South Jersey Restaurant Week Kicks Off Today

South Jersey Hot Chefs' Spring Restaurant Week kicks off today—just in time for warmer weather and lighter, more spring-like cuisine. 

The twice-annual event is now in its eighth year and features 36 different independently operated restaurants offering special four-course dinners at a discount price for diners wishing to try a new restaurant or visit an old favorite.  The event, and all the specials it brings, runs through March 23.  

Meals are either $25 or $35 for four courses. 

There is cuisine of all types on the list, ranging from Mexican to New American and from Indian to Spanish.  

“You name it, South Jersey's independent chefs make it,” said Fred Kellerman, president of South Jersey Hot Chefs and chef/owner at Elements Cafe in nearby Haddon Heights. 

South Jersey Hot Chefs is a local organization made up of more than 40 independently operated restaurants in Camden County, Gloucester County and southern Burlington County. 

“Restaurant week is an opportunity to showcase the chef-driven, independently owned restaurants. These owners are the people you see walking in your neighborhood. They are the people who give your kids a job and the people who are working in the local community and giving to charity,” Kellerman said.  

Kellerman said local patrons have learned to expect great quality from South Jersey restaurants and, as a result, Restaurant Week has grown into a wildly popular event. The organization hosts a second restaurant week in the fall.  

On the menu next week is a range of every cuisine and every atmosphere. Coriander Indian Bistro in Voorhees and Max’s Seafood in Gloucester City both offer casual, relaxed atmospheres with delectable menus featuring things like lobster Carbonara and seared bluefish. If you want something more formal for a date night, check out the Chop House in Voorhees or Caffe Aldo Lamberti in Cherry Hill.  

Just over the border of Gloucester Township is Lindenwold’s La Esperenza, a family owned and operated Mexican restaurant on Gibbsboro Road. During restaurant week, the menu features more traditional Mexican dishes like huazontles rellenos and empanadillas, as well as twists on the classics like shrimp tacos in mole sauce and tequila mussels, which are cooked in a butter-lime and tequila sauce.  

Kellerman’s own restaurant specializes in New American small plates and tapas-style cuisine. Kellerman, a Philadelphia area native, opened Elements more than nine years ago. He changes the menu frequently and finds customers come back over and over again to try something new and fantastic. 

For restaurant week, Elements will feature a range of items including a duck confit, asparagus and smoked Gouda ravioli, filet mignon and pan-seared scallops. But Kellerman’s specialty is homemade ice cream in flavors you can’t find in the grocery store. Flavors on the menu for next week include lemon basil, balsamic swirl and popcorn ice cream.

If you miss restaurant week at Elements, the restaurant offers a special four-course menu every Sunday for just $24. The menu changes weekly.  

While reservations are not required, they are suggested for most restaurants participating in Restaurant Week. Menus and links for online reservations are available here.

If you can’t size in a meal during Restaurant Week, never fear. South Jersey Hot Chefs also hosts a series of events during Farm to Fork Week from July 22-28. In August, many local restaurants will host special meals at area farms showcasing South Jersey produce. Anthony’s Creative Italian Cuisine in Haddon Heights will host a special menu in conjunction with Duffield’s Farm Market in Sewell.