La Posata (Italian)

Apparently it's "who you know," not "first come, first served" at La Posata, 892 Route 73 North, Greentree Square, Marlton. If you don't have an "in" with someone who works there, be prepared to wait a bit longer while those who do get seated before you. We visited on Friday, January 24, 2014. After a 45 minute wait, we were finally seated, just as I was calling a friend who would have been promptly seated had he been there.

Note to self: Don't go when it's cold. There's no barrier between the door and those waiting to be seated...

Warm bread with butter was on the table. Almost forgot to take a picture!

We opted for the herbed cream cheese and peppers. Delish!  Jay stuffed the peppers with the cheese. Oh wow!

Appetizers:
Ken ordered the Scallops Wrapped in Bacon 
6 scallops tossed in brown sugar and butter.

Jay ordered the Shrimp special - stuffed with goat cheese, wrapped in prosciutto. Nice-sized shrimp. Very tasty.

Since we were getting full, we took our salads home. The dressing was quite tasty.

Entrees:

Jay enjoyed the Shrimp & Veal Portabella 

Tender veal, shrimp, portabella mushrooms, sundried tomatoes & pine nuts, marsala cream sauce. It came with grilled veggies. Plenty of leftovers.

Ken had the veal saltimbucca special, which he had  been craving. He said it was comparable to Da Soli's. BTW, the veal saltimbucca is on the menu at Da Soli's and Tarantella's.

Wines enjoyed:

Next time, I'm dropping names! LOL

The Little Tuna (Seafood)

We always look forward to our monthly dining experiences with friends Karin and George, so we were a bit disappointed when we arrived at Da Soli in Haddonfield, NJ, and found a child's birthday party was in progress. While the tots were adorable, we didn't think we could deal with the noise, so instead we visited The Little Tuna,141 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield, NJ 08033, since Jay and Ken enjoy the restaurant and have dined there a few times.

Jay and Karin were celebrating recent birthdays (Capricorns rule!), so we were looking forward to getting together.

The phone lines were down, so they informed us that they couldn't take credit cards, which was not a problem.

We were eventually seated at a window table, and were very happy with the location.

Our server, Joe, was very knowledgeable and pleasant.

We ordered Creole Crab Cakes and Bacon Wrapped Sea Scallops for our appetizers. Very tasty!

Entrees:

After perusing the menu for quite a while, we finally decided on the following:

Karin - Pistachio Basil Butter Crusted Salmon Filet  - very good.

George - Bacon Jack Burger, Medium Well with fries.

Ken - Honey Jalapeno Sea Scallops - spicy!

Jay - Crab and Asparagus Baked Casserole with Monterey Jack cheese - very flavorful and filling.

Everyone's entree, except George, came with the mashed potatoes, the vegetable of the day (broccoli), and a house salad.

We shared Bananas Fosters Bread Pudding for dessert, which came with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. So Good!

Wines enjoyed:

While leaving, we stopped at the market and George and Jay tasted a shucked oyster - delicious! We will return for Norman's Roast Pork or Roast Beef. It sells out by 11 AM, so we have to call ahead.

More to explore on the menu, so we'll be back!

Ginger Asian Cuisines

On Thursday, January 9, 2014, Ken and Jay decided to drop in on Ginger Asian Cuisines, in Medford, NJ,  as a last minute dining experience. No reservation was needed.

Everyone remembered us and that made us feel special!

We were promptly seated at a booth with a fish tank above - so cool!

We enjoyed our fried noodles while perusing the extensive menu. Being our 3rd time, we have some favorites, but also wanted to try some new items as well.

Appetizers:

Jay selected the Thai chicken nachos, thinking there would be 2 or 3. She was pleasantly surprised to discover 6 on the plate! Very flavorful and the nachos stayed crunchy throughout.

Ken ordered the BBQ ribs, which were so good that they were gone before we knew it! LOL

Ken always have to have the Vietnamese Beef with Grape Leaves! They get better each time we get them! Patience is required, because they are made fresh and take a bit longer to come out... Worth the wait! (Neglected to take a photo, but see previous posts.)

Entrees:

Jay wanted the Chilean Sea Bass, but market price was too expensive, so a sea bass was substituted. It came with a ginger and soy sauce, which was a bit salty, but still flavorful, and mixed vegetables (broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, and snow peas). The pieces of fish were hearty.

Ken enjoyed the Beef with Scallops. He struggled to finish.

Too full for dessert, Jay enjoyed the complimentary honeydew melon cubes. The requisite fortune cookies were also provided.

Dannon was so happy that we returned, that she gave us a beautiful table runner. The photo doesn't begin to show the beautifully vibrant colors!

Wines enjoyed:

Love that this place is close to home and the food is awesome! We will return to try more dishes.

Dream Cuisine Cafe (French)

Since Ken is not crazy about French food, he reluctantly went to Dream Cuisine Cafe, 1990 Marlton Pike East (Route 70 - Tuscany Marketplace) in Cherry Hill, NJ, for Jay's birthday on January 3, 2014. Friends Mary and Terry came along for the celebration.

The prix fixe menu is a bargain. For $50, you get the house salad, an appetizer ("small bite"), an entree and dessert. They do not skimp on the portions here.

Even with the snow, we arrived in time for our 6 pm reservation. Since no one else was in the restaurant at that time, we had our choice of seats. We picked a spot near the back away from the door. Excellent choice.

The bread was awesome! Crusty French bread warm from the oven, with olive oil. Yum!

3 of us selected the prix fixe option - Mary, Terry and Jay; Ken went a la carte, since he didn't want a salad or dessert.

Mary and Jay enjoyed toasted brie with their salads. It tasted like grilled cheese - so good! Terry wished he had ordered it for his ($2 upcharge - worth every penny!)

Small bites (appetizers)

Terry and Jay had the French Onion Soup, topped with cave aged Gruyere - flavorful and cheesy. A Dream Cuisine specialty.

Mary enjoyed the Escargot on Toast. Cooked to perfection.

Ken enjoyed the Raclette & Prosciutto Melt - excellent combination. Fontania cheese was used and went well with the prosciutto.

Entrees:

Jay had the Grilled Free Range Lamb Chops, cooked to medium rare, in a Provencal sauce with a black olive Nicoise and capers.

Mary had the Duck Confit & Foie Gras special, served in a port wine Portobello mushroom truffle sauce.

Terry had the Filet of Skate special, served in a lemon caper Provencal sauce. The sauce was wonderful.

Ken had the Dream Surf & Turf with Shrimp, filet cooked medium. He enjoyed the shrimp, but wasn't impressed with the filet.

All entrees came with scalloped potatoes and snow peas.

Dessert:


Mary had the Apple Tarte Tatin, without ice cream. It was so big, she ended up taking some home.

Terry enjoyed the Flourless Chocolate Torte, without ice cream. It looked lonely, but was very chocolatey.

Jay enjoyed the Cheesecake Brulee, with a candle for her birthday! Nice touch!

Wines enjoyed:

Nice ambience

Excellent guitarist, with a wonderful voice - Stephen Crespo. We didn't want to leave...

We will return. Ken is softening up on his feelings towards this wonderful restaurant. Jay enjoyed everything (and she tasted each dish). Yay!