Mod Pizza Cherry Hill Review

Artisanal pizzas have met their fast-casual match with MOD Pizza. Founded in 2008 by Seattle husband-wife team Scott & Ally Svenson, MOD is bringing forth food authenticity and positivity through pizza. By putting people first, the Svenson's are seeking to become a force for positive change, whether it's with higher-than-average pay and benefits for their employees or bringing communities together one pie at a time. And of course, the quality of MOD pizza's ingredients is equally important, with animal ethics and the accompanying environmental impact always in mind. Now with more than 200 locations across the U.S. and U.K., the MOD mentality is spreading. 

They've got a few locations in PA, as well as in Marlton and Cherry Hill, NJ. The GF's family was in town for July 4th weekend, so we decided to stop by the Cherry Hill location to check out what MOD was all about. It's a spacious, sleek location, with the gas-fired 800 degree oven as the centerpiece. 

Deluxe Salad [$7.87]

Greens, chicken, salami, green bell peppers, tomatoes, olives, Parmesan

We started off with the deluxe salad which comes with salami, chicken, and plenty of fresh greens and veggies mixed and served in a small serving bowl. 

Caspian [$7.87]
Mozzarella, gorgonzola, BBQ chicken, BBQ sauce, sliced red onions

MOD has more than a few set creations to satiate your pizza craving. The Caspian featured a blend of creamy mozz and gorgonzola, with the sweetness of the BBQ chicken and sauce tempering the funk of the blue cheese. The sliced red onions really hit the spot by bringing a bit of freshness. The dough was spot on - thin and crispy, with a nice chew. 

Crosby [$7.87]
Red sauce, mozzarella, mild sausage, asparagus, fig glaze

The Crosby was MOD's rotating seasonal pizza, with fresh, tender asparagus topping this pie along with moist sausage and a sweet fig glaze. Definitely one of our favorites! 

Your Creation [$7.87]

You're not beholden to MOD's set pies. In fact, all the pies are the same price regardless of how many ingredients you top your pizza with! And with over 30 ingredients to choose from, it's easy to play pizza chef. So obviously I had to go full-carnivore and requested "all the meats." Salami, sausage, pepperoni, grilled chicken, and even anchovies were thrust upon this bad boy, with roasted garlic for good measure. Robust, greasy, gut-busting, this hit every salty note I was looking for. And yes, I finished it and then power walked for a good 3 hours while the GF shopped. 

But I digress. If you're looking for a fast-casual option and are craving pizza, be sure to stop by MOD. Now if only they'd open up an outpost in Center City, Philly. 

FTC Disclaimer: A portion of the meal was covered by Mod Pizza. Regardless, my opinions are mine alone and, therefore, unbiased.

Moshulu Brunch Review

As the world's oldest and largest floating square-rigged sailing vessel, the Moshulu has been a stalwart backdrop to the Delaware Waterfront. It's the only restaurant venue on a Tall ship and has been serving diners since 1975, though with a well-executed and modernized menu. Other claims to fame? After being confiscated by the U.S. Navy during WWI, Mrs. Woodrow Wilson herself re-named the ship, the Moshulu. And nearer and dearer to Philly's heart? It's featured during one of Rocky's workout sequences! 

Moshulu's well-known for its holiday brunches, where you'll find a myriad of options to satisfying any diner's cravings, from carving to omelette stations. And during the summer, the deck is where it's at. There's no better spot to enjoy a cocktail or a glass of champagne a la Andy Samberg because, yes you're on a boat.

Champagne 

Speaking of champagne, I stopped by with the GF to check out Executive Chef Anthony Bonett's new spring brunch menu and were greeted with a few flutes of bubbly. I've got to say that service is top notch here as I saw several tables celebrating special occasions, with the managers and servers similarly elevating their experience.

Bread Service

During brunch, expect a sweeter touch for bread service. The housemade coffee crumb cake is crumbly indeed, served with a pat of whipped butter. Butter + coffee cake. Who knew? The Moshulu did and I'm glad. Great texture and buttery, yet with a nice lightness from within.

Shrimp & Crab Bloody Mary Cocktail [$13]
Cucumber, avocado, tortilla chips 

The GF started off with the shrimp and crab cocktail, enhanced with a bit of kick from the Moshulu's Bloody Mary recipe. The sweetness of the crab and the snappy shrimp was contrasted nicely by the texture of the ripe avocado and the crispness of some shredded lettuce underneath. Easily enjoyed with some of their just-fried tortilla chips. 

Crab Mac n Cheese [$12]
Truffle bread crumbs

If mac n cheese is on the menu, you know I've got to order it. And I'm so glad I did. Moshulu's version was especially creamy, with the base of the cheese sauce coating the al dente cavatappi noodles. There were wonderfully sharp notes from the cheddar, along with an innate sweetness from the bits of crab studded throughout. Loved that Chef Bonett didn't inundate the actual mac with truffle oil and deftly accented it with truffled bread crumbs instead. Long story short? Get the crab mac. Hopefully it'll make an appearance on a Happy Hour deck menu! 

Bloody Mary [$10]

Brunch is always better with the punch of a good Bloody Mary. And Moshulu's got three iterations to cater to your inner lush. The GF went with the regular vodka Bloody, which showcased their house-made mix - clearly fresh and had a spicy kick that didn't uncomfortably linger. Definitely not the sugary tomato juice mix from the store. I enjoyed the sweet smoke that came from the bourbon in my Kentucky Bloody. And for fans of tequila, check out their Bloody Maria! 

Pro tip: For $14, the Moshulu offers bottomless Bloodies and mimosas. There aren't many places in Philly that can say that - or at that price! 

Charcuterie & Cheese 

Chef also sent out a gorgeous charcuterie plate, which included house-cured salumi - coppa, bresoala, and luxurious duck prosciutto that simply melted upon mastication. Adorned with pickled pearl onions and carrots, crostini, mustard, and pickles, the smorgasbord was paired with a half-wheel of baked brie with roasted golden raisins, honey, and Marcona almonds. I know I'll be baking my brie at home with golden raisins from here on out! 

Crab Cake Eggs Benedict [$24]
Creamed spinach, chive hollandaise, Canadian bacon, English muffin 

For my main, I went with the crab cake benedict. I'd highly recommend you do the same. A healthy portion of lump crab cake is without much, if any, filler. It sits atop a crisp English muffin and Canadian bacon, with the heft of the dish amplified by creamed spinach, perfectly poached eggs and a rich, creamy hollandaise. Served with Moshulu's tender hash potatoes and some acid provided by well-dressed greens, you can't go wrong with this dish if you're a fan of eggs bennies.

Multigrain Banana Pancakes [$16]
Peanut butter, toasted peanuts, chocolate chips, double cut bacon, maple syrup

The GF opted for a bit of sweet with their hearty multi-grain banana pancakes, which were studded with ripe banana slices, chocolate chips, and dusted with powdered sugar. It was also served with amazingly thick and crisp bacon to provide that perfect marriage between salty and sweet. The only way to enhance the bite? A healthy drizzle of maple syrup. 

Moshulu Hash Potato [$5]

 For you carb lovers out there, try their potato hash - lightly crisped on the griddle and creamy within, topped with chives. 

Chocolate Lux Layer Cake [$12]
Dark chocolate mousse, cherry vanilla chocolate chunk ice cream 

Don't neglect the dessert menu! If you're looking to end your meal with chocolaty decadence,  my money's on the luxe cake. Adorned with a disc of milk chocolate and gold leaf, the moist cake has a dark chocolate ganache and chocolate butter cream. The accompanying cherry vanilla ice cream had a great mouth-feel and broke up the richness of the cake. 

Along with the great food and execution by Chef Bonett's kitchen, the service was top notch. Unsurprising because this is a Marty Grims / Fearless Restaurants operation. So if you're looking for the perfect venue for a riverside brunch, look no further than the Moshulu. They recently renovated the deck, with plans to offer a la carte dining up top. There's even got a retractable roof for inclement weather. Be sure to be on the look out for their Happy Hours as well!   

FTC Disclaimer: Thanks to the Fearless Restaurants and Moshulu for hosting us. Regardless, my opinions are mine alone and, therefore, unbiased. 

White Dog Cafe: Wayne Review

The original White Dog Cafe opened in 1983 in University City, under the founding guidance of Judy Wicks. She was a clear pioneer in the farm-to-table and locally sustainable food movement that's on trend these days. And to that end, the majority of ingredients are sourced no more than 50 miles away. In 2009, restaurateur Marty Grims (think: Moshulu & Autograph Brasserie) bought White Dog Cafe, under the proviso that the same environmentally sound model would be continued. And with Grims' expertise and experience, White Dog Cafe has grown, with a second location opening in Wayne and a third in Haverford. 

Similar to Autograph Brasserie, White Dog Wayne is simply stunning. Whimsical dog decor and artwork abound, with a Library room featuring dark mahogany ceilings and flying books. Looking for a place to host a baby or wedding shower? Book the Garden Room, which has chicken-wired ceilings, floral prints, and antique light fixtures and wooden shutters. 

Amuse Bouche

Dinner started off with an amuse sent out by the Chef. Pickled grapes had sharp acidity to balance the smooth funk of the blue cheese mousse, with the rich Marcona almonds offering a nice textural contrast.

Local Artisan Cheese [$18]
Seasonal jams & accompaniments 

A hefty slab of local creamy goat's milk cheese had a nice tang that was accented by the sweet honey, apples, and jam. 

Kennett Square Mushroom Soup [$10]
White truffle oil, creme fraiche, snipped chives 

The mushroom soup is definitely a must-order for first timers. A heady, umami-laden broth of Kenneth Square mushroom soup is poured tableside, with creme fraiche to provide some levity. I appreciated that the white truffle oil served to accent and not overpower the dish. 

Tuna Tartare [$16]

White Dog's tuna tartare can go head to head with any fine dining establishment in the city - artfully presented and well-executed with a creamy avocado salsa atop freshly chopped tuna and a sesame soy emulsion. 

Scallops & Bacon [$35]
Pan-seared Maine Dayboat scallops, farro risotto, yellow curry butter, braised pork belly, apples 

Without a doubt, scallops and bacon were clearly made for my tastes and porcine sensibilities. The well-seared scallops were sweet and had a beautiful crust. Paired with the roast pork belly and the hearty farro risotto, the richness was undeniable. Balance was offered by the yellow curry butter and the crisp apples, which provided a countervailing element to each bite. 

Baked Mac & Cheese [$8]

Easily one of my favorite mac's in recent memory, this was baked in a cast-iron skillet, with a liquid gold lava of fontina and sharp cheddar interspersed throughout al dente orchiette pasta. I appreciated the shredded sharp cheddar and buttered bread crumbs on top, offering additional layers of texture. 

Caramel Apple Pot de Creme [$9]
Apple confit, pie dough crumble, apple butter

The seasonal dessert menu featured a light caramel pot de creme, with plenty of confited apple chunks and pie dough crumble on top. The tartness of the apple butter dollops helped to provide some slightly acidic balance to tie things together. 

Cookie Jar [$9]
Warm & freshly baked cookies, ice cold milk

And it wouldn't be White Dog Cafe without the doggy cookie jar. Served with a glass of milk, the cookie jar opens up to reveal plenty of freshly baked and warm cookies.

Buttery dog-bone biscuits, hearty oatmeal raisin, and decadent chocolate chip cookies helped to end the meal with a sweet and comforting note. 

White Dog Wayne is clearly a hot spot for Happy Hour. And by prime time, the bar's bustling and the tables are filled with diners enjoying their meals. Chef Zach Grainda is at the helm in the kitchen and has a clear passion for creating an ever-changing menu that speaks to what's locally available, fresh, and seasonal. White Dog Wayne is certainly a driving force behind Main Line's destination-dining boom. I've said it before - suburbanites need not go to Center City to get creative, beautifully presented, and delicious dishes. 

FTC Disclaimer: I was invited by the Fearless Restaurant Group to visit White Dog Wayne. Regardless, my opinions are mine alone and, therefore, unbiased. 

MealPal Review

The folks behind fitness innovation, ClassPass, have come up with the latest way to get your food fix during weekday lunch hours. For less than $6 a day, MealPal is your gateway to a variety of options to satiate any foodie palate. Not only are we talking about MeltKraft to Ai Ramen and pretty much everything in between, it's at a price point that's likely less than what you'd be dropping for lunch anyway. 

How's it work? You log on to the site anytime after 5PM the day before until 9:30AM the day of your lunch and choose from the partnered restaurants. Select a 15-minute pickup window - that's actually quite flexible - and you're on your way to skipping the line, with no need to tip. Grab your lunch, get back to your office, and you're good to get your grub on! 

Day One 

Hai Street Kitchen | Spicy Tataki Salmon Sushirito

Regular readers know I'm a fan of Hai Street Kitchen's concept - fresh, fast, and light. So for my first day, I opted for Hai Street's Spicy Tataki Salmon Sushirito, which was expectedly delicious. Fresh salmon, spicy gochujang, and crisp veggies made for a light way to begin the week, especially after coming off a particularly heavy Thanksgiving.

Day Two

Dos Tacos | Crispy Pork Belly Tacos

When I saw pork belly on offer, I knew MealPal wasn't messing around. It didn't hurt that the chef behind Dos Tacos was none other than current Top Chef contestant, Sylva Senat! With a sweet soy glaze and pico de gallo, the thick-cut slabs of pork belly were nicely crisped and housed within corn tortillas. Two tacos might not seem like much, but when we're talking about the heft of pork belly, I finished these bad boys stuffed, but ready to get back to work. 

Day Three

Ai Ramen | Miso Butter Ramen

Anticipating a chilly Wednesday, I was looking forward to picking up some top notch ramen from Ai Ramen. The fact that the ramen featured was the miso butter iteration didn't hurt matters! Tender slices of chasu pork belly and a soft-boiled egg paired beautifully with the sweetness of the corn and the miso butter broth. Definitely warmed me up!

Day Four
MeltKraft | Classic Grilled Cheese

Day Four featured a decadent grilled cheese from MeltKraft. Buttery, rich, and gooey, I'm glad that I went to the gym before picking this bad boy up. Because there was no way I was going there after downing this! With kettle chips on the side, this was a filling Thursday lunch.

Day Five

Kayu | Broccoli Nut Salad

For my final day, I opted for some lighter fare. Kayu's custom salads and soups come from the folks behind Italian sandwich shop, Matt and Marie's. The broccoli nut salad was hearty, with fresh avocado, long grain brown rice, and a restrained spicy lemon chili broccoli mix with kale. Texture came the cashews and I enjoyed the carrot-mint flax seed dressing. Flavorful for being a vegan option!

MealPal currently offers two monthly options. Twelve meals per month nets out at $6.39 a meal, while upping your lunch game to 20 meals brings it down to $5.99! I liken MealPal to your lunchtime negotiator, obtaining sizable discounts that save you a bundle. Keep in mind that as with any subscription-based service, it renews automatically unless you cancel.

They allow you to filter for lighter options, which is helpful for those with dietary restrictions. And the daily reminder to choose your meal for the next day is helpful. For planners like me, it's the perfect way to schedule out my day. For those that prefer to make game-time decisions (aka slackers), maybe not so much! 

How can MealPal improve? For starters, I'd love to see the mobile app expanded to to Android users as it's annoying having to turn on your laptop at 5PM. Customization would be helpful whether it's added snacks or drinks at the point of choosing your meal. Even a comment section to add requests like "no mayo" or "less spicy" would expand the customer base. Delivery would be amazing, but understandably comes with its own issue and costs. 

Full disclosure, I typically don't eat out for lunch as I try to keep it light by bringing lunch from home. It's in an effort to counteract all the eating I do when I'm off the work clock! If that weren't the case, MealPal would be my way to go. It allows you to try places you normally might not go to for lunch, all while saving a buck or two! 

FTC Disclaimer: MealPal allowed me to try the Plan for a week to get the inside scoop. Regardless, my opinions are mine alone and, therefore, unbiased.