By Alana Tosti and Marni Manko By Alana Tosti and Marni Manko | February 4, 2025 | Food & Drink, Feature,
New places to celebrate, wine and dine on the Main Line.
The Ivy is a romantic, yet modern spot, to celebrate.
THE IVY
Finley Catering builds a new luxury space on the Main Line.
Newtown Square’s The Ivy at Ellis Preserve (finleycatering.com) joins Finley Catering’s portfolio (The Crystal Tea Room, Ballroom at the Ben, Union Trust, Ballroom at Ellis Preserve) as their newest event space. “As the first we’ve built from the ground up—this site represents a culmination of our family’s decades-long commitment to creating beautiful spaces and unforgettable events,” says Stephanie Finley, vice president of operations for Finley Catering.
High ceilings and stunning chandeliers make The Ivy a unique venue on the Main Line.
The Ivy embodies elegance and modern design, serving as the perfect backdrop for any celebratory event—from weddings to Mitzvahs to anniversary parties and more. The new venue, which can accommodate up to 350 guests for dinner and dancing, includes a stunning ballroom with a mezzanine level designed for cocktail hour and an outdoor, covered area for ceremonies. Floor-to-ceiling windows, grand chandeliers, and timeless architectural details are surrounded by lush greenery and meticulously landscaped grounds perfect for outdoor photographs.
1960s-inspired bold patterns and geometric prints positioned against Ferrari-red moments gives Testa Rossa a mid-century Italian maximalist allure.
VIVA ITALIA!
Fearless Restaurants brings some new Italian flair to Glen Mills.
Testa Rossa (fearlessrestaurants.com), Fearless Restaurants’ new Italian-American dining spot, has recently made its debut in Glen Mills in the old Ruby’s location, offering up a familiar yet inventive take on Italian cuisine. Meaning “redhead,” Testa Rossa was designed by Stokes Architecture +Design and the interior pays homage to 1960s Italian aesthetics, blending vibrant colors and bold patterns with modern design elements. The restaurant features a central horseshoe-shaped bar topped with pink marble, surrounded by green leather stools, an eye-catching focal point. The surroundings include blue flame-stitch fabric booths, silver pinecone lamps and a stylish red-and-white screen that adds a contemporary flair.
According to Chef Merick Devine, who leads the culinary team at both Testa Rossa and Rosalie in Wayne, the innovative menu presents a unique integration of traditional Italian recipes and interesting variations of American-Italian classics. Highlights include house-made pizzas such as the “baked potato” with taleggio, bacon, black truffle, sour cream and scallions—and inventive pastas such as pumpkin cappellacci, all complemented by an array of salumi, cheeses and fresh salads. Their dessert menu features classic favorites like tiramisu and offers more contemporary treats like soft-serve gelato and Chinotto floats, promising a sweet ending to any of their savory dishes.
A lavender espresso martini is a Testa Rossa cocktail highlight.
And if your idea of a perfect night includes vino and cheese, check out Fearless’ White Dog Cafe Glen Mills’ (whitedog.com) Charcuter-Me-&-You class, designed for couples or friends looking to enjoy a uniquely decadent evening. Held on February 11 and led by executive chef Mike Selser alongside Penns Woods Winery, participants will learn the essentials of crafting a perfect charcuterie board.
A tasty board from White Dog’s Charcuter-Me-&-You class.
With guidance on balancing flavors and textures, the class offers insights into pairing curated selections of local meats and cheeses with top regional wines. The class includes a board to take home, along with an array of ingredients such as nuts and olives, all adding up a comprehensive culinary experience. Participants will also have the opportunity to savor three distinct wines provided by Penns Woods—Chardonnay Reserve, Rosé and White Dog Red. With each tasting, attendees will receive informative notes about each wine and its ideal pairings.
Photography by: EMILY WREN PHOTOGRAPHY, FEARLESS RESTAURANTS