Treat Dad to Something Special This Father's Day

Our food columnist gathered up all of the Father's Day dining specials in Collingswood and Haddonfield.

Father’s Day is this Sunday, and it would be an injustice for this column to acknowledge Mom while ignoring Dad. As with Mother’s Day, I’ve gathered for you a convenient guide to restaurant specials in Collingswood and Haddonfield that celebrate Father’s Day. Without further ado, I give you Father’s Day 2012: Blackbird Café Father’s Day Brunch 10:30 a.m.—2:00 p.m. Brunch menu includes appetizers, entrées and sides. Casona Father’s Day Dinner includes a special filet mignon with mini crab cake, potato cake, and asparagus in a thyme reduction. IndeBlue Father’s Day Brunch 11:30 a.m. — 3:00 p.m. Brunch menu includes mako and Cornish hen. Dad also receives a complimentary Indian beer for being awesome. Nunzio’s Regular a la carte menu, plus …

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Readers' Choice: There's Only One Place for Brunch

Collingswood, you only have eyes for Casona.

If Sammy Hagar were coming to Collingswood for a mid-morning meal, he would book a table at Casona. Why's that, you ask? Because according to all four of you who voted in this week's Readers' Choice poll, there's only one place--there's only one place--for brunch. Nary an honorable mention among the other candidates presented here, folks. Were you asleep at the switch, or was the overwhelming power of the Casona Sunday-only brunch menu too vast to be conquered? "Our top seller on our brunch menu is probably the Arepa eggs Benedict, huevos rancheros, waffles tropical," said owner Mark Infantado. "The menu Chef Pedro Reyes has created here is unbelievable." Meanwhile, you can't get a table for Mom there for next Sunday because they're at 180…

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From Finicky Eater to Gourmand

Show Some Love at Local Restaurants on Valentine's Day

Our food columnist rounded up dining deals around Collingswood and Haddonfield for Valentine's Day.

Ah, Valentine’s Day. Flowers, hearts, candies, all that gushy romantic stuff that ladies love, fellas have to endure and single people detest. I’m going to make at least one part of your evening on Tuesday, Feb. 14 easy: dinner. I called restaurants in Collingswood and Haddonfield and got the scoop on what specials they’re offering to celebrate everybody’s favorite Hallmark holiday. (Some people I spoke to seemed unsure of certain details regarding their specials. Call and make sure they’re offering what you’re looking for before making reservations.) Haddonfield The British Chip Shop: Regular menu, plus Valentine’s Day specials, including bacon wrapped shrimp, butternut squash risotto and flourless chocolate cake. The Bistro: Menu will be…

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David Valiante

11:07 am on Monday, February 20, 2012

@Salt E Water... A BYOB initiative isn't going to "ruin" Ocean City for a number of reasons. First of all, Ocean City is a dry town, but it it's perfectly legal for residents to bring liquor into the city and drink as much as they want in their homes. BYOB restaurants won't be the first time alcohol is introduced to the city. Furthermore, the etiquette of a BYOB is to bring small amount of …   more ›

Celeb Chef Finds New Home at Casona

Three weeks ago, Chef Brian DeMuro—of The Food Network television fame—officially became Casona's new pastry chef.

As if Casona of Collingswood weren't already famous enough for its food, celebrity pastry chef Brian DeMuro has upped the ante. Three weeks ago, Casona hired DeMuro—who won season one of The Food Network's Sweet Genius television show—on a whim, making him the restaurant's new pastry chef. The Blackwood-born and -bred DeMuro, 32, and his fiance recently came to Casona for dinner. And after his first taste, DeMuro knew he had to be a part of the team. "It was the first time I'd ever eaten here. And one try was all I needed," said DeMuro, who followed the meal by asking if Casona needed a pastry chef. "Casona's Tres Leches (dessert) was what brought me here (to stay). Because, after that dinner, I called over the manager and said, 'Do you …

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Viewfinder: Collingswood Got Out the Vote

Collingswood's Get Out the Vote Day bumped the borough from number 16 to number 13 on Reader's Digest's list of best towns in America.

Collingswood Borough's first-ever Get Out the Vote Day was a major success. From 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, at favorite local restaurant Casona—which provided complimentary food and refreshments for guests—residents sat elbow-to-elbow at tables in the private party room. Each attendee wielded a laptop, iPad or mobile device. Their goal was unified: to cast as many votes in a five-hour period as possible. And thanks to supporters, Collingswood went from number 16 (in Reader's Digest's We Hear You America campaign) to number 13. Breaking the 200,000-vote mark only a couple hours into the event, residents finally left Casona at 9 p.m., with the borough bearing a total of 214,183 votes. It was one step closer to Collingswood's goal of being named …

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