I like to search for cool restaurants when I am out of town. In PA, I discovered this great cafe in Wayne and fell in love! White Dog Cafe, with its flagship restaurant in University City, PA is darling, to say the least. I visited the Main Line location (this past time was my third time, and you’ll see why!) with Janelle and Becky on my last visit and I think they love it equally now!
Founded in 1983, this restaurant’s dishes are prepared with local, organic ingredients from local farms that practice sustainable and ecologically sound farming methods. From the minute you arrive, you are surrounded by dogs – topiaries, paintings, photos, pillows along with the banquettes, tiles – everywhere. BUT super tasteful!!
Once seated, you are presented with the menu which is affixed to a large piece of wood (I don’t think that description does it justice, but if you go there you will see what I mean). The menu itself fluctuates based on what is available from the local farms. One item that has been on the menu each time I visited is their truffle fries – and I have ordered them every time. Delish!
You don’t have to be a dog lover to enjoy this locale. The restaurant is broken up into several rooms, each one more intimate than the next with distinct furnishings and design. We sat in what I will call the “library”. Why? Because there were books hanging from the ceiling – it was so cool!!
You could spend your whole visit checking out the artwork on the walls…watercolors, photos, oil paintings – you name it – all of the dogs. I love it!
It doesn’t stop in the main dining areas! The bathrooms are even themed! The men’s room is “Pointers” and the women’s room is “Setters”. So appropo! Inside, they didn’t miss a beat…toilet paper holders, hooks to hang your bag, wall tiles with dogs imprinted in them…even footprint tiles on the floor. It is done so tastefully too.
I swear I love this place for its food as well! This visit I ordered their Griggstown Farm turkey burger with a chipotle ketchup glaze, crispy onions, avocado, and Havarti cheese; truffle parmesan fries, and a side of glazed Brussel sprouts with smoked bacon and maple syrup. It was so delicious and I was so full afterward.
The service was excellent, the food was excellent, and the ambiance was excellent. I highly recommend it!
Visit their website at www.whitedog.com to learn more!
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