Among the hustle and bustle of Wildwood, the all new Colleen’s By The Sea is a hidden gem on Schellenger Avenue. From casual to upscale dining, this beautifully renovated, trendy restaurant and bar features prime steaks, fresh seafood and fabulous cocktails.
The story of Colleen’s began about 25 years ago when owners Dominick and Rose Dandrea and Frank (Big Frank) and Joanne Daccardi met while boating in the Wildwoods, docked next to each other at the Lighthouse Pointe Marina.
Dominick worked as a masonry contractor, and has now been retired for seven years. Frank was an ironworker for 20 years, and afterward owned a bar in Northeast Philly for five years. Although Dominick was trying to get away from the restaurant business, Frank pulled him back in, and they made their way to Wildwood to open a new establishment. Investing in a restaurant and bar had been something they talked about for a long time, and when the location became available, they jumped on it.
Chef Les Friedman, 34-year owner of Colleen’s on the Parkway, a Center City restaurant and catering establishment, catered Frank’s wedding last January. Impressed by Les’s culinary skills learned at Johnson & Wales University’s College of Culinary Arts, Dominick, Rose, Frank and Joanne partnered with Les and his wife Sue, also a chef, to bring new flavors to Wildwood, and named Les Executive Chef of the new restaurant. Since Colleen’s on the Parkway was so well known in the Philly/South Jersey area, they decided to carry the name over and create Colleen’s By The Sea.
Now open since June, Colleen’s By The Sea is the place to be, specializing in juicy prime steaks and the freshest seafood available. This modern restaurant has a huge dining room with a dance floor, a beautiful bar and an outside deck that seats 50. Order a steak and pair it with a glass of wine from Colleen’s wine list, featuring some of the finest wines around. Hang out at the bar and order a fresh fruit martini, or take it to the outside deck and catch Wildwood’s Friday Night Fireworks. After dinner, get out on the dance floor and groove to live music, featured most evenings.
One of the best Happy Hours in town, Colleen’s Happy Hour from 4 to 6 p.m. offers great drink and appetizer specials. Additionally, Colleen’s fabulous martinis are $2 off during Happy Hour. Choose from Fresh Peach Martini, Fresh Hammonton Blueberry Martini, Chocolate Martini with a chocolate covered strawberry, Fresh Piña Colada with a chocolate cover pineapple, and Cranberry Martini. At the bar, you’ll find a menu full of Les’s mouthwatering food specials. After Fourth of July, Colleen’s will start featuring Early Bird Specials from 4 to 5 p.m.
Coming in the fall, Colleen’s will open an upstairs, 125-person banquet room for weddings, parties, special events and more!
Located just a few short blocks from the famous Wildwoods Boardwalk, don’t think twice about stopping by Colleen’s to have a nice meal before heading up, or grabbing some cool cocktails to wind down afterward. Colleen’s is open at 4 p.m. daily, year round, with limited days throughout the winter. Free parking is available for up to 50 cars. Handicap accessible. Reservations recommended.
222 E. Schellenger Ave., Wildwood
(609) 854-3822