|
The Riddle Ale House
What was old and very good is remodeled and new again - and even better!
When you enter the Riddle Ale House you'll be drawn in by the warm glow of rich woods and the appealing uncluttered style. Owner Arnold Pompei has very recently renewed this Media area landmark and continues to welcome long-time customers as he woos new clientele who don't know the colorful history of the Riddle Ale House - and the great food inside!
For customers who enjoy good food in a comfortable, friendly setting, you'll find the Riddle Ale House an oasis for meeting friends and keeping up with your favorite sports on one of the four large-screen tv's surrounding this spacious room. In a roomy space at one end, you might enjoy a game of pool while watching a large-screen projection tv! At the opposite end near the entrance is a beautiful stone fireplace. While not a sports' bar, the bar area is inviting and pleasant for dining with friends or for treating the family for a night out.
The new style and décor throughout the entire restaurant won't give you a clue into the Riddle Ale House history but if you look at the photos on the wall in the entry way and the antique signs in the larger dining room, you have to wonder where it all started. Surprisingly, in this now fast-paced area on Route 1 at Granite Run Mall, the Riddle Ale House was once the only thing around! There was no mall or (Riddle) hospital. The old eatery was known as Tom Tillman's Cafe before Arnold Pompei's father purchased the property 40 years ago. With horseman and large property owner Sam Riddle across the way, one can only imagine the conversations about "Man of War" and his race with "Sea Biscuit" in this then rural diner as locals and passersby shared their lives! Now as the Riddle Ale House, you'll notice that same neighborliness as diners are welcomed in for a good meal in a friendly and comfortable atmosphere.
Delicious hand-carved hot roast beef has always been the specialty at the Riddle Ale House. The 40-year tradition of serving only the finest meats started with the elder Mr. Pompei, and his father before him, who were butchers. That tradition continues today. The menu has expanded over the years from their famous roast beef, roast pork, and baked ham to a wide variety of succulent meat dishes, mouthwatering pasta dishes, and perfectly prepared seafood. Arnold Pompei explains that the food at the Riddle Ale House can be best described as "casual American".
You will enjoy Chef Juan Llaumaca's Scallops Maryland prepared with spinach in wine sauce, or the mouth-watering Seafood Chowder with very generous portions of clams, mussels, shrimp, flounder, and crab claws. Their Snapper Soup recipe has not changed in all these years and your tastebuds will tell you there is nothing that could make it better! Appetizer and salad choices are plentiful and range from spinach salads to grilled portabella mushrooms stuffed with crabmeat, roasted peppers, and mozzarella cheese. All presentations are served in very generous portions and are very reasonably priced.
For parties, a private room is available which will accommodate up to 65 people. An added bonus too is the retail take-out beer and ale store on the opposite end from the restaurant entrance. For 15 years they have offered more than 225 varieties of beer and ale from around the state, country, and even the world!
At Riddle Ale House, the Pompei's, with son and daughter now on staff, are holding on to their past and the family history while moving into the new generation - making ready for another 40 years - welcoming the young and the young at heart!
RIDDLE ALE HOUSE Open at 11 am - 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.
1073 West Baltimore Pike, Media PA 610-566-9984
(In front of Granite Run Mall and across from Riddle Hospital - Exit 5 towards Lima from the Blue Route
|
