Where to Eat This Weekend: Down the Shore
Labor Day is nearly here. Which means, for many summer Shore-goers, the last chance to get a final taste of seaside restaurants. So put on your brightest whites and check out some of the Shore’s best and brightest spots for your final summer bite.
Claude’s
Claude’s Restaurant in Wildwood gives a much-needed touch of fine French cuisine to the Jersey Shore. French classics like terrine de foie gras served with toasted brioche, a red onion confit, and a balsamic raspberry reduction or dover sole almondine (filleted tableside) take their place on the menu alongside items like shrimp Thailandaise- shrimp served in a coconut curry sauce infused with cilantro and ginger.
Claude’s, 100 Olde New Jersey Avenue, North Wildwood, 609-522-0400
Daddy O
A hip LBI restaurant located within an über-trendy boutique hotel that’s anything but your local fish joint. Try out-of-the-box items such as their buffalo “wingless” wings made with tempura-battered chicken in a sweet-and-spicy chili glaze served with blue cheese; or cashew crusted mahi-mahi with hearts of palm, sweet pepper-vegetable escabeche, green rice, in a citrus glaze.
Daddy O, 4401 Long Beach Boulevard, Brant Beach, 609-494-1300
Dune
The popular BYOB on Margate’s bustling Ventnor Avenue, will soon shut its doors for winter. So, while you’ve still got the chance, head over and try their lightly charred octopus, mussels and fries, or seared skate wing.
Dune, 9510 Ventnor Avenue, Margate, 609-487-7450
Marie Nicole’s
Wildwood’s cozy, elegant restaurant Marie Nicole’s offers a comfortable and delicious choice for your last bites of the beach. The menu is studded with fusion items from eggplant napoleon made with grilled zucchini, squash, fresh mozzarella, and a roasted pepper puree, to wasabi-and-sesame-encrusted Ahi tuna served with mixed roasted vegetables, buckwheat soba noodles and a ginger-soy dipping sauce. If you can, grab a seat on their awning-covered patio, and toast to summer’s end.
Marie Nicole’s, 9510 Pacific Avenue, Wildwood Crest, 609-522-5425
The Diving Horse
The seaside cousin of Rittenhouse restaurant Pub & Kitchen, offers delicious and creatively crafted dishes for your final weekend at the beach. Try their Barnegat scallops served with lemon pearl pasta and wilted arugula served in a shellfish broth, or ask about any of their summertime specials that change daily.
The Diving Horse, 2109 Dune Drive, Avalon, 609-368-5000
Tomatoe’s
Always-buzzing Margate City staple will give you a satisfactory final taste of the shore (once you elbow your way in). The sushi bar is swimming in fresh fish rolls such as the autumn roll made with fresh crab, peppercorn salmon, avocado and spicy tuna. For heavier fare, try their pistachio-crusted New Zealand rack of lamb in a sweet and tangy mustard sauce, served with garlic mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus; or the Long Island duckling, twice roasted and served with blueberry sauce. For dessert, the key lime pie or banana spiced cake are the sweetest way to wrap up your summer.
Tomatoe’s, 9300 Amherst Avenue, Margate, 609-822-7535
