SL_Palate_0120_FINAL_Palate 1 / 13 / 20 12 : 12 PM Page 1 p corner , serving artisan coffees and upmarket casual fare . A new retail marketplace is in P A L A T E development , as is an independent craft microbrewery . And then there’s Northbound . This rel - atively new addition to the local dining scene serves fine food bearing regional American and international influences . It also boasts one of the region’s most distinctive cocktails programs . Northbound ( northboundrestaurant.com ) opened in 2018 , built from the bones of the old SEPTA station — hence the direc - tional name — at the top of the hill , where Main and Broad intersect . The restaurant represents a collaboration of sorts , as the folks behind the Harleysville gastropub Butcher and Barkeep have joined forces with the team at the Lansdale - based craft distillery Boardroom Spirits . Although the restaurant bears the fingerprints of each entity , Executive Chef Jeff Sacco suggests Northbound is its own animal . “ I love the whole Southern , Low Country style of cooking you see in the Carolinas , ” says Sacco . “ We try to do that with Butcher and Barkeep , which has more of a Southern infusion . With Northbound , we take a dif - ferent direction . We do have the same bistro style , but with some Italian - influenced dishes . ” The menu abounds with creative soups , salads , and gourmet sandwiches , as well as handmade pasta dishes such as gnocchi , fettucine , and agnolotti . Speaking of Ital - ian - influenced foods , Northbound serves Detroit - style pizza , a rectangular pie with a thicker , almost focaccia - like crust , layered with fresh toppings . Options include sausage , pepperoni , and cheese , as well as a vegetarian version heaped with Brussels sprouts , sweet potatoes , and baby kale . One noteworthy starter : the so - called “ Sexy Fries , ” a popular menu item borrowed North Star from Butcher and Barkeep that features crispy fries topped with parmesan , hol - Built from the bones of the shuttered train landaise , and fresh herbs , seasoned with station on Souderton’s revitalized Main Street , truffle oil . Signature entrées include St . Louis ribs , Northbound has arrived . duck breast , and the grilled pork chop . | BY BILL DONAHUE PHOTOGRAPHY BY JODY ROBINSON Sacco says the introduction of a smoker means patrons can expect more expertly smoked meats to make their way onto The term Main Street bears a certain cachet . In many small towns , a thriving the menu . At the same time , vegetarians Main Street is a place where locals and visitors come to gather , shop , and dine , and won’t feel left out in the cold ; vegetarian - maybe attend a local production of a play , musical , or some other theatrical performance . friendly dishes include an excellent cauli - Put another way , Main Street should be a special place . flower steak and the avocado toast . It certainly is in Souderton , whose Main Street is in the midst of a revival . Collectors Considering its ties to Boardroom Spirits , flock to Exhibit B Gallery , where paintings , sculptures , and other artistic works line the Northbound has earned praise for its creative walls of a beautifully refurbished space that once housed a cigar factory . A casual cocktails , many of which feature Board - restaurant known as The Burger Shop has drawn rave reviews since opening in the room’s proprietary lineup of smooth spirits unused space next to the barber shop . Broad Street Grind has opened just around the SUBURBANLIFEMAGAZINE.COM JANUARY 2020 12 |