Barrel’s. 9 S. Granville Ave., Margate, 609-823-9594.

Owner Rose Gualtieri’s homemade Italian specialties are available for eat-in and takeout. Try the chicken stracciatella soup or the pasta e fagioli, and you’ll agree the restaurant’s reputation for soups is well deserved. Voted “Best Cannoli” for 2000 in Atlantic City Magazine. Nonsmoking dining room. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Entrées $6.50 to $12.95. Second location at Central Square, Linwood. 926-9900. $$

Billy Ho’s Imperial East. 7800 Ventnor Ave., Margate, 609-487-1040.

The freshest in traditional and gourmet Szechwan, Mandarin, and Cantonese dishes in a casually elegant atmosphere. Bring your own liquor. Voted “Best Chinese Restaurant” for 2000 in Atlantic City Magazine. Open 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. during the week, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, 1 to 11 p.m. Sunday. BYOB. $

Cleo's Fish Palace. 7307 Ventnor Ave., Ventnor, 609-822-5858. A take-out only seafood place with reasonably priced entrees.

Favorites include crab cakes, broiled or grilled tuna, salmon and swordfish. At lunchtime, it's seafood sandwiches: Crab cake, fried flounder and fried softshell. $

The Cook Nook. 7310 Ventnor Ave., Ventnor, 609-823-1466.

Breakfast and lunch only. Try the Boardwalk special and the Maryland tuna sandwich. Burgers, cheesesteaks, and more. $

Di Gregorio’s Little Italy. 115 N. Dorset Ave., Ventnor, 609-822-2223.

Anthony Di Gregorio Sr. and Jr. serve Italian dishes so traditional and authentic loyal customers favorably compare their restaurant to New York’s Little Italy. Seafood additions to the menu include jumbo soft shell crabs, lump crab cakes, and catch of the day. Dinner 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. daily. Call for winter hours. $$

Downbeach Deli. 8 S. Essex Ave., Margate, 609-823-7310.

Jewish delicatessen with a full bakery. Eat-in or take-out. Cold cuts, cheese, prepared foods, bagels, breads, cakes, and desserts. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; hours vary by season. $$

Fai’s. 2401 Atlantic Ave., Longport, 609-823-4500.

Fai Wan serves authentic Chinese cuisine and fresh seafood here. The catch of the day is served steamed, and Peking duck comes prepared for two. Forget pedestrian choices like won ton soup and eggrolls; Fai’s ladles out creamy crab and corn soup, and for an appetizer serves steamed, Vietnamese-style spring rolls. Smokefree. Open 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch, dinner from 4 to 10 p.m. $$

Fedeli’s Italian Restaurant. 9403 Ventnor Ave., Margate, 609-822-1293.

The menu features classic homestyle Italian dishes, such as veal parmesan and eggplant parmesan; also salmon. Bring your own wine or beer. Open 5 to 10 p.m. daily, until
11 p.m. or midnight in the summer. BYOB. $$

Jerusalem Glatt Kosher Middle Eastern Restaurant. 6410 Ventnor Ave, Ventnor, 609-822-2266.

Lunch consists of such fare as pastrami, corned beef, and Middle Eastern salads. Lamb chops, steak, prime rib, and shish kebabs—lamb, beef, chicken, and turkey—are big at dinner. Open for lunch noon to 4 p.m. Sunday to Friday; dinner 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday; Saturday from a half-hour after Sabbath to 9 p.m. in the winter. Call for summer hours. $$

Ma France Creperie, 4901 Ventnor Ave., Ventnor, 609-822-3067.

Owner France Hyman makes two kinds of crepes: Buckwheat, which are filled with cheese, ham, salmon and vegetables; and flour, which are filled with dessert fare like ice cream, whipped cream, fruit and jam. Also fresh vegetable and fruit juices, and stews and soups. $

Nostalgia Room. 6520 Ventnor Ave., Ventnor, 609-823-7779.

Chef Rob Grabov serves what he calls “French-West” cuisine. Louis the V flaming rack of lamb, veal Francesca, and black pepper-seared Ahi tuna are among the top sellers. Dinner 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Monday in the summer. $$$

Ozzie’s of Longport. 2401 Atlantic Ave., Longport, 609-487-0575.

The ’50s-style restaurant serves up French toast, salads, and lump crab cakes. Voted “Best Breakfasts” for 2000 in Atlantic City Magazine. Open for breakfast and lunch 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily in the winter. Summer hours 6:30 a.m. to
9 p.m. $

Steve & Cookie’s by the Bay. 9700 Amherst Ave., Margate, 609-823-1163.

Steve & Cookie’s occupies a renovated, 65-year-old building. Count on Steve’s famous crab cakes and Cookie’s great desserts. Children’s menu. Live jazz nightly. Reservations suggested. Open from 5 pm daily. $$$

Thomas' Ventnor Cafe. 4 S. Portland Ave., (609) 822-2477 Open 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily. No liquor license. No credit cards accepted.

Vegetarian selections listed on menu. Smoking permitted at counter. Breakfast $2.50 to $7.25; lunch $4.25 to $8.95

Tomatoes. 9300 Amherst Ave., Margate, 609-822-7535.

California cuisine, as well as Mediteranean, Latin, and Pan-Asian specialties. If you’re new to sushi, try the seared albacore with marinated onions, a creation brought from Los Angeles by the sushi chef. Smokefree restaurant. Reservations required. Extensive wine cellar. Open daily for dinner from 5 p.m. Closed Monday and Tuesday in the winter. $$$

Ventura’s Greenhouse. 106 S. Benson Ave., Margate, 609-822-0140.

The upstairs restaurant is upscale and quite small, while the bar action downstairs kicks in from happy hour on. Outdoor deck dining in summer. Dinner 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday, to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Downstairs cafe daily from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. $$

Yama Japanese Restaurant. 5305 Atlantic Ave., Ventnor, 609-822-8007.