• Nightlife, The Tun Tavern - July, 2002
• Employees Honored at Atlantic City Host Awards - June, 2002
• Tun Tavern Scores All The Way Around - January 6, 2002
• Tun Tavern Honored With Two State Awards - July 11, 2000

The Press of Atlantic City - Nightlife
July, 2002

The Tun Tavern
A ton of great brew, food and music
By Lisette Cordero

Known for its artesian well water, Atlantic City is a prime location for a brew pub, a duplicate of the original and historical Tun Tavern, once located in Philadelphia.

The restaurant, owned by Monty Dahm, has a modern décor with very high ceilings, so it never gets too smoky or stuffy. It's a casual place that attracts locals and tourists alike. Enjoy the food or a cocktail inside the main dining area or at the bar. There's also a great view of the city skyline on a beautiful tropical outdoor deck.

The menu is mostly American cuisine. In fact, the un Tavern has made a name for itself with its Black Angus eight-ounce burgers, and Black Angus quality steaks. A 22-ounce porter house steak is priced at $25.95, while a filet mignon meal is $21.95. All steaks come with garlic mashed potatoes and a fresh vegetable of the day.

Other delicious items include a crock of Maryland crab soup for $5.95 or a crock of corn chowder, made fresh daily, for $3.99.

The Tun Tavern is also well known for its seafood and everybody raves about the fresh seared ahi tuna wasabi for $16.99. Tuna grilled sushi-style with a mango chutney on the side is pried at $16.95. Lightly sautéed crab cakes are $19.95. And one of the best things about the Tun Tavern is that you can order anything from the menu at any time of the day.

If you're curious to see the actual brewing process, just ask for the brew master, Ted Briggs, or any manager or bartender for a brew tour. You'll be taken behind-the-scenes and shown the equipment that produces the beer.

You'll want to be at the tavern at night when the live entertainment begins and there's never a cover charge. On Wednesday nights, listen to Dan Brown while drinking $5 pitchers and eating 25 cent wings. Promotion prices start at 10pm.

Thursday night is always karaoke night (ask about the specials!) from 9pm to 1am with Lori Kelly, but this summer the Tun Tavern is also hosting the Miss Hawaiian Tropic Bikini Contest.

"We have professional models from the tri-state areas competing," said General Manager K. Afifi. He also said that any local girl who would like to enter would be welcomed. Just come in and pick up an entry form.

On Tuesday, July 25, be on hand for the final cut for the winners of the three previous competitions. Earlier that same day, there will also be a Miss Hawaiian Tropic Golf Tournament. Call the tavern to sign up so that they can fax your registration form. Tee off is 1pm. The fee is $175 per person, which includes a deli buffet lunch, dinner buffet, a chance to win different prizes while playing on the course, free greens fees, free player's gift bag, and much more. The whole event will be hosted by past bikini contest winners.

Fridays, the entertainment generally starts at 5:30pm and ends at 2am. On July 19, rhythm and blues band Frank DiNunzio starts at 8pm and ends at midnight. There's room for dancing, too. Don Ellsworth plays at 5:30pm on July 26, and Take Two at 9:30pm.

So far on Saturdays, Afifi has Jeff Kessler on July 20, blues band Shakin' Not Stirred on August 3, 100 Proof Blues Band on Aug. 17, and 13th floor on Aug. 31.

You're in luck if you're a local or you live in the tri-state area, because your residence qualifies you for a VIP card. Here are some of the VIP perks: $1 off any drink at any time, 2-for-1 dinner entrees from 5 to 10pm on Mondays and Tuesdays, $3 margaritas and $3 quesadillas on Mondays anytime, anywhere in the restaurant, 2-for-1 appetizers on any appetizer on Tuesdays. Plus you always get preferred seating, and 10 percent off of gift certificates.

Tun Tavern Scores All The Way Around

By Alex D. Peters
Press Restaurant Critic

ATLANTIC CITY - "Wow" said my dining partner as he gazed up at the huge stainless steel ale tanks at the Tun Tavern.
   You don't have to be a beer lover to enjoy dinner at the Tun Tavern. But the interesting selection of ales (and one stout) certainly made a good meal even more interesting.
   We arrived just in time to watch the Eagles pull ahead of the Giants in the big division title game, setting the tone for a promising evening. We settled into our booth, which gave us a vantage point to see, but not hear, one of the televisions over the bar. A warning here to rabid non-smokers. We sat in the no-smoking section, but with the bar as the focal point of the tavern, it's hard to avoid second-hand smoke residue.
   It would have been easy for the tavern to focus on the ales and relegat the menu to burgers and nachos. But the food had no trouble holding its own.
   The menu is not huge, but has a nice variety of fish, steak and pasta. Everything we have tried at a couple of meals here has been excellent. Full dinners and quick bites are offered, with sandwiches available all day.

Ales and appetizers big hits

The Tun Teasers appetizers are large enough to be entrees. Two of us shared an order of hummus with grilled vegetables ($7.50), and still brought most of it home. The huge mound of hummus was surrounded by grilled eggplant, asparagus, yellow squash and peppers and served with wedges of pita bread.
   A cup of Maryland crab soup ($2.95) was a spicy mix of crab and diced vegetables in a rich, tomato broth, perfect for a cold winter's night. We wiped up the last bits with an excellent Italian dinner roll that had the soft, chewy texture we love in Atlantic City bread.
   On the TV over the bar the Giants scored. We groaned, but pushed on, ordering entrees. My dining partner chose the veal Oscar ($23.95), tender veal cutlets topped with jumbo lump crab meat, asparagus and a lovely béarnaise sauce. It was served with smashed potatoes and steamed broccoli and cauliflower florettes. The crisp vegetables scored immediately. Obviously someone in the kitchen was paying attention to the steamer, not the game.
   I had the tuna wasabi ($16.95), a sesame-crusted steak served over sautéed spinach with smashed potatoes, veggies and a zingy wasabi sauce that cleared my sinuses quite nicely. I had asked for the tuna as a rare as possible, and the kitchen complied perfectly with a tuna steak that had a nice crunchy crust and a bright red interior.

Everybody wins at the Tun

The score was tied, with just seconds left, and we weren't about to leave. We ordered coffee and a hot apple cobbler ($4.95). It arrived in a soup dish so large it took two large scoops of vanilla ice cream to top the cobbler. The apples were lightly dusted with cinnamon and the oatmeal-based topping was chewy.
   We barely polished off half, but it was enough time for the Eagles to polish off the Giants with a last-minute field goal. For a brief moment we thought the Giants' final run might make us lose out dinner, but the home team prevailed.
   A perfect evening all around.
   Maybe we'll go back for the playoffs.
(Alex D. Peters is the pseudonym of a southern New Jersey writer. Write to Peters c/o Food Editor, The Press of Atlantic City, 11 Devins Lane, Pleasantville, N.J. 08232.)

For Immediate Release

Contact: Diane,
Special Events and Banquet Manager
(609) 425-0958

Tun Tavern Honored with Two State Awards

Atlantic City, NJ -- Tun Tavern Brewery and Restaurant in Atlantic City, NJ recently received two awards honoring the brewpub which opened a little more than two years ago in January 1998.

The first award was presented by the Server Foodservice News in their January 2000 "Top 100" issue. The Service Foodservice News is a restaurant and food trade publication based in Pittsburgh, Pa. The publication targets eight states including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Ohio, West Virginia, Michigan, Maryland and New York.

"Tun Tavern was named the number one restaurant in New Jersey based on its cuisine, its variety of handcrafted beers, its history, and its overall ambiance," said Lori Monahan, editor of the Server Foodservice News.

The Tun Tavern's rich history to which Monahan is referring dates back to 1685 when the original Tun Tavern was built on Philadelphia's waterfront. The original Tun Tavern developed a reputation for offering fine beers and was home to many important historical events which helped to shape America as it is today. Most significant was on November 10, 1775 when the Tun Tavern was the setting in which the Continental Marines - today known as the US Marine Corps - was formed and where the first Marines were recruited.

The second award was presented by WhatzOnTap newsletter and e-zine readers who named the Tun Tavern the Favorite Brewpub of 2000.

Publisher Gary Monterosso said his publications are designed to educate people about the "better beer choices that are available."

"I want to let people know that they can drink well and drink responsibly. Only 4 to 5 percent of Americans are craft beer drinkers. The rest of the beer drinkers consume mass market beers such as Budweiser, Miller and Coors, for example. We want people to consider better beer options like the handcrafted beer made at the Tun Tavern that doesn't include all of the adjuncts and preservatives found in mass market beers," explained Monterosso.

For his contest, Monterosso asked readers to nominate their favorite brewery, favorite beer and favorite brewpub. He said he took the top five nominees in each section and asked readers to chose their favorite among these.

In addition to the award Tun Tavern received as the Favorite Brewpub in New Jersey, the Flying Fish Brewery of Cherry Hill, NJ was named the Favorite Brewery in New Jersey. Flying Fish's beer ESB (Extra Special Bitter) was named the Favorite Beer, as well.

"I think the atmosphere at the Tun Tavern is light and airy as a good brewpub should be. Its two major assets are its food and beer. In rating a brewpub, the quality of the food is as important as the quality of the beer. People want a fine dining experience, as well. The Tun has been on the cutting edge with its menu offerings which have always been current and exciting. I believe great food and great beer are the primary reasons why the Tun Tavern has excelled so much in its short, two-year history," said Monterosso.

Tun Tavern Owner and President Monty Dahm said of the awards, "The Tun Tavern has only been open a little more than two years. Not in my wildest dreams would I ever have imagined to have achieved the level of success we have achieved in such a short time. We have a hard-working, dedicated staff and management team that is consistently striving to provide the best food, drinks and entertainment in a wonderful and fun atmosphere."

Tun Tavern hosts regular events including Margarita Mondays with $3 quesadillas and $3 margaritas; and Wild Wednesdays with $5 pitchers of handcrafted beer and sangria, 25 cent wings and disc jockey entertainment. Free validated parking is available on Michigan Avenue.

The Tun Tavern is located across the street from the new Atlantic City Convention Center and attached to the Sheraton Convention Center Hotel.

For information, call (609) 347-7800.

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June, 2002

For Immediate Release

Contact: Diane,
Special Events and Banquet Manager
(609) 425-0958

Employees of Tun Tavern Restaurant and Brewery honored at the Atlantic City Host Awards

Two outstanding employees of Tun Tavern Restaurant and Brewery were honored at the Atlantic City Host Awards in recognition of their hospitality and dedicated service.

Bianca Dominico (first place winner) was honored for her outstanding service as Best Restaurant Employee - Server in Atlantic City. Jose Juarez was also honored (1st runner-up) for the great job he does as Best Restaurant Employee - Bus Boy. The annual Atlantic City Host Awards program honors front line employees who enhance the experience of Atlantic City visitors through enthusiasm and exemplary customer service. Regarding the importance of the awards, Jeff Vasser, executive director of the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority noted, "We all know first-hand that the hostess, the food server, the front desk clerk--all the front line employees--are really the most important people in the hospitality industry. We can create wonderful food, beautiful surroundings, the best entertainment...but the front line employees are the face of hospitality."

Fifteen hospitality employees were chosen from more than 150 nominees. Each winner received a custom-made, 14-karat gold Host Award pin from the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority.

Tun Tavern salutes Bianca Dominico and Jose Juarez for a job well done! We are so proud of these outstanding employees!

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