Dine-In: Captain’s Inn Brings Sense of Nostalgic Dining, Great Food to South Jersey
Photo by Meredith Winner, Mer-Made Photography
BY CLYDE HUGHES | AC JosepH Media
LACEY TOWNSHIP — Those lucky enough to have visited the Captain’s Inn and Tiki Bar over the years, knows the nostalgic feeling of the riverfront venue, reminiscent of days gone by.
For Debbie Abrahamovic Kay, that feeling is much deeper.
Once owned by her parents Samuel and Elsa Abrahamovic, immigrants from of the former Czechoslovakia, Kay has helped create and maintains a restaurant rich in memories and steeped in tradition – and the food is outstanding as well.
The legendary restaurant that sits off the Forked River at 304 East Lacey Road, serving a mostly seafood menu, with a dab of traditional American fare focuses on attention to detail and freshly prepared cuisine.
FRNJ’s Dine-In was seated to the custom of sesame seed bread sticks served with the perfect combination of house cheese dip. Soon after, a cup of delectable, hot and creamy crab bisque arrived. Next, the chosen entree placed was one of the hallmarks of the Captain’s Inn, Chilean Seabass.
Plated creatively and appearing to the table tender and broiled to perfection in citrus butter this phenomenal choice was served alongside a decorative pineapple boat that was filled with delicious fresh fruit salsa and assorted berries and was both delicate yet flavorful combination.
Captain’s Inn is no stranger to repeat guests as they have been coming back for generations, and you will understand why when you visit.
“I grew up here and my parents ran it for 35 years,” Kay told Front Runner New Jersey, Dine-In. “I moved away for college, worked in Manhattan hotels, but came back and worked with them for 20 years.”
Kay said her parents, both Holocaust survivors, sold the Captain’s Inn in their later years but she purchased it back 18 years ago. She said the restaurant predates her parents, operating under the name since 1952.
The building was family-owned as an annex to a bigger hotel and restaurant next door. The annex, where the Captain’s Inn sits now, served as a casino-like facility where the “riff raff” would play cards and smoke cigars, Kay said with a laugh.
But when a fire totaled the fancy facility next door, the restaurant eventually moved into the Captain’s Inn, starting its long run as a storied restaurant establishment, Kay said.
The Tiki Bar offers the ambiance of an era lost with its original charm and warm, friendly, fun and welcoming atmosphere. Kay said the Tiki Bar has been around for about 20 years, after converting an old gift shop. She said it has been a hit ever since.
The Tiki Bar opens on the weekends starting St. Patrick’s Day depending on the weather and then seven days a week around Memorial Day through the fall.
“It will be open all summer with live entertainment every day from Memorial Day to Labor Day,” Kay said. “We will usually close it down for the season around Thanksgiving.”
The docks at the Tiki Bar allow boaters and guests to ” go ashore” from their vessel directly toward the bar for a scrumptious meal, a spectacular view ready to engage in fun an entertaining experience.
Other dishes you may find tantalizing are the Reef and Beef meal – twin filet mignons with jumbo lump crab served over hollandaise sauce – and the Mariner’s Platter, which consists of flounder, scallops, shrimp and claim strips.
Additional favorites include Manhattan Clam Chowder and their famous “She-Crab ” taking on the roll of some of the most heartwarming homemade soups in the region.
You can pick from six different salads, including the “Captain’s Salad” – with mixed greens and cucumbers, red onion, cherry tomatoes and julienne vegetables.
“We’ve always had a large menu,” Kay said. “The first owners did a lot of French cooking but we’ve been known for our seafood. We’re equally known for our steaks, chops and our prime ribs. We believe everybody can find something on our menu to eat. We are also very accommodating to gluten-free, vegan and vegetarians.”
The Captain’s Inn boasts a full bar that provides an assortment of champagne, wines, martinis and cocktails, as well as juices and coffee.
The restaurant is open 364 days a year from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. usually. On Fridays and Saturdays, the Captain’s Inn closes at 10 p.m. and Sundays at 8:30 p.m.
The Captain’s Inn waterfront views and unique atmosphere makes it an ideal venue for special events. It is available for weddings and events by calling to discuss arrangements. Their large event space includes a bar made to resemble a wooden hull, adding a bit of nostalgia and conversation to your celebration.
Kay said she enjoyed the variety of events at the Captain’s Inn. She said the boat-shaped bar predates her parents, made by a boat-builder to definite add to the restaurant’s already nautical affection
As for future plans, Kay said she is already living them.
“This is my home. Where else can you talk to 100 people on a daily basis,” Kay said with a chuckle. “I made sure my daughter does something different. She’s working as a physical therapist. My staff, though, is like family. We’ve seen many families from christenings to Sweet 16 parties, to their weddings and then baby showers. It’s lovely to be part of those events.
“And then we have our regular clientele who come out and they make this worthwhile. It’s so nice to come here and have these relationships.”
Dine-In recommends that you to visit the Captain’s Inn, enjoy and cherish its history and present and become part of those relationships that carry on in Kay, her staff and their service.
Follow Us Today On:
Note from AC JosepH Media: If you like this story and others posted on Front Runner New Jersey.com, lend us a hand so we can keep producing articles like these for New Jersey and the world to see. Click on SUPPORT FRNJ and make a contribution that will go directly in making more stories like this available. Thank you for reading.
About Author
