It Doesn't Get Much Better Than This

Just back from our quickie vacation on LBI before our schedules get too crazy. While I love going to LBI in the summer, there's nothing quite like a nearly-deserted shore town in the early fall. Temps were crisp but not too cool, definitely pleasant enough to go out in shorts and a sweatshirt. Restaurant choices were a bit more limited but it's not like we missed any meals.

In fact, we went to the always reliable Tucker's (Engleside & Bay, 609-492-2300) one night and had a very good meal. An appetizer of Hot Artichoke and Spinach Dip was not really what we expected. I'm used to a thicker, chunkier dip served with crackers or crusty bread while this was a runnier dip, heavy on the melted cheese and inexplicably served with tortilla chips, sour cream and salsa.

The Prime Rib Sandwich was much better, though. Thick, perfectly cooked slices of prime rib served on a crusty roll, au jus on the side. A nice, thin layer of fat ringed the slices giving the sandwich the perfect mix of warm meat and juicy fat.

Best of all, they recently opened a brand new Wawa one block up from my in-laws' place. (Though I'm not sure all the area residents share my enthusiasm.) In other words, I could get up each morning and walk up the street to the Wawa, grab a 20 oz. cup of their Kona blend (our new fave) and a Philadelphia Inquirer.

Topped off with a vanilla cream doughnut from Crust & Crumb Bakery (9th & Bay Ave., Bay Village, Beach Haven, 609-492-4966), I'm not sure a morning routine can get much better than this.