Restaurant Week Offers a Taste of Ocean City

Joe Angrisani paused briefly at about 3 p.m. Monday afternoon to talk about Ocean City's Restaurant Week—but with the dinner crowds soon to arrive, the owner of Periwinkles Restaurant couldn't chat long.

In just its third year, the weeklong promotion is proving to be a success. During Restaurant Week, participating restaurants offer two-for-one deals from special menus. The week began on Monday and continues through Sunday, June 26.

Angrisani said the event coincides with the start of summer break for most public schools and the first week of "The Big 11," the 11 weeks until Labor Day that make up the heart of the season for most seasonal businesses.

Angrisani said Restaurant Week helps draw in people who are already in town. But he also said he's been getting a lot of calls from people off the island and asking about the special deals at his restaurant on the beach block of Ninth Street.

On its "2 for $22" menu, Periwinkles is offering specials such as "Tilapia Matteo," tilapia fillet broiled and served with diced tomatoes, spinach and olives in a white wine and lemon-butter sauce. The special menu also features selections such as chicken marsala, fried flounder and mussels (red or white).

Angrisani said in the inaugural year in 2009, many restaurants tried to emulate the Atlantic City Restaurant Week with higher-priced three-course meals. But he said the Ocean City visitor market demands more affordable fare and that the local promotion has now established its own identity with the two-for-one specials.

Just down from Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue, is now open for dinner and featuring different specials each night—whole wheat pasta primavera was one of the selections on Monday.

At the at First Street and Atlantic Avenue, diners can sample some of Andrew Yoa's highly regarded fare, including a grilled marinated shrimp Caesar salad, Cajun chicken Alfredo with diced tomatoes over fettucine pasta and smothered pork flat iron.

The Island Grill specials let couples choose one appetizer, two entrees and two beverages for one price. The restaurant also has a five for $25 apiece special.

Restaurant Week includes 30 participating restaurants. For a list and more information, visit eatinocnj.com.