If you're looking for something more sophisticated than theme restaurants (they are all over the Boardwalk and we can't say they serve exceptional cuisine), take heart. At chic, Tuscan-inspired, and critically lauded Girasole, in the Ocean Club Condos, 3108 Pacific Ave., at Montpelier Avenue (tel. 609/345-5554; www.girasoleac.com), the creative kitchen has a welcoming light touch with wood oven-baked pizzas, excellent carpaccios, pastas, and seafood. Under new ownership, the Knife & Fork Inn, Atlantic and Pacific avenues (tel. 609/344-1133; www.knifeandforkinn.com), in its revamped, iconic Tudor brick structure that once housed a men's club, has a glam charm again, and where better to indulge in old-A.C. classics such as lobster Thermidor?
For a romantic night out with Atlantic City flavor, head to Lefty's 1200 Club (tel. 609/348-5677), an old-style supper club featuring terrific Italian cuisine, seafood, and steaks served by a friendly staff. Housed in a historic 19th-century building, the club sports an elegant Renaissance theme and features live music in the nightclub in back.
The casual Tun Tavern Brewing Company, at the corner of Baltic and Michigan avenues (tel. 609/347-7800; www.tuntavern.com), serves upscale pub grub and first-rate microbrews in a festive, modern setting. For the city's best Mexican food, head to the appropriately named Mexico, 3810 Ventnor Ave. (tel. 609/344-0366), which features a stellar seviche, reasonable prices, a colorful dining room, and several Mexican beers on tap.
The best casino dining is unquestionably at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in the Marina District. A few other standouts are also worth mentioning. Cuba Libre (tel. 609/348-6700; www.cubalibrerestaurant.com) in the Quarter at Tropicana combines a cool old-Havana decor with spicy seviche, guava BBQ ribs, gaucho steak, camarones (shrimp) enchiladas, and the most refreshing mojitos this side of Miami; there's even salsa dancing to work off the flan. The Palm (tel. 609/344-7256; www.thepalm.com), also in the Quarter, draws a high-rolling, high-heeled, Armani-wearing crowd who like their caricatures on the walls -- and consistently great porterhouses the size of a Louis Vuitton handbag. Capriccio, the Italian jewel at Resorts (tel. 609/344-6000), has received Zagat's award of excellence for its array of pastas, seafood, and specialties such as osso buco. The dining room is particularly romantic and offers views of the Atlantic.
The Irish Pub & Inn, just off the Boardwalk at 164 St. James Place (tel. 609/344-9063; www.theirishpub.com), is a true Atlantic City gem. It's appealingly old-fashioned, with friendly service and hearty fare that's the best cheap eats in town (nothing over $6.75). Rooms above the pub are also a steal: Rates range from $25 to $80 a night. And no Atlantic City visit is complete without a visit to the famous White House Sub Shop, 2301 Arctic Ave. (tel. 609/345-8599), where you will stand in line (so worth it!) for one of its legendary and immense sandwiches -- you will be in good company, as everyone from presidents to celebrities has sought out these yummy creations.
