Barnacle Ben's (Seafood)

We visited Barnacle Ben's, 300 Young Avenue, Moorestown, NJ, this evening and had an enjoyable time.

We arrived at 6 PM, with no reservations,and were promptly seated. If you arrive after this time, reservations are suggested.

Fresh warm rolls were brought to the table. Poppy seed and raisin - both had a nice touch of sweetness. Butter was not needed.

Jay ordered the crab wontons appetizer. Four nice sized crispy wontons with an orange marmalade dip were brought to the table. Very good. She had the seafood crepes for an entree, filled with shrimp, scallop and lobster in a lobster champagne sauce. Three were brought out, piping hot and delicious.

Ken ordered the coconut shrimp - four JUMBO shrimp which he enjoyed to the fullest. He enjoyed surf and turf - a beautiful cut of meat, medium, with a nice sized lobster tail.

We both selected salads with the house (Caesar) dressing instead of the two vegetables that came with each entree. The salad was fresh and crisp.

We were pleasantly full - not overly stuffed when we left. We will definitely return.

Wine enjoyed: 2005 Schmitt Schone Riesling Kabinett.

• Dress: Casual.


• Service: Very good.


• Decor: Nice tasteful "sea" decor. Beautiful lighting. Another room was available in the back. Dine al fresco in warmer weather.


• Portions: Nice.


• Prices: Moderate. A little more than what's posted on the website.


• Reservations: Suggested.

Chef's Kitchen (Eclectic)

After a hiatus, we revisted Chef's Kitchen in Cherry Hill.

We arrived early for our 7:30 reservations and were promptly seated. Our waiter opened our wine, gave us our menus and then told us the specials for the evening.

Not long after, we were given crusty bread with hummus topped with sesame and butter triangles.

Ken ordered the Caesar salad with shaved parmesan cheese and Jay ordered the baby greens with blue cheese, walnuts in an Oriental vinegrette. Both were fresh and extremely tasty.

Service was good - actually too quick. Entrees were brought out before Jay could finish her salad and enjoy her wine. We figured it was because the restaurant closes at 9 PM.

We both ordered specials - Ken ordered the aged sirloin speical, medium, with corn and potatoes au gratin. He was pleased, although the presentation was a a little to be desired (Ken has been watching Iron Chef America).

Jay ordered the Australian lamb sirloin - medium well, with asparagus and mashed sweet potatoes. The lamb was tender and very flavorful. The asparagus was a little more done than she was used to. The mashed sweet potatoes had no substenance - they were just there.

Eve, the chef/owner was there, but never came to our table to welcome us or see how we enjoyed her dishes.

However, both dishes were devoured and we will return to try other dishes eventually. We left at 8:50 PM. We had to say goodnight to Eve and her waiter rather than receiving their well wishes upon our getting up from the table. (Maybe because we were the last to leave.) Nor did the waiter thank us for our 31% tip.

Wines enjoyed: 2004 7 Deadly Zins (Old Vine) and 2005 St. Urbans-Hof Riesling.

Here's a review from the New York Times: http://events.nytimes.com/2006/01/08/travel/08njdine.html

• Dress: Casual.


• Service: Good.


• Decor: Orange and blue walls (this actually works well) with kitchen utensils displayed throughout. Lighting was nice. The ladies' room was clean and also had orange walls.


• Portions: Good.


• Prices: Moderate.


• Reservations: Suggested.

Little Saigon (Vietnamese)

We finally returned to Little Saigon yesterday with our friends, Karin and George. It's in Upper Darby, PA, so we don't visit as often as we'd like. We had previously visited so much that we didn't need to look at the menu. (Karin and George used to visit weekly, but have discovered other restaurants so their visits have been more sporadic - what a shame)

Our hostess was extremely pleasant and welcoming.

While waiting for Ken to arrive, Jay, Karin and George enjoyed the roast pork wonton noodle soup. The noodles were light and the broth was delicious.

Once Ken arrived we shared: Two orders of shrimp and pork rolls; 3 orders of spring rolls (one with vermicelli, two without); two orders of crepes filled with shrimp and bean sprouts; one order of grape leaves.

After all of that, Ken and Jay weren't satisfied so we ordered another order of grape leaves and spring rolls.

You won't find food this good anywhere else so make the trip. Owner Han and his wife, Nancy, remembered us and sent us two orders of sticky rice with corn and coconut milk for dessert. It was so good, Jay ate one order by herself.

Jay and Ken also ordered food to go: more grape leaves, charbroiled pork over broken rice, and deluxe fried rice, the taste of which is so fresh and different from Chinese fried rice.

Wines enjoyed: 2005 Albarino Burgans Rias Baixis White Wine, 2003 Tittarelli Malbec Reserva, 2005 Smoking Loon Pinor Noir and 2005 Two Left Feet MollyDooker Sarah Sparkly (65% Shiraz, 19% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon)

• Dress: Casual.


• Service: Outstanding.


• Decor: Pleasant atmosphere.


• Portions: Large.


• Prices: Extremely affordable.


• Reservations: Not required.

Alisa Cafe (French/Thai)

We visited Alisa Cafe tonight for the first time and were pleasantly surprised. We arrived early for our 7 PM reservation and were promptly seated. We were happy to see friends from our old gym, Mike and his wife, seated at another table. This was also their first time.

Table settings were beautiful with fanned napkins and crystal stemware. After taking our order, our server opened our wine and brought out warm rolls with butter.

We shared the Appetizer for 2: Thai Shumai (seasoned minced steamed shrimp and pork wrapped with wonton skins), Pork Gyoza (Jay loves these!), Crispy Shrimp Rolls, and Vegetable Shrimp Rolls. Everything was crispy and cooked to perfection.

Ken orderd the jumbo shrimp curry (sauteed with garlic, vegetables, and green curry); Jay had the shrimp pad thai (stir-fried rice noodles with egg, tofu, green onions and ground peanuts). Both dishes were excellent - everything was extremely fresh. We took nothing home. In fact, Ken had to help Jay eat the shrimp because she was getting full.

While eating we enjoyed the view of the open kitchen, which was immaculate. We'll be back to try other dishes.

Wine enjoyed: 2004 Smoking Loon California Cabernet Sauvignon

• Dress: Casual.


• Service: Outstanding.


• Decor: Pleasant atmosphere. Mahogany table and chairs. Beautiful lighting (pendant and orb). Soothing background music..


• Portions: Large.


• Prices: Extremely affordable.


• Reservations: Suggested.

La Campagne (Country French)

Ken made a bet with Jay in January 2005 and lost. He finally took her to La Campagne yesterday to make good on that bet. We'd visited over 10 years ago, but since we're more refined and into wines, Ken enjoyed the experience a lot better.

We arrived early for our 7 PM reservation and were promptly seated by Marco, the Maitre 'D (attired in a full tuxedo), at a corner table next to lovely fireplace.

We were offered a choice of water: Spring, sparkling and ice water. Ken selected the Spring; Jay selected the sparkling but changed her mind after realizing that large bottles were being brought to the table. We went with the spring water. It was a Fonte S. Barbara di Lurisia Natural Spring Water. Very clean tasting. (I know it's water, but work with me - j).

Warm bread was brought out along with herbed butter. Even Ken used the butter and he normally goes without. It was delicious.

Jay ordered the escargots en croute with caramelized fennel butter tarragon aioli. Six large snails were encased by puff pastry. Very delicious and more filling than she realized it would be.

Ken ordered the baby spinach salad with smoked salmon, goat cheese, candied pecans, and a raspberry vinaigrette. He actually enjoyed the smoked salmon, not realizing that it smoked is actually raw. Jay told him afterwards and he didn't get sick. Jay ate most of the goat cheese. The greens were very fresh and everything tasted delicious together.

Jay ordered the crispy prawn and scallop with herbed risotto, haricot verte, in a shellfish reduction. Three HUGE prawns and two gigantic scallops arrived atop the risotto. Everything was absolutely fresh and delicious, although the prawns were a bit salty for her taste. She struggled but finished the dish.

Ken ordered the pan seared filet mignon with creamy monbriac blue cheese, fingerling potatoes, with a caramelized onion demi glace. He ordered medium and the filet was perfect. In fact, he sent a glass of Zinfadel to the chef, and it was appreciated by both chefs (we were unaware that there were two).

Jay had to have dessert and ordered the creme brulee trio. Vanilla, lemon and chocolate were brought out. Each had a crunchy top. The chocolate made Jay moan with pleasure, it was so good. Of course, she couldn't finish it all so she brought home a little of the lemon and most of the chocolate. She's about to finish it now while she's typing.

In addition to Marco, two other servers made sure our wine was poured, and our water glasses never went low. Service was outstanding.

Wines enjoyed:
2002 Ridge California Zinfandel Paso Robles
2003 California Smoking Loon Viognier

Stemware was basic, but different stemware was available based on wine selection. Wine tastings can be arranged.

• Dress: Smart casual.


• Service: Outstanding.


• Decor: Multiple rooms with 3-4 tables in each, made for a cozy feel. French music played..


• Portions: Nice.


• Prices: $$$.


• Reservations: Suggested.

Pizzicato (Italian Bistro)

Although we've visited a few times, and this is one of our favorites, this is the first blog entry for Pizzicato in the Promenade at Sagemore (B-07) in Marlton. (856-396-0880). We visited today for lunch.

Fresh Italian bread is brought to the table with oil and vinegar for dipping.

They were sold out of the calimari (the best ever!) so we had the spring rolls instead. They were hot and crunchy on the outside and filled with shrimp and fresh vegetables. Delicious!

Ken had the wasabi and sesame crusted scallops. Not as spicy as we thought it would be, but very tasty.

Jay enjoyed the crab cake salad special which included a nice, crunchy fried crab cake atop salad greens, carrots, roasted red peppers and mango, with a raspberry vinagrette.

We were too full for dessert so we didn't even look at the dessert tray...

Wine enjoyed: 2003 Kis Gruner Veltliner (Kurt Angerer)

• Dress: Casual for lunch. Business casual for dinner.


• Service: Excellent.


• Decor: Open kitchen, lots of tables. Get a booth if you can..


• Portions: Nice.


• Prices: Moderate.


• Reservations: Suggested.

La Posata (Italian)

We met our friends, Vip and Angie, last night at La Posata, located at Greentree Square in Marlton. They were already seated so we walked right in.

Not long after being seated, our server brought warm seeded Italian bread with garlic herbed butter. Once Ken tasted the butter it was over - and he usually eats his bread without it. Regular butter is also served with the bread or you can make use of the olive oil that's on the table.

We selected the calimari appetizer which was lightly breaded and very good. Marinara sauce was included. Our server was thoughtful enough to bring a second boat of the sauce which was very good.

Jay, Ken and Vip had the house salad. The salad had fresh greens, with ripe tomatoes which Jay ate even though she normally doesn't like tomatoes in her salad. Angie enjoyed the tomato basil soup which she said was very good.

After hearing about the specials, three of us chose the crab cake special. Grilled jumbo shrimp atop two hefty crab cakes with were brought to the table. All crab meat with very little filler. Included was a black bean salsa with corn, red & green peppers, red onion and cilantro. Yummy! Angie and Jay selected the zucchini & squash; Vip chose the penne pasta as his side.

Ken opted for the lobster meat ravioli which was cheese ravioli with spinach pasta, stuffed with lobster meat in a brandy cream sauce with shitake mushrooms and sundried tomatoes. Jay tasted it, and although it was very good, found it to be a little salty for her taste.

Presentations for all of the dishes were beautiful.

We brought and enjoyed the following wines:
2001 Dolcetto d'Alba (Vietta Castiglione Falletto)
2003 Clos du Bois Shiraz (Sonoma County)
2004 Chateau des Hospitaliers "Prestige Coteaux du Languedoc Table Wine (OK it was French, but still went well with the meal)

We were going to Marlton Tavern afterwards, so we declined dessert and coffee although the desserts looked really good.

While finishing our wine, we glanced at a dish passing by and asked the woman at the next table what she was having as it smelled so good - it was the chicken marsala. Perhaps next time?

As we were leaving, the chef/owner, Joe Bento, introduced himself and asked Ken how we enjoyed everything. That was nice. We will return.

• Dress: Casual.


• Service: Excellent.


• Decor: Two large rooms with brick walls exposed and large wall paintings made you feel right at home..


• Portions: Big.


• Price: Moderate.


• Reservations: First-come, first-served. For parties of 5 or more, reservations are accepted.