Hearthside

Celebrating Ken's birthday, we had 5:30 pm reservations for Hearthside BYOB, 801 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood, 08108 (856-240-1164), on Friday, March 18, 2022. Reservations are required, unless dining outside, which is first come, first served.

As always, we had a wonderful time with friends Karin and George. Everything was delicious!

We shared the following small plates:

hamachi ceviche - orange, avocado, potato chips, cilantro

brussels sprouts - Calabrian vinaigrette, pecorino, pomegranate

gulf prawns - garlic chili, lemon, parsley

The picture doesn't do it justice. It comes sizzling to the table!

We shared the following medium plates:

orecchiette - fennel sausage, broccoli rabe, roasted long hots

spaghetti - butter poached lobster, saffron, trout roe

Jay could eat this every day!

We shared the following large plates:

trout - caraway purple cabbage, Persian cucumber, dill

scallops - beet puree, buttered leeks, horseradish

Dessert was flavorful and the perfect ending to the meal.

Mango, lime, chili sorbet

Orange gelato with walnuts

Coffee with a mini chocolate chip cookie. Even the sugar was fancy!

Wines enjoyed:

Bhan Thai (A Favorite)

We met friends, Colleen and Rob and Bhan Thai, 4330 Dearborn Circle (Cambridge Crossing Plaza), Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 (856-234-4202) on Saturday, March 12, 2022, and had a delicious dining experience! Their new location is well thought out and cozy, even though it's a larger space. Reservations are recommended. Everything is fresh and cooked to perfection!

We shared appetizers:

2 orders of Martini Shrimp (Ken's favorite!)

Chicken Dumplings - very flavorful.

Fried calamari - lightly breaded and fried to perfection.

We enjoyed the following entrees:

Rob devoured the Crying Tiger special.

Colleen enjoyed the shrimp Pad Thai. She only wanted a small amount of peanuts and they accommodated her.

Jay loved the Tropical Duck Curry. Even with Rob helping her to eat it, she had enough left over for Sunday's dinner. The crispy skin was amazing. She asked for 5 star spiciness, but it wasn't overwhelmingly hot.

Ken devoured the Shrimp Garlic. 

Dessert was the perfect ending to the meal. Fried honey banana with vanilla ice cream.

Wines enjoyed:

Can't wait to go back and try more dishes. Love their specials.

Ambrosia (Italian / Philly)

Celebrating George's birthday, we met up at Ambrosia, 231 S. 24th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19103 (215-703-2010) on Saturday, February 19, 2022. We had a wonderful time!

We shared plates and enjoyed everything! So many flavors and textures! Wow!

The focaccia was so good, we had two baskets!

1/2 dozen East Coast Oysters

Crispy Brussel Sprouts with labneh, pomegranate seeds, date syrup

Calamari with capers, olives, beans, Calabrian chili, tomato

Tortelloni filled with mushrooms, mascarpone, walnut truffle cream sauce

Crispy Gnocchi with mushrooms, butternut squash, pancetta, brown-butter, whipped goat cheese

Bone Marrow special

Veal Medallions with prosciutto, fontina, broccoli rabe

Banana bread with coffee gelato

Cherry gelato and pear sorbeto

Wines enjoyed:

Kunkel's Seafood & Steakhouse (A Favorite!)

Celebrating our Valentine Anniversary early, we dined at Kunkel's Seafood & Steakhouse, 920 W. Kings Highway, Haddon Heights, NJ 08035 (856-547-1225), on Saturday, February 12, 2022. It was wonderful!

It's always nice to be welcomed here.

We enjoyed the following:

Jay couldn't decide, so she had 6 raw Rhode Island oysters, and an order of grilled oysters [Description: Fresh shucked topped with butter, herbs and  parmesan cheese.] Yummy!

Ken and Jay both enjoyed the Fiery Thai Calamari, which was crispy and flavorful. [Description: Crispy fried calamari tossed in a spicy-sweet orange chili sauce with fresh scallion.]

Salads came with our entrees.

Ken had the Caesar...

Jay had the house salad with blue cheese dressing...

The bread was warm and crusty.

Ken's surf and turf was fantastic. He ordered the rib eye, medium rare, with onions and mushrooms. His turf was a shrimp and scallop cake, which was unique [Description: Dry scallops and shrimp blended with red pepper, herbs and panko, pan seared, finished with roasted red pepper horseradish remoulade.] 

Jay enjoyed the Lobster Butter Flounder, which came with mashed potatoes and green beans. [Description: Fresh flounder fillet stuffed with our scallop & shrimp cake, baked and finished with two sauteed U-10 shrimp, chiffonade sundried tomatoes in lobster butter sauce.]

Everything was so good. They let you take your time dining and are very attentive to your needs.

Wines enjoyed:

We hope to return for a "Burger Thursday" since the emails always show such tasty looking burgers.

JJ Thai (Philadelphia again!)

Celebrating Jay and Karin's birthdays, Ken and George revisited JJ Thai, 2028 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, 215-568-7058, on Friday, January 14, 2022 for dinner. We had a wonderful time!

We shared the following appetizers:

Shrimp and Crab Roll (crispy fried with puree soybean and cilantro sauce)

Escargot (baked, with garlic, parsley and butter)

Curry Puff (puff pastry, minced chicken, onion and curry powder)

Duck Ravioli (duck, mushroom, truffle oil and red wine reduction) (2 orders)

Karin and George shared Pra Ram (crispy marinated pork loin, sautéed spinach, and spicy peanut sauce) - amazing!

Jay enjoyed the pan seared duck breast (snap peas, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, duck roll, potato au gratin, grand mariner and orange sauce) - delicious!

Ken devoured the Massaman Short Rib (slow cooked Angus short rib, pearl onions, cashews, Brussels sprouts, and Thai massaman curry) - fantastic!

For dessert, we shared the Fried Ice Cream.

Wines enjoyed:

We love this place!