Atlantic City’s need to give guests other incentives to visit the resort in the face of increased gaming competition has been a well-documented news item lately. So well documented, in fact, that neighboring municipalities seem to have picked up on the crusade with upgrades, improvements and added attractions of their own.

A prime example can be found in A.C.’s immediate neighbor to the north, Brigantine. St. George’s Pub — a popular but almost prohibitively small neighborhood niche — will soon be a full-fledged spacious and upscale dining establishment, as owner Jim Fowler leased the building next door (formerly Flagship Resorts), invested over $300,000 in interior and exterior upgrades, and will soon be open for business.

“We are 100 percent done and waiting for release of plans from the Department of Community Affairs in Trenton, then our inspection can be completed and a CO (certificate of occupancy) is given and we can open,” says Fowler.

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When folks in Atlantic City talk about a trip to the White House, they are not talking about a trip to D.C., they are talking about the fabulous sub shop. Now it has been announced that the White House will open a new location at the Trump Taj Mahal next spring. Go here for the story.

Including one very exciting one co-organized and co-presented by Atlantic City Weekly called “Conversations & Storytelling,” which will be followed by a free and open-to-the-public Viewing Party at Caesars on Sept. 19, the night of the premiere of HBO’s upcoming series Boardwalk Empire.

Click here for all the info, plus info about some of the major events planned for the Atlantic City area over next couple months in relation to the show.

While you’re at it join the AC Weekly Boardwalk Empire Fan Club on Facebook to keep up to date on all the news and promotions surrounding the Cable TV series.

A new Johnny Rockets location has opened on the Boardwalk at Showboat, joining the JR on the Boardwalk at Bally’s. Go here for the story.

The Atlantic City Food & Wine Festival, held July 29-Aug. 1, was a complete success. It was held during a beautiful weekend weather-wise, which brought foodies from all over into Atlantic City.

AC Weekly staffers attended several of the 40 events held at Harrah’s Entertainment’s four properties in town – as well as the kick-off party at the Chelsea – and had a blast.

One highlight for this writer was the Blues, Brews and BBQ event at the House of Blues featuring a concert by the Robert Cray Band and some mighty tasty food from Food Network stars the Neelys. (The BBQ spaghetti was simply amazing.)

Another mind-blowing event was the Grand Market at Bally’s. You had to be there to understand the massive size of this event, which included what seemed like hundreds of vendors offering information about their product(s) and offering samples.

I sampled some very hot coffee at one of the tables and wound up spilling it all over my red shirt. Thankfully, the friendly folks from the New Jersey Beer Company (njbeerco.com) gave me a T-shirt to wear. (Due to the tight-fitting medium sized Tee — see pic — I also got a larger T-shirt from the Brownies Squared table. The company, based in Mays Landing, bakes some delicious brownies, and I’m not just saying that because they lent me a shirt.)

John McCarthy and the rest of his N.J. Beer Co. crew — great tasting ale, by the way — happened to have their table set up right next to Atlantic City’s own Tony Boloney’s table at the Grand Market.

The night before, Tony Boloney’s owner Mike Hauke took the trophy in Guy Fieri’s Cheesesteak Battle. The next day Hauke was pretty much a legend as his pizza shop on Oriental Avenue was packed with people trying to get a taste of his prize-winning eats.

AC Weekly associate editor Lori Hoffman filed a few reports over the weekend that you can read here, here and here.

Also, AC Weekly columnist David Spatz sent us this report from the four-day festival, which mentions the fact that two of the biggest names at the festival may each open a restaurant in Atlantic City in the not-too-distant future.

Paula Deen’s big event at the Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival, a party under a tent outdoors at Bally’s Dennis Courtyard, delivered a great combination of terrific food and delightful stories from the “Queen of Southern Cuisine.” Go here for the story.

Go here for video of Pat & Gina Neely and their “Play With Your Food” Event.

The unmistakable smell of thinly cut steak and fried onions was in the air in the posh setting of Caesars Palladium Ballroom Friday night for Guy Fieri’s Cheesesteak Battle, the sold-out event at the Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival. The winner was local favorite Tony Boloney’s. For the story, go here.

For the record, while I enjoyed the TB sandwich, my favorite cheesesteak has been the same for the last 25 years, Sack’O Subs. The star in their sandwich is the perfectly seasoned beef blended with just the right amount of cheese and fried onions. And of course it is the Atlantic City Italian bread that puts it over the top.

This has been an incredible summer of expansion for Atlantic City’s vibrant dining scene. Numerous new restaurants have opened in the region, with the latest being Oshi Sushi And Sake, a 32-seat room at the Showboat’s Rib & Chophouse. Go here for the story.

The Somers Point Business Association is seeking restaurants to participate in the organization’s inaugural restaurant week.

This marketing initiative will be held citywide during the week of Oct. 18-24. Interested restaurants should contact the Somers Point Business Association at (609) 653-4586, or they can e-mail them to: secretaryspba@aol.com.

Miss America 2010, Caressa Cameron, is shown here with Charles Haney, the owner of The Melting Pot in Atlantic City. Last Tuesday night, July 13, Haney hosted a dinner at the Melting Pot for the 12 finalists of the Miss Dance USA Pageant, held at the Sheraton Atlantic City from July 13-18. The Melting Pot has hosted this dinner for the past three years, and traditionally Miss America coaches the finalists on their interviewing skills. The interview portion of the pageant was held Wednesday, July 14. Cameron, age 22, is from Fredericksburg, Virginia, and was Miss Virginia before being crowned Miss America.