Boardwalk strollers looking for a quick, inexpensive bite to eat have another alternative as Johnny Rockets opened another location inside the Showboat Casino-Hotel.
Located on the Boardwalk with indoor and outdoor seating, the retro-themed hamburger joint is the second Johnny Rockets on the boards; the other is located in Bally's Atlantic City, which, like Showboat, is also owned by Harrah's Entertainment.
The international chain restaurant is known for its grilled-to-order burgers, hand-dipped shakes and '50-style diner theme in which the employees routinely break into song and dance to entertain the customers. Aside from the two Atlantic City locations, there is another Johnny Rockets inside the Hamilton Mall in Mays Landing. Since debuting in 1986, Johnny Rockets has grown to 292 locations across the United States, as well as 14 other countries and Royal Caribbean cruise ships. The local restaurants are owned by Bill White.
The Showboat's Johnny Rockets features a "fast-casual concept" with walk-up registers for quick service. It is open for breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. daily, followed by lunch to midnight on weekdays, to 2 a.m. on weekends.
Sonsie closed,
Big Jack's not coming
After four tough years, the underappreciated Sonsie closed last week. A spokesperson said that it closed for renovations but would not eleborate.
Owned by the Boston-based Lyons Group, The Pier Shops at Caesars restaurant never really seemed to catch on with locals or tourists despite its stellar cuisine and gorgeous d�cor.
Sonsie, an extremely popular Boston eatery, opened in Atlantic City as a European bistro but tweaked its format over the years to focus more on steaks and then Italian in hopes of luring diners.
A Pier Shops spokesperson says that it is uncertain what will happen with the space, noting that the Lyons Group has an unexpired lease there.
The Lyons Group's Game On! and Trinity Irish Pub & Carvery remain open in the Pier.
In other down news, the Pier spokesperson confirms that the New York-based Uncle Jack's Steakhouse will not open in the Pier. In April, I reported that a large sign advertising the arrival of the steakhouse was placed on an outside wall next to Stephen Starr's Buddakan.
The space, originally slated to be the site of China Grill Management's English is Italian, has been vacant since the Pier opened in 2006.
Celebrity sightings
Who would have guessed that Eddie Munster is a Martina McBride fan? Butch Patrick, who played the role in the classic sitcom, was seen enjoying McBride's performance last weekend at Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort. And he didn't bring his pet dragon, Spot.
Anyone in town last weekend is well aware that the Black Eyed Peas concert created a frenzy around Atlantic City … as well as a traffic mess. After the sold-out show at Boardwalk Hall, which was a tougher ticket than Lady Gaga, the Peas scattered to make even more money with personal appearances around town. Apl.de.ap joined Will.I.Am at The Pool at Harrah's Resort, and the musical duo also appeared at Dusk inside Caesars Atlantic City, along with rapper Taboo, for the official BEP afterparty, where the trio took turns DJing. Taboo and Apl even sang "Boom Boom Pow" for the appreciative crowd.
Craig Robinson, of ABC's "The Bachelorette," was also partying at Dusk. The Philadelphia lawyer mingled with fans and took photos, particularly with the female guests.
Also at Caesars, Guy Fieri made the rounds with his wife Lori during the Atlantic City Food & Wine Festival. Fieri dined at Mia and Morton's, and his wife was seen shopping inside The Pier Shops, buying an Uptown Astor bag at Michael Kors. Fieri was also joined by another Food Network star, Robert Irvine of "Dinner Impossible," who blew the roof off Caesars' ballroom when he appeared at the cheesesteak challenge. Irvine, a former executive chef at Caesars, Resorts and Trump Taj Mahal, said he was glad to reunite with so many friends. Festival headliner Paula Deen was also seen dining at Morton's.
Over at Showboat, actress/model Shannon Elizabeth was spotted gambling in the House of Blues Pit. The former "Dancing with the Stars" contestant and "American Pie" costar signed autographs and posed for pictures with fans, too.
Philadelphia Flyers Dan Carcillo, Ville Leino and Jeff Carter also stepped into the House of Blues' Foundation Room after checking out Nas in the Concert Hall.
Josh Colon, a South Philadelphian who made some waves as the quintessential ladies man on the Washington D.C. version of MTV's "Real World," partied at Boogie Nights at Resorts Atlantic City.
The Chelsea received a surprise celebrity booking when Carson Kressley, known best for being one of the Fab Five on Bravo's "Queer Eye," checked in with his partner John Guerrera. The couple dined at Teplitzky's with friends and partied at C5 inside a poolside cabana. Kressley also sang karaoke in Teplitzky's Back Room. Also at the Chelsea, Jennaphr Frederick of Fox 29 in Philadelphia also partied at C5.
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa celebrated DJ Samantha Ronson's 33rd birthday in style. Ronson's twin sister, designer Charlotte Ronson, joined the party along with their mom, writer/socialite Ann Dexter-Jones and stepfather Mick Jones of Foreigner. Izakaya Chef/Partner Michael Schulson created a special menu for the occasion, and the gang headed to mixx, where Samantha and Charlotte's brother, music producer Mark Ronson, performed a rare DJ set for the packed house, which included "Twilight" poster boy Kellan Lutz. Mark and Sam hit the turntables together.
Lutz, who also picked up some DJ tips from Sam, hosted a party at The Water Club's SUNBAR, where he was spotted on the turntables with RocNation DJ Solange Knowles. Lutz's boys night out also consisted of dinner at Bobby Flay Steak.
The Borgata was also in on the Black Eyed Peas' action as Fergie, Will.I.Am and Taboo stayed in private suites at the hotel. Borgata also hosted Will.I.Am's video contest in search of his own private mixologist.
This and that
If you attended Dee Snider's concert with Jeff Keith, Lita Ford and Mark Slaughter earlier this summer at the Atlantic City Hilton, then you want to catch the latest episode of A&E's "Growing Up Twisted," Snider's latest dysfunctional reality series starring the Twisted Sister frontman and his family.
The "I Still Wanna Rock" episode debuted Tuesday and showed the Snider clan visiting - and performing - in Atlantic City, including Jesse singing Snider's "Rock 'n' Roll Ain't Dead" and Cheyenne's rendition of The Runaways' "Cherry Bomb," with Ford helping out.
NBC is strongly promoting "Outlaw," a new Jimmy Smits series that will debut this fall. The pilot was partially shot at Resorts Atlantic City, and the Aug. 6 Entertainment Weekly features a photo of Smits playing at a Resorts blackjack table.
$1 blackjack
at Trump Marina
Trump Marina is once again following in Resorts' footsteps. First the Disco borrowed Boogie Nights' concept, now the Marina is offering low-minimum-bet blackjack tables.
Trump Marina took things a step further, however, by offering $1 minimum blackjack games, while Resorts offers $2 tables. The tables are aimed at gamblers who might be a little wary of playing tables games. The low bet amount can help people learn the game and, executives hope, they eventually move up to higher denomination tables.
Like Resorts' tables, players must place a 25-cent fee on each hand of $5 or less before the cards are dealt.
The tables are available daily in Pit 6.
Clambake at ACCC
Northfield's Atlantic City Country Club, owned by Harrah's Entertainment, is holding its annual Clambake Open on Sunday, Aug. 15. The two-man, better-ball format begins with registration and open range at 11 a.m., followed by a 1 p.m. shotgun and a 5 p.m. clambake.
The menu include local clams and oysters on the half shell open roasted suckling pig, BBQ chicken, seafood paella, Jersey fresh vegetables and desserts.
The cost is $175 per person, which also includes draft beer and soft drinks. Non-golfers can attend the clambake only for $35 per person. Call (609) 236-4411.
'Deadliest Catch'
star at Marina
Russell Newberry from the Discovery Channel's "The Deadliest Catch" returns to Atlantic City to host a barbecue on Thursday, Aug. 12, on Trump Marina's Deck.
The $15.99 BBQ includes BBQ beef shortribs, grilled chicken, ribeye steak, crab cakes and side dishes, including "The Deadliest Catch Critters," as well as cold salads.
Newberry will also be on hand to take pictures and sign autographs for the BBQ, which goes from 5 to 9 p.m. And if you have a Trump One card, you can park for free.
