Our Team
Our team is celebrating Alison two turning 1 & receiving Philadelphia Magazine's 2009 Best of Philly© award for "Best New Restaurant, 'Burbs" with events throughout October -- prix fixe meals, complimentary desserts, parties & gifts.
Chef Alison Barshak's Restaurants
Chef Alison Barshak's culinary family includes Alison at Blue Bell and Alison two, 4 miles away in Ft. Washington. Both suburban Philadelphia restaurants showcase Chef Barshak's commitment to using local, seasonal ingredients in harmony with flavors and preparations from around the world.
Alison two
424 S. Bethlehem Pike
Ft. Washington PA 19034
215/591-0200
Alison two is a 120-seat restaurant with a full bar, two private dining rooms, a cozy living room with a fireplace and flat screen television and a Mark Stech-designed kitchen with a Tandoor oven and in-house pastry kitchen. The international cuisine reflects Chef Barshak's interest in travel. Each dish presents a complete experience from the country of its origin. The international cuisine is inspired by ingredients and techniques from Europe, Asia, the Mediterranean, Central and South America. New desserts are baked daily, featuring fresh, seasonal produce and ingredients. With daily menus. The 150-year-old stone building has been transformed into a chic space with gem blue and saffron walls, big windows, custom-designed metalwork sconces with stained glass, tiny iridescent blue tiles and lush velvet and leather fabrics. The striking decor incorporates architectural finds - mirrors that hung in The Plaza Hotel and an iron garden gate that previously guarded the East German consulate in New York City.
For the most up-to-date news, follow Alison two on Twitter and Facebook.
Alison at Blue Bell
721 Skippack Pike
Blue Bell, PA 19422
215/641-2660
A sophisticated suburban Philadelphia bistro serving Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with an emphasis on seafood. Opened May 2003. Serving dinner on Tuesday through Saturday nights. For up-to-the-minute news, follow Alison at Blue Bell on Twitter and Facebook.
One of the astonishing things about Chef Barshak's culinary acumen is that she is largely self-taught. She has excelled in the culinary arts based on hard work, extensive traveling, voracious reading about business, food, lifestyle and fashion, and sheer talent. Throughout her career, Barshak has traveled extensively bringing home ideas about ingredients and preparations from Singapore, Vietnam, Asia, Mexico, the Middle East, France, Spain, South America, Greece, Turkey, Scandinavia and throughout the United States, especially the Southwest.
A native of Lafayette Hill in suburban Philadelphia, Barshak career has been a journey starting in the kitchens of local restaurants. She was then tapped by Striped Bass when it was named "Best New Restaurant in the Country" by Esquire magazine. She went on to open and close her own Center City Philadelphia restaurant and then worked in NYC's Maritime Restaurant in Rockefeller Center.
In 2001, Barshak's hometown fans were delighted when the striking, red-headed chef opened tiny Alison Cafe in Cedars, PA (suburban Philadelphia). She quickly outgrew the tiny restaurant and closed it to open Alison at Blue Bell. And, 5 years later, the community's enthusiasm inspired her to expand again - into her second restaurant - Alison two.
She has residences in both New York City and Blue Bell, PA.
Front of the House Staff
Tom Pittakas - Beverage Director
Erica Cantley - Service Consultant/maitre d'