Hearthside – Collingswood, NJ
You are wondering about Hearthside, but you can’t ever land a reservation even though you check dates for a possible reservation three months in advance. They have received quite the press and accolades from being named one of the top 50 restaurants in Bon Appetite, rave reviews from Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Magazine, other local media and blogs singing their praises, and also being known as a hot destination to see many Philadelphia Eagles players dining there regularly.
Well here the meal I had there:
Gulf Prawns with garlic, chili, lemon, and parsley with homemade grilled bread
Orecchiettee with fennel sausage, broccoli rabe, and roasted long hots
Campanelle with san Marzano, baby octopus, pepperoncino, and black olive
40oz 30 day dry-aged porterhouse with salsa verde, fried potatoes, leeks, and mixed mushrooms
Carrot cake
Here is what I can tell you. The food was phenomenal. The service was out of this world. By far one of the better dining service experiences from the staff I have had in South Jersey in quite some time and on par with high end Philadelphia and NYC dining destinations. Sadly, I forget her name, but our server stated she was there since they opened, and I can see why. She was definitely a great asset to the team. The ambiance is really tastefully done. Sleek and modern, but not being too over the top. Last but not least, the hearth is wide open for all to see and it was an enjoyable time watching the cooking brigade prep and prepare the meals. The highlights for me were the Orecchiettee and Campanelle, both being top notch in every way. It was an enjoyable night out and a well-executed meal. Give them a try yourself and let me know your thoughts at smallbitesradio@gmail.com
BlueJeanFood 