8 South Jersey Restaurants for That Special Occasion

We all have those special occasions that call for a celebratory dinner, something maybe a little more special than our typical night out. We've got some extraordinary restaurants in our region, and it can be difficult to choose where to go.

I've collective a list of some restaurants that I think you might enjoy for your special occasion.  This list is based on quality of the food, ambience of the restaurant and service.

If you think I missed any, please share in comments below.

Rare Company Seafood & Steakhouse 605 Long Beach Blvd, Ship Bottom,              609-467-3522

Rare Seafood & Steakhouse has a rustic feel to it.  The pick here is the Eggplant Tower appetizer, and Tuscan Style Scallops for an entree.  Also recommended, is the stuff chicken parmesan.

Knife & Fork Inn 3600 Atlantic Avenue, 609-344-1133

Knife & Fork Inn has a more traditional Italian restaurant feel.  Start your meal with the Cornmeal Crusted Calamari.  It's served with pickled peppers, and a Calabrian Chili Aioli.  The pan roasted halibut is the pick here.  It comes served with creamed leeks, Swiss chard, and tomatoes.

Tisha's Fine Dining 322 Washington Street, Cape May, 609-884-9119

The appetizer the rave about is the scallop risotto.  It features pan-seared scallops, sauteed with shitake mushrooms, and spinach.  Seems a bit filling for an appetizer, but perhaps you want to share this dish.  The entree pick here is Chicken Tisha.  Boneless chicken breast sauteed in olive oil and garlic with artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes and assorted mushrooms served over basmati rice.

Chef Vola's 111 South Albion Place, Atlantic City, 609-345-2022

Start your meal with Arugula Salad with Crumbled Bleu Cheese and Fig Balsamic Glaze, and then try their Jumbo Shrimp Francaise Combo with Crab Cake.

The Historic Smithville Inn 1 N. New York Rd, Galloway, 609-652-7777

Their reputation precedes them.  It's difficult to choose from their superb options.  You must try their French onion soup, and then move on to their fried tomatoes panko crusted, gorgonzola cheese, roasted red peppers, aged balsamic.  For the entree, Wasabi Tuna sushi grade, wasabi panko, sesame rice noodles, seaweed salad, sriracha aioli.

Raimondos 1101 Long Beach Blvd, Ship Bottom, 609-494-5391

You must start with an order of Raimondo’s Meatballs.  It's served with marinara, whipped ricotta, garlic bread.  For your main course, the pick is Chicken Marsala, chicken breast topped with mushroom confit in shallot marsala wine sauce served with gorgonzola mashed potatoes & heirloom carrots.

Catch Restaurant & Bar 2401 Atlantic Avenue, Longport, 609-822-3474

Here at Catch, you'll want to try their eggplant stack that features tomato, fried eggplant, mozzarella, fresh basil, shaved parmigiano cheese, & balsamic reduction.  Then for the entree, check out the short ribs and scallops.  It's served over mushroom risotto

Buono Vita 801 Bay Avenue, Somers Point, 609-788-0370

For your appetizer, check out the Vongole...Sautéed clams, oil, garlic, basil, white wine or tomato sauce.  Next, for your entree, try the Pollo Fantasia...Chicken breast sautéed with fresh asparagus, melted fontina cheese, finished with lemon white wine sauce.