From Pastrami To Salami
The Avenue Delicatessen
27 N. Lansdowne Ave.
Lansdowne, PA 19050
(610) 622-3354
www.theavenuedeli.com
Though Asian food has experienced an upscale, fusion-y renaissance, the Mexican food scene has exploded outside of Southern California and the Southwest, and Spanish tapas has become the norm even at non-Spanish restaurants, it seems that the only cuisine that has remained relatively unchanged over the last decade or so is classic Jewish deli fare.
That's hardly a complaint, as it's futile to try to perfect the infallible masterpiece that is corned beef on rye. But if there's one type of deli that has earned its place alongside the pastrami-lined counters of the Jewish variety, it's the Italian kind.
That's the thinking at The Avenue Delicatessen anyway, a Lansdowne diner with a menu you've never even dreamed of. Growing up Italian but surrounded by Jewish delis, chef Laura Frangiosa has combined two of her culinary passions at her bright, cozy restaurant.
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Frangiosa takes great care in her preparation (smoking her turkey in-house, for example) and it shows in mouth-watering Jewish classics like challah french toast and house cured corn beef, and Italian staples like chicken parmigiano cutlet and eggplant lasagna.
But the true specialties of the house combine the best of both worlds, starting with the kids-menu-certified pizza bagel and continuing on to the reuben arancini (deep fried risotto balls stuffed with house corned beef, sauerkraut and Swiss cheese) and Jewish Wedding Soup (veal meatballs, matzah balls, chicken, escarole). The Avenue will provide a meal unlike anything you've had before, but one you'll almost certainly have again.
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Change, as it turns out, can be awfully tasty.
By Jesse Husid