La Campagne (French)

Now officially both Jay and Ken's favorite restaurant, we visited La Campagne in Cherry Hill, NJ, on Saturday, January 7, 2012, and were prompted seated for our 7 PM reservation and by the fireplace, as requested. Still enjoying Jay's 50th birthday, we had a fabulous time! Our server, Robert, was a pleasure.

Love the herbed butter, which comes with warm bread...

Appetizers:
Jay had the pate special - veal pate with pistachios. So delicious!

Ken enjoyed the crab cake, once again.

We were given complimentary Champagne sorbet, to cleanse the palette.

Entree:
We shared the Chateaubriand - carved tableside with sauce Robert (enhanced the meat), roasted potatoes and bok choy. The beef was so tender that we melted with joy.

Of course, we finished with the cheese platter: Beemster (Ken was hoping for this!), blue, ghouda and brie. The sundried tomato paste was wonderful, as well as the sliced apples and fruit sauce.

Wines enjoyed:
2003 Mischief & Mayhem Pinot Noir (Gevrey Chambertin)
2010 Giesta Dao (32% Touriga-Nacional, 45% Tinta-Roriz, 23% Jaen)

Love this place!

Pho Xinh (Vietnamese) - New Menu!

We visited Pho Xinh in Mount Laurel, NJ, on Saturday. There was a totally new menu, so we tried 5 appetizers: BBQ Pork Summer Rolls, Crispy Spring Rolls, Sweet Onion Beef Wrap, Salt Pepper Shrimp and Grape Leaves Wrap. Everything was delicious!

Jay also consumed an aromatic lemongrass soup with tofu. So comforting...

With two pots of tea, we were stuffed when we left. Love this place!

Tarantella's (Italian)

It's been a while, so we revisited Tarantella's in Medford. Portions are HUGE and the quality is very good.

Upon arrival (no reservations), we were greeted and given glasses of water and an offer to open our wine.

Bruschetta and warm bread (Italian and garlic) were immediately brought to the table.

Salads arrived with the choice of three dressings (including Blue cheese and French).

Entrees that we selected came in a timely fashion and large portions!

Ken enjoyed the shrimp Parmesan, which came with spaghetti. He could not finish.

Jay struggled through half of the blackened tuna special - rare with spinach, Portabello mushrooms, Gorgonzola cream sauce, crab meat in a vodka cream sauce. It came with garlic linguine. The linguine was light and not overwhelmingly filling. Excellent meal!

Ken wants to get the veal saltimbucca next time...

Wines enjoyed:
2006 Pira Dolcetto D'Alba
2009 Charles Smith Cabernet Sauvignon

4th Wine Tasting Party - October 8, 2011

We beat our previous record! 30 bottles, with less people in attendance. 

Looking forward to next year's...

La Campagne

La Campagne never disappoints! We visited on Saturday and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Cell phone pictures are not as clear as the camera.

Jay ordered the Catch of the Week menu:
Chef's selection of hors d'oeuvres - lavender salmon and crab - wonderful

Crab bisque with herb Chantilly cream - light and delicate

Wild caught salmon dijon with zucchini noodles - crispy exterior and very tasty

The flourless chocolate torte had to be taken home to be devoured.


Ken ordered the crab cake appetizer. The crab cake was so flavorful.

Entree enjoyed by Ken was the veal rib chop dijon with bok choy. The plate was empty when he finished.

We always enjoy a cheese plate at the end of the meal. Cheeses presented this time were brie, Maytag Blue, Pecorino and Raclette. Excellent.

Wines enjoyed:
2007 Zunio Cabernet Franc
2010 Chateau Haute Tuque Bordeaux

We plan to return next week and get the Chateaubriand which two couples enjoyed medium rare. Reminder to Ken: bring Chateau Grayac Bordeaux.

Marcello's Fresh Catch Bistro

Another one bites the dust...

Bhan Thai (Thai Fusion Cuisine)

We tried Bhan Thai,  4339 Dearborn Circle, Cambridge Crossing, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054, today and were not disappointed. We did not have reservations, but went right after Jay come home from work.

We shared the Bhan Thai appetizer platter:
Chicken curry puff (2), chicken satay (2), veggie spring roll (2), fresh summer roll (cut into 4 pieces)
Delicious! All sauces matched well.

Jay enjoyed the Tropical Duck Curry (Ped Yang) [described as crispy half boneless duck in red curry with pineapples, onions, bell peppers, green peas, tomatoes and Thai basil] and took half home for tomorrow. She asked for "2 chili peppers" hot and it was perfect. The heat didn't linger and numb her mouth.

Ken enjoyed the grilled jumbo shrimp and was pleasantly full. [Described as served with sticky rice wrapped in banana leaf and assorted grilled vegetables with cilantro soy bean sauce and spicy chili sauce]. Ken actually preferred the cilantro soy bean sauce!

For such a small place, it holds a lot of people and the flavors are fantastic!

We will definitely return.

Wines enjoyed:
2008 Holly's Blend Marquis Philips White Table Wine
2009 Luzon Jamilla (Spain)