On Your Way to Cape May? (Part 1)
Apologies for my brief absence. Life has been wonderfully full lately, leaving little time to sit down and write. This past Wednesday marked my girlfriend Kat’s birthday, and to celebrate, we spent the weekend on a charming getaway to Cape May. I’ve been eager to share a few of our favorite spots from the trip. If there’s one thing to know about Kat and me, it’s that we have a deep appreciation for good food, and Cape May did not disappoint.
We stayed at the Wilbraham Mansion, and I’m pleased to report that not a single ghost disturbed our dreams. Cape May, with its Victorian charm and storied past, is well known for its ghost sightings. Admittedly, I’ve been known to attract a few of them myself. Doug Carnes, the innkeeper, graciously drew us a map and shared the inside scoop on his favorite local spots. His recommendations completely reshaped our itinerary, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned from this trip, it’s to trust the locals over the Google stars every time.
Stop #1: Elaine’s Restaurant and Bar
Elaine’s Restaurant and Bar doubles as a boutique hotel.
We actually visited twice, once on Friday when we arrived, and again after dinner on Saturday night. We’d been told to stop by for the drinks and the atmosphere, and it did not disappoint. While I can’t personally speak to the food, our waitress, who was wonderfully kind, swore by the pork chop if you plan to dine there. I’m a little frustrated with myself, as a fellow waitress, for not remembering her name, but she graciously gave us a full rundown of the island and its local gems.
Stop #2: Blue Pig Tavern
After dining at Elaine’s Restaurant and Bar, we weren’t quite ready for another meal, but we also weren’t in the mood to shop. As we wandered through town, we came across the fire pits outside Congress Hall, complete with an inviting outdoor bar. The atmosphere was lovely, relaxed yet elegant, so we settled in with glasses of wine. Before long, I struck up a conversation with two women whose children had been married at Congress Hall. They still return every year, just the two of them, to relive the memories. As it turned out, we had plenty in common! One had raised her children in Medford, New Jersey, where they’d gone to school with two of my closest friends. The other worked in the literary world, so we shared a passion that sparked a lively conversation!
I was even offered a job while we were there, apparently, I couldn’t resist tidying up after other guests. What can I say? The waitress in me never takes a day off.
Stop #3: Oyster Bay Restaurant and Bar
The food here is absolutely outstanding. From the moment we walked in, we knew this was the spot. The kind of place locals return to again and again. The bartender clocked us immediately after we ordered our drinks. Kat started with an Old Fashioned, to which he replied confidently, “I got you.” When I ordered one later in the evening, he served mine with a straw. We love a bartender with character. Kat and I can never resist roasted long hots, so naturally, we ordered them to start. For our main course, we took Doug’s recommendation and went with the 8 oz. center-cut filet, a choice we certainly didn’t regret.