A modest one-a-half miles long and two blocks wide, the Jersey Shore town of Strathmere is an unassuming gem by the sea. Nestled between the bustling shore hot spots of Ocean City and Sea Isle City, Strathmere is, and will hopefully always be, a laid-back, quaint and comfortably quirky place to be. An absolute favorite place of mine, it’s the perfect spot to sit by the bay, sip on a daiquiri, savor fresh seafood and see the most spectacular sunsets you’ve ever laid eyes on. And if you’re a local or just down for the weekend, don’t worry because everyone’s welcome.
The Deauville Inn
Drive up, boat up, bike up or walk up—whatever your mode of transport, expect a huge hello and a gigantic grin when you arrive. Take advantage of the free valet if you’re driving, and if you’re a boater, slip right up. Your biggest decision then is where to go. The Deauville offers something for everyone—four distinctive options, in fact. It’s a mecca for seafood-loving, beach-bumming, daiquiri-drinking, sports-watching vacationers and locals alike.
The Beach House: It’s where the happiest of happy hours happen. The Deauville Inn’s Beach House is by far one of my favorite shore spots to hang out after a day at the beach (By the way, Strathmere doesn’t require beach tags and there’s always plenty of street parking, but don’t tell anyone!). Soak in the sun bayside, beach chairs and umbrellas included. Order up a frosty beverage from the tiki bar. If you’re really thirsty, the rum bucket’s a sure bet, but you might want to share with a friend. The five-rum-tropical-fruit-juice concoction will have you smooth sailing in no time. Hungry for a light bite? The Beach House menu is full of tasty snacks, including u-peel shrimp, fresh veggies and dip, sausage and pepper sandwiches, grilled hot dog and hamburgers and small salads. There’s music throughout the day, both live and local entertainment or tunes piped through the pumping, surround-sound speaker system.
The Outside Deck: Feeling crabby? The Deauville’s outdoor, bay-front deck offers a bucket of snow crab legs as well as a full menu of fresh-from-the-sea dishes. Dine overlooking a spectacular view of the nightly sunsets. Pull up a chair, and inhale the salt air as the glowing globe of sunshine sets over the sea.
The Indoor Dining Room: Shoes and shirts are required for The Deauville Inn’s casually classy indoor dining room. I recommend the Captain’s Platter—as they say, it’s a “broiled combo that King Neptune himself would serve with pride.” Fresh catch of the day, lobster, crab-stuffed shrimp, clams, king crab, scallops, deviled crab, plus two side dishes will surely fill the skipper’s belly!
The Sports Bar: Duck inside to catch the score of the Phillies game at the Deauville’s sports bar. Filled with Philly fans, it’s a great place to enjoy a cold beer on special, a plate of wings and 11 flat-screen HDTVs.
Find The Deauville Inn at 201 Willard Road, Strathmere; phone: (609) 263-2080.
Twisties Tavern on the Bay
What’s the password, please? Right down the street from The Deauville, check out Twisties. It’s the real deal. Legend has it Twisties operated as a speakeasy during Prohibition from 1929 to 1933, and some say Al Capone once visited. Twisties’ red-shingled building looks almost exactly as it did way back when the windows were covered, as was the custom for speakeasies in those days. The owners covered the walls with barracuda, sailfish, moray eels and grouper on wooden plaques, as well as souvenir coconut heads from Florida. If you’re hungry, pick from a diverse menu, including Prince Edward Island mussels, served red, white or lemongrass ginger; or an array of healthy options, like the house salad with field greens and romaine, tomatoes, red onions, shaved carrot, crispy croutons and balsamic vinaigrette.
Find Twisties Tavern on the Bay at 236 Bayview Dr., Strathmere; phone: (609) 263-2200.
- Photos: Lauren Avellino Turton
