Try New Nordstrom Cafe

We stopped in at the Cafe at the new Nordstrom Cherry Hill yesterday and enjoyed a delightful lunch. The eatery is tucked into the second floor of Nordstrom's great new Cherry Hill Mall store.
Cafe boasts a warm and welcoming atmosphere in soft earth tones with comfortable booth and table seating and big windows facing out onto the Mall's new Bistro Row.
The menu features soups, sandwiches, salads, paninis, pastas and cafe specialties, Among the salads we recommend Chinese Chcken, Lime and Cilantro Chicken and the reliably tasty Chicken Caesar.
Sandwiches include Turkey Club Panini, French Dip and Albacore Tuna Melt. You can also try a soup and half sandwich special.
Everything runs very smoothly. You place your order as you enter Cafe and then the food is served to you at your table. The service is exceptionally friendly and helpful.
You can have a very nice lunch at Cafe for about ten bucks.

Nordstrom Opening Defies Downturn

From Peter Mucha at the Philadelphia Inquirer:
Nordstrom's Department Store opened its doors at the Cherry Hill Mall today, seeking to defy an economic downturn with upscale appeal.
As the 10 a.m. opening approached, more than 100 Nordstrom employees lined the sides of the aisle leading to the mall entrance, sending up a cheer with one side yelling "customer," the other answering with "Service."
Shoppers started entering the store even before its metal gate was up, ducking under to be among the first inside. . . .
Within an hour, the store had already sold a half-dozen pricey handbags, including a $1,795 silvery leather Burberry Covington, a $1,585 Chloe Paddington, and a $1,395 Burberry Lawrence with raffia quilting. . . .
Nordstrom president Blake Nordstrom was pleased with the enthusiastic turnout - an estimated 1,500 in the first hour, according to a spokeswoman.
Seattle-based Norstrom sold shoes for more than 60 years, before adding apparel in 1963.
It's been expanding ever since - and plans to continue the pace, he said.
"The good news is there is still plenty of opportunity," he said.
The retailer now has 110 stores in 28 states, with two more slated to open this year in Ohio and Massachusetts. Delaware's Christiana Mall will also get one in 2011, according to nordstrom.com.
The chain had considered Cherry Hill about nine years ago, but the mall seemed "run down," Nordstrom said.
"The developers, to their credit, invested a lot of money, and it was that catalyst, if you will, that gave us the confidence to come and open the store."
Philadelphia Real Estate Investment Trust put more than $200 million into refurbishing the mall, adding restaurants and more than a dozen other new stores.
Norstrom brothers Peter, head of merchandising, and Erik, director of stores, were also on hand this morning, because "you gotta stay close to the customer," Blake Nordstrom said.
Nordstrom's business philosophy is an "upside-down pyramid," he said, valuing customers and sales staff the most.
"Our job," he said of the management team, "has to be to listen and support our troops."
We stopped by Nordstrom Cherry Hill Mall later in the day and found the place was still teeming with shoppers -- and these shoppers were carrying Nordstrom bags. They were (and are) spending.
And yes, we joined in the spending spree.
It's hard not to buy in such a delightful, friendly, customer-centered environment. It's a joy!

Nordstrom Cherry Hill: WOW!

Nordstrom at the Cherry Hill Mall doesn't officially open till Friday at 10 AM but on Wednesday evening the store welcomed a huge number of notables for a gala benefit that aided Symphony In C, The Links, Inc. and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
The fortunate guests were among the first to celebrate the opening of Nordstrom during an elegant evening devoted to all things fashionable. We all enjoyed live entertainment, cocktails, dinner and dessert buffets, and of course, incredible shopping. Food and beverage service and party production were provided by Peter Callahan and featured an array of goodies.
We saw so many friends and many, many newcomers to the Cherry Hill scene.
What struck us about Nordstrom was the knockout presentation of so many distinctive lines and unique pieces of merchandise (things you won't find anywhere else) as well as the brilliant panoply of color at every turn.
We were dazzled by the entire environment and the brilliant new colors of spring.
Nordstrom has brought the "WOW!" factor to South Jersey. And it's all just a mile or so away from downtown Philadelphia
We hope you enjoy the scenes that follow and we urge you to head on over to Nordstrom ASAP.
Ready, set, SHOP!

Nordstrom Cherry Hill Gala

Patty Pavlides and Shereen Pavlides

Jean Robertson and Maryann Camardo

The Tarrs and The Zurichs

Marge Della Vecchia and Chris Perks

Judge Rosalyn Robinson and Karen Green

Bravo, Seasons 52!

The new Seasons 52 Restaurant at the Cherry Hill Mall doesn't officially open till Monday (March 23) but we've already been inside this beautiful eatery where we met with General Manager Shannon Early and sampled many of the dishes.

And we can report to you that Seasons 52 is a fresh food/fresh eating delight!

From the minute you approach Seasons 52 you will feel special since the restaurant provides free valet parking and welcomes you with an entranceway that is inviting and soothing.

Inside, a spacious, airy feeling prevails with teak-toned wood, open fireplace, natural stone, gentle golden lighting and teal and earth tones. Both the main dining room and the bar room feature many booths and banquettes for comfortable seating and the chef's table up front is perfect for a small, intimate party. Even though the open kitchen runs along one entire wall of the dining room, the room is not noisy or shrill. Private party rooms are also available.

Live music is featured every night at Seasons 52 in the bar room. The bar is a large free-form pool shape with the music and the bartenders in the middle. Along the walls of the bar room are many cozy booths. It's a natural hub of activity and just perfect regardless of whether you're arriving alone or with friends.

The menu at Seasons 52 changes with the season and the chef features special dishes every week.

Dinner entrees (with sides) range from $16.00 to 27.00. Dinner salads are available in small ($5.00 - $7.00) or entree sizes ($12.00 - $15.00).

Flatbreads are among the best appetizers. These exceptionally thin crispy breads are extraordinary.

We sampled the gulf shrimp cocktail (large and firm), garlic chicken flatbread, baby spinach salad and mixed greens salad. Salads were beautifully prepared with a light vinaigrette dressing.

For entrees we tried the tiger shrimp penne pasta (like a pasta primavera with nice-sized shrimp) and the char crusted filet mignon (perfectly prepared).

To top it all off Seasons 52 offers a tempting selection of mini indulgences ($2.50 each) that include chocolate, mocha, cheesecake, pecan and key lime treats, among others.

The wine selection is outstanding and throughout the evening service was superb.

And here's one of the best parts: Every entree at Seasons 52 is 475 calories or less. Every entree!

The restaurant uses no cream or butter in cooking and nothing is fried.

Plus, the place is also open for lunch at equally attractive prices and once the weather gets a bit warmer outdoor seating will be available as well.

For South Jersey, Florida's Seasons 52 represents a whole new approach to dining.

You're gonna love it!

BTW: Our thanks to GM Shannon Early; our server Brett; and Rachel Summers, Cathy Schwartz and Michael Cianfrone of The Star Group for their kindness and attentiveness. Bravo!

Nordstrom, Mall Sneak Peek

While the big new Nordstrom store at the Cherry Hill Mall won't open until next week (March 27) we can tell you more about it here and give you a peek at one of the bright, new avant-garde canvases (created by artist Harold Holligsworth and shown here) that you'll see in the store..

Nordstrom will be unlike any other department store that has ever hit South Jersey.

The new Nordstrom experience includes a choice of two restaurants. One is a coffee shop, while the other offers table service during breakfast, lunch and dinner.
And shoppers in the 138,000-square-feet space, can have their shoes shined, view sports scores on several flat-screen televisions, watch music and fashion videos, relax in a dressing room lounge, have clothing tailored on-site, consult a personal stylist or seek advice from 45 beauty advisers.

Mall officials say that things at the Mall are moving along right on schedule and only a few spaces remain to be leased. As part of the big new expansion (which includes a whole new tw0-level Nordstrom wing) stores set for opening are: J. Crew, Brighton Collectibles, Urban Outfitters, Garage and Backstage. And you'll want to check out the new fountains, bright interior, plush "living room" seating areas and Italian-tile mosaic.

Finishing touches are also underway outside the Mall where new signage is being set in place.

New Maggiano's Dazzles

We dropped in for lunch at the new Maggiano's Little Italy in Cherry Hill and found a spacious, airy atmosphere with all of those unforgettable Maggiano touches.
A wonderful, welcoming entryway leads to a huge bar area evocative of New York, mid-century. The main dining room is grand with a huge floral arrangement, corner chandeliers, plush elevated booths, tables with checkered linens and comfortable chairs. It's a great place to see and be seen and is destined to be a popular gathering spot.
Everything is made from scratch at Maggiano's and our meal was hot, delicious and -- as always -- plentiful. The bread was fresh and crusty; the orzo soup, zesty The pasta was divine. And our chicken parm sandwich came complete with extra marinara sauce for dipping. Our waitress couldn't do enough for us and the manager came over to chat and see how we were enjoying things.
Another great feature: If you're not sure about a particular dish Maggiano's will probably let you have a taste just so you can make the right decision. But the truth is that everything on the menu is delicious and you can order smaller portions if you'd like.
While we were there we dropped by the banquet rooms and they as much an attraction as the main dining room. In fact, the banquet area can be opened to a full room or divided into several smaller rooms without the usual tacky dividing walls. No expense has been spared here.
Maggiano's will also feature outdoor dining when the weather warms up and a special door accommodates carry out and pick up service.
As we left Maggiano's workers were putting the finishing touches on many other parts of the new Cherry Hill Mall which will welcome Nordstrom on March 27. Stay tuned!

CH Mall: Big Times Near!

Big times are near at the Cherry Hill Mall.
The dream of a totally new, totally re-invented Mall is upon us and the excitement of a new "Main Street" for Cherry Hill is so close we can touch it.
The big new Nordstrom store and Nordstrom wing of the Mall will open on March 27. Nordstrom will launch the store with a benefit gala just prior to the official opening.
We hear that at least ten new stores will probably be ready to open with Nordstrom and these will include J. Crew and Urban Outfitters.
Maggiano's Little Italy will swing open its doors on Monday (3/2) and the new Seasons 52 reataurant will follow close behind on March 23.
The new Capital Grille free-standing, upscale restaurant will open later in the spring and July will bring the opening of California Pizza Kitchen.
Hurry over to the Mall now to check out the new interior environment complete with an all-new bright, airy promenade featuring lovely living-room ensemble sitting areas with new, soft furniture. And, many of the Mall's stores are expanded and/or completely redesigned.
We're not even at the Grand Launch Moment yet and already the place is breathtaking!