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A Little Romance
ON THE INSIDE The latest happenings in our area Page 2
May 19, 2016
Local restaurant AV is known for it by Christopher Cornell
TRIBORO BANNER EDITOR
Romance is Keith Thomas’ job. “People have always found AV to be a very romantic restaurant,” said Thomas, who is “front of the house” manager and wine steward at AV, 4134 Birney Ave. in Moosic. “It’s candle-lit and adorned with fresh, seasonal flowers. It has a cozy, intimate atmosphere. The opposite of what you find at most chain restaurants. First dates and anniversaries feel very special here. When you combine the unique atmosphere with excellent food, good wine, wellmade cocktails and great service, the overall experience is very rewarding.” Apparently Triboro Banner readers think so, because AV was voted Best Romantic Restaurant. “It’s truly a great honor to be singled out for these awards,” Thomas said. “The Triboro area has so many great restaurants to choose from, and such
a strong reputation for dining in Northeast PA and beyond.” AV has been in business since October 2003 and has won Readers’ Choice awards in the past. “I know we won the Best Romantic Restaurant award before, and some others,” Thomas recalled. AV also won in the “Best Wine Selection” category this year, which particularly pleases Thomas. “At AV, we consider good wine to be an important staple of our overall menu,” he said. “With more than a dozen different wine varietals served by-the-glass, I look for particular wines that complement the food our chef creates.”
Business Is Growing
Florist/garden center snags two awards by Christopher Cornell TRIBORO BANNER EDITOR
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Keith Thomas at AV.
Bloomin’ Idiots may have won in the category of Best Flower Shop in this year’s Readers’ Choice voting, but there’s a lot more going on there besides fresh flowers. Bloomin’ Idiots Floral and Garden Center is a year-round garden center and florist located at 100 Lonesome Road in Old Forge. Owners Jackie Bower and Donna Jezorwski have taken their love for and knowledge of nature and gardening, and poured it into the business that opened on Sept. 17, 2004. You can find bedding and vegetable plants, hanging baskets, perennials, trees, shrubs, vegetable seeds, straw, grass seed, organic fertilizers and pest control, bulk and bagged soils, stone and mulch, gardening tools and accessories.
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Thomas said he tries to give his guests opportunities to try wines they may not normally come across in other places. “I try to find the ‘hidden gems,’” he said. “I search for the $10 bottle that tastes like a $25 bottle, and the $20 bottle that tastes like a $50 bottle. And we pass that value on to our guests.” AV is open Wednesdays through Saturdays starting at 5 p.m. Visit av-restaurant.com or facebook.com/AVrestaurant for daily specials. “We know that the people of this area expect the best from a restaurant, and that is what we strive for each and every day,” Thomas said.
And, yes, Bloomin’ Idiots is a full-service florist. “Being voted ‘best of’ by the readership is the greatest award a business can receive,” said Jezorwski. “It means that all of our hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed by our customers.” Bloomin’ Idiots also won in another category: Best Customer Service, which is especially gratifying to both owners. “Receiving the award for Best Customer Service is not only monumental to us as owners but also a testament to our awesome staff here at Bloomin’ Idiots,” Bower said. “The people in our area love their gardens and they know their stuff, so they expect that the place they’re buying from has a knowledgeable, competent staff to help them with their purchase, answer their Please see BLOOMIN', Page 6
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