Old Waterway Inn

Go to Old Waterway Inn (don't get lost; more on that later) and dive straight into the seafood-inspired menu. Soups, notably their crab or lobster bisques, are what make Old Waterway special. In the entrée category, the Maryland-style crab cakes and many of the pasta dishes are standouts. Entrees are in the $15 to $25 range. The only true problem is the restaurant's obscure location, which will almost assuredly be unfamiliar to the prototypical casino and beach tourist. Call ahead for detailed directions, because while the restaurant is technically in Atlantic City, it is not on Absecon Island. It's tucked away in the Gramercy Heights section of town, which sits on the New Jersey mainland. Old Waterway is a great casino escape with excellent skyline views from the mainland side. Just be sure to know where you're going.