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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
“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… […]
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 […]
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 […]
The story is the cornerstone of entertainment and of civilization. The story can convey and explain our origins, dreams, and fears. The food we eat has a story to tell that nourishes our mind and soul as well as our physical bodies. Finding those stories connects us to our ancestral […]
You may have been around Cape May long enough to remember the changeovers and transitions that this North Cape May bayfront restaurant has undergone—perhaps you recall the Whaler’s Cove or Harpoon Henry’s. The location now operates under the name Harpoons on the Bay and preserves the maritime theme that its […]
Lemon juice cuts the sweetness of this bourbon-based cocktail, while the muddled Luxardo cherries at the bottom of the glass make for a delicious finish. Find these Italian-made cherries in specialty stores or online. They aren’t your typical maraschinos; we wouldn’t recommend substituting the bright red variety. For a true […]
When asked for prime destinations for a top-shelf wine drinking experience, let’s admit that few will think first of the Jersey Shore. Not too many folks readily associate our coastal experience of sand, sea, taffy, and suds with scenic vineyards growing multiple varietals and producing award-winning wines. And yet, Cape […]