Ted's on Main (Again)

Since Ted's on Main was closed for Labor Day weekend, we revisited on Saturday, September 29, 2007. We had an even better time than the first.

We were seated at a corner table in the rear of the restaurant, which gave us a nice view of the entire place. Our server, Janet, remembered us from our first visit and that was nice.

The "taste" of the evening was a corn relish, made with Jersey corn and smoked jalapeno peppers. HOT bread was also brought to the table.

Jay had citrus crab salad as an appetizer and the citrus grilled Hawaiian butterfish special (with citrus ginger sauce over a plaintain and garlic cake) as an entree. Nice-sized portions and very flavorful.

Ken had the smoky pineapple BBQ shrimp as an appetizer and Barnegat scallops with risotto (that Jay loves!) for his entree.

We shared the Bananas Foster with ice cream for dessert.

Wines enjoyed:
2000 Domaine de la Citradelle Cotes du Lumerson
2003 Domaine la Barbotaine Sancerre

While waiting for dessert, another couple, Joe & Kathy, were seated next to us and we had a nice conversation until we left as their entrees were arriving.

Joe & Kathy recommended the following BYOBs:
Creole Cafe in Williamstown
Laceno's
Blackbird (highly recommend Friday night-SJ Hot Chef)
Nuncio's (sit in front alcove for lower noise level)
Catelli in Voorhees (Monday night only for BYOB)
Austeria in Philly
Barclay Prime in Rittenhouse in Philly (get the salad and share)
They had a 1997 Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon that looked pretty good.

Emerald Fish (One of our favorites)

After discovering Ted's on Main was closed for the holiday weekend, we visited Emerald Fish and had an excellent time.

Our server, Stacy, welcomed us and opened our bottles of wine.

Bread and pita was brought to the table and Ken ate most of it with oil & vinegar.

We shared bruschetta, which came grilled with tomatoes, feta and black olives.

Jay tried the tomato with chipotle and lump crab soup. It was thick and spicy.

Jay had the entree special - Mediterranean Shellfish Combo - grilled shrimp and scallops over orzo with red peppers, green olives, feta, eggplant, garlic, oil & oregano. Jay remembered that she wasn't crazy about eggplant (this was watery and had no flavor), so she removed most it. Otherwise the dish was excellent.

Ken had the deluxe seafood combo with lobster tail. He didn't eat his grilled skewered vegetables.

Everything was flavorful and fresh.

We had conversation with people at the next time and generally had a good time.

Wines enjoyed:
2003 Wishing Tree Shiraz
2003 Louis Jadot Macon-Villages Chardonnay

We have to remember to request the table by the fish tank and Eddie as our server (no reflection on Stacy).

Other restaurants that we discussed visiting include:
Joe Palumbo's Mirabella Cafe
Elena Wu
Barone's Italian Grill
Norma's Mediterranean
Word of Mouth

and a return visit to:
Ritz Seafood

Barnacle Ben's (AGAIN)

Jay and her mom, Louella, went to Barnacle Ben's, 300 Young Avenue, Moorestown, NJ, today for lunch and were not disappointed.

Louella had New England clam chowder and bacon-wrapped scallops for starters. She enjoyed the combination fried platter, which included shrimp, scallop, fish, stuffed shrimp and more. She had homemade apple sauce and baked sweet potato. It was delicious! She took home cheesecake for dessert.

Jay had the crabmeat cocktail - an amazing amount of crabmeat, so she added it to her house salad with blue cheese dressing. Jay also ordered the porcini mushroom gnocchi. Why were there 20 in the lunch order?


Jay ate 4 and took the rest home (leftovers are shown). She had grand marnier mousse for dessert. It was covered in chocolate and had a light chocolate cake base.

We love this place and will continue to return.

Barnacle Ben's - OK, we can't stay away!

We took our friends from Tennessee, Arlene and Mark, to Barnacle Ben's, 300 Young Avenue, Moorestown, NJ, Friday night and had a good time.

We arrived at 7 PM, having just made the reservation a half hour earlier, and were promptly seated.

Fresh warm rolls were brought to the table and our wines were opened.

Having eaten a bit earlier, Arlene and Mark declined appetizers and went for entrees:
Mark had Tilapia Oscar – pan-seared and topped with asparagus, jumbo lump crab in white wine and butter, spinach. Arlene enjoyed Seafood Newburg – jumbo lump crabmeat, scallops and shrimp in a pink sherry sauce, spinach, garlic mashed potatoes.

Jay had the appetizer special – oysters stuffed with shrimp, cheese and spinach (Arlene helped Jay with these) and the entree special - Fried softshell crabs with corn relish, sweet potatoes and cole slaw.

Ken had the scallops wrapped in hickory smoked bacon as an appetizer and the seafood crepes, wild rice, broccoli for an entree.

Everything was delicious and we were all pleasantly full when we left.

A thunderstorm provided a spectacular light show.

Wines enjoyed: 2003 Yellow Tail Shiraz and 2006 Prosecco.

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.