Bistro Southeast (Philly)

For our monthly 3-hour lunch, Jay and Ken met Karin and George at Bistro Southeast, 1824 South East, Philadelphia, PA 19146 ((267-758-2838) for a 12:30pm reservation. Once again, the food was outstanding! Good friends! Good food! Great time!

We ordered the Seafood Combination #4, with 2 extra lobster tails, in advance.

Before the seafood extravanganza, we enjoyed an order of Thai Sweet Chili Wings, which are crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside. The sauce had just the right amount of spiciness.

We devoured the Seafood Combo in a short amount of time. Ken and Karin especially enjoyed the sausage and corn. Everything was very flavorful, with the Casian seasoning.

As always, Ken had to have the Vietnamese BBQ Pork Banh Mi. We got two orders, sliced in half. So tasty.

We enjoyed the NEW lemongrass beef skewers, which came with a nicely dressed slaw.

We love this place, and hope it continues to survive in this competitive dining world.

Wines enjoyed:

Some observations:

Servers weren't very attentive. No introductions, and no checking to see if everything was OK. Jay observed diners having to approach the counter to get utensils, beverages, etc. because the servers were chatting, eating, and on the phone. Pay attention to your diners! 

One server arrived, did not wash her hands, and started handing out dishes, etc. We weren't even sure she was supposed to be there.

Two Fish

Feeling much better after a strange sinus (?) infection, Jay and Ken met Zach and Diane for dinner at Two Fish, 26 S. Haddon Avenue, Haddonfield, NJ 08033 (856-428-3474), for 5:45pm reservations. As usual, we enjoyed our meal.

We were warmly greeted, and promptly seated in this 26 seat restaurant (reservations required!).

Jay and Zach shared the mussels appetizer, with coconut, panang curry, lemongrass, and cilantro. Jay enjoyed the remaining broth.

Ken enjoyed the Sicilian Style Calamari, with pastina, tomato, olive, pine nuts, and currant. The calamari was thinly sliced and apparently very good, since Ken did not share!

Diane was quite satisfied with Roasted Beet Salad, with wheat berries, kale, feta, apple, walnut, and dijon vinaigrette.

For our "mid-course," we shared the Salmon Belly Crudo, with cucumber and everything spice. Very refreshing.

Entrees enjoyed:

Jay found the Skate Wing very good, crispy on the outside; nice sized pieces, with truffled spatzle, melted leeks, and parmesan broth which was poured table side.

Ken and Diane enjoyed the Barramundi, with fingerling potatoes, lava beans, corn, and romesco. Crispy skin!

Zach was happy with the Wild Isles Salmon, with jasmine rice, eggplant, black pepper yogurt, pistachio fennel aillade.

Desserts:

The ice cream sampler was happily shared by Jay (peanut butter and jelly; bananas foster (which Ken devoured); and, tamarind and chili). Creamy and delicious. The sugar cookie was a nice touch.

Zach enjoyed the banana cake.

Diane enjoyed the cappuccino panna cotta, which she enjoyed with Zach's caramel sauce with cashews.

If Ken sees lemon tart on the menu, he is having dessert. He enjoyed the tart, but wish the blueberries were on the side. He doesn't like ricotta, so he didn't eat it.

Zach and Jay felt better as the meal progressed; getting out was good for both of us!

Wines enjoyed:

Ginger Asian Cuisine

Back again to Ginger Asian Cuisine, 7 Wilkins Station Road, Medford, NJ 08055 (609-953-7888) for a late dinner with our friend, Diane. We arrived around 8:30pm on Friday, March 15, 2019, and had another wonderful meal.

After munching on the fried noodles, Diane and Ken had spring rolls; Jay loves the hot and sour soup. We shared the spare ribs for an appetizer. (No pictures - sorry!)

Jay was quite happy with the Rock n Roll Lamb. Tender pieces of lamb. Yummy!

Diane and Ken enjoyed the Bangkok Cow.

Instead of white or brown rice, we ordered the House Special Fried Rice, which is always flavorful!

Wines enjoyed:

Allora by da Soli (Italian)

One of our favorites! Ken chose to celebrate his early birthday at Allora, 892 Route 73, Marlton, NJ 08053 (856-596-6882) on Friday March 8, 2019, with friends Karin and George. As always, we enjoyed a leisurely lunch. Everything was done to perfection! Mark is the BEST! Christian was very attentive to our special needs!

We were surprised, but happy, that the restaurant was quite full for lunch! We ate so much bread, but it was light, so it didn't weigh us down. We asked for two more baskets and also enjoyed a Chimichurri sauce to go with the last basket.

We shared many plates...

Suppli and Fried Calamari

The Shrimp and Crab Special over Risotto - best risotto ever! Creamy and cooked to perfection.

Stuffed Long Hots - just the right amount of heat.

Veal Saltimbucca with homemade pasta - yum!

Gnocchi Genovese - the sauce was so good that Jay finished it by itself, along with fresh parmesan cheese.

Desserts:

Lemon cream cake - very light and the perfect ending to the meal...

Apple cake with walnuts - not too sweet, and addictive!

Wines enjoyed:

2017 Falanghina

A nice way to spend a Friday afternoon!

Sakura (Japanese)

Had a gift certificate, so Jay and friend Mary visited Sakura, 47 S. Centre Street, Merchantville, NJ 08109 (856-661-0188) for lunch on Wednesday March 6, 2019. We enjoyed a wonderful lunch. Everything was so good!

We shared many deliciously, fresh, and tasty sushi/sashimi:

Mary never had Shumai (one of Jay's favorites). We had it fried, and love it so much that we ordered another one! Crunchy on the outside, melt-in-your-mouth goodness on the inside:

Tuna, salmon, eel, salmon roe, avocado roll...

Spider Roll - Soft shell crab...

More tuna, and spicy tuna roll with rice paper

Loved the eel, so we ordered another as well...

Miso soup for Mary; Spicy Seafood soup for Jay:

Wines enjoyed (there's a liquor store across the street):

We will definitely return.