BACK TO GOOD COOKING...

November 2007

It seems an obvious concept... a chef can make all the difference in the world at a restaurant. So, I want to personally welcome back George Galati, corporate chef, who returned to the Gourmet Italian restaurant in Galloway Township earlier this year.

When I first moved to Atlantic County in late 2000, one of my favorite dining rooms was the lovely Tuscanthemed eatery. It was beautifully decorated and had an interesting, diverse menu.

However, within a year that had changed with Galati’s departure.

The food was then inconsistent for quite some time. One time it would be very good, and another time it was only mediocre. Plus, service was often spotty at best.

So, I was delighted to learn that Galati, who had supervised the kitchen in its early days, had returned after a stint with the casinos and on television with Chef Robert Irvine. I have eaten there a few times since, and I can say that the Gourmet Italian has recaptured its culinary glory days.

The menu’s pages are filled with interesting combinations of both casual and more formal food items. Plus, the prices are reasonable, and the ample portions mean that there is only more to enjoy.

My only complaint is the lighting and the print on the menu. It’s a double whammy if you happen to be seated in a middle booth like I was on my last visit. The lighting is dim and the small print makes it quite difficult to read the menu without some help, especially for those of us over forty.

So, ask to be seated in one of their lovely booths or tables under direct light. Or, bring your own magnifying lighted glass like I will next time I visit there, which will be very soon.

SHOWTIME AT HOUSE OF BLUES

Have you ever gone to a concert and sat up in the “nosebleed section”? In other words, you were seated so far away up in the balcony that the celebrity seemed like a stick figure off in the distance. Well, you may not get to sit in the front row, but the seats at the House of Blues at the Showboat casino in Atlantic City will allow you to actually see the act. No matter where they are, it is close enough to view the stage. There are also video and television screens throughout the balcony area and on the walls, so that you can watch everything from every angle. It is a very good venue for live entertainment.

I recently went to my first show at the House of Blues. For all the “Curb Your Enthusiasm” fans out there, it was an evening with Susie Esseman, Jeff Garlin and Richard Lewis. Each performed separately on the small stage, and although I was in the center balcony, I had a very good view of each.

The seats have cup holders on the armrests since there are both upstairs and downstairs bars. Servers also work the room.

Showboat has a walkway that connects to the Trump Taj Mahal. We wanted to try “Plate,” the new casual restaurant at the Taj’s Spice Road retail corridor. The décor is sophisticated and the mood is upbeat. I ordered a $10 grilled vegetable pizza, which turned out to be large enough for two. The food is quite good and reasonably priced. Huge wine portions were also very affordable.

CHOW DOWN FOR “CHUMP CHANGE”

As your holiday shopping charges begin to add up, you will still want to enjoy an evening out that doesn’t break the bank. Beginning November 10th, extending through December 29th, the Hilton will offer its Cornucopia Buffet for $9.99 every Saturday. The buffet tables will include the same food items served for $21 from Sunday through Friday.

NEW NAME AND A NEW MENU

Look for a name and menu change very soon at Bookbinder’s in Linwood’s Cornerstone Commerce Center. A staff member told me that the new menu is expected to feature more continental dishes instead of a predominantly fish and seafood selection. Prices will be reasonable.

In the meantime, they’ve got a great Happy Hour special from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. when they serve several items and drinks at greatly reduced prices. Watch this column... I’ll give you the whole rundown once the changeover has occurred.