Note: Jersey Bites was invited to visit Atlantic City Restaurant Week and our writer received complimentary samples.
Celebrity chefs, noodle bars, classic American steakhouses. Atlantic City Restaurant Week 2016 is the perfect opportunity to explore the city’s diverse dining scene. From Sunday, March 6, through Saturday, March 12, more than 65 casino and local restaurants will feature three-course prix fixe dinner at $33.16 and lunch for $15.16 (plus tax, beverage and gratuity).
Jersey Bites was invited to a preview event at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, where a sampling of participating restaurants showcased tasty bites ranging from Indonesian veggie lumpia with smoked duck (the Borgata) to chicken seekh kebab (Nizam’s II in Galloway Township).
Lillie’s Asian Cuisine at the Golden Nugget offered a sweet open-faced wonton with lemon mascarpone, just a taste of a Pan-Asian menu that includes Lillie’s California roll and Pad Thai shrimp. Executive Chef Brian Tsui suggested Lillie’s sushi and sashimi menu and noodle bar.
Of course, there is no shortage of celebrity chefs in AC. At Guy Fieri’s Chophouse (Bally’s Atlantic City), the Food Network star’s Vegas fries and donkey sauce share the menu with local Jersey Shore clams casino and Cape May fried flounder. Executive Chef Giancarlo Generosi prepared Fieri’s signature sashimi tacos, served with mango, jicama and wasabi crème in a fried wonton shell.
Fans of Hell’s Kitchen recognized Season 14 winner Meghan Gill, now head chef at Gordon Ramsay’s Pub and Grill at Caesar’s Atlantic City. Gill’s mini beef Wellingtons hinted at Ramsay’s British pub fare, with specialties like bangers and mash and sticky toffee pudding.
Restaurant Week features some intriguing non-casino choices as well. Try the truffled grissini or chittara al nero aglio olio (black spaghetti with bottarga, oil and garlic) at Luke Palladino’s Seasonal Italian Grill (199 New Road, Linwood), the goat cheese croquettes and udon mac and cheese at the Iron Room at the Atlantic City Bottle Company (648 N. Albany Ave., Atlantic City), or authentic Indian cuisine at Nizam’s II (224 E. White Horse Pike, Galloway Twp.) Enjoy some post-shopping fondue at the Melting Pot (Tanger Outlets at the Walk), with table-side appetizers and an entrée topped off with a indulgent chocolate fondue served with fruit, brownies, blondies and Rice Krispies treat dippers.
Proceeds from the preview event benefitted the Community FoodBank of New Jersey and the Academy of Culinary Arts at ACCC Student Scholarships.
