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Writer's pictureLuci, Michele, and Billa

Dining in Cape May

By Billa


Cape May, New Jersey is a charming small town located 140 miles south of Staten Island. It is known as America’s original seaside resort. In geography, it is part of the Jersey Shore, but it’s nothing like the Jersey Shore of reality TV. Instead, it contains 600 perfectly preserved gingerbread Victorian residences, mansions, and quaint bed and breakfasts that transport visitors to a bygone era. It is the only city in the US to be wholly designated as a national historic district.


Beaches, boardwalks, and nature trails abound. Other attractions are bird-watching (400 bird species have been recorded in this area, and we were privileged to witness a hawk close by), whale and dolphin watching, and collecting Cape May “diamonds” (actually clear prismatic quartz pebbles that wash down the shore from the Delaware River 200 miles above).


We had been meaning to visit Cape May for years and finally made it two weeks ago, spending 4 wonderful days there getting away from it all.


Our hotel: The Queen Victoria Inn Bed and Breakfast

Here’s where we dined:

Day 1: The Blue Pig Tavern

The lobster Mac and cheese with fontina and cheddar was creamily delicious. Toasted panko crumbs provided some welcome texture.


The Key lime pie a la mode was citrusy, sweet, and tart with a creamy topping that counterbalanced its slight bitterness.


Day 2: Oyster Bay Restaurant

The Miso-glazed salmon roasted over coconut rice with grilled bok choy and crispy arugula had a salty, umami flavor. Deliciously tangy.



My husband Martin had blackened cajun swordfish also with coconut rice. He thought it was flavorful with just the right spice level.


Day 3: Tisha’s Restaurant

The blueberry goat cheese salad with balsamic vinaigrette was a perfect mixture of sweet, creamy, bitter, and tangy.


The savory mushroom risotto included several kinds of wild mushrooms and was topped with shavings of asiago cheese. It was satisfyingly filling.

The berry layer cake provided a perfect finish to the meal, light and fruity.


Day 4: Vintage Restaurant

Vintage is a restaurant set in a tent in the garden of the Emlen Physick Estate, an 18-room mansion built in 1879 that is now a museum. At first, we thought the restaurant’s name might have something to do with an extensive wine list, but actually it refers to its vintage setting. Like most Cape May restaurants it is BYOB (the town only has 2 liquor licenses). The reason for that, I assume, is that its 3,500 residents prefer that their town remain distinct from other Jersey Shore towns that have a wild reputation.


Salmon with avocado and feta served atop basmati rice, coconut curried cauliflower, and broccolini was a wonderful melange of flavors and textures.


Dessert was a peanut butter bombe with peanut butter mousse and a chocolate ganache shell, coated with chopped peanuts. It was sublime for someone like me who loves the taste of peanuts.


If you enjoy being in a Victorian atmosphere and eating good food, I highly recommend a visit to Cape May.

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2 Comments


rubemar
Oct 13

The beautiful images capture the essence of Cape May. The interesting facts deepens the enjoyment. The cuisine enriches a thoroughly well-rounded trip including nature walks, bird watching, boardwalk, beach, ocean, and town.

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catchy50
Oct 13

Thank you, enticing information and images, all we need for a future visit.

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