Sunday, we FINALLY made it to
Joe Palombo's Mirabella Cafe,Barclay Farms Shopping Center, 210 East Route 70, Cherry Hill, NJ (856-354-1888).
Our server was Michelangelo, a pleasant, knowledgeable, young man, who didn't mess up our order like the server at the table across from us (how do you not know clams and linguine from mussels and cappelini?)
Good food, but at times it came out too quickly. We forgot to tell him to take his time...
No bread, which was strange for an Italian restaurant.
Appetizers:
Jay was craving the fried smelts, which Joe used to make at Casanova Grill. She wasn't disappointed.
Ken enjoyed the special - Citrus dusted fresh sea scallops (Barnegat Light) with red navel oranges and fennel salad.
Joe's Salad was nice and refreshing. It consisted of Romaine lettuce, cubed homemade mozzarella, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, lemon and olive oil, topped with shaved grana padana.
Entrees:
Jay had the pescatore risotto. Delicious! There was so much food, she took home half for the next night's dinner.
Ken had the veal parmigiana, which he said was almost as good as La Posata's. That's a big compliment. It came with roasted potatoes and grilled vegetables.
A bit noisy, since it's more family-oriented, so Ken may not to return any time soon. If we do go back, he wants to try the chicken saltimbucca. Jay may go back for the Seven Fishes dinner on the 23rd or 24th.
Wines enjoyed:
2005 Pianezzo Dolcetto di Dogliani
2009 Red Bird Chardonnay, Clarksburg, CA (My Wines Direct comes through again!)
- Dress - business casual
- Service - very good
- Decor - multiple rooms; good for large parties
- Portions - large
- Price - reasonable
- Reservations - recommended
Future restaurants we discussed:
Blackbird (Collingswood)
Indie Blue (Collingswood)
Joe Pesce (Collingswood)
Nunzio's (Collingswood)
Tortilla Press (Collingswood)
Tuscan Grille (near Dream Cuisine)
