Wayne

A Taste of Britain

503 Lancaster Ave., Wayne
610-971-0390 / AtoBritian.com

For Anglophiles or binge-watchers of “The Crown,” A Taste of Britain provides escape to the U.K. for a bite or a cuppa. This charming tearoom offers light meals, British merch, plus catering, private dinners and takeaway meals. Peruse the tea menu as long as a serious wine list, then pick Brit comfort food—pasties, sausage rolls, steak & ale pie. Try the scone of the month (chocolate, toffee, pecan) or chocolate Guinness cake. Takeaway dinner bundles and small private dinners on site have been popular recently, as was the Boutique next door that popped up for holiday shopping. A beacon on civilization in Devon, where you can find a Union Jack tea tidy.

At The Table

11 Louella Ct., Wayne
610-964-9700 / AtTheTableBYOB.com

Tara and Alex Hardy’s bold vision for an intimate BYOB (26 seats) on the Main Line celebrated four years in November. Their New American menu, with a modernist twist, of artfully presented dishes (remember the 25-ingredient salad), was surprisingly well received. Adding curbside pick up, a large outdoor tent, and full restaurant buy-out options (with just four tables inside), they’ve doing their best to keep the place going. We hope plenty of folks grab their changing take-out dinners (country meatloaf, truffled mashed potatoes, pumpkin crème brulee), so they can come back with their chef tasting menus and aspirational food (foie gras appetizers, anyone?).

Autograph Brasserie

503 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne
610-964-2588 / AutographBrasserie.com

Marty Grims of Fearless Restaurants opened Autograph in the former Le Mas Perrier space, and now the restaurant feels like a Main Line mainstay. The posh and inventively designed interior offers rooms for every mood—the light Sycamore Room, clubby Club Room, people-watching Boulevard, and our favorite, lively bar area with eye-catching chandelier made of brass instrument. And the solid, well-prepared meat-centric menu with excellent house-made pasta and delectable desserts also satisfies. Meet for brunch, after-work drinks or date-night dinners. The food and service will be great, the crowd posh and the experience satisfying. Patio dining, takeout and tents have become the order of the times, but we’re looking forward to sitting among the 500 autographed photos of American icons once again.

Black Powder Tavern

1164 Valley Forge Rd., Wayne
610-293-9333 / BlackPowderTavern.com

George Washington slept there. Maybe. More certainly, the Continental Army used the building to store its gunpowder, while the tavern provided a roof and food to tired soldiers fighting for independence. Since 2013, it’s been the Black Powder Tavern, though it maintains a connection to the past by hosting a lecture series on the Revolution, and through its menu, serving Lafayette’s Onion Soup, Black Powder Tavern Poutine, and a South Philly Pork “Sangweech.” Save room for some Chocolate Brownie Custard or Warm Apple Crumble, reminds Robert Stegbauer. It also has about two dozen craft beers, mostly American, an extensive wine list and creative cocktails that attract a loyal following.

Christopher’s—A Neighborhood Place

108 N. Wayne Ave., Wayne
610-687-6558 / ChristophersANeighborhoodPlace.com

Run by Chris and Molly Todd, the restaurant is a warm and welcoming drop-in-anytime spot for local and organic fare. It‘s a great place to go with friends, family and co-workers, to eat and drink. Kids love it. So do adults (heavily weighted with parents). Often the restaurant has the atmosphere of a birthday party. Serving plenty of burgers, pizzas, mac ‘n’ cheese, chili, hot dogs, there are also sophisticated items on the menu, like grilled salmon or mussels Provencale. Plus a well-stocked bar, drinks to go and meals in the Wayne picnic tent all add up to make it A Neighborhood Place.

White Dog Café

200 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne
610-225-3700 / WhiteDog.com

In 1983, Judy Wicks founded the first White Dog Café near the U Penn campus and helped launch our local farm-to-table movement. Today, three cafés have been added, in Haverford, Glen Mills and Wayne, now under the Fearless Restaurants umbrella. Most ingredients continue to come from local farms and ethical sources, continuing the legacy of civic engagement and environmental sustainability. Best of all, the food is excellent, from the pumpkin soup to truffle Parmesan fries to prosciutto wrapped rainbow trout to olive oil cake, you’ll have an wonderful meal in a charming atmosphere surrounded by whimsical portraits of dogs. Or if you prefer, enjoy takeout with your own pooch. Truly a treasure!