Avenue Kitchen Owner Aims for Casual, Familiar Fare

Avenue Kitchen is a new family-friendly, casual yet hip Villanova restaurant.

Owner Dana Farrell chose the Villanova Center, on Route 30 near the Blue Route, as the location for her latest eatery because she felt the immediate area was underserved.

"I wanted a casual feeling, uncomplicated," she said of the decor and menu. "Anyone can find something on the menu."

Menu items include appetizers, salads, pizza, sandwiches, entrees and sides. The restaurant is currently open for dinner starting at 5 p.m., but expansion to lunch is expected to come soon.

Apps and salads range from $7 Carmelized Onion Soup to $14 Mediterranean Chopped Salad. Entrees range from $18 Hand Made Potato Gnocchi to $25 Day Boat Scallops.

Farrell's brother Gregory Smith is chef. He said his favorite menu item to eat is the $14 Pulled Pork sandwich, which is served with hot peppers, sharp provolone and whole grain mustard on a pretzel roll. Farrell's is the $22 Short Rib served with mushroom risotto, roasted baby root vegetables and jus reduction.

Farrell also owns Harvest Seasonal Grill and Wine Bar in Glen Mills and University City.

The restaurant's decor is clean and contemporary in neutral tones. See a photo gallery here.

Avenue Kitchen is at  789 East Lancaster Avenue in Villanova. You can find them on Facebook.