Main Line Gets New Latin Ameican Seafood Eatery

Food lovers on the Main Line have a new place to try, as a Latin American seafood eatery recently opened its doors and has joined an ongoing restaurant week in the area.

Pala'a is now serving up Latin American seafood specialities such as ceviches, tartares, chupe, arepas, patacones, and much more at its 18 W. Lancaster Ave. location in Ardmore.

The new BYO restaurant is the product of Cira Ferreira, Levi Hernandez, and Ivan Brcek.

Pala’a is owned by a family with a deep understanding of entrepreneurship and Latin American cooking.

Ferreira is an entrepreneur who owns wellness centers in her native Venezuela. A former engineer, Hernandez operated a catering business and food stand in Venezuela. An experienced server, Brcek is familiar with how restaurants operate behind the scenes.

Together, the three work side by side at Pala’a making it a family affair.

"Ardmore is where I moved when I arrived in America from Venezuela seven years ago," Brcek said. "Ardmore is my home away from home in the United States - it is where I feel most comfortable and it's where I wanted our family to open our first restaurant. Ardmore has so much going on - new businesses, great people, so many stories out here! The Ardmore restaurant scene is also one of the best in the region and on the Main Line - and we wanted to be at the center of that energy."

“We are excited that Pala’a is introducing Latin American flavors to Ardmore and the greater Main Line," Ardmore Initiative Executive Director Christine Vilardo said. "Pala'a introduces arepas and patacones to the Main Line's culinary scene. Pala'a fits perfectly with Ardmore’s unique and diverse dining scene."

Pala’a seats 23 people inside with additional outdoor seating in front and is open Tuesdays through Saturdays 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and on Sundays 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The starter menu has around two dozen menu items with appetizers ranging from $3.95 to $5.75, entrees $5.95 to $14.95, and platters $14.50 to $15.75. Sides, desserts and drinks are all under $5.00.

Public parking can be accessed from Cricket Avenue and West Lancaster Avenue. For those ordering takeout, there are 15-minute spaces beside the construction project on Cricket Avenue.

Pala'a has also joined the numerous Armdore eateries participating in Ardmore Restaurant Week, which runs through July 30. Check out Pala's special happy hour menu crafted for restaurant week here.

Contributed photo