Barnacle Ben's Again

On Saturday, June 16, 8 of us met at Barnacle Ben's for dinner.

Appetizers enjoyed (they were out of mussels and white rolls):
Mary - Mango salad
Terry - Crab soup
Lori -
Bill - Deviled crab balls
Kathy - Wild mushroom salad
Paul - Steamed clams
Jay - Ahi eight spice tuna (on old online menu, but they made it anyway - yummy!)
Ken - Spicy calamari

Entrees enjoyed:
Mary - Crab cocktail, calamari, shrimp cocktail
Terry - Seafood medley
Lori - Steak, medium
Bill - Shrimp and garlic pasta
Kathy - Steak, well
Paul - Sesame crusted tuna
Jay - Seafood au gratin
Ken - Surf & turf
Most entrees came with green beans and carrots (vegetable medley) and roasted red potatoes

Wines enjoyed:
2005 The Other (35% Chardonnay, 35% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Viognier)
2003 Marquis Philips Roogle Red Vintage Shiraz Cabernet
2005 Sterling Vintners Collections Sauvignon Blanc
2006 Chateau Ste Michelle Gewurztraminer

We were not rushed, which is always a plus when dining at BYOBs, arriving at 7 PM and leaving around 9:30 PM.

Good food, good company!

Ted's on Main (American-New)

We visited Ted's on Main, 20 S. Main Street, Medford, NJ 08055 (609-654-7011) last night. We arrived for our 6:30 reservation and were promptly seated.

Our server brought a taste of the crawfish appetizer special. It was delicious, so Ken ordered it for his appetizer. Jay ordered the charbroiled oysters which were excellent.

Warm, crusty bread was brought to the table.

Ken ordered the jumbo lump crab cake, which came atop a potato cake and included tiny asparagus.

Jay ordered the sea scallops, 10 nice-sized, beautifully cooked scallops atop a deliciously creamy risotto. Asparagus was included with the meal.

We don't usually order dessert, but once bananas foster was mentioned, Ken's eyes lit up. Ken proclaimed the bananas foster better than at Food for Thought. Jay had a most delicious ginger creme brulee.

There's a nice write up in The Philadelphia Inquirer

We will definitely return to try other dishes which piqued our interest.

Wines enjoyed:
2004 Joel Gott Zinfandel (CA)
2003 Samantha Starr Monterey County Chardonnay (Reserve/Cuvee)

• Dress: Casual.


• Service: Excellent.


• Decor: Simply elegant.


• Portions: Good.


• Prices: Moderate.


• Reservations: Suggested.

Food for Thought

For Mother's Day dinner, 7 of us revisited Food for Thought because the mothers wanted to go back.

While waiting for 2 arrivals, we enjoyed warm rolls, cornbread and flatbread.

Appetizers enjoyed:
Jay - Sashimi of tuna, asian pear & ginger salad, wasabi tobiko


Ken - Crispy calamari, spicy gazpacho salad, chipotle aioli


Mom Geri - Jumbo lump crab martini, mango cocktail sauce

Bert - Jumbo lump crabcake, English cucumber salad, potato sticks, Champagne tartar sauce


Roscoe - French onion soup
Mike - Herb gripped shrimp & fried tomatoes, smoked remoulade, avocado coulis
Maceo - Classic Caesar with seasoned croutons & parmesan tuile

Entrees:
Jay - Crab stuffed baby lobster tail & center cut petite filet mignon, truffle risotto & asparagus







Ken - Hand cut grilled filet mignon with slow roasted mushrooms & balsamic onions served with horseradish potato croquette and sauteed spinach




Mom Geri, Bert and Mike - Jumbo lump crabcakes, fettuccini & broccoli, roasted pepper sauce (Mom Geri had potatoes instead of fettuccini)





Roscoe - New Orleans gumbo with shrimp, crawfish, crab, andouille sausage & chicken served over seasoned rice



Maceo - Sauteed boneless breast of chicken in pesto, served with roasted garlic mashed potatoes & steamed vegetables



Desserts shared:
Apple pie with Haagen Daz ice cream and Bananas Foster (Ken's favorite)


They don't rush you - we stayed from 6:30-10:10 PM and had a most enjoyable time!

Wines enjoyed:
Syrah
Cotes de Rhone
2005 The Other
2005 Schmitt Sohne Riesling (Qualitatswein b.A.)

• Dress: Smart Casual.


• Service: Very Good.


• Decor: Classy. Comfortable seating. Piano player available.
  


• Portions: Good.


• Prices: Moderate.


• Reservations: Suggested.

Pizzicato

On Monday, January 15, 2007, we visited Pizzicato for an impromptu lunch. We didn't bring wine, because we didn't know we'd be stopping by.

We shared four appetizers: Calamari, crab cake, bruschetta and spring rolls. Everything was delicious. Ken had iced tea as a beverage.

We always have such a nice time when we visit.

Siri's Thai French Cuisine

In celebration of Jay's 45th birthday on January 3, Ken took her back to Siri's yesterday. We had 7 PM reservations (recommended) and the place quickly filled.

For appetizers, Jay had the char-grilled calamari over crispy romaine with sweet chili sauce. It was yummy and the calamari was lightly grilled. Ken had the grilled divers scallops salad which came with three huge warm scallops "in a lime dressing over field greens topped with tropical fruits." The dressing was superb.

Jay had a special - macadamia-encrusted rack of lamb, medium-well, which came with potatoes au gratin and sugar snap peas - which were done to perfection.

Ken had the sauteed seafood medley - rock lobster tail, salmon, shrimp, scallops, fresh vegetables and cappellini in a saffron white wine sauce. The entree was so large that he shared with Jay.


For dessert, Jay had a slice of chocolate toffee truffle pie. It was light and delicious.

We have decided that this is in our top 6 favorite restaurants. (We had to add the sixth position because we have so many favorites!) Service was excellent and everyone was pleasant and knowledgable.

Wines enjoyed:
Col Vetoraz Valdobbiadene Prosecco (gift from Karin & George)
2004 7 Deadly Zins (Old Vines)

Barnacle Ben's (Seafood) Again!

We returned to Barnacle Ben's, 300 Young Avenue, Moorestown, NJ, on Saturday and had an even better time than last week. We went with our friends, Larry and Linda. Since Larry knows the owner, we were able to request somethig off the menu - lobster au gratin.

A mix of warm rolls, with a touch of sweetness were brought to the table. Again, butter was not needed.

Appetizers shared: crab balls, clams, and coconut shrimp. Everything was hot and delicious. The sauce for the mussels was dippable.

Larry and Jay had the lobster au gratin. Big chunks of lobster tail in a creamy cheese sauce. Both had roasted red pepper mashed potatoes. Jay ordered homemade cole slaw and Larry ordered stewed tomatoes.

Ken had the crab cakes - two large crab cakes with almost no filler. He ordered the rice and the mashed potatoes, which he didn't eat because he was so full.

Linda had the walnut crusted salmon, which was a bit rare for her, so she sent it back to get cooked a little more. She enjoyed every bite. She also had the baked sweet potato and a salad with the hous dressing.

Only Larry had room for dessert - a vanilla cake with chocolate filling. It was a large slice which he couldn't finish.

Ben came to the table a few times and had a couple of beers. It was a very nice evening.

Wines enjoyed: 2005 Schmitt Schone Riesling Kabinett and 2005 Kali Hart Chardonnay.

• 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.

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.