By Caroline O’Halloran
cohalloran@mainlinemedianews.com
@carolineohallo

All you really need to know about Dana Smith Farrell is displayed across the top of her Facebook profile page.

Instead of the requisite photo of the family or prized vacation spot, topping Farrell’s page are two white words on a blackboard, all in caps: “DREAM

BIG,” which is precisely what this single mother of two has been doing for years.

Her first big dream, realized with then husband Tom Farrell in 1995, is practically a western Main Line institution: The Classic Diner in Malvern.

While others dismissed the Old Valley Grill as a timeworn greasy spoon, the Farrells, with no restaurant experience (Dana worked in sales and Tom was a self-taught home cook), saw the “for sale” sign and envisioned a great restaurant. How right they were.

When the Farrells divorced, she sold Tom her share of The Classic Diner in 2008, and moved on.

Her next dream, a farm-to-table bistro, came to fruition in May 2010 when she and her new business partner, Dave Magrogan, owner of six Kildare’s Irish pubs, opened Harvest Seasonal Grill and Wine Bar in Glen Mills’ trendy Glen Eagle Square. (READ MORE)