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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 LINDA'S
PLACE If you're vacationing in Ventnor this summer, go where the locals go for their first cup - to Linda's Place on S. Portland Avenue. Linda Atene is a people person and when she greets you at the door of her popular luncheonette, you'll feel right at home. Linda's background is in the service and hospitality industry. She worked at the Garden State Track for many years as assistant to the maitre d' at the Club House. From there she moved to VIP Services at the Sands where her responsibilities included management of the Island Club. When Joanie's Cafe became available two years ago, Linda took advantage of the opportunity to go it alone. Not that she doesn't have help. Both her daughter, Lauren, and her son, Philip, work at the restaurant. Linda's Place opens at 6:00 AM and offers a good variety of breakfast specialties, her most popular being Challah French Toast with bananas and walnuts. For the health conscious, the French Toast can also be prepared with egg whites and egg beaters. All omelettes are made with three eggs and you can create your own, choosing from a good selection of meats and vegetables. The menu states - "special requests, our pleasure." The pancakes are served either Short Stack or Full Stack as well as with eggs, such as the Grand Slam ($5.45) which features two pancakes, two eggs and a choice of meat. There's a good selection of breakfast sandwiches, too, on bagels, English Muffins, toast or Kaiser rolls. The luncheon menu offers deli, burgers, subs, salads and homemade specialties like Broccoli Rabe ($3.95) and a Fresh Roast Pork Sandwich ($4.75). Both the pork and the turkey are roasted on the premises. My dining partner and I shared a Turkey Club ($5.75) and it was delicious. The crisp bacon and ripe Jersey tomato also enhanced it. Our second selection was a Chicken Salad Sandwich on a Kaiser roll ($4.15). Linda told us it was one of her most popular items which is easy to understand. Her chicken salad is as good as it gets and believe it or not, the man at the next table said he's had it every day for two years! All sandwiches are served with a big portion of potato chips and pickles. The salads are priced from $3.25 to $6.50 and include the popular Grilled Chicken Caesar and Antipasto. The homemade soup of the day is another good option. Linda's Place seats eighty people in two dining rooms. She has recently redecorated and the artwork on the walls is a nice touch. This is a friendly restaurant and our waitress, Kristin, was pleasant and accommodating. Linda's Place is open for breakfast and lunch, seven days a week.
4-6 South Portland Ave., Ventnor 822-2477 Serving Breakfast & Lunch Daily 6am - 2:30pm |
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