Blackfish   

The 50-seat Blackfish in downtown Conshohocken serves Modern American cuisine, courtesy of chef Charles Roman (who had worked at Le Bec-Fin and Vetri, and is the head of his own catering company). The menu carries both simpler fare (burgers, grilled chicken panini) as well as the high-end concoctions such as bouillabaisse. The starters ($7-$12) are enticing -- consider the bluefin tuna with olives and quail eggs, or sauteed scallops with Spanish porcini mushrooms. Proceed with roasted blackfish with a pumpkin puree, spiced quince and celery root, or the restaurant's version of surf and turf (seared scallops and glazed short ribs). Meat lovers would enjoy a roasted leg of lamb or a hanger steak (served with onions, mushrooms, potato and black truffle creme brulee and sauce bordelaise). Entrees range from $18 to $25. Lunch options include sandwiches like roasted pork on a sourdough, French onion soup and Belgium endive salad ($5-$9). One of the house specials is a much praised chicken pot pie. For dessert, try the vanilla beignets.