My sweetie and I recently visited the date night destination duo of Nucky’s Kitchen & Speakeasy and neighboring Ventnor Square Theatre.
The decor, the convenience and the general vibe of the complex was a welcome escape from both the massiveness of the casinos and the myriad predictable restaurants that line the streets in our area.
We made it in time for the end of Happy Hour at the pleasant and roomy downstairs, street-level bar complete with a charming, although anachronous disco ball.
Monday through Friday, the establishment offers drinks and appetizers at a discount from 3 to 6 p.m.
Be advised that if you are looking at the graphic on their website, the hours state a 2 p.m. start. I’ve seen both times posted on their socials — including the earlier start time for the recent eclipse.
If you are a “it’s five o’clock somewhere” kind of guy, call ahead so you aren’t waiting for an hour.
We were greeted by the bartender almost immediately, which I always appreciate — especially when a bar isn’t busy like this particular weeknight.
We ordered the Blue Coat Gin Bees Knees and the Jim Beam Rye Old Fashion (not sure if fashion is a typo or a play on words). The drinks arrived in quality glassware that had some weight to them.
However, my gin drink was, shall we say, cut off at the bees knees.
Although the old-fashioned was muddled in front of us and had a traditional look, mine was pushed toward me san garnish. I hate that, especially when I am in an upscale place.
The drink has lemon notes and every bar has slices of lemons and twists. There’s really no excuse for that. It’s the little things.
But the big issue is that my BLUE COAT Gin Bees Knees was made with Tanqueray! Now, I don’t know about you, but when a brand is mentioned in the name of the drink, that better be what you get. If the bar is out of it, you should be asked if you would like something else.
Gin brands have very distinct flavor profiles. When I asked if my drink was made with Blue Coat, Victor the bartender simply said, “No, that’s Tanqueray, I was out of the Blue Coat.”
What!? I’m sitting right there. Just ask me if that’s still the drink I want.
This isn’t the first time this happened to me at this restaurant. It was a while ago. But I ordered a salad and it came out completely different than what the menu described on a bed of the wrong greens. Like the cook just decided I wouldn’t notice or banked on the fact I wouldn’t say anything and subbed the ingredients.
Now, back in the stone age when I was a server and we chiseled orders on a slate tablet, I would have been called to the back by the chef and told whatever order I placed was 86’d and what could be substituted. I would then go to the table and explain the options to the customer.
I don’t know if this is a generational thing or a post-pandemic attitude, or what. But I do know what it isn’t: good customer service.
Perhaps get the $3 Yuengling draft instead.
After drinks, we headed to the upstairs dining room for dinner. The high ceilings, window treatments, woodwork and artwork take you back to the days of yesteryear and make you immediately relax.
The place is huge! Think of it for your next event. Just a pleasure to be in this space.
The Crispy Brussel Spouts were truly a marvel. They were crispy as promised yet not greasy at all, which is a problem at other venues when the oil isn’t hot enough and the veggie absorbs the grease like a leafy sponge.
Mike’s Hot Honey added sweetness and a slight kick.
The huge portion is enough for sharing. I took about half of it home. A great choice. Especially with a draft beer.
You can skip the Coconut Shrimp. The portion is three. The appearance is of frozen ones right out of the box. There was nothing remarkable here. The difference in starters was night and day.
The Short Rib Tacos were excellent. The meat was tender, juicy and plentiful atop a soft taco shell and finished with a tasty slaw. It came with a side of kettle chips. Although an odd choice, they were tasty.
The menu states it comes with remoulade sauce. Ours was a strange recipe with bits of mango and green pepper. Just kidding. It was mango salsa. I’m starting to suspect the subbing of ingredients without telling the customer — despite the danger of an allergy to something you are sending out — is a trend.
Our server was sweet and attentive. He carefully boxed up our dinner leftovers before bringing out amazing cannoli garnished with fresh whipped cream.
If you are a fan of this dessert, get them here. The filling is light and a little thinner than what one usually expects. This makes them the perfect bite to finish a multi-course meal.
A great addition to an evening at Nucky’s is to take in a movie next door at Ventnor Square Theatre.
Although I have been to the restaurant before, this was the first time seeing a film here. WOW! What an experience.
Our movie was in Screening Room 3.
Inside we found a decent-sized screen with vivid state-of-the-art colors and clarity. We chose one of only 30 or so fully automated reclining seats. I’ve never been so comfortable at the movies.
The super-cushioned seats came complete with aptly placed cupholders, which is a plus because you can bring in any bar offering from next door right into the movies.
Sorry, your drink has to be transferred to plastic though.
If popcorn isn’t your thing, you can eat the food from Nucky’s inside the theater too. If you love popcorn, you will adore the two, yes two, butter spouts where you can raise your cholesterol as much as your heart can stand.
There are also shakers with flavors you can season your golden sack of goodness with.
Happy Hour for two can be had for around $60 with tip.
Dinner on the Downstairs Menu can easily be had for less than $100.
The entree prices on the Upstairs Menu jump up slightly higher.
Two movie tickets and a large popcorn will set you back around $40.
Enjoying any of these options is a great choice for a date, a chill evening with friends or even a celebration of a milestone.
Metered parking is right outside the front door. Free parking on side streets is easily found — at least in the offseason.
Put this on your list of things to enjoy before the season starts. You won’t regret it.
