EricaLynn "the oil" J.'s Profile

I have never been disappointed with the food at Triumph of New Hope, but I understand that sometimes the things I find to be pleasing when I go out to eat differ from others.  For instance, I appreciate smaller portions.  If you put three times what I am supposed to eat in front of me, it's harder for me to say no and not indulge. When the portions are more controlled, I am a happier person.  I like that I can order pretty much anything off the menu and not stick to a turkey burger or salad, and not feel as if I am sabotaging my healthy lifestyle too much.  With that being said, the turkey pot pie I ordered was so delicious that I didn't leave anything on my plate.  Not even one pea.  Seriously.  

Another thing Triumph excels at is presentation. From the food to the beer to the cocktails, Triumph really hits home with the creativity.  It's not easy to make beer samples look beautiful, but Triumph figured it out and then some.  I'm not really a beer drinker and even I wanted to try the sampler simply because of how great it looked at the table.

The service is hit or miss.  Unfortunately, there have been a few occasions where appetizers or part of our orders were never brought to us or where the waitstaff seemed bored when taking care of us.  I get it that people are not always going to be on all the time, but it's always a bit frustrating when that happens.  All in all, though, the food and drinks are worth any of those issues.

Tip:  If you are a foursquare user, you can get 15% off your bill (food and merch) with your check-in.

I immediately felt right at home when I walked into Art Star.  Even though it was my first time there, I was greeted as if I was a member of a close-knit family.  That's a wonderful feeling and such a rarity these days, even from independent boutiques, galleries, and the like.

While I did not purchase anything, I was intrigued by the selection, and what a broad spectrum of goods were available.  I walked away with quite a large shopping list in my head for the future (as in, this is a place worth my putting some money aside to come back and spend spend spend).  On the top of that list would definitely have to be some prints.  Talk about cute and funky!  I always admire the prints my friend has in her house, and I found them all right there in Art Star.  Next on the list would have to be some knitted items (an owl hat caught my eye).  I know where I am going to purchase many gifts for friends and family now.  Art Star has made my life so much easier.  Kudos to Art Star for being unique but affordable, cute but not annoyingly so.  Hip but not hipster.  Love.

This is the new location for what was formerly Pretty Nails on White Horse Pike.  I had come to love Pretty Nails and it was my regular nail salon, and admittedly felt a little nervous about going to the new location.  

Top Line Nails really looks exactly like Pretty Nails - the decor is the same and the technicians are the same as well.  The nail polish selection is the same as well.  The only subtle difference was the attentiveness while waiting.  All the technicians were seeing other customers when I walked in (totally understandable and quite normal for a good nail salon) but I was not even acknowledged for at least a half hour.  Normally, when a customer walks in, they are greeted and asked what services they would like, and are told to wait for a bit.  In this case, I wondered if anyone had noticed me.  Eventually, I was brought over to the pedicure station and my feet were being soaked.  I figured it was almost time for my pedicure, but it actually was another half hour until my pedicure began.

All that being said, I found that, as it was at Pretty Nails, they did an absolutely impeccable job on my nails.  Flawless, careful, and beautiful.  They really take such good care of you so you look and feel your best.  I would highly recommend Top Line Nails to anyone - just be prepared to wait and don't fret if they don't seem to notice you for awhile!

I really want to be impressed with Bobby Chez.  I really do.  I get excited reading all the 5-star reviews and the continued praise given to this place over the years.  And then I give it another try and become disappointed, time and time again.  Maybe it's just me.  I just wish I knew why.  I love crab cakes.  

To me, the crab cakes are decent but not the best or the most delicious.  Not worth the price.  And quite often, items are sold out very quickly so you can't even get what you came for.  It's just a frustrating experience.

What a beautiful, impressive store.  It is almost overwhelming to me because there is just so much going on in there, and all of it worthy of more than just a glance or short look.  The entire store just sparkles and glows and is friendly and warm.  I felt very comfortable and like I was part of something special the minute I walked in.

Most items are delicate - or, at the very least, appear to be delicate.  Lots of furnishings and clothing have intricate beading or just a uniqueness about them.  This is not your run-of-the-mill store by any means.  For instance, most stores you walk into don't have drum circles.   Or have most of the items handmade by one of the owners.

This is definitely one of those stores that I hope stays around for a long, long time.  Any success they have is deserved and then some.

This review is solely for the caterers and event space, as I was there for a wedding.  And what a beautiful wedding it was!

Wedding receptions can be hit or miss, usually not so much in between, at least in my experience.  A lot of the success, of course, is up to the bride and groom and their specific taste and choices, but the other stuff - like the space itself, the functionality, and the attentiveness - that's the part that can go either way.

This particular reception was on the large side, with twenty or so tables of 8-10 people (all adults except for the two or three children who were flower girls).  A lot of the time servers would understandably get overwhelmed.  Especially considering there was an open bar and a lot of folks had been drinking since much earlier in the afternoon.   Well, the servers handled everything extremely well, and with grace and kindness and just overall class.  It was really amazing - the effort went a long way.

The food was also wonderful!  I was impressed with the pasta station and the passed hors d'oeuvres (especially the beef wellington) and everything was very well put together and not over the top or too much.  The ice cream sundae bar was especially delightful.  

I would definitely recommend this as an event space.  And I hope that someone I know has another occasion there because I can't wait to go back!

I was a bit apprehensive about Amato Bros. when I found out they were taking over Wil-Jax and revamping the menu.  Wil-Jax had become one of my most favorite delis - not just in South Jersey but in general - and I had the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" kind of attitude.  So I let my husband give Amato Bros. a try first.  He was an even bigger fan of Wil-Jax than I, so I expected that he'd come back disappointed and lamenting the loss of a good neighborhood deli.  

Let's just say that he could not wait to tell me all about how amazing Amato Bros. was - so much that he was already planning his next trip there.  His sandwich wasn't even finished yet.  My curiosity was now piqued.  

When they said the menu was going to be revamped, they were not kidding.  What was great is now superior.  The menu tripled in size and the sandwiches got more creative.  I have finally found my go-to spot for a real Italian tuna hoagie in South Jersey.  There are so many appetizing choices on the menu that it will take me months to try them all.  

There is a new recipe for the homemade macaroni salad and it is absolutely delicious.  I tend to stay away from anything with a lot of mayonnaise which usually means I cannot partake in deli macaroni salads.  Not the case with Amato Bros.:  the macaroni salad is made perfectly with just the right amount of everything in it.  If there is one thing you must get when going to Amato Bros., it has to be the macaroni salad.  Try it once and you will see exactly what I mean.

The store is also now much cleaner, organized, and spacious.  They took a good thing and just made it better.  That is such a rarity these days!  I wish Amato Bros. continued great success - they certainly deserve it.

I am falling more and more in love with this boutique every time I visit!  Too bad it is a semi-long distance relationship for me.  Worth the trip every time.  

First and foremost, it is such a joy that the owner of the boutique is so involved with the daily goings-on of the place and is such a fixture there.  She is not only knowledgeable, but friendly as well. And it's clear that she stands behind every item in the store and will only put out for sale items that she feels will stay true to the boutique's overall brand.  

Luckily, those items are all - time and time again - great!  From the housewares to the jewelry, you'll be hard-pressed to visit SWAG without leaving with something fun to take home.  Even better, you won't have to spend too much money on anything there either.   Don't worry - you won't be foregoing quality by spending less.  It's just that SWAG has many, many items that are beyond reasonably priced.  

So really, the only question that remains is:  why haven't you gone yet?

I found Pinsetter using the Yelp iPhone app (nice!)  upon learning that our local bowling alley had closed down.  We were really in the mood to bowl, apparently.  A search for the nearest bowling alley pointed us in the direction of Pinsetter, and off we went.  So thankful not only that the original bowling alley had closed, and even more thankful for the handy dandy app, because Pinsetter is one of the coolest places ever.

As bowling alleys go, Pinsetter has all the greats:  clean, well-kept up lanes,  up-to-date technology, good ball selection (that's what she said), and lots of fun specials to help you have the maximum amount of bowling for the least amount of money ($2 games on weekdays, $10 per hour for an alley on Sundays after 4, etc.)    Even better, though, is their extensive menu - both for food and drinks.  

Good food at a bowling alley?  I know, that sounds so strange.  It's strange to write.  But it is the truth.  The honest, delicious truth.    The food menu has all sorts of appetizers from crab and cheese dip, bruschetta, macaroni and cheese bites, pretzel bites with cheddar cheese dip, chips and guac... and you simply cannot go wrong with anything.   And if the appetizers don't tempt you, perhaps the regular menu will - inclusive of all different kinds of thin crust pizzas, grilled knockwurst, chicken parm sandwiches, various kinds of burgers, wraps, cold sandwiches, and salads.  

Feel like indulging in a cocktail whilst bowling?  Perhaps it will help your game (it helps mine!)  You have a full bar to choose from, and an amazing specialty drink and martini list.  You haven't really bowled until you have done so while accompanied by a martini.  Really.

Seasons52 is something of a magical place for folks who care about eating healthy.  You know how it is - you go to any restaurant and the menu is full of tempting, likely delicious, items that are not only not good for you, but will likely be served to you as three portions' worth.

For those looking to keep that kind of indulgence to a minimum, you're limited to a tiny portion of the menu of what they deem to be healthy items - and let's face it:  how often are those "healthy choices" even appetizing?  In what world does a veggie burger with no bun and a side of cottage cheese on a bed of lettuce with carrot sticks become a formidable substitute for the chicken marsala with mashed potatoes your companion gets to eat?  Never.  It's not.  Not even close.  

And then there are the menus that do have entrees that are healthy and actually taste good and do not make your stomach want to churn - and thus you feel good about ordering them.  All is well until the meal arrives and you are served way more than one portion.  And most folks won't even realize it and go on and eat what they think is a healthy meal, but instead they are sabotaging their great efforts by eating too much.  

With Seasons52, every single item on the menu is under 475 calories.  And every single item is made fresh.  The menu changes every season (not just a clever name) with ingredients that are fresh for that particular time of year.  Finally, a menu with choices - and each one is more delectable than the last.  

I was somewhat skeptical after ordering my entrée - broiled sea scallops with asparagus and tomato pastini - because even though those items individually are generally healthy, I couldn't fathom that everything together would add up to 475 calories or fewer.   When the food came, I realized how it was possible:  they know how to serve actual portion sizes!   Instead of a heaping portion of the pastini, there was just a small amount in the middle of the plate.  Instead of a dozen scallops, there were eight.  And the asparagus was plentiful but not too overpowering.  I ate everything on my plate and I was not hungry afterwards for more.  I was full.   Imagine that!  

The restaurant itself is beautiful.  And even more beautiful: their drink menu.  They pride themselves on their extensive (and also seasonal) wine selection, so much that they offer free tastings of their wines for those who have questions or do not know what to choose.  And their specialty drinks are not only creative, but they also are low in calories.  Basically, you can feel completely comfortable about ordering anything on any menu at Seasons52 because you will not only get fresh, delicious food, but fresh, delicious healthy food.  Every time.