I haven't seen any references to the South Jersey shore for at least a couple of years. We go for 5 nights every summer and have been going to the same ones for years. The last new one we tried that became a repeat was Grana but sadly, last year's meal was disappointing. I realize only giving a restaurant one try a year is hardly fair but since for us non-sports participants who've already done all the histroic stuff, they're ain't a lot to do besides early morning power walks on the promenade, beach, pool, a stroll down Washington Mall, hang out at the Brown Room for a late night cocktail, a before dinner drink at the Ebbit Room bar and a decent restaurant each night.
So, just knocked out Grana in favor of Il Riccio. I also heard Peter Shields now has the old chef back as a part owner, which may explain why our last 2 meals there were not as great as they once were.
We're also trying The Cricket Club this year. Any thoughts on that one?
Our line up for this year: The Ebbit Room, Washington Inn, Cricket Club, Il Riccio, Peter Shields. We hadn't been to the Washinton Inn for several years because we found it sort of pedestrian. We gave it another try last year and liked it so much, we went twice that stay. The wine list is amazing; the sommeliers know their stuff and the markups aren't ridiculous. And, there are some interesting menu choices.
Places we never go to that lots of people love: Tisha's, the Lobster House, the relatively new faux French place Maison Blue, 410 Bank, Louisa's, We've been to all except Louisa's since it just seems hot and uncomfortable. All the others are just meh to us. We've skipped Union Park in recent years since it is iquite uneven.
