The Twenties Italian Bistro — Restaurant in Atlantic City

One star is beyond generous considering the offensive price for the repulsive quality of food. Our first red flag was the fact that opentable had every reservation time slot available for this place on a night where every single halfway respectable restaurant in Atlantic City was completely booked and not accepting walk-ins. We thought, perhaps, that we had stumbled upon a diamond in the rough given the fact that this purveyor of barely edible food is in a fairly upscale 3 star hotel, The Claridge. Upon arrival, we were seated in an almost completely empty room complete with misplaced drop ceiling tiles and "Italian" decor from the interior of your local carnival ride. Despite the glaring red flags, we pressed on in the hopes that we'd be pleasantly surprised, however, our night of disappointment had only begun. First, the menu is very limited and uses deliberately obscure terminology for the dish names and descriptions in a tacky attempt to feign quality. The price is what stuck out to me despite the otherwise casual atmosphere. The bread was so stale and rock solid it nearly chipped our teeth when we bit into it. We decided on the calamari to start. I knew that it would be off when I saw the marinara sauce in a plastic cup. The calamari had the consistency of bubble gum and was 90% squid pieces (which I hate). My girlfriend ordered the caesar salad with crab meat. She reported that it was excessively salty and that the crab meat was obviously imitation. I ordered the veal parm with a side of meatballs. The veal was overcooked, the pasta that came with the dish was weirdly thick and it looked like the kind of noodles that you'd get at an asian restaurant except it was covered in burnt prego tomato sauce. The meatballs were also obviously frozen and tasted like what you might get in a subway meatball sub. The staff was friendly but somewhat unprofessional. They were carrying on loud, mildly inappropriate conversations near our table. I honestly feel scammed and I'm mad at myself for agreeing to even pay for probably the most disappointing meal I've ever had. Will...

Title: "A Roaring Good Time at Twenties Restaurant!"**

Hidden on the sixth floor of the iconic Claridge Hotel, the Twenties Restaurant is Atlantic City's best-kept secret. This Italian Bistro transports you straight into the roaring twenties with its speakeasy ambiance, dim lighting, and vintage charm. The harmonious blend of classic and contemporary furniture sets the stage for an unparalleled dining experience.

I indulged in a breakfast at the Twenties during my stay at the hotel last month. The sunny-side-up eggs were a vision of perfection, the toast had that ideal crunch, and the jelly was a burst of delightful flavors. The aromatic tea and the impeccably seasoned home fries rounded off a truly satisfying meal, all delivered with swift and impeccable service.

The booths and private dining rooms, adorned with plush leather sofas and armchairs, offer a snug setting for those seeking intimacy. The restaurant's decor, with its dark wood accents, shimmering crystal chandeliers, and vintage artwork, further elevates its classic allure.

The menu is a tribute to genuine Italian gastronomy. From the succulent filet mignon to the rich lobster ravioli, every dish promises a culinary journey. And if you're dining on a weekend, the soothing strains of live jazz will only enhance your experience. On other days, the jukebox's tunes from the 1920s and 1930s will surely set the mood.

The knowledgeable and gracious staff are the restaurant's crowning glory. They're always ready whether you need a recommendation from the menu or the wine list.

While the Twenties Restaurant might not offer direct ocean vistas, its prime spot on the Atlantic City Boardwalk ensures you're in the heart of all the action.

In a nutshell, if you're looking for a dining experience that's both memorable and unique, the Twenties Restaurant is the place to be. Book your table now and step back...

To begin with, the 15-minute wait for the ancient elevators were apparently a foreshadowing of the wait for our meal. Although the hostess greeted us warmly and thanked us in advance for our patience given their understaffing, we were still unprepared for the length of time it would take to get our entrees. The server, bus boy, and manager were all apologetic, but we were never once offered a complimentary cocktail or appetizer throughout our more than one hour wait.

While we sat waiting for our meal, we took the opportunity to read up on the Claridge Hotel and its former celebrity history. One can certainly imagine the grandeur that this establishment once enjoyed. Unfortunately, the current decor including tables, carpeting, and vinyl covered chairs, lead the diners to believe that it’s well past its heyday. And more unfortunately, the mixture of false reviews made it difficult in advance to know which were actually true.

When the food finally arrived, more disappointment ensued. The broccoli rabe was cold and the spice/garlic oil in which it sat was poorly distributed. The chef took an extra heavy hand with the parsley and other spices when plating, which led me to doubt that there was actually a chef in the kitchen. While the ravioli with mushrooms was tasty, it shouldn’t have taken over an hour to be served.

The bright note of the meal was our escape from the hotel down the fire escape stairwell, happily avoiding the 20-minute wait for the elevators. A sense of accomplishment and freedom was immediately enjoyed once we hit the street...