Amble Down to the Joseph Ambler Inn in North Wales, PA: A Perfect Escape from New York or Philadelphia

Many of us city folk tend to get stuck in our little gay bubbles. Absent a car and a decent parking space, it can be a challenge to cart our lazy butts anywhere past, say, Market Street. We found a great reason to get outta dodge. Borrow a friend's car (but make sure you ask...we forgot!) and head on out to lovely, lavish...North Wales? North Wales, PA, a suburb of Philly, plays host to the Joseph Ambler Inn - a 12-acre oasis of beauty sitting just a few quick minutes from the PA Turnpike. To top things off, the best part about taking the 45-minute trek is that you can stay over!

So, my beau and I took the trek up. We were greeted very warmly and discovered that the Joseph Ambler has several gay employees. Chef Meg Votta (one of the gays!) hopped back down to the Philly region after spending 18 years cooking for various upscale restaurants in New York City. She escaped the hustle-bustle of the city to relax in a place that offered her the opportunity to shine. Owners Richard & Allison Allman opened the Inn 24 years ago and have consistently added to the property - even moving entire historical buildings to the grounds! Votta found this breathtaking atmosphere the perfect place to realize her new vision.
We quickly checked into our room - a spacious, cozy corner room complete with a fireplace and jacuzzi. What more could we ask for? We were starving, so off we went to the dining room.

Starting with wine, and not exactly being schooled sommeliers, our attentive waiter made a few suggestions, and we settled upon a 2004 Coppola Merlot. The wine list at the Joseph Ambler is most impressive, as they have a sommelier on staff. We love wine!

For starters, I ordered the jumbo shrimp cocktail with tequila lime cocktail sauce ($12), a perfect mix of salty, sweet and sour with my favorite shellfish. My man ordered the lobster and lump crab cake ($13), also to die for with a saffron cream ragout.

Moving on to entrees, he ordered the sweet potato crusted salmon ($25), from which I could not resist pilfering some of the fresh fig garnish. The perfect combo of sweet and savory really came together to make perfection on a plate. I had the special of the night, which was the most tender, fantastic piece of Veal that I have ever eaten, adorned with haricot vert and a buttery goat cheese polenta.

Already satiated, we still decided to share some desserts. The pumpkin bread pudding was the perfect seasonal sweet treat, and the creme brulee was one of the best we've tasted. As if that hadn't been enough, each guest enjoys complimentary chocolate truffles at the conclusion of their meal - the perfect end to a decadent, perfectly prepared meal in lavish, breathtaking surroundings.

If our little review isn't enough to sell this incredible place, there is now an even better reason to go! Women, wine, food and friends are on the menu for a special event Tuesday, June 12, 2007 as the Joseph Ambler Inn, welcomes celebrated chef and author Aliza Green.Green, a James Beard award-winning author was inducted into the Philadelphia's Inquirer's Culinary Hall of Fame and hailed by the paper "as one of Philadelphia's top ten most influential people in the city's food industry for her uncompromising efforts at many of Philadelphia's most renowned restaurants."

Green has appeared twice on NBC's Today Show to promote her books. Her Field Guide to Meat: How to Identify, Select, and Prepare Virtually Every Meat, Poultry, and Game Cut (Quirk Books 2005) has earned top praises from Food & Wine and Real Simple. Her Field Guide to Produce: How to Identify, Select, and Prepare Virtually Every Fruit and Vegetable at the Market (Quirk Books 2004), was highly regarded by the New York Times, Newsday, Men's Health, Shape and Houston Chronicle.

This recipe for a great evening includes Joseph Ambler Inn's Executive Chef Meg Votta working alongside Green to prepare recipes from Green's newest book "Starting with Ingredients."

"I am so happy to be working with Chef Meg Votta on this dinner, especially because we have shared so many of the same experiences as female chefs. The carefully composed menu is based on my in-season personal favorites from Starting with Ingredients," said Green.

The evening begins with at 6:30p.m. on the beautiful patio of the Joseph Ambler Inn with a champagne reception and book signing by Green. This is followed by a three course dinner paired with wine.

The menu includes passed Baked Mussels with Spinach and Saffron Cream,Shrimp with Green Goddess Dressing, White Corn Cakes with Chives, Chicharrónes de Pollo with Ajili Mojili Sauce, Japanese Eggplant Chips with Nanami Togarashi, Greek Skordalia with Beets and Asparagus, Alsatian Leek and Bacon Tart: Flammekueche the first course is Linguine with Lobster, Corn, Tarragon, and Creamy Tomato Sauce followed by Seared Hanger Steaks with Shallots,White Bean and Tomato Gratin. Dessert is The Ginevra Cake served with vanilla bean ice cream and fresh local berries.

"I am thrilled to showcase the talents of Aliza, her recipes are wonderful and this evening is an opportunity for our guests to meet her in an intimate setting and enjoy a great food, friends and wine," Votta said.

The dinner is being offer at $75 per person all inclusive, space is limited and reservations are a must and can be made by calling 215.362.7500.

The Historic Joseph Ambler Inn,
1005 Horsham Road,· North Wales,
215-361-7500, josephamblerinn.com.