is . ” windows that can open to flood the space continues , “ and in 2004 I opened Bridgets . Locals have more reasons than ever to with fresh air and natural light . Guests can It’s not just because of me , but because of linger on Ambler’s shopping and dining experience the benefits of alfresco dining the culture here . More and more restaurants corridor . M2K Restaurant Group recently in the warmer months , even on rainy days . SUBURBANLIFEMAGAZINE.COM VOLUME 14 ISSUE 5 14 |

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SL_M2K Restaurant Profile_0123final.qxp_Layout 1 1 / 31 / 23 3 : 35 PM Page 2 “ We have accordion windows , so they Beef enthusiasts will enjoy two dishes open , sexy , chic blue velvet barstools , and in particular : the short rib dish with Kalbi white - and - black tile floors , ” he shares . “ I’ve glaze over Mexican corn salad ; and the never had an opportunity to have a space steak Tataki , an Asian preparation of rare - like this . ” seared New York strip steak with crispy The bar offers seating for 18 , including shallots and leeks and a side of ponzu two banquette couches , and the space in sauce . its entirety can accommodate up to 40 “ Everyonewants to feel special , ” Bridget guests . It is open to the public on Friday says . “ We want people to feel that way and Saturday nights , but available for private here , that’s why we wanted to do something bookings all other days . more low - key , close , and comfortable . All “ It’s a great space for wine dinners , different types of people want to come see birthday parties , happy hours , ” Clibanoff us , including people who just want to have adds . “ Anything under 40 guests is a grand agood time and not spend a ton of money slam . It’s not your typical event space ; it’s onfood . I don’t think there are many places sexy . ” like this unless you go to the city . ” No cocktail lounge would be complete “ I’m a passionate entrepreneur , and I without a carefully curated selection of lovewhat I do , ” Kevin Clibanoff adds . “ When drinks and spirits , of course . Kevin’s daughter , I first opened here , I was trying to create Bridget Clibanoff , explains the selection is somethingunique for people . Most people due in large part to General Manager Steve thought I was crazy . With The Second Story , Britt , who Bridget describes as an aficionado we’ve basically made an enclosed open - air of whiskeys and bourbons . Britt , who also loungethat people love . It’s a great location , serves as general manager for Bridgets andconsidering what’s happening in Ambler , Modern Steakhouse and KC’s Alley , came and all the growth that’s going to happen to M2K Hospitality Group with a background here in the next five years , people are really ? in country club hospitality , as well as a going to take to it . ” penchant for fine spirits . Visitors familiar with Bridgets may rec - ognize some of The Second Story’s signature cocktails borrowed from the menu of its sister establishment . These favorites include the “ OG ” Basil Cocktail , a medley of house - infused pineapple vodka , muddled fresh It’s not your “ pineapple , basil , lemon , and pineapple juice . Another Instagrammable standout is typical event space . ” theLady Bridgerton . “ We use Empress 1908 gin , which is a — Kevin Clibanoff , M2K Restaurant Group fluorescent purple color , with house - made Earl Grey and lavender simple syrups , ” Brid - get says of the drink . “ Every juice we use is freshly squeezed , like the lemon we use in this , and then we top the rim of the glass with egg white foam . ” Just as important as the beverage pro - gram is the selection of small plates . One star is the lobster risotto , made with fresh Maine lobster . Seafood shines across the menu in dishes such as the tuna duet , fea - turing spicy Ahi tuna tartare aside blackened tuna served with pickled ginger and spicy mustard ; the crabcake , which comes ac - companied by sweet chili sauce ; and the fried calamari , which is a departure from the version most will know from other The Second Story D restaurants in the area . Formore information on The Second “ Ours is not an Italian preparation , ” Story , located above Bridgets Modern Bridget says . “ It is cornmeal - crusted and Steakhouse in Ambler ( 8 West Butler servedwith oatmeal clusters , bean sprouts , Ave . ) , visit bridgetssteak.com or and sweet banana chips with a sweet chipo - call ( 267 ) 465 - 2000 . tle glaze that has a little kick . It’s a crowd favorite , and there’s no marinara . ” SUBURBANLIFEMAGAZINE.COM VOLUME 14 ISSUE 5 | 15

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