Michael Klein reports that Bistro Evviva, a 50-seat French/Mediterranean joint with former Taquet and Pond/Cassis chef Abde Dahrouch at the helm, will open this fall in the Montgomery Ave. mansion that currently holds a catering business and private party venue. Evviva opened as a restaurant in 1983, but converted to catering-only in the late 80s.

The bistro will both have a full bar and allow BYOB.

Evviva is owned by the Wakim Restaurant Group, who also owns Gemelli in Narberth with chef Clark Gilbert, Aldar Bistro in Bala Cynwyd, and Murray’s Deli in Narberth.

[Evviva Official Site]

We previously reported that Jake’s Frozen Custard will be serving up the self-proclaimed “best burgers in Paoli”… but did they include the soon to Ashys Burger & Fries in that evaluation?

Located in the former Cold Stone Creamery location within the Paoli Shopping Center (who knew they closed? I guess we were too busy waiting in line at Handel’s), the folks behind Ashys are the latest to jump on the “burger joint” craze that swept Philly proper last summer.

If you have any more details, please share.

A sign for Martini’s Italian Market – Specialty Food & Gifts has gone up in the space that formerly held First Class Travel Goods (between Testa Jewelers and Snappy Auctions) in the Paoli Village Shops.

Pattye Benson reports that the owner of Martini’s is the son of the owners of the old Martini’s Restaurant that was on Lancaster Ave. in Devon for many years.

Feel free to post more info if you have any.

First Whirled Peace brought frozen yogurt, now Jake’s is bringing a new concoction known as “Wisconsin-Style Frozen Custard” to the center of Paoli (in the building just east of Saxby’s on 30).

We don’t know what this custard is, but according to Jake’s, “Once you’ve tried genuine Wisconsin Style Frozen Custard, it is difficult to go back to regular ice cream, almost impossible to soft serve.”

In addition to frozen custard, Jake’s will serve “hot off the grill Brats, Deep Fried Wisconsin Cheddar Cheese Curds and the Best Burgers in Paoli.” (According to them at least!)

There’s plenty more info at Jake’s website. (Special Kudos to the people behind Jake’s for having a website launched and functioning when they put their sign up!)

PB and U peanut butter creation is opening on August 27, 2010 in Wayne, in the location of the old Stern’s costume shop, on E. Lancaster Ave by Margaret Kuo’s.

Sounds like a take on NYC’s Peanut Butter & Co., where you have all kinds of crazy sandwich creations or you can invent your own. Surely they’ll have something inspired by Elvis!

More info at their website.

This posting appeared on craigslist Saturday 6/19:

“Award winning White Dog Cafe is seeking experienced managers for a new restaurant serving fresh, local, sustainable and organic cuisine opening late August in Wayne, PA. Previous manager experience is required.”

They are also looking for Front of House employees.

Thanks to thedogatemyhomework for the tip!

UPDATE: (08/11/10) Current estimate for White Dog is late-September.

A new BYOB restaurant called Grappa Cafe opened on September 1, 2010 in the former Fellini Cafe space in the center of Paoli.

Funny that a BYOB is called Grappa Cafe and has wine on the banner.

Grappa Cafe website is up: http://grappacafe.com/ (no real content yet)

Another (an actual?) Mexican-themed restaurant looks to be coming to Wayne — in addition to the rumored Spanish/Mexican tapas joint Matador in the old Vivo/Freehouse space, Xilantro (or is it XILantro?), an upscale Mexican restaurant & lounge, will be appearing this September just across N. Wayne Ave (103).

The owners hail from existing restaurants El Serape in Blue Bell and Los Serapes in Chalfont and Horsham (as well as a place called Cilantro – traditional spelling – in Salem, MA). Expect a more authentic Mexican theme than Matador, and tequila – they are applying for a liquor license, as evidenced by the orange sign in the window.

On the Matador front, things appear to be progressing slowly. Don’t expect an opening before October.

UPDATE: (08/11/10) Xilantro is aiming to open in early October. Matador’s opening now slated for mid-September.

If anyone has more info, please share it.

Wegman’s has announced Saturday July 18th as the opening day for their new Malvern store, including a pub and take-out beer market as part of the “Market Cafe”. The store is located just off Rt 29 in between Rts 30 and 202, as part of the new Worthington complex.

View more information and videos on their website.

Many years ago, before the Wawa was razed and rebuilt, there was a Seafood USA store in a strip mall in the center of Paoli. When it closed (and the mall was torn down), there was no seafood store between Wayne’s Seafood USA and the Hill’s in Exton. Recently, however, Gadaleto’s opened in Frazer, bringing high-quality seafood to the Western Main Line for the first time in quite a while.

Now, Seafood USA is back in Paoli — they have just opened the building just east of the former Fellini Café.