Isot Mediterranean Cuisine (Turkish) - Philly!

We enjoyed another 4 hour lunch with friends Karin and George at Isot Mediterranean Cuisine, 622 South 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19147, on Friday, May 19, 2017. Refer to this posting, because we pretty much duplicated everything (even our seating!):

http://byobnj.blogspot.com/2015/08/iso-mediterranean-cuisine-turkish-not-nj.html

We were again seated by the window, and selected from the Dinner menu (see below). Since the lunch option was recently re-instituted, we were thrilled to enjoy the delicious offerings again. Our server was wonderful, even though he had many tables to cover.

We were given Turkish tea - very refreshing on this hot day!

Once again, we shared everything. So good!

Since Ken and Jay arrived a bit late, George and Karin had already started on the Hummus - still delicious and warm!

The chef treated us to Mixed Meze - combination of Abugannush, Acili Ezme, Haydari, Saksuka, and Hummus.

Appetizers:

Shrimp Umberger

Fried Calamari

Entrees:

Seafood Casserole

Manti

Mixed Plate

which came with salad

Ken enjoyed the Turkish coffee

We took home the Baklava

Wines enjoyed:

We'll be back. Wonderful food, good friends, and fantastic service!

Here's the current menu:

Tarantella Ristorante

Six of us met for dinner at Tarantella Ristorante, 128 Route 70, Medford, NJ (609-714-9050). We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We had a 6:30pm reservation, which was a good thing, because the place was packed. Even though only 4 of us arrived at 6:30, we were promptly seated.

Bread and bruschetta were immediately brought to the table. Wine bottles were opened and we ready to go! The regular menu is HUGE. Even the specials menu was quite extensive.

Appetizers shared:

Calamari Fritti - perfectly cooked

Sausage and Broccoli Rabe, sautéed in garlic and oil. (Special - this needs to stay on the menu!)

Funghi Ripieni - Mushrooms stuffed with crab meat (Ken took this picture)

Salad also comes with your meal (choice of homemade Blue Cheese, Italian, or Roasted Garlic dressings)

Entrees:

Jay and Kim selected the Short Rib Mascarpone Risotto Special, which came with 2 large pieces of deliciously cooked meat, along with vegetables, crispy onions and drizzled with white truffle oil. Jay took half home for next evening's dinner.

Ken was hoping for, and selected, the Lobster Ravioli Special, in a creamy alfredo sauce, with sun dried tomato, baby shrimp, and spinach.

Charlie and Zack selected the Scallops Imperial Special, topped with crab imperial, asparagus, and sun dried tomatoes. Served in a lemon cream sauce with seafood ravioli. (No picture, but they enjoyed it - the scallops were substantial.)

Diane enjoyed the veal saltimbocca, which Ken normally gets, and is very tender and flavorful.

We asked for limoncello and a few selected the Cappuccino as well.

Diane enjoyed the lemon cake for dessert.

Definitely come hungry - you won't be disappointed!

Some of the wines that we enjoyed:

Kunkel's Seafood & Steakhouse

When Jay received the email from Kunkel's, 920 Kings Highway, Haddon Heights, 08035 (856-547-1225), about the specials for this weekend, she immediately contacted Ken. Dinner on Sunday, April 30, 2017, was delicious!

Our server, Maureen, remembered us! That was nice!

Love the hot, crusty bread!

Appetizers

Jay loves oysters! She ordered 6 raw and the Fried Oyster special, served with lemon aioli (St. James River Oysters)! Devoured in minutes! So good!

Ken ordered the Scallops, which came with succotash, which he loves.

Salads came with our meals. Refreshing with homemade dressings. Blue cheese here...

Entrees:

Jay was excited about the Seafood Cioppino Special - flounder, shrimp, scallops, clams, and mussels in a rich tomato broth with toasted croutons. Delicious!

Ken ordered the Pan Seared Grouper, served with grilled asparagus and tri-colored fingerling potatoes in a herbed beurre blanc sauce. Unfortunately, it was overcooked, and not as flaky as the one he had at The Little Tuna. The saving grace was the seasoning, so he finished it anyway.

Ken ordered a cup of coffee, which he enjoyed:

Jay finished with the Dessert Special - cream puffs filled with homemade salted caramel ice cream, finished with chocolate drizzle. Perfect ending to the meal!

Wines enjoyed:

Still one of our favorites - Ken wants to get a rib eye next time.

Allora (One of our Favorites!)

3 1/2 hour lunch! We had such a great time with Karin and George at Allora, 892 Route 73, Marlton, 08053 (856-596-6882) on Saturday, April 22, 2017.

We can't get enough of the bread, which comes with a chimichurri sauce.

We shared the following appetizers:

Suppli - crispy Italian risotto balls over imported San Marzano tomato sauce Roman style filled with meat, fiore di latte mozzarella, and tomato sauce. Tender and flavorful.

Stuffed Artichokes - prosciutto wrapped roman style artichokes filled with house made chicken sausage, broccoli rabe, oven roasted with lemon aglio. Delicious!

Fried Calamari - tender, lightly dusted served with a marinara sauce.

Not on the menu, but Ken requested the chicken sausage with figs, which comes with a crispy round of cheese. We will request this every time we come here!

We also shared the Shrimp and Crabmeat Fra Diablo - spicy goodness!

Karin and Jay shared the Porcini crusted corvina special, which was quite lovely.

We ordered Poppie's salad (instead of the Caesar salad) which came with the special. This salad was a medley of hearts of palm, roasted red peppers, artichokes, olives, Boston lettuce, tossed with a secret balsamic and extra virgin olive oil dressing. Yummy!

George and Ken shared the Veal Saltimbocca.

For dessert, we enjoyed the Lemon cake

and the Salted Caramel Cheesecake

Our server, Summer (and Mark!) was very attentive, even though there was a large party in the next room.

We love coming here! Kudos to Chef Mark!

Wines enjoyed:

2014 Montepulciano d"Abruzzo

Tres Yan + Wu

Jay and Ken had an enjoyable meal at Tres Yan + Wu, 3131 Route 38, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054, (856-608-8888), on Friday, April 14, 2017. No reservations, we just took a chance and were seated at a booth (yay!).

Our server, Kim, was very knowledgeable and attentive. Great experience!

Appetizers enjoyed:

The Salt and Pepper Calamari was quite flavorful. No sauce necessary.

Jay enjoyed her Sashimi Sampler (salmon, tuna, and fish).

Entrees:

Jay enjoyed the Mongolian Lamb, medium, which was extremely flavorful (some went home for the next day's lunch).

Ken was extremely satisfied with his Honey Shrimp with Walnut (Fuji apple underneath). A crab, cream cheese wonton came with the meal - so delicious. We'll order this as an appetizer next time.

We both ordered brown rice with our meal.

Dessert!

Ken loves apples, so he ordered the Apple Tart; Jay enjoyed the Salted Caramel Ice Cream, which normally is placed on top (why - don't destroy the beautiful tart!)

Wine enjoyed:

Delicious meal - we will return.