Melodia Grill offers Souderton tasty treats in a harmonious atmosphere
March 31, 2011
By Linda Stein
For the Independent
With its crisp white tablecloths, fresh and organic entrees and soothing classical music, Melodia Grill brings a touch of class to Souderton.
And while the eatery has been serving fine cuisine since 2008, restauranteurs Sequan and Timothy Lan recently joined the PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce.
They started the restaurant because it was the kind of place where they would want to eat, Sequan Lan said.
Sequan has sensitivities to wheat, gluten and chemicals, so Melodia’s menu offers wheat- and gluten-free items, along with tasty vegetarian fare.
Most of the food comes from local producers, she said. The eclectic menu combines, American, French, Italian and Asian dishes to tempt the palate.
“We’re truly a fusion,” she said.
Melodia offers steaks, seafood and pasta, along with traditional Chinese dishes like General Tsao’s chicken.
“We use 0 percent trans-fat,” she said. “Our meal is so much lighter and tastes fresher. It’s all local ingredients. Everything is made fresh.”
Sequan said that health-conscious customers, including doctors, have praised the nutritious offerings at Melodia. She’s become an advocate of healthy eating and is considering studying to become a nutritionist.
“We are able to accommodate almost all dietary restrictions,” she said.
Timothy Lan serves as chef and baker, whipping up desserts. A gourmet pastry chef, he specializes in wedding cakes and French pastries. By popular demand, he’s working on a cookbook.
The couple met in Canton, where they grew up. Sequan studied business and accounting while Timothy studied at culinary schools in Southern China and London. He has also studied business and architecture.
The couple traveled widely in Asia, Europe and America and lived in Hong Kong, London and Philadelphia before deciding to settle in a more rural area. The Lans make their home in Franconia with their 15-year-old daughter, Vincia.
“I love the peacefulness, the scenery,” Sequan said.
Melodia Grill, at 664 E. Broad Street, is open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. The 70-seat restaurant also hosts small wedding receptions, parties and other special occasions.
By Linda Stein
For the Independent
With its crisp white tablecloths, fresh and organic entrees and soothing classical music, Melodia Grill brings a touch of class to Souderton.
And while the eatery has been serving fine cuisine since 2008, restauranteurs Sequan and Timothy Lan recently joined the PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce.
They started the restaurant because it was the kind of place where they would want to eat, Sequan Lan said.
Sequan has sensitivities to wheat, gluten and chemicals, so Melodia’s menu offers wheat- and gluten-free items, along with tasty vegetarian fare.
Most of the food comes from local producers, she said. The eclectic menu combines, American, French, Italian and Asian dishes to tempt the palate.
“We’re truly a fusion,” she said.
Melodia offers steaks, seafood and pasta, along with traditional Chinese dishes like General Tsao’s chicken.
“We use 0 percent trans-fat,” she said. “Our meal is so much lighter and tastes fresher. It’s all local ingredients. Everything is made fresh.”
Sequan said that health-conscious customers, including doctors, have praised the nutritious offerings at Melodia. She’s become an advocate of healthy eating and is considering studying to become a nutritionist.
“We are able to accommodate almost all dietary restrictions,” she said.
Timothy Lan serves as chef and baker, whipping up desserts. A gourmet pastry chef, he specializes in wedding cakes and French pastries. By popular demand, he’s working on a cookbook.
The couple met in Canton, where they grew up. Sequan studied business and accounting while Timothy studied at culinary schools in Southern China and London. He has also studied business and architecture.
The couple traveled widely in Asia, Europe and America and lived in Hong Kong, London and Philadelphia before deciding to settle in a more rural area. The Lans make their home in Franconia with their 15-year-old daughter, Vincia.
“I love the peacefulness, the scenery,” Sequan said.
Melodia Grill, at 664 E. Broad Street, is open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. The 70-seat restaurant also hosts small wedding receptions, parties and other special occasions.
The Main Course: Melodia Grill
April 20, 2009
By: Mitch Davis, The Trend
As a further sign that even the once very rural parts of Montgomery County are becoming gentrified, now comes a fairly sophisticated B.Y.O.B. called Melodia Grill to the Souderton area.
It has already attracted a following and word-of-mouth favorable buzz. I recently received e-mails from two readers and from a fellow congregant, urging me to go there.
The owners are a young Chinese-American couple, Tim and Sequan Lan. Tim, who serves as head chef, graduated culinary schools in Guangzhou, South China and London. Together they beautifully refurbished a 100-year-old house, which took a good year before their June 2008 opening.
The 72-seat, Asian-inspired dining room, white, clothed tables, red linen napkins and sparkling glass stemware catch the eye.
My L.D.C. (Lovely Dining Companion) and I went for an early dinner on a bright, clear Sunday. The home’s former sunporch, set with six tables for two, was bright with sunlight streaming in the many windows, and was too inviting to pass up.
The ambiance was peaceful and true to the name Melodia. The music of Beethoven and Vivaldi played from the main dining room. Our friendly server explained that most of the ingredients are local and organic, including steaks, veggies and tea.
The chef makes three soups, which are changed daily. We shared the crab and lobster bisque, a large bowl of rich, creamy soup well laden with small chunks of seafood that only needed a touch of salt and pepper to enliven.
We shared the four appetizers combination ($13 for two) that allowed us to sample the excellent signature handmade spring rolls filled with succulent shrimp, scallop and crab, served with Thai dipping sauce; the island coconut jumbo shrimp crusted with shredded, toasted coconut and served with an overly sweet pina colada dip; Rhythm Rondure Chicken, delicious batter-dipped chicken tenders coated with Thai chili sauce; and the Minuet Money Bags, little, (too small really) crispy pouches of shrimp and veggies with duck sauce.
Each element was attractively presented on small, white, square porcelain dishes that filled the center of the table.
If ordered separately (in perhaps larger sizes), it would cost over $30, making the combo for two a good bargain.
While these starters were all Asian, most of the pasta dishes and main entrées are decidedly not, with two exceptions.
Who could resist a dish named, “Steak Asian Noodle Crescendo($19)?” Its four petite black angus filets were tender and tasty, and the Asian noodles tossed in an apple-ginger-red-wine sauce were very good. The other Asian entrée is Melodia’s General Tsao’s Chicken ($18).
Our other entrée was Viennese Empress Tilapia ($21), two filets pan seared in buerre blanc (white wine and butter sauce) overly heaped with panko (Japanese breadcrumbs) obscuring the crabmeat topping, and drying up the buerre blanc, so I asked for more on the side.
The tilapia filets were especially delicious as was the brightly colored mix of lightly sautéed vegetables.
Unexpectedly, the dinner menu also features baby back ribs in four different styles and sauces.
The extensive lunch menu offers a variety of salads, sandwiches, wraps and platters that cost $6 to $15. Everything is made to order, so dietary restrictions can be accommodated.
Overall Rating: mmm 3/4 (out of 5 m’s) for a culinary oasis in the far suburbs. To contact Mitch Davis, e-mail him at: MdavisMainCourse@aol.com
By: Mitch Davis, The Trend
As a further sign that even the once very rural parts of Montgomery County are becoming gentrified, now comes a fairly sophisticated B.Y.O.B. called Melodia Grill to the Souderton area.
It has already attracted a following and word-of-mouth favorable buzz. I recently received e-mails from two readers and from a fellow congregant, urging me to go there.
The owners are a young Chinese-American couple, Tim and Sequan Lan. Tim, who serves as head chef, graduated culinary schools in Guangzhou, South China and London. Together they beautifully refurbished a 100-year-old house, which took a good year before their June 2008 opening.
The 72-seat, Asian-inspired dining room, white, clothed tables, red linen napkins and sparkling glass stemware catch the eye.
My L.D.C. (Lovely Dining Companion) and I went for an early dinner on a bright, clear Sunday. The home’s former sunporch, set with six tables for two, was bright with sunlight streaming in the many windows, and was too inviting to pass up.
The ambiance was peaceful and true to the name Melodia. The music of Beethoven and Vivaldi played from the main dining room. Our friendly server explained that most of the ingredients are local and organic, including steaks, veggies and tea.
The chef makes three soups, which are changed daily. We shared the crab and lobster bisque, a large bowl of rich, creamy soup well laden with small chunks of seafood that only needed a touch of salt and pepper to enliven.
We shared the four appetizers combination ($13 for two) that allowed us to sample the excellent signature handmade spring rolls filled with succulent shrimp, scallop and crab, served with Thai dipping sauce; the island coconut jumbo shrimp crusted with shredded, toasted coconut and served with an overly sweet pina colada dip; Rhythm Rondure Chicken, delicious batter-dipped chicken tenders coated with Thai chili sauce; and the Minuet Money Bags, little, (too small really) crispy pouches of shrimp and veggies with duck sauce.
Each element was attractively presented on small, white, square porcelain dishes that filled the center of the table.
If ordered separately (in perhaps larger sizes), it would cost over $30, making the combo for two a good bargain.
While these starters were all Asian, most of the pasta dishes and main entrées are decidedly not, with two exceptions.
Who could resist a dish named, “Steak Asian Noodle Crescendo($19)?” Its four petite black angus filets were tender and tasty, and the Asian noodles tossed in an apple-ginger-red-wine sauce were very good. The other Asian entrée is Melodia’s General Tsao’s Chicken ($18).
Our other entrée was Viennese Empress Tilapia ($21), two filets pan seared in buerre blanc (white wine and butter sauce) overly heaped with panko (Japanese breadcrumbs) obscuring the crabmeat topping, and drying up the buerre blanc, so I asked for more on the side.
The tilapia filets were especially delicious as was the brightly colored mix of lightly sautéed vegetables.
Unexpectedly, the dinner menu also features baby back ribs in four different styles and sauces.
The extensive lunch menu offers a variety of salads, sandwiches, wraps and platters that cost $6 to $15. Everything is made to order, so dietary restrictions can be accommodated.
Overall Rating: mmm 3/4 (out of 5 m’s) for a culinary oasis in the far suburbs. To contact Mitch Davis, e-mail him at: MdavisMainCourse@aol.com