Long-time Atlantic City breakfast and lunch spot Gilchrist’s new digs at Gardner’s Basin
On the waterfront: Gilchrist’s new location.
ATLANTIC CITY — Of all the various genres of dining, breakfast and lunch service is what this writer most admires.
Having owned and operated an establishment of that nature for half a decade, and been employed by Cape May County’s behemoth Uncle Bill’s Pancake empire for several years, I appreciate a well-run a.m. eatery more than the average consumer.
In fact, I could sense instantly upon entering A.C.’s legendary Gilchrist Restaurant that this place would more than live up to advance billing.
With a locale few restaurants anywhere can match, the charming little shack sits at a dead end of Rhode Island Avenue in Atlantic City’s Gardner’s Basin.
Hugging the water, facing spectacular bayfront homes, one might guess this neighborhood to be Margate or Longport.
But it’s the other end of Absecon Island, the extreme northern outposts, once one of this region’s most prestigious places to live.
Service was amiable, quick and knowledgeable enough to answer my dining partner’s questions — most regarding possible substitutions — without returning to bother the kitchen.
She ended up sampling their vegetable omelet — mushrooms, green peppers, tomatoes, onions and spinach. Bearing all the indications of pan, rather than griddle preparation, the yellowy, half-moon of ovum was puffy and delicate. But it was still hearty enough to convey that conglomeration of gently softened fillings without sacrificing structural integrity. Nice.
A healthy pool of grits with cheese served as starch, rather than home fries.
This is another unique touch at Gilchrist; I know only a handful of joints serving this essential southern breakfast element.
As for myself, I couldn’t pass up their famed blueberry pancakes. As promised, they were of the light, crepe-like style. This thin, simple batter served as a pleasant vehicle for plenty of healthful berries. Despite being out of season locally, the juicy, purple gems were surprisingly fresh and exploded with flavor.
Along with those ‘cakes, I also opted for an egg platter. Specifically two eggs OM (over medium, in kitchen-speak) home fries, rye toast and grilled bologna.
Yes, you read that correctly. Grilled bologna.
If you grew up of Italian ancestry anywhere in the northeastern U.S. you know whereof I speak. If not, listen up.
Harvest Market on Route 9 vends sandwiches, pizzas, grilled items, salads and extraordinary baked goods — specifically, bagels. Big, puffy rounds in about a half dozen varieties, including an absolutely out-of-this-world sunflower seed version that you are unlikely to encounter at many other places.
(We don’t want to alarm you, but in the time you’ve been reading this, the stock market dropped 500 points ... Ok, it’s back up 350 points. Whoops, down again.)
Secretariat was one of the greatest race horses ever, maybe even the greatest race horse ever (with apologies to Man O’War). Secretariat still holds the records for the fastest Kentucky Derby and fastest Belmont finish 37 years later. Big Red, as he was nicknamed, was the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 25 years when he did it in 1973.
My early festival experience has been invigorating, especially on day two.
For first-time restaurateur Gene Martinelli, Atlantic City’s Latitude 39 represents the logical combination of his two livelihoods and passions.
Gilchrist Offshore Restaurant Address: 734 West White Horse Pike, Cologne. 965-3433. Menu: This family owned and operated restaurant brings home-style food to the table, serving classic, American di...
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