The latest ambitious concept from entrepreneur George Paxos—whose stunning Lehigh Valley restaurants include Blue, Melt, Torre and more recently, Top Cut—sets a high-reaching bar with this culinary intro into the Philadelphia region. Firepoint Grill anchors a growing list of smaller fooderies within The Shops at Ellis Preserve, with additional neighbors including a new Whole Foods and a Hilton Garden Inn, both slated to open within the year.
The 7,500-square-foot, 250-seat Firepoint Grill touts signature wood-fired specialties according to corporate chef Christopher Heath, who’s been with the Paxos organization for 11 years. Chef Heath notes, “I love having the capability to bring that smoky depth to many of our dishes with our all-wood rotisserie, wood-show grill and Morello oven (artisan pizzas and baked pasta dishes) using cherry and oak woods to incorporate another level into the overall flavor of the taste experience.”
The capacious seasonal menu includes dinner entrees that range from rotisseries and steaks (dry aged, 22-oz. bone-in rib-eye at $47) to main plates like tuna nicoise ($24), flash-fried scallops ($32) and whiskey glazed shrimp ($28.50). Pastas twirl in with linguine pescatore ($27.50) and baked lasagna ($23.50), while vegetarian options score big with moussaka ($19.50) and fire oven eggplant parmesan ravioli ($22.50).
Palate-prepping “vittles” and starters ($5–$13) leave no stone unturned with cast iron cheddar cornbread, fire oven baked rosemary focaccia, fried olives, sweet corn chowder, mussels pot, yellowfin tuna tartar and a Nueske’s applewood-smoked bacon steak, to name a few. We sampled the delicate and full-flavored frisee salad with crumbled blue cheese and warm bacon vinaigrette as well as the ample fried oysters plate partnered with a divinely dippable remoulade sauce.
No skimping on sides ($5–$7) here either, as crispy fried onions, sauteed baby kale, veggie slaw and straight-forward fries and slaws are the perfect accomplice to any meal. The lunch menu is slightly scaled, but no less inclusive, in providing something for everyone with burgers, soups and a plethora of healthy salads. The kids’ menu is aptly parent-approved, and brunch is high on our list of must-dos on that next rainy weekend.
Sophisticated “garden-fresh” signature cocktails (we recommend the rousing No. 3 at $11 that blends local Stateside vodka, ginger, pineapple, fleur de sel and a cilantro leaf garnish) are poured along with all the trending tapped and bottled craft beers. A well-rounded wine list by the glass (or bottle) at the marble-topped bar allows entertaining glances into the motion-packed, open-style kitchen.
The outdoor heated patio seats an additional 150 diners and includes a substantial bar. An architecturally stimulating ground-to-sky custom stone fireplace throws warmth and urban ambience into the bustling crowd.
The Paxos philosophy is profoundly competent in creating the dining experience as a destination. The place is gorgeously detailed with pop-cultured designs, dark woods and modern comfortable and casual decor throughout, with chic explosive murals and larger-than-life windows, accents and lighting.
Proactive staff training is also a high priority, stated Jillian Bevacqua Fligge, director of marketing. “Having a team that believes in what they do, is knowledgeable about the menu and really cares about the dining experience is a huge asset for all of us.” With a staff of close to 100 at this location donning smiles and professional attention from salads to decadent housemade desserts, it’s obvious Firepoint Grill is headed in the right direction.
Open for lunch Mondays through Saturdays from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Dinner is Monday through Thursday from 4–10 p.m., Friday through Saturday from 4–11 p.m. and Sunday from 3–9 p.m. Sunday brunch is served from 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
For more information, visit the restaurant on Facebook and Instagram.
Firepoint Grill is located at 3739 West Chester Pk., Newtown Square; phone: (484) 428-3093.
- Photos: Ed Williams
