Page 46 - 2024 Southern NJ Vacationer

44 SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY VACATIONER
DINING
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THE CULINARY JOURNEY at the Jersey Cape blends farm-to-table freshness, exquisite seafood, international flavors and intimate waterfront and outdoor settings that capture the region’s access to fresh seafood and its rich agricultural heritage.
The dining scene in the region is vibrant and characterized by a commitment to locally sourced ingredients, ensuring an authentic farm or sea-to-fork experience. New Jersey, also known as the Garden State, is home to the freshest fruits and vegetables in season, which can be found daily at local farms and farm markets. Cape May/Wildwood is one of the largest ports on the East Coast, and many of the seafood choices are delivered to restaurants within hours of being caught. This ensures that the seafood is fresh and of the highest quality.
If you want an up-close look at farm fresh, you must tour Beach Plum Farm in West Cape May and enjoy breakfast or lunch outside as farm workers hoe, weed and harvest around you. The hundred or more varieties of fruits, vegetables, flowers and herbs grown on the 62-acre farm eventually end up on the tables of local restaurants like the Blue Pig at Congress Hall and the Ebbitt Room at the Virginia Hotel. It’s in these fine restaurants where chefs develop menus around
the wide variety of fresh farm produce.
Once dubbed the Restaurant Capital of the East Coast by the New York Times, the City of Cape May continues to expand its dining styles. Dining at Elaine’s Cape May is an experience that invites patrons inside or outside anytime of the year. That is right! Eating outside in the fall and winter is a thing at Elaine’s where guests can enjoy beverages and meals at tables and two outdoor bars warmed by tableside heaters and firepits. Live entertainment all year long combined with an eclectic menu makes a visit to Elaine’s Cape May a must! For more information
visit www.elainescapemay.com
At the Ocean 7 Restaurant in the Inn of Cape May, the dining options are indoor and al fresco, too! Start your day with a steaming cup of coffee and relax on a plush lobby couch. For happy hour, sip cocktails on the sun-drenched porch while enjoying the salty-sea air. If you’re looking for a more formal dining experience, make a reservation at Ocean 7. The restaurant offers a contemporary twist on American classics, using fresh, seasonally sourced ingredients to produce creative takes on timeless cuisine. The Coffee Bar is the perfect place to grab your first cup of Joe or mid-morning pick-me-up. They serve up the caffeinated drinks you need to
fuel your next activity after a late night or before a long day. The Porch is another great spot to unwind with friends over wine or indulge in a refreshing midday cocktail. With comfortable bistro seating and cozy gathering corners, it’s the ideal spot to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. www.innofcapemay.com
Dining al fresco reaches new heights at Harry’s Ocean Bar & Grille in Cape May where rooftop dining provides unobstructed views of the city’s picturesque beachfront. The view is only part of the excitement at this award-winning restaurant. Menu items made of fresh local seafood, signature sandwiches and tasty appetizers pair well with their famous Orange Crushes. Located in the Montreal Inn, Harry’s is the only rooftop bar in town. www.harryscapemay.com
Hemingway’s at the Grand Hotel in Cape May is a favorite restaurant for visitors and locals alike. Enjoy modern American cuisine with a variety of delectable culinary creations – steaks, fresh, locally sourced seafood including an early Sunset Dining menu and the popular Prime Rib Night on Wednesdays. The classically casual, never stuffy vibe at The Bar @Hemingway’s is the perfect place to relax and unwind with specialty cocktails, some with unique backstories like the