Atlantic City INSIDER
You’re in luck! Odds are high for good times and great eats during the spirited fall “Shoulder Season” in Atlantic City.
By Laura D.C. Kolnoski
BALLY’S
Jerry Longo’s Meatballs & Martinis
“Italian Soul Food” served with mid-century nostalgia rules in this original South Philly haunt of celebrities and sports stars. Fans favor the red-accented noir atmosphere and traditional dishes updated with fresh local and imported ingredients. Share or order our own spaghetti with crab gravy, Roman-style pizza, Shrimp Sinatra, house-made Ravioli Florentine, and of course, Jerry’s Longo’s Mom’s Famous Meatballs. Primo Happy Hour and a prix fixe, four course Breaking Bread menu on Sundays. casinos.ballys.com/jerry-longos.
CAESAR’S
Are you experienced? The Hook, a dining and live entertainment venue in the historic Warner Theatre just celebrated it’s one-year anniversary, and new status as a top hotspot for groups and parties. The complex, modeled on Spiegelworld’s Vegas original, includes a 422-seat theatre presenting a 75-minute burlesque-style show, the Horse Dive Bar honoring the Steel Pier act of old, and Superfrico restaurant where visitors can select from an Italian American menu with a coastal twist. Fresh mozzarella, handmade tableside, is a popular side attraction. Enjoy Lump Blue Crab Aglio e Olio with lemon, jalapeno, and sweet corn; Golden Cioppino, Tomahawk steaks, pizza, and a side of caviar. spiegelworld.com/the-hook
HARD ROCK
Council Oak, overlooking the boardwalk and ocean, revered for its prime steaks and sumptuous brunch, now boasts a new distinction – a 2024 Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator magazine. The award honors the restaurant’s outstanding wine program of over 350 wines from more than a dozen countries, plus an extensive by-the-glass, half-bottle, and large format selection. The wine list represents numerous varietals, regions and prices, and features Napa Valley classics, award-winning champagnes, and first-growth Bordeaux wines. Dry-aged meats are hand-sculpted in the restaurant’s butcher shop, outfitted with a Himalayan salt-brick-walled chamber. A Josper Charcoal Oven and Argentine-style wood burning grill are focal points of the open kitchen that also turns out fresh seafood, chicken, a raw bar, and tempting sides.
“Earning the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence validates the intensive focus of our team on the restaurant’s wine program and their commitment to continue to delight our guests,” said Peter Brattander, Hard Rock AC’s VP of Food and Beverage. hardrockatlanticcity.com
HARRAH’S
Spacious and teeming with non-gambling action for all ages and skill levels, the year-old Arcade at Harrah’s offers some 60 games from classics skeeball and air hockey to the latest in virtual reality. The 5,328-square-foot space offers a high-energy, multi-sensory experience. The Arcade joins the resort’s Family Fun Station in the Coastal Tower, a smaller arcade and kid-friendly indoor swimming pool, and is one of several additions and upgrades to Harrah’s since it was purchased by Caesar’s Entertainment in 2020 in a deal that also included the Tropicana. caesars.com/harrahs-ac
HIGH ROLLERS DISPENSARY
Located off the boardwalk adjacent to The Claridge Hotel, this new lounge/dispensary is bright and expansive with a wide array of products, accessories, and merch. The sleek, Art Deco-style décor includes seating areas with chairs and couches, and a bar, “coming soon.” Loyalty program, daily deals, plus discounts for military, first responders, seniors, industry employees, and birthday celebrants. 120 S Indiana Ave highrollersdispensary.com
RESORTS
“Get stricken by chicken” at Chicken Guy!, opened in July on Resorts ground level. The fast casual eatery can be entered from the boardwalk or hotel. Celebrity Chef Guy Fieri and restaurateur Robert Earl crafted a menu of signature sandwiches, house-breaded, grilled, or gluten-free chicken tenders; sides, and a dozen sauces including Chef Guy’s famous Donkey Sauce, Nashville Hot Honey, and Avocado Crema. The chicken is brined in fresh lemon juice, pickle brine and buttermilk, and infused with fresh herbs. Try a Flavortown shake or handcrafted cocktails like the Guy Tai or Freaky Tiki Rum Punch.
Wet Willie’s mixed frozen drink emporium’s newest AC location sits just across from Chicken Guy!, affording visitors the chance to pair their meal with one of the national chain’s famous blended drinks like “Call-a-Cab,” “Attitude Improvement,” or a signature daiquiri. Fifteen flavors are offered, or imbibers can craft their own customized version. Wet Willie’s first AC location is at The Quarter in Tropicana.
The Boo Bar, a horror-themed pop-up iteration of the casino’s Bar One just off the lobby opens its latest incarnation September 13. Expect appropriately elaborate décor, especially scary drinks, specials, live music, and giveaways.
OCEAN
With all this eating and indulging, guests will appreciate Ocean’s recently revamped Mussels Fitness Center featuring new Peloton machines, an Echelon Reflect Fitness Mirror, all new state-of-the-art equipment, yoga space, and refreshed amenities in “a shrine to wellness for vacationers.” The upscale facelift incorporates greenery, calming colors, and extends the overall ambiance of the resort on 20 oceanfront acres. theoceanac.com
EVENTS
September
Atlantic City Jazz Fest, September 21, Etess Arena, Hard Rock Casino Hotel Smooth jazz greats Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Butler, and Jazmin Ghent combine their substantial talents for a memorable musical evening. Culbertson brings his fusion of jazz, R&B and funk, with Butler and Ghent adding their own dynamic flair in a celebration of creative mastery. theatlanticcityjazzfest.com
October
Atlantic City Comedy Festival October 12 & 13 Boardwalk Hall Arena Tommy Davidson, Turae, and Queen Sommore are among a line-up of over a dozen stand-up acts slated for this two-day laughapalooza. accomedyfestival.com
The Jacksons, Billy Ocean & The Pointer Sisters October 25, Etess Arena, Hard Rock. Superlatives like “Historic!” “Legendary!” and “Epic!” are being used to describe this showcase of iconic talent. The perennially chart-topping purveyors of funk, R&B, classics, and timeless favorites are sure to incite spontaneous dancing. casino.hardrock.com/thejacksons
Halloween Weekend Bar Crawl begins October 26 at the Hard Rock Café off the boardwalk with a 4 p.m. sign-up for “a hauntingly good time” creeping from one eerie venue to the next. Don a costume, or not. Tickets include Halloween swag, digital map, live music and DJs, a costume contest, drink specials, afterparty, and more. pubcrawls.com/atlanticcity
November
Atlantic City Hospitality Fiesta & Cocktail Party, November 19, Noyes Arts Garage, Stockton University The Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey presents a showcase of top hospitality and food purveyors among the facility’s vibrant art galleries, held in conjunction with the annual N.J. League of Municipalities Convention. unation.com/atlanticcityhospitalityfiesta
PRO TIP:
Get to and from your favorite casinos or just take a sightseeing excursion on the year ‘round, all-weather boardwalk trams. To travel between the boardwalk and marina district without moving the car try the street jitney buses. Find the route map at jitneyac.com.
Atlantic City Restaurant Week, Oct. 6-11.
Over 55 restaurants area wide are participating in this year’s Restaurant Week. Three-course prix fixe lunches and dinners are set at $20.24 and $40.24 respectively. Reservations are encouraged. Every casino hotel has one or more eateries participating. Nearby, diners can explore cuisines at coveted spots like Dock’s Oyster House and its sister historic restaurant Knife & Fork Inn, PJ Buckets Seafood in Ventnor, Afghan-French sensation Setaara, the Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall, and the Inn at Sugar Hill in Mays Landing. For the full delicious list and all menus, visit atlanticcitynj.com.
PHOTOS: Laura D.C. Kolnoski Photo Credits: Dusky Pier, Longo’s, Harrah Arcade, Dispensary, Chicken Guy, We Willie’s, Jitneys. PHOTO: Longo’s credit: Bally’s. PHOTO: The Hook Spiegelworld – credit Caesar’s. PHOTO: Hark Rock, Council Oak – credit Hard Rock.