Inside Ardmore’s massive ‘meat palace’ | Inquirer Lower Merion
Plus, the local man who’s helped transform the Jersey Shore.
Hi, Lower Merion! 👋
Can you have too much Wagyu? Inquirer food critic Craig LaBan contemplates whether that’s the case at the recently opened OGYU in Ardmore. Also this week, charges have been brought against a man who allegedly stole nearly $800,000 in jewelry from two township homes, a Bala Cynwyd native continues to imprint his vision on the Jersey Shore, plus the school board will consider an embattled member’s resignation.
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When Inquirer food critic Craig LaBan paid a visit to recently opened Japanese restaurant OGYU in Ardmore — or as he calls it, “a 300-seat meat palace” — he was determined to try as much Wagyu as he could.
But he soon found that in the case of the all-you-can-eat joint, there might just be too much of a good thing.
While one cut of Wagyu rib cap, which arrived in a showy box billowing with smoke, was rich and tender, preparing it himself on a tabletop grill meant the finished product fell flat.
Other dishes, however, impressed, including the New Zealand lamb chops, the “Meet Wagyu” nigiri, and the A5 ribeye.
At the end of the day, does dining there add up to “a luxury experience the $120 check average should command?”
💡 Community News
A 24-year-old Philadelphia man, Jabir Parker, was charged last week with several alleged burglaries, including two in Lower Merion, where police said he made off with nearly $800,000 in stolen jewelry.
Eustace Mita continues to put his fingerprints on the Jersey Shore by way of his Icona Resorts. The Bala Cynwyd native’s next project includes a $200 million proposed redevelopment of Wonderland Pier. The Inquirer’s Erin McCarthy looks at how he’s shaped the Shore and what’s still on the horizon.
Former Bryn Mawr resident Joan E. Lynaugh died this summer at the age of 90. Lynaugh was a pioneering primary care and nurse practitioner and an award-winning professor emerita of nursing at the University of Pennsylvania.
Filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan, who grew up in Penn Valley, has launched a new YouTube series. In the first episode, he takes viewers back to the era of one of his early films, Signs.
Bryn Mawr Hospital and Lankenau Medical Center, both owned by Main Line Health, earned high marks in the latest U.S. News Best Hospitals by Specialty ranking. Bryn Mawr was recognized in eight categories, including colon cancer and prostate cancer surgeries, while Lankenau scored top marks in 11 categories such as back surgery, and hip and knee replacement surgeries.
Spring Mill Road will be closed weekdays between Old Gulph and Conshohocken State Roads tomorrow through Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for storm sewer replacement.
Expect work near the Narberth Avenue bridge over the next six to eight weeks, with overnight construction slated for Sundays through Thursdays from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
🏫 Schools Briefing
The school board is hosting a special meeting on Monday to vote on accepting the resignation of Jennifer Rivera. Rivera resigned from her post late last month after being accused of embezzling more than $50,000 from her employer.
🍽️ On our Plate
Looking for a great rooftop spot to dine before summer comes to a close? Chef Nicholas Elmi’s Bala Cynwyd restaurant Lark is one of the best destinations in the region, according to The Infatuation.
🎳 Things to Do
🍂 Harvest How-To for Natural Holiday Decor: Learn how to gather, preserve, and use natural materials for decor. ⏰ Friday, Sept. 11, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 💵 $25 for members, $30 for non-members 📍 Stoneleigh
🎶 Narberth Music and Arts Festival: There will be live music, food, drinks, and a makers market. ⏰ Sunday, Sept. 13, noon-7 pm. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Forrest and Haverford Avenues
😱 Scream: Get in the spooky season spirit with a screening of the 1996 horror movie. ⏰ Monday, Sept. 14, 7 p.m. 💵 $11.75-$16.25 📍 Bryn Mawr Film Institute
📖 One Book, One Lower Merion: The township-wide reading initiative features Harlan Coben’s new book, Plot Twist, and includes a Q&A with the author. ⏰ Tuesday, Sept. 15, 6 p.m. 💵 $40 📍 Welsh Valley Middle School
🎷 Montco Jazz Fest: Now in its fifth year, the festival features performances at 20 venues throughout the county. ⏰ Tuesday, Sept. 15-Sunday, Sept. 20, times vary 📍 Locations vary
🏡 On the Market
This 1930 center hall Colonial has undergone a number of updates, blending past and present. The first floor features an open-concept kitchen, dining area, and great room with a fireplace, all near to a secondary prep kitchen. There’s also an office, a dining room, and a living room on the first floor. The home’s six bedrooms are spread across the upper levels, including the second-floor primary suite, with a steam shower and whirlpool tub. There’s an open house today from 5 to 6 p.m.
See more photos of the home here.
Price: $985,000 | Size: 3,803 SF | Acreage: 0.2
🗞️ What other Lower Merion residents are reading this week:
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