Dougherty Restaurant Group
By: Zachary Blumberg
The history of the Dougherty family’s restaurant dynasty begins with Harry “call me Dock” Dougherty, who opened his namesake oyster house in 1897. The idea behind Dock’s was simple – provide high quality seafood in a comfortable and friendly atmosphere Four generations later, the family business has grown to include multiple, bona fide Atlantic City institutions, including three restaurants and a country club.
Dock’s Oyster House
Located in Atlantic City’s Ducktown neighborhood, Dock’s Oyster House, is the restaurant that started it all and the city’s oldest restaurant. Today, Dock’s serves some of the same items from its original menu125 years ago, including Dock’s Seafood Fry, a trio of shrimp, flounder, and crab cake breaded in Japanese breadcrumbs and served with fries. Another highlight of the menu is the Potato Crusted Flounder with asparagus and a beurre blanc sauce. Then there is the impressive raw bar which includes oysters, ceviche, crudos, and more. Dock’s is extremely popular due to its upbeat atmosphere, which includes a nightly piano player and upbeat patrons who give the spot a great time beyond just the food.
Dougherty’s Steakhouse and Raw Bar
Dougherty’s Steakhouse and Raw Bar is located inside Resorts Hotel & Casino on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. Like most classic steakhouses, there is more to Dougherty’s menu than just the steaks. The
two-year-old restaurant emphasizes seafood on its menu and features a robust raw bar. Additionally, there are the ever-popular entrees of salmon with zucchini, corn salad, toasted orzo, and lemon butter, and a super fresh Togarashi-crusted tuna served with sesame soba noodles, carrot, edamame, and radish. For pasta lovers, there is the seafood linguini. This shellfish-centric dish boasts shrimp, scallops, clams, crab meat in a Parmesan cream sauce.
Knife & Fork
Atlantic City’s second oldest restaurant also falls under Doughtery Restaurant Group’s portfolio of restaurants. Knife & Fork first opened its doors in 1912 and is considered among the city’s architectural landmarks. Though it underwent a full renovation, the former speakeasy (which had a separate entrance to sneak women in and out during Prohibition), has been featured on the silver screen thanks, in part, to its many original architectural details, such as stained-glass windows, period light fixtures, and a
copper roof. Beyond the old-world charm, Knife & Fork is an upscale eatery featuring steaks, chops, and, of course, seafood. The restaurant’s raw bar is celebrated for its tuna tartare, among other items. There is also a dedicated “seafood & shellfish” section of the menu that includes pan roasted halibut with creamed leaks, Swiss chard, and tomatoes, as well as a jumbo lump crab cake atop jicama slaw and a red pepper coulis. Knife & Fork also serves the hard-to-find and delicious classic lobster thermidor. No trip to Atlantic City is complete without a stop at one, if not all, of the Doughtery Group’s eateries. Reservations are recommended for all three.
For more information, please visit doughertyrestaurantgroup.
com.
