Thursday, Jun. 11, 2009
inlet eatery captures essense of jersey bay
cape may seafood & steakhouse
Herb-encrusted Prime Rib at Cape May Seafood & Steakhouse - photo by Ashley Morris, for Weekly Surge.
setting the table
Much like Murrells Inlet, Cape May, N.J., is an historic seaside resort that shells out the seafood and scenic views faster than you can say, “More, please!” Jim DeFeo, a Cape May native, has married the pair of picturesque waterfront communities with his new Murrells Inlet restaurant, Cape May Seafood & Steakhouse.
While the framework of the building’s former venue, Rhythm House Café, exists, the facelift is Hollywood-reveal amazing. The lush, lanai-like courtyard entrance is beautifully tropical, with a gas-fueled fire pit surrounded by a water fountain ring, pergola-covered dining patios, and a front porch that swings into a second-level outdoor bar.
This place has a lot of space. Inside, polished hardwood floors extend into several dining rooms, including a front, fun raw bar room lined with stools and checkerboard accents, the classy central bar and lounge area that peaks into a high ceiling painted as a moonlit starry sky, a small stage area off the lounge complete with a pianist on a baby grand, and three more spacious dining sections.
We were seated in the sun-filled one closest to the bar, which was nicely smoke-free, since smoking is only permitted outside. A pretty wall mural depicted a salt marsh panorama. Even our table for the four of us was huge (which is nice for a toddler with grabby hands) set with Caribbean-esque wooden chairs.
down the hatch
Cape May’s menu is a medley of seafood, steaks and traditional Italian specialties. For starters, I ordered the Crab Cake Poppers, lump crabmeat with a kick of diced jalapeño peppers rolled into giant hush puppy balls ($9). They were a tasty combination of seafood and spice. I couldn’t decide, so our server Norm brought all three dipping sauces: the house-made cocktail, tartar and remoulade (my favorite). Mom and Dad chose 20 cold peel-and-eat shrimp at an affordable happy hour price of 35-cents each – and the shrimp weren’t shrimpy in size.
Happy hour also meant that Dad’s Bud Light draft was a mere $1.25 and Mom’s house Riesling was $3.50. Very impressive. I stuck to ice water, but didn’t mind the basic H2O this visit, made special by its presentation in elegant goblets.
Dinner for my son was a large soup bowl serving of cheese ravioli discs ($5) in marina, which he absolutely loved. Mom chose the slow-roasted 7-ounce Herb-encrusted Prime Rib, a pink, tender cut accompanied by horseradish, au jus and two sides: garlic mashed potatoes and Burgundy-soaked sautéed mushrooms ($14). She complimented the chef on a perfect steak preparation.
Dad and I chose two different Filets of Sea dinner entrees ($18). He, the broiled red snapper; I, the lightly blackened salmon with a cup of drawn butter, also paired with a lump of garlic mashed and grilled asparagus spears. The filet was flavorful and generous, unlike other microscopic catches I’ve sampled at so-called seafood houses in the past. Dad’s second side was a fresh-tossed salad that (and I knew the nerd in me would have to mention this) Norm sprinkled with a dual high-tech, fresh-ground pepper shaker and flashlight. That was a Gut Reaction first for me.
check, please
I think it’s nice to know there is definitely another reputable dining option outside of the popular cluster of eateries along Murrells Inlet’s Marsh Walk restaurant district, which seems to get most of the fishing village’s notoriety. Cape May Seafood & Steakhouse boasts gorgeous views of its own (indoors and out), an affordable menu packed with items that are any foodie’s dream and outstanding service that’s neither faux nor forced.
Cape May Seafood & Steakhouse is at 4494 U.S. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet. Dinner is served at 4 p.m. daily. For additional info, visit www.capemayseafoodandsteakhouse.com or call 651-8400.
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