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Last week I had the much anticipated pleasure of visiting one of my favorite restaurants ever – The Big Easy Saloon of Paoli. Owned by Restaurateur David Weinstein and his Partner and Executive Chef Dan Funk, The Big Easy Saloon will be celebrating their two year anniversary in October. An ode to how time flies when you’re having fun.
As new on the scene as they were at the time, The Big Easy Saloon was recipient of the “Best of the Main Line – Reader’s Choice Award” in July of 2007. Never content to sit on his laurels, David says “now we want to be the best restaurant on the Main Line for the rest of the time.” Yeah I can totally see that one coming, who’s taste buds could possibly forget Chef Dan Funk; trained under New Orleans Chef John DeLuca who was trained by famed Chef Paul Prudhomme. Lest I get carried away and forget to mention – Chef Funk will once again be spicing things up at Celebrity Kitchens in Wilmington Delaware this coming September and October.
Recently The Big Easy Saloon has welcomed a new manager and assistant manager to lend a hand and they are once again taking reservations for lunch, dinner and yes even their above-and-beyond Sunday brunch. Dan says “this place can fill up at anytime – you turn around and boom it’s full.” Here’s some really big news; as of May of this year they’ve gone completely non-smoking. David says it’s really been a positive thing and by mid-September there will be no smoking in any Pennsylvania restaurant, he says “it will be a level playing field, you can come back a hundred times and still have something different.” Chef Dan Funk added “I want them coming here for the food.” Somehow I don’t ever see that being an issue.
Their plans for the future include an on-site on catering facility with a second bar upstairs, and an outdoor patio dining which would be open to the restaurant on those rare occasions when a party wouldn’t be booked. Currently The Big Easy Saloon does lots of off premise catering and parties and as it stands now parties held at the restaurant are currently limited to the dining room which has seating for forty five. The game plan is to have a room capable of seating one hundred partygoers and their new addition would make the restaurant two levels of New Orleans dining extravaganza.
The Big Easy Saloon’s spectacular menu keeps you coming back with Chef Funk’s fabulous staples like the Cherry Cola Baby Back Ribs, the out-of-this-world Voodoo Shrimp (yes it’s plenty hot, don’t be a baby) and a goodly assortment of Po Boys, Gumbos, Jambalaya, Andouille Meatloaf Sandwiches, Pot Pies, Etoufee, blackened and vegetarian dishes and soups Lunch has really expanded with considerately quick service, perfect for the business lunch crowd and they recently got an award from Channel 10’s “Lori’s Lunchbox.”
Also this time around you’ll find lots of salads, lighter entrees and even half portions gracing the menu, “smaller portions and prices seem to be the trend” Chef Funk commented. He also plans to add more local produce and organic offerings in the future. Despite being the whirlwind that he is, Chef Funk has added two new Chefs to his kitchen, resulting in The Big Easy Saloon’s Sunday “South of the Border Night” and also some fantastic Asian-themed entrees; “there’s a lot of flavors coming out of the kitchen” he says. Fear not oh diehards of spice – the mainstay will always be Nola. Keep your eyes peeled for an upcoming New Orleans style tapas style menu.
Sunday Piano Brunch at The Big Easy Saloon has also expanded with extended lunch items like salads, sandwiches and appetizers to complement the Andouille Sausage Gravy, Kaptain Krunch Chicken Fingers with vanilla sauce and White Chocolate Peach Pancakes. “Good memory” Chef Funk commented as I ticked off my list of brunch favorites. I looked at him like he was crazy – how could I forget? In fact that incredible brunch just got The Big Easy Saloon on the cover of Trend Magazine. Sunday evenings features all-you-can-eat pasta and Monday night is all-you-can-eat Prime Rib; think you have a big appetite? Cuts go by King, Queen and the intimidating Big Easy cut; aptly summed up by a patron as “so big everything else comes on a different plate.”
Ever mindful of what people want – for the upcoming football season The Big Easy Saloon will be tantalizing patrons of their undeniably cool red zodiac bar with assorted beer promotions complemented by hand-carved roast pork and beef sandwiches. For those of you who love a really good glass of wine The Big Easy Saloon is pleased to announce an upgraded wine list where nearly everything can be ordered by the bottle. Also new is a frozen drink machine and special Martini Menu. I was trying to avert my gaze from the pineapple infused vodka, it was kind of early in the day.
For that sweet tooth to celebrate a win or soften a setback, desserts include Mississippi Mud Pie, Bananas Foster, Key Lime and Banana Cream pies and even gourmet cupcake which have gone over supremely well. Do not miss the new Jack Daniels Chocolate Gelato; “it is insanity” David says, “everybody that tastes it goes nuts.”
On the music front The Big Easy Saloon always has some seriously good musicians booked; people tend to make their own dance floor and you’ll always find a good diverse crowd – as David puts it “you can find just about anybody here.” Nightly music features live Jazz, Rhythm and Blues with no cover, ever. Music starts 6:30-7pm Sunday (open mike night) thru Thursday, 8-midnite Friday & Saturday. The Kitchen stays open until 11pm on weekends and until 10-10:30 pm on weekdays.
I couldn’t resist asking David and Chef Funk what gives them their uncanny ability to continually improve, David paused for a moment and asked “why does somebody have rhythm and somebody else doesn’t?” It’s hard to narrow it down to one factor when you’re dealing with a veritable sea of creative talent. One thing he can say for sure is “you get a good bang for your buck.”
The things people dream up never cease to amaze me, equally amazing is the variety of dreams I’ve seen brought to fruition as of late. My current source of fascination is a new storefront in Main Street at Exton called Sweet & Sassy; a full service salon and spa designed and sized exclusively for children, that’s right – children. Ilyce Cohen is the energetic owner of Sweet & Sassy, a franchise based out of Southlake Texas. She’s also the young mother of two little girls who would undoubtedly give their tiny eyeteeth (if they have them yet) to come to work with mommy every day. Ilyce says of her diminutive clientele “they’re not just coming in to get their hair cut, it’s a total salon experience.”
Just like an adult salon and spa, Sweet & Sassy offers a plethora of services like shampoo, cut and style out, boys cuts, baby’s first cut and even updo’s and braiding for formal occasions. Enthusiastic patrons are cloaked in plush terry robes and a conglomeration of fuzzy, fluffy or feathered flip-flops while enjoying authentic manicures / pedicures and even chocolate facials. Unlike an adult salon there’s no cuticle cutting, hair dyeing or waxing since the age of the average Sweet & Sassy patron is approximately three to thirteen. The only metal implements used are during professional ear piercing which takes place in a big cushy pink chair made solely for that purpose. Salon hair services even have all types and colors of hair extensions which the girls get to keep, sheer and sparkly makeup makeup application and of course everyone gets a glitter star on their cheek in their color of choice. I meant to get one before I left but was so distracted by the make-it-yourself lip gloss, body lotion and ice cream sugar scrub stations in the center of the store that I promptly forgot. Betcha I stood there for a good five minutes debating how ridiculous I’d look mixing up some cotton candy flavored lip gloss and a double scoop of root beer sugar scrub. Hey I’m not that old yet.
Sweet & Sassy has an innovative menu of different Spa & Glam Girl Packages, we’re not just talking birthday parties here. To name a few of the most popular there’s “Diva for a Day” where the girls enjoy an hour and a half of spa heaven, then there’s “Party Princess” complete with cake, coronation and sparkling tiara. Unforgettable Party Packages have names like “Rockin’ Pop Star”, “A Night on the Red Carpet” which comes with lots of paparazzi and a photo of each girl made into a magazine cover. Sweet & Sassy’s “All Dressed Up and Runway to Go” is a really cool package where petite partygoers flood the dressing room to pick out a costume from overflowing chests of girly stuff. Then they head over to the miniature mirrored salon counters to have their hair styled and sheer sparkly makeup done. Lastly it’s over to the manicure stations and miniature pedicure tubs, Sweet & Sassy knows how to put the final polish on a girls’ first mani / pedi with a warm strawberry lotion hand massage and their choice of free ring and toe ring. Bear in mind that while the erstwhile darlings are being fully engaged by Ilyce’s party planners – mom can roam around about a million other stores within strolling distance. See where I’m going with this?
After being properly primed for their first big entrance the mini-models burst through a heavy silver-beaded curtain and onto the raised runway from which they can admire their petite performances live on the big screen TV hanging down from the ceiling. What’s a party like that if you can’t immortalize it? Always mindful of the unforgettable party credo, Ilyce makes sure that everyone gets not just their own performance on DVD but also a group photo to take home. Sweet & Sassy also conducts “Girls Rule” Workshops for Girl Scout, Adventure Princesses and yes even Sports Teams. 10% off all salon services on Tuesdays, and they’ll even teach your little darlings how to mind their manners and even give them a shot at becoming a Sweet & Sassy party coordinator.
Ilyce maintains “there’s no one out who really does what we do, at the level we do it.” She’s definitely got a good point there, gosh I can’t even think of an adult salon that keeps a limousine parked outside. Yes you are reading correctly; Sweet & Sassy’s hot pink “Party Girls To Go” limo service is available to pick your tiny revelers up, roll out a red carpet upon their arrival (no lie) and drape them with a feathered boa as soon as they exit.
If you’re more of the mind to take something with you Sweet & Sassy has gift cards available and will put together custom gift baskets from their absolutely loaded retail boutique in the front of the store. It’s a mind boggling array – just like Ilyce says “any birthday present you’d ever want to give a kid complete with free gift-wrapping.” Moms can pick up all kinds of nifty little things from personal and decorative accessories to jewelry, clothing and webkins. Just in time for that yearly event most awaited by parents: back to school. Hey kids, look at the bright side – you’ve never looked better stepping off of that bus. Remember now; it’s more than a salon – it’s a celebration.
My honest opinion? Cute as all get out – even I have to admit it. However isn’t that just what today’s already beleaguered single mothers and pressuredsincepreschool little girls need huh? Sorry but really now, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?! Think I’m making this up? Alrite smarty-pants, see for yourself!………Sweet and Sassy
