Wine & Celebration In Cape May Part 2

 

Again, my apologies for this late post. We were in Cape Cod, when I began to write it. Now we are home and playing catch up with everyone and everything-including my blog. First week in Cape May, this week in Cape Cod until Wednesday (more on that in a few days). For now I will pick up where I left off last week-with highlights from the rest of our Cape May pre-anniversary celebration. I appreciate the opportunity to share a bit more than the usual spotlights and commentary on some of my favorite wines. I will try to wrap up our 50th anniversary celebration early next week and then get back on schedule.

Tuesday Dinner at Bryne

Bryne is a great new restaurant located just as you go over the bridge. If you can’t find a spot to park along the adjacent pier area, you can park in the lot across from the Lobster House. Seating on the patio is a gorgeous place to have dinner, overlooking the harbor and the boats and surrounded by lovely flowers and trees. The food is great and it is a BYOB!

The Food

I had great photos of other dishes, but was not able to upload them. Two of us had the Swordfish, pictured below. All of our apps and entrees were terrific. The shared octopus salad, Tuna, Crab, and short ribs were all great.

The Wine

I brought two bottles of white wine and one bottle of red. They were: Unionville Vineyards 2022 Home Chardonnay, Unionville Vineyards 2023 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve, and King Family Vineyards 2021 Meritage.

The Unionville 2022 Home Chardonnay is gently oaked with tasty citrus notes (especially lime) on the palate. This Chardonnay and their 2022 Pheasant Hill Chardonnay are two of the best Chardonnays I have had all year.

The Unionville Sauvignon Blanc Reserve was also wonderful and a great surprise, since this was their first vintage of this beauty. It did not have that “in your face” grapefruit note that makes it hard to pair with food. It is well-balanced with tasty tropical fruit on the palate.

The King Family 2021 Meritage is a classic from Virginia. This red blend is their flagship red blend. It offers cherry and blackberry on the palate. My son, Sean, remembered how much he enjoyed it while he lived in Charlottesville, while working on his PhD at UVA (as did my wife and I  when we visited).

Wednesday Take Out Dinner from Louisa’s

We had planned on eating in their new outdoor venue, but the weather did not cooperate. But we were happy to enjoy great food and wine in our rental unit. My son and his wife told us they were planning a little surprise when we finished our meal.

Our disappointment in not being able to eat in the new outdoor venue, was quickly forgotten. Our son and his wife had made enlarged photos of our wedding day and put them on two large laminated boards and placed them in the living room. Then they brought out an amazing cake to celebrate our 50th anniversary. Finally, our son had contacted a few relatives and close friends to say a few words via a video, complete with music from the 70’s. What a moving, thoughtful, and amazing treat!

I don’t want to forget the food and wine…My scallops and our granddaughter’s bluefish were standouts. I love that their menu retains so many of our favorites-even side dishes, like their tasty sesame noodles.

As for wine, I don’t recall the wine I had to drink with my scallops, but during the course of the day, we enjoyed a bottle of J Lohr Merlot and Dry Creek Vineyard Heritage Vines Zinfandel. The later is pictured below. Note that it is the 50th anniversary of this vineyard.

Thursday Take Out Pizza from Lucky Bones

We had a variety of dishes, including pizza from Lucky Bones. No pictures, and unfortunately, it has already been two weeks and my memory is fading. However, I saved a couple of my best wines for our last night with our son and his family-Caymus 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon and Belle Glos 2020 Clark & Telephone Pinot Noir. Both are pictured below. Note the Caymus Cab was their 50th Anniversary bottle-how fitting!

Friday Dinner at the Ebbitt Room at the Virginia House

My wife and I were already missing our son and his family, but were able to score a reservation on the porch of the Ebbitt Room at the Virginia House. We have had some great memories here over the years. Tonight was yet another. I started with some grilled oysters, while my wife chose the calamari. For our entrees, I chose the Miso Halibut and my wife selected the Salmon in a snap pea risotto. Both are pictured below. Both were excellent and the entire meal was so well done and so enjoyable.

                                           

We enjoyed a bottle of French Chablis with our meal. I don’t recall the name of the vineyard, but the wine had a minerality and balanced acidity which made a perfect complement to both of our dinners (and apps, especially the oysters).

What a great week in Cape May! Spending quality, fun time with our son, his wife, and our granddaughter; amazing food, and some fantastic wines!

Coming Attractions

• 50th Anniversary Celebration in Cape Cod-More great food, wine, and more!
• A few new NJ Wines of the Week

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