Mary Theresa A.'s Profile

What a great place for breakfast! The service is quick and the food is hot!
Will write some more later but if you're in Marco Island definitely check it out.

What? No bread!  I actually met Captain Brien and he said he's never offered bread in the ten years he's been in business. When I'm spending $30.00 on my twin lobster tails, the least you could do is throw in some bread. One of my husband's lobster tails was undercooked but Captain Brien made sure we were happy. He was kind enough to give us a piece of THE MOST DELICIOUS KEY LIME PIE, which I understand is house-made! Captain Brien's is a good stop! Be prepared to wait for your food, so order an appetizer because if you want bread you have to pay for it.  Very pleasing atmosphere.

Best Italian cream cake ever! Go in March to order St. Joseph's cake, available for one week a year. Great cannoli and coffee cake. Family owned and operated.

My first visit to a Steven Starr establishment. Party of 7 on a busy graduation weekend? No reservations but no problem. We went around 5PM on Sunday. Everyone we came into contact with greeted us with smiles. We were made to feel welcome. That's a refreshing change.  The food was tapas style and we each ordered something different. I want to know how they make the French fries so very thin.  Had a great meal!

A hidden jewel in Havertown, but worth seeking out.  Very clean store with friendly and helpful owners.  I tried the vegetable hoagie.  It was pure bliss.  The flavors of the roasted peppers and broccoli rabe and sharp provolone cheese melded into a taste I will again seek out.  Get there early enough on Thurs., Friday & Saturday before the roast pork runs out.

We went to dinner with 7 of my cousins during Hot New Jersey Chefs Week.  Our dinner at Filomena's was unforgettable on so many levels.  The nicest touch of all was the inviting seating area.  I felt as if we were dining around the table of a "family home".  The management went out of their way to make us feel at home.  At some restaurants, large parties are not looked upon kindly.  The dining room chairs were so comfy (they were almost regal).

Now, finally to the food.  I must say the food was definitely worth the trip.  My husband and I traveled from Delaware County to Berlin, New Jersey in rush hour (or should I say rush hour and a half).  We were all there for the four course meal for $30.00.  Pretty much everyone shared samples of their appetizers so I got to taste the pumpkin-sweet potato soup, the crab and corn soup, lobster and corn fritters, the marinated seafood salad, crab and scallop strudel.  I loved the crab and corn soup and the seafood strudel.

For dinner, I had veal tortellachi.  Several at our table ordered the homemade gnocchi with crab meat in a rosa sauce.  Those who ordered salmon were very happy with their meals.  My one cousin ordered the pistachio-crusted tilapia.  It was tasty and well-prepared and presented.

For dessert, a trio of a mousse tartlet, a mini canoli and bread pudding were nicely arranged.

We did not feel rushed in any way.  Quite the opposite, Filomena's was an inviting surprise at the end of our journey.

Occasionally, the girls (and I do mean girls, ages 21-29) I work with get together and they graciously include little "old" me to accompany them to go out for dinner.  Last evening, we visited the Primavera Pizza Kitchen for dinner.  Granted, it was a Monday night, but 10 of us presented ourselves without reservations and were immediately seated in the upstairs dining room.  Atmosphere great and very clean.  We were not rushed through our meal and we took advantage of a leisurely dinner.

I enjoyed a angel hair pasta dish named Pasta Capri.  It was comprised of the above mentioned angel hair pasta tossed with olive oil and garlic with fresh diced tomatoes, spinach and five extra large shrimp.  Delicious!    My dining companions enjoyed gnocchi in a blush sauce (they cleaned their plates), eggplant parmigiana, a seafood pasta with scallops, shrimp and calamari.

God bless our waitress!  When dining on the second floor, waitstaff has to carry all food and drinks up the stairs, a feat she neatly accomplished.  

For dessert, I had the creme caramel, beautifully presented and so rich with a hint of raspberry coulis.  My dining partners enjoyed an apple dumpling and double chocolate cake.  I would definitely recommend a visit to the Primavera Pizza Kitchen.

What a sweet spot!  I had been to The Little Inn on one other occasion about 5 years ago.  At that time, I was impressed by the atmosphere but found it to be overpriced and a touch snobbish.

They are currently celebrating their 30th Anniversary and sent a coupon for 30% off your entire check, so we went there for a Sunday meal.  They accept reservations and I suggest you make a reservation b/c they can be rather busy on a Sunday.  

Their portions are ample and the food is delicious and attractively plated.  The Chicken Chesapeake is a grilled chicken breast stuffed with crabmeat and topped with mozzarella cheese.  This is not a dish for calorie-counters but worth the indulgence.  The seafood platters are prepared with care and the seafood is so fresh.  My dining partners had stuffed flounder (lovely) and fried shrimp (abundant).

In fact, we liked it so much, we revisited the Little Inn one week later.  At that time, I had the crab cakes, creamy with practically no filler.  I also recommend the fried seafood platter and don't worry, if you don't like oysters, you can substitute them with an extra shrimp or scallop.

The clientele is a bit aged but it helps you to feel as if you're the youngest diner in the restaurant.  Almost!  Highly recommend the $14.95 menu which includes at least 20 different items.  On my next visit, I already know I'll try the salmon royale, which is grilled salmon topped with crabmeat and bearnaise sauce.

Looking for a venue for that special occasion? Drexelbrook Corporate Events Center is a hidden jewel of Delaware County.  In 2000, I attended a bridal shower for a cousin at Drexelbrook.  At that time, I was thinking of getting back in the workforce after 17 years of being a stay-at-home mom.  

I was impressed by the facility itself b/c it had recently undergone expansion.  The food was delicious and unlike anything else I had ever experienced from a caterer.  The service was first rate and waitstaff are trained to anticipate any request.

Long story short, I applied for a position in their kitchen and have been on staff since September, 2000.  Now, you might think that I have ulterior motives in writing this review, but actually I'm just bragging.  

The Drexelbrook is the best of its kind in Delaware County.

This restaurant's Executive Chef, Michael Loro, is one the area's truly talented chefs.  My favorite dishes include the crabcakes, and a dish named "veal Dave Gallo".  The aforementioned veal dish is comprised of veal, eggplant franchese, broccoli rabe, roasted peppers and italian sausage topped with mozzarella cheese.  The portions are generous and the flavors superb!  

The restaurant has recently been refurbished and the service is good.