The Flying Cloud Cafe - Atlantic City's Best Kept Secret

Mention Atlantic City dining to anyone and they'll tell you all about the great restaurants in the casinos. This is true. Recently AC has lured some big names such as The Old Homestead, McCormick and Schmick and Wolfgang Puck. However there is a perfect little gem situated on Brigantine Bay in North Atlantic City. It's called The Flying Cloud Cafe, named after one of the fastest schooners in the 1800's.

First of all the atmosphere is charming - certainly not what you'd expect in this gambling mecca. Located in a small circle of crafter's booths and restaurants, The Flying Cloud Cafe is isolated from all the glamour and glitz. It's more like a spot in Old Cape Cod or Cape May. Masts sway back and forth, gulls cry as they swoop down on the docks. There is the smell of the ocean here along with the aroma of good food. Of course The Flying Cloud specializes in seafood. My Mom and I had two wonderful dishes. She ordered the fish and chips while I had the broiled crab cake. The portions are generous, The fish doesn't have that usual cloying fishy taste associated with seafood. Her breaded tilapia was sweet and light while my crab meat was delicate and tender. We also received a large side of julienned fries which were perfectly crisp and browned. The Flying Cloud Cafe also gives this awesome cole slaw made with horseradish. This is not the usually sugary stuff but a crunchy mixture of sliced cabbage , dressing and zing. We saw other diners who enjoyed seafood salads and one who had a whole, perfectly boiled lobster.

Usually seafood restaurants have meager desserts. Not The Flying Cloud Cafe . We split a wonderful chocolate cake laden with warm fudge , caramel and walnuts. It was flanked by two chocolate drizzled clouds of whipped cream. This was a decadent end to an already rich lunch.

The Flying Cloud is located at 800 North New Hampshire Ave Number 3. (you can't miss it really),directly to the west of the Atlantic City Aquarium. Don't bother with the car. Take the number 3 jitney over there for a day of relaxation and good food.