The Iron Chef Jose Garces recently opened Yuboka and a Distrito Cantina food truck at Revel.

Jose Garces’ restaurant empire has already made a mark on the Atlantic City scene with three wildly popular eateries inside Revel: Amada, Village Whiskey, and Distrito Cantina. Now diners can add two more to the list. The oceanfront resort recently welcomed two more Garces creations with the addition of Yuboka and the traveling Distrito Cantina food truck.

On Memorial Day, the Iron Chef opened Yuboka—a dim sum and noodle bar concept featuring Asian-inspired small plates to eat in or take out. “After our first successful year at Revel, we are excited to grow our presence in Atlantic City with the launch of Yuboka, adding a unique Asian flavor to the local dining landscape inspired by my favorite dim sum place in Philly,” says chef Garces.

Located on the casino floor, the 36-seat eatery offers flavorful menu items like seafood noodle soup with poached shrimp, crab, Taiwanese barbecue sauce, crispy shallot, and udon noodles, as well as a dish called lion’s head, which consists of Chinese meatballs and cabbage in an aromatic chicken broth with Chinese white flat noodles. The Atlantic City restaurant will also source xiao long bao, or Shanghai soup dumplings from Philly’s own Dim Sum Garden.

Also on Memorial Day, the Distrito Cantina food truck (a brick-and-mortar location is parked inside Revel) made a move to Revel Beach, where it will serve waterfront guests every Saturday and Sunday through Labor Day from 11 am-6 pm. The truck will dish out Garces’ guacamole, tacos, and cold drinks. Cantina Coolers, containing on-the-go packages of snacks and either Corona or Corona Light, will also be available. 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, 609-572-6488

Bally’s Bikini Beach Bar is a beachfront oasis for casino-goers.

Guests at the new Bikini Beach Bar at Bally’s Atlantic City can expect a waterfront party spot offering ice-cold cocktails, an extensive food menu, and a calendar full of free concerts.

“We are rebranded and reloaded, but some things are staying the same, such as the social-spontaneous atmosphere, mega-live music offerings, and of course an uncompromising view of the Atlantic,” says Joe Guinta, senior vice president of non-gaming hotel operations for Bally’s, Caesars, and Showboat Atlantic City.

Bally’s Bikini Beach Bar also boasts a unique lineup of themed nights with daily drink specials. The creative cocktail list includes libations like the Jersey Fist Pump—a mix of Belvedere vodka, Hennessy Black Cognac, Grand Marnier, and fruit juices. With a drink in hand, guests can bask in the sun and also order salads, burgers, wraps, and other snacks from the beach bar’s menu. 1900 Pacific Ave., Atlantic City, 609-340-2000

The Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino welcomes a new nightclub, Haven, this Memorial Day weekend.

The din of slot machines won’t be the only music at Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino with this Friday’s (May 24) opening of Haven, an expansive new nightclub in the recently-renovated Atlantic City casino.

Ke$ha will be the headliner this holiday weekend (May 25 and 26) when Haven welcomes guests to the 12,000-square-foot space, situated two stories below the casino floor. The club is filled with top-of-the-line sound systems, LED panels, and lighting. This all sets the stage for a full summer schedule promising a mix of respected DJs and performers—Havana Brown is also on deck for the Memorial Day celebrations (May 24 and 25). 

The nightlife venue will offer a variety of activities. Guests can let loose on an expansive dance floor, or sit on one of the plush leather banquettes, where they’ll enjoy VIP table service in addition to two full-service bars. Meanwhile, an outdoor space dubbed The Veranda successfully combines casino and nightclub, with slot machines and blackjack and roulette tables, as well as lounge seating around a large fire pit. Huron Ave. & Brigantine Blvd., Atlantic City, 609-340-5111

In addition to daybeds and bungalows, guests can reserve cabanas with bottle service at Revel's HQ Beach Club.

To kick off the much-anticipated Memorial Day weekend, Revel Atlantic City will open the doors to HQ Beach Club, a day-to-night pool party destination on Thursday, May 23. Created by the party experts behind Angel Management Group and EMM Group—who also handle Revel’s HQ Nightclub—the venue will feature all-star DJs throughout the summer season.

Located on the Boardwalk level of the hotel, the club covers a cool 45,000 square feet with the Atlantic Ocean serving as a picturesque backdrop. To complement its two top shelf-stocked bars and ultra-luxe triangle-shaped pool, HQ Beach Club also features daybeds, bungalows, HD TVs, king-sized white beds, couches, an elevated DJ booth, dance floors, and exclusive alcoves reserved for VIP guests. Guests can enjoy bottle service or a cocktail, or choose something off the sizable food menu.

A star-studded lineup of DJs will test the Turbosound system and upscale DJ booth on Memorial Day weekend. Great Britain’s EC Twins start things up on Friday, May 24, while the club welcomes frequent HQ Nightclub headliners Manufactured Superstars and Bambi on May 25. Top-ranked Dutch DJ Armin Van Buuren plays tunes from his new album Intense May 26, and the weekend comes to a close with NYC favorites Boris and Victor Calderon on Monday, May 27. For bungalow, cabana, or daybed reservations, guests are encouraged to visit revelnightlife.com. 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, 609-345-2211

The Fornelleto chef and partner cooks live at The Music Box Theater.

As part of the Savor Borgata Culinary Series, Fornelletto Cucina & Wine Bar chef/partner Stephen Kalt will put on a live culinary demonstration at the Borgata’s Music Box Theater on May 18 (3 pm). With Top Chef Just Desserts judge Dannielle Kyrillos acting as host, Kalt will share his expert cooking knowledge on Italian-American dishes.

Event-goers can expect the same twists on classic Italian cuisine—such as a signature mozzarella bar and specialty Neapolitan pizzas—that Kalt serves at Fornelletto. Guests should be especially excited to see Kalt cook, since his resume includes restaurant debuts across the US, and he has spent most of his culinary career living and traveling throughout Italy and the Mediterranean region. In addition to Fornelleto, Kalt also serves as the chef of Borgata’s casual dining spot, Roma, as well as Caulfield’s Bar and Dining Room in Beverly Hills.

The Savor Borgata Culinary Series is an extension of the Borgata’s annual culinary celebration, Savor Borgata, which celebrated its fifth year in November 2012. Past Savor Borgata Culinary Series chefs have included Geoffrey Zakarian in February, and Bobby Flay is set to host a cooking demo and book signing next month on June 15 (3 pm). Tickets for Saturday’s Stephen Kalt event are $25 each and can be purchased on theborgata.com. 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, 866-692-6742

This June kicks off Artlantic: Wonder’s program of installations and events.

Atlantic City will become something of a large-scale experiential art gallery when Artlantic: Wonder kicks off with a grand opening celebration on June 20, rolling out the first three installments of a $10 million multiphase public art project. Funded by the Atlantic City Alliance (ACA) and the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA), Wonder’s exhibits make use of formerly empty lots around the city and will feature works by internationally acclaimed artists such as Robert Barry, John Roloff, Kiki Smith, and husband-and-wife artists Ilya and Emilia Kabakov, a collaborative work-in-progress to continue into 2016.

The first location, which launched in November 2012, highlights Smith’s sculpture of a woman holding a fawn, surrounded by a constantly changing red landscape, and a playful pirate ship created by the Kabakovs. “Having the ability to curate five exhibitions in as many years is thrilling and daunting,” says Lance Fung, the founder and curator of the art organization Fung Collaboratives. Fung, a former gallery owner, is responsible for international works like “The Beijing Project,” a public art exhibition created to coincide with the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. “It’s curating on steroids.”

But according to Fung, the driving impetus for it all is to “get art to the masses.” The ultimate goal is to take large, underused parcels of land and not only create fully functional public spaces, but also engage locals, visitors, and art enthusiasts to experience art in a nonexclusionary manner. The installations are free and open to the public year-round.

The open, inviting layout at Bella Condominiums.

In the aftermath of last year’s superstorm, the Jersey Shore continues to rebuild as summer approaches. We spoke with Len Scannapieco of Weichert Realtors Asbury Group (524 Pacific Ave, Atlantic City, 609-344-6200; 660 Asbury Ave., Ocean City, 609-398-4400) and Paula Hartman of Prudential Fox & Roach Realtors (9218 Ventnor Avenue, Margate, 609-822-4200) to get a market update.

How is the Shore market currently faring?
LEN SCANNAPIECO: While exaggerated reports on the amount of damage we sustained may have discouraged the interest of buyers who don’t frequent the Shore, it certainly didn’t affect the desire of someone who regularly visits AC to consider a purchase here.
PAULA HARTMAN: There’s inventory now, and people are opening up their wallets and buying, buying, buying.

Have property values been affected?
LS: Property values at Bella Condominiums have actually begun moving up. Our office in Ocean City says that pricing has stabilized there, too, and in some segments the median sale price has increased.

How does the market this year compare to last year?
LS: Being that the period following Sandy was the typically slow winter, it is too early to be certain if and how Sandy will affect the desire for shore property. Considering that a number of properties are not yet returned to service, it will likely result in a tighter rental market.
PH: The amount of rental business we did this year is crazy. We have one yearly rental left and about six people who are interested. It’s an adorable house with an open floor plan, it’s in move-in condition, and it’s priced under $2,000 per month.

What does the future hold for real estate at the Shore?
PH: If you want to be here, now is the time to come. The interest rates are amazing and they’re not going to last forever. We have a great selection and sellers who are ready to deal.

Antica Murrina will raffle off a one-of-a-kind Murano Glass Necklace during Mother’s Day weekend.

At the end of April, Atlantic City’s Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa welcomed refined Italian jewelry retailer Antica Murrina to The Shoppes at The Water Club. The brand offers upscale glass accessories, handmade by highly skilled glass artisans in Venice.

Founded in 1960 by brothers Achille and Francesco Voltolina, Antica Murrina is especially known for employing the ancient “murine” or mosaic glass technique on high-quality Murano glass. The end result is a colorful array of bracelets, earrings, and necklaces in timeless shapes and styles. 

To celebrate Mother’s Day and the grand opening of the new storefront located next to the Vintage Wine Boutique, Antica Murrina will raffle off an exclusive Murano Glass Necklace ($225). Enter to win on May 11 and 12; the winner will be announced on May 12 at 5 pm. 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, 609-317-8888

Boardwalk Wine Promenade attendees will enjoy gorgeous views as they visit various wine stations.

This weekend (May 4-5), DO AC presents the first annual Boardwalk Wine Promenade, created by the Atlantic City Alliance and hosted by James Beard Award winner, Leslie Sbrocco. Taking place along the picturesque Atlantic City Boardwalk, the festival will feature 150 wines for guests to sample, as well as light bites from popular Atlantic City eateries.

The event centers around seven themed pavilions. For a beachy feel, attendees can check out the Sun tent, where they’re offering up crisp white sauvignon blancs and chardonnays. The Thrills tent focuses on playful wines reminiscent of exciting Boardwalk rides and games, while the Chill tent allows guests to relax in an Adirondack chair as they sip on aromatic whites, roses, and reds. Wine connoisseurs and history aficionados should visit the AC Vintage to Contemporary tent for a journey through Atlantic City’s past, glass by glass. Other tents include the Artwalk to honor AC’s arts scene, Sips & Sashes in an homage to the Miss America pageant, and Boardwalk Games as a nod to Monopoly.

Tickets for the Wine Promenade are available for $75 (one-day taster pass) in advance by visiting doatlanticcity.com/wine, or $85 at the gate. For more information call 800-736-1420. Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall, 2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City