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Local Restaurant Listings

Published: 12/16/09

Linwood

Pizza Meets Pork: Pappy's serves up succulent roast pig, fresh pizza in Marmora

Published: 12/10/09

For years, Pappy's has been synonymous with pig roast. But you might not know that you can take a bottle of red wine and enjoy a pasta dinner in Pappy's Pizza & BBQ's cheerful dining room in Marmora. Or a six-pack of beer to wash down your hot wings and pizza.

Come hungry if you're visiting the Cosmopolitan in Vineland

Published: 12/10/09

The Cosmopolitan, billing itself as a trendy, casual, chic restaurant, lounge and bakery in Vineland, is a visually impressive place, outside and in. It opened about six months ago north of the Cumberland Mall on Delsea Drive. We found it bustling at 5:30 p.m. on a Friday.

Local Diner, National FameMustache Bill's drawing crowds to Barnegat Light

Published: 12/03/09

The only things Mustache Bill's Diner needs are bigger plates. Whether Owner Bill Smith is stacking his signature pancakes, smothering home fries in cream chipped beef or building a monstrous cheesesteak, Mustache Bill's certainly doesn't skimp on portion size.

Steak And Sushi TogetherDakota Prime Steak House and Sushi Bar brings unique culinary blend to Vineland

Published: 11/26/09

Toss a cannoli in any direction in Vineland and you're likely to hit a number of restaurants that serve delicious pasta and other Italian fare. John and Annette Scipione, new owners of Ramada Vineland on Landis Avenue, considered that when deciding what to do with the 110-seat hotel restaurant, formerly the Continental Room.

Rainforest Cafe scores with great atmosphere and food

Published: 11/26/09

Hands down, the Rainforest Caf� is one of the most family-friendly dining experiences in southern New Jersey. If you've never been to one of the international chain's 30-plus restaurants and you have children, it's the ultimate treat. Billed as "A Wild Place to Shop and Eat," the Rainforest Caf� lives up to its motto.

European Flair In Tuckerton217 East Main St. brings continental taste to N.J.

Published: 11/12/09

As we all loosen our belts - just a notch - to welcome a gentle swell in the economy, a little luxury close to home is just the right flavor. At 217 East Main St., a boutique restaurant nestled in Tuckerton, guests can enjoy a taste of European luxury close to home.

Dragon House still tastes good

Published: 11/12/09

My husband has been trying to get me to go to Dragon House Chinese Restaurant, a landmark in Wildwood, for much of the 15 years since we met. He compares all Chinese food to Dragon House's; he and friends used to go there late at night after work at Henny's in Stone Harbor during his college days.

Dining Capsules

Published: 11/05/09

Absecon

Japanese Food And FlairDine entertainingly at Momiji

Published: 11/05/09

Dining at a Japanese hibachi grill is always an entertaining affair. The proximity of the seating arrangements contributes to the friendly atmosphere, as guests attempt to catch flying vegetables in their mouths.

Authentic Island CuisineHibiscus brings taste of Hawaii to Somers Point

Published: 10/29/09

If the bad economy won't allow you to vacation in Hawaii this year, at least you can feast on authentic Hawaiian cuisine at Hibiscus Island Grill and Bar. Owner Philip Bernard, a native of Hawaii, opened his second restaurant earlier this year in Somers Point with the strategy of expanding the Hibiscus Beach Grille menu he features at Sunset Bay Restaurant in North Wildwood.

Isabella's Ventnor cafe serves up great Mexican

Published: 10/29/09

For the last year, Isabella's Ventnor Caf� has been making a nice, little name for itself as a great breakfast and lunch spot. But its best-kept secret is that Isabella's is also offering some traditional Mexican cuisine when it transforms to Isabella's at Night.

Great Burgers, Low PricesThe Burger Pub brings beef to Egg Harbor City

Published: 10/22/09

Sergio De Rosa thinks everyone is looking for a bargain. The former owner of the Old Bay Restaurant & Bar in Egg Harbor City is back consulting at the same Philadelphia Avenue location that once offered gourmet Italian cuisine. This time, though, De Rosa's focus is gourmet burgers.

Authentic And SimpleAt Mimmo's Italian Bistro, flavor comes from precision

Published: 10/15/09

Fusion food is fun. Exotic flavors can be exciting. But at Mimmo's Italian Bistro in Rio Grande, simplicity is king.

Good food at Larry's II in Vineland makes a return trip likely

Published: 10/15/09

More than 24 hours after we ate lunch at Larry's II Restaurant and Caf� in Vineland, each of my daughters told me separately how much she liked it. High praise, indeed. We met my parents at Larry's on a school holiday; my mom and dad were visiting from Maryland.

Cool Place To GatherCape owner takes you to 'Higher Grounds'

Published: 10/08/09

There's something about picturesque Cape May that makes you want to ditch your car and wander on foot - fueled by organic, free-trade coffee and homemade quiche, of course.

Different Kind Of MexicanLas Lomas presents ethnic food with a twist

Published: 10/01/09

You won't find sombreros or maracas hanging on the walls at Las Lomas Fresh Mexican Grille. What you will find is great, authentic Mexican food in a modern setting.

Keep menu choices simple when dining at Cousin Mario's

Published: 10/01/09

Cousin Mario's has the potential to be something special. Although you might not expect much from the outside - it's located in a strip mall on Harding Highway - it's hard not to be impressed by the interior.

Fresh Off The Boat

Published: 09/24/09

In a tough economy, many business owners are battening down the hatches, hesitant to expand their business or open a new location. Not so with manager Brian Hogan and his mates at Mud City Crab Cake Co.

Dining Capsules

Published: 09/24/09

Absecon

Getting Back In The Game: Burns clan returns with Ice House in Wildwood

Published: 09/17/09

Chuck and Jeanette Burns missed the action. Three years after they sold the Anglesea Pub in Wildwood, the couple found themselves shopping for real estate, and it wasn't a retirement condo in Florida.

Family's trip to IHOP for breakfast at night is a real treat

Published: 09/17/09

We decided to wind up a fun summer in which we ate on the Boardwalk, bay and beach with - what else? - breakfast. No matter that it was almost 6 p.m. when we got to IHOP (International House of Pancakes) in Mays Landing. We were here for breakfast.

Old-time, Good Italian

Published: 09/10/09

When traveling through Italy, the answer to most inquiries regarding the whereabouts of a bank, caf� or shop is most likely to be: "In piazza," meaning in the plaza or main square of the town.

Shep's Hot Spots

Published: 09/10/09

1) Long Beach Island/Great Bay

A disappointing lunch at The Inlet in Somers Point

Published: 09/03/09

I was waiting for just the right day to take my family to The Inlet, an upscale Somers Point restaurant that boasts one of the best decks in southern New Jersey.

Classic, But CreativeThe focus is on cuisine at Black Sea in Avalon

Published: 09/03/09

Avalon certainly has its share of fine dining. With recent additions such as Fuze, along with mainstays such as The Windrift, The Golden Inn and The Sea Grill, upscale options are plentiful.

Dining Capsules

Published: 09/03/09

Absecon

New Name, Great QualityLuna moniker gives needed 'oomph' to old Garfield's in Wildwood

Published: 08/27/09

Romano LaMonaca made a bold move this year. After 20 years as Garfield's, the 76-year-old changed the name of his Wildwood institution to Luna. It sounds like LaMonaca isn't ready to retire any time soon. In fact, LaMonaca, who owns the restaurant with his wife, Marisa, says owning an Italian restaurant in Wildwood is a constant learning curve.

Dining Capsules

Published: 08/27/09

Atlantic City

Island Grill needs to work on improving its service

Published: 08/20/09

It pretty much goes without saying that if you want to be considered a top-notch restaurant and have dishes on your menu that approach $30 and two that hover around $40, you have to offer good - or at least decent - service.

Dining Capsules

Published: 08/20/09

Absecon

Kalt Joins The Roster: Chef's Fornelletto takes its place with other chic Borgata eateries

Published: 08/20/09

In a casino packed with celebrity chefs that include Wolfgang Puck and Bobby Flay, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa's latest renowned chef - Stephen Kalt - is making a name for himself with Fornelletto Cucina Italiana, which may be the busiest restaurant in the casino this summer.

View of dolphins just adds to atmosphere at Henry's

Published: 08/13/09

Henry's On the Beach pretty much says it all on its Web site: "Any closer to the beach and you'd need a beach tag." I was thinking the same thing as we settled into a round table on the covered deck that makes up the bulk of this eatery's dining area.

Living The Dream: Twin brothers make Fuze a special place in Avalon

Published: 08/13/09

Steve and Anthony Cozzi had a vision. In November, when they looked at the former Mirage Restaurant location's pink pillars, green tables and wicker chairs, they somehow envisioned an upscale, hip destination restaurant that would redefine Avalon's culinary scene.

Local Restaurant Listings

Published: 08/06/09

Absecon

A Smooth Blend: Feather Cafe & Grill offers comfort food, Indian style in E.H.T.

Published: 08/06/09

The casual strip-mall facade of Feather Caf� & Grill does nothing to prepare you for the lavish, authentic Indian decor inside. That was exactly the intention of co-owner Praveen Vig when he designed the Indian-American fusion restaurant in Egg Harbor Township.

Crabby Charity: "Deadliest Catch" star hosts crab feast in Galloway

Published: 07/30/09

Russ Newberry was still - shall we say - crabby the day after the "Deadliest Catch" episode aired in which his lifelong friend unceremoniously dumped him as a deckhand on the crabbing vessel Time Bandit.

Dining Capsules

Published: 07/30/09

Galloway Township

Dining Capsules

Published: 07/29/09

Absecon

New Location A Success / Blackfish turns on the style with move to Stone Harbor

Published: 07/23/09

Chip Roman's menu may not be big, but his culinary creations are over the top. At his new restaurant, Blackfish in Stone Harbor, his four appetizers, five soups and salads, and seven entrees are so painstakingly detailed, it's like creating a brand-new piece of art every time something comes out of the kitchen.

Seafood With A Bay View

Published: 07/16/09

The Gazebo at Schooner's Wharf in Beach Haven is the definition of a family business. Just check out the large, wooden family tree that hangs above the order window behind the counter and you'll see three generations of the D'Eletto family that have worked there in the past as well as the present.

Mike's Seafood and Raw Bar provides fun for whole clan

Published: 07/16/09

We were pleasantly surprised when we arrived at Mike's Seafood and Raw Bar on the Dock in Sea Isle City on a recent Wednesday early evening to see a sign reading "Kids Eat Free." (Later, I found out this special typically runs on Tuesdays, but was extended because Tuesday had been slow.)

Dining Capsules

Published: 07/09/09

Absecon

Good Grub, Indeed: Dincher reinvents American classics at Megan's

Published: 07/09/09

Walk into Megan's Good Grub & Pub and you're bound to talk about the restaurant namesake's ice skates that hang on the wall, her old 45 records or the different salt and pepper shakers on every table that she found at yard sales and flea markets.

Ready to Bake in the SunAversa's bakery a summer hit with its new Margate location

Published: 07/02/09

Try walking past Aversa's Italian Bakery in Margate and not walking in. The sweet aromas of fresh bread, cinnamon buns and pizzas baking are enough to make the most disciplined eater break down. Once inside, the sights of cream-filled donuts, seeded breads, cannolli, Italian cookies, gigantic meatballs and more will destroy any willpower you may have left.

Dining Capsules

Published: 07/02/09

Absecon

Dining Capsules

Published: 07/02/09

Absecon

Red Robin Takes FlightFamily gourmet-burger chain is a big hit i•Mays Landing

Published: 06/25/09

There may be more fancy and more prestigious restaurants to open in southern New Jersey this year, but there probably won't be a more busy and more fun eatery than Red Robin Gourmet Burgers in Mays Landing.

Dining Capsules

Published: 06/25/09

Absecon

Somers Point Cafe vindicates owners' decision to come inland

Published: 06/18/09

For seven years, Michael DeLuca made a name for himself in Margate by providing great-tasting, quality food at reasonable prices. Now, the former owner of DeLuca's Diner is hoping to replicate that success with The Somers Point Caf�, a new 31-seat eatery in the former Emma's Rotisserie across the street from the ShopRite Shopping Center in Somers Point.