MaraVillas (Italian)

We visited MaraVillas Grill in Medford for lunch. It's larger than it looks from the outside, with two large rooms separated by drapery.

Appetizer was Nicholas Bruschetta, six nice-sized pieces of crunchy bread topped with a flavorful bruschetta mixture.



Salads were fresh and the dressings, balsamic vinaigrette and creamy Italian, were delicious and plentiful.

Entrees enjoyed were the Baked Shrimp Oreganato by Ken and the Veal PieZano by Jay.





Our server, Joe, was a true salesman; Jay even took home dessert!

We plan to return on Sunday for the seafood risotto special and to try a brick oven pie.

Wine enjoyed:
2005 Zingari Toscana Red

Marcello's Fresh Catch Bistro (Love this Place!)

Last night (Friday), due to miscommunication, we actually went out to dinner! We chose Marcello's because Ken had a craving for seasfood. We were not disappointed (we never are when we come here).

Our server Tina was prompt and responsive throughout the evening. We love their bread, especially the warm garlic bread.

We ordered the calamari bruschetta and salmon skewers for appetizers. The calamari was a large portion, but we got through. The salmon skewers were lightly seasoned with a lemon marinade. Both were delicious.





The lettuce wedges provide such a refreshing change between the appetizers and the entree.

Ken was very happy with his stuffed flounder, with roasted potatoes and mixed vegetables. The top part was a bit dry, but he still devoured his meal.



Jay had the special - basil pesto pasta. Instead of linguine, she requested angel hair. It was fabulous!



We were so full that Jay had to take most of her pasta home for next day's lunch.

Wines enjoyed:
2004 Tomasello Winery Cabernet Sauvignon
2002 Alsace Riesling Tradition (from Moore Brothers)

Ted's on Main

For a change, we revisited Ted's on Main on Friday, August 14, 2009, thinking it wouldn't be as crowded as on the weekend. We had a wonderful time.

We love coming here and were not disappointed.

Jay had the West Indies lobster fritters, which were 5 nice-sized fritters. She shared two with Ken so as to not be too full for the entree.



Ken had the lobster tail appetizer, which he thoroughly enjoyed.



For her entree, Jay enjoyed the Louisiana Lemonfish, which was hearty and came with shrimp and asparagus spears. Delicious!



Ken selected the Herb Grilled NY strip steak, which was cooked to perfection.



We were full, so we didn't get to enjoy the Bananas Fosters (which Ken loves) this time.

Wines enjoyed:

2008 Relax Riesling
2006 Candelaria Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon

IndeBlue (Indian)

We met our friends, Karin and George, in Collingswood for lunch today and were not disappointed. We visited IndeBlue, 618 Collings Avenue, Collingswood, NJ 08107-1724, (856) 854-4633.





We were immediately seated and once the first wine was opened, ordered the Garlic Naan, which was delicious.

George ordered the appetizers, since he and Karin had visited a few times before: vegetable samosas, which came with a delicious chickpea concoction; shrimp kaliwada and onion bhajia. Everything was freshly prepared and lightly battered.






Entrees were as follows:
Jay enjoyed macchi kotmiri, which was salmon cooked in mint and cilantro - very fragrant and spicy.



Ken devoured the shrimp moilee which was cooked with a curry leaf sauce - he enjoyed it thoroughly.




Karin savored the shrimp curry, which was just delicious.



George burst with joy over the lollipop lamb Tandor.



Perfect portions - we were not overstuffed but happily filled, when we left.



Wines enjoyed:
2008 Baco Gran Reserva Saufignon Blanc Valle de Casablanca
2008 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc-Viognier
2007 Domaine L'Ameillaud Vin de Paysde Vaucluse

We'll definitely be back.

• Dress - smart casual


• Service - excellent


• Decor - open kitchen, tables. Clean restroom.


• Portions - perfect


• Price - very reasonable


• Reservations - recommended

Barnacle Ben's

Craving seafood, we visited Barnacle Ben's on Sunday, July 12, 2009.

Appetizers:
Coconut shrimp - one of Ken's favorites.
Mussels in a garlic and oil sauce - delicious!

Entrees:
Ken - seafood newburg, mixed vegetables, baked potato
Jay - seafood au gratin, pepper hash (very good) and baked yam

Wines enjoyed:
2007 Poetess Lodi Shiraz
2008 Chaddsford Proprieters Reserve Pennsylvania White Wine


We had a wonderful meal which was marred because a large table seated near us complained the whole time. Why go out to dinner if you're not going to be happy that you don't have to cook? Don't order from the prix fixe menu (someone pronounced it "price fix") and expect the best the restaurant has to offer. They said they'd never return. That's great - we won't have to suffer through a meal with them nearby.

They ran out of food because a bridal shower was held in the restaurant earlier in the day. That didn't spoil our dining experience. We got to try new things.

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.