J. Alexander’s opens first Northeast location

UPPER MERION » The landscape along Mall Boulevard changed dramatically recently when the structure that had been built as a Bally Total Fitness back in the 1970s and had dominated the scenery for decades was replaced by a newcomer to the King of Prussia restaurant scene.

Nashville-based chain J. Alexander’s Restaurant has launched its first Pennsylvania outpost at 256 Mall Blvd. across from the King of Prussia Mall and next door to The Capital Grille, becoming a strong contender for folks’ eating-out dollars with its high-end but casual dining experience.

Billing itself as “a collection of boutique restaurants,” J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. operates more than 40 restaurants in several states under the imprints J. Alexander’s, Redlands Grill, Lyndhurst Grill, Overland Park Grill and Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill.

“We’re a collection of restaurants and we don’t want to be known as a chain. Each restaurant is a little bit different, from the architecture to the menu. They’re all tailored to the markets, noted general manager and Doylestown native Steven Borriello, who started his career with the publicly owned company in Nashville, where the first J. Alexander’s opened in 1991.

“J. Alexander’s has wanted to open a restaurant in the Northeast for some time, and when they mentioned they were going to open in King of Prussia I let the regional manager know that I’d love the opportunity to come home and bring J. Alexander’s to King of Prussia,” he said.

With its streamlined contemporary design, open kitchen and bar — which features an extensive wine inventory and regional favorites like Victory and Yards beers on tap — plus a chicken sandwich that pays homage to the nearby Main Line, the King of Prussia location embraces a