Central Taco’s chips and guacamole delight diners with their freshness and flavor. (Aitan Rothkoff)

For nearly seven years, Central Taco & Tequila in Haddon Township has been a hot spot for anyone looking for a casual and lively night out. The restaurant has a rustic interior, and is well-lit with string lights flowing throughout. Seating can be found inside, and on the patios in the front and back of the building.

The menu features delicious Mexican cuisine with a modern American twist, as well as fun, refreshing margaritas. With a name like “Central Taco,” you’d expect the tacos to steal the show — but here, it’s the appetizers that take center stage. These options include classics in Mexican cuisine, like guacamole, quesadillas, empanadas, and Mexican street corn. But Central Taco doesn’t just stick to the basics; they also introduce an unfamiliar starter, the Steak Frites Con Carne, among other appetizers, which were hard to resist ordering.

My meal of appetizers started with the “Central Guacamole” ($8), paired with tortilla chips. The guacamole tasted fresh, with loads of avocado, mashed with onion, lime, cilantro, pepper and tomatoes. Although the flavor of lime was present, I would have appreciated a touch more of zest. The addictive chips were crispy, and surprisingly light and thin, paired with guacamole on the side.

The Chicken Tinga Quesadilla ($12) was definitely one of the highlights of my meal, stuffed with gooey Oaxaca and Monterey Jack cheese, and a roasted corn and black bean salsa. This alone was an amazing quesadilla, but on the side came a cilantro-scallion crema that truly enhanced the dish. Dipping the quesadilla into the crema was heavenly, giving bright and herby flavors that reminded me of green goddess dressing — but fresher and more vibrant.

The Mexican Street Corn ($6) was also a nice addition to the table. The corn was nicely charred, seasoned with jalapeno, epazote, cotija cheese, chilli seasoning and lime. Underneath the seasoning was a nice and creamy mayonnaise. All of this made the dish colorful and filled with flavor — the smokiness from the charr, tanginess from the lime, a little spice from the chili and the creaminess of the mayo.

Then came the dish that surprised me the most: the Steak Fries Con Carne ($14). Think nachos, but instead of the tortilla chip base, it’s french fries. The fries were piled in a mixture with queso fundido, Monterey Jack cheese, queso fresco, pico de gallo and chipotle ranch, then were loaded with tender braised short rib. Pickled Fresno peppers and scallions sprinkled on top added nice color and just the right amount of spice. It was a delicious twist to the average nacho dish, and something satisfying enough to stand as its own meal.

Overall, the appetizers at Central Taco were more than satisfying, and could carry the menu on their own. The variety of starters kept it exciting and perfect for sharing. The quick service also enhanced the dining experience. The pricing is reasonable, and the portions are perfectly sized, making sure you don’t get too full if you decide to order an entree. For a place with “taco” in its name, it’s the starters that really steal the spotlight.

The ricotta board from Lascala’s Fire lives up to its reputation, both in presentation and taste. (Mason Petkov)

Walking into charming, dimmed lighting and a sleek but rustic black and white color scheme, one can’t help but be delighted by the aromas of warm pizza and garlic bread at Lascala’s Fire in Marlton. Located in the Promenade of Sagemore, Marlton’s Italian appetizer virtuoso features a lively atmosphere, mouth-watering delicacies and an assortment of dining location options, from the bar to the extensive outdoor seating.

I visited Lascala’s Fire along with two other Eastside editors, and we were delighted by the quick service and calmer experience of attending the restaurant on an early Friday afternoon. During our visit, we observed adults enjoying a beverage at the bar and the soft chatter of diners enjoying an end-of-week meal in the soft breeze. However, as the day shifts into later evening, the restaurant is known to quickly fill with food-lovers from across Marlton, Cherry Hill, and surrounding South Jersey areas, attracted by happy-hour specials and  entertainment nights.

When scouring the menu, we observed that, while the experience and atmosphere seemed rewarding, the price of the appetizers was slightly high for the quality of food provided. For example, the basic, average-sized Truffle Fries cost $17. If combined with an entree, this meal would have exceeded the price an average teenager would usually spend on food.

We began our meal of aromatic and flavorful appetizers with the widely renowned Ricotta Board ($17), noted to be a staple of Lascala’s Fire. The dish was composed of toasted and seasoned Piadina bread sided with warm honey layered between creamy ricotta.

Sinking our teeth into the crispy and warm delicacy, the salty strips of bread were not overpowered, but complemented by the sweet notes of silky honey. Furthermore, the rich, granular texture of the ricotta provided a more dynamic adventure of flavors and textures, allowing the saltiness and sweetness of the bread and honey to balance with the creamy dip. Among the appetizers that we tried, this was the most unique and enlightening purchase, living up to its high expectations.

Intrigued by the addition of Lascala’s sushi bar, which was implemented recently to the mostly Italian menu, we also decided to order the Spicy Rice w/ Spicy Tuna ($18) starter. With five pieces of unevenly cooked crispy rice topped with spicy tuna, avocado and spicy mayo, the presentation of the dish appeared delicate and colorful. However, the extensive amounts of mayonnaise within the aioli and scallion garnish atop of the roll overwhelmed the overall taste. Considering that Lascala is an Italian-American establishment, the appetizer was flavorful and intricate, but did not measure up to the sushi rolls at most Japanese restaurants.

To conclude our meal, we finished with the Truffle Fries ($17), which were largely underwhelming and overpriced compared to our previous delicacies. Composed of fries, flavorless truffle oil and a scarce amount of cheese sprinkled on top, the presentation and flavors alike did not meet our typical standards for a delectable appetizer. The dish was the perfect temperature, yet the soggy texture reduced any semblance of crispiness that may have benefited from such warmth. Thankfully, ketchup was provided, allowing for heightened flavor and moisture.

Overall, Lascala’s Fire was a delightful culinary adventure, and we enjoyed the atmosphere and appetizers alike. In addition to intricate and colorful flavors, the seating, color scheme and friendly customer service enhanced the experience, making Lascala’s Fire an excellent place for families, date nights and more.

The exterior of Farm and Fisherman Tavern. (Aitan Rothkoff)

If there’s one thing that the Cherry Hill community can take away from The Farm and Fisherman Tavern, it’s that a smaller menu with fresh, seasonal ingredients will frequently triumph over a larger menu with a variety of different foods.

Thick chickpea fries are presented in front of me ($8), with a side of romesco containing almonds and red peppers (a vegetable I usually attempt to avoid). I always politely offer some of the appetizer to whoever I am with, praying they turn it down, so I get to experience more of the crispy outside turned into a soft, salty, chickpea-filled inside. While there are items on The Farm and Fisherman menu that change depending on the season, many of their appetizers remain staples throughout the whole year, thankfully including these chickpea fries.

While many people would rather opt for french fries over chickpea fries without trying them, I am compelled to order a different potato-concocted dish: the potato skins with bacon, herbs, onions, jalapenos, and bechamel sauce ($19). The bechamel adds a creamy consistency, while the bacon and outside of the sweet and regular potatoes contradict it with their crunch. 

Unlike these other two appetizers, the corn & crab toast ($19) is a seasonal appetizer, available in the spring and summer. The corn makes the toast sweeter than I personally prefer, but the chipotle aioli and lime plunged into fresh pieces of crab is what makes me prioritize this appetizer when the sun starts to appear.