Allora by da Soli (Italian)

We looked forward to trying Allora, 892 Route 73, Marlton, NJ 08053, since we love Da Soli in Haddonfield. We were not disappointed! Chef Mark has done it again! We met friends, Larry and Linda, for a 7:15pm reservation on Saturday, March 7.

Ken devoured the bread and peppers that were brought to the table.

Appetizers:

Jay and Ken wanted to split the grilled calamari, but the server heard fried. No worries! It was lightly breaded and came with a delicious marinara sauce.

The server also brought the grilled calamari (on the house). That was so nice. The calamari was grilled to perfection and the spicy pomadora sauce with pepperoncini was AWESOME! Yum! Will definitely get again.

Linda and Jay shared the orange and beet salad - thinly sliced fennel, baby arugula toasted walnuts, honey maple dressing, creamy ricotta, balsamic drizzle, topped with grilled shrimp (hey! Jay didn't get any shrimp, Linda! LOL). Delicious and refreshing.

Larry enjoyed the sausage appetizer special - it was seasoned to perfection. Jay helped a little and couldn't stop eating it.

Entrees:

Larry ordered the beef special, which he couldn't finish and took the rest home. The gnocchi was heavenly.

Ken ordered the Tuscan Braised beef - fork tender beef, oven roasted in a rich red wine pan sauce with plum tomatoes, rosemary, and roasted vegetables (grilled zucchini). He devoured it. Jay didn't get to taste any...

Linda ordered the Herbed Crusted Salmon special, which came with white beans. She doesn't like a lot of sauce, so she didn't finish and took most of it home...

Jay ordered the Tuna Siciliano - grilled ahi tuna topped with diced tomatoes, fennel, capers, basil, and olives. She ordered it rare. Although it was very pink, it wasn't quite as rare as she'd thought it would be. She needs to keep in mind that this is not sushi grade, and order accordingly in the future. The entree came with risotto, which was a bit crunchy, although flavorful, and grilled zucchini. She devoured the dish anyway, because it was so good.

Wines enjoyed:

Since Larry and Linda helped us to celebrate Ken's birthday, 11 days early (we have a birthday MONTH), we were treated by the restaurant to a slice of creamy cheesecake! What a nice surprise! Ken doesn't like singing out in public, so we didn't (party pooper! LOL!). Jay ate most of the cheesecake.

We were too full once we got back to their house to eat the cake they bought Ken, so we took it home...

Good food! Good friends! Good times!

We will return in a few weeks with more friends. Hopefully, it won't be as loud (is the same group of obnoxious diners following us?), but we'll see.

Il Villaggio (Italian)

For our monthly lunch date, we met Karin and George at Il Villaggio, 211 Berlin Road, Cherry Hill, NJ, today. Since there was a baby shower, we were seated in the smaller room with windows. It was great that the doors could be closed so the noise was minimal.

We had a wonderful 3 hour plus lunch! Everyone was so awesome and knowledgeable!

Fresh, crusty bread was brought to the table, along with seasoned butter and olive oil. Yummy!

We shared the following appetizers:

Oysters special...

Clams Posolipio, littleneck clams sauteed in a zesty white wine sauce - tasty!

Broccoli rabe & sausage, sauteed in a roasted garlic olive oil, with grape tomatoes

We shared the following entrees:

Veal Tortellini special - so flavorful!

Gnocchi with gorgonzola and porcini sauce. The gnocchi is so light and airy. Wow!

Since we let them know we'd be sharing, they gave us small plates. How thoughtful!

Veal Saltimbucco (not on the menu, but we requested and voila!...)

Scallops Risotto, pan seared, served over mushroom risotto with truffle essence

Jay's small plate...

We finished with a cheese tray that included goat cheese, truffle honey, and manchego cheese...

Wines enjoyed:

Excellent meal - awesome friends!


We then stopped by the bakery next door for goodies for later...

Siri's Thai French

Since our anniversary is on Valentine's Day, and EVERYONE eats out on that day, we celebrated our 29th anniversary on Sunday at Siri's Thai French, 2117 Route 70 West, Cherry Hill, NJ. We had a wonderful meal.

We were promptly seated for our 6pm reservation, by a window, which provided a nice view, but was a bit chilly. We stayed because Jay knew that she'd soon be warmed by the wines that we brought.

Appetizers:

Jay enjoyed the seafood dumplings special, which were light and flavorful...

Ken loved the skewers of grilled marinated chicken satay with Thai Peanut Sauce, and once again asked Jay to make the cucumber salad...

Entrees:

Jay was impressed with the pine nut crusted rack of lamb. Mustard contributed to making the delicious sauce a bit tangy. Yum!

Ken devoured the chilean sea bass special. Both entrees came with scalloped potatoes.

Dessert:

Jay ordered the macadamia nut tart. Ken doesn't normally like dessert, nor does he like macadamia
nuts, but he ate more than Jay! LOL

Wines enjoyed:

Side note: There was a table of 6-8 really loud and obnoxious people. I guess they don't realize that BYOBs are a bit classier than the neighborhood bar that they normally go to. We were able to ignore them for the most part, but wow people! and you call us ignorant...

Ginger Asian Cuisines

After playing pool today, Ken came home starving. Where to go? Where to go? Ginger's of course! (7 Wilkins Station Road, Medford, NJ) We arrived at 4:30pm, and were promptly seated.

They had specials! Woohoo!

Jay was abstaining from wine today, so instead we enjoyed a pot of green tea. Jay forgot her phone, so Ken took pictures...

Ken enjoyed the coconut shrimp for an appetizer, and the Steak and Scallops for an entree. The entree was very flavorful.

Jay ordered the Hawaiian Breeze special: mahi mani with grilled asparagus and a salad. Appetizer choice was soup or spring roll - so she ordered the spring roll. Dessert came with the meal - Japanese ice cream - very interesting. She ate Ken's portion as well.

As always, we ordered the House Special fried rice to go with our meal.

Leftovers for tomorrow's lunch.

While dining, we noticed a LOT of take out orders. So glad that they are doing so well. Such nice people...

Tarantella Ristorante

Celebrating Jay's mom's birthday a day early, we took her to Tarantella Ristorante, 128 Route 70, Medford. Nice celebration! She was excited and happy!

Bread, bruschetta and salad come with every meal. Yum!


Ken enjoyed the Bacon Wrapped Scallops special, which came with a creamy peach sauce. The scallops were huge!

Entrees enjoyed:

Jay made it halfway through the Veal and Chicken Zingara:

Mom Lou was happy with the Scallops Imperial special:

Ken has been craving Veal Saltimbocca and was satisfied with his dish:


Dessert:

Ken enjoyed a glass of limoncello.

Jay enjoyed the Flute Limoncello (non-alcoholic), which is mixed with gelato. So good!

Mom Lou enjoyed her Bomba:


The staff sang a beautiful birthday song, which was appreciated by Mom Lou. They truly make you feel like family here. Everyone is so attentive and friendly!


Wine enjoyed:
Chianti


Alissa, and everyone else, helped to make this a special celebration!

Problems with photos - coming soon!

Indeblue (Indian)

Celebrating Jay's and Karin's birthdays, we enjoyed a 3 1/2 hour "lunch" at Indeblue, 619 Collings Avenue, Collingwood, NJ. Of course, we had a wonderful time!

Appetizers enjoyed:

Ken and Karin each ordered the Shrimp Koliwada - battered shrimp with a sweet & spicy chili aoli- always a favorite!

George enjoyed the crab soup and naan:

Jay thoroughly enjoyed the crispy spinach chaat - crispy baby spinach, shallots, chopped tomatoes, sweet yogurt, tamarind chutney. Very tasty!

Ken devoured the garlic naan:

Drums of Heaven - battered chicken wings with garlic, tomato and chili. Delicious!

Entrees shared:

Wild boar sausage, with cannelloni beans and lots of flavor!

Goat mirch masala - grass feed, Australian, boneless, with caramelized onions, cardamom, and house blended spices. Very flavorful!

Desserts:

Chocolate sutra (dark chocolate layered mousse cake) and lemon "cheesecake!" Awesome!

Wines enjoyed:

We also enjoyed a Chenin Blanc, which didn't come through in the pictures...

What a nice way to spend our birthdays!

Kunkel's Seafood and Steakhouse

Jay wanted oysters for her birthday, so Ken took her to Kunkel's Seafood and Steakhouse, 920 Kings Highway, Haddon Heights. We had a wonderful time!

Jay had St. James River oysters (Virginia), which were quite tasty...

Ken enjoyed the Crispy Crab Rolls. They were quite delicious!

Salads with house made dressings...

Ken ordered the Catalina dressing

Jay ordered the Blue Cheese dressing - yum!

Entrees...

Jay enjoyed the Prosciutto Wrapped Shrimp, which came with wild rice and roasted pepper cream sauce. She could only finish half...

Ken devoured the Surf & Turf - he selected the New York Strip, medium, with Kunkel Love (marinated special steak sauce) and the lobster tail. It came with steak fries. Everything was done to perfection!

Wines enjoyed:

Too full for dessert. We'll be back!