Michael Klein: Cherry Hill's new dining destinations
Cherry Hill has two newcomers and two more on the way. New in Kresson Road Shopping Center is the polished BYOB Christopher (306 Kresson Rd., 856-354-1500), whose chef, Chris Bovino, previously owned Sharks in Sea Isle City. He is partnered with Michael Tancredi. Seafood dominates the dinner menu, and Bovino
Cherry Hill has two newcomers and two more on the way.
New in Kresson Road Shopping Center is the polished BYOB Christopher (306 Kresson Rd., 856-354-1500), whose chef, Chris Bovino, previously owned Sharks in Sea Isle City. He is partnered with Michael Tancredi. Seafood dominates the dinner menu, and Bovino specializes in a jumbo lump crab cake portobello and New England clam chowder, all from scratch. He says he doesn't even have a freezer. Lunch includes sandwiches and salads, plus entrees from $9.95 to $11.95; dinner entrees are $14.95 for pastas to $28.95 for filet topped with crab meat; menus are at http://christophercherryhill.com. It's open for lunch and dinner Mondays through Saturdays. Sunday dinner starts after Labor Day.
Santorini Cafe (1601 Chapel Ave., 856-663-8400) marks the return of Michael Stamatiades, who ran the popular Athens Cafe for about 20 years. He's taken the former Melange Cafe and added splashes of blue and white for a Greek motif. It's open for lunch and dinner Tuesdays through Sundays. It's BYOB; entree prices are $18 and under; the signature souvlaki and souzouki platters are $14.95.
The former home of Buca di Beppo on Route 38 near Cherry Hill Mall will become a Longhorn Steakhouse. It's Capital Grille's less-expensive sibling and is owned by Darden, whose stable includes Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze, and Seasons 52, all familiar to Cherry Hillers.
The former Swanky Bubbles in Short Hills Shopping Center will give way to a second location of Dublin Square, an Irish-style pub in Bordentown. Management plans to enclose the patio and install fire pits for a fall opening.
Small-town charmer
Lotus Farm to Table (112 W. State St., Media, 610-565-5554) represents the restaurant debut of Courtney Rozsas, who gave up her dreams of a career in medicine after visiting Asia and seeing a connection between good eating and well-being. In addition to chef David Berg's locally sourced, Mediterranean-inspired menu, Lotus doubles as a teahouse. It's BYOB and open for lunch Tuesdays through Saturdays and dinner Wednesdays through Saturdays. Dinner entrees are $19 to $30. Four-course tasting menu is $45.
What's coming
Marabella Meatball Company, a mostly quick-serve operation, is planned for 1211 Walnut St., next to the Citibank branch. If the Marabella name rings a bell, it's probably because you remember the local Italian chain with locations scattered from the Jersey Shore to Blue Bell in the 1980s and 1990s. Founder Gabe Marabella was urged back into the business by his wife, Judy. Marabella will offer four varieties of meatballs (beef, pork, chicken, and vegetable), four sauces, and side dishes. He's hoping for an Oct. 1 rollout.