Dining

Cape May boasts an excellent, if pricey, collection of restaurants. Very highly regarded is the Water's Edge, at Beach Drive and Pittsburgh Avenue (tel. 609/884-1717), a romantic contemporary dining room with a consistently excellent creative chops-and-seafood menu and marvelous ocean views.

Cape May's finest is the elegant Washington Inn, 801 Washington St., at Jefferson Street (tel. 609/884-5697), whose winning New American takes on such classics as rack of lamb and filet mignon are complemented by faultless service and a super-romantic setting. Perfect for celebrating a special occasion. For similar quality with an ocean view and retro Miami feel, opt to dine at the Washington's brand-new sister restaurant, the Pelican Club, since 2000 atop the Marquis de Lafayette Hotel, 501 Beach Ave. (tel. 609/884-3500).

For classics like clams casino, shrimp cocktail, and thick-cut steaks, head to the Merion Inn, 106 Decatur St., at Columbia Avenue (tel. 609/884-8363), somewhat less expensive than the Washington Inn but no less romantic. This dimly lit, old-world restaurant also has an excellent mahogany bar and live soft jazz in summer.

For more affordable eats, the distinctive yellow striped awning signals the Mad Batter, 19 Jackson St., just off Carpenters Lane (tel. 609/884-5970), a comfortable, casual restaurant specializing in from-scratch-made breakfasts, fresh, leafy salads at lunch, and unfussy European-style entrees at dinner. Live music.

If you want a quick, inexpensive lunch, your best bet is the Depot Market Cafe, 409 Elmira St. (next to the Village Bike Shop on Ocean St.; tel. 609/884-8030), an ultra-casual sandwich shop with
homemade everything and a pleasing alfresco patio.

Overlooking the beach action is McGlade's on the Pier, on the Promenade at Convention Hall (tel. 609/884-2614), where the stars of the otherwise-average burgers-and-seafood menu are the stellar crab cakes and omelets. Next door is Henry's on the Beach (tel. 609/884-8826), serving a similar all-day menu.


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