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.
Grabel's
Restaurant & Lounge
is
one of Atlantic City's most popular spots. Doris and Harry Grabel
opened the business twenty-eight years ago and have developed a steady
clientele that feels at home here. Chef Lou Macera came on board three
and a half years ago and has made Grabel's one of the premier places
for fine dining. Mark Grabel, a son, showed us their new upstairs
banquet facility for 100 people. This is a great room for a party and
they should do well here.
We
started our meal by sharing an order of Steamed Baby Clams ($6.95)
served in one of the best broths we've ever tasted. It was prepared
with roasted red peppers, leeks, garlic, white wine and fresh basil.
Other good starters included Grilled Shrimp ($7.95) on a bed of
braised spinach drizzled with lemon basil oil, Grilled Eggplant
($4.95) topped with marinated plum tomatoes and mozzarella, Sweet
Roasted Peppers & Fresh Mozzarella ($5.95) and a Grilled
Portabello Mushroom ($6.95) topped with grilled red onions, roasted
peppers and goat cheese on a bed of greens in a balsamic vinaigrette.
The special appetizer of the evening was Mussels Arribiata ($5.95) in
a spicy marinara sauce.
The
house salad at Grabel's is delicious. It's made with seasonal baby
field greens served with a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. The salad
plates are chilled; a nice touch. The menu also offers Caesar Salad
and Crabmeat and Artichoke Salad. Bread-lovers will enjoy the warm
sesame loaf followed by a basket of garlic bread. The soup of the day
was split pea. Minestrone was also available.
The
menu included a pleasant selection of entrees priced from $10.95 to
$21.95. They're served with a choice of pasta, garlic mashed potatoes,
roasted red bliss potatoes or wild rice. The vegetable of the evening
was fresh broccoli.
I chose
the Duck ($17.95), a Grabel's house specialty served in a flavorful
sauce laced with anisette. It was served with a crisp skin, as
requested, and was an excellent choice. My dining partner selected a
special of the evening - Steamed Red Snapper ($19.95) topped with a
generous portion of clams in a tomato leek broth. She was thrilled
with her selection and said the fish was fresh and delicate. The other
special sounded fabulous as well - a 12 oz. Grilled Ribeye ($17.95)
topped with Sauteed Rock Shrimp in a Scampi Herb Sauce. Filet Mignon
and Black Angus New York Strip were also available.
The
menu also includes a host of chicken and veal dishes. There are pasta
selections, too, and one sounded better than the next. Crab Rosé
features jumbo lump crabmeat sauteed with wild mushrooms in a spicy
blush sauce tossed with fusilli. Grabel's also offers a nice variety
of seafood dishes. The Black Peppercorn and Herb Encrusted Tuna seemed
like a good option. It's topped with a sweet red onion marmalade.
Other good choices included Grilled Salmon, Jumbo Shrimp and Crabcakes.
We
passed on dessert but that's not to say we weren't tempted. Sweet
endings included Tiramisu, Cherry Cheese Cake, Chocolate Pecan Cheese
Cake, Mississippi Mud Pie and Tartuffo.
Grabel's
provides an intimate atmosphere, attractive prices, great service and
the food is consistently excellent.
3901
Atlantic Avenue Atlantic City · 344-9263
FREE
PARKING
