What to do for New Year’s Eve? Plans changed a few times, but the final count dwindled down to 5 of us, starting at Paula and Mike Graham’s house in Upper Dublin for cocktails and appetizers. Mike’s very spry 93-year-old mother Jo was back in from Seattle for the holidays and she joined us in the festivities. Paula was able to snag reservations at Gypsy Blu, a place located in a former historic inn that we were now anxious to try.

Mike Graham and his lovely mother Jo in from Seattle for the holidays.

Although new to Ambler in the Spring of 2015 after a series of other restaurants came and went, the force behind Gypsy Blu is not new to the business, not by any stretch. Partners, Kim Strengari and Marianne Gere, are established restauranteurs, with three successful eateries under their belts. Stella Blu (2001), The Gypsy Saloon (2004), and Southern Cross Kitchen (2012) are located just 20 minutes away in Conshohocken, and all three thrive within less than one mile of each other.

Apparently their restaurants are known for culinary twists and engaging atmospheres with eclectic furnishings, a fun bar scene, live music, alfresco dining, a rockin’ happy hour and exciting nightly specials. Brunch is served at two of the three locations—including bottomless bloodys and mimosas! Will have to make it a mission to check out their other haunts.

For New Year’s Eve you could order off of their special menu which touted five appetizers and five entrees, or from their regular “All Day Menu.” So for starters, Russ and I were the only ones who partook of a first course, and we split the very good Blackened Scallops appetizer that was plated with two large, juicy scallops and a generous mound of avocado, tomato and corn salad embellished with a swash of sweet and spicy sauce.

And Paula and I both ordered from the NYE special menu with Paula zeroing in on the Pan Seared Black Chilean Sea Bass with grilled polenta, haricots verts, topped with a mixed tomato and white wine garlic sauce. I chose the Crab Pesto Spaghetti with jumbo lump crab meat, pesto and pine nuts. And while it was good, I expected a lot more lump crab meat and the flavor factor was a little too subtle for me so I asked for some crushed red pepper flakes—three times, before I finally got them.

Mother Jo went simple with a Chopped Cobb Salad, and both guys made a selection also from the “All Day Menu” with Mike opting for the Chicken & Sausage comprised of chicken breast, hot Italian sausage, red sauce, ricotta cheese, mashed potatoes and green beans. While Russ went in a different direction from his usual(s) and got the Salmon in Parchment cooked with tomato, lemon, cilantro, parsley, mint, ginger herb citrus sauce, with sides of jasmine rice and steamed asparagus.

We all enjoyed our leisurely meal and conversation, and since nobody had room for dessert, and the sound level was on the rise as the band was getting under way, it was our queue to vacate for quieter digs…