Black Lab Bistro: Dinner with the BF in Phoenixville

Oh good old Limerick, the melting pot of all chain restaurants and strip malls. Sure, I can't say that I loathe Applebee's 2 for 20 dollar special, but when the BF is paying, I take advantage and decide to try something new. Phoenixville had gone through many, many, many improvements over the last couple of years, and is steadily starting to look like a mini Manyunk. One night in the winter, my friends dragged me out to PJ Ryans on Bridge St. After a couple hours of awkwardly talking to old high school class mates who still live with their parents, we decide to leave. But something catches my eye- across the street is a nice red framed restaurant with Olden Day letters. "Black Lab Bistro". hmm....

Garlic Rosemary Butter with Sesame Bread

Taste: Nice salted butter, the aroma of garlic and rosemary was there rather than the taste.

Texture: The bread was chewy and airy. Nothing to wet yourself over.

Smell: Like rosemary and garlic.. duh!

Price: Free :D

Black Angus Burger with Truffle Oil Fries

Taste: He had ordered it rare, but to his disappointment, it came out well done. After a bite, I decide that it was still very much flavorful and surprisingly still kind of juicy without making the brioche roll soggy. The flavor of the tomato, burger, and buttered brioche danced together gracefully in my mouth. It also had gruyere cheese, which I didn't really taste at all. The truffle fries perfectly salted and the taste of the truffle was just enough without becoming overbearing.

Texture: Nice toasted roll, slightly chewy burger, crisp lettuce, juicy tomato, unnoticeable cheese. It's like a perfect outfit and you accidently put on an extra pair of panties.

Smell: Backyard grilling and good red wine

Price: $15.00

Mussels in Tomato Vodka Sauce with Penne Pasta

Taste: PERFECTLY stewed sauce. The chunks of tomato melted in my mouth. Not too much garlic, but enough to add to the texture of the sauce. Loved to topping of parmesan cheese which salted my penne just right. The mussels however, weren't that big :(. Oh well it might be the ending of the season?

Texture: Pasta was cooked al-dente, and remained hardy even in the heat of the broth. The mussels weren't over steamed and fell off of their shell without much struggle

Smell: Tomato soup and Seafood

Price: $18.00

Tiramisu with Honey

Taste: Creamy, airy taste of Cognac, then a sudden sharp sweetness that came from the honey. (What is it about that piece of mint on desserts that makes you feel like you have to eat it so neatly?!). Could have done without the layer of chocolate sauce, I felt it cheapened the dessert. If it had to have chocolate, it should have been dark bitter chocolate.

Texture: Airy, spongy, angel food cake-y with a dark past...

Smell: Honey and Mint

Price: Free :D ( The waiter felt bad for BF's over cooked meat, so this treat was on the house)

Verdict: Coming back for more! Bring a nice bottle of wine, friends, lovers, family, and enjoy this gem in Phoenixville. The service was fantastic, the ambience was cozy, and the food was memorable.

Black Lab Bistro

248 Bridge St, Phoenixville, PA‎

(610) 935-5988‎

www.blacklabbistro.net/

My first blog... EVER.

Hmm... what did I eat this weekend you ask? Well of course I started off with doughnuts!

Classic Glazed

Taste: Soft, buttery, melt in you mouth. Each bite is airy, and the sweet glaze lingered in your mouth long after your first bite.

Texture: Smooth, with little bits of hardened glaze

Smell: An aroma only love handles could adore

Blueberry Filled with Vanilla Frosting

Taste: It was like biting into a sweet roll topped with classic blueberry pie filling. A little too sweet with the Vanilla frosting. The aftertaste of "fried" flavor was faintly apparent

Texture: A little chewy on the outer shell, and too doughy on the inside

Smell: Like baked blueberry pie. Yum.

Boston Creme with Chocolate Frosting

Taste: The classic Boston Creme. The filling was not too sweet, which balanced out the sweetness of the chocolate glaze.

Texture: Again, a little chewy on the outer shell, and too doughy on the inside, which actually seemed to meld well with the thick pudding like texture of the creme

Smell: Hershey's milk chocolate bar

Peach Filled

Taste: It was like eating a piece of fresh cut potato bread with peach jam

Texture: The doughnut shell on this one seemed to be more "bready" than the other filled doughnuts. There were apparent decent chunks of peaches. I wish they had filled the doughnut up more however.

Smell: Like someone sucking on a peach flavored Jolly Rancher

Verdict: Suzy-Jo's is a great addition to the Royersford community. I have always wanted to try their pastries and I am glad I did. Will definitely come back for more of their fun flavors (they have Peanut Butter Fluff!!). The quality of doughnuts surpassed ones of the Dutch Bakery and Dunkin Donuts. At $4.75 for half dozen, I say that is a pretty good deal. The classic glazed is still my favorite!

Suzy- Jo Donuts

http://www.kingofprussia.com/suzyjodonuts/

61 S Lewis Rd, Royersford, PA - (610) 792-5441

49 E 4th St, Bridgeport, PA - (610) 279-1350