55 Lancaster Ave., Malvern
610-540-0253

Reviewed by our friends The Dining Duo in the Trend. Read the Review.

After 10 years, Paoli’s Basil Bistro has closed, according to a message on their answering machine. No details as to why — perhaps the opening of Maia has turned attention there.

Basil was never the star of the restaurant group that brings us Nectar, Tango and Maia (that is clearly Nectar), but it was certainly the most reasonably priced of the 4. For us, it was always kind of caught in the space between a neighborhood joint and a special night out, but we had several good meals there.

105 W. State St., Media
610-891-8900

Reviewed by our friends The Dining Duo in the Trend. Read the Review.

5 Brookline Blvd., Havertown
610-446-2780

Reviewed by our friends The Dining Duo in the Trend. Read the Review.

We’re not sure what to make of the fact that gourmet cupcake bakers are popping up everywhere, but we’re sure happy they came to our neck of the woods. Frazer’s Cupcakes Gourmet offers a wide variety of traditional and trendy flavors, all of which are excellent. Our favorites so far are the chocolate with vanilla buttercream dipped in chocolate ganache and the chocolate chipotle (fridays only).

They aren’t cheap ($3.25 for a large, one-something for a mini), but keep in mind that these are hand-crafted treats, not mass-produced, supermarket junk. Stop by and check them out!

[http://www.cupcakesgourmet.com/]

Primo Hoagies, perhaps the greatest hoagies on the planet, has recently opened in the Paoli Village Shops (where TJs and the Post Office are.) It is located in the Pizza Hut building in the back… not the easiest to see. Unlike other Primo’s, there appears to be some seating inside (not confirmed) plus a few tables on the sidewalk outside.

The long awaited Maia (from the folks that brought you Basil, Nectar, Tango, etc.) has opened at 789 E Lancaster Ave. in Villanova (think Radnor Rolls). Have you been? Let us know by commenting below.

(610) 527-4888 | tastemaia.com

Philly Mag’s recent issue celebrates the region’s outdoor dining, so it seems like a good time to bring up our article on outdoor spots.

It may be a bit outdated, but you’ll fix that in the comments, won’t you?

Ian writes: “the famed Wayne Beef & Ale chalkboard says it’s the soon-to-be home of the ‘new’ Cooz’s Corner….”

The Beef’s ownership recently moved west to take over the Berwyn Tavern.

No word about the fate of Cooz’s actual corner.

Though we were disappointed that Bruster’s Frazer branch closed, our current favorite thing is Handel’s Chocoholic Chunk ice cream — DARK chocolate ice cream with chunks of dark chocolate. This insanely decadent creation just might be the greatest ice cream flavor ever created.