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

 A Time for Wine II customers can shop for upscale spirits from fine wines to Patron.

Caesars AC’s premium cigar, beer, and spirit outlet, A Time for Wine II, welcomes author Frank J. Ferry for an exclusive book signing and wine sampling on April 19 (7-9 pm) to celebrate Ferry’s new book Nucky: The Real Story of the Atlantic City Boardwalk Boss. The book examines the life of political racketeer—and infamous Atlantic City personality—Enoch “Nucky” Johnson.

In addition to a meet-and-greet with the author, the recently opened store will offer guests a special wine sampling featuring their exclusive Nucky’s Boardwalk Red and Nucky’s Speak Easy Reserve. Avid readers and AC enthusiasts will also have the opportunity to purchase autographed copies of Nelson Johnson’s novel, Boardwalk Empire.

“I think it is exciting to have ‘Nucky’ [the wine] meet ‘Nucky’ [the author],” comments Janet Markowitz, one of the owners of A Time for Wine I, II, and soon-to-be III.

A Time For Wine II is located on the second floor of Caesars Atlantic City, and offers an expansive collection of cigars, craft beers, upscale liquors, and quality wines. 2100 Pacific Ave., Atlantic City, 609-449-8921

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The Palm’s fresh surf and turf complete with a full lobster and strip steak (pictured) or their lobster special for two, are good ways to celebrate seafood week.

 

Oyster shooters complete with Grey Goose Vodka, horseradish, Old Bay, and housemade Tabasco Bloody Mary Mix are on offer at FIN.

 

Guests at FIN can also sip on a unique lobster martini complete with an Old Bay-dusted rim and a fresh Maine Lobster Claw.

 

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From April 14-20, Tropicana Casino & Resort will host the first-ever Seafood Week with fine dining specials and exclusive drinks from some of Atlantic City’s top dining and nightlife spots.

Kick the celebration off on April 15 (12:30 p.m.) at Tropicana’s Palm Walk, where diners can indulge in FIN’s delicious lobster bisque while enjoying hands-on exhibits from Atlantic City Aquarium’s touch tank. Guests can also partake in an “Under the Sea”-themed Zumba class hosted by the fitness experts at Tilton Fitness.

Spend the remainder of the week visiting some of Tropicana’s most popular restaurants like The Palm, Carmine’s, Cuba Libre, Il Verdi, and P.F. Chang’s. The Palm boasts a special that’s sure to lure every lobster lover in—a four-pound Nova Scotia lobster for two served with soup, salad, and two individual sides ($99) is available throughout the week. Casual dining spots within Tropicana’s quarters, including A Dam Good Deli, Fiesta Buffet, Seaside Café, Zeytinia, and more will also be participating with shrimp, surf and turf, and sushi offers.

Drink specials at select Tropicana venues will be toasting seafood, too. Anthem is mixing up a Swedish Fish Martini (April 17-20), while the bar at FIN will feature oyster shooters and a unique lobster martini made with chilled Grey Goose, lobster essence, spicy tomato, and consumme, garnished with an Old Bay rim and a fresh Maine lobster claw. For more information or to make reservations, visit tropicana.net. 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, 1-800-345-8767

The scene at last year's Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival.

Celebrating its eighth year, the 2013 Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival returns to the Atlantic City Convention Center April 5-6, but AC’s top venues are kicking up the celebrations with beer specials available before and after the big event.

Start the festivities off early on Friday, March 22 (6 pm) by attending the Beers, Brews & Birdies beer tasting and dining experience at the Atlantic City Country Club. Expect menu items like a dessert of honey and beer pecan pie with cinnamon ice cream, complemented by Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter. ($49 tickets can be booked on accountryclub.com or by calling 609-236-4465.) If you’re heading into town for the beer festival weekend, indulge in the Atlantic City Beer Week Kick Off Dinner at Caesars’ Mia on Thursday, April 4 (7:30 pm). A six-course meal includes dishes like bacon beer breads accompanied by Yards ESA, and cherry beer cake with pint pretzel served alongside Weyerbacher Merry Monks. ($115 tickets can be booked by calling 609-343-2357 or emailing ddetitto@caesars.com.)

The festival itself encompasses an array of beers from over 90 different breweries, such as Pennsylvania’s Victory and imported brews like Chimay. Musical acts run the gamut, with Rusted Root, The Bouncing Souls, and Reverend Horton Heat acting as headliners. (Tickets are $56 at the door, $51 in advance on acbeerfest.com.) Attendees should also expect demonstrations from local chefs, talks from beer personalities and brewers, food vendors, apparel for sale, and more. Beer aficionados can take advantage of exclusive rates during the convention at the official host hotel, Bally’s Atlantic City.

The party continues after the weekend is over with a beer dinner featuring Brooklyn Brewery at Caesars’ Mia (Wednesday, April 10, 7:30 pm), a five-course menu with Tuckahoe beer pairings hosted by Gary Monterosso at Phillips Seafood at The Pier Shops of Caesars (Wednesday, April 10, 7 pm), various food and beer exclusives at Harrah’s (April 4-April 12), and much more.

Celebrating everything culinary, Atlantic City welcomes the fifth annual Restaurant Week from March 3 to March 9. Seventy-nine of the shore’s most popular restaurants will be offering prix-fixe menus starting at $33.13 for dinner and $15.13 for lunch. Here are three of our favorites.

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The Quarter at Tropicana
Located in The Quarter at Tropicana, The Palm Atlantic City will offer diners a choice of seven entrees from their carefully curated prix-fixe lunch menu. Dig into the Nova Scotia lobster BLT, jumbo lump crab cake sandwich, and “A Spin on a Philly Classic”—a USDA Prime New York sirloin steak sandwich with roasted peppers and onions in a sour cream horseradish sauce. Or, visit the restaurant during dinner hours for standouts like the Burgundy wine braised beef brisket and lobster bisque. For a different dessert, order the root beer float and cookies, a combination of Harp’s root beer, warm chocolate chip cookies, and vanilla ice cream in a rich chocolate sauce. For reservations, call the restaurant at 609-344-7256. 2801 Pacific Ave., Atlantic City

 

Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City
At The Steakhouse within Harrah’s Resort, enjoy appetizers like a California roll, Steakhouse chowder, or sumptuous salads. For entrees, the award-winning eatery will feature meaty mains like a 10-ounce NY steak plated with roasted cipollini onions and crimini mushrooms, and a Frenched chicken breast in a port wine demi sauce with mushroom duxelle stuffing, served alongside five-grain rice. Meanwhile, pescetarians should look forward to barramundi served with arugula risotto in Riesling butter sauce. No matter what you choose, cap your dinner off with a dessert like crème brulee, lemon meringue tart, or the NY-style cheesecake. For reservations, call The Steakhouse at 609-441-5575. 777 Harrah’s Blvd., Atlantic City

 

Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa
The Borgata's Wolfgang Puck American Grille will showcase its signature contemporary American cuisine in the restaurant week dishes. Some notables include honey crisp apple salad, market vegetable minestrone soup, pan-roasted Atlantic salmon, and a red wine braised beef short rib complete with sweet pepper romesco and Parmesan polenta. Finish your meal off with either the warm melting chocolate truffle cake or the 15-layer carrot cake with ginger ice cream. For reservations, call the resto at 609-317-1000. 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City

 

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