Out & About with Linda

Thank heavens for the folks at Charles’ Barber Shop in Feasterville! This frantic “Bubbie” took her grandson for a haircut that was really a “fix-up” after another person butchered his hair… REALLY butchered.

He came home after his dad (my son) took him to where he gets his hair cut, and to the dismay of everyone, he was BUTCHERED!!! Fortunately, Yosi, my grandson, has a beautiful face and carried off the terrible haircut with aplomb!!! (LOL)
Anyway, the consensus was that “Bubbie” should step in and correct the situation, and with the help of Mike Jr., all ended well, handsomely. Mike Jr. is the third generation at Charles’ Barber Shop. He stands next to his father Mike Sr., who’s the second generation. Mike Sr. cut my late husband’s hair until he passed away, he cut our son’s hair and now HIS son is cutting our grandson’s hair. And yes, I’ve been informed, the “haircut” has been placed on my list of things to take care of!!!

Charles’ has been around forever grooming many generations in our greater area. If you’re looking to find a home for a good haircut, check out these guys. They’re open and busy, and have the expertise to fix any boo-boo. Just ask Yosi’s mother, Deena… and we all know “Mother is always right!”

There’s a really neat product available through a florist I dealt with, Florals & Scrubs. It’s a bouquet of paper/cardboard flowers. It collapses when it is mailed and pops open when removed from the envelope. You can purchase roses, tulips, or daffodils, and unlike the real thing, they last forever. They stand upright in a self-contained “bowl” of cardboard. I really flipped over this. It’s a fun way to let someone know you’re thinking of them, and the best thing? They’re only $15 plus minimal postage to mail in the envelope!! I sent this to my sister as just a “because I love you gift” and it worked. She was surprised and it put a smile on her face. Check out this product. It’s different, it’s neat and I think it’s pretty affordable in light of the increasingly high prices of flower arrangements… AND you can mail it wherever you want!

Talk about “prices”…. but prices that are worth it, we met with cousins in Center City a few weeks ago at the Rittenhouse Grill in the Warwick Hotel. This is an original steak house, heavy with wood décor, soft-cushioned seats, and little corners where you can hideaway from the rest of the diners if you want. There’s a piano player in the center serenading you gently as you enjoy everything that is served… and we did!

My cousin, Janice, who’s a real California foodie…. she worked side by side with Spago’s Wolfgang Puck for many years…. made the arrangements and directed us to what is best on the menu. P.S. It was all “best.”

We started with Potato Skins followed with salads. Everything is à la carte. My sister and I shared the hunky Wedge Salad with Bleu Cheese dressing, the rest of our party enjoyed Caesar Salads. All salads could be shared comfortably.

For dinner entrées we covered the gamut. One cousin had baby lamb chops, another shrimp cocktail, a house prime rib and another chopped steak with sautéed onions. Our meals definitely met the highest expectations of a traditional steakhouse. The food, the ambiance, the service all suited the special occasion of cousins reuniting after an almost 14-month hiatus. It was special.

And yes, we topped off our meal with multiple desserts, a sampling of the best that their dessert tray offered. After all, a meal of this caliber needs a delicious dessert, no?

It’s not often that we talk about restaurants in this price range. However, if you’re looking for a treat, if you’re seeking a total experience of a real steakhouse, the Rittenhouse Grill could be your place. And don’t be hesitant about parking. There’s a gentleman directly out front who takes care of your car for about $20. No need to search for a parking lot or nearby space. Just pull up to the hotel/restaurant, give him your keys and enjoy the rest of the evening. E-Z P-Z.

For something local and suited for our everyday pocketbook, check out Warminster’s Village Pizza. Our office brought in their Special Calzone and a Vegetarian Calzone, each was superb. A large calzone can feed four or six, a small calzone can feed three or four very comfortably. Add a fresh salad and you have a dinner.

They have an extensive menu including sandwiches, pasta entrees, salads and pizzas. But go for the calzone. They are special.

I made a quick visit to one of our newest advertisers, the Hampton Market in Hampton Square Shopping Center on Second Street Pike in Southampton. With open, wide aisles, and clean, this is an easy market to get almost everything you need, plus more. If your day is busy and you’re running short on time to prepare dinner, they have an extensive selection of prepared foods including salads, meats, fish and breads… and yes, desserts. I walked out with a Sour Cabbage Salad, one of my Spring favorites, and two kinds of bread rolls; one with spinach and mushrooms and the other with cheese. Flat, round breads, heat them up and serve with a dollop of sour cream. One can serve two people. After they’re heated, the bread/pastry is crisp and light and a real treat. You might add this to your dinner as a side, or serve it alone with salad and maybe a vegetable. Either way, we think it’s definitely worth the four dollars each one costs.

You can see their ad in this issue for more details. They’ve also included a coupon to welcome you. What could be better? Delicious food and savings! I think Hampton Market has both. Check it out to see if you agree.

So, I think this is it for now. Look to hear more of my travels in the coming weeks. We hope these mentions give you some ideas of what is happening in our greater reading area. Let us know what you think!!

Charles’ Barber Shop
153 Bustleton Pike, Feasterville-Trevose, PA 19053
(215) 357-9826

Florals & Scrubs
159 Bala Avenue, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
(215) 399-5756

New Village Pizza
410 Jacksonville Road, Warminster, PA 18974
(215) 420-7877

Rittenhouse Grill
1701 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 772-1701

Hampton food Market
Hampton Square Shopping Center
408 Second Street Pike, Southampton, PA 18977
(215) 315-8497

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