Best of the Best: Western Main Line

Morning: Black Cat Cafe

42 Berkley Rd., Devon
610-688-1930 / TheBlackCatCafeDevon.org

Owned and operated by PALS (Pet Adoption and Lifecare Society), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Black Cat Cafe’s proceeds go directly to the needs of homeless, abandoned, injured and sick cats and kittens. Executive Chef Judy Link oversees the hearty and wholesome menu. Patrons coming in for breakfast love the food choices — eggs, pancakes, French toast — with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options a plus. The cafe is a charming and homey space, and the cats and kittens, always adorable, are available for viewing and adoption in a separate gift shop area.

Brunch: Terrain Cafe

138 Lancaster Ave., Devon
610-590-4675 / ShopTerrain.com/Devon-Restaurant

Next door to the Devon Horse Show Grounds, Terrain Cafe inhabits a spacious, plant-filled greenhouse, a space often mentioned for its unique, natural ambiance, designed to pay homage to the area’s pastoral history (in the former Waterloo Gardens spot), featuring local materials like Pennsylvania fieldstone and reclaimed barn wood. The brunch menu is seasonally inspired, featuring choices like wild mushroom frittata, chicory and citrus salad, shakshuka, cauliflower sandwich and more. The culinary team works closely with its purveyors to ethically source its fresh ingredients (listed on the menu), laying the foundation for its nourishing dishes. Plus seasonally inspired cocktails and enticing mocktails — orange turmeric sunrise, anyone?

Noon: Dixie Picnic

215 Lancaster Ave., Malvern
484-320-8024 / DixiePicnic.com

They make everything — well, almost everything — from scratch. Mustard is purchased and potato chips are also bought. But Dixie Picnic is dedicated to homemade, from-scratch cooking. A woman-owned business founded by Tracey Deschaine, who was brought up in a Southern kitchen, it bakes its bread and cakes preservative-free, on site. Chicken, turkey, pork, beef are all home roasted or smoked. All its sauces are made using simple, natural and often locally grown ingredients. Dixie Picnic is widely known and highly regarded for its upcakes — cupcakes turned over for more icing surfaces — and its loyal following.

Night: Nectar

1091 Lancaster Ave., Berwyn
610-725-9000 / TasteNectar.com

With a goal of artistry and urban beauty, Nectar’s towering silkscreen Buddha, dramatic high ceilings, stunning dining room, elegant bar and attentive service welcome Main Liners to a garden of culinary delight. The menu combines classic French cooking with Asian nuance and offers a broad, delicious selection of appetizers, sushi and sashimi. Wok-seared beef, grilled tea-smoked venison, edamame dumplings, tempura wok lobster and other dishes demand second and third visits. Chef Kenny Huang leads the kitchen with a commitment to using local, seasonal and sustainable ingredients. For date night or for any other romantic occasion, Nectar is a cosmopolitan fusion restaurant that’s unsurpassed.

Happy Hour: The Pullman Restaurant & Bar

39 Morris Ave., Bryn Mawr
610-727-0777 / ThePullmanRestaurant.com

Main Liners looking for fun after work are drawn to The Pullman’s “Social Hour,” offering martinis, old fashioneds, negronis and margaritas for $12, glasses of Guinness for $4, other beers, wines, Stateside cans and small plates. They’re all discounted. There’s live music after 6 on Fridays. And, as if weekdays were not enough, The Pullman does Late Night Happy Hour after 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Cocktails, beer, wine, cans, munchies … discounts again! Owned by Roni and Jennifer Hammer, The Pullman’s goal is to recreate an era of luxury and sophistication in rail travel, with a nod to the iconic Pullman dining cars of the 1940s.