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This is a restaurant review
written weekly by veteran restaurant critic Suzin Odlen. Be sure to check back often to
find some of the culinary delights in the Atlantic City area. Also check out our archive
of past reviews I A touch of South Beach comes to the Jersey shore at I Love Lucy's in Margate. For Jerseyites, dining al fresco has always been one of summertime's pleasures. We do have some restaurants that offer outdoor dining but it is always an option. At I Love Lucy's Beach Grille, Chef Domenick Falcione will cook you gourmet delicacies which are served in a totally outdoor setting. People are flocking to Margate's newest oceanfront dining spot and with good reason.
Chef Domenick is one of the area's most acclaimed chefs. A graduate of The Restaurant School in Philadelphia, he went on to open the Little Rock Cafe, changing the name from One Flew Over. He enjoyed a successful run for seven years before selling the restaurant to Gary Pressman. He teamed up with co-owner Anthony De Maio, an Atlantic City native, three years ago to open I Love Lucy's as a daytime venture. This is the first summer that they're serving dinner as well. And what a dinner it is - gourmet food that is reasonably priced with an emphasis on Italian and Asian specialties. I had a father-daughter review meal which was quite a treat. For our first course we made two splendid choices. My father selected Clams Posilippo ($7.00) served in a fabulous broth of tomatoes, herbs, garlic and scallions. We finished an entire loaf of bread dipping it in the sauce and then requested more. We also shared a special of the evening - a Grilled Portabello Mushroom stuffed with lump crabmeat and roasted peppers topped with melted provolone and marinara - a spectacular dish. Other evening specials included Fresh Calamari prepared with soy, sake and lime and Vietnamese Summer Rolls. The regular menu offered Cajun Shrimp, Escargot, Mussels Marinara and a Grilled Portabello with Vinaigrette, all in the $6.00 - $7.00 range. There are many nice salad selections, too, priced from $4.00 for the popular I Love Lucy Salad to $9.00 for Seafood Caesar. There are several enticing pasta specialties, as well, all of them attractively priced. Chef Domenick's dinner specials are guaranteed to please. Zuppa de Pesce ($19.00) featured jumbo scallops, mussels, crabmeat and swordfish in a tomato basil broth. Salmon with Grilled Shrimp ($18.00) over Chinese Shrimp Noodles in a sweet Miso Broth was another good option. Blackened Salmon with Mango Salsa ($16.00) was also available. For meat lovers there was Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb ($25.00) and Surf & Turf ($19.00) featuring a 10oz. N.Y. Strip and one lump crab cake. My father chose a special - Whale Soft Shell Crabs ($19.00) sauteed with garlic, butter, scallions and white wine and enjoyed every bite. After much deliberation, I selected Shrimp Siam ($14.00) which featured grilled marinated shrimp in Thai spices, an excellent choice. All entrees are served with brown rice and a medley of stir fried vegetables. The regular menu offered Crab Cakes ($15.00), Tuna or Salmon ($12.00), Shrimp Stir Fry ($14.00), Chicken Stir Fry ($9.00), a 10oz. N.Y. Strip Steak ($11.00) and Grilled or Pan Fried Breaded Chicken ($9.00). Sweet endings included Tiramisu, White Chocolate Oreo Cheese Cake, Almond Green Apple Cheese Cake, Banana Cream Pie and Chocolate Decadence. We shared a slice of Ricotta Cheese Cake that was wonderful. The service at I Love Lucy's is excellent and our waitress, Lauren, did a fine job at the table. You'll love this restaurant and although it's not South Beach, dining by the ocean will give you a great feeling about Margate. DECATUR & THE BEACH / MARGATE / 822-7268 |
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Lucy's Beach Grille 