Try This at Home
The Seafood Paradox
Of course, we need a pair of docks for all the fishing boats. Of course I went for the cheap pun. Unfortunately, there really is a seafood paradox in Cape May.
Food & Dining
Grape & Grain
From Farm to Bottle: Nauti Spirits
Except for the molasses needed for rum production, all of Nauti’s liquors are grown, ground, mashed, fermented, distilled, and bottled on site.
Prime Selections
2025 Restaurant Scene
Each spring we devote this column to what’s new on the restaurant scene for the upcoming season. This year there are no new restaurants opening on the island (that we know of at this writing) but exciting news none-the-less. As you know, Carl Messick, the famous chef of Peter Shields […]
Dining Out
The Mad Batter
In our continuing series of “Cape May Classics,” The Mad Batter Restaurant and Bar is surely ensconced on the “absolutely must include” list. I’ve been frequenting this spot for 30 years and it never disappoints. When my dining companion Reginald and I decide to step out for a bite and […]
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Diversity in the Kitchen and on the Table
I have spent most of my adult life living and working in resort towns, primarily in two locales: the ski areas of Colorado and beach towns up and down the Jersey shore. Many resort areas have great restaurants, and some like Cape May are great restaurant towns that entice foodies […]
Bartender's Best
Negroni
Recipe courtesy of The Washington Inn This cocktail, which takes its striking red color from Campari, originated in Florence, Italy in the early 1900s. “[The Negroni] stands tall in its simplicity and sophistication,” says the Washington Inn. “Perfectly balanced with a touch of bitterness, it’s a flawless choice for anyone […]
Grape & Grain
Slack Tide Brewing
With this issue, our Grape & Grain column enters its second year of spotlighting the impressive array of breweries, wineries, and distilleries that populate our beloved Jersey Cape. It is a remarkable and expanding assortment of fun-filled venues where locals and visitors can immerse themselves in the vibrant Jersey Shore […]
Dining Out
The Lobster House
This New Year, we’re celebrating by reviewing the “Cape May Classics.” These are the restaurants that are the essence of Cape May, known casually as the culinary capital of New Jersey. On the top of any list is the esteemed and globally revered Lobster House. Situated on Schellenger’s Landing Road […]
Dining Out
Yozu Japanese Cuisine
It’s an unassuming spot, Yozu Japanese Cuisine (a.k.a. Yozu Sushi and Hibachi Restaurant), tucked in the corner of the Bayshore Mall, opposite Big Lots. Step inside and it’s anything but! The interior is serene and elegant, with seating for both regular dining and for dining Hibachi-style. There was a time […]
Prime Selections
Just Add Butter
Succulent, sweet, and luxurious are only a few of the words that come to mind when I think about my favorite food – lobster. This versatile crustacean can transport me to culinary heaven. Apart from the sheer enjoyment of its texture and taste, I suppose it’s such a treat because […]
Grape & Grain
Cape May Winery & Vineyard
Beginning with our Early Spring issue, this column has highlighted the cornucopia of artisanal beverage destinations in Cape May County. Though renowned for beautiful beaches, boardwalks, and bars, our region has also blossomed over the past decade into an impressive port of call for craft beer, wine, and spirits enthusiasts. […]
Bartender's Best
The Lobster House
Cozy up with these festive cocktails from the bartenders at The Lobster House! Christmas Cookie To a shaker, add vodka, Bailey’s, amaretto, and half & half. Set aside. Roll the rim of a martini glass in vanilla frosting, then roll in sprinkles to create a candy edge. Pour drink into […]
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Unwrapping Holiday Traditions
Holidays are a fabricated construct, much like time, money, and politics. Traditions are the bedrock of societal and community development and provide comfort. They are what we turn to during chaotic and uncertain times. Or are traditions an anchor that make us feel safely grounded but keep us from moving […]
Grape & Grain
Behr Brewing: Beer, Down Home Style
The ever-growing craft beer industry is the result of many happy incidents, coincidences, and luck. One of those incidents was the signing of HR 1337 in 1977 by then-President Jimmy Carter which legalized homebrewing in the United States. I mention this not to start a history lesson but to note […]
Bartender's Best
Bee’s Knees
The Bees Knees, a new bee-themed bar at the Marquis de Lafayette, takes inspiration from a 1920s speakeasy, but it doesn’t make itself hard to find. A neon sign in the entrance proudly pronounces it as Cape May’s “worst” kept secret. The cocktail menu includes Prohibition-era nods such as Giggle […]
Dining Out
Andrea Trattoria Italiana
Over the nearly 10 years that I’ve been reviewing restaurants for this magazine, there have been some absolutely exquisite meals and equally exquisite service and ambiance. I’m happy to report that my recent visit to Andrea Trattoria Italiana on Bank Street was another such experience. While we stood outside with […]
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A Smoldering Fire
America loves barbecue even if most people really aren’t sure what barbecue really means. The terms grilling, barbecue, and cookout are used interchangeably when they really mean very different things. A cookout is a meal or event where the cooking is done outside. Grilling is food cooked on a grill […]
Dining Out
Harry’s Ocean Bar and Grille
On a somewhat chilly and rainy late Saturday afternoon in early June, my dining companion AnneMarie sauntered into Harry’s Ocean Bar and Grille and joined me at a four-top table in the main seating section of the restaurant. There were other options of course—covered seating next to the bar (and […]
Prime Selections
Popeye Would be Proud
As a meat eater, I never realized how difficult it used to be for a vegetarian to enjoy a delicious meal in a restaurant until I began to socialize with one. Most of the time, the only entrée available was a plate of bland steamed vegetables. So, my friend would […]
Grape & Grain
Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery
We denizens of the South Jersey Shore know that all seasons here offer a cornucopia of adventures and delights. While sun and surf are typically chief among these, surely next is our region’s abundance of establishments for rest and refreshment! In this column we highlight the numerous wineries, breweries, and […]
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The World is Your Oyster
“Shy is the oyster, fervent is the clam, peaceful is the ocean floor rocked by the sands of time.” —Bradley Chicho For creatures that spend nearly the entirety of their lives mired in the muck of river and ocean bottoms, clams and oysters have inspired many poets, writers, and artists… […]
Bartender's Best
Cape May Warbler
The sunny color of this avian-inspired cocktail comes from yellow chartreuse and bell pepper juice. Find smoked sea salt in specialty stores and online; locally, you can find a hickory-smoked variety at Spice Cellar on Carpenters Lane. How to make it Shake all ingredients and serve in a double old […]
Grape & Grain
Cold Spring Brewery: Drinking in History
While in college a long time ago my favorite subject was history. So, I majored in it. Also, while in college a long time ago, my favorite beverage was beer. You could say I kind of majored in that too. Now, neither of these two loves are particularly unique, I […]