The Exotic Side Of Atlantic City

Atlantic City has always been known for it's 'gambling and Jersey shore foods.After all it was the birthplace of the famed pork roll sandwich and salt water taffy.Now it's also being recognized as a sort of capital of Vietnamese cooking.There are now a growing group of Vietnamese restaurants that are becoming visitor favorites. It was an article in Wednesday's New York Times ODining section and was written by Robert Sietsema.The piece features one of Southeast Asia's tastiest dishes ,a soup called pho.THis is a broth with a melange of meats and spices?The broth is beef and star anise are the main overtones.There's also chicken along with scallions and garlic.This is served with noodles and is the perfect alternative to all that boardwalk fare.Some restaurants feature the foods from the Mekong Delta , the southern part of the country and one is hu tie ,a pork broth that also has seafood in it. Atlantic City does have a large Vietnamese population due to the gambling industry.They've hired many immigrants in their casinos so there is a need for this kind of restaurant.Like all Asian owned eateries they are big on family and many cater to those who love home cooking.No overly fancy or rich casino meals here. The stars are some home cooked mealsThere is Tom ram man ,a juicy shrimp grilled in a caramel sauce and cooked in a traditional clay pot along with boa xao luc lac ,This is cubes of beefsteak coated with black pepper and served wrapped radicchio and lettuce.People new to the cuisine could try Bo hue ,a spicy beef soup along with rice noodles. If you're going to Atlantic City fpr a vacation do stop and try any of the Vietnamese restaurants that dot the city.They are refreshing departure from the usual fried clams and pork rolls.Enjoy simple home cooked els after a night of too glamgambling

Foodie On The Road

Guess what, guys? This foodie is going on the road to Atlantic City. I'll be doing just more than gambling. My trusty Mom and I will be sampling the different restaurants at the various hotels and casinos in the area (this includes Brigantine along with North Atlantic City).

We'll be hitting some old favorites like that wonderful dockside eatery by the AC Aquarium as well as some smaller cafes along the Brigantine beach front. we'll also be buying and eating some homemade chocolates and AC's signature treat - salt water taffy. Yum. We'll be stopping in the romantic town of Smithville at the Smithville Bakery to pick up some fresh baked raisin oatmeal cookies and cinnamon bread. There we'll also stop at a branch of the Tomasello Winery for the amazing blueberry wine and Jersey champagne (a favorite at the Camelot White House under JFK and Jackie). Who knows we may run into the Jersey Devil, this state's answer to the Loch Ness Monster.

Don't wish us luck. Just wish us good eating down in this pretty city by the sea.

Liz

PS You'll be getting all new Foodie Pantry entries and reports of the vacation come Friday, August 15th.