Monsoon (Indian)

Although Jay had take-out before from Monsoon Fine Indian Cuisine, 4180 Dearborn Circle, Mount Laurel, (856-234-0080), she visited the buffet for lunch during her third day of Spring Break. It was well worth it. She wasn't the only one with the idea, because the place was packed!

Everything was fresh and delicious. Hot naan is brought to the table. Jay had two helpings of everything plus a little bit of rice pudding and the dumplings in honey.

The buffet came to $9.48 with tax.

Since she was alone, Jay only had water to drink. It was cold and refreshing.

• Dress - smart casual


• Service - excellent


• Decor - Minimalist


• Portions - It's a buffet...


• Price - buffet is reasonable; regular menu is a bit pricey for an Indian restaurant


• Reservations - Recommended for dinner

Barone's Tuscan Grille (Italian)

After bypassing it many times on the way to Barnacle Ben's, we finally visited Barone's Tuscan Grille, 280 Young Avenue, Moorestown, NJ, (856-234-7900), on Monday, March 9, 2009, to start Jay's Spring Break week.

Our server was Phillip, who was very helpful and attentive.

After asking for two appetizers which weren't available, Phillip recommended the Gamberi Pompeii to Jay. Rock shrimp sauteed with cherry peppers in a garlic butter wine sauce. It was spicily delicious!



Jay enjoyed 1/2 of the Vitello Milanese that she ordered. It was a large portion veal cutlets seasoned with lemon (very lightly) and topped with a baby green salad and fresh tomatoes.

Ken ordered the Bruschetta Barone as an appetizer and Pollo Parmigiana for an entree. The entree was so huge that he couldn't believe it was just a lunch portion.




Everything was good, but the gravy doesn't compare to La Posata in Marlton. Salads are included with the meal - fresh greens with a nice house dressing.



Crusty warm bread was brought to the table with olive oil. We missed the vinegar (we should have asked for it), but the bread was delicious.

Wine enjoyed:
2006 Vitiano Falesco Cabernet Merlot-Sangiovese

• Dress - smart casual


• Service - excellent


• Decor - truly Italian - open floor with lots of tables


• Portions - large


• Price - reasonable


• Reservations - Recommended for dinner

La Posata (Italian)

To cap off our anniversary celebration, we revisited La Posata, this time for lunch, on Valentine's Day. Our friend Larry had talked about the veal parm so much, that Jay ordered it with linguine. Ken ordered the chicken parm, with vegetables (squash). Both were the perfect size and the gravy was outstanding. We added the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, which was flavorful.

We enjoyed a nice portion of lightly friend calamari, which also came with a yummy tomato gravy. Fresh salads and bread completed the meal.

Although the portions were ample, we weren't stuffed when finished, because everything was light and delicious.

We enjoyed a 2006 Dolcetto Di Diano D'Alba Montagrillo with lunch.

Penang Malaysian & Thai Cuisine

Ken heard so much about Penang in Maple Shade, that we decided to visit for lunch today (continuing our anniversary weekend).

They have an extensive menu, so it was a bit difficult to make our selections. We finally choose as appetizers: Thai Lettuce Wraps, Satay (beef and chicken combo), and Thai spring rolls. Everything was fresh and delicious. You could tell the satay was grilled by its smoky flavor.

Ken selected # 86. Thai Green Curry Beef - Beef with eggplant, peppers, bamboo shoots, basil and lime leaves in a spicy coconut curry broth. Jay kept snatching the sauce from his dish for her rice, so it was so spicy and flavorful.

Jay enjoyed # 59. Kari Ayam - Dark Chicken and potato seasoned with red curry in coconut milk gravy. (She selected the white chicken meat, at an additional cost), which was delicious. Trying to be healthy, she added brown rice to the meal. She couldn't finish, so she took the rest home.

No dessert this time, although the Pulut Hitam (Black sticky rice with coconut milk) sounded really good. Perhaps next visit...

We will return, with friends, so that we can share dishes.

• Dress - casual


• Service - excellent


• Decor - double fountains, large booths and tables, open spaces, yet still cozy


• Portions - large


• Price - reasonable (lunch was $58, with 3 appetizers and 2 entrees)


• Reservations - Recommended for dinner

Marcello's Fresh Catch Bistro

Becoming one of our favorites (especially since Emerald Fish closed), we enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Marcello's Fresh Catch Bistro today. (We're starting our anniversary weekend early)

We were seated immediately and proceeded to enjoy our wine, a 2006 Panarroz Jumilla, which was delicious.

Jay ordered from the Specials menu: The appetizer of BBQ Balsamic shrimp were jumbo-sized and accompanied by a spicy sauce. The South Beach Seafood Melody included shrimp, scallops, mussels and lump crabmeat with long grain rice in an aromatic tomato-based sauce.



Ken ordered the coconut shrimp, one of his favorites, as an appetizer. He enjoyed the chilean sea bass, blackened, with lemon butter.

We ordered the dinner sized portions and were thoroughly satisfied with our meal. What a nice start to a four-day weekend.

La Campagne (Country French)

We visited La Campagne in Cherry Hill, NJ, for Jay's 47th birthday yesterday. We were not disappointed. We were seated by the fireplace which was lovely on such a cold winter's night.

Warm Focaccia bread was brought to the table.

Our server, , was excellent. The presentation of every course was outstanding.

For our first course, Jay selected the oyster bisque special which was delicious. Ken ordered the shrimp and ??? salad, which was excellent.

For entrees, Ken ordered the filet mignon, and Jay order the rack of lamb. Both were perfectly cooked and melted in our mouths. They were so good we neglected to get a picture of either dish.

We ended with a 3-cheese selection, which Jay had been anticipating all evening. We left the chef decide. Pecorino cheese with truffles (Pecorino Toscano
Italy, sheep’s milk, mildly tangy, nutty olive notes), gorgonzola (Gorgonzola Dolce
Lombardy Italy, cow’s milk, buttery with a piquant finish) and an Irish cheese went perfectly with our wine.

Ken pulled out the "good stuff" since this was a special occasion.


We finished both bottles of wine (with the exception of a glass which we sent to the chef), which left Jay a bit loopy for the rest of the evening. This restaurant is one of Jay's favorites.

Marcello's Fresh Catch Bistro

On Saturday, December 6, we revisited Marcello's Fresh Catch Bistro. It's becoming one of our favorites. We love the lettuce wedge salad.





Jay had the cocktail sampler - lobster, lump crab and shrimp. It was fresh and delicious. Ken had the coconut shrimp, which he thinks is one of the best around.








For her entree, Jay had Yim's soft shell crabs, three HUGE crabs with brown rice and veggies. It had a teriyaki asparagus sauce, which was a bit salty, unfortunately.



Ken enjoyed the surf and turf.









Our server, Sherie, was pleasant. Jay will be returning on Christmas Eve for their version of the Seven Fishes dinner.

Wines enjoyed:
2006 Alamos Malbec
2005 Clayhouse Sauvignon Blanc

Recommendations for the future:
2006 Los Vascos - Chilean Cabernet