Elements Cafe (Tapas Style)

We visited Elements Café , 517 Station Avenue, Haddon Heights, NJ, 08035, 856-546-8840, on Saturday, April 26, 2008, with our friends Mary and Terry.

Since the dinner tasting menu was very descriptive, our server allowed Jay to write on, and take, the menu. Since this was a "tapas" style menu, portions were smaller.

Warm, crusty bread was brought out first, along with soft butter.

Starters

Pita bread and crostini accompanied the three starters that we selected: herb marinated olives, roasted garlic hummus and tomato bruschetta. Everything was fresh and delicious.

First Course

Mary ordered the crispy ravioli du jour, Ken had the spicy grilled shrimp w/tomatillo & feta cheese salsa, Terry had the crispy Asian vegetable dumplings w/sweet chili dipping sauce and Jay had the petite crab ball w/arugala salad & red wine vinaigrette (actually three nice-sized balls). Although Mary wasn’t thrilled with her ravioli, everything else was tasty.

Second Course

Mary, Jay and Terry ordered the soup sampler which contained grilled chicken & vegetable soup, shellfish bisque (a bit salty) and the soup du jour – black bean w/salsa fresco. By putting the shellfish bisque into the black bean, Mary and Jay were able to finish.

Third Course

Ken & Terry enjoyed the heart of romaine w/black pepper parmesan dressing & roasted garlic crustini; Jay had panzanella – warm Italian bread salad topped with asiago cheese & reduced balsamic vinegar; May devoured the endive salad w/roasted beets, toasted walnuts & blue cheese vinaigrette.

Main Course

Mary – sautéed asparagus, tomato & potato gnocchi with herb butter sauce

Ken & Mary – pan roasted scallops w/apple smoked bacon, granny smith apples & watercross salad

Jay & Terry – grilled rack of lamp chop w/potato puree & romesco sauce

Terry – venison special

Ken – Suzuki special (Japanese fish)

Dessert

Mary – Flourless chocolate torte w/vanilla ice cream & crème anglaise
Jay – Mint chocolate chip sundae with chocolate sauce

Terry – Bread pudding w/crème anglaise

Wines Enjoyed:
2006 Kali Kart Chardonnay
Chestnut Hill Winery Merlot (not the best)
Assorted red & white leftover from other tables

• Dress - casual
  
• Service - good
  
• Decor -
  
• Portions - Tapas style
  
• Price - reasonable
  
• Reservations - Highly recommended

We took a stroll afterwards but quickly returned to our car as there were groups of teenagers “hanging out” on the main street, skateboarding and being intimidating. It’s a shame because this could be such a nice spot for couples and families.

More restaurants in Haddon Heights to visit: Kunkel’s, Anthony’s, Francesca Room