Bryn Mawr BYO Reopens As Cerise Craft Steakhouse

Filet with haricots verts and duck fat potatoes | Photo by Casey Robinson/RSC Visuals

After five years in business as an upscale, prix fixe-only BYO, Cerise will reopen on Friday, August 24th as Cerise Craft Steakhouse.

The revamp of the restaurant at 1011 West Lancaster Avenue will be the Main Line’s only independent and BYO steakhouse. Chef Ben Thomas, who co-owns the concept with his wife Elena, trained in French cuisine at L’Academie de Cuisine outside Washington, D.C. and has worked at Philly-area spots like Le Bec Fin, Lacroix, and Lansdowne’s erstwhile Sycamore.

The new menu includes prime cuts, including grassfed options, like New York strip and a house-butchered true ribeye filet, in addition to proteins like a New Zealand rack of lamb and swordfish. Sides and starters are contemporary twists on steakhouse classics — think kale salad, Greek potato gratin, and bonito creamed spinach. Going forward, the restaurant will offer the option for smaller steak cuts to accommodate diners interested in smaller portion sizes.

New York strip with herb frites, spring mix salad and black pepper tarragon aioli | Photo by Casey Robinson/RSC Visuals

Tagliatelle with heirloom tomato, haricots verts, guanciale, and whole grain mustard | Photo by Casey Robinson/RSC Visuals

Trio of sides: fried cauliflower with fava beans, herb frites, sautéed spinach | Photo by Casey Robinson/RSC Visuals

Kale salad | Photo by Casey Robinson/RSC Visuals

One thing won’t change. The restaurant will remain BYO; there’s a Wine & Spirits store located conveniently across the street. The Thomases post a list of great bottles at a variety of price points, curated with the expertise of a wine steward friend, on its website to help patrons choose the perfect bottle to go along with their meal.

Cerise Craft Steakhouse will be open Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m.