sj magazine best of sj the shore 2014

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Best of SJ 2014 – The Shore

Best Make-Your-Own Donuts

Shore Good Donuts

1211 Long Beach Boulevard

Ship Bottom

609-492-0100

shoregooddonuts.com

We think most people would agree that donuts are a good thing. But when you can select your own

flavors, toppings and icings? That’s a great thing. From simple (glazed with chocolate sprinkles,

perhaps?) to sensational (how about strawberry with cinnamon sugar?), you can’t go wrong. The bakery

also has a rotating menu of specialty donuts that you’ve just gotta try (like pistachio, green apple and

creamsicle).

Best Italian Comfort Food

Mario’s Pizza

1510 Bay Avenue

SJ Magazine: Best of SJ The Shore 2014sjmagazine.net http://sjmagazine.net/2014/best-sj-shore-3/

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Ocean City

609-398-0490

It took a little while for Mario’s to re-open after Superstorm Sandy, but they are back in business and we

are so happy! This Italian nook offers all the Italian favorites you love – chicken Parmesan, ravioli and

some pretty tasty spaghetti and meatballs. It’s so nice to have them back.

Best Bike Rentals

Zippy’s Bikes

3900 Pacific Avenue

Wildwood

609-408-8956

zippysbikes.com

The best way to take in the sights and sounds of Wildwood Beach

and the Boardwalk is by bike. Zippy’s rents bikes and other vacation

necessities like beach carts by the hour, day or week. Grab the

family and choose from bikes of all shapes and sizes (and colors –

we can’t help but smile at the hot “My Pink Cocktail” bike) and get

out on the boards!

Best Secret-Recipe Libation

#1 Tavern

First & Atlantic Avenues

North Wildwood

609-522-1775

supertullynut.com

Only one person knows the secret recipe of the tavern’s signature Super Tully Nut, and he’s not telling.

Mark Tully poured the first cherry-red drink back in 1969, and the potent concoction (it contains five

liquors) has been a summer hit ever since. Don’t bother guessing the recipe, because even if you

happen to be right, Tully won’t tell you.

Best Supplies to Host Your Own

Seafood Feast

Blue Claw Seafood Market


Surf City

609-361-0050

blueclawlbi.com

You might not be able to tell from its humble exterior, but this seafood market has anything and everything

you need for the ultimate seafood dinner. Crab cakes, swordfish, halibut, clams, mahi, mako, chowder,

shrimp, live lobsters – you name it, they’ve got it. Don’t forget to pick up something for dessert. We

recommend the homemade key lime pie.

Best Boutique with a Beach Vibe


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Island Gypsy

901 North Bay Avenue

Beach Haven

609-342-0245

Give your wardrobe a beachy style infusion with a trip to Island Gypsy. Fashionistas will find an

impressive selection of chic dresses, tops and accessories perfect for the cool, laid-back days and

nights of summer.

Best Books for the Beach

The Book Swap

325 Ninth Street

Beach Haven

609-351-0136

bookswapcafe.com

So you just finished your beach read and you’re already looking for something new. Don’t just buy

another book – swap yours. This cozy bookshop isn’t far from the beach, and all you have to do is bring

in a book in good condition and you can swap it for something new. Looking to shop instead of swap?

They also have the latest bestsellers and kids’ books.

Best Dinner on the Deck

2 Mile Landing

Fish Dock Road

Wildwood Crest

609-522-1341

twomilelanding.com

With two large outdoor dining areas overlooking the water and a large menu full of flavorful dishes (they

had us at all-you-can-eat crabs), 2 Mile Landing has the perfect recipe for the quintessential summer

dinner. The casual, family-friendly vibe and live entertainment seven days a week are nice bonuses, too.

And if you time it right, you’ll be able to watch the sunset as you dine.

Best Farm-Fresh Juice

Juice Girl

299 97th Street

Stone Harbor

856-316-2878

facebook.com/sjjuicegirl

Newly opened, Juice Girl is a healthy alternative to all those boardwalk snacks.

Owner Christine Patton is on a mission to bring the farm to your cup, so she’s

making clean, pure drinks with no additives, toxins or GMOs. And the bonus?

They taste good!

Best Way to Catch a Wave

Heritage Surf Shop


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3700 Landis Avenue

Sea Isle City

609-398-6390

heritagesurf.com

Heritage Surf Shop has been keeping the Jersey Shore surf culture going strong for more than 40

years. Not only is the store stocked with a massive selection of new and used boards, surf apparel, and

tons of accessories, you can also book lessons with the friendly and knowledgeable staff. Stop at the

flagship store in Sea Isle, or head to one of the other locations in Ocean City or Margate for everything

you need to hang ten.

Best Fish Tacos

Taco Shop at Quahog’s

206 97th Street

Stone Harbor

609-368-6306

quahogsshack.com

There’s nothing flashy here – a nondescript screen door, some lobster traps for decoration and a small

sign – but the fish tacos are unbelievable. Perfectly grilled and served with a flavorful avocado cream,

they’re heaven in a soft corn tortilla. You can only get them to go, but thankfully there are benches

outside so you can sit down and dig right in.

Best Lobster Roll

Crab and Seafood Shack

4520 Park Boulevard

Wildwood

609-770-8509

crabandseafoodshack.com

There’s a reason the lobster rolls at Crab and Seafood Shack are on this list for the second year in a

row: they’re simply the best we’ve ever had. Each toasty roll is loaded with generous chunks of lobster

that’s been perfectly seasoned and topped with crispy bacon bits. You can’t beat it.

Best Raw Bar

FIN

Tropicana Casino & Resort

2831 Boardwalk

Atlantic City

800-345-8767

tropicana.net

There’s nothing like fresh seafood when you’re down the Shore, and the selection at FIN’s raw bar is

top-notch. Besides sushi and sashimi, you can nosh on goodies like specialty rolls, freshly shucked

oysters and colossal shrimp. The two- and three-tiered shellfish towers are an impressive (and

delicious) site to see.


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Best Boutique Hotel

The Reeds at Shelter Haven

9601 Third Avenue

Stone Harbor

609-368-0100

reedsatshelterhaven.com

It’s a little unexpected at the Jersey Shore – but you’re going to love The Reeds’ upscale and

contemporary accommodations. Chic décor combined with attentive service are the perfect mix to make

your stay first-class. It’s a Shore vacation with some out-of-the-ordinary touches.

Best Crab Cakes

Rio Station

3505 Route 9 South

Rio Grande

609-889-2000

riostation.com

All the locals know Rio Station is the place to go for delicious crab cakes. The family-owned restaurant

has been preparing top-notch crab cakes (they’re tender and tasty) for 25 years. Order them fried or

broiled – you’ll love them either way.

Best Family-Friendly Activities

Congress Hall

200 Congress Place

Cape May

609-884-6583

caperesorts.com

There’s never been so much fun off the beach. Every week throughout the summer, Congress Hall hosts

cool activities the entire gang will love. Get groovy at Tie-Dye Tuesdays, do-si-do on Square Dance

Night, belt out ballads at Family Karaoke or enjoy a sweet evening during the Sunday Sundae Socials.

Best Gluten-Free Fare

Greenhouse Café


Ship Bottom

609-494-7333

greenhousecafelbi.com

All the dishes at this cozy Shore eatery are fresh and heart-healthy, and many are gluten- and trans

fat-free. We recommend you grab a seat in the Greenhouse so you can enjoy the Shore sunshine, then

order the award-winning Manhattan clam chowder and follow up with the delicious brown rice fusilli pasta.

Don’t leave without a gluten-free chocolate brownie!

Best Spa Experience

Immersion Spa


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Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa

1 Borgata Way

Atlantic City

609-317-1000

theborgata.com

Relaxation and the Shore go hand-in-hand, and Immersion Spa at the Borgata is the perfectly tranquil

place to go when you need to melt your tensions away and rejuvenate your spirit. The spa boasts 360

degrees of floor-to-ceiling views of the water. Take it all in while indulging in luxury skin care treatments,

conditioning body wraps and scrubs, and heavenly massages. Relax and say ahhhL..

Best Homemade Pasta

The Ravioli House

102 East Bennett Avenue

Wildwood

609-522-7894

theraviolihousewildwood.com

There’s just something about home cooking – though it’s always nice to have home-cooked meals

served to you by a waiter at a fancy restaurant. All the meatballs, sauces, cheeses and pastas are made

by hand at The Ravioli House. They pride themselves on making everything from their pizzas to their

soups the old-fashioned way. Try the meatballs and cheese ravioli with a glass of red wine, and you’ll

swear it was mom’s cooking.

Best Daytime Pool Parties

The Chelsea

111 South Chelsea Avenue

Atlantic City

800-548-3030

thechelsea-ac.com

We all know there’s great nightlife in AC, but the folks at The Chelsea have made sure you can get down

even when the sun’s up. Every Saturday and Sunday at 11 am, the hotel’s rooftop pool comes alive for a

sizzling party complete with hot food, drinks and a DJ. Grab a group of friends, claim a cabana and get

your fun on.

Best Poolside Experience

Ocean Club Hotel

1035 Beach Avenue

Cape May

609-884-7000

capemayoceanclubhotel.com

Just when you’re thinking the afternoon can’t get any better, a cool

breeze comes through the poolside cabana as you sip your Celtic

Sea Breeze from the bar. You can’t get over your view of the ocean

or how luxurious your room is at this boutique on the beach.


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Everyone knows life is good at the shore, but it’s awesome at

Ocean Club.

Best Vintage Finds for Your Shore House

The Tuckerton Emporium

2 East Main Street

Tuckerton

609-296-2624

Vintage artwork, furniture, candles, housewares and even toys – they’re all located inside this charming

shop. The nostalgic, blast-from-the-past inventory is constantly updated, so you’re sure to find something

you can’t resist every time you visit. It’s also a great place to find unique gifts.

Best Way to Reel in a Big One

Off the Hook Bait and Tackle

989 Ocean Drive

Cape May

609-884-0444

offthehooktackle.com

Before you cast your line, head over to Off the Hook and load up on all the supplies you need. Owners

Chuck and Mary, along with their friendly staff, will make sure you have the right rod, reel, bait and tackle

you need. In addition to their massive inventory, they also host fishing seminars and know all the best

spots to land your prize catch.Best Special-Occasion Dinner.

Best Special Occasion Dinner

The Diving Horse

2109 Dune Drive

Avalon

609-368-5000

thedivinghorseavalon.com

Special occasions call for special restaurants, and The Diving Horse has all the goods – stellar food,

service and ambiance – to make your night an affair to remember. Be sure to make a reservation (ask

for a table on the patio, beneath the romantic twinkling lights) and bring along your favorite wine to enjoy

with your meal.

Best Wedding on the Beach

The Grand Hotel

1045 Beach Avenue

Cape May

609-884-5611

grandhotelcapemay.com

What could be more romantic than a wedding on the oceanfront

veranda at the Grand Hotel in Cape May? Work with their wedding

planners (who make everything easy) to create your dream wedding in


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sj magazine best of sj the shore 2014

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