While a majority of my weekend in Ocean City was low-key, my friends and I did take a break from all the relaxation to have a nice dinner in Atlantic City, which is about a half hour north of where we were.
This was my first time in Atlantic City; while I'd always seen potential in certain places (such as the Borgata, which often hosts some excellent entertainment), I wasn't dying to get out there and explore. It was my impression that the somewhat trashy nightlife and gambling scene far overshadows any unique things the city might offer.
Now that I've been, I can safely say that my opinion is unchanged. Watching people stumble around casinos in hemlines and heels best left on street corners is decidedly not fun.
We ate dinner in Caesar's, at a restaurant named Mia. The staff was incredibly jovial and our waiter, in particular, didn't at all make me feel uncomfortable when I asked several questions about some of the menu items.
I spent about five minutes vacillating between two types of pasta, before deciding on the mozzarella ravioli, without the mushroom garnish. It was delicious. Ravioli is primarily stuffed with ricotta (a great cheese, to be sure, but it's no mozzarella), so I loved the different approach.
One of the things I like about dining with people is the opportunity to sample other dishes. Two of my friends ordered the other pasta dish I'd wanted (cavatelli, minus the pancetta). Another friend ordered the chicken, an option I'd also briefly entertained. I sampled both and they were both delicious, so if I ever return here, ordering certainly won't be any easier.
The restaurant itself was elegantly furnished, complete with ambient lighting. I was a little surprised to see two flat screen televisions above the bar; they seemed a little out of place, given the décor and environment.
After dinner, we walked through Caesar's and took in the wide variety of people that surrounded us. We also paused to stare at (and photograph) the humungous statue of Julius Caesar that stands adjacent to Mia.
Mia proves that, as I expected, there are glimmers of greatness in Atlantic City. Great food aside, though, there's little reason for me to return.
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