The calendar says summer officially begins one week from yesterday on Friday, June 21, but Sea Isle was in full seasonal mode during our ramble around town last night.
Traditionally, a “lull week” or two follows Memorial Day in Sea Isle, as families wrap up the kids’ school year. However that tradition seems to have gone out the window this year as the town was alive with crowds of people getting in their fix of preseason fun.
Temperatures were in the 60s and made more brisk by a gusty breeze, and that didn’t hold down the crowds at all. We saw large groups of people everywhere we went, and the mood was light.
The highlight of our tour was a delicious dinner at Mike’s Seafood and Dock, one of the oldest businesses in town and an anchor of Sea Isle’s Fish Alley. It’s always a pleasure to dine at Mike’s and enjoy only the best and freshest seafood available.
We felt a kinship and camaraderie with our fellow customers in line, knowing we were about to share in such an extensive and quality menu. We certainly did just that, enjoying one of Mike’s signature dishes, Lobster Fra Diavalo. .
It was worth waiting for, of course, although it didn’t seem like much of a wait. The people in line are having so much fun that it becomes a part of the experience.
We stopped by to say hello to owner Mike Monichetti at the seafood market, and Mike was kind enough to take time out to say hello and also to inform some of the younger diners about the eatery’s storied place in Sea Isle history.
After such a huge and almost decadent meal, we began walking things off with a stroll on the promenade. Along the way we stopped and caught some of the fun action at the Boardwalk Casino Arcade near 44th and the Promenade.
There we saw families having fun and proprietor Andrew DeCredico anticipating a great summer season.
“We have a large crowd in town getting ready for all the festivities of Skimmer Weekend,” he said. “This is definitely a nice start to the summer and we’re looking for even bigger and better things as we move into the heart of the season.”
Next, we strolled down to Sea Isle’s “Ground Zero” for fun, JFK Boulevard and Landis Ave. The crowds were thick and the mood was festive.
At Braca Café, customers jammed the longtime Sea Isle restaurant favorite, and the outdoor café seating was filled to capacity.
Next, we strolled by the legendary Ocean Drive nightclub, where merrymakers representing several generations listened to live music and enjoyed the O.D.’s legendary libations.
As we wrapped up our excursion, we enjoyed some ice cream and headed back to the car, tired, but happy to have been a part of the Sea Isle scene.
