Most people come to t for the beautiful beaches or the beautiful homes. Cape May has the largest collection of Victorian homes in one spot in the U.S., and the entire town is a National Historic Landmark.
But while you’re there, take a detour to its smaller sibling of Cape May Point, and stop in for a meal at the Red Store. Deanna Ebner opened the restaurant last spring, and that summer, her husband, Lucas Manteca, left his job as executive chef of several Cape May hotel restaurants to join her.
The name of this farm-to-table spot is a bit misleading. Yes, you can buy a few items in an actual store to take home, but they’re known for their fresh and locally sourced gourmet meals, served in a casual summer house setting. All of the produce comes from West Cape May farms, and eggs come from local, cage free chickens. You’ll find typical menu items, like eggs breakfast, and steak for dinner, but with upscale twists: eggs come with crab, avocado and crème fraiche; and the steak is served with duck fat fries.
If you’re not from the area and are at the Red Store for breakfast, you must try the Triple Decker Pork Roll. It’s a local specialty.
Cape May Point is a seasonal town, so the Red Store’s hours are seasonal too. They’re open for breakfast, lunch and dinner in the height of the summer season, and weekends only in the months before and after the year’s prime. They’re also closed in January and February. Always check the website to see their hours.
If you go, expect to wait. In the summer, the restaurant typically relies in cross breezes and fans to keep it cool, so it doesn’t have that canned, air conditioned feel. This spring, they’re starting a Chef’s Table experience, so stay tuned to the website for more details.