Atlantic City Restaurant Gala Celebrates 25 Years with 40 Restaurants
March 14, 2008
Celebrate a quarter century of culinary excellence with the 25th Annual The Press of Atlantic City Restaurant Gala on Thursday, April 3. This year's black-tie fundraiser, "Gala Reflections: The Gala Turns 25," will bring 40 of the best restaurants in Atlantic and Cape May counties together for a dazzling feast to benefit scholarships for students at the Academy of Culinary Arts at Atlantic Cape Community College in Mays Landing.The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Atlantic City Convention Center with a cocktail reception featuring hot and cold hors d'oeuvres prepared and served by ACA students. The evening will progress to a dining extravaganza at 8 p.m., showcasing the participating restaurants. Live music by The Melanie Rice Orchestra and an elegant dessert reception orchestrated by Master Pastry Chef Eugen Ess of Trump Taj Mahal will complete the night's events. The Gala is presented by Commerce Bank.
Restaurant Gala tickets are $200 a person and available by calling (609) 343-5674,
625-1111 or 463-4774, ext. 5674.
Restaurants represented at this year's Gala and their signature dishes are:
ANDREA TRATTORIA ITALIANA, Newfield and Sea Isle City
Asparagi al Prosciutto di Parma-Asparagus wrapped in Italian Prosciutto and topped with Sharp Provolone Cheese
ARAMARK, Atlantic City
Lamb Lollipops-Herb Roasted Rack of Lamb with Wild Mushroom and Saffron Risotto finished
with a Cannellini Bean and Tomato Herb Relish, topped with a Roasted Garlic Rosemary Demi Glace
ATLANTIC CITY HILTON CASINO RESORT, PEREGRINES'
Cinnamon Rubbed Australian Lamb Chops, Granny Smith Apple and Cherry Compote, Fried Spinach, Amarone Glacé
BALLY'S ATLANTIC CITY/CAESARS ATLANTIC CITY
Lavender Salt and Pepper Scallops with Pancetta Ribbon, Duck Confit on Crispy Celeriac Tuille,
Patron Silver Cured Copper River Salmon with Huitlacoche, Sweet Corn Blini and a Smoked Ancho Chili Crema
BERKSHIRE GRILL, Egg Harbor Township
Whole Tenderloin encrusted in Panko Bread Crumbs and Black Pepper Crust, topped with an Amaretto Cream Sauce
BOBBY DEE'S ROCK'N CHAIR, Avalon
Pork Enchiladas-Seasoned Hand-Pulled Roasted Pork, Cheddar and Pepper Jack Cheese rolled and baked in a Soft Tortilla Shell served with Black Bean Sauce and Cilantro Lime Sour Crème and Jalapeno
BUDDAKAN, Atlantic City
Hamachi Spring Roll, Sriracha, Ponzo and Shiso
CARMINE'S, Atlantic City
Antipasto
THE CONTINENTAL, Atlantic City
Cheese Steak Slider with Sriracha Ketchup
CUBA LIBRE, Atlantic City
Ajiaco de Pescado-Cuban Seafood Stew of Shrimp, Tuna Belly and Latin Root Vegetables
THE FLANDERS HOTEL, BANQUET & CONFERENCE CENTER, Ocean City
Chicken Mousseline-Breast of Chicken stuffed with a Shrimp and Scallop Mousse topped with Fried Leeks and Lobster Sauce
GALLAGHER'S STEAK HOUSE, Atlantic City
Burger Bar
HARRAH'S ATLANTIC CITY/ SHOWBOAT
Lobster Corndog with Spicy Mustard Pipette, Orange Salt Foam Margarita and Caribbean Style Beef with Plantain and Wacca Wacca Sauce
THE HOUSE OF BLUES FOUNDATION ROOM, Atlantic City
Fire and Ice-Seared Hanger Steak, Tobacco Onion, Cornbread Crustini and Vintage HOB Teriyaki Sauce (Fire), Cuban Style Ceviche, Coriander Crisp, Charred Pineapple Fondue (Ice)
THE INLET, Somers Point
Ahi Tuna Nachos-Ahi Tuna seared rare, Tomato, Jalapeno, Avocado Salad, Cilantro
JOHNNY'S CAFÉ AND BAKERY, Ventnor
Penne Italiano-Penne Pasta with Sautéed Broccoli Rabe and Grilled Italian Sausage tossed in an Aglio Sauce topped with shaved Parmigiano Cheese
THE JP RESTAURANT GROUP, Wildwood
New York Strip Steak with Crab Fondue, Duck Leg Confit with Tomatoes and Olives, King Crab Summer Roll with Indonesian Peanut Sauce
LINWOOD COUNTRY CLUB
Lobster Cocktail
MAMA MIA'S RISTORANTE & CATERING, Seaville and Egg Harbor Township
Cavatelli alla Mama-Homemade miniature Gnocchi with famous Mama's sauce
MANNA, Margate
Paella Manna Style-Shrimp, Clams, Crab, Chicken, Chorizo, Rice, Saffron and Tomato
MOONFISH GRILL, Cape May
Sushi bar
MORTON'S, THE STEAKHOUSE, Atlantic City
Shrimp Alexander-Large Shrimp dusted with Bread Crumbs, baked and served with a White Wine Butter Sauce
THE PALM RESTAURANT, Atlantic City
Palm's Famous Sesame Encrusted Ahi Tuna-Sushi Grade Ahi Tuna encrusted with Sesame Seeds and accompanied with Peanut-Cilantro Sauce, Wakame, Pickled Ginger and Wasabi
PHILLIPS SEAFOOD, Atlantic City
Scallop Tower-Red Bliss Potato stuffed with King Crab and topped with a Blackened Scallop, finished with a drizzle of Infused Basil Oil
RAM'S HEAD INN, Absecon
House Smoked Gravlax Salmon, Black Cod and Pan-Seared Saku Tuna and Black Cod served with traditional accompaniments; Tuna served Peppercorn crusted with Pickled Gingerp and Wasabi drizzle
RENAULT RESORTS, Egg Harbor City
Porcini Dusted Sea Scallop with Uni Risotto
RESORTS ATLANTIC CITY, ASIAN SPICE
Pork and Shrimp Jade Ring Mo Qua-Chinese Fuzzy Melon filled with Shrimp and Pork Stuffing finished with Shrimp Roe and Egg White Cream Sauce
SCANNICCHIO'S & SCANNICCHIO'S II, Atlantic City and Philadelphia
Calamari Gamberi-Fresh Calamari and Shrimp served in a Marinara Sauce with fresh Basil, Parsley and Italian Cheeses served over Penne
SEAVIEW RESORT & SPA, A MARRIOTT RESORT, Absecon
Kobe Beef Shortribs over Creamy Gruyere Grits-Snake River Farms Wagyu Beef Shortribs slow-braised in Howell Mountain Zinfandel and served over Gruyere Grits
SHERATON ATLANTIC CITY CONVENTION CENTER HOTEL
Pork Medallions Glazed with a Mole Sauce served over Beans and Rice
THE SMITHVILLE INN, Smithville
Stuffed Pork Tenderloin with a Portabella Mushroom Gravy served with Vegetable Risotto-Pork Tenderloin butterflied and stuffed with a mixture of Sun-dried Cranberries and Sweet White Corn Bread finished with a Portabella Mushroom Gravy and served with a side of Creamy Risotto
SOFIA, Margate
Shrimp Kataifi-Shredded Wheat Encrusted Fried Shrimp with Avocado Potato Salad and
Belgian Endive in Puff Pastry
SONSIE, Atlantic City
Mini New England Lobster Roll, Fresh Maine Lobster Salad on a mini Buttered Brioche Bun
STEVE AND COOKIE'S BY THE BAY, Margate
Short Rib Slider-Short Rib on a Brioche Roll with Goat Cheese and Tomato Jam
TROPICANA CASINO AND RESORT, Atlantic City
Pepper and Reggiano Crusted Diver Scallop served over a Cheesy Corn Grit Cake with an Avocado Relish and a Roasted Tomato and Chipotle Cream
TRUMP ENTERTAINMENT RESORTS, Atlantic City
Barramundi with Mushroom Risotto, Consommé and Truffle Oil and Seared Scallops, Prosciutto and Cheese Raviolo on Yellow Pepper and Zucchini Coulis
TUCKAHOE INN, Marmora
Crab Cakes
TUN TAVERN RESTAURANT & BREWERY, Atlantic City
Asian Tuna Tartar with Citrus Ginger Vinaigrette-Fresh Ahi Tuna seasoned with Sesame, Soy and Fresh Citrus on Crisp Flatbread with tangy Ginger Vinaigrette
VINCE'S RESTAURANT, Sea Isle City
Bacon Wrapped Shrimp stuffed with Horseradish