Sails closes: Falcione/Demaio looking at AC...

March 2007

Sails Restaurant in Somers Point closed for good on Sunday January 21st. The eclectic, excellent restaurant on the bayfront was forced to close when the owners of the property suddenly raised the rent, explained co-operator Domenick Falcione.

Falcione said the new rent was “ridiculous” and promised “We will probably do something somewhere else.”

He added that he and his partner, Anthony DeMaio, will continue to operate the Beach Grill adjacent to Lucy the Elephant in Margate “for the next three years. We have a three year lease.”

He said the owner of the building which housed Sails, plans to close for two months for renovations, and might rent “to another operator. I’m not sure. We thought we would be there through next summer. I do know one thing. I am going to St. Bart’s for fifteen days.”

Falcione and DeMaio attracted culinary attention with the Beach Grill, then opened Mojo in Margate, and appealed to a younger hip crowd with its eclectic atmosphere and food. They created a sensation with their operation at Sails, which replaced a well known but tired landmark, The Waterfront.

The structure was completely rebuilt, and attracted the younger hip crowd the pair hoped for, but it competed with Mojo, which was closed and sold last year.

“This came out of nowhere,” the Sails chef, John Merlino, told us. Merlino also had been the chef at Mojo, and will now open his own restaurant in Ventnor called Manna (more on that next month.)

Falcione said the restaurant operators were already looking for another location, one in Atlantic City: “We are looking to keep going. Look for us somewhere else, before you know it, before the summer at least.”

ROBERT IRVINE STARS IN DINNER IMPOSSIBLE; WORTH YOUR TIME ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

We are proud of Robert Irvine for his work on Dinner Impossible, the Food Network show in which he stars on Wednesday nights. We’ve known Robert for several years, through his executive positions at several Atlantic City Casinos, have featured Robert on our radio and television shows, and consider him a friend. Our suggestion is that you watch his television show, not because we like him, but because you will.

The premise of the show is this: He and his staff get last minute instructions to prepare a meal under literally impossible circumstances. For example, on opening week, he was told he had to prepare a meal for the upper management of the Philadelphia Eagles. He had only a few hours, no food and no cooking equipment. His location: In the parking lot of the stadium before a game, among the notorious tailgaters, their grills, beer and provisions.

Robert is quite himself in the two episodes that aired the fourth Wednesday in January: creative, funny, hard working, demanding, glib, tough, and talented at throwing together disparate ingredients, resulting in delicious and visually attractive food. It was great theater watching Robert and his staff begging and cajoling tailgaters for their sausage and cooking equipment.

We are also impressed that Robert has been loyal to his staff and friends, including George Galati, currently at the Carriage House in Galloway Township, and George Kralle, at Resorts, where Robert is also employed.

BOBBY CHEZ EXPANDS AGAIN...

Robert Sliwowski, also known as “Bobby Chez, the crabcake king,” is expanding his chain of takeout Bobby Chez Seafood Specialties locations. His new location will open in the spring at the site of the vacant Wawa where Hurffville-Cross Keys and Tuckahoe Roads meet in Washington Township.

The new addition will feature crab cakes, seafood, and rotisserie chicken, as well as Bobby’s signature side dishes, including velvety macaroni and cheese.

Sliwowski currently operates five Bobby Chez establishments, in Mount Laurel, Cherry Hill, Collingswood, Margate, and Voorhees.

The first Bobby Chez opened in 1995 in Voorhees. For more information on Bobby Chez Seafood Specialties, visit bobbychezcrabcakes.com

GLASER FAMILY BUYS BAYARDS...

The Glaser Family, who have been making candy for five generations, recently purchased Bayards, the venerable candy maker with stores in Pennsauken, Cherry Hill, and Cinnaminson. The Glasers also own James Salt Water Taffy, Fralinger’s and Shriver’s at the shore.

Frank Glaser and his son, Kevin Glaser, are overseeing the operations at Bayards. They renovated the factory and store in Pennsauken, and are keeping the old fashioned way of making candy that James Bayard Kelly started in 1937. The Glasers purchased Bayards from James Kelly’s son, James Kelly.

BRUNCH TRAIN DEBUTS FROM RICHLAND; FIRST DEPARTURE 11:30 A.M. ON MARCH. 24th...

The Cape May Seashore Lines will begin the first in a series of dining trains on Saturday morning March. 24th. Departure from Richland is at 11:30 a.m.

The ride will include a multicourse meal prepared by award-winning chef Darryl Harmon, who is also vice chairman of the Professional Chefs Association of South Jersey.

Coordinator of the dining series is J.D. Griffin, who promises an entertaining day with great food.

“This will become a regular feature of the Cape May Seashore Lines,” Griffin said, “We plan a series of dining trains, and will keep the public apprised of our plans.”

Price and arrival time for the initial rides are undetermined. For more information and tickets, contact Griffin at (856) 292-6480.

All aboard!

OLIVE IS NOW SWANKY BUBBLES...

Olive Restaurant and Bar, located on Evesham Road in Cherry Hill, is now Swanky Bubbles Champagne Bar and Restaurant.

Olive, which was in business for nine years, was known for its martinis and upscale atmosphere.

Vince and John Frankowski, the brothers who own the popular Swanky Bubbles Champange Bar and Restaurant on Front Street in Philadelphia, took over ownership late last year, and have created a late night destination spot for those who love upscale pan-Asian fare and intriguing drinks, including specialty sakes, martinis, champagne cocktails, and sparkling wines. The setting is sexy and hip, with the warm glow of candles and Asianinspired art and accents.

“The opportunity was represented to us from someone we have been doing business with for years, and this area was definitely in need of something other than a chain bar/restaurant,” says Vince Frankowski.

Swanky Bubbles corporate chef Raul Bacardo, a Johnson and Wales University graduate, will oversee both kitchens. The menu, called Bubblicious, is designed to be shared. Highlights of the menu include shrimp tempura, the calamari and sushi sampler, imperial filet mignon, and miso glazed Chilean sea bass. The entire menu is available until 1 a.m. every day. Small plates are $9 to $22, and larger plates are $14 to $25.

The establishment also offers a mix of private event options, including a covered outdoor deck that can accommodate 70, and a second floor lounge for cocktail parties.

Swanky Bubbles Champagne Bar and Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, and for brunch and dinner on Sunday. The bar is open from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. daily. It’s located at 482 East Evesham Rd. in Cherry Hill’s Short Hills Town Center complex. For more information, please call (856) 428-4999 or visit www.swankybubbles.com.

COUPLE OPENS GREEN APPLE; MOORESTOWN BISTRO HOLDS 100...

A new bistro has arrived in Moorestown. The Green Apple Bistro opened on Main Street at the former site of the Bagel House and Stiles Pharmacy. The owners, a Russian husband and wife team, Seth Bugayev and Eve Merlin, operated The Chef’s Kitchen for five years in Cherry Hill.

They moved to Moorestown to expand. The Chef’s Kitchen could only seat 26; the Green Apple Bistro can accommodate 100 diners. The couple also had many customers from Moorestown, and the new location is a perfect fit.

The menu features fresh, healthy fare all prepared from scratch in-house. Highlights of the menu include lobster macaroni and cheese, crepes, cous cous, chicken Caesar salad, and panatone French toast for Sunday Brunch. The eclectic menu offers something for everyone for a moderate price.

Entrees include pasta, chicken, steak, lamb, fish, vegetarian, and seafood choices. The Green Apple Bistro also offers catering services both on-site and off-site.

The Green Apple Bistro serves lunch from 11am to 4:30pm. Monday through Friday, and dinner 4:30pm to 9pm. Monday through Friday. On Saturdays, it’s open for lunch and dinner from 11am to 10pm. There’s also Sunday Brunch from 11am to 3:30pm. For more information, please call (856) 778-9008.

TIME OUT IN OAKLYN IS NOW FAMILY OPERATION...

Time Out in Oaklyn is now Catch it Grog N’ Grill, a family restaurant and bar. The large restaurant and bar features wings, nachos, pot stickers, and other bar fare, as well as homemade soups, sandwiches, wraps, ten different burgers made with certified angus beef, and seafood, steak, pasta, pork, baby back ribs, and chicken platters. Entrees are $10.99 to $19.99.

There’s also a kids’ menu, which includes an entrée, soda, and dessert for $5.25.

The restaurant hosts specials Monday through Thursday. Monday is pasta night; Tuesday is pizza night; Wednesday is prime rib night; and Thursday is wing night. Sunday is kids night, and happy hour is every day from 4 to 7 p.m.

The bar area features billiards, darts, karaoke, and hi-definition televisions.

There are also beer glasses, tshirts, sweatshirts, and other memorabilia to purchase and many special events in which to participate, including a shuffleboard tournament, wiffle ball tournament, and “bring your kid to party day.” Catch it Grog N’ Grill is located at 110 White Horse Pike in Oaklyn. It’s open for lunch, dinner, and late night snacks Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. For more information, please call (856) 858-5599 or visit its website at catchitgrogngrill.com

FLYING FISH TO MOVE PLANT...

Residents of Cherry Hill will no longer have a beer that hails from their hometown. Flying Fish Brewery, located in the industrial park off of Olney Avenue in Cherry Hill, plans to move to a five-acre spread in Burlington City. The new location will be accessible by the River Line, New Jersey Transit’s light rail system along the Delaware River. The site used to be a munitions factory.

The move will allow the brewery to triple its current capacity of 10,000 barrels. Founder Gene Muller started Flying Fish on the web in 1995.

It has become very popular with beer lovers both near and far. The brewery has been in Cherry Hill since its inception, and will continue to offer tours of the site, with beer tastings at the end, in its new location.

BENIHANA GETS A NEW LOOK...

Benihana, a Southern New Jersey fixture for the past 25 years, recently underwent a facelift. After closing for a few months in the fall, the Pennsauken dining destination reopened in November with an updated look. The redesign is part of the 41-year-old Benihana chain’s strategy to drive frequency with its “dinner as theater” concept, one that Benihana began decades ago.

Designed by WD Partners of Columbus, Ohio, the new layout features a 20-foot high blacked-out ceiling, jutting wood beams, and a stained concrete floor. Gone are the blond wood and minimal décor on a continuous carpeted space. The new restaurant also is broken up into several areas: a round sushi bar, semiprivate booths, a red spirits dining room, a blue energy room, and a large bar.

Future changes are also expected in the kitchen. Benihana plans to add more freezer and storage space.

Benihana is located at 5255 Marlton Pike in Pennsauken. The phone number is (856) 665-6320.

OWENS PUB IN NORTH WILDWOOD WARMS UP A COLD, RAINY, WINTER DAY...

There were not many places to dine on a rainy, windy weekday in North Wildwood, so after trying three closed restaurants, I called Jim Barnebei, owner of Marie Nicole’s in Wildwood Crest, for a lunch recommendation. He sent me to Owen’s Pub in North Wildwood, where we found excellent crab bisque, with a delicate crab flavor, and with a helpful thickness that was not overwhelming. Numerous crab chunks made it an almost perfect chowder. A delicious Greek salad, more like an Italian antipasta, with marinated peppers, topped off the meal. Good pick, Jim.

HARRY GLEASON, OF DANIEL’S ON BROADWAY, IS NOW WORKING IN HARRAH’S KITCHENS

Harry Gleason, former owner of Daniel’s on Broadway and operator of Dogtooth Grill in Wildwood, is now working at Harrah’s. Gleason, whose cuisine at Daniel’s on Broadway won many awards and the attention of the Food Network, was bought out by his partner at Dogtooth Grill. He will be involved in the casino’s new waterfront project. Gleason sold Daniel’s last year. It is now the Moonfish Grill.

CHEF MIKE BLASZCZYK PROUD OF SON RYAN, CENTER FOR RUTGER’S FOOTBALL TEAM

Mike Blaszczyk is justifiably proud of his son Ryan, who will be the starting center for Rutger’s University’s football team next year.

Rutger’s made national headlines for its excellent season in 2006, culminating in a bowl game victory over Kansas State. “He’s six four, two ninety, with 12 percent body fat,” said dad proudly. “He’s as solid as a rock.” Mike is now the executive chef at PTG Restaurant and Catering in Roxboro, Pa. He was executive chef at Ristorante Cristina in Haddonfield for two years.

Jim Angarola is the new chef at Ristorante Cristina in Haddonfield. He owned Rocca in Ocean City and then later in Sewell. He was also, for a time, chef at Pinziminio at the Village Walk Shopping Center in Cherry Hill.

CORRECTION: CASA DEL DOLCE IN OCEAN CITY HAS NOT BEEN SOLD

We published an item in a recent newsletter that Casa Del Dolce in Ocean City was sold. The item was incorrect. The restaurant has not been sold, according to owner Tony Buto. The potential buyers had approached the Buto family about selling, but no sale transpired...I had never been to a Macaroni Grill, but visited one last month, somewhere in Pennsylvania near New Hope, and could not help but be impressed at the textures, flavors and quality in a bib lettuce salad, honey balsamic chicken and sausage tomato soup. Service seemed nervous, but otherwise professional and alert... We dined at Morton’s Steakhouse at Caesars in Atlantic City, where the slogan is, “the best steak anywhere.” Our rib eye was damned good, but Peter Luger in Brooklyn is still the best... Romanelli’s in Seaview Harbor Marina, Egg Harbor Towship, is closed and will not reopen under the current management. The owner and the marina condominium board could not agree on renovations, so Rick Romanelli will concentrate on his proposed extensive banquet facility on Ocean Heights Avenue, Egg Harbor Township... Thanks to Len Varvaro of Canal’s Berlin for his invitation to a wine dinner he sponsored at Filomena’s, Berlin. The wines were interesting and the food was very good... Mike Mellon, former consultant with several restaurants in New Jersey, including Mac’s in Somers Point, is now in Greensboro, N.C., where he plans to open a restaurant. “The area is thriving,” he told us. Meanwhile, Mac’s, which closed for the winter, is expected to reopen in the spring. Mac’s was purchased and remodeled by new owners last year; it is generally agreed that they spent too much money rehabbing the project...We had an impressive meal at Cork in Westmont. Owner Kevin Meeker, who also owns Philadelphia Fish and Company, is looking to open at another location in southern New Jersey. Meeker was the founder and original owner of the Los Amigos restaurants.

Ed Hitzel is publisher of Ed Hitzel's Restaurant Magazine as well as Ed Hitzel's Restaurant Newsletter. He is also host of "Table for One" radio show, heard Saturdays from 10 am to 1 pm on Newstalk 1400 WOND. You can access information about Ed Hitzel enterprises at edhitzel.com For more information about Ed Hitzel publications call 609-909-9755.