0224 SJM Golden Forks - FINAL_SJM Feature 2 / 22 / 24 4 : 24 PM Page 2 T H E A R E A ’ S T O P R E S TA U R A N T S C O N T I N U E T O E V O LV E A N D S E R V E U P S O M E T H I N G S P E C I A L F O R S O U T H J E R S E Y D I N E R S . We hope you’ve brought your appetite . Because it’s time for our annual Golden Fork awards , shining a spotlight on some of the area’s finest restaurants . These stellar establishments not only serve up amazing food , but also provide the right ambiance to help set the stage for a memorable evening with family or friends . These 23 spots check all the boxes , and are just another example of how nuanced and extraordinary our local dining scene truly is . IL VIL L A GGIO during foraging excursions in Cherry Hill everywherefrom the Pine With décor inspired by the Barrensto the Shore . ? Old World and a menu full of classic Italian favorites to TWO FISH match , this mainstay is in Medford NUNZ IO belovedfor dishes such as the Thissmall but mighty ? in homemadegnocchi in a restaurant is a haven for Collingswood blushsauce with jumbo lump seafoodlovers thanks to well - crab and the can’t - miss 16 - crafteddishes that fire on all ounce veal chop . cylinders . The skate wing has gained its own following — WANDA and rightfully so — but you in Haddonfield reallycan’t go wrong with any This coveted restaurant ofthe fresh catches dotting ? serves up museum - quality themenu . dishes that attract local gour - mands regularly . Start with ITA 10 1 the goat cheese croquettes or in Medford the decadent foie gras , before Whilethe menu changes ? moving onto the expertly pre - frequently , one thing you can pared seared duck breast , or alwayscount on is having a the oh - so tender and flavorful memorablemeal at this din - braised short rib . ingdestination . The fresh pastas prepared with local PA RK PL ACE and seasonal ingredients are in Merchantville immaculate , while the rest of One of the area’s most in - themenu spotlights master - ? demand reservations , a meal fulpreparation of inspired at Park Place is a culinary Italiancuisine . journey through chef Philip Manganaro’s seasonal tasting THE LITTL E HEN menus that showcase a bevy in Haddonfield of ingredients hand selected Showcasingthe igreat ? baid finesseand technique that A L L ORA scene - settingsausage and figs Alu comeswith French cooking , in Marlton withbalsamic glaze and medbur - TheLittle Hen could just as ChefMark Berenato has rataor the rigatoni with a oham ? easilybe located in Lyon as it beendazzling diners from braisedshort rib ragu . at left : M by isalong Kings Highway . The acrossthe region for years , o VERONA ot distinguisheddishesare sim - andfor good reason . His GA SS & M A IN ph in Haddonfield te plisticin nature , but complex straightforwardapproach to in Haddonfield oran withflavor and certainly leave Italiancooking results in scin - Ledby James tBeard - nomi - ? Ris alasting impression . tillatingcreations like the natedchef Dane DeMarco , Verona S O U T H J E R S E Y M A G A Z I N E | V O L U M E 2 0 • I S S U E 1 1 | S O U T H J E R S E Y M A G A Z I N E . C O M | 2 1