Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Photo Highlights from Official Taste of #AtlanticCity #RestaurantWeek Exclusive Preview Event @BorgataAC #DOAC

Atlantic City Restaurant Week Ice Sculpture at Exclusive Preview Event held at Borgata Atlantic City
Above: Atlantic City Restaurant Week Ice Sculpture at Exclusive Preview Event held at Borgata Atlantic City
With things finally looking more like Spring in my neck of the woods I thought I would share a reco for those of you wanting to shed that 'cabin fever' and find something foodie and fun to do to lure yourself out the bat cave!

I had the chance to hit an Exclusive Preview Kickoff Event for Atlantic City Restaurant Week at the Borgata in Atlantic City and thought I would share the photo highlights from the event and give you the lo down because you are not going to want to miss this!

From March 6th - March 12th, participating restaurants from the best of Atlantic City's culinary scene will offer three-course lunches for $15.14 per person (plus tax and gratuity) and three-course dinners for only $33.14 person (plus tax and gratuity), check out the Atlantic City Restaurant Week Website for more info.

Here are my Photo Highlights:

Welcome To The Official Taste Of Atlantic City Restaurant Week Exclusive Preview Event Event Center The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
Above: The Preview Event was held in the Event Center of The Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa

Table Setting Welcome To The Official Taste Of Atlantic City Restaurant Week Exclusive Preview Event Event Center The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
Above: I knew there would be an interesting backstory to these tables, and I was right, at the end of the evening the 'table decor' was donated to a local food pantry. I loved the clever way that they incorporated the donations into the table settings. 'Decor with a cause' gotta love that!

Restaurants (in the same order the room was set up from front to back):

Il Verdi Restaurant, Tropicana Casino and Resort will be participating in Atlantic City Restaurant Week
Above: Il Verdi Restaurant, Tropicana Casino and Resort will be participating in Atlantic City Restaurant Week, you can check out their exclusive to Restaurant Week Menu HERE

Cavatelli Bolognese prepared by Il Verdi Restaurant, Tropicana Casino and Resort
Above: Cavatelli Bolognese prepared by Il Verdi Restaurant, Tropicana Casino and Resort

Lobster Bisque Shooter from Fin Restaurant, Tropicana Resort and Casino Atlantic City
Above: This Lobster Bisque Shooter from Fin Restaurant, Tropicana Resort and Casino Atlantic City was creatively staged by me to nab this killer shot! Check out FIN's Restaurant Week Menu HERE

Tropicana Resort and Casino FIN Restaurant Head Chef, Demetrios Haronis
Above: Tropicana Resort and Casino Restaurant Chefs hamming it up for the press cameras! Far Left, FIN's Head Chef, Demetrios Haronis - read more about him HERE or HERE (press where it reads 'meet the chef')

The Melting Pot Atlantic City New Jersey Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Above: The Melting Pot offered Chocolate Covered Strawberries - their proximity to Tanger Outlets aka "The Walk" in Atlantic City make it the perfect place to pop in after a grueling afternoon of shopping while in Atlantic City! Check out their special Restaurant Week Only Menu HERE

Vic & Anthony's Steakhouse, Golden Nugget Atlantic City
Above: Vic & Anthony's Steakhouse, Golden Nugget Atlantic City served up Caesar Salad (gotta get those greens in!) And can I just add just how much smiling, happy chefs make me happy?  Check out the Restaurant Week Menu HERE

Grotto Restaurant, Golden Nugget Atlantic City
Above: Grotto Restaurant, Golden Nugget Atlantic City served us 'Arancini Balls' and I couldn't resist getting a close up of them, see below:

Arancini Balls prepared by Grotto Restaurant, Golden Nugget Atlantic City
Above: Arancini Balls prepared by Grotto Restaurant, Golden Nugget Atlantic City - this photo might just be 'award winning' just saying.....(and you know Golden Nugget has been featured on Ascending Butterfly often - they are always nice to us bloggers! Look for past coverage HERE and HERE and HERE) - You can check out their Restaurant Week Menu HERE

Lillie's Restaurant, Golden Nugget Atlantic City
Above: Lillie's Restaurant, Golden Nugget Atlantic City offered a very simple but sweet dessert! I wish they had brought us the sushi they are so famous for though! I haven't had the chance to try Lillie's yet but would like too, this dessert was a fun start! You can see Lillie's Restaurant Week Menu HERE.

Sammy D's Restaurant, Harrah's Atlantic City
Above: Sammy D's Restaurant, Harrah's Atlantic City, you can check out various menus for the restaurant HERE

Hell's Kitchen Season 14 Winner Chef Meghan Gill presents Mini Beef Wellington a specialty of Gordon Ramsey Pub & Grill at Caesar's Atlantic City
Above: Hell's Kitchen Season 14 Winner Chef Meghan Gill presents Mini Beef Wellington a specialty of Gordon Ramsey Pub & Grill at Caesar's Atlantic City. Check out their Menu HERE

Sashimi Tuna Tacos Guy Fieri's ChopHouse, Bally's Atlantic City
Above: The Sashimi Tuna Tacos were FANTASTIC! I dug the laid back approachable vibe and now I really want to check out the restaurant the next time I visit AC! Like me, most of the folks we shared a table with went back up for more of these, they are totally addictive! I only wish I could have met Guy in person and thanked him for these! Check out the menu for Guy Fieri's ChopHouse, Bally's Atlantic City HERE

Nizam's II Authentic Indian Cuisine
Above: Nizam's II is a second location that is a short distance away from Atlantic City right off the Garden State Parkway where you can enjoy Authentic Indian Cuisine check out their Restaurant Week Menu HERE we got to taste their Dahi Puri, Chicken Seekh Kebab Dish

The Historic Smithville Inn of Smithville, New Jersey prepared a Braised Short Rib Quesadilla and served it with honey chipotle aioli
Above: The Historic Smithville Inn of Smithville, New Jersey prepared a Braised Short Rib Quesadilla and served it with honey chipotle aioli, you can check out their Atlantic City Restaurant Menu for Lunch and Dinner HERE

Breadsticks Restaurant at Resorts Atlantic City
Above: Breadsticks Restaurant at Resorts Atlantic City will also be offering a Restaurant Week Menu which you can peruse HERE (sorry I can't be more chatty but this is my least fave restaurant not only at Resorts but in Atlantic City as a whole, I am hoping that things there have drastically changed since my last visit)

Prime Rib from Gallagher's Steak House at Resorts Casino
Above: Prime Rib from Gallagher's Steak House at Resorts Casino, you can check out their Atlantic City Restaurant Week Menu HERE

Prime Rib from Gallagher's Steak House at Resorts Casino
Above: I love that Gallagher's Displayed the Prime Rib with an assortment of Wines ready for pairing!

Broadway Burger Bar from Tropicana Resort and Casino in Atlantic City served up Pan Seared Salmon Served with Mashed Potatoes
Above: The team at Broadway Burger Bar from Tropicana Resort and Casino in Atlantic City served up Pan Seared Salmon Served with Mashed Potatoes, while only Il Verdi and FIN are doing something official for Restaurant Week you can check out Broadway Burger Bar's Menu HERE (you may remember them being featured on Ascending Butterfly in December of 2015 when I attended the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Tropicana, they hosted the Press for a bite to eat afterwards, if you missed that coverage see it HERE)

The Twenties Restaurant at Claridge Hotel presented Meatball Al Forno
Above: The Twenties Restaurant at Claridge Hotel presented Meatball Al Forno, check out their full Atlantic City Restaurant Week Menu HERE

The Academy of Culinary Arts, Atlantic Cape Community College served up Roasted Cornish Game Hen with Farro Pilaf and Dates
Above: The Academy of Culinary Arts, Atlantic Cape Community College served up Roasted Cornish Game Hen with Farro Pilaf and Dates, Fancy!

Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa who prepared Smoked Duck with Fresh Vegetable Lumpia
Above: Last and certainly not least, not to be outdone was the event venue host - Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa who prepared Smoked Duck with Fresh Vegetable Lumpia in the most adorable 'mini pails' - you can check out which of their restaurants are participating and their respective menus HERE

#DOAC Cupcake 2016 Atlantic City Restaurant Week Dessert
Above: There was an amazing Dessert Bar and you know I had to get creative with my cupcake staging!

Above: So many great sponsors were involved in bringing the event together, my tummy can't thank them all enough! :)

MY TAKE:

Not only is this is a great way to 'eat your way through Atlantic City', but it gives you the chance to experience fine dining at many popular venues well below cost! I can't say enough about the dishes I got to try and I got to experience a few other amazing things during this trip that I will share later this week. 

Tomorrow check out my post where I share a full tasting experience with the menu items offered from FIN Restaurant at Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City! (Many of the items are on the Restaurant Week Menu by the way!)

I am also going to share about the Tropicana Winter Wine Festival this week as well so stay tuned my foodie and 'spirits' loving friends, there is much more in store!

Which of the above Restaurants is calling your name? Are you going to hit Atlantic City Restaurant Week this week? If so, please share your finds and picks! Do you love prix fixe menus too?

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FTC Disclosure:  This is NOT a monetarily compensated Post, passes to the Exclusive Preview Event were provided for Editorial Consideration. All opinions are 100% my own! I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

34 comments:

  1. That sounds like such a fun event. I love food sampling events like this :)

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  2. This was a great post and I love all the pictures. Thank you for sharing

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  3. That looks like it was a great time. I would have gained 10 pounds there.

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  4. What a great event. All the food looked delicious. Fresh vegetable lumpia is one of my favorites!

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  5. This looks like a great event to attend. The Melting Pot is one of our favorite restaurants.

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  6. OHH I would love to go to this! I bet that food was awesome!

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  7. Looks like a great event and a fun way to step out of a boring food comfort zone and try a little of everything, it all looks like it was delicious!

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  8. I go to a few events similar to this in Dallas. I love being able to try a variety of food in one place! So much fun.

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  9. This looks like a great time! I want those chocolate covered strawberries!!!

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  10. I love food events like this. It looks like it was awesome! That lobster bisque looks good.

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  11. Wow, it looks like you were at an awesomely fun and delish event. Would love to go to something like this in Chicago.

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  12. What a great event! I love how you can 'tour' the cities best restuarants in one room!

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  13. YUM! I love trying tastes and samples from different restaurants since it feels like a mini culinary tour. This looks like my type of event.

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  14. I have not been to Atlantc City but this sounds like the way to do it! You do some really fun events!

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  15. Now this looks like a fun and yummy way to get taste several resturants fare at one shot( My fav. is Fin love their food and service is top notch !)Great pictures Guest I know where I'll be heading !!! Love your reviews please keep them coming !!!!

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  16. Forget gambling! The food is clearly reason enough to visit Atlantic City!

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  17. I’m happy to see you enjoying such fan events. I haven’t been in Atlantic City before. Thanks for the info.

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  18. Wow those chcherried covered strawberries looked so good. I'll have to try making some.

    It sounds like you had a gtreat time. Plus, you got to sample lots of goodies.

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  19. Wow what an event! Looks pretty amazing. All that food is seriously calling my name. Awesome. - Jeanine

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  20. Mmmmmmm!!! Those chocolate covered strawberries really got my attention!

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  21. Everything looks delicious but I would love to try the aranceni balls! I have never been to Atlantic City.

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  22. That sounds and looks absolutely amazing - what a fun event! Of course, were I to attend something like this, I'd need to bring my extra-loose drawstring pants for the ride back home. ;)

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  23. Ooh...that looks like a fun time. I'm getting hungry just looking at all that food.

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  24. Such a great event and all the set-ups was really organized, love the food

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  25. Eeeek everything looks so good. Looking at those pictures is getting me hungry. I love trying new cuisines and recipes.

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  26. I could watch chefs cook up their magic all day! How neat to watch all of the demos!

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  27. Oh, I am jealous! I would love to try all those things, especially from Guy Fieri's ChopHouse.

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  28. I would love to attend something like this. I am a huge foodie person. All of the food you shared looks SO good!

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  29. That is just the event that I need to get me out of my cave lol So many different food! Wow I would be in heaven!

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  30. The lobster Bisque is FABULOUS! Although Atlantic City isn't what it used to be, she still has some delicious foods.

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  31. That sounds like such a fun event to attend! I love me some Chocolate Covered Strawberries!!!

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  32. I love the table set up, and the food looked amazing! My in laws live in Georgia, and my husband's aunt caters some events for Spelman and Morehouse. I will have to see if they went!

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  33. Ummmm can we say most fabulous event EVER! Once I saw melting pot was there omg.... Wish I was there lol

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  34. Ohhh I'd be going here for the food! It looks to die for!

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