OT: Good restaurants at Jersey Shore...

[Karenj2]

DH & I are staying a week at the Jersey Shore (Sea Isle) with my MIL, FIL, BIL, SIL & their two kids and ours (11, 9 and 4 months). My BIL and his wife are from California, and used to eating at somewhat finer establishments, and I'm also a bit of a food snob... DH, MIL & FIL could eat pizza or burgers or boardwalk icecream for dinner all week long. To make it more difficult, none of my husband's family likes seafood.

I'm trying to find a few nice restaurants to suggest - doesn't have to be pricey or fancy, although I'm fine with pricey as long as the food is worth it. Can you help me? I'm hoping that we can do one place with everyone including kids, then maybe one dinner with just BIL & SIL.

(I've already warned DH that I'm going to drag him out if I can't get anyone else to go with us...)

 

[dreamalittledream]

it is not in Sea Isle but on the way to OC is Sommers Point The Crab Trap!!! out of this world crab Bisque a MUST do! They have a huge menu and everything is great.
it gets crowded and does not take reservations. We have waited 2 hours for a table in season! so a late lunch/ early dinnner is a good option.

The Itallian place in town, Bracca is really good and has a great variety of non seafood items. I don't know about ressies though.

Deauville Inn, a bit pricey but good food and not usually to crowded. FIL doesn't eat seafood and he gets chicken parm here. You can eat outside

Or you could head to Stone Harbor, it is a bit more upscale than Sea Isle. There are some new places there I have not tried.

We go to Sea Isle regularly.

 

[DreadpiratK]

Yesterdays right over the 34th st bridge from Ocean City if very good, but can also be crowded. My favorite place is just across the road, Pappy's BBQ. Very hole in the wall inside, but THE best BBQ on the shore, a must do for us.

Of course, Mack and Manco's pizza just goes without saying at the shore. there is nothing like it anywhere. It has long been our standard for judging all pizza (nothing else measures up!)

 

[uromac]

Hi!

Hope this helps -

Go to philly.com - the Philadelphia Inquirer (our big local area newspaper) and check out Craig Laban's reviews (the food critic) he has written and reviewed shore dining spots these past 2 weekends - here's the link for the article -
Part #1:

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/craig_laban/20100704_The_next_wave.html

here's part 2:

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/colu..._openings_ebbs__Italian_pearl_stands_out.html

part 3 I believe is coming out next week - enjoy !

I know there is also Steve & Cookies and also Tomatoes you can check out in Margate as well as other great places in Cape May if you feel like travelling or you can go to the Cape May Cafe in WDW !

I'll try to think of some more later - Bon Appetit !!!

BTW, just re-read the 1st article which says that Busch's in Sea Isle is closing after the end of this season after being open for 5 generations (I've never eaten there - but it sounds like it was an institution so you might want to check it out too!)

 

[uromac]

My family also agrees with Mack and Manco's (we've got to go this summer!)
Also don't forget to try Kohr's (soft serve ice cream) and Johnson's Popcorn - They have a refillable bucket of caramel popcorn (with or without peanuts) with discounted refills - also don't forget to try Salt Water Taffy and Fudge at various boardwalk locations throughout the shore!

Happy Eating!

 

[Tweevil]

I was just there this weekend. I love Sea Isle
I usually go down Rt9 a wee bit and hit the Lobster House.

Here is a page that gives you info and some menu's for area places.
http://www.capemaytimes.com/Restaurants/cape-may.htm

 

[HoneyPooh]

There are a ton of places from low key to more upscale all along the 7 mile beach. Lots of more upscale places in Stone Harbor and Avalon. For someone who likes a good steak I recommend the Sea Grill in Avalon. Just go over the Ocean Drive bridge into Avalon and turn left at 21st Street. You order your steak with the chef yourself and tell them exactly what you want. Very yummy . Cafe Loren is also very nice and has a lot of great Italian dishes.

Cape May has a lot of great places to eat and people watch and will only take you about 20 minutes (depending on traffic ) to get to. Jackson Mountain Cafe, Ugly Mug, Altheas' (which has a view of the beach and boardwalk) or the Washington Inn (on the porch is very nice).

PM me if you would like me to mail you some tourist info ahead of time

 

[Karenj2]

Thanks for the input - I'm actually from the Philly 'burbs (and get the Inquirer), but I grew up going to the Chesapeake Bay for my summers, which is completely different...

I know we'll be doing burgers, pizza, cheesesteaks & fried foods, plus my MIL and I will be each cooking one meal (she's planning a baked ziti or something like that).

I'm going to see if my MIL would mind taking care of the kids while BIL, SIL, DH & I go out (maybe up to Atlantic City, or down to Cape May). I can't be out TOO long since I'm still BFing (although I will leave bottles), but we've done that drive once or twice before...

Keep the ideas coming, please!

 

[Mouseless2Long]

Cape May is great! The shopping area is just so cute. There are so many great little shops. As for eating, I highly recommend The Island Grill. They have a new chef and the coffee steak and island fries are to die for! The best thing is they are located one street over from the main shopping area (Mansion Avenue), so the crowds aren't as big, so there's little wait to be seated. Food is far superior to other restaurants on the mall.

It is a BYOB as liquor licenses are outrageously expensive in NJ, but there's a liquor store right next door so you can purchase wine for your dinner there!

 

[Razor Roman]

I would strongly suggest you check out Artisan's Brew Pub in Tom's River, NJ. My friend is the executive chef there..food is great... and it's not a big emphasis on Sea Food, though it's good there. They also brew their own beer and have a great wine selection!!

http://www.artisanstomsriver.com/

 

[emmasmom]

Our favorite for a place without kids is Steve and Cookies By the Bay in Margate. Great service, amazing food (Lobster Mac and Cheese or the famous Ugly Tomato Salad that I dream about all year) and traditional upscale beachy atmosphere. Make sure to make a ressie through opentable.com before or eat at one of the 2 bars...we sometimes split 2 or 3 appitizers there.

 

[mom2aredhead]

ABSOLUTELY The Lobster House in Cape May. But not inside.

Grab a menu and a pitcher of beer (or another beverage) from the Take Out and Raw Bar windows on the way through the entrance then find a seat outside and enjoy the view.

They have a "clam bake dinner" that we love - a whole lobster, clams, mussels, shrimp, potato and corn on the cob all steamed together for about $20. The oysters are also delicious. Actually, everything I've ever eaten there is awesome. And they have burgers and chicken for non-fish people. Ate there a few times last week. Awesome.

In Stone Harbor (close to Sea Isle) Fish Tales was very good, though I haven't been there in a few years.

If you venture into the Wildwoods, I absolutely recommend Little Italy. Delicious, authentic Italian food, very generous portions, BYOB, and excellent service.