Il Villaggio

Celebrating both Jay's, and Karin's, birthdays this month, we finally were able to get together (after cold and snow incidents) on Saturday, January 20, 2018, at Il Villaggio, 211 Berlin Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034 (856-795-1778). We had a wonderful time, as usual. This time was a 3 1/2 hour lunch. So happy that we were able to take our time.

Lauren and Herman greeted us, and Nick our server was very attentive throughout. Every time the guys left to take a smoke break, he redid their napkins! Very cool!

We enjoyed warm bread with a sun-dried tomato spread:

We shared appetizers:

Broccoli Rabe and Sausage - sautéed in a roasted garlic olive oil, grape tomatoes (Ken's favorite!)

Blue Point Oysters

     Chilled...

     Casino...

Entrees:

Tortelloni Special

Pocono Trout Special 

Veal Affumicato - shallots, sun-dried tomatoes, shiitake mushrooms, smoked scamorza cheese, balsamic demi grace reduction

Scallops Risotto - diver scallops, over mushroom risotto, truffle essence

Dessert:

Pistacho Gelato and Cannolis

Chocolate Nutella Gelato

Purple candle!

Everything was delicious, and the entire experience was wonderful!

Even the coffee was good:

Wines enjoyed:

L'Oceano Ristorante

We enjoyed a wonderful meal with good friends, Diane and Zach, on Saturday, January 6, 2018, at L'Oceano Ristorante, 833 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood 08108 (856-833-9888), to help Jay celebrate her birthday. Everything was delicious!

The bread was so good, we had 3 loaves...

Small Plates were shared:

Grilled oysters with parmesan, parsley, and Bechamel (sorry for blurriness)

Crab Rangoon Flatbread, with crabmeat, Thai chili, horseradish creme fraiche, and scallions. Large portion was perfect for sharing!

Venison Meatballs, with marinara sauce and ricotta foam. Light and delicate...

Scallop Tacos, with pico de gallo, quest fresco, and creme fraiche. Yummy!

It looked so good, we ordered the Lobster Mac and Cheese!

Entrees:

Flat iron steak stuffed with crawfish, caramelized onions, & gorgonzola cheese, served over farro, finished in a red wine reduction. The picture doesn't do it justice!

Lobster Tail Thermador - amazing!

The Scallop appetizer, made into a meal. Perfectly cooked! Came with a mound of mashed potatoes.

Forgot to get a picture of the veal chop special. It was amazing!

Dessert:

Caramel Crunch Cake - light and just the right amount of sweetness! Perfect ending to the meal.

Wines enjoyed:

Vientiane Cafe (Philly Favorite!)

For our monthly lunch, Karin and George were comfortable traveling to Jersey in the snow, so Jay and Ken made their way to Philly in the 4x4 on Saturday, December 9, 2017. We enjoyed a nice lunch at Vientiane Cafe, 4728 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA (215-726-1095) and swung by Vietnam Cafe for Grilled Pork Rolls and Crispy Spring Rolls (no pictures).

Appetizers shared:

Angel Shrimp

Duck Spring Rolls - so good, we ordered two!

Sticky wings and Naam Salad

Homemade Beef Jerky

Wines enjoyed:

Allora by da Soli

Allora by da Soli, 892 Route 73 North, Marlton, NJ 08053 (856-596-6882)
Note: if you experience seizures, try to bypass the home page... (12/3/17)

We love this place! A wonderful meal, and good wine, was enjoyed by six of us on Saturday, December 2, 2017. A 7:45pm reservation allowed us to take our time and enjoy each other's company.

We had 4 baskets of bread - it's so good!

Shared appetizers:

2 orders of Stuffed Long Hots - yes, they were! Stuffed with prosciutto di parma and provoline, with sweet onions and white wine

2 orders of Clams Casino, with sweet peppers, onions, crispy pancetta and fresh parsley

Entrees:

Jay enjoyed the Trio Di Mare (grilled ahi tuna, sauteed shrimp,  jumbo lump crabmeat, tomatoes, olives and capers, garnished with baby arugula, served over risotto.

Ken devoured the Veal Allora - with prosciutto di parma, topped with broccoli rabe (his favorite!) and fiore di latte mozzarella, sherry tomato sauce

Zack and Charlie enjoyed the Pan Seared Sea Bass Filet - Australian sea bass filet, herb crusted, topped with baby arugula, diced tomato, extra virgin olive oil over risotto

Diane and Kim were quite satisfied with the Pork Osso Bucco

Shared dessert:

2 orders of the Apple walnut spice cake, although all who tasted it said they couldn't taste the apple, but it was good anyway.

Good friends, good fine, good wine, good times!

Wines enjoyed: