Hen Vietnamese Eatery

Ever since Ken heard George mention this restaurant in Cherry Hill, NJ, had Banh Mis, it has been on his mind. Jay should have known there was an ulterior motive when he suggested this restaurant. The meal was a nice surprise.

We visited Hen Vietnamese Eatery, 2087 Marlton Pike East, Cherry Hill, NJ (856-888-1578), on Friday, August 17, 2018, around 6pm, and were immediately seated. It's located next a smoke shop and the sign is small, so be on the lookout. It's probably a good idea to arrive between 6-7pm, since it started getting busy after 7pm.

Tommy was an amazing server! Very attentive and friendly. He made us feel welcome. They've only been open for two months, and it was nice to see so many people enjoying this food.

We were excited to see Vietnamese Crepe on the menu, since many restaurants explain that they don't have the equipment to make it. It was so tasty that the homemade duck sauce was unnecessary.

We then shared the Chicken Wings caramelized in a garlic fish sauce. Crunchy, spicy, and a little sweet. Very good.

We next enjoyed the Spring Rolls with Pork, which were good, but not as good as Vietnam Cafe in Philadelphia.

Ken got his Banh Mi - Grilled Pork. He said it was better than Bistro Southeast! What?!

Jay enjoyed a new dish - Salmon with Red Coconut Curry Sauce. Since the server requested feedback, she suggested that the salmon be cooked perhaps 1-2 minutes less, as it was almost overcooked. She knows because she makes a pretty good salmon at home. The sauce had just enough spice and was very flavorful. Leftovers for tomorrow.

Wine enjoyed:

Loved the decor...

We will be back! and bring friends!

Bistro Southeast (PHILLY)

Ken and Jay, with friends Karin and George, enjoyed a nice 3-hour+ lunch at Bistro Southeast, 1824 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146 (267-758-2838), on Saturday, August 11, 2018. Van, our server, was outstanding, and we enjoyed everything!

We shared many wonderfully, fresh and tasty dishes:

Thai Sweet Chili Wings - just the right amount of sweet and spice! Super crunchy (Ken says better than the Jug wings!)

Postickers

Crispy Shrimp Rolls. The sauce is amazing - very flavorful and nicely spicy.

Lobster Fried Rice - wonderful!

Special appetizer - Lemongrass Beef Sticks with Slaw. The slaw had many layers of flavor.

Had to finish with the Vietnamese BBQ Pork Banh Mi - it's all Ken talks about!

Wines enjoyed:

The Boiling House (Seafood)

We had 7pm reservations at the Boiling House, 1990 Marlton Pike East (Tuscany Marketplace), Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 (856-751-2800). We were promptly seated. We were allowed to wait until our friends, Zach and Diane, arrived (GPS took them in the wrong direction). Reservations are HIGHLY recommended. Everything was delicious.

The fried shrimp platter that we enjoyed as an appetizer was so good that Ken ordered another as his entree!

Jay, Zach, and Diane were quite satisfied with the oysters...

Jay and Diane shared the Sea Lovers Bucket, which included 1 Dungeness Cluster, 1 Snow Crab Cluster, Garlic Noodles, Corn & Potatoes. Instead of Lemonade, we requested additional corn instead. We choose 1 dozen clams and 1 pound of crawfish as our extra items. We selected the Boiling House flavor and Hot spice. Jay was so excited that she forgot to take a picture! It was so good.

We did get a picture of the Calamari appetizer:

Ken also enjoyed the Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos, but wish he had asked for them to be spicy.

Zach was impressed with the Stir Fried Lobster, sautéed with ginger and scallion and served over garlic noodles. He couldn't finish...

Our server, Rob, was attentive, even though the place was packed! They need to expand! We will definitely return!

Wines enjoyed:

Ginger Asian Cuisines (Medford, NJ)

It's nice to be missed... We were warmly greeted when we visited Ginger Asian Cuisines, Medford, NJ, for lunch on Friday, July 27, 2018. No wine this time... Everything was delicious as usual!

Ken shared his appetizer with Jay - the Vietnamese grape leaves are so good!

He devoured the Mongolian Pork...

Jay chose the Soft Shell Crab Special with came with soup - she chose hot and sour (so hungry - forgot to take a picture) ...

The Special - she ate the whole thing! Cooked to perfection!

And mocha ice cream for dessert, plus Taiwanese watermelon, which was nice and sweet!

Nice meal for a Friday!

ITA101 (Italian)

We arrived on time for our 7:30pm reservation at ITA101, 20 S. Main Street, Medford, NJ 08055 (609-654-0101), on Saturday, June 9, 2018. The place was packed! We figured it would be since Ken saw the restaurant featured on CBS3 Eyewitness News. We had an enjoyable 3-hour dining experience with friends Zach and Diane.

The bread is wonderful...

Jay already knew what she wanted since she looked over the email that she received a few days earlier...

Antipasti:

Jay and Diane each enjoyed the Granchi Soft Shell e Fiori di Zucca Special - pan seared soft shell crab and squash blossoms stuffed with sheep's milk ricotta and herbs - heavenly!

Ken was impressed with the Burrata con Speck & Prosciutto - burrata with speck and prosciutto and grilled lettuce over a sun-dried tomato puree. It was a large portion, so we all helped him.

Zack loved the Carpaccio di Manzo - filet mignon served raw with parmesan and extra virgin olive oil topped with shaved black truffles.

We all shared Diane's Insalata Mista - baby greens with walnuts, cranberries and shaved pecorino cheese tossed with house vinaigrette. Very fresh and dressed well.

Secondi:

Jay loved the Crepes con Coniglio Brasato Special - crepes with braised rabbit, morel and porcini mushrooms and topped with shaved black truffles.

Zach and Diane were each satisfied with the Stufato di Pesce, Cozze, Calamari e Polipo in Salsa di Pomodoro - seafood stew with mussels, clams, calamari, and octopus in a tomato-based sauce served with grilled bread, topped with a halibut fillet.

Ken enjoyed the last Special available - (didn't write down the name), but it was filet topped with an omelette and rolled, with mushrooms and coco beans, which he loved.

Diane enjoyed the Tiramisu al Tavola once again - tiramisu created table side with homemade lady fingers and cream of mascarpone, espresso and cocoa powder.

Chef Kevin Maher spent a few moments with us. His food is amazing and he's very personable. We'll be back!

Wines enjoyed:

Fancy cushions on the ceiling and under the table help to soften the sound level.

Vientiane Cafe and Vietnam Cafe (Philly)

Our monthly lunch with Karin and George brought us back to Philly on Saturday, June 2, 2018. It was Porch Fest in West Philly, which was really nice. Many bands and block parties...

Vientiane Cafe, 4728 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19143 (215-726-1095), is one of our favorites, and we enjoyed everything!

Shrimp Summer Rolls and Duck Crispy Spring Rolls

Naam Salad

Angel Shrimps

Wings

Wines enjoyed:

We then stopped at Vietnam Cafe, 816 South 47th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143 (215-729-0260), for takeout, and enjoyed with more wine, before venturing to the porch to see the sights.

Crispy Spring Rolls and Grilled Pork Rolls

The Charbroiled Pork with Broken Rice is the BEST!

Good food, wonderful friends, and a great day!