SIDEBAR Spring 2020 - 6

MONTGOMERYBAR.ORG

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Lovely La Provence
in downtown Ambler
By Denise S. Vicario, Esq.

L

a Provence is a charming new
BYOB in quaint downtown
Ambler, located in the former Trax
Café spot. The restaurant has been renovated
to be far brighter and airier. The ambiance is
warm and welcoming, and the décor is eclectic
and elegant. Lunch and dinner are served
Tuesday through Friday, only dinner is served
on Saturday, and both brunch and dinner are
served on Sunday.
Our party sat in the newly added enclosed
porch that has glass doors that are opened in
the summer. The space heaters and cozy area
made for a warm and fine place to eat. The staff is very proud of
their new porche!
The menu is classically French, and provides a varied
sampling of well-prepared French cuisine. We started with the
petite assietes (small plates) special of the day of homemade
lobster ravioli in oxtail consommé and topped with turnip
carpaccio and flying fish roe ($20). Although visually appealing,
the ravioli and consommé were ice cold. The server responded
quickly by replacing it with a much hotter serving that was
unique and delicious. The oxtail consommé was richly delectable
- and much improved when warm! The baguette and butter
were both homemade - and delicious. The salade a la maison was
crisp mixed greens with a tangy Dijon vinaigrette. The additional
items on the small plate menu represent French staples and are a
good mix of soups, salads, cheeses, fish and meats.
We selected plats
principaux of Sole
Menuiere ($45) and
Poulet aux Champignons
Sauvage ($28). All great
chefs agree - especially
Julia Child - that
certain dishes such
as sole are something

6 SIDEBAR

Located in the Old Ambler Train Station at:
27 West Butler Pike, Ambler, PA 19002
PHONE: 215.390.1767
Email: info@laprovenceambler.com
Press: http://www.facebook.com/laprovenceambler
that should be mastered in the lexicon of French
cuisine. Fortunately, for patrons of La Provence,
Chef Manuel, formerly of Ristorante San Marco
in Springhouse, has indeed mastered French
cuisine.

A deceptively easy dish to make - or muddle -
the sole was fresh and light and faultlessly sautéed
in their homemade butter, spinach, shallots,
capers, and parsley, and served with purée de
pommes de terre piped perfectly on the Villeroy
and Boch large plate. The chicken was tres bien
with ample mushrooms and garlic au jus and
complemented by crisp, golden pomme frites.
Not your McDonalds fries at La Provence!
The principal dishes were also a good assortment of fish
(including Bourride de Lotte - fish stew ($38)), poultry (including
Confit de Canard - duck leg ($32)) and beef (including Entrecote
au Beurre Bleu - steak in roquefort butter ($38)). The special of the
evening was Filet de Bouef Wellington for two. Tempting, but we
wanted to try two dishes for this review. All entrees are served with
either a potato or starch and prepared in house sauces.
Les Desserts are all house made and should satisfy any sweet
tooth. We chose the Blueberry Clafoultis, ($10) the specialty of
the evening, and vanilla bean Crème Brulee ($10) that cracked
perfectly with your spoon. Both were very well done. The
cappuccino ($6) was delicieuse, and served with the most exquisite
sugar bowl.
The bathroom is well appointed and spacious, and the parking
is plentiful. Reservations
are recommended. Brunch
prices are in the $16 to $25
range, and lunch prices are
in the $12 to $20 range.
For those of you who make
the journey to charming
Ambler, Bon Appetit!
http://montgomerybar.org http://www.facebook.com/laprovenceambler
SIDEBAR Spring 2020

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