"The Cherry Hill Report" from Ed Hitzel's Restaurant Magazine

People all over the country have heard of Cherry Hill, New Jersey. "It's where that big mall is, right?" However, Cherry Hill has more to offer than ostentatious shopping meccas and pre-fab mini-mansions. If the idea of crossing the bridge into Philadelphia, paying $20 to park, walking around a freezing and tightly packed Old City only to go into an equally uncomfortable restaurant only to be laughed out the door by a snooty hostess sounds increasingly unappealing, designate a driver and head to Cherry Hill for some hoppin' nightlife.

The first stop is for cocktail hour at Zio's Bar at 7 West Rt. 70. Don't let it's location in a busy New Jersey diner scare you. Zio's Bar inside Ponzio's Diner is the type of classy, low-key lounge a celebrity would hang out at to go unnoticed. Upon my first visit, the unassuming diner bar reminded me of an old Las Vegas lounge: dark, private, and luxurious. The seats are low and cushy, the dim light is flattering, and the mood is mellow. I order a dirty martini and the crab cake appetizer and I was hooked. Sit at the handsome granite bar and order a specialty martini from their sizable list, then consult the newly expanded menu for a light bite.

The next stop is Swanky Bubbles at 482 Evesham Road for a sensual, exciting dinner. Imported from Old City in Philly, Swanky Bubbles has opened their second sexy location in a lovely renovated farm house formerly occupied by Olive. This new hot spot is due to become a popular destination in the warmer months when everyone comes out of hibernation, so make sure to check this place out before you can't get a parking spot outside.

Tip number one: please plan ahead and make reservations. Timing is everything and nothing is worse than looking like a chump in front of your friends when you can't get a table for your big night out. A later reservation, perhaps around 9 p.m., is the perfect plan because the dinner rush will be slowing down and your party won't feel so cramped. Also, the later time is more conducive to lingering around without any cranky servers glaring at you to finish up so they can flip the table.

Swanky Bubbles features a pan-Asian menu complete with a sushi bar, noodle bowls, and fine cut steaks until 1 a.m. The dishes at Swanky's are served family-style, so if it's a romantic dinner for two, a double date, or six friends catching up, the food will literally bring everyone closer. The spicy Spider roll and buttery Pad Thai are also sure to be ice-breakers if the conversation hits a lull.

Another tip: don't ignore the cocktail menu. These drinks come straight from a big city bar with big city creativity and proving power. Go ahead and try something new because the Cosmo and any variation thereof have gone the way of Carrie Bradshaw and her bosom buddies. Order a drink reflective of the menu like a Tsunami Sake Martini made with a plum wine or the Lycheetini. Swanky's also brings the bubbles with an impressive selection of champagne with all the usual suspects.

Swanky Bubbles plans to expand the entertainment options with DJ's spinning upstairs on select nights. Also, who knows what that huge deck will bring in the summer months, but word has it locals already made this late night dig the place for dancing with the bar open until 3 a.m.

Up next is dancing at the Coastline, located at 1240 Brace Road, just a five minute drive from your last dinner destination. If you're going out with a large group, the Coastline, located within JR's Woodfire Grill, is a proven crowd-pleaser. The DJ's are known for playing a variety of tunes that will get everyone shakin' it on the dance floor. Consult the club's website, coastlinerestaurant.com, for different themed nights and DJ's.

A few other key factors in a successful night out make the Coastline a no-brainer. The parking is abundant, the cover charge is minimal (under $10), the wait time at the huge bar is short and service is snappy. Most importantly, ladies - the bathroom is clean. The mood in the Coastline is relaxing and decidedly unpretentious, certainly atypical of other night spots in the area that may feel like a recurring high school reunion.