Special Pizza City: Princely Pies
The Tri-State area has literally thousands of pizza places, each one claiming superiority over the next, but if you’re in Egg Harbor Township you’re not likely to pick up a better slice than the ones at Special Pizza City. Atlantic City Magazine has voted it both best Sicilian and both vegetarian slice three years running, so start there. The Sicilian is a treat, with a thick, toothsome crust topped with a savory and sweet sauce. The vegetarian is topped with a panoply of fresh ingredients that all meld together perfectly. Slice prices are super reasonable as well, so you’re guaranteed to go away with a full belly and a full wallet. If you’re not feeling like pizza, Special Pizza City also offers decent hot wings and some surprisingly good sub sandwiches. You’ll want to get your meal to go, though, as the inside of the restaurant can get hot on sweltering Jersey Shore summer days.
Special Pizza City
3003 English Creek Road
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
(609) 641-5500
http://www.yelp.com/biz/special-pizza-city-egg-harbor-township
Yianni’s Cafe: Fresh Mediterranean Cuisine
Yianni’s Cafe is a charming spot for a delicious meal. Opening at 6:30 am every day and staying open for dinner, Yianni’s welcomes patrons during their lunch breaks, for sit-down dinners, or for re-fueling on caffeine and a snack during a long day. Chef and owner Yianni hails from the Greek island of Crete and brings his Mediterranean sensibilities to the cafe’s bright decor and its fresh, flavorful menu. Their breakfast offerings include popular bagels with various toppings and fresh fruit pancakes, while lunch includes a mix of American and Greek cuisine such as burgers, salads, sandwiches, and Greek entrees like gyros and souvlaki. Dinner features extended pasta and meat entree options along with Greek specialities like Crab Cake Santorini, Seafood ‘Aphroditi,’ and Greek Salad.
Yianni’s Cafe
841 Asbury Avenue
Ocean City, NJ 08226
(609) 391-1113
http://www.yelp.com/biz/yiannis-cafe-ocean-city
East Bay Crab: Crack Some Shells
The Atlantic City area is famous for exceptional seafood, and one of the best places to sample the bounty of the sea is at Egg Harbor Township’s East Bay Crab. When you walk in, you’ll immediately be greeted by a cordial and friendly server who will get you seated and give you a piping hot loaf of excellent house-made bread and a dipping sauce made from olive oil, malt vinegar, scallions, tabasco and cilantro. It’s a great way to start your meal. When you get to the entrees, don’t miss the crabcakes. They’re made from incredible fresh lump crab, delicately breaded and fried, and they’re spectacular. Other dishes that draw praise from regulars include the lobster bisque and the coconut shrimp, but it’s all good. Drinks from the bar are nice and strong and prices are very reasonable. Portion sizes are absolutely huge, making it a popular spot for families with children, and it can get pretty noisy on busy nights.
East Bay Crab
6701 Black Horse Pike
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
(609) 272-7721
http://www.yelp.com/biz/east-bay-crab-and-grille-egg-harbor-township
Berkshire Grill: Flame Grilled
If you’re in the market for a truly spectacular steak, the Berkshire Grill in Egg Harbor Township is widely regarded as one of the best steakhouses in the county. Established in 2000, the restaurant has delivered on their promise of the finest ingredients, expertly prepared and perfectly served in a classy, stylish environment for over a decade. The appetizer menu is extensive, with some of the best options being the incredible crab tower, which folds tons of succulent lump crabmeat into avocado, diced tomatoes, and onions with onion straws and warm, fresh tortilla chips, as well as the delicious Asian pot stickers. For entrees, the obvious choice is the steaks – Berkshire Grill serves only USDA Angus beef, cutting each steak in-house to maximize flavor. They cook every cut to order, and nobody ever complains about receiving a steak that is over or under-done. They’re also happy to handle special orders and more, and the staff is incredibly professional.
Berkshire Grill
6105 Black Horse Pike
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
(609) 272-8808
http://www.yelp.com/biz/berkshire-grill-egg-harbor-township
Reb Lobster – 4 Course Meal $14.99
For a limited time, Red Lobster is offering their four course meal at $14.99. Meal includes Soup, salad a choice from 7 entrees and dessert.
Blackbird Dining Establishment: An Eclectic Menu with Award-Winning Gnocchi (Best of Philly 2009)
A small, upscale, BYOB located in Chef Alex Capasso’s hometown of Collingswood, NJ, Blackbird Dining Establishment offers French/Italian cuisine with hints of fusion influence. Sporting a metro modern décor, Blackbird is open for lunch and dinner and offers an eclectic menu with a variety of exciting options—including a handmade gnocchi dish that won Best of Philly 2009. Blackbird’s dinner menu also includes other homemade pastas like linguini and polenta ravioli, as well as heartier favorites like pan roasted rack of lamb served with smoked mozzarella risotto, a coriander and rice crusted tilalpia, and a juicy Wagyu beef burger loaded with applewood smoked bacon, gorgonzola, caramelized shallots, and morel mushrooms. There are special events sprinkled throughout the year, so check out the calendar so you don’t miss Restaurant Week and other great dining deals. The restaurant also supports sjgreendining.com, as it is an environmentally sustainable restaurant.
Blackbird Dining Establishment
619 Collings Avenue
Collingswood, NJ 08107
(856) 854-344
www.blackbirdnj.com
Crabby’s: Mays Landing Seafood
Seafood lovers have been flocking to Crabby’s in Mays Landing for years, and one meal here will tell you why. This Maryland-style crab house wins raves year after year from the local press, and for good reason: they serve up humungous amounts of delectable fresh seafood, prepared simply but effectively, at great prices. The year-round fresh blue crabs – never frozen – are pulled from the nearby Atlantic waters and can’t be beat. They also offer Dungeness, snow crab, and Alaskan king crab as well if you’re looking for something a little more exotic. Head in on weekends for the house special “he-crab” soup, a spin on the mid-Atlantic delicacy that has regulars raving. Wednesdays and Sundays offer a great all you can eat meal deal, but be warned: you’re going to have to clean your crabs yourself on those nights, as the kitchen is always slammed. If for some odd reason you’re here and you don’t like seafood, they also make a variety of pasta dishes and even some steaks that are capable.
Crabby's
1413 Boulevard Route 50
Mays Landing, NJ 08330
(609) 625-2722
http://www.yelp.com/biz/crabbys-mays-landing
A Touch of Italy: Egg Harbor Township Italian Cuisine
A Touch of Italy is an incredible high-quality Italian restaurant that elevates the cuisine to a whole new level with luxurious dishes. We’re talking gorgeous lobster tails broiled in garlic, oil, fresh herbs, and bread crumbs, amazingly succulent and satisfying, along with exceptional eggplant rollentine, fresh pastas, and more. The entire menu is worth trying, with not a dud on the list, but some other dishes that regulars recommend include the tender manicotti, stuffed with creamy ricotta and mozzarella, as well as the delicious clams on the half shell. Many people claim that A Touch of Italy is the best Italian restaurant in the Atlantic City area, and it sure has an army of devotees filling up tables just about every night. Prices are a little expensive, but it’s worth it given the quality of the food and service. Leave room for dessert, as more than one diner has raves for the delicious strawberry crumble.
A Touch of Italy
6629 Black Horse Pike
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
(609) 646-1855
http://www.yelp.com/biz/a-touch-of-italy-egg-harbor-township
Seasons 52: A Tasteful Wine Bar With Calorie-Conscious Cuisine
An upscale American grill and wine bar, Seasons 52 offers incredibly delicious, yet healthy food that will surprise and delight guests. Boasting that every menu item is less that 475 calories, Seasons 52 manages to provide above-average sized portions that are extremely tasty. The Flatbreads are a must-try, similar to a very thin crust pizza and a great way to start your meal. The rainbow trout and pork tenderloin make delicious (and nutritious!) entrees, as well as one of the entreé salads full of the freshest seasonal vegetables. Seasons 52 has even dreamed up the perfect, health-conscious way to finish your meal: try one of the "mini indulgence," shot glass-sized portions of favorites like Old Fashioned Carrot Cake, Rocky Road, and Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse. Four seasonal menus, with some updates weekly, rotate throughout the year, each drawing upon locally grown, in-season produce. Seasons 52 also offers 100 wines, 60 by the glass, to encourage wine tasting and exploration, including a selection of organic varietals. With a dark wood and high-ceiling interior complete with fireplaces for cold winter nights, Seasons 52 is a relaxing place to kick back and enjoy wine and healthfully delcious food.
Seasons 52
2000 Route 38
Suite 1145
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
(856) 665-1052
www.seasons52.com
Island Grill: A Family Affair
Island Grill is truly a family run restaurant, with Yoa family members manning the stove, the hostess booth, and the catering services. Founded in 1996, Island Grill has retained a high level of care and customer service since day one because of this unique family collaboration. The open, comfortable interior exudes a relaxed ambiance for a solo lunch or a family dinner. When the weather’s nice, you can sit on the patio and enjoy the ocean breeze while snacking on seafood. The menu changes every season to reflect the freshest catch. Typical items you’ll see on the menu include classic appetizers like fried calamari and mussels with red sauce, hearty soups like wild mushroom and crab bisque, and seafood-loaded salads. Entrees include pasta dishes, fresh seafood like jumbo clam strips, and other kitchen specialities. They now offer catering, as well.
Island Grill
100 Atlantic Avenue
Ocean City, NJ 08226
(609) 391-9616
http://www.yelp.com/biz/island-grill-restaurant-ocean-city
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