Andre's Pizza Palace

Best food in brigantine hands down. Not a lot competition, I agree, but this place is always our go to joint when we stay there. Seems like every year they off a little more.

Food is usually very good. The entrees are expensive and mostly worth it. But on the days when the chef is off, you feel like a jamoke for paying so much.

What can I say, this place is authentic. Don't be deceived by the name, this is not a pizza joint, but fine dining. We had a slice of pizza and it was good...only good.

However, the entrees were out of this world. I was introduced by this place by some friends. I live in the DC area. I've been to some of the best Italian restaurants in DC and none compare to this one. It is charming old school.

Someone complained about the price. Well it is close to the price of a fine dining restaurant for the entrees, but it is worth it. Then there is pizza, sandwiches and other reasonable stuff on the menu. But when you get quality entree you have to pay for it.

They have an eggplant appetizer that is delicious. It is sliced thinly, stuffed with I believe ricotta (which is filled with herbs and seasoning) then topped with cheese and their luscious marinara sauce. I could have just eaten this....well, only if I didn't see the other entrees. We had Alfredo on penne. I don't think the pasta is homemade, however, it was so tasty, sauce and pasta.

I don't know why I ordered the flounder in lemon butter, with all the pasta on the menu. But the sauce of this entree was probably the best I've had. Should I go on? We had much more and it was all first rate. Not sure about the sandwiches...but the Italian entrees are to die for.

I told my wife now on when I go to Atlantic City, I wont be in the casinos, I'll be at Andre's.

The last thing I have to mention is the dessert. Homemade, as I am told. I am not a big fan of cannoli's but I always seem to be around people who love them. So I try theirs. This cannoli is above all others. The pastry is light and crispy and the stuff they put inside tasted sooo good. Had a great vanilla taste.

But even better than the cannoli is the cheesecake. Made in individual baking cups, this is one of the best no nonsense cheesecakes I've had. Not drowned in sauce and syrup like others. I think they sprinkle sugar and something else on it and just put some blackberries on it. It is fluffy and the perfect taste of cheese and sugar. This with an espresso is, as my wife said "better than $ex." Doesn't say much for me, but for this food I am not offended.