Marcello's Fresh Catch Bistro

Becoming a favorite, on Sunday we revisited Marcello's Fresh Catch Bistro. Everything was delicious. Our server, Desiree, was very pleasant.

Jay enjoyed the asparagus crab wrap as an appetizer. It was so large, it could have been a meal. Asparagus stuffed with mozzarella cheese and lump crab was wrapped with proscuitto. The tips of the asparagus were nice and crunchy.



Ken had the coconut shrimp, which he loves, for his appetizer.

We both ordered specials for our entrees.

Jay had the Bistro oysters, with red bliss potatoes and sauteed vegetables. The breading was a little heavy on the oysters, resulting in a bit tough, chewy oysters. Jay removed most of the breading to finish her meal.

Ken had the monkfish in lemon butter which also came with potatoes and vegetables. The fish was seasoned to perfection.

We enjoyed a 2007 Wishing Tree Unoaked Chardonnay, which Jay couldn't really enjoy since she'd had too much the day before.

Pizzicato (Italian)

Since we never take the moms out ON Mother's Day, we visited Pizzicato in Marlton on Saturday, May 16, 20009. There were 9 of us and we were all satisfied after our dining experience.

Lots of bread, including focaccia was brought to the table.

Jay & Ken were pleasantly surprised, and also a little disappointed, to find the menu items had changed and some favorites were no longer available.

Appetizers enjoyed:
Blackened Scallops over spinach
Pizzicato cheese plate - 7 regional Italian cheeses, crisp crostinis & fresh blackberries and strawberries




Shrimp & Vegetable springrolls
Spicy & Sweet Calamari with Parmesan portobella mushrooms - the best calamari ever!
Stuffed Portabella mushroom with Italian sausage
Steamed Prince Edward Island Mussels with chilies and fresh herbs in a white sauce



Entrees:
Jumbo lump crab cakes with mashed potatoes, baby spinach topped with orange & SPICY chili cream sauces - Mom Geri, Bert and Mike enjoyed these spicy crab cakes.

Grouper special over mashed potatoes - Chanelle and Ken was deeply satisfied with the portions; unfortunately Chanelle was too full from the appetizers and bread - she only took a few bites.



Lamb special - Mom Lou and Roscoe enjoyed these tasty chops. Jay sampled a chop and it was yummy, although she prefers hers medium rare.



Soft shell crab special - Jay ordered the butternut squash risotto instead of the spaghetti and was HUGELY satisfied. She couldn't it eat and took half for her lunch on Monday.



Homemade Lasagna in a classic bolognese sauce & fresh Italian cheese - Maceo had no problem finishing his large portion.



Desserts
Chocolate Tart, warmed with ice cream - Bert & Mom Lou


Oreo Cheesecake - Roscoe
Canoli - Chanelle

Wines enjoyed:
TBA

Too bad Pizzicato didn't participate in the Taste of Evesham on Sunday. They were missed.

Joe Pesce (Italian Seafood)

We visited Joe Pesce in Collingswood yesterday (Saturday, April 4, 2009) to see why people are always waiting to get in. We made an 8:30 PM reservation and confirmed the reservation on Saturday. We arrived at 8:20 PM - we didn't get seated until 9:20 PM! (We blame this on a foursome who refused to give up their table, not on the maitre d', Chris, who profusely apologized once we were seated.) It WAS worth the wait!

Jessica, our server, introduced herself and immediately opened our wines: 2006 Dolcetta Di Diano D'Alba and 2007 A to Z Oregon Pinot Gris.

We devoured two loaves of warm bread which came with an accompaniment of roasted peppers, onions and eggplant. Delicious!

For appetizers, Ken ordered the lagostinos special, a nice-sized portion, but not enough for him. Jay ordered the stone crab claws special, two large claws which came with a hot mustard dipping sauce that she couldn't stop eating, and a cocktail sauce.












Our entrees were excellent. Ken had the Sea Grill, which came with a lobster tail, shrimp and scallops. Jay's trout stuffed with crab imperial special came with garlic mashed potatoes and nicely seasoned broccoli rabe.








Joey, the chef/owner, went around to each table to make sure people were satisfied.

We left at 11:20 PM, fully satisfied and vowing to return for an earlier seating.

We want to try the crab mac and cheese as an appetizer, as recommended by Chris.

• Dress - smart casual


• Service - excellent


• Decor - open kitchen, some booths, some tables, seating for 3 in the chef's area.


• Portions - large


• Price - 2 appetizers and 2 entrees were about $115


• Reservations - STRONGLY Recommended for dinner - make early reservations so you don't wait for OTHERS to decide when they want to give up their table

The Pop Shop (Diner)

On Friday, March 13, 2009, while Jay was in pain from hurting her back at the gym, we visited The Pop Shop in Collingswood. Jay was intrigued after watching Bobby Flay's Throwdown of grilled cheese.

Ken wanted to try the sliders, which were much bigger and juicier than what we're used to eating. Jay ate one, while Ken struggled through the other two. They were excellent!

He then selected a footlong hot dog, with bacon and cheese. It was so big, he couldn't finish. He had root beer.

Jay had to have the 5B's, which was Bobby Flay's inspiration. It was delicious! Goat cheese, brie, bacon, tomato on country white bread. It stayed crunchy to the end. Fries came with the meal, which she couldn't finish. She created a peach and vanilla soda.

We'll be back soon because both of us found items we wanted to try. Ken was interested in the bananas foster waffle and Jay craves biscuits with sausage gravy, especially since she didn't get to enjoy it in Atlanta!

Word of Mouth

We revisited Word of Mouth in Collingswood on Saturday with our friends Diane and Dave.

We had an 8 PM reservation and were promptly seated by the window!

Ken and Dave had the charred beef appetizer with horseradish sauce. It was delicious.


Dave also enjoyed the Caesar salad. Diane had the gnocchi and shrimp in a gorgonzola basil cream sauce - the gnocchi was light and perfectly cooked.



Jay wanted the baked crab and corn cobbler, but they were out, so she enjoyed mussels in a tomato-based sauce, which was spicy.

Ken and Dave devoured the filet mignon with gorgonzola. The entree came with sliced potatoes which had a crispy coating. Jay enjoyed the scallops special - huge scallops with rice and mixed vegetables. Diane had the crabcakes which came with angel hair pasta.











Vegetables for the entrees included snow peas and squash.

Everything was done to perfection and we all left quite full. Dave said he could have struggled through another filet, however.

Wines enjoyed:
2004 Estancia Central Coast Syrah
2006 Clayhouse Adobe Red
2007 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc-Viognier
2007 Menage a Trois California White White

Dave was hoping for a chocolate milkshake from the Pop Shop, but it was closed by the time we left. Diane and Ken are going to the Pop Shop on Tuesday to celebrate Ken's birthday on Wednesday (Don't forget to get the 5 B's!)

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