Anniversary Celebration

This year marked our 52nd Anniversary. While we recently enjoyed a week in Cape May with our family, we decided to return for the ocean, the great restaurants, and take advantage of a couple of gift cards we still had. So we stayed at the Wilbraham Mansion B & B and dined at one of our favorite restaurants-Peter Shields Inn on our Anniversary night. While I brought some wine with us, neither of our dinners were at BYOB restaurants. On our second night we finally got a seat outdoors at Harpoons on the Bay. The same was true of our lunches (Cape May Winery and Tiki Ten35). We lucked out with our weather. Lots of sun and no rain.

The Wilbraham Mansion

Located in West Cape May, this is a very nice Bed and Breakfast, with attractive and convenient accommodations and wonderful breakfasts, including things like waffles, quiche, pancakes, muffins, and fruit. They have an indoor pool, an outdoor shower, and beach tags are included. We definitely enjoyed our stay, though next time we may request the newer section that has an elevator (beats hauling your luggage up a flight of stairs).

Peter Shields Inn

The owners and chefs have changed over the years, but we have always enjoyed great meals and great service here. Our bonus on Monday-the wonderful pianist, Kahil Gunther. He is so good and we could hear his music on the front porch, where we were seated. Our server brought us some champaign to start our meal (I must have mentioned it was our anniversary). 

We each had a salad and then ordered our entrees. My wife chose their local scallops, while I ordered the halibut served over rissoto. Both were amazing. We went with a bottle of AXR Chardonnay from California to pair with our dinners. It was also very good. We had a bottle of this one recently so I knew it would be fine (even if three times what I paid for the one we enjoyed recently). I really wish they would go back to being a BYOB, but that is my only complaint. Peter Shields still remains one of our all-time favorite restaurants!

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Harpoons on the Bay

If you ever got (or tried to get) a table at Harpoons on the Bay (formerly Harpoon Henry’s) you know it isn’t easy. They don’t accept reservations and everyone loves this place. It’s newly renovated with great food and a view of the bay, and an ambience that is hard to beat. My wife chose their crab cakes, while I went with their cod. We enjoyed a very nice, refreshing bottle of Albarino from Rias Baixas with our dinners. Hard to get a photo here without getting an unsuspected patron in the picture, but it is crowded here because the food is good, the prices are still pretty reasonable, and the view across the street is hard to beat.

Cape May Winery

My wife and I arrived here just as they were opening. We love their sliders and tapas menu. My wife selected their tuna poke tacos and I selected their lobster slider. We love their tuna poke tacos and often get them here. The Lobster slider was amazing-small, but packed with lots of lobster meat. We had an excellent bottle of their 2025 Estate Stone Series White Field Blend (81% Chardonnay; 9% Sauvignon Blanc; and 10% Pinot Grigio).

Tiki Ten30

One of our favorite tiki bars, with very good food and drinks, live music, and a view of the Atlantic across the street. We planned an early dinner at Harpoons so we went with a light lunch. We shared some hummus and pita bread. My wife had a glass of Chardonnay and I enjoyed a Tito’s & Tonic.

Home Cooked Flounder & NJ Wine

Before leaving Cape May, we stopped at the Lobster House Fish Market, and brought home some flounder for dinner and some scallops for another night. The flounder was terrific, baked with butter, and seasoned with garlic and some of  Chef Paul Prudhomme’s Seafood Magic seasoning. The wine…

Unionville Vineyard’s 2024 Home Chardonnay-This is one of my all-time favorite Chardonnays from a great winery known for multiple award winning Chardonnays, including this gem. It is a delicious medium to full-bodied version with lemon and apple notes and a luscious silky mouthfeel.

Coming Attractions

• Bellview Winery & Amalthea Cellars August ’26
• Hawk Haven & Turdo Vineyards Summer ’26
• Cedar Rose Vineyards September ’26
• Grill Night at Cape May Winery Summer ’26
• Beneduce Vineyards September ’26

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