We went to Barnacle Ben's Seafood on Saturday with our friends, Larry and Linda, and were a bit disappointed.
Nice hot bread was devoured with lots of butter.
After ordering appetizers: scallops wrapped in bacon, crab wontons and coconut shrimp, we were notified that they were out of scallops. Instead we ordered the crab balls, which are always delicious. The coconut shrimp was cooked to perfection. The crab wontons were a bit tasteless inside.
The Gorgonzola salad that Jay and Linda ordered was delicious!
Our entrees:
Jay - seafood au gratin: instead of scallops; fish was substituted without being informed; side of pepper hash
Ken - surf and turf: the lobster was bland and tasteless; side of pepper hash
Larry - crab cake and lobster tail with asparagus: again, the lobster was bland and tasteless; sides of stewed tomatoes
Linda - pecan-crusted salmon with asparagus
They were out of the "starches" - wild rice and baked sweet potato, so we went without, but we were still charged for them!
It will be a while before they see us again...
Wines enjoyed:
2007 Ravens Wood Zinfandel
2007 Hanna Chardonnay
2009 Frontera Chile Sauvignon Blanc
17 January 2010
08 January 2010
MaraVillas (Italian)
On a humbug, we decided to visit MaraVillas Grill for the third time. Since it was last minute, we didn't bring wine, but had a good time nonetheless. Their menu selection is very good.
We tried the scampi bruschetta, which was butttery, garlicky and delicious. We devoured it in minutes.
We both ordered brick oven pizzas. Ken then had The Maxine (red) - pepperoni; Jay had the Sam (white) - sharp provolone, Asiago & goat cheese - chopped plum tomatoes, garlic and basil olive oil. We both ate our entire personal pizzas (which are a pretty good size).
We will return. Thanks Joe!
We tried the scampi bruschetta, which was butttery, garlicky and delicious. We devoured it in minutes.
We both ordered brick oven pizzas. Ken then had The Maxine (red) - pepperoni; Jay had the Sam (white) - sharp provolone, Asiago & goat cheese - chopped plum tomatoes, garlic and basil olive oil. We both ate our entire personal pizzas (which are a pretty good size).
We will return. Thanks Joe!
04 January 2010
La Campagne (Jay's Birthday)
After much deliberation, La Campagne won for Jay's birthday on Sunday! We were not disappointed.
We requested, and were seated, by the fireplace. It was perfect on such a cold evening.
Our server, Heather, brought focaccia bread with herbed butter, to the table. Even Ken enjoyed the butter.
Both of us had specials as appetizers: Jay had the lobster tourine (pate) with a delicious lemon whipped accompaniment.
Ken enjoyed the smoke duck ravioli and he doesn't normally order duck.
Entrees were equally delicious. Jay enjoyed the venison with homemade pasta. It was just the perfect portion size and quite light.
Ken had the fish du jour - Mediterranean Sea Bass which came with three large shrimp with the heads on - so flavorful.
We finished with the cheese plate for 2 - Purple Haze (NJ sheep), Beemster (like gouda), Gorgonzola, Shepherd's Pillow (Goat), sliced pear, crudites, mustard, fig spread and strawberry spread - so good that Jay wanted more.
We enjoyed a 2005 Acacia Pinot Noir, which Jay doesn't normally like, but this was velvety. We also opened Jay's Christmas gift, Moet & Chandon Nectar Imperial, which is always delicious.
We requested, and were seated, by the fireplace. It was perfect on such a cold evening.
Our server, Heather, brought focaccia bread with herbed butter, to the table. Even Ken enjoyed the butter.
Both of us had specials as appetizers: Jay had the lobster tourine (pate) with a delicious lemon whipped accompaniment.
Ken enjoyed the smoke duck ravioli and he doesn't normally order duck.
Entrees were equally delicious. Jay enjoyed the venison with homemade pasta. It was just the perfect portion size and quite light.
Ken had the fish du jour - Mediterranean Sea Bass which came with three large shrimp with the heads on - so flavorful.
We finished with the cheese plate for 2 - Purple Haze (NJ sheep), Beemster (like gouda), Gorgonzola, Shepherd's Pillow (Goat), sliced pear, crudites, mustard, fig spread and strawberry spread - so good that Jay wanted more.
We enjoyed a 2005 Acacia Pinot Noir, which Jay doesn't normally like, but this was velvety. We also opened Jay's Christmas gift, Moet & Chandon Nectar Imperial, which is always delicious.
01 January 2010
Tarantella Ristorante
In celebration of the New Year, we visited Tarantella Ristorante with our friends Terry and Mary. We had 6 PM reservations and were promptly seated. Everything was fresh and delicious!
Warm bread and bruschetta were brought to the table. Fresh salad - three different salad dressings provided.
Appetizers - mussels in white sauce - huge platter! Fried calamari, perfectly cooked, with a delicious gravy.
Jay had the crab and lobster bisque, thinking it would be a small cup, but it was a huge bowl and very creamy and delicious.
Ken ordered the scallops imperial - he barely finished his plate.
Mary enjoyed the veal oscar and had to take her lefoverss home.
Terry had the osso bucco - although there wer a lot of bones, he couldn't finish his either.
Jay was not very hungry and ordered the antipasto appetizer (prosciutto, salami, provolone, mozzarella, olives) and the fried smelts appetizer - she had to take most of both home!
Dessert was a berry tart - very light and delicious!
We also had complimentary homemade limoncello - it was smooth and lemony.
Wines enjoyed:
2005 Sterling Vintner's Collection Chardonnay
2001 Selvole Sangiovese Toscana
This was a great way to end 2009!
Warm bread and bruschetta were brought to the table. Fresh salad - three different salad dressings provided.
Appetizers - mussels in white sauce - huge platter! Fried calamari, perfectly cooked, with a delicious gravy.
Jay had the crab and lobster bisque, thinking it would be a small cup, but it was a huge bowl and very creamy and delicious.
Ken ordered the scallops imperial - he barely finished his plate.
Mary enjoyed the veal oscar and had to take her lefoverss home.
Terry had the osso bucco - although there wer a lot of bones, he couldn't finish his either.
Jay was not very hungry and ordered the antipasto appetizer (prosciutto, salami, provolone, mozzarella, olives) and the fried smelts appetizer - she had to take most of both home!
Dessert was a berry tart - very light and delicious!
We also had complimentary homemade limoncello - it was smooth and lemony.
Wines enjoyed:
2005 Sterling Vintner's Collection Chardonnay
2001 Selvole Sangiovese Toscana
This was a great way to end 2009!
28 November 2009
La Campagne (Jay's Favorite!)
In the parking lot to Marcellos' Fresh Catch Bistro, we discovered that La Campagne WAS open and we immediately redirected our vehicle to La Campagne in Cherry Hill. (Urban Spoon [iPhone] was WRONG!)
Our server, Lauren, brought warm foccacio bread with herbed butter. It was great.
Appetizers
Ken had the Crabcake salad - nice-sized crab cake topped with a smoked tomato, over spinach with an aioli sauce. Delicious.
Jay ordered the oyster special - 6-medium sized oysters with delicious sauce and topped with fish eggs. It was heavenly!
Entrees
Ken ordered the Grilled Veal Paillard with eggplant salad and lemon caper sauce. It was very tender and flavorful.
Jay had the fish du jour Provencal - grouper, which was perfectly cooked and deliciously seasoned.
Both entrees came with roasted potatoes and green beans.
Lemon sorbet was brought to the table to cleanse the palate.
We love the cheese platter, so we left room and were not disappointed:
Italian cheese - similar to sharp provolone
Blue cheese
Brie
Gouda
Fig spread
Mustard sauce
Wines enjoyed:
2009 Georges DuBoeuf Beaujulais Nouveau
2008 Kali Hart Chardonnay
We brought these wines originally intending to visit Thai Basil in Collingswood. We were truly satisfied that La Campagne was open!
Our server, Lauren, brought warm foccacio bread with herbed butter. It was great.
Appetizers
Ken had the Crabcake salad - nice-sized crab cake topped with a smoked tomato, over spinach with an aioli sauce. Delicious.
Jay ordered the oyster special - 6-medium sized oysters with delicious sauce and topped with fish eggs. It was heavenly!
Entrees
Ken ordered the Grilled Veal Paillard with eggplant salad and lemon caper sauce. It was very tender and flavorful.
Jay had the fish du jour Provencal - grouper, which was perfectly cooked and deliciously seasoned.
Both entrees came with roasted potatoes and green beans.
Lemon sorbet was brought to the table to cleanse the palate.
We love the cheese platter, so we left room and were not disappointed:
Italian cheese - similar to sharp provolone
Blue cheese
Brie
Gouda
Fig spread
Mustard sauce
Wines enjoyed:
2009 Georges DuBoeuf Beaujulais Nouveau
2008 Kali Hart Chardonnay
We brought these wines originally intending to visit Thai Basil in Collingswood. We were truly satisfied that La Campagne was open!
18 October 2009
MaraVillas Grill (Italian) Revisit
As promised, we revisited MaraVillas Grill today and weren't disappointed. The food looked and tasted so good that we forgot to take pictures!
Joe was busy in the front, so Matt was our server. Service was still excellent. We were brought slices of warm bread with a unique dip - oil, parmesan cheese, and other spices. We didn't eat too much because we already knew what we wanted.
As promised on Friday, the seafood risotto special was still on the menu so we started with that. Lots of mussels, shrimp and clams over a deliciously creamy risotto. We devoured it.
We each wanted to try a different brick oven pizza, so Ken had the Loretta Margherita – Marinara, mozzarella, olive oil and basil. Jay had the Sam - sharp provolone, Asiago & goat cheese, chopped plum tomatoes, garlic and basil olive oil. Both were personal sized and most of each was devoured.
We will return often.
We enjoyed a Relax Riesling, which pretty much goes with anything.
Joe was busy in the front, so Matt was our server. Service was still excellent. We were brought slices of warm bread with a unique dip - oil, parmesan cheese, and other spices. We didn't eat too much because we already knew what we wanted.
As promised on Friday, the seafood risotto special was still on the menu so we started with that. Lots of mussels, shrimp and clams over a deliciously creamy risotto. We devoured it.
We each wanted to try a different brick oven pizza, so Ken had the Loretta Margherita – Marinara, mozzarella, olive oil and basil. Jay had the Sam - sharp provolone, Asiago & goat cheese, chopped plum tomatoes, garlic and basil olive oil. Both were personal sized and most of each was devoured.
We will return often.
We enjoyed a Relax Riesling, which pretty much goes with anything.
16 October 2009
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
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
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