Kunkel's Seafood & Steakhouse

To end a wonderful Valentine's Anniversary, Jay and Ken went to Kunkel's, 920 Kings Highway,  Haddon Heights, 08035, on Thursday for a 5:30 PM reservation. Nice, romantic setting.

Warm bread and seasoned oil was brought to the table, while we perused the menu. Since we had a late lunch, we decided on light appetizers.

Jay enjoyed the oysters du jour. She selected 2 of each - . Both varieties were delicious!

Ken had the shrimp cocktail and was very satisfied. One fell on the floor, so our server brought a replacement.

Our entrees came with salads. Ken had the House Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette. Jay choose to upgrade her salad to the Spinach Salad, which was delicious as it contained dried cherries, creamy goat cheese, and apples, tossed with a honey dijon vinaigrette.

Jay's entree was delicious, and she had to take some home for the next day's lunch. Barramundi, pan seared, and topped with a sage shallot cream sauce topped with crabmeat and bacon and served over roasted potatoes.

Ken had the surf and turf. He selected the New York Strip and lobster tail, which came with fries and an onion ring.

We were too full for dessert, but we will return! Very pleasant experience. Nice ambience.

Wines enjoyed:

2009 Little Black Dress Sauvignon Blanc

2009 Louis Jadot Bourgogne Pinot Noir

Top Notch (American)

In the midst of a snowstorm, we went to Top Notch, 20 South Main Street, Medford, NJ, for dinner on Friday, January 25, 2013, for a 6 PM reservation. We were promptly seated. Surprisingly, there were quite a few people in the restaurant for a snowy evening.

Warm, crusty bread was brought to the table, along with olive oil and pepper flakes. It was so good, we had two servings.

Appetizers:
We first shared the Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper Fries, which were crunchy and came with homemade ketchup and a maple chili cream sauce. Both sauces were delicious and the fries were tasty without them.

Jay enjoyed the Top Notch French Onion soup, which was slightly sweet, flavorful and cheesy. Yum

We then enjoyed the Prosciutto Wrapped Shrimp - three jumbo shrimp. Very tasty.

Entrees:
Ken enjoyed the flat iron steak, grilled medium rare, which came with fingerling potatoes, red wine braised mushrooms and caramelized brussel sprouts. Delicious

Jay enjoyed the pork belly and horseradish macaroni and cheese. It was heavenly. Half went home for the next day's lunch.

Dessert:
We shared the apple cobbler with vanilla ice cream. Perfect ending to the meal.

Wines enjoyed:
2006 Peirano Estate Vineyards Petite Sirah Lodi

2011 Castillo de Aguaron Carinena (85% Cabernet Sauvignon; 15% Syrah)

Our server, Savannah, was efficient and pleasant throughout the meal.

The decor is totally different than when it was Ted's on Main (we missed Scotch Bonnets, unfortunately), and holds more tables. An open kitchen concept, including a brick oven, makes it feel more homey.

We will definitely return!

Bhan Thai (Thai Fusion Cuisine)

We had a wonderful dinner with friends, Mary and Terry, on Saturday, January 12, 2013, at Bhan Thai in Mount Laurel, NJ.

We enjoyed 2 orders of the Martini Shrimp, which Ken loves, and 2 orders of spring rolls.

Entrees enjoyed:

Terry - Pad Thai Crabmeat

Ken - Red snapper garlic (filet). It was a holiday special, so it may not always be on the menu.

Jay - Chu Chee Duck, with curry paste and cream coconut milk. She ordered it "3-chili hot," which was spicy, but not overly so. The skin stayed crispy until the last bite!

Mary - Masaman curry with chicken.

Jay, Mary and Terry shared the Grand Marnier souffle with pistachio ice cream, which must be ordered in advance.

Wines enjoyed:
2009 Charles Smith Cabernet Sauvignon

2011 Quinta Das Mouras de Arraiolos (50% Shiraz; 50% Aragonez)

Ken considers this restaurant one of our Top 5.

La Terrazza Ristorante Italiano

We met our friends, Karin and George, for lunch at La Terrazza, 210 New Jersey 70 (Barclay Farms Shopping Center), Cherry Hill, NJ, 08034, (856-354-1888), on Sunday, December 16, 2012.

Since the dinner menu is in effect on Sundays, Jay used a Groupon that she purchased, which included 2 appetizers, 2 salads, 2 entrees and 2 desserts. We took the salads home because we didn't want to get too full...

Fresh hot bread was brought to the table; part of the second basket went home with Jay.

Appetizers:
Stuffed Long Hot Peppers - with prosciutto, gorgonzola & provolone cheese, oven roasted with red onions and olive oil

Fried Calamari - served with marina and spicy mayo sauces, and

Homemade Gnocchi Misto - 3 sauces: pomodoro, alfredo and pesto

Tomato Bruschetta Bread - Italian crostini with olive oil, diced roma tomato, shaved grana padana and basil

Entrees:

We each selected the fusilli pasta, since it was homemade...

Jay enjoyed half of the Crabmeat Angela - fresh jumbo lump crab meat with asparagus and sun dried tomatoes in a blush cream sauce over pasta; the rest went home for the next day's lunch:

Ken struggled through the Veal Saltimbocca - sauteed and topped with prosciutto, spinach and fontina cheese in a sage demi-glaze; he couldn't finish his pasta:

George had to take home a portion of his Lasagna - layered with bechamel and bolognese sauce, topped with mozzarella cheese:

Karin ate the littleneck clams from her Vongole, in a garlic white wine sauce, and took the pasta home as well:

Desserts:
Jay took home a cannoli, and enjoyed the creme brulee (there's always room for dessert!):

George had the cannoli:

Very good. Nice ambiance. Large portions. We took our time for this 2-hour lunch.

Wines enjoyed:

2008 Pacific Rim Chenin Blanc

2009 Mario Ercolino Saserello


2011 Marchesi di Barolo

2011 Verdicchio Di M....

This was the only meal of the day for all of us!

Siri's Thai French

One of our favorites, we visited Siri's Thai French on Saturday, December 1, and weren't disappointed.

Jay thoroughly enjoyed this salad - roasted pepper medley, sun dried tomatoes, portabella mushrooms and goat cheese.

Ken devoured the crispy wonton shrimp with fresh herbs and plum ginger sauce

Jay had the macadamia crusted lamb, which came with scalloped potatoes and asparagus. It was so good that she gnawed on the bones and didn't care who watched!

Ken had the seafood medley special, with red curry sauce (spicy), salmon, shrimp, lobster tail. Very tasty.

Ken and Jay shared a second order of crispy wonton shrimp.

Wines enjoyed:

Cotes du Rhone (80% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah)

Highway 12 2009 Sauvignon Blanc

Can't wait to return later this month for some game meats!

Flavors of India

A new restaurant opened in Mount Laurel, NJ, where our favorite Vietnamese restaurant used to be.

Jay visited Flavors of India after work today for take out. Delicious!

We had the following:
Chole Batura
MLA Pesarattu
Shrimp Vindaloo
Goat Vindaloo
Assorted Bread Basket

Very tasty, although the meat dishes had very little meat.

Jay will try the buffet next time.

Monsoon has some serious competition!

Pho Xinh (Vietnamese)

We returned to our old stomping grounds, Pho Xinh in Mount Laurel, today. It was good, but not as good as the recently closed Pho & Cafe Ha. It seems more Americanized, which is a shame...

We went pre-Hurricane Sandy and no one was seated in the restaurant, although they had quite a few take-out orders.

We enjoyed 2 orders of Spring rolls

Chicken Satay

Grape Leaves Wrap

Ken had the Salt Pepper Shrimp, which he would come back to have again

Jay had the Vietnamese Carpaccio, which she took home, since it felt like the staff wanted to leave early...

We enjoyed a pot of hot tea on this dreary evening.

We need to find another good Vietnamese place close by...