Dinner at Specchios in the Borgata Casino on 8/30/07. We shared 4 different Antipasti consisted of (1) Four Shrimp Scampi ($18), a wonderful garlic grilled medium sized shrimp atop a gigante warm bean insalata, a perfect combination of flavor and texture, but somewhat overcooked shrimp. (2) Two Lobster and Crab Cakes, crispy on the outside and topped with shaved fennel, carrot and mint insalata over a saffron aioli ($18); sheer perfection and surprisingly filling. (3) A single King Crab Leg Oreganata ($21) griddled with oregano scented bread crumbs and a lemon butter. This is split in half and easy to eat. The sweetness went nicely with our Foss Marai Prosecco ($8/glass or $42/bottle). What surprised me the most was (4) Roasted baby Eggplant ($9) toasted with garlic, basil, tomato, olio santo and shaved prcorino sardo. The middle course consisted of a trio of small portions of very satisfying, rich, uncommon Italian pasta. On the white plates were (1) Mezzaluna Ravioli, which are half round ravioli stuffed with lobster/crab tarragon cream sauce. One was enough, but I could have made a meal of this. (2) Potato Gnocchi with proscuiutto, parmigiano and snap peas in a robust white leek crema. These are unlike any I ever had before, as they were like little pillows, very light and airy. Most gnocchi or cavetelli are more dense; Specchios were interesting and different. (3) an unusual but the best one was Casonsei, a “candy wrapper” ravioli, beet and smoked ricotta filled, poppy seed butter sauce. The main course(s) were difficult to choose because of all the interesting items and choices. We quizzed the wait staff and Sommelier trying to come up with the right combinations of foods and wine. We settled on (1) a Veal chop grilled Venetian style with an artichoke ragu; absolutely perfection. (2) The signature dish of Lamb Chops Scottaditto. It was served on Tuscan kale (kale had a nice flavor, but was tough), baked gnocchi alla romana and a fruit mostarada, very different. The combination of sweetness of the lamb (it had its outer layer of fat intact), the bitterness of the kale and the sweet fruit mostardo was unique and unlike any lamb chops I had before. The last main was a Veal chop Parmigiana which was a nice twist on a very common Southern Italian staple. It seemed a bit out of place in this high-end gourmet room, but I suspect it was a popular dish, It tasted great. We left our wine choice to Specchio’s sommelier, Aaron. He suggested a Barbaresco. We enjoyed a fantastic 1988 Dante Rivetti, Bricco de Neueis; a bit pricy at $240, but I suppose having set on a shelf for 19 years has its price (a 93 rated wine selling for $65 in 1991). I do not often get to have a 20 yr old great Barbaresco. Desserts were reasonably priced at $11. We had a Ricotta Cheesecake with pistachio, raspberry sauce; a Zuccotto which is lady fingers soaked in Grand Marnier and covered with an orange cream. We had to try the multilayered Tiramisu which was quite traditional trifle of mascarpone and espresso soaked lady fingers. Service was excellent. Wait staff was efficient and exhibited a nice of humor without being overbearing and in our face. Decor was elegant, inviting and comfortable without being pretentious. It was relaxed atmosphere and not rushed. Overall, the experience was 4.5 stars out of 5. We will be back

I just love to reply to myself....Like talking to onesself...but anyway, has anyone eaten good meals in Atl City?

ratso,

Stayed at the Borgata a few weeks ago and we were very much looking forward to dinner at Michael Mina's Sea Blue.

It was okay but completely forgettable. Nothing was particularly bad, but the presentation was sloppy and the food was just heavy.

Maybe it was my mistake but I thought it would be more of a fine-dining experience. I suppose, based on your review, that we should have tried Specchios.

I had a very similar experience at Seablue. I blamed it on myself for ordering the Lobster Pot Pie (my gusee is 2500-3000 calories - all the cream reduction et al). I thought the service was not sloppy, but ordinary. The decor was nice, but I sat facing one of the faux aquarium which meant bright lights in my face. Overall, my wife was pleased with her food although I forget what she ate. Our guests liked their food but were quite full, and we did not expect to so overloaded. One of the guests had the Halibut. That was very nice. Specchio has small portions which I like. Bobby Flay has large portions especially the sides. One side for 3 people is fine. I like Specchio's decor/style, but Flay's food is all about flavor. I am set for Flay's this Saturday night. We'll see. I would not classify Flay's as Fine Dining; more like flavorful, filling, fun and quite casino-like. Specchio is as close to fine dining that Borgata and most of the other casinos in AC has. The best fine dining restaurant was Suilan (Asian Fusion from Susanna Foo of Philadelphia, a James Beard award winner). Unfortunately, Suilan closed last year

Soon after Seablue, we went to Flay's Bolo restaurant in NYC and had a wonderful meal -- you're right, it's all about flavor with Flay. We had the lamb shank and the rabbit with a 1998 Muga Prado Enea. It was a great meal.

I have had great meals at both Specchio and Bobby Flay's.

Web site for WS is down, but somehow we can access the forum? What's up? Hope they give a month free.

Spent an evening at Atlantic City’s prime casino, the Borgata. Lots of Poker Players in town for the World Poker Tour events on Saturday night, 9/15. The place was crowded. We decided we would have dinner at Bobby Flay Steaks. Surprisingly, we got a table at 6:20 without a reservation. We were greeted by our server, Antonio, who made some suggestions for starters. This place has some excellent starters, and it is difficult to choose, but we got a few for the table and shared them. (1) the lobster-crab cake with tomatillo sauce and saffron aioli on the side ($18) was wonderful; so good that my wife ordered one for her main course. (2) lobster and crispy squid salad with hot pepper dressing ($19). This is a favorite and possibly a signature starter. It is the best squid I have ever eaten. It is topped with micro greens and surrounded with a slightly sweet/hot dressing. The portion is enormous. The remaining dressing makes a perfect dipping sauce for some North Jersey crusty bread; nothing wasted here. (3) Being at the seashore, we had to have an order of steamed littleneck clams ($14) which was the bargain of the night. I guess there were almost 2 dozen of the littlenecks in a very nice broth. Often these can be a bit sandy, but not here. They were perfect. (4) I always like a salad along with my dinner, so I ordered the romaine salad ($12). This plain, uncomplicated salad was simply fresh crispy romaine lettuce in bite sized pieces with a light dressing and a few croutons. It was accompanied by a nice sized melted/grilled/shaped thin parmesan slice (hard to describe but great to eat). (5) Asked by the manager, Xavier, if we ever had their special crispy onion, roasted tomato, blue cheese salad, I replied, “no”. He said he would like to send one over for us. It was a meal in itself. It sells for $13, but he graciously comped us for this. I am sure we will order it when we come back. To accompany the starters we were advised and agreed upon our server’s pick of a very nice reasonably priced white - Sancerre, Serge Laloue, Loire 2005 from the Loire Valley at $45 which was a little overpriced, but OK for a casino restaurant. So, after 5 starters and a perfectly paired white wine, we are pretty full. Our main courses were (1) Lobster crab cake (2) the veal chop with balsamic vinegar hot and sweet peppers ($40). It was perfectly grilled on the bone to medium. It was a feast. I went with the red snapper with a white clam sauce ($34). The thick huge portion was enough to give the other diners a nice taste. The white clam sauce was quite different from what I expected as it had a distinctive fish/clam odor and a subtle taste. It was excellent and I spooned some of it on the seared snapper. The skin was left on and seared which made for an interesting contrast having a sweet/bitter edge. I am not much for fish skins, but this was nice. It is easily removed for those who desire no skin. It was excellent. We could not decide what wine we wanted for the main courses, so the sommelier, Pietro, suggested a 2000 Hartford Court, a California Pino (Marin), for $110. It was as good a pairing as I can ever remember. This was a bargain. This wine has been served at the White House (I believe under Pres. Clinton). We ordered 2 side dishes. All are priced at $9 each. (1) smashed baked potato with crème fraiche, goat cheese and green onion. This is a must get, but be advised it is very rich and one for every 3 people is enough. Our second was a tough choice. We liked to try a few, but we opted for the black pepper french fries. These were over cooked and soggy. I have had these before, and they are usually very good and crispy; tonight, not so. I probably did not need the extra carbs. Unfortunately, we could not eat any dessert. It kills me because I know the crème fraiche cheese cake is amazing. We settled for coffee. The décor is wood and copper. The tables are close together; but the wait staff seemed to move seamlessly about. They blend in nicely with the décor and just seem to appear just when you need them. The noise level is a bit higher than one expects, but this is not a fine dining restaurant in my opinion. It is a fun; bring your friends to dinner place in a casino. It is not your mom and dad’s restaurant. It is youthful at heart. So those seniors, who are youthful, will like it (I am 60). It is not simply steak on a plate. It all about mixing flavors and contemporary styles. Portions are very large. Service is excellent. The wine lists received 2 “stars” from Wine Spectator. The food received a very good received from the Phila Inquirer food critic. The cost is not prohibitive. I recommend this place for a hearty, great tasting dinner. I would recommend reservations.

Tomorrow we will try Ombra