Chip Roman, Blackfish Stone Harbor
Roman originally opened Blackfish in Conshohocken, adding an Avalon location that later closed. He most recently set up temporary shop in Stone Harbor. Only the Conshohocken Blackfish remains in business, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see a new one pop up this summer; Roman says he’s testing out various Shore markets to decide where to open his second year-round restaurant.
Marty Grims, The Inlet
Grims, best known for Moshulu at Penn’s Landing, has been a mainstay Shore chef for years. The Inlet (998 Bay Ave., Somers Point, 609-926- 9611), a lively dockside restaurant and bar in sleepy Somers Point, is one of the latest additions to a restaurant collection that includes seaside locations in Long Beach Island and Brant Beach.
Michael Schulson, Izakaya; Chris Scarduzio, Mia
Celeb chef Schulson worked in reverse: He took AC by storm in 2008 with his muchlauded Izakaya (One Borgata Way, 609-317- 1000) and then romanced the Philly fooderati this past December with his follow-up effort Sampan. Likewise for Scarduzio, who redefi ned casino dining with Mediterranean bistro Mia at Caesars in 2006 (2100 Pacific Ave., 609-348-4411) prior to setting up shop at the Comcast Center with Table 31.
Gino Iovino, Girasole
Iovino had a back-and-forth experience similar to Roman’s: He opened Girasole in Philly in the late ’80s, closed the restaurant in 2004 and is now back in town in a new location at the Symphony House. Girasole Atlantic City (3108 Pacific Ave., 609-345-5554) has been going strong since 1990. Both of these Italian eateries dazzle diners nightly with homemade pasta dishes.
Stephen Starr, Continental Atlantic City and Buddakan
Even restaurant impresario Stephen Starr has gambled on Atlantic City, bringing his successful Continental and Buddakan concepts to the Pier Shops at Caesars (One Atlantic Ocean, 609-343-3199).
