Dining Spots for Travelers in Margate, New Jersey

Originally known as South Atlantic City, Margate City's growth was spurred in 1881 when the railroad came through and "Lucy the Elephant," a restaurant-hotel, was built. Named after a seaside town in Kent, England, Margate is located on Absecon Island, sandwiched between Ventnor City and Longport, with Atlantic City a short ride away through Ventnor.

Our three-day Fourth of July trip got off to a rocky start when I backed up to take a picture, tripped on some ornamental bricks and fell, twisting my right leg so badly I hobbled the rest of the weekend. This severely limited our activities, but we made the best of it, my husband Ron and I and our friend Bill dining at Johnny's Café and Bar that evening for dinner.

Johnny's offers "Italian cuisine with an Asian flair," and is not for those on a budget. They do have free parking across the street, which is a major plus because parking is at a premium. I wasn't completely taken with Johnny's, but did enjoy the "outdoor café" atmosphere. Their menu is comprised of gourmet pasta and seafood dishes, veal, chicken, pork, and steak topped with crabmeat. I found the shrimp in my appetizer to be overcooked, but Bill's Crispy Calamari was exquisitely done. Our entrees were prepared well, again, except for the toughness of the shrimp in my grilled seafood combination and Ron's lobster in his Surf and Turf. Bills' Seafood Lasagna was creamy and tasty and filled with shrimp, scallops and tilapia, and the filet mignon portion of Ron's Surf and Turf was well done, to his liking. I would not return to Johnny's for dinner because I don't think any meal is worth $152 for three people.

I would try them for breakfast or lunch. Their breakfast menu includes omelets with roasted potatoes and bread, Eggs Benedict, Steak and Eggs, a large pancake selection and even a fish platter. Prices range from $5.95 to $14.95. Lunch includes a large selection of salads and sandwiches, including crab cake, filet mignon cheesesteak, sausage and melts, ranging from $8.95 to $13.95. Johnny's Café and Bar, 9407 Ventnor Avenue, Margate, NJ, 609- 822-1789. Website.

The next night, we went to JoJo's Pizzeria and Restaurant, a few minutes ride from Johnny's in Ventnor. Our meals there included manicotti, ravioli and clams and spaghetti, which were delicious and served promptly. The bill was much less than we'd paid the night before, five of us eating for $110. We didn't sample the pizza, but it appeared that the crust was crispy, and the cheese and toppings ample and fresh. They also offered Stromboli and pasta dishes, plain and with chicken or seafood. I'd highly recommend this place for casual dining and reasonable prices. JoJo'sPizzeria and Restaurant, 6501 Ventnor Ave, Ventnor City, NJ; Tel: (609) 822-6475.

On our last day, we visited Bella Luna and Lucy's Beach Grille, located next to Lucy the Elephant. Built in 1881, Lucy is the oldest example of zoomorphic architecture remaining in the United States. Lucy was pretty sad looking back in the late 50s and early 60s when I was a child, but we were still fascinated by her, and we were instructed to "go to the elephant" if we got lost. Lucy is again open for tours after being moved to a new location in 1970 and painstakingly restored. You can enjoy dinner in her shadow at Bella Luna.

Bella Luna Dining, 9200 Atlantic Avenue, Margate, NJ 08402-2449; Phone: (609) 823-6473: Bella Luna is an outside plaza, with a great view of the ocean and Lucy, and offers live music on Thursday nights. Its menu includes chicken, pasta, beef, seafood and vegetarian, and a children's menu. Ron had the Orechetti, sautéed broccoli rabe with Italian sausage, and pronounced it "not Mom's, but the next best thing." My Jumbo Sea Scallops grilled with Garlic Spinach were superb. Prices range from $19 to $27, excepting the Bison Steak and Filet Mignon, which are over $30. Visit this link for more menu details.

Lucy's Beach Grille, adjacent to Bella Luna, offers burgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders and salads for lunch, and fries, onion rings, fruit, churros, soft pretzels and water ice for snacks. Prices range between $3.25 and $7.

I may not have been able venture into the waves of the Atlantic due to my injury that weekend, but at least I was well fed!

Sources: Personal experience; Lucy the Elephant website