Mirko's A Taste of Europe (Western Europe)

We met our friends, Karin and George, for a wonderful early dinner at Mirko's A Taste of Europe at 910 Haddonfield-Berlin Road in Voorhees, on Saturday, August 11, 2012, for a 5:00 PM reservation. We were promptly seated.

We were given the extensive menu by the hostess, along with the special menu for the country of the day - Spain. Paellas were the highlight, but we chose to bypass them because there was so much food.

Our server, Asha, explained additional specials and then gave us plenty of time to peruse the menu. Many Western European countries were represented.

Fried yucca chips (we asked for another bowl!), pickled veggies and salted nuts were brought to the table while we continued to decide on our meal.

Appetizers shared were escargot simmered in a fresh herb butter sauce with fennel slaw and truffle oil,  and fried calamari. Both were cooked to perfection.

Entrees:

Jay - mint-crusted lamb special, which included chorizo, white beans, okra, and sundried tomatoes, a portion of which went home for Sunday's lunch.

Ken - Sauerbraten (authentic sweet and sour beef, braised and flavored with root vegetables & mushrooms, served with fresh spaetzle and red apple cabbage), which he couldn't finish!

George - Portuguese Style Cannelloni (rolled pasta stuffed with fresh shrimp, scallops & crab, glazed with a mushroom saffron wine sauce & oven baked)

Karin - Wiener Schnitzel (pork tenderloin, breaded and pan seared & finished with delicate lemon butter. Served with fresh vegetable & spaetzle)

The dessert cart included a watermelon carved in a Spanish theme by the chef. Very creative!

For dessert, we shared a coffee caramel flan, which was light and flavorful, and French crepes (stuffed with white chocolate mousse). Delicious!

The decor gave the feeling of being in Europe, with many nice touches from all countries represented. The servers even wore flag pins on their lapels, to represent the country being highlighted.

Wines enjoyed:

2010 Alegria Carinena Old Vines

2010 Finca de Arantei Albarino

2011 La Belle Saison Sauvignon Blanc

2010 Can Blau (40% Mazuelo, 40% Syrah, 20% Garnacha)

Bhan Thai (Thai Fusion Cuisine)

For a nice treat, Ken treated Jay to dinner on Thursday, August 9, 2012, at Bhan Thai. It's close to our gym and we always smell the wonderful aromas as we are leaving after our workout.

We had a wonderful time.

Appetizers enjoyed:

Ken had the Martini Shrimp, which he loved so much that he had another order instead of dessert! The jumbo shrimp are wrapped in spring roll skin and served with a sweet and chili sauce.

Jay enjoyed the Larb Gai special, spicy Thai chicken salad with roasted rice and chili lime dressing. It was a bit large for an appetizer serving, but she finished the plate!

Entrees:

Ken had the Jumbo Shrimp Garlic special, which came with chopped scallops and a Marsala wine and garlic sauce. It was heavenly.

Jay tried to finish the Ocean Pacific special, which included sizzling boiled shrimp, squid, scallops and Basa fish sauteed with basil and peppercorn. Ken helped, but Jay had the rest for lunch the next day.

Jay had the orange sorbet for dessert, which, again, was bigger than she thought it would be. Very flavorful and refreshing.

We enjoyed Cream Ridge's Chambourcin wine, which was delicious and went well with the meal.

We definitely want to go back to try more dishes.

Megu Sushi Modern Japanese Cuisine

Jay went with her friend Mary, to Megu Sushi Modern Japanese Cuisine in Moorestown, NJ. We had a wonderful time.

The former Barnacle Ben's location was totally transformed. The decor was beautiful and provided a relaxing atmosphere.

Hot towels were immediately brought to the table, to cleanse our hands. We both immediately experienced hot flashes. LOL

Cucumbers with red peppers and sesame oil were brought out while we perused the extensive menu.

Appetizers:
Mary had the Seaweed Salad, which was tasty.

Jay had the Spicy Kani Salad (crab stick, cucumber, flying fish roe with spicy mayo). Refreshing and flavorful.

Entrees:

Jay had the Steven Keat roll special (crispy soft shell crab / cream cheese / cucumber / fish roe wrapped w/soy bean paper, spicy tuna on top, drizzled spicy wasabi mayo & eel sauce). It was wonderful.

Mary had the Naruto Roll (tuna, salmon, yellowtail, crabstick, avocado, fish roe wrapped w. cucumber, serve ponzu sauce). A little difficult to eat, but Mary enjoyed it thoroughly.

For dessert, Mary had the Coppa Spagnola - the cherries were delicious, and Jay had the Flute Limencello
Both were refreshing, light and flavorful.

We enjoyed a $6 Chardonnay from Wegman's. It was pretty good.

We will return. Perhaps with the husbands next time.

Pho & Cafe Ha (Vietnamese)

Ken treated Jay to dinner tonight at one of our favorite restaurants, Pho & Cafe Ha.

We ordered the usual appetizers:
Spring rolls
Summer rolls with BBQ pork
Grape leaves with vermicelli

Ken ordered the Com Dia (steamed rice platter) - charbroiled pork which came with "broken rice," which he loves!

Jay had the Bun Thap Cam Xao Xa - sauteed lemongrass on rice vermicelli with chicken, shrimp, fish balls and squid. I think there was beef in it too. Delicious and had enough left over for tomorrow's lunch.

Besides sharing two pots of tea with Ken, Jay also had the honeydew shake with bubbles. Very refreshing.

Pho & Cafe Ha (Vietnamese)

Ken treated Jay to dinner on Thursday, June 14, at Pho & Cafe Ha in Mount Laurel. We got the usual...
2 orders of Cha Gio (spring rolls) and Bnh Hoi Bo Nuongla (grape leaves).

Ken had the Banh Xeo (crepe) which he thoroughly enjoyed.

Jay had the Pad Thai Chay (tofu), which she couldn't finish and had for lunch the next day. It was spicy and full of flavor!


Love the tea!

Wine enjoyed:
Chaddsford Winery 2011 Spring Wine

943 (Argentine/Italian)

Although not in NJ, Karin and George introduced us to 943, right in the heart of the Italian Market on 9th Street in Philadelphia. Nice, open kitchen.

You MUST go to this restaurant. PLEASE don't let this restaurant fail. Although, it could come over to Jersey, LOL...

Everything was delicious! Ken even tried some things that I didn't think he would (like the flan).
 
Cheese and sausage started us off.

Delicious bread was brought out with a fantastic dip with oil and marinated peppers. Ken enjoyed most of it.

We were treated to a new dish, sausages (hot, mild and blood), which will be debuting next week. Fabulous!

We also enjoyed the Jamon y Queso Empanadas,  the most delicate, flaky,  hand-made pastry filled with ham and cheese.

Entrees:
Jay enjoyed the Merluzza de Francesco, lightly battered hake, with lemon, mushrooms and capers. Fingerling potatoes and haricot verts went perfectly with the meal.

Ken struggled through the steak special, with shrimp and perfectly cooked to medium.

Karin and George shared the pork belly pappardelle, which was also home made, light, and wonderful.

Desserts:
Karin and George share the flan, with a delicious, creamy caramel sauce.

Jay had the cookies, filled with raspberry and covered with coconut. A bit sweet, but addictive!

Wines enjoyed:

Pleasantly full; not overly stuffed.

Excellent, attentive service.

Don't let the location fool you. This is a hidden gem in the heart of the Italian Market.

We were happy to see people arriving as we were leaving. There's hope!