We're Keeping Busy This Winter with the Old Causeway and Black Whale as Part of Restaurant Week

Ship Bottom Shellfish has been closed for a few months and we’re already missing our friends and staff. January is a pretty quiet time on the Island and the mainland marshes. Things slow down a lot after the holidays and the weather has a lot of folks hibernating. Fortunately, the start to 2020 has been pretty temperate thus far.

This is also the perfect time of year for Long Beach Island Restaurant Week, run by the good folks at Long Beach Island Bites from January 31 to February 9 and now in its third year. And it’s a fantastic way to get our friends out through the long weeks of winter.

“Our original idea was to create a way to get people out of their homes or down to the Island during the off season. Lots of towns hold restaurant weeks, so I contacted a few restaurants that stay open for the year to see if they were interested, and they were,” says Restaurant Week event director, Nicole Sexton.

Ryan Johnson

The Old Causeway Steak & Oyster House will again be participating with a special menu, but this year, the Black Whale Bar & Fish House will be opening early to participate as well. 

“The first year we only had about ten restaurants participating. Our second year The Old Causeway joined. This year we currently have sixteen restaurants participating,” adds Sexton, “Members on our group will be happy to know that the Black Whale is joining Restaurant Week for the first time this year, opening January 30th.”

Restaurant Week is an opportunity for both the OC and the Whale to try out some creative dishes when there’s time to get details dialed and get feedback from our friends and customers.

Old Causeway Menu Restaurant Week 2020

1st Course

Classic Mussels

Oyster Rockafeller

Fried Calamari

OC Chopped

Ricotta Toast

2nd Course

Brick Chicken with Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Oyster Pan Roast

Brick Chicken

6 oz. Filet Mignon

Pretzel Salmon

OC Burger

Lobster Roll

Grilled Pork Chop

3rd Course

Apple Cobbler

Rum Bread Pudding

Chocolate Bourbon Pot De Creme

Black Whale Menu Restaurant Week 2020

1st Course

Tuna Spring Rolls

Clams Pepperocini

PEI Mussels

Crab & Artichoke Dip

Oysters Rockafeller

2nd Course

Black Whale Family Style Salad

3rd Course

Herb Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Shrimp & Scallops Santa Cruz

Clams & Linguini

Seared Pork Chop

Miso-Apricot Glazed Salmon

Fish & Chips

In addition to all of this, the OC has some fantastic weekly events though the winter. 

Join them Monday Nights with the Pickles and Ted Hammock, 7 p.m.-close when we have Todd, Jason and Ted playing your favorite tunes and a fantastic $5 Food Menu with $3 cans of beer and $4 OC IPAs as well as $4 glasses of wine and the $5 Pickleback.

They will also be doing Turkey Tuesdays where Chris Fritz of the Impulsives hosts Acoustic Open Mic Night 7- 10 p.m.. with Wild Turkey drink and food special’s all infused with this favorite Kentucky Bourbon. It’s not just about dining deals though, it’s also about playing an open mic in front of like-minded people from our area. Open Mic nights have been very successful so far. 

Then they’re also doing Warm Up Wednesdays, a fun night of food, drink and camaraderie to get us through the cold with wine, hot toddies and loaded coffee drinks. We already have that cozy lodge feel. Let’s use it.

Hey, we will always love summer but this winter is sounding pretty good.