Top Notch

We visited Top Notch, 20 South Main Street, Medford, on Friday, August 23, 2013, because Jay didn't feel like cooking. We called 1/2 hour before our anticipated arrival to make reservations.

This is becoming a favorite, especially since it's so close.

We were greeted by Courtney, who had a pleasant personality.

Warm bread and oil was brought to the table. Very tasty.

Appetizers enjoyed:
Jay had the Bourbon glazed shrimp and cheese grits special. Delicious and the right portion size. The grits were nice and creamy. This item is going to be added to the Fall menu, it's that good.

Ken had the prosciutto wrapped shrimp, which he found very tasty.

Entrees:
Jay devoured the pan seared sea scallops. The scallops were perfectly tender and flavorful. The crispy onions added a nice touch.

Ken enjoyed the shrimp and lobster risotto, with large shrimp and lobster claw meat.

Everything was delicious. Nice ending to the work week.

Wines enjoyed:

2010 H.J. Fabre Reserva Malbec

2011 Terrapura Chardonnay (Chile)

The Little Tuna (Seafood)

Since we hadn't been out in a while, and Jay wanted to try something different, we decided on The Little Tuna, 141 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield, on Saturday, July 20, 2013. This is the seafood restaurant for which Ken has been searching!

We were able to secure a 7 PM reservation. When we arrived, we were promptly seated.

Our server, Maria, introduced herself and welcomed us to the restaurant. The warm bread was good.

Appetizers enjoyed:

Ken was quite happy with the BBQ Bacon Wrapped Jumbo Shrimp served with sauteed spinach.

Jay thoroughly enjoyed the sesame encrusted tuna plate (rare - yum!) which came with a wasabi sauce and a sesame/ginger sauce. Delish!

Entrees:

Jay requested the almond crusted scallops, with strawberry balsamic vinaigrette, as an entree. The appetizer portion comes with 4; the entree portion came with 6. She ended up giving 2 to Ken anyway. The sweet potato mash tasted like sweet potato pie. So good. It also came with a side of broccoli and carrots.

Ken was pleased with the Jumbo Lump crab cakes, which came with carrots and broccoli, and garlic mash.

Too full for dessert, but next time we'll have the Bananas Foster bread pudding.

We'll be back, because there is lots more on the menu that we want to try. Jay wants to compare their oysters with Kunkel's. Nice ambiance.

Wines enjoyed:

2011 Alambrado Malbec Tempranillo (Argentina)

2012 The Huguenot Chenin Blanc

Note: There's also a nice market attached that sells fish and other goodies. If something is not on the menu, but in the market, you can request it.

Da Soli (Italian)

Fast becoming one of our favorites, we had lunch with Karin and George at da Soli Trattoria Rustica Restaurant in Haddonfield on Saturday, June 8, 2013.

Since there was a graduation party going on downstairs, we were seated upstairs. Very nice ambience.

Since we had trouble finding the parking lot, Suppli was already on the table when we arrived. Crispy risotto balls filled with ground beef tenderloin and fiore di latte mozzarella cheese. Perfect!

Delicious bread was at the table, along with olive oil and peppers.

While perusing the menu, we selected the Da Soli Antipasti, oven roasted peppers with san Marzano tomato sauce, imported Italian cheese, Sopressata, roman style marinated olives, and Italian long hots. Everything was fresh and delicious! Perfect for 4.

Since Jay ordered the soft shell crab special as an entree, she had the house salad. This house salad is not your everyday salad. It was so flavorful!

George and Ken each ordered veal Alla Saltimbucca, with fresh sage, prosciutto, provolone cheese, garlic demiglace and sauteed spinach. It came with fresh vegetables, which Ken ate and George wouldn't touch. Oh George!

Karin had the Vongole Alla Guitara, Mediterranean clams, garlic, wine, house made au dente, "guitar" string pasta. So flavorful and the pasta was cooked to perfection.

None of use had leftovers; everything was so good and just the right portion.

Karin, George and Jay shared the salted caramel cake. Perfect ending to a perfect meal!

Wines enjoyed:

2012 Verdicchio Di Matelica

2011 Charles Smith Superstar Chardonnay

2011 Nespolino Sangiovese Rubicone - this came home

Mirko's A Taste of Europe

Another one bites the dust, darnit!

Vientiane Cafe (Laotian-Thai Cuisine)

Wow! Finally got to try the restaurant that serves the yummy Naam salad that Jay devours and Ken doesn't get to try! It's not Jersey, but worth the trip!

We met our friends, Karin and George, and walked to Vientiane Cafe, 4728 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19143. What a nice walk to a fantastic restaurant!

Be warned - cash only - but the prices are very reasonable!

So excited that Jay neglected to get photos of the first two appetizers:

Shrimp spring rolls - soft rice paper with herbs & vermicelli with sweet peanut sauce
     Very fresh and delicious!

Duck spring rolls - deep-fried until golden, served with House sauce

We feasted on appetizers and were extremely happy when we left:

Vegetarian Naam Salad - marinated rice with coconut flakes then tossed with mint, scallions, lime juice, lime leaves and crushed peanuts; served with lettuce to wrap. Cannot begin to describe how good this is!

Shrimp skewers served with 2 sauces.

Home-made beef jerky - marinated pieces of beef with steamed vegetables, served with chili paste. Who knew beef jerky could taste so special?

We all shared Banana-Chocolate Spring Rolls with mango sauce - a perfectly light, flavorful ending to a wonderful meal!

Wines enjoyed:

2011 Pionero Mundi Colleita Albarino

There was a 3rd wine, but Jay neglected to take a picture. She's slipping. LOL

We must return to try more appetizers and entrees!

Kunkel's Seafood and Steakhouse

We were so impressed with our anniversary dinner, that we took the moms to Kunkel's in Haddon Heights for Mother's Day dinner on Saturday, May 11, 2013. We were not disappointed.

There were 8 of us and we arrived a bit early for our 6 PM reservation and were promptly seated.

Our server, Chris, promptly introduced himself and gave us time to peruse the menu.

Warm, fresh bread was brought to the table; oil and vinegar was already set out.

Appetizers enjoyed:

Jay - Oysters ( Connecticut-left; Chesapeake-right)

Ken - Bacon wrapped scallops; Bert and Mom Geri shared the scallops

Mom Lou - Fried calamari

Maurice - BBQ short ribs potato skins

Roscoe and Mike decided not to have an appetizer...

Each entree came with a house salad; Jay chose warm poppy dressing

Entrees:


Jay - Buffalo salmon special, with roasted potatoes and spinach

Ken - Rib eye, medium with a lobster tail (surf and turf)

Mom Lou - Tilapia with mashed sweet potatoes

Bert - Crab stuffed shrimp over succotash

Mom Geri - Crab cakes

Roscoe - Crab with pasta

Mike - New York strip (well done), with crab cake

Maurice - NY strip (medium), with mashed potatoes and an onion ring

Chris made sure everyone's steak was to their liking before leaving...

We were too full for dessert. A good time was had by all. We weren't rushed, even though the restaurant was full.

Wines enjoyed: