NEW HOTEL WITH STARR RESTAURANTS TO BE BUILT ON ATLANTIC CITY ‘WALK; BOOKBINDER’S GETS A NEW NAME. . .

November 2007

Stephen Starr will open at least two new restaurants on the Atlantic City Boardwalk in a luxury property to be developed by Cape Advisors, the company that operates Congress Hall in Cape May.

Information is not yet finalized on a new project that will be the first luxury non-gaming resort hotel to be built on the Boardwalk since the 1960s.

“Nothing is finalized yet,” said Liv Odegard, a spokesperson for the project, which will combine the existing Holiday Inn and the Chelsea Hotel.

“This will be a luxury boutique hotel.”

Callers to our radio show have asked about the project, which will include at least two Starr restaurants. The successful restaurateur opened Buddakan and The Continental on The Pier at Caesars last year.

TAXIN-LESS BOOKBINDER’S CLOSES; NEW RESTAURANT TO OPEN AT CORNERSTONE

The restaurant known as Bookbinder’s, in Linwood’s Cornerstone Commerce Center, is closed as of this writing, and by the time you read this, plans to reopen as a yet-unnamed new restaurant.

With much fanfare, the restaurant space reopened this past Summer as a Bookbinder’s, a branch of the famous Philadelphia facility owned by the Taxin family for many years at second and Walnut Streets. John Taxin, grandson of the original owner, operated the restaurant for about six weeks, according to our estimation, followed by stories in area media of a split between the restaurateur and the landlord.

The restaurant continued to be called Bookbinder’s for several weeks afterwards, although Taxin pointed out he was no longer involved. Issues regarding the split were kept hushhush, as no one on either side of the issue could or would say much.

Taxin told us his lawyer told him not to say anything.

Expect a new restaurant with a new name by mid-November.

The name and the menu will be changed, said Bruce Schilder, the general manager of the Linwood restaurant. “We will round out the menu with more meat items and less seafood.” Schilder had no idea what the name would become.

He also did not know what happened between the landlord and Taxin. “There was some kind of falling out. It was all hush-hush.”

Taxin’s decision to add a shore location met with approval, especially from those who remember the restaurant’s heyday in Philadelphia. It was hoped that the spot would help restore the Bookbinder’s name, and also provide a long-term tenant in a space meant to house an upscale restaurant.

The Cornerstone Commerce Center is an attractive redesign of the former Prudential area headquarters. The cafeteria space was opened as a restaurant, buoyed by the city, which created the first liquor license for the facility.

Originally built for the restaurant known as Savaradio, it opened a few years ago to much expectation with the city’s first liquor license. Owner Lisa Savage attracted many fans to her glamorous new restaurant, but closed to return to her roots in Ventnor.

Salvation Army presents Pre-Thanksgiving dinner... The Salvation Army of Atlantic County, located at 22 S. Texas Avenue in Atlantic City, is hosting it’s traditional Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 from 4 - 6 PM. This Special Pre-Thanksgiving Dinner is provided for those less fortunate, that otherwise would not have a traditional dinner. There is no charge for the dinner. Formica Brothers Bakery has been allowing the Salvation Army to cook their turkeys in their bread ovens since 1990. All 50 turkeys are cooked at one time after their ovens are free in the early evening. The Salvation Army of Atlantic County thanks them for this enormous helping hand, and their way of helping the community. Donations of turkeys and cash are urgently needed. For further information or to make a donation to feed those in need, please call 609-344-0660.

ATLANTIC CITY COUNTRY CLUB HAS LUNCH, DINNER, AND NOW BRUNCH

Atlantic City Country Club has always been known for fine food.

Throughout most of its 110-year history, the facility was a private dining club, offering people in the know a chance to meet and greet others in the know. For most of its life it was owned by the Fraser family, which now operates the Mays Landing Country Club and the Flander’s in Ocean City. The club, known for the origination of the terms “Birdie” and “Eagle,” was purchased by Harrah’s a few years ago, and now has opened the storied dining space to the public.

One of the features of the facility is the crabcakes, made famous by the previous owners, a tradition continued by executive chef Brian Clotworthy, who worked for the Frasers for almost two decades. Clotworthy, who can imitate Doug Fraser’s unique voice after working for him so long, took us on a tour of the new Sunday brunch, which features several culinary stations and an array of delights that equal the best Sunday brunches in the area.

TRENTON AREA RESTAURANTS ARE STRUGGLING OR CLOSING; PETE LORENZO’S ADDS A DECK

Armando Frallicciardi, of Pete Lorenzo’s Café in Trenton, said area restaurants – especially those in the former Italian neighborhood of Chambersburg - have taken a beating for a variety of reasons. “Most in the Chambersburg area have moved out and opened elsewhere or closed for good.” Frallicciardi’s location, across from the Amtrak station “is safe, but business has been poor.” Frallicciardi has built an outside seating area and hopes to enclose it to attract more business.

The Trenton inner city has become more unsafe, prompting many of the region’s families, move to the suburbs, and customers to flee as well.

Two decades ago, Chambersburg had numerous Italian restaurants and an association that advertised and marketed them. That organization is gone with many of the well-known names now opening in nearby Hamilton Township.

ATLANTIC CITY TO HOST WINTER WINE EXPO

Atlantic City will be hosting its first Winter Wine Expo covering sixty days during which you'll be able to attend special wine dinners with wine makers or winery owners and experience unique wines. There will be a number of wine seminars, and all the activities will begin at the end of January 2008 and run to mid March of 2008. I'm hoping to provide a major wine introduction experience like my "45 Minute Wine Expert" seminar for hundreds of people all at the same tasting.

Watch for the first notices late this autumn.

- John J. Mahoney, Ph.D., C.W.E.

MOST DINERS ARE WONDERFUL; BUT THE FEW REALLY IRK HIM

You know what really irks me? Mean and disrespectful customers.

People who come to a restaurant because they know someone will listen to their complaints because they have no one to listen to them at home.

People who complain that their steak is overcooked when they are on their second to last bite. People who snap their fingers at waitpeople from across the room and expect them to jump. People who think that waitpeople are their servants.

We in this, the restaurant industry, work very hard to insure that the customer is happy and satisfied, and even elated at their dining experience.

There's no room for nasty, complaining customers who are that way because they want to be. If you have a valid complaint, fine. We will be happy to listen and do our very best to correct it.

If you complain about your food towards the end of your meal, there is literally nothing we can do about it.

Come on, be nice, enjoy your experience, try something new.

Most diners are wonderful, kind and thoughtful people. It only takes one bad mushroom to spoil the case.

- Neil Elsohn

FOOD FOR THOUGHT OWNER TO OPEN AT LEAST TWO MORE

Robert Sanabria, owner of award-winning Food for Thought in Marlton and Word of Mouth in Collingwood, is opening two new restaurants by the time you read this.

The first, Javier, will be located in the space vacated by the short-lived Salsarita’s on Kings Highway in Haddonfield, and the second will be Word of Mouth of Pitman on Broadway.

Sanabria has made Word of Mouth a dining destination for its new American cuisine and casual chic ambience.

He hopes to do the same at the new Word of Mouth in Pitman. It will be open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. The menu will be similar to the Collingswood restaurant.

The BYOB also will offer alfresco dining during warmer months.

Javier, an 85-seat BYOB, will feature a trendy Continental menu with a mix of steaks, seafood, and pasta entrees. It also will be open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday.

A 30-year veteran of the restaurant business, Sanabria is a native of Bolivia, and graduated from the Culinary Institute of America (C.I.A.) in 1976. Both Word of Mouth and Food for Thought have earned Ed Hitzel’s Award for Excellence.

Sanabria also is looking at expanding his restaurant lineup to include Moorestown and Washington Township.

MAGGIANO’S LITTLE ITALY SET TO OPEN IN CHERRY HILL MALL

Maggiano's Little Italy, the popular Italian “family style” restaurant and bar, will open at the Cherry Hill Mall in November of 2008. Planned for a 17,000-square-foot space, the restaurant will be modeled after the chain’s restaurant at King of Prussia Mall, with a 300- seat dining room, 200-seat banquet space, and 100- seat alfresco dining area.

According to Robert Wahlquist, general manager of the Cherry Hill Mall, Maggiano’s will have its own exterior entrance but will be built adjacent to the mall.

Maggiano’s will open one month after the mall unveils a multi-level parking garage.

Maggiano’s will join Jones and El Vez, two Stephen Starr concept restaurants, at the mall to give upscale shoppers somewhere trendy to eat.

The restaurant lineup also will help the mall compete with the eclectic mix of eateries located at Garden State Park.

Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), is spending $100 million to make the country’s oldest mall over into a destination spot for more than shopping.

JOE PESCE BY JOE TUCKER HAS PLANS FOR COLLINGSWOOD

Look for Joe Pesce, a Mediterranean restaurant with Asian influences, to open soon on Haddon Avenue in Collingswood. Entrees will be $16 to $28.

Owner Robert Liccio and his brother, Chef Joseph Tucker, recently opened Joe Pesce at the site of their former restaurant, Pompeii, on Walnut Street in Philadelphia. Tucker previously owned Joe Pesce in Ventnor, Tucker’s Steak & Seafood House in Somers Point, Joseph’s in South Philly, and Joseph’s on the Avenue.

The Philadelphia Joe Pesce has already received rave reviews for its “fresher, less-formal Italian” menu from The Philadelphia Inquirer. The Collingswood addition to the restaurant lineup will make an already interesting block on Haddon Avenue even more of a foodie’s destination.

DREAM CUISINE MARKET IS NEW IN VILLAGE WALK

New to Cherry Hill’s Village Walk on Route 70 is Dream Cuisine Market & Café. The owners are Vincent Fanari, executive chef at the Plough and the Stars in Philadelphia, and his life partner, Beth Malesich. Dream Cuisine offers an eclectic mix of southern European and American fare for BYOB dining and gourmet takeout.

Housed in the former King of Steaks, Dream Cuisine seats thirty two. Entrees average $20, and small plates are also on the menu.

Dream Cuisine Market & Café is located at 1990 Route 70 East (the Village Walk Shopping Center) in Cherry Hill. It’s open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Reservations are recommended. Call (856) 751-2800.

CHERRY HILL’S EMERALD FISH FEATURES A NEW MENU

There’s a new menu at Emerald Fish in Cherry Hill. The popular spot has added Alaskan king crab legs, and spinach asiago ravioli to keep both adventurous and somewhat traditional visitors happy to feast on the best fare from the sea.

The BYOB has also updated the sauces on some of its popular entrees, such as baked salmon in mustard sauce. It will still be offering its exotic fishes, such as whole bronzino.

Emerald Fish is located at 65 Barclay Farms Shopping Center, Route 70 East in Cherry Hill. The BYOB’s phone number is (856) 616-9192.

CAFÉ BUONGIORNO OPENS ON THE MALL IN CAPE MAY...

Chris Hustor, a native of Bulgaria, opened Café BuonGiorno on the Mall in Cape May. The small and friendly spot offers hearty breakfasts, such as eggs baked in herb-parmesan cream served with gourmet salami and toast, and feta cheese and eggs in phyllo, as well as gourmet coffee and espresso. He also serves fresh gourmet salads, panini and sandwiches for lunch.

Hustor plans to remain open most of the year due to Cape May’s popularity with tourists. “It’s the right place to be. The mall needed a place like mine,” he says.

Café BuonGiorno is located at 414B Washington Street (the Mall) in Cape May. It’s open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

RAMONA’S OFFERS AUTHENTIC HISPANIC FOOD IN CAMDEN

Ramona’s recently opened on Cooper Street in Camden. Owned by Ramona Bregatta, the restaurant features authentic Hispanic food for eat-in or takeout.

Open for lunch Monday through Friday, the homey spot features empanadillas, meat and fish platters served with beans and rice, sandwiches, and tasty sides, such as plaintains, and homemade desserts. There’s also a kids’ menu.

Ramona’s is located at 415 Cooper Street in Camden. For more information, call (856) 361-7133.

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.