Need restaurant suggestions for South Jersey/Philly area

[pixiechick]

La Esperanza in Lindenwold, NJ (near Voorhees). My SIL raves about this place. We haven't been there yet, but DH just told me that his coworkers family owns the place. I think it's too casual for what you want though.

http://www.mexicanhope.com/

We were there last week. Food is excellent- "real" mexican, but it is very casual, we were sitting next to a bunch of mexican guys who looked as if they had just gotten off work, in jeans and worn t shirts.

Pelican fish is in a strip mall along Hurffville- Crosskeys. You stay on 42 until it becomes local and then take Greentree (maybe?) over to H-C.

Thanks for the tip about the GCs to Lambertis.

 

[Cindy B]

I drove by the one of the new places in Cherry Hill. It is called Brio.

Brio's website... http://www.brioitalian.com/menu/

I couldn't read the name of the new steakhouse that just opened up. (I think it opened this week). The lighted sign isn't on yet and it was hard to read the banner sign in the dark.

 

[pixiechick]

My FIL used to go to the Pub a lot.. he also like The Lobster Trap in Pennsauken (in the Cooper River park). I've been there and it is really good.

In between houses, we spent 6 months in the high rise apartment across from the river. We spent many a meal at the Lobster Trap!
I think kids eat free at The Pub on Sundays, or at least they used to eat free.

 

[Cindy B]

We were there last week. Food is excellent- "real" mexican, but it is very casual, we were sitting next to a bunch of mexican guys who looked as if they had just gotten off work, in jeans and worn t shirts.

Pelican fish is in a strip mall along Hurffville- Crosskeys. You stay on 42 until it becomes local and then take Greentree (maybe?) over to H-C.

Thanks for the tip about the GCs to Lambertis.

When does 42 become local? I go on 295 to 42 to 55 every day to Glassboro. I know 42 continues for a while after that (I used to get off at Blackwood exit for Camden County)-- does it actually become a local road after the Blackwood exit?

I have no idea.

I would call Costco to see if they are still offering the Lamberti's GC's. They had them in January and that was the last time I was in there. It's the Costco in Mt. Laurel/Moorestown off of Rt. 38/295

 

[pixiechick]

When does 42 become local? I go on 295 to 42 to 55 every day to Glassboro. I know 42 continues for a while after that (I used to get off at Blackwood exit for Camden County)-- does it actually become a local road after the Blackwood exit?

I have no idea.

Yeah, go past the Blackwood exit. A few miles after that, it splits. To the left is 42/AC Expressway, to the right is 42/168 in Washington Twp/Turnersville. 42/168 has a bunch of shopping centers etc. on it.

The more I think about it though, I'm not sure if Pelican Fish is on Hurffville or Egg Harbor Road. Either way, it would be right off of the rt. 47 exit of Rt. 55.

 

[Cindy B]

Yeah, go past the Blackwood exit. A few miles after that, it splits. To the left is 42/AC Expressway, to the right is 42/168 in Washington Twp/Turnersville. 42/168 has a bunch of shopping centers etc. on it.

The more I think about it though, I'm not sure if Pelican Fish is on Hurffville or Egg Harbor Road. Either way, it would be right off of the rt. 47 exit of Rt. 55.

Well that would be a heck of a lot easier going from 55 than hauling back out onto 42. I don't know Gloucester County well!

 

[shelly3girls]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I've been googling and found these. Does anyone have any opinions? (I'm the only one not local, but I seem to be the only one who thinks we'll need to find something soon.)

Filomena Lakeview: http://www.filomenalakeview.com/

BArnsboro Inn: http://www.barnsboroinn.com/mainlinks.php?id=181&PHPSESSID=38b706fd2e7425bc076380462f7049dc

Pelican Fish Co: http://www.pelicanfishco.com/nj.html

Anthony’s: http://www.anthonyscuisine.com/

Kunkel’s Seafood and Steaks: http://www.kunkelsrestaurant.com/

Blue Plate: http://www.blueplatenj.com/

Alisa Café: http://www.alisacafe.com/index.html

Dream Cuisine Café: http://dreamcuisinecafe.net/

Mirabella Café: http://www.mirabellacafe.com/index.html

TIA

We eat out all of the time and live in this area. We often go out in Philly but have a couple local favorites. Filomena Lakeview is amazing. The food easily matches most of the finest restaurants in Philly. The parking is easy and they handle large groups well. One of the best parts for me is the cakes they serve. Order a cake ahead of time and they will have it delivered from Sweet Eats Bakery. The cannoli cake is AMAZING. We drive 30 minutes to the bakery to get all of our cakes there.

Given that you have some picky eaters I would not go to the Pelican Fish Co. We like it there but not your place for a meat and potatoes type of person.
Some people love the Barnsboro Inn but it is not our favorite.
I have heard that Anthony's is ok but not great.
The Pub is excellent for steak but a little loud, not real intimate for this type of party.
DH had my 30th birthday party at Lambertis. They have a very nice wine cellar in the basement where they hold parties but I think it would be too tight for your size parties. I do not think the food is as good as it is at Filomena's.
The Chop House is excellent but very pricey.
Terro Nova is a very nice restaurant. We found portions to be small but the food very good quality.
I have heard Catelli's is excellent but we have not made it there yet. Filomena's is so good we don't find the need to drive further.

I personally would pick Filomena's especially b/c they are outstanding with the kids even though it is a more adult type restaurant. Some people do dress up but DH wears a golf shirt and khakis and is always comfortable.

 

[shelly3girls]

Well that would be a heck of a lot easier going from 55 than hauling back out onto 42. I don't know Gloucester County well!

If you are already in Glassboro you may not need to get back on Rte 55. Pelican Fish Co. is right near Washington Township High School not far from Glassboro at all.

 

[Cindy B]

If you are already in Glassboro you may not need to get back on Rte 55. Pelican Fish Co. is right near Washington Township High School not far from Glassboro at all.

See that still doesn't help me. I know how to get to Rowan and back and that is it.

 

[shelly3girls]

That is so easy! From Rowan there are a couple of ways depending on which part of the campus you start.
1. Get to RT-47 which ever way is easiest
2. Turn left at Delsea Dr N/RT-47 0.4 mi
3. Turn right at Greentree Rd 2.7 mi
4. Turn right at Hurffville-Crosskeys Rd 0.6 mi


You can also take FishPond Rd. and turn left onto Hurffville-Crosskeys but I think the directions above are quicker from most areas of Glassboro.

 

[Cindy B]

That is so easy! From Rowan there are a couple of ways depending on which part of the campus you start.
1. Get to RT-47 which ever way is easiest
2. Turn left at Delsea Dr N/RT-47 0.4 mi
3. Turn right at Greentree Rd 2.7 mi
4. Turn right at Hurffville-Crosskeys Rd 0.6 mi


You can also take FishPond Rd. and turn left onto Hurffville-Crosskeys but I think the directions above are quicker from most areas of Glassboro.

I'm sure it is easy... I've gotten lost too many times in Gloucester County-it's easier just to stay on 55 and go back and forth home.

 

[Cindy B]

I used to be the pastry chef at a small French restaurant in Cherry Hill called LaCampagne. It's really nice and intimate. They have an enclosed porch, and you should be able to fit the entire clan there. Another thing is they don't have a liquor license, but you can BYO wines. It does require reservations.

I pass this restaurant all the time. It never seems open-so I'm glad to see a good review.

 

[tiggerwannabe]

Hubby showed me this one today...

I think he and I are going there for Mother's Day~

just wanted to throw it out there for you to check out~

http://www.citytavern.com/menu.php

 

[CPT Tripss]

Coincidently a Filomena's review - http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080420/LIFE0301/804200323

 

[KelNottAt]

Wow, thanks for the updates, everyone. You filled 2 pages while I wasn't looking.

 

[SydSim]

Maggianos - Family Style Dining

http://www.maggianos.com/locations/detail.asp?unit_id=001.025.0168


Downtown Philly - twenty minutes from Woodbury area. They host "social events, business events, parties, etc.", so you may be able to have your own area just for your party.

 

[Cindy B]

Maggianos - Family Style Dining

http://www.maggianos.com/locations/detail.asp?unit_id=001.025.0168


Downtown Philly - twenty minutes from Woodbury area.

There's a Maggiano's in King of Prussia as well. It is excellent. I've only been to the K of P one, but it is good.


I've been told that a Maggiano's is being built in all these new restaurants in Cherry Hill, but I haven't seen it yet. I think it is going to be in the new section of the Cherry Hill Mall.

I read something about it in the local paper.

 

[Mkrop]

Maggianos - Family Style Dining

http://www.maggianos.com/locations/detail.asp?unit_id=001.025.0168


Downtown Philly - twenty minutes from Woodbury area. They host "social events, business events, parties, etc.", so you may be able to have your own area just for your party.

There's a Maggiano's in King of Prussia as well. It is excellent. I've only been to the K of P one, but it is good.


I've been told that a Maggiano's is being built in all these new restaurants in Cherry Hill, but I haven't seen it yet. I think it is going to be in the new section of the Cherry Hill Mall.

I read something about it in the local paper.

Love Maggianos, I also have only been to the one in KOP but very good food and the one in KOP does private functions, we use to do our dept holiday party in one of their private rooms.

 

[Karel]

Thanks for the suggestions.
I've been googling and found these. Does anyone have any opinions? (I'm the only one not local, but I seem to be the only one who thinks we'll need to find something soon.)
Filomena Lakeview: http://www.filomenalakeview.com/
BArnsboro Inn: http://www.barnsboroinn.com/mainlinks.php?id=181&PHPSESSID=38b706fd2e7425bc076380462f7049dc





Barnsboro would be too small for a large group. Filomena's is wonderful and big enough for a large group. I've only been there once or twice but had a great experience.

How about the Riverview Inn in Pennsville? One of my favorites. Or the Telford Inn, maybe you could get the back room to yourselves.