Phoenixville, PA‘s New Restaurant Row

This suburban Philadelphia town serves up some excellent fare with the addition of several restaurants right on Bridge Street.

In Chester County, PA, the small town of Phoenixville,  known mainly for its annually “Blobfest” (yes, in reference to the campy Steve McQueen classic, which was filmed here back in 1958) has experienced quite a resurgence in recent years. Long gone are the steel mills that made Phoenixville home to so many workers years ago. These days, the town is home to a hot new downtown that features several trendy restaurants. Here’s a sampling of the best Phoenixville restaurants, all located right on the town’s main drag, Bridge Street.

Hacienda Michoacana. (101 Bridge Street/61--415-1972) The old Phoenix Steel superintendents building has been gorgeously restored and put to good use with this  addition to the Phoenixville restaurant scene. Hacienda Michoacana serves authentic Mexican food and drink, all fresh and cooked to order. To try:  The "loaded" nacho platter (you have to see it to believe it) and a mojito.

Molly Maguire’s. (197 Bridge Street/ 610-933-9550). Molly’s is an Irish pub that serves authentic Irish food and drink in a big way. With menu items like Dublin-style bangers and mash, braised steak and Guinness pie, and of course, corned beef and cabbage, Molly’s has it all. It’s near impossible to get a table on St. Patty’s Day unless you call ahead or get there very early, but Molly’s is a fun place year round.

The Fenix (193 Bridge Street/610-933-9550). Molly Maguire’s owners Declan Mannion and Conor Cummins dreamed up this high end martini bar and it’s a great, upscale addition to the Bridge Street scene featuring a small tapas menu with items like Beef and Bleu Crostini and Shrimp Lejon, The Fenix is unlike any other bar in the area. With sleek, modern décor it has the feel of a downtown Philly club. The martinis don’t come cheap, but they’re the best in the area. The Flirtini and the Must Love Chocolate martini are two favorites. The Fenix also features a full bar as well.

Iron Hill Brewery (130 E. Bridge Street/610-983-9333). Iron Hill features their own brand of microbrew, featuring Vienna Red Lager, Raspberry Wheat and seasonal Belgian ale. Not sure which beer to try? Get the sampler. The food menu features brew house favorites like pizza, chicken, salad entrees and angus beef burgers, as well as steak and seafood entrees. Kids are welcome and Iron Hill offers a great kids menu with side item choices like steamed broccoli and cucumbers and carrot with dip (yes, they offer fries too, but why tell the kids?). For dessert, the revamped Chocolate Hill is to die for.

Majolica (258 Bridge Street/610-917-0962). Majolica closed down for a few months earlier this year and local foodies got scared. Turns out, Majolica’s owners just wanted to do a quick remodel and revamp their menu for these tough economic times. Majolica is a small place and doesn’t cater to large groups. Chef Andrew Deery has received critical acclaim for his creations, which feature locally grown ingredients. The menu is small and succinct, with offerings like Grilled Lamb Sirloin, House Smoked Chicken and Roasted Skatewing as well as scrumptious desserts like Chocolate Pots de Crème and Pineapple Sorbet.

Great American Hotel (148 Bridge Street/610-917-3333). Housed in a grand old building (formerly the Columbia Hotel), this incarnation of the  local pub chain serves up authentic barbecue ribs, hand cut fries,  crab cakes, and really awesome sliders.

Marly’s (108 Bridge Street/610-933-7471). Everyone can use a good BYOB in their life and Marly’s fits the bill. Its trendy décor and American Continental cuisine makes it one of the most happening spots on Bridge Street. Marly’s daily bento boxes are a menu favorite. For entrees, try their signature “cheese steak”, which isn’t a South Philly sub but a filet mignon topped with a Roquefort crust.

Black Lab Bistro (248 Bridge Street/610-935-5988). With the tagline “Urban Chic, Suburban Comfort” The Black Lab has been a Bridge Street staple for the past few years and was one of the first restaurants to open in the “new” downtown Phoenixville. It’s a BYOB, which, if you forget to bring a bottle of wine, used to be easier when the liquor store was just across the street (there’s still a Wine and Spirts store close by, in the Acme on Starr Street). The Black Lab offers upscale fare in a contemporary setting. With entrees like Lobster Mac and Cheese, Scottish Salmon, Chicken and Artichokes and a variety of Pastas, The Black Lab has something for everyone. Their desserts are phenomenal, with treats like Chocolate Ravioli, Key Lime Tart and Blueberry Crème Brulee, so be sure to save room.

Steel City Coffeehouse (203 Bridge Street/910-933-4043)- Known for their great coffee and cool music shows, Steel City is more than just a place to grab a cup of joe. Light fare is served, including pastries, salads and sandwiches. Stop by on the first Tuesday of every month for their Mad Poet’s Society Open Mic night. Steel City also hosts an ongoing concert series which features local bands.

PJ Ryans Pub (231-233 Bridge Street/610-933-5600). Serving traditional Irish-American pub fare in a completely renovated building, PJ’s has a cool bar scene and great, casual food. Guests may be familiar with PJ’s other two locations in West Chester (Ryan’s Pub) and Philly (Smokey Joe’s), Sandwiches, burgers and salads make up most of the lunch menu. Pub entrees are served from 4:40-10:00 PM and include Sesame Pork Medallions, Chicken Portabella and Tortellini Romano.

Sage (150 Bridge Street/ 484-927-4168) The new kid on the block, this Mediterranean eatery offers a Middle Eastern appetizer platter, hummus, falafel, as well as entrees like chicken Marsala and pasta alfredo. Another perk: It's BYOB, and there's a wine store just down the street.

'The Bachelorette' Season 5 Scandal: Is Ed Swiderski Cheating on Jillian?

It’s only been a week since the big Bachelorette finale, and already Ed Swiderski’s ex-girlfriends are coming out of the woodwork.

Swiderksi was the lucky guy picked by Bachelorette Jillian Harris in last week’s season finale- even though she received marriage proposals from two other men, Kiptyn Locke and Reid Rosenthal.

Swiderski, who works for Microsoft, left the show three weeks into the taping after saying that he had work obligations. He came back a few weeks later and asked Jillian to please give him another chance.

And another chance she gave him, indeed. After some whirlwind romantic dates, an embarrassing bedroom scene and some strange wardrobe choices, Ed was Jillian’s final pick. The couple became engaged on the show and claimed on the After the Final Rose special, that they would marry within the next 12 months. And Harris, who currently lives in Canada, plans to move to Chicago in the near future to live with Ed.

While country music singer Wes Hayden was the one who was portrayed on the show as having a girlfriend back home, Internet rumors swirled that it was actually Swiderski who had the girlfriend.

And now, two of Ed Swiderski’s former flames are claiming that he continued to woo them throughout the Bachelorette taping—and after.

According to a segment on today’s Good Morning America, US Magazine has obtained interviews and photos of two of Ed’s exes who claim he's a player who was anything but single during the Bachelorette process.

Lindsey Johnsen, who claims to have been dating Swiderski since February of this year, and Bethany Steffan, who says she has been dating him since last December, both claim to have been in contact with him throughout his Bachelorette stint. Both women say he led them on, and that he was just appearing on The Bachelorette as a joke and to be on TV.

To take it a step further, Johnson has provided photos of herself and Ed at a wedding together in April, which was during the brief time that he left the show. And to add more fuel to the fire, she claims to have slept with Swiderski after he proposed to Jillian. Both women claim Swiderksi lied to them when he said he was going to Texas for business and instead flew back to L.A. to rejoin The Bachelorette cast.

As for the happy couple? They appeared on Good Morning America this morning, albeit from different locations. Both call the tabloid rumors “inaccurate” and “ridiculous."  Harris, who was clearly flustered, says she won’t be talking about this topic again.

As for their marriage plans. Swiderski says the wedding is still on—within 12 to 18 months.



Sources: Good Morning America/ABC TV

Photo Credit: Angela George/Wikimedia Commons