The Essential Shore: Seafood
- Illustration by Jonathan Carlson
Lobster House
Yes, there are snazzier spots in town to sup upon local scallops and fresh-caught stripers — the Ebbitt Room, 410 Bank Street, the Black Duck — but none other has the back dock for watching the fishing boats come in. Fisherman’s Wharf, Cape May, 609-884-8296; thelobsterhouse.com.
Menz
This so, so, so back-in-the-day joint could exist on kitsch alone — with its garish candy shop, arcade, and glass display cases of two-headed calves — but truth is, it does right by its captain’s-platter-style fare, local bluefish, scallops, flounder and even Jersey corn. 985 Route 47 South, Rio Grande, 609-886-9500; menzrestaurant.com.
Crab Trap
Deviled crab, clams casino, fried oysters and chicken salad: This just-across-the-bridge stalwart has brought families back year after year for the same consistent quality. Somers Point Circle, Somers Point, 609-927-7377; thecrabtrap.com.
SeaBlue
When we’re feeling flush, we love to blow our winnings on Michael Mina’s ahi tartare, scallop tortellini with miso-glazed sea bass, and seriously splurge-y lobster hot pot, not to mention the shiso drop cocktails. The Borgata, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, 609-317-8220; theborgata.com.
Steve and Cookie’s By the Bay
Please. Did you think we’d say anywhere else, when you know full well that we’re addicted to chef Kevin Kelly’s ginormous shrimp cocktail, and crave his bouillabaisse for two as soon as the sun starts to disappear beyond the dock? 9700 Amherst Avenue, Margate, 609-823-1163; steveandcookies.com.
Dock’s Oyster House
A chilly glass of champagne and a half-dozen Cape May Salts in the black-and-white-tiled piano bar, then a cramped banquette seat for garlicky steamed clams and buttery crabmeat sauté: 110 years of exactly how we like our seafood. 2405 Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City, 609-345-0092; docksoysterhouse.com.
Ship Bottom Shellfish
Everyone on LBI says this nine-table BYOB serves the island’s best, most straightforward seafood, down to the last soft-shell crab and lobster tail. 1721 Long Beach Boulevard, Ship Bottom; 609-494-0088.
Yellowfin
When we feel more sashimi than fried clams, we cram into this stylish BYOB to get down to salmon, calamari and, well, yellowfin tuna, prepared in ways we’d never attempt after a day on the beach. 104 24th Street, Surf City; 609-494-7001.
Yes, there are snazzier spots in town to sup upon local scallops and fresh-caught stripers — the Ebbitt Room, 410 Bank Street, the Black Duck — but none other has the back dock for watching the fishing boats come in. Fisherman’s Wharf, Cape May, 609-884-8296; thelobsterhouse.com.
Menz
This so, so, so back-in-the-day joint could exist on kitsch alone — with its garish candy shop, arcade, and glass display cases of two-headed calves — but truth is, it does right by its captain’s-platter-style fare, local bluefish, scallops, flounder and even Jersey corn. 985 Route 47 South, Rio Grande, 609-886-9500; menzrestaurant.com.
Crab Trap
Deviled crab, clams casino, fried oysters and chicken salad: This just-across-the-bridge stalwart has brought families back year after year for the same consistent quality. Somers Point Circle, Somers Point, 609-927-7377; thecrabtrap.com.
SeaBlue
When we’re feeling flush, we love to blow our winnings on Michael Mina’s ahi tartare, scallop tortellini with miso-glazed sea bass, and seriously splurge-y lobster hot pot, not to mention the shiso drop cocktails. The Borgata, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, 609-317-8220; theborgata.com.
Steve and Cookie’s By the Bay
Please. Did you think we’d say anywhere else, when you know full well that we’re addicted to chef Kevin Kelly’s ginormous shrimp cocktail, and crave his bouillabaisse for two as soon as the sun starts to disappear beyond the dock? 9700 Amherst Avenue, Margate, 609-823-1163; steveandcookies.com.
Dock’s Oyster House
A chilly glass of champagne and a half-dozen Cape May Salts in the black-and-white-tiled piano bar, then a cramped banquette seat for garlicky steamed clams and buttery crabmeat sauté: 110 years of exactly how we like our seafood. 2405 Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City, 609-345-0092; docksoysterhouse.com.
Ship Bottom Shellfish
Everyone on LBI says this nine-table BYOB serves the island’s best, most straightforward seafood, down to the last soft-shell crab and lobster tail. 1721 Long Beach Boulevard, Ship Bottom; 609-494-0088.
Yellowfin
When we feel more sashimi than fried clams, we cram into this stylish BYOB to get down to salmon, calamari and, well, yellowfin tuna, prepared in ways we’d never attempt after a day on the beach. 104 24th Street, Surf City; 609-494-7001.
Originally published in Philadelphia magazine, June 2007
