"In the early days, Philadelphia had blue laws," [which prohibited bars from operating for the 24-hour period beginning at 12:01 a.m. Sunday], explained "The Geator With the Heater." As a result, he continued, large groups of Philly-area youngsters (who back in the 1960s and '70s could legally imbibe at age 18 in New Jersey) would head en masse to Margate every weekend from mid-March through Labor Day.
When they arrived, such long-gone saloons as Gable's, Kelly's Pub, the Beacon Inn, Merrill's and the Elbow Room welcomed them with open arms and bottomless kegs.
"That's all changed," said Blavat. "Now it's basically Restaurant Row. Tomatoes [restaurant] used to be Gable's. Merrill's is now [Sophie's Margate Cafe]."
According to Blavat, there were several reasons for the switch from cheap brewskis to high-end cuisine, including the passage of a law that prohibits local property owners from renting houses to large groups of young people. But the young partyers' loss is the foodies' gain. Amherst Avenue is now a first-class dining destination.
"I think it's an excellent series of restaurants. You have everything from Greek at Sophie's to modern American at Tomatoes to American-eclectic at Steve & Cookie's. Steve & Cookie's and Tomatoes are two of the best restaurants in New Jersey," said Ed Hitzel, a publisher, broadcaster and spice entrepreneur who has covered the Shore's dining scene for decades. (Check him out at www.edhitzel.com.)
Hitzel is especially partial to the bouillabaisse at Steve & Cookie's. "It's one of my top 10 entrées."
He noted that despite Amherst Avenue's history as party central, fine dining was always in the mix. "It's the original Restaurant Row," he said, "the one Cape May and Collingswood copied."
