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 we just can’t decide on a spot, we invariably agree, “Let’s just go to The Batter!” That’s a testament to the reliability and consistency of a place.

One would be hard-pressed to find an eatery that is more cheerful than The Mad Batter Restaurant and Bar. The Kulkowitz family gave touches to this spot for years, from the bright hand-carved and hand-painted sign (likely created by local artist Brian DeMusz) to the colorful glass and mosaic touches throughout.

Though we frequent The Batter (its local moniker) mostly for snacks and burgers, we go for breakfast too. Breakfast, it should be noted, is a magnificent and bustling affair year ‘round. So, we were pretty jazzed to do some adulting, sitting at a high-top in the side dining room, and having a multi-course dinner like grown-ups. Usually we sit at the bar, but we were feeling like table patrons this night.

There are really five seating options: the front dining room, the bar, the side dining room, the back dining room, and what we call ‘the festive board” which is a three-section counter seating four across each section, separating the bar and the side dining room. Each seating area has its particular charms, depending on how engaged you want to be with the music, or if you want to hunker down for a more private setting. The back dining room especially is sweet and overlooks the little garden and fountain beyond. A point of note: beyond that little garden and fountain is The Cricket Club, also owned by the Kulkowitz family, and also worth a visit!

Moving on, we already knew what we were going to order, having memorized the menu over time. That said though, The Batter recently updated the menu and added some new items, and I think we’ve tried them all. We’re especially fond of the mussels and red sauce over biscuits!

Our waitress, the affable and capable Jen, took our orders – a Slack Tide IPA from the local brewery for me, and a house cabernet for Reginald. As we awaited our apps and entrees, we enjoyed the dulcet tones of a local favorite songwriter, Mike Flanigan. This guy is supremely talented and does amazing jazzy renditions of not-usually-jazzy songs. His covers and originals are excellent too. Note that The Batter offers live music every night of the week, and the schedule of performers is listed on their website, along with the entire menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

For starters I had the soup of the day, Tomato Crab Bisque, a creamy smooth concoction and one of a number of bisques they offer. I’ve also had the Lobster Bisque which is equally yummy. With warm ciabatta rolls and soft butter, this could have been a meal in itself. No way was that going to happen on this outing.

Both of our entrees arrived, the Nachos for Reginald (with grilled and shredded chicken) and served with pico de gallo, tomatoes, fresh jalapeños, sour cream, cheddar cheese sauce, and queso fresco. Gotta say the cheddar cheese sauce is wonderful and delicate and always tastes like more. It really is a generous portion, literally a mound of goodness and definitely enough for two people.

My entrée choice was the Half Rack of BBQ Ribs. They also offer a full rack, but I’d already had the soup and a warm bread thing, so a half rack was plenty. Okay, so the ribs were fall-off-the-bone delicious. They were accompanied by a large portion of Mac and Cheese and coleslaw. Let’s talk about that Mac and Cheese. Good. Ness. It tasted like there were three kinds of cheese. Nutty cheese, creamy cheese, sharp cheese. I’m not quite sure of the recipe, but let’s just say I’d order the ribs just to have the Mac and Cheese. And thank goodness for to-go containers.

For dessert, my favorite thing ever, we decided to exercise some self-control and split a slice of Chocolate Mousse Pie. A chocolate crust with the chocolatey-est mousse and whipped cream to boot. So good, and it also tasted like more.

We loved our meal and even after dining there for decades, there’s always something that fits one’s mood. For the first time visitor, The Batter offers up a menu with lots of variety. There is a gluten-free menu, there’s a vegan menu, and there’s a children’s menu. The Batter checks every box.

The Mad Batter is in the Carroll Villa Hotel on Jackson Street, and there’s always something happening, including monthly art exhibits, special events, and fundraisers.

Do go to The Batter, and if you’ve already gone, you most likely go often!