You might also check out Betty the Caterer at www.bettythecaterer.com - the JCC here in Cherry Hill uses them and we also liked them at other events we have attended. BTW, we have personally used their non-kosher division -Ellsworth Scott, for our bar/bat mitzvahs at our synagogue and have been very pleased with the food as well as the service and staff. Hope this helps!

BTW, because of the various snow storms, the meeting has been rescheduled and rescheduled (LOL!) for tomorrow night - so I will let everyone know how Due Mari worked out! Thanks again for everyone's help!!!

FYI - On the SJ side, Joe's Peking Duck House in Marlton on Route 73 in the Shopping Center behind Champs, does serve a good Dim Sum (not in carts) on the weekends for lunch. Hope that helps you if you are on this side of the river - enjoy!

Another vote for Matyson vs. Bibou (although we really did like bibou ) - I just think the presentation was a little more 'finished' both in plating, food, and service' vs. Bibou's rustic although very French bistro feel! BTW, all the dishes we had from the appetizers, entree, and desert were exceptional. and the pork chop was amazing - and I'm not usually a porkchop person!

Hi!

Thanks for everyone's help. My husband decided on Due Mari - I'll let you know how things worked out - food, where they were seated, etc....

Thanks again!

Melissa

Thank you for your suggestions - we are still deciding but we read favorably about Due Mari on these boards- would this also be a possibility - any other thoughts ? -

Thanks again!

Melissa

Hi!

We live in South Jersey and I am helping my husband pick a spot midway for a business meeting from North Jersey and some people are arriving via Amtrak for this coming Wednesday night. Most who are attending are physicians/attorneys and we would like a restaurant that would have a private area and/or room as well as great food that would appeal to everyone's taste.. The first place we thought of was the Frog and the Peach - but does anyone else have any ideas for this type of gathering?

Thanks in advance!

Sorry - I realize for those that are interested the correct link for 2Amys in DC is:- www.2Amyspizza.com

Melissa

Honestly, I grew up in Rome, and my favorite pizza believe it or not is Bertucci's Margherita neopolitan pizza in Mt. Laurel, NJ - as it is a DOC pizza!

FYI - What is D.O.C. pizza (from DOC website) -D.O.C. stands for 'Denominazione di Origine Controllata'
Normally seen on authenticate bottles of Italian wine.
There are only two pizzas you need to make to certify:
Marinara: tomatos, oil, oregano , garlic
Margherita: tomatos, oil, mozazarela, basil
But trick is that it have to be done right. It does not have to be in Italy, USA is fine, but you have to produce a "real pizza" to be D.O.C.
Oven have to be wood burring and dough have to be made from right flour.
Here is how it should be:
1. A Wood-Burning Oven: Pizza Napoletana must be cooked in a wood-fired dome oven operating at roughly 800ºF.
2. Proper Ingredients: Tipo 00 flour, San Marzano tomatoes, all natural Fior di Latte or Bufala mozzarella, fresh basil, salt and yeast -- only fresh, all-natural, non-processed ingredients.
3. Proper Technique: Your pizza dough must be kneaded either by hand, or with a low speed mixer. No mechanical dough shaping is allowed, such as a dough press or rolling pin, and proper pizza preparation. Pizza baking time should not exceed 90 seconds.

Also my all-time favorite DOC pizza place is in Washington, DC - 2Amys
www.2amypizza.com - if you want great variety and taste!

My favorite rustica (square) type pizza usually sold by weight andfound sold in small street stores in Rome (style wise known as sicilian here) I have found to be Cacia's bakery (not 100% but pretty close to what I remember)

Just my opinion - I have had tacconelli's and having lived in NY always considered that pizza good but more Italo-American style and very good for what it is- but not truly 'Italian' I have also had NJ tomatoe pie, NY and New Haven style pizzas, and again they are styles more than the true Italian version - Osteria in Phila. seemed good just more show IMO. I will try Stella more because I'm curious about it and how Starr investigated all the best places around to come up with his own take on Pizza.

Again - these are my regular favorites - just my opinion - and I still love eating all types of pizza, inluding the local varieties for what they are - so I'm fair to all and eat them too so I'm not a pizza snob by any means!

Melissa

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Osteria
640 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130

Bertuccis
863 Easton Rd, Warrington, PA 18976

Hi!

Does anyone know of any restaurants in this area that do a cooking class /dining experience that I can give as a birthday present? We have done Lacroix walking tour which was great fun (we are more foodies than chefs), and I have heard of La Campagne in Cherry Hill, NJ, but does anyone have any other suggestions?

Thanks!

Melissa

Hi! redcarpetcakes in mt. holly, nj and btw they do deliver - My daughter's sweet 16 cake is going to be from there and they are also resonably priced. Check out redcarpetcakes.com - there are photos of some unusual "ace of cake' type cakes which is what my daughter wanted too!

Liked the Top Chef episode with Starr, although it did bother me there was not even a slight mention of his Philly roots, restaurants or other top chefs that got their start with him. That being said, I did note that his eye for detail in service (which we always appreciate at his restaurants when dining at one ) a did play an important part in the final dicision making process.

Hi!

We are going out tonight with friends and just found out that the chef Dominque Filoni left suddenly - anyone know why? Hope our dinner goes well - will let everyone know later -

Melissa

Just came back last night from a wonderful dinner at Distrito in University City, and one of the desserts we had was a trio of delicious paletas - I believe de agua as it was not creamy -strawberry, coconut, and lime. They were beautifully presented standing on a wooden tray dusted underneath with each fruit flavor. Hope that helps!

Thanks -

The Shake Shack sounds perfect! We should be getting there around 4:30 - is there a place to park near both (for a large SUV) and will it be crowded at the Shake Shack at that time as we have 'sound check pre-concert' passes and have to be back before 6:30. Also what stores, etc,.. are around just to walk around (especially for me!). Thanks!

Melissa

Thanks!

Hi - Philadelphia mom w/2 teen girls are looking for a fun, NY experience place to dine before a concert tonight at the Blender Theatre at the Gramercy(127 East 23rd street between Lexington Ave and Park Ave South ) Any recommendations? My daughter and I are adventurous diners, but her friend isn't- does anyone know a place that would fit the bill but not break the bank?

Thanks in advance -

Melissa

Hi! We enjoy Coriander in the Ritz Shopping Center in Voorhees, NJ. They have an interesting menu and offer a great lunch buffet during the week. The atmospheren is very nice too!

Another Italian restaurant that I think is better is Laceno Italian Grille in Voorhees

Love the Lacroix suggestion - except they cannot accomodate us on that date, however made the Moshulu reservation. But not in love with this one compared to Lacroix. Any other ideas? Thanks again!

Hi! My husband is planning a philadelphia business dinner meeting for 10-12 people total and are going to take an out of state prospective business associate out who is of the sikh faith. This dinner is to take place on December 22nd (which is a Saturday night) . The first time they went out to a local South Jersey Italian establishment, however this time the dining experience should be a place dine to impress and also be suitable for all kinds of likes/dislikes for such a big group. The restaurant should also be suitable enough to discuss business without shouting (perhaps a private dining area or have a quieter dining section . BTW, the restaurant does not have to be strictly vegan. One person suggested Oceanaire or Buddhakan, but the noise level I feel might be too loud to have a conversation. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!