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Cravings: Say Cheese

by Editorial Staff, South Jersey Magazine

They’ve come a long way from Kraft singles and white bread. Now you can find gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches everywhere from upscale dinner menus to the counter at a local diner. This month, we took a closer look at some of the gooey offerings in the tri-county area and found plenty of options to tide us over.

The Pop Shop: The Calvert
Fun fact: At this enormously popular eatery, each grilled cheese is named after a Collingswood street … and there are more than 30 of them. As seen on the Food Network, this sandwich has gooey jack cheese, roasted turkey, bacon, avocado, and house dressing on focaccia, served with fries. 729 Haddon Ave., Collingswood, (856) 869-0111

Shamong Diner: Grilled Cheese with Pork Roll
There are many bread options here, but we recommend buttered grilled rye to sandwich melted provolone cheese with salty slices of pork roll. It’s a very Jersey twist on a classic, served with coleslaw and a pickle. 7 Willow Grove Road, Shamong, (609) 268-1182

Al Dente Italiana: Grilled Cheese with Four Cheeses
Carmelized onions, arugula and fresh tomatoes surround this sandwich filled with a blend of four cheeses and grilled on herbed foccacia. It’s served with a cup of housemade tomato bisque, making it the perfect rainy day treat. 1690 Nixon Drive, Moorestown, (856) 437-6593

Zinc Café: Zinc Grilled Cheese
Grilled cheese gets a jolt at this seasonally focused Medford café, thanks to a blend of gruyere and chèvre cheeses on ciabatta spread with Dijon mustard, roasted tomato and avocado. 679 Stokes Road, Medford, (609) 953-9462

Marino’s of Mullica Hill: Farmhouse Grilled Cheese
This pizzeria, known for its fresh pizzas and farm-to-table sensibilities, also turns out an inventive sandwich. Try this sharp cheddar, Muenster and Swiss grilled cheese paired with tomato and Dijon mustard on sliced sourdough bread. Mullica Hill Commons Shopping Center, 157 Bridgeton Pike, Mullica Hill, (856) 417-3083

Fast Food
Culinary news to chew on.

•Philadelphia restaurateur Marc Vetri announced he will officially bring an outpost of his popular and critically acclaimed restaurant, Osteria, to the Moorestown Mall.

•Another chef is hopping the bridge this season, as Han Chiang plans to open another Han Dynasty location in October at Saw Mill Village in Cherry Hill.

•Catelli Duo Osteria and Wine Bar opened at Voorhees Town Center last month. An offshoot of the now-shuttered Catelli Ristorante by executive chef Lou Imbesi, Catelli Duo promises Italian fare in a “more rustic and approachable atmosphere.” The large restaurant (150 seats, plus 16 at the bar and more outside) also features brick-oven pizzas available in gluten-free or whole wheat.

•YMCA Camp Ockanickon will host the sixth annual Wine Tasting and Auction Event on Oct. 19 from 7- 11 p.m. at The Mansion in Voorhees. Featured wines, a buffet and various auctions will generate donations to benefit the Y’s scholarship campaign. Tickets start at $75 and can be purchased at YCamp.org.

•National burger chain Jake’s Wayback Burgers opened their first New Jersey location in Voorhees in late September, bringing with it a menu of hand-dipped milkshakes; turkey, chicken and beef burgers; house-made chips and more.

Top Chef

What started out as a group of talented South Jersey chefs competing against each other for culinary supremacy is down to two. Chef Robin Winzinger of Robin’s Nest and Chef Tim Eliason of Braddock’s will compete head-to-head in the finals of South Jersey Magazine’s Top Chef competition to be held this month at Burlington County College’s Culinary Center. Each chef will prepare a three-course meal that will be judged by a panel of notable food experts. The winner will be featured in the November issue, but readers will still have their say, as they’ll also be able to vote for their own favorite.

Published (and copyrighted) in South Jersey Magazine, Volume 9, Issue 7 (October, 2012).
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