Sophie's Kitchen (Cambodian) - Philly

For our monthly lunch with Karin and George, Jay and Ken FINALLY returned to Sophie's Kitchen (after 2 1/2 years!), 522 Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19147 (215-271-0888), on Saturday, November 12, 2022. We had a wonderful time! So happy they reopened for lunch!

We shared the following dishes, which were all very flavorful and tasty:

A4. Muhk Bom-Bpong - deep fried calamari tossed in salt & black pepper, served with sweet chili sauce

A3. Slaab-Mohn Bom-Bpong - deep fried chicken wings, with sweet chili sauce, lemongrass, and tamarind sauce

A7. Plov-Gkong-Gkaeb-Bom-Bpong - lightly battered friend frog legs, served with black pepper and lime sauce

A5. Bong-Gkeah Bom-Bpong - lightly battered, salted & black pepper seasoned fried shrimp, served with sweet chili sauce

E3. Chha-Gkroeung Sach Samoth - shrimp, calamari, and mussels sautéed in coconut lemongrass spices with celery, bell peppers and topped with Holy basil seafood (we asked for 4 spice level, but it was not very hot)

T8. Trey Jearn Juorn - fried fish with ginger - we had the branzino and selected the sweet and sour tamarind sauce. A small mango salad was included which was delicious!

A1. Sach Gko Aang Jong-Gkac - grilled beef skewers marinated in Khmer spices (Kroeung)

We were quite satisfied - no dessert this time!

We were not rushed, which was pleasant and our server was very good, even though she was the only one on duty for quite a while. We will return!

Wines enjoyed:

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Black Olive (Greek) - NEW OWNERS!!!!

Jay and Ken met friends Karin and George at Black Olive, 910 Haddonfield Berlin Road, Voorhees, NJ 08043 (856-435-5500), on Saturday, October 1, 2022, for our monthly lunch. We were apprehensive, because a past visit was disappointing, but...

NEW OWNERS - they have been in business for 3 months. You MUST visit!

Everything was FRESH and we immediately tasted the difference. The owners explained that very few things are frozen (like the phyllo dough, for example). Our server, Lily, was the BEST!

We shared appetizers;

Calamarakia - fried calamari, served with zesty marina sauce. From the first bite, you could taste how fresh it was; it melted in the mouth. One of the best we have ever had, and we have tried many.

Black Olive - crisp fried zucchini and eggplant rounds, served with tzatziki sauce. Although Jay doesn't like eggplant, these were so thin that she enjoyed them. Ken doesn't like zucchini, but enjoyed them as well. So good!

Keftedakia - mix of ground beef and pork, onions and fresh herbs, rolled to bit size meatballs. Crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside. Wow!

We asked to see the dinner menu, just to see if there was anything different. There was!

Garides Sharas - grilled JUMBO shrimp served with extra virgin olive oil and fresh herbs. Grilled to perfection and very tasty! We had two orders.

Entrees shared:

Souvlaki Platter - we ordered one pork (grilled) and one gyro (lamb). Excellent, served with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, tzatziki, pita bread (we asked for more!), and fresh cut fries.

We were thinking - who needs fries? But they were so good!

We saved room for delicious desserts:

Baklava - phyllo pastry filled with chopped walnuts, cinnamon, cloves, and syrup.

Galaktoboureko - creamy custard and flaky phyllo pastry, drenched with lemon infused syrup.

Ken enjoyed his Greek coffee (medium sweet)...

We enjoyed a leisurely lunch (we like to take our time) and we were not rushed.

Wines enjoyed:

As Jay said, everything was fresh and flavorful. WE WILL BE BACK!

Bhan Thai (Quick Lunch)

On Saturday, September 17, 2022, Jay and Ken decided to have a quick lunch at Bhan Thai, 4330 Dearborn Circle, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 (856-234-4202) . No wine this time, which felt weird.

Jay enjoyed the Thai Iced Tea, which was refreshing...

We shared appetizers:

Firecracker Shrimp (Kao Griap Tod) - shrimp wrapped in rice paper, topped with spicy mayo sauce - crispy and flavorful

Spicy Chiangmai Sausage (Sai Oua) - stuffed ground pork, chopped fresh lemongrass and chili paste

Shrimp Satay - shells are on and they are worth it!

Crispy fried calamari served with sweet chili sauce and crushed peanuts

We were going to originally share an entree, but found ourselves full. Looking forward to our next visit!

IndeBlue Modern Indian (They're Back in Jersey!)

On Saturday, July 16, 2022, Jay and Ken met friends Karin and George at IndeBlue Modern Indian, 65 Barclay Farms Shopping Center, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034 (856-230-4633). We had 12noon reservations and were promptly seated. As always, everything was flavorful and delicious! We ordered from both the brunch and dinner menus.

Laurie was extremely pleasant and accommodating (especially since we enjoy leisurely 3 hour lunches). 

It was great seeing Rakesh again. He took some time out of his busy schedule to chat with us.

We shared the following:

Crab Corn Dip with Everything Naan (with a touch of spice)

Extra order of Everything Naan

Crispy Spinach Chaat, baby spinach, shallots, chopped tomatoes, yogurt chutney - the spinach melted in our mouths; a touch of spice. So unique!

Mango Pork Spring Rolls (not too sweet), served with blue cheese wine sauce - crispy yummy goodness

Shrimp Moilee (shrimp, coconut, mustard seed) - served with saffron basmati rice

Butter Chicken

Wines enjoyed:

We will definitely be back. So glad they're back in New Jersey!

Kunkel's Seafood & Steakhouse

Jay and Ken met friends Rob and Colleen (first-timers) at Kunkel's Seafood & Steakhouse, 920 Kings Highway, Haddon Heights, NJ 08035 (856-547-1225), on Friday, July 15, 2022, for dinner. We had reservations for 7pm and were promptly seated. Carol is so friendly and always remembers us. This is becoming one of our favorites.

Our server, Denise, was knowledgable and attentive.

Since Jay and Rob love oysters, each had a dozen (6 of Blue Points [Long Island?] and 6 of Pink Moon [Prince Edward Island]). Both agreed that they preferred the smaller Blue Points, which were meatier and more briny. Delicious!

Jay and Colleen enjoyed the French Onion soup, which was cheesy (Swiss & Provolone!), and not as salty as other restaurants, probably because they make their stock from scratch. It was wonderful!

Colleen was quite happy with clams in white sauce. [missed this picture somehow]

Ken was impressed with the steak ravioli appetizer.

We all enjoyed our salads. Dressings are homemade. Jay and Rob had Blue Cheese. Ken prefers the Caesar, which has an upcharge. The bread was warm and crusty.

Entrees enjoyed:

Jay was quite impressed with the Red Snapper, which came with clams and mussels, all cooked to perfection. [picture was blurry 😞]

Colleen enjoyed the Lobster Ravioli, which came with shrimp, chiffonade sun-dried tomatoes in their lobster butter sauce. She took half home for later.

Rob was happy with his NY Strip, medium, with cheddar & leek mashed potato bake and asparagus.

Ken was pleased with his Surf (NY Strip medium rare) and Turf (Shrimp), which came with cheddar & leek mashed potato bake and asparagus.

They make their own steak sauce, which is not needed as the steaks are well seasoned...

Colleen had the Rice Pudding for dessert. Ken and Rob shared a cinnamon roll bread pudding, with raisins and cinnamon swirls, served warm with a vanilla glaze. It was heavenly.

Wines enjoyed:

You are never rushed. This is on their menu: "We assume our customers are here to relax. If you have time restraints please let your server know, and we will gladly accommodate your needs"

Kunkel's is now open for lunch again. We look forward to trying Fish Fry Wednesdays and Burger Thursdays.