Editor’s note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.
Websites
Margaret Kuo’s
Shere-e-Punjab
Heng’s Thai
Price Key:
$: less than 20
$$: 20-30
$$$: 30-40 etc.
Based on the price of one average dinner with drink.
Margaret Kuo’s $$$
Despite being a chain, Margaret Kuo’s is far from your average Cheng Hing take out. The menu at this fairly classy sit-down affair features familiar Chinese and Japanese dishes, with an extensive sushi selection. The same chef provides the sushi available at the Science Center coffee bar. Unless you make an exception for seafood, the menu is not vegetarian friendly. Margaret Kuo’s is a good location for medium sized parties, but also has appropriate atmosphere for a date. Be sure to order one of the specialty teas for your table. Even with attentive staff and fast service, reservations are usually not necessary.
6 W State St, Media, PA
610.892.0115
Shere-e-Punjab $$
I love Indian food, and Shere-e-Punjab definitely fits the bill. In addition to catering events on campus, this is a perfect location to take a large group of people, order ten different dishes, and sample everything. The staff is attentive and the food delicious. The flavored naan and roti are worth the extra dollars, but the desserts are not particularly memorable. As with many Indian restaurants, a good selection of vegan/vegetarian dishes is available.
208 W State St, Media, PA
610.891.0400
La Na $$-$$$
Having been to La Na many times, I can vouch for its consistent high quality. The atmosphere and slower pace of dining make it a good date location. Plan on lingering over your dinner: The appetizers are worth getting several and the desserts are to die for (especially the fried bananas or sticky rice with mango). The food might be slightly over-priced, but the curries are delicious and the vegetarian dishes feature tofu done well.
33 W State St, Media, PA
610.892.7787
Nooddi $$
This Thai place focuses more on noodle dishes. The prices are about the same as La Na but the quality is noticeably less. It’s a good place to take kids, which shows in the loud dining atmosphere and odd pictures of happy Thai children on the walls. Don’t order the fried bananas.
42 E State St, Media
610.892.8710
Heng’s Thai $$
A plain storefront on the pike belies the quality dishes and comfortable atmosphere within. Dining isn’t very private, but service is prompt. If you like spicy dishes, the green curry at Heng’s Thai can be as hot as you can stand. The original fusion dishes are cleverly named and worth trying.
1156 Baltimore Pike, Old Sproul Shopping Village, Springfield, PA
484.625.7777