Category Archives: Restaurants

Build it and WILL they come?

Posted on February 23, 2013 by Bluejeanfood

Speranza – Westville, NJ

http://speranzaristorante.com/

https://www.facebook.com/SperanzaItalianRestaurant

outside

Westville, New Jersey does not seem like an obvious location to open an semi-upscale Italian themed restaurant, but  the Finney Restaurant Group who run eateries Gia Nina’s and Woodbury Station Café have to believe the saying from the movie Field of Dreams with Kevin Costner, “If you build it they will come”. Speranza in Italian means hope, and I know that not only is the town of Westville hoping for this to be the building block to finally have their much neglected and failed retail stretch of downtown finally thrive, but former Executive Chef of the now shuttered Red Square of Tropicana Casino; David Strano is hoping that the great reviews he received while chef there continue their trend here. During Red Square’s tenure open in Atlantic City as Atlantic City Insiders point out in their article (CLICK HERE TO READ) Executive Chef David Strano opened and closed its doors while being the only restaurant in Atlantic City to receive four stars by The Press of Atlantic City the entire time Red Square was in operation.

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Speranza occupies the space formerly held by seafood restaurant Sea Haag. Sea Haag, who had service so slow and bad; I think two people could step inside the restaurant, either person could leave, drive down the shore, catch their own crabs, drive back home, cook and eat all the crabs they caught, head back to Sea Haags, and the other person would still being waiting for anyone there to even acknowledge they wanted to eat there. Well not only has Speranza done a complete 360 in terms of the ambiance and appearance,  the moment you step foot inside (the gelato bar looks amazing and I want to try all the flavors), they also had some the most accommodating and gracious individuals working there.

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The food is also something people hailing from the small towns surrounding Westville will be surprised by. No longer will they need to make a plan for a night out in the city of Philadelphia and be bent over backward by the evil parking authority that hands out tickets like lollipops making your night out meal even more expensive than it needed to be, hang with the hipster types that are confused and wondering which social injustice they want to stand for today in Collingswood’s restaurant row, or pretend to fit in with the highfalutin types that make you want to gag in your mouth around Haddonfield. You can just head to Westville, be yourself, and enjoy a night out. Everything was of the utmost quality, with prices that would be double in the towns I just made fun of.

pizza

The Bianco wood-fired pizza was perfect in each way. Not too overdone, nice and crisp, with flavors that were appeasing in each bite. The Cioppino was amazing, with fresh shrimp, crab, mussels, clams, herbs, and a broth that was made to have its garlic bread soak in it and then shove it in your mouth with all of its soggy glory. YUMMY! The only blip on my radar was the shrimp and crab risotto. The flavor was slightly too minimal for the profile I was searching for,  especially with gulf shrimp listed in it, I would have liked to seen them cooked whole to enjoy instead of just being mashed inside the risotto drowning out their flavor. (FYI – the dishes were taken out due to unforeseen circumstances so please do not think this is what your plate would look like if you ate there)

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Speranza has nothing but great things on its horizon if they continue the trend of quality dishes and friendly service. The only question is can they convince other people to stop in a town almost no one has ever heard of with nothing else surrounding them to make it a true night out expect maybe a hop over the famed roast beef hot spot Schilleens Pub for a night-cap. Only time will tell, but what I can tell you is that providing that the infamous Brooklawn Circle is not flooded, I will be making my way back to Speranza to check them out again.

 

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Where everybody knows your name

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Bluejeanfood

Babe’s Bar & Grill – Paulsboro, NJ

Paulboro, New Jersey has been in the news lately so why not take a trip down to check out this now famous location. A quick stop with friends had us arrive at Babe’s Bar & Grill (BBG). Upon arriving to BBG, one feels more like you are visiting a friends house more than spending a night out on the town, especially since BBG is held in a real house. BBG is the true definition of what a neighborhood bar is. As soon as we opened the door, the staff here created an atmosphere no different than visiting a good friends house with the staff meticulously taking good care of our party of four throughout the night like we have always know each other. The waitress was as down to earth as you could want, while being so excited with that nights soup of the night “cheeseburger soup”, that she brought a bowl out on the house before we even ordered a thing so we could enjoy our evening right away.

The order of the night was a pitcher of beer for only $6 and four orders of three wings for $1. The beer was standard domestic tap, so sorry to all of you beer aficionados, but no review of my beverage will be carried out in this review. The order of wings arrived piping hot and made to order. Six hot wings on one side of the gauntlet and six garlic and parmesan on the other side ready to be put to the test. The size of all twelve wings were nice and meaty, while cooked perfectly by being gloriously juicy, yet still crisp.

Three for $1 wings

Three for $1 wings

The hot wings portion of the meal was a slight disappointment. The flavor was not very defined, nor did it seem authentically original. It seemed to be just sauce with a spicy kick to it. Now do not get me wrong, these wings were delightful for just a plain hot wing if that is what you are looking for. I am just spoiled with wings in Philadelphia with the arrival of korean fried chicken wings at many locations throughout the city and contenders such as Federal Donuts having an option of wings in any of their famous flavors. Thankfully, the garlic parmesan wings picked up the slack of the hot wings with a nice flavor balance, while not being overpoweringly cheesy or garlicky, but a pleasure filled experience in every bite.

BBG is going to get two ratings on this review. Why or how can they get two you ask? Because I write the reviews and I can change the rules as I see fit.

Overall three and half out of five stars

BBG has the ability to be a destination stop for foodies if they wanted to be by just putting a little time perfecting a wing recipe like no one has ever known.

Experience five out of five stars

BBG gives you an experience that can not be replicated. You could put this staff and food somewhere else and it just would not be the same. They make you feel wanted, provide service that is unheard of these days, and make you feel like family by bringing out something for you to eat before you even speak a word of what you want to order. This is a neighborhood bar, and I commend them for sticking to their guns. They could change and try to woo us foodies to come down to them with fancy menu options or the perfect wing to eat, but then it would not be BBG anymore.

If in the area would I go again?

Without a doubt, who doesn’t like great food and a whole pitcher of beer for $10

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Lee How Fook, Chinatown-Philadelphia, PA

Posted on November 28, 2012 by Bluejeanfood

Lee How Fook, Chinatown-Philadelphia, PA

Chinatown is without a doubt one of my favorite sections of Philadelphia. The flavors, attitudes, customs, architecture, and amount of restaurants in such a condensed area are hard to beat. With the amount of diversity and numerous selections, Chinatown can also be one of the hardest places to make up your mind of where to eat.

This was the first time I have ever been to Lee How Fook and I must say I did enjoy my brief foray there. The service was friendly and attentive, the menu was varied enough for whatever taste you are looking for, and the atmosphere is simple yet tasteful.

I had the Jumbo Shrimp with Chinese Broccoli. The portion was plentiful, shrimp were a nice size, and the flavor was uncompromisingly Asian, yet Western infused enough for almost anyone to enough. The only downside would be that they do not have a lunch special menu and are more suited for you to come for dinner than for lunch like I had, so that means the prices are slightly high for lunch with no extra freebies like most places with a soup, spring roll, or anything else that helps bring a lunch crowd and keep them happy.

Would I come here again? Yes, but I would only come for dinner again, with a few other people in my party to really get a taste of the menu and have everyone share their dishes like in most places in Chinatown.

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Zeppoli – Collingswood, NJ

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Bluejeanfood

Zeppoli – Collingswood, NJ

Have you ever wondered what it must have been like to hear Mozart play for the first time, watch Michelangelo paint one of his masterpieces, witness Einstein figure out an equation, or be the first person to repeat any of the famed one-liners that so many people love so much from Benjamin Franklin. They must have been magical moments in history, and Chef/Owner Joseph Baldino of Zeppoli is serving up his take of what the culinary world will remember of him.

Zeppoli is situated in a tiny strip mall on Collings Avenue, and when I say tiny strip mall I mean TINY. They are also located outside of the main section of Collingswood on Haddon Avenue know as restaurant row. With them situated away from the hustle and bustle of the regular town and hosting in such a tiny location that only seats a maximum of thirty-five guests, the feeling of dining here truly feels exclusive and special, especially with the perfect ambiance and décor they have chosen.

I am not going to go into detail of what each dish tasted like or their nuances as I do not want you going there as saying “Oh, I did not taste this or taste that like he said”, but what I will tell you is that the meal was perfect on every level for me personally. The two extreme highlights were the Gamberetti e Fagioli which would be a crime not to order as an appetizer and as odd as it may seem; the other knock my socks off surprise moment was my beverage of choice, Sicilian Orange-Blossom Lemonade. With Collingswood being a dry town, no one should have to even think about consuming alcohol with a drink as tasty as that one is. Bravo, great job!

Now I am not the only who has witnessed Chef Baldino’s talents. Zeppoli was nominated for a James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant. This is truly an honor to be nominated, and he has created something fantastic and unique in a small and cozy South Jersey town. I only see bigger and better things for Chef Baldino, as he deserves the recognition for the excellence he has created.

Should you go there ASAP? YES! Without a doubt, Zeppoli is a gem and culinary destination for South Jersey and the execution presented here is heads above most around the area and even Philadelphia.

Should they expand their empire and would this experience be the same elsewhere? I do not know, but I think given the proper tools and location, I have confidence Chef Baldino could make culinary magic work anywhere. In its current state though, Zeppoli works perfectly as it stands and everyone needs to experience it there.

FIVE out five stars

Below are the pictures of the meal:

Bread and Olive Oil mix, Sicilian Orange-Blossom Lemonade, Gamberetti e Fagioli, On the house sampling of Gnocchi alla’ Argentiera, Tagliatelli al Limone with Sicilian bottarga, and Coniglio Pizzaiola.

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Sushi for Beginners

Posted on August 1, 2012 by Bluejeanfood

My beautiful wife is the person who really opened my horizons as far as sushi is concerned. I dabbled here or there with sushi’s fan favorites while never delving into sushi’s underbelly, but now I have seen the light. One can think you have an idea of the culture of sushi, but until you spend some time in Japan like I have, you cannot even imagine its wonderful and amazing aspects it brings to ones culinary palate. I became immersed and hooked for life the minute I set foot upon Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish Market and they presented me with live fish pulled right off a boat immediately after being caught and then sliced right in front of me to eat.

Now I do not want you to think that going to Mt. Fuji Restaurant will recreate my Tokyo experience, but I do think they can put on you the right path of enjoying some of sushi’s fan favorites in order for you to expand your horizons some day in the future when you have the chance to go to Tsukiji Fish Market for yourself. I started the meal with an order of Miso Soup. With its fish based stock, kelp, and onion, the soup really gets your tasted buds ready for sushi’s fishy wonderland of flavors. Mt. Fuji’s is not the best Miso Soup around, but it certainly is above average.

Next up were two very basic sushi items. Philadelphia Roll which consists of smoked salmon and cream cheese and two pieces of Kani otherwise known as a Crab Stick, but is not really crab at all as it is a mixture of fish pressed together. These are two of the mildest, yet delicious options for someone new to sushi and anyone fears of raw fish need not to worry with these options as they are cooked sushi. Yes there is such a thing as cooked sushi options to get you ready for the big leagues of raw fish. Mt. Fuji’s serving was as good as any of the places around this area, if not better than most.

The main course chosen was Eel Fried Rice. Now I enjoy eel quite a bit, but this may have been the case of too much of a good thing. The fried rice is cooked hibachi style, so it’s not that cheap yellow looking substance most Americanized fast-food Chinese takeout locations serve, but instead rice with a nice sticky texture making it chopstick friendly to eat and much tastier. The eel while good, overpowered the sublimity of the fried rice. The taste profile provided in this dish was by no fault of Mt. Fuji. This was a misstep in ordering on my part, as I was not looking for something as bold, so I would have been better suited choosing shrimp instead of eel. Now if you want bold, go with the eel. Again with fried rice, Mt. Fuji is above average in this category, but is not reinventing the wheel.

My final words on Mt. Fuji are that if you live or are around the Deptford Mall area to do some shopping, they are a nice surprise in an ocean of chain restaurants surrounding that area. They are above average in the quality of their food, while charging extremely reasonable prices as you can pay double for a lot of selections on their menu at sushi restaurants in Philadelphia. The atmosphere is quiet with the decor being bland, but that is better than being loud and ridiculous as most of the eateries are surrounding the mall. If you want to be adventurous one Sunday and have never tried sushi; be sure to check them out as it is only $20-$24 for all you can eat sushi, soups, and salads there. You will not be disappointed.

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King Arthur’s Table

Posted on July 23, 2012 by Bluejeanfood

The Pub – Pennsauken , NJ

http://www.thepubnj.com/

With an interesting choice of décor, The Pub is more reminiscent of a relic from medieval times than something originating from the 1930’s. The architecture is gothic and overwhelms immediately upon entering the dining area. With an open space so large, I think they could take all the tables out of the middle of the room and still have enough room for horse jousting, sword fighting and jesters juggling while enjoying a meal. If these events would have been occurring, I can honestly say The Pub would have automatically received five stars, but sadly the large dining area was only less than half full with the other side of the room darkened, so The Pub will need to shine on their culinary skills.

The French Onion Soup arrives and had onions that seem to have been stewing for ages in Merlin’s magic cauldron, which is right up my alley. Too many times do I order French Onion Soup that is too watery, broth too thin, or onions that have not been cooked long enough or not even caramelized. The mozzarella cheese was plentiful and cooked well done. The Pub provides a quality French Onion Soup.

Main entrée ordered was the Prime Rib. The Prime Rib comes out beautifully cooked and tender accompanied by steak-cut french fries that were just slightly overcooked and a Yorkshire Puff that really needs to be substituted with something else as it adds nothing to the meal and actually brings it down. I must say that The Prime Rib really shined as it was fantastic, but more Au Jus was needed and if onion rings were to replace the Yorkshire Puff it would greatly enhance the experience.

For dessert the Apple Cobbler Ala Mode, was only marginal. It was good, but something was just missing to make it a recommendation.

The Pub is difficult to review or explain fully what dining here is really like. The food is consistent and a degree above average, but with tweaks could be phenomenal. The atmosphere is old-world style odd, but with a full house of diners, I could only imagine what hanging in the lounge with live entertainment and then enjoying a meal here could be like. The Pub needs an innovative and unique marketing campaign to kick start a new era here because it really is somewhere special to go. Heck, maybe they would even have Bluejeanfoodcritic appear. Otherwise if they stay with their current business plan, The Pub may be left to be remembered only in history books like the medieval symbols shown predominantly throughout the establishment.

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You’re the Cheese – I’m the Macaroni

Posted on July 16, 2012 by Bluejeanfood

This is part of the Supper With Sebastian series. The tastes of a 6 year old known as “The King of The Kids Menu”.

July 15th, 2012

The Rio Station – Rio Grande, New Jersey

http://www.riostation.com/

The best Mac N Cheese I have tasted in a longgg time was last night at The Rio Station in Rio Grande, New Jersey in the United States of America. It was like very cheesey and I like it because they make the cheese a lot cheesier than most places. They use big giant noodles that absorb up the cheese sauce. They put it in a dish that is the perfect size for a kid like me. I want the world to know about this place because its very good. If people are starving, their mac n cheese can feed big groups of people except grownups. It also looks perfect when you look at it. Im asking my daddy right now if I can get more mac n cheese from The Rio Station right now. Try it sometime. I think you will agree.

The King of The Kids Menu

Hope you all enjoyed my first review and look forward to more from Supper With Sebastian.

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A Little Italy in Collingswood

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Bluejeanfood

Sapori – Collingswood, NJ

http://www.sapori.info/

May 2012

Holy Moley Me Oh My!  Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros cannot sing it any better than what I felt after leaving Sapori. To make this review even more exciting, why not find the song and listen to it while you read this.

Chef Franco Lombardo was born in Palermo, Italy and the title of the song lets you know exactly what Chef Franco creates at Sapori  “Home”. Opening a sixty-four seat eatery in an area already heavily populated with Italian restaurants, Collingswood, NJ in 2003 he has recreated a look and feel of his home country Italy here that I am positive is the envy of many interior decorators wishing they could do the same. The only problem is that I am embarrassed to admit that it took me until now to find this oasis of Italy in the Philadelphia region.

Having one of the most amazing authentic Italian meals ever in the States while dining here, I will not even try to explain the explosions of fresh flavors my mouth was able to experience. My party went on a Wednesday evening and decided for Chef Franco to cook us his chef’s tasting menu, which he prepares with only the freshest ingredients that very day, so for me to fawn over what I had as great as it was, I may or may not have that again for my next tasting menu. The entrees went from special stuffed olives, fresh Italian cheeses and meats, an absolutely beautiful rendition of polenta with chickpeas that everyone should make this way instead of cornmeal, fabulous sardines that even converted others at the table who stated they hated sardines, pasta with sea urchins that arrived just an hour or two before we arrived which was the highlight of the menu for me creating a taste I have been craving ever since, one of the best rabbit meals ever served, and then he topped it off with a dessert dish that could make a baker blush with his unbelievably tasty treats.

Chef Franco is an artist in the kitchen, a charming gentleman to meet as he comes to the table occasionally to make sure everything is delicious, and the perfect host by welcoming friends into the beautiful home he has built and wanting you to come back again soon for his next great culinary creation. It took me nine years to come here the first time, but yet I felt like I lost my way from where I truly belong only 9 seconds after leaving Sapori. Chef Franco has created home, and somewhere I will call home much more frequently, so I hope he is ready for more houseguests.

Five out of Five Stars

For more info on the song I quoted and band mentioned:

http://edwardsharpeandthemagneticzeros.com/

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Italian South Jersey Style

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Bluejeanfood

Arugula, Sewell NJ

http://arugularestaurant.net/

04-07-2012

Transforming a space previously held by a Mexican restaurant into a modern Italian restaurant is no easy task. Chefs Nicholas Tomasetto and Stefano Gervas have settled into the former space occupied by San Miguel quite nicely by creating a sleek and hip feel felt immediately upon stepping foot into Arugula. It is not perfect though, as I have a major complaint about the décor. The area in question is the design at the front of the restaurant where tables for two are present that gives Arugula a furniture style befitting 0001 Cemetery Lane where the Addams Family resides. Gomez and Morticia would be the only two people who could reasonably sit at these odd and quirky chairs for dinner. Thankfully coming with three other patrons, the Bluejeanfoodcritic was saved from the possible embarrassment and seated at a regular table, but I could not stop looking at this abnormality.

I started the evening with two appetizers, the Fritto Misto and Blue Bay Mussels. The Fritto Misto was good, not great, and certainly not worth fourteen dollars. At fourteen dollars a restaurant is pushing the envelope into entrée prices, and this is not easily forgivable unless the appetizer creates an unforgettable experience which this dish did not. Fritto Misto advertised to include zucchini, shrimp, and calamari. I will start by saying the shrimp included were perfectly cooked and generous in size, but in contrast the zucchini was practically nonexistent with only three microscopic slices put on top of the dish, while the calamari was rubbery and overcooked. Arugula saved itself once the Blue Bay Mussels arrived though. The Blue Bay Mussels not only changed my mood after the disappointing Fritto Misto, it had me do an about-face and is so good it exalted Arugula into a culinary contender. The portion size of mussels was glorious, while providing a perfectly balanced and slightly spicy broth that was enjoyed so thoroughly, it took sopping up two servings of Italian bread in the broth until not a drop of broth was left. YUM! FYI – picture below I could not wait to eat before the picture was taken, so this was not exactly how it came.

Apps at Arugula

Unfortunately this extreme high did not last long once my main dish was served.  Ordered was the grilled scallop on top of a short rib infused risotto. The scallops were good, but I was extremely disappointed having received only three tiny scallops on a twenty-four dollar entrée. The small dollop of short rib infused risotto did nothing to improve its chance of redemption either. The short rib was bland tasting, while the risotto was overcooked as well. This was too bad as after the Blue Bay Mussels, I wanted to fall in love with Arugula, not just like it.

Main Course

The problems experienced at Arugula are in sloppy or rushed preparation of the meal, and easily fixed if they can focus on their style and execution. I really believe their vision of a modern Italian restaurant is easily attainable and almost all of the elements to achieve this goal are present. They are just missing that “IT” factor right now, and if they can find “IT” they will become dangerous to the bottom line of other food establishments. Once “IT” is obtained they will become the oasis in a desert of unoriginal restaurant choices in the surrounding area they serve. Maybe one day when the waiter walks up to the odd chairs at the front of the establishment, Cousin Itt will be seated there with the answer.

Do I recommend for you to go to Arugula if in the area? Yes

 

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Visit the Promised Land – Zahav

Posted on February 25, 2012 by Bluejeanfood

Zahav, Philadelphia PA

http://www.zahavrestaurant.com/

02-03-2012

Authenticity is what one looks for after traveling to a foreign country whether in cuisine or in mindset. This is exactly what happened to me after visiting the Mediterranean region for over a month this past year. After going from place to place trying to find those tastes and feelings again, my taste buds began to reject what most restaurants in America claim as Mediterranean cuisine. After visiting Zahav in Philadelphia, I have found the Promised Land. 

Immediately upon opening Zahav’s doors, familiar scents and tranquil vibes automatically transport you back to the Mediterranean. Once seated, a quick glance of Zahav shows an eclectic crowd that would be the envy of any restaurateur. After taking a peek at the menu, the mixed crowd is not due to Zahav making dishes that appeal to all palates, but instead because its menu is exciting and uncompromising. They put ingredients native to the Mediterranean and give them a brilliant contemporary twist and flavor. After having the five course tasting menu with particular highlights Fried Sweetbreads and Crispy Branzino, I was thoroughly impressed. The preparation and execution of the plates at Zahav is impeccable.

During the meal Zahav Manager, Eilon Gigi, came to make sure the evening was flawless. He created a welcome feeling not felt in most establishments, and after pleasantries proved another reason why the authenticity at Zahav is difficult to beat. With the Bluejeanfoodcritic having an upcoming trip to Israel, he personally wrote down a list of restaurants to try while I was in Tel Aviv. It is difficult to get recommendations for places to eat in Philadelphia let alone half a world away. I commend him for this and as such he is an irreplaceable asset to Zahav for that experience alone. 

Zahav-Philadelphia has had its share of media coverage, so this review is nothing new. You can say that eating here deserves two thumbs up, four bells, or any combination of grading system you can think of. All I know is any way you slice it Zahav is the pinnacle of Mediterranean dining on the East Coast, period. 

Five out of Five Stars

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