Where can you enjoy a traditional Irish breakfast (Rí-Rá Irish Pub), share tapas and some late night salsa dancing (Cuba Libre), or dig into some spicy crab fries while enjoying a great ocean view (Chickie & Pete’s)? All this and much more can be found at the Tropicana Casino & Resort Atlantic City.
Jersey Bites was invited to Tropicana’s 9th Annual Taste of the Quarter, an event to benefit the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. Local celebrity “chefs”—including Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian—dished out fare from two dozen Trop eateries.
The evening was also an opportunity to show off Tropicana’s $40 million renovation of its hotel rooms, new high-limit slot area, and new nightclub, Ivan Kane’s Kiss Kiss a Go-Go.
Hundreds of hungry diners crowded The Quarter, a three-story, 200,000 square-foot restaurant, entertainment and retail complex styled after the streets of Old Havana.
The Quarter’s incredible variety of dining was on display: from contemporary Cuban at Cuba Libre (ropa vieja) to family-style Italian at Carmine’s (country-style Rigatoni with prosciutto and cannellini beans). A taste of Tropicana’s fine dining options included creamy lobster bisque from seafood restaurant Fin and a sampling of the gourmet Northern Italian cuisine at Il Verdi. Looking for casual fare? Try the sliders and grown-up milkshakes at Broadway Burger Bar, or the tacos at A Dam Good Sports Bar.
Tropicana’s glitzy new Boardwalk façade leads to the Marketplace, where we sampled Philly favorite Tony Luke’s famous pork sandwich and the iconic James’ salt water taffy. Here Boardwalk patrons can find A Dam Good Deli, Casa Taco & Tequila Bar, Boardwalk Favorites Ice Cream, Hooters, and Perry’s Pizza.
More to come in 2016: the Beer and Whiskey Festival on Saturday, October 15, will offer 80 beers and 30 whiskeys, entertainment, food and crafters. Tropicana patrons are also anticipating a new restaurant collaboration with Philadelphia chef Jose Garces. The to-be-named seafood venues, inspired by the sweeping ocean and boardwalk views, are slated to open by the end of the year.
Tropicana Casino & Resort Atlantic City
2831 Boardwalk
Atlantic City
800-843-8767
Photo at top courtesy of Tropicana Casino & Resort Atlantic City.
