The Washington Inn - classic, upscale American dining. Pricey? Yes. Worth it? Ohhh yes. My favorite restaurant of all time. (Refer to previous post about their crabcakes.) They know how to cook a filet better than anyone in the area. Flawless sides. Excellent cocktails. Impeccable service. Hazelnut-encrusted halibut = pure deliciousness. I can't say enough about it.
A Ca Mia - Italian, moderately priced, worth the trip for the shrimp scampi alone. I was sad to hear, however, that the baker (they also have a small bakery) who's made the classic pig sugar cookies for years has retired. :(
410 Bank Street - eclectic Island cuisine, moderately priced. Tried it for the first time this summer - WHOA. I'd have to say it's one of my favorite restaurants for the atmosphere alone. I love that sound of wine-induced conversation. We started with quail over summer greens. Neither of us had ever had quail and, needless to say, it's all we can talk about now. It was the tenderest, juiciest, most flavorful bird I've ever tasted. You couldn't cook a chicken that way if you wanted to. It was truly perfect. Their blackened sea scallops are a local favorite: thinly sliced fan-style, the scallop pieces are blackened individually, making the dish pop with flavor. Yes, they were awesome, but if you're going to impress me with scallops, do it by cooking the entire piece (a difficult feat, to be sure). The prime rib and salmon were also very nice. It certainly didn't hurt that we brought our own bottle of Argetine Malbec (straight from Argentina, a gift from a friend) :).
Copper Fish - upscale seafood. Pricey but worth every cent. Blueberry scallops were to DIE for. My mouth is watering as I type. Tad enjoyed the Firecracker calamari, as well as an outstanding Kobe meatloaf. My salmon was cooked to absolute perfection - flaky, flavorful but not overly fishy, paired perfectly with the potatoes. I will definitely be returning to Copper Fish. It's a fairly new place and the decor is beautiful and a lot more mod than most restaurants in the area, but I do wish the atmosphere wasn't quite so hushed.
The Blue Pig - classic American upscale, lots of seafood to choose from. Pricey - worth it, depending on what you order. I will first say that their outdoor dining is my favorite. There's something about being under those garden lights on a summery night right next to the Congress Hall hotel. Just sitting there feels ultra-classy. :) However, you really have to be choosy about your dish. Don't expect a whole lot of flavor with any white fish they serve, or to be completely blown away. Their salads and sides, however, are fantastic.
Stumpo's - R.I.P. We missed you and we're sad to see our favorite lunch spot go.
The Mad Batter - Breakfast and pub fare. Reasonably priced. Chances are, if you're in Cape May, you're staying at a B&B that already provides breakfast. Mad Batter is the perfect choice for breakfast or brunch when you've arrived in town before check-in. While the crowd (and it is ALWAYS crowded) makes service sub-par, the food is excellent. Try the pancakes, for sure. Country potatoes and omelettes are also delish.
Martini Beach - tapas. Overpriced. The food just doesn't cut it. I know tapas is trendy, but if you're going to do it, do it right. They do, however, offer a fantastic bar menu, and dining right on the beach (beach view from the table) is always fun.
The Ugly Mug - pub. Cheap. Good for a quick sunburn-recovery meal, like fajitas.
Jackson Mountain Cafe - pub. Cheap. Perfect for late-night snacks. Definitely get the roast beef au jus.
The Brown Room - bar @ Congress Hall. Probably the best bar in Cape May, even if it's crazy expensive. The live music and fancy drinks are totally worth it :)
I think that about sums it up. Hope this inspires you to head up to the Cape and try something new. More on where to stay some other time :) Happy eating!
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