Savor the Taste of Summer with Cape May’s Food and Wine Events

CAPE MAY – Sink your teeth into a Murder Mystery, dine with two wayward pirates, sample the wines of Cape May County, experience the Chalfonte’s famous fried chicken and much more this summer in Cape May. The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC) celebrates the summer with flavorful events through Sept. 8.
Murder is on the menu during Cape May’s summer Murder Mystery Dinners on Sundays, July 24, July 31, Aug. 7 and Aug. 14 at 7 p.m. The Impromptu Players invade the dining room at the Inn of Cape May, 7 Ocean St., where they set the scene for the new mystery, “One Tough Cookie.” Friends, relatives, rich political contributors and even uninvited guests are attending the inaugural celebration for Jacob Thurman, the newly elected Mayor of the seashore town. Will they all chant, “long live the mayor”, or will they let family disagreement, political rivalry, social ambition, or past offenses poison the festive gathering? There is a killer among them and when someone drops dead, suspicion runs wild. Will this mystery be too much for the sheriff to sink his teeth into? Will it be a piece of cake for you to solve? Interact with the cast of likely suspects and try to solve the mystery as you enjoy a three-course dinner. Admission is $45.
Ahoy mateys! Lunch with the Pirates is new for 2011 and presented by Actors Offstage! You won’t have to climb the mast or walk the plank when you meet our two wayward pirates in the Carriage House Tearoom & Café located on the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., for lunch, but you will have to join their crew and help them find Captain Kidd’s treasure. So, bring your best pirate face and be prepared to shout ARRGGGH! There may be a sword fight or two before the elusive treasure chest is found and who knows what riches it might contain. But as a member of the crew you’ll get your share! Lunch with the Pirates is offered every Friday through Aug. 26 at 11:30 a.m. Admission is $18 for adults and $10 for children (price includes lunch).
Travel back to 1863 with Actors Offstage during the new performance of Cape May in Blue & Gray, written and directed by Ray Crew. In honor of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, MAC is transporting audiences to a time when the allegiances of Cape May’s residents were divided between Union and Confederate causes, to witness first-hand, the war’s effect on a local family. The drama begins on the trolley and finishes at the historic 1876 Chalfonte Hotel where you may complete your experience with a visit to the Chalfonte Collection, a unique assembly of Civil War artifacts with a Chalfonte connection and a traditional Southern fried chicken dinner (optional). Acclaimed for her skill as well as her spirit, the late Miss Helen Dickerson presided over the Chalfonte’s Magnolia Room kitchen for more than 60 years, serving “soul food with its Sunday clothes on.” Her Southern fried chicken was featured on the Food Network show Tyler’s Ultimate and The Phil Donahue Show. Today her tradition of culinary excellence lives on in her daughters Lucille Tompson and Dot Burton, who have continued to create their mother’s recipes for the enjoyment of the Chalfonte’s restaurant patrons for the last 50 years. Offered Tuesdays and Thursdays through Sept. 1 at 5:15 p.m. Adults: $35 for performance and dinner, $15 for performance only. Children (ages 3-12): $27 for performance and dinner, $12 for performance only.
Teddy Bear Tea Parties at the Carriage House Tearoom & Café, located on the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., are B.Y.O.B (bring your own bear). Come celebrate Teddy’s birthday and bring your favorite bear (or dolly). Meet Mocha the bear as you enjoy kid-friendly menus, teddy bear music, stories and activities. Admission is $18 for adults and $10 for children. Teddy Bear Tea Parties are offered on Sundays, July 17, July 31 and Aug. 14 at 12 p.m.
Sip and swirl at your own pace on the Self-guided Wine Trail offered daily through Sept. 8 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Spend the afternoon touring the wineries of Cape May County including Natali Vineyards, Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery and Turdo Vineyards & Winery and taste the unique flavors at each. Admission is $10 and includes a map with the wineries listed and a tasting glass.
Visit the award-winning Cape May Winery, 711 Town Bank Rd., for a Winery Cellar Tour & Tasting, offered daily through Sept. 8 at 3 p.m. First, tour the vineyard to see how the grapes are grown and then visit the winery where you’ll be introduced to the winemaker’s art. Savor a barrel tasting accompanied by cheese and fruit. Purchase tickets in advance at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth at the intersection of Washington and Ocean streets. Admission is $20 and includes a complimentary souvenir tasting glass.
Combine style and taste with a tour of the new Cape May Designer Show House and a lunch, dinner or new Happy Hour package.
Through Oct. 30, tourgoers can discover Osprey Landing at Cape May Marine, home to glorious sunsets dipping below the harbor horizon, unspoiled wetlands, luxury townhomes, and now Cape May’s seventh annual Designer Show House. This $2.2 million four-story luxury townhome with deep-water dockage overlooks the harbor and wetlands and showcases the talents and products of some of the area’s best-known designers and vendors. The Designer Show House Dinner Packages, offered every Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Monday, feature a three-course dinner at one of Cape May’s premier restaurants before a guided, evening tour of Cape May’s Designer Show House at 7 p.m. Guests seat at 5:30 p.m. and have the choice from several options on the early seating menu. Choose to dine in one of the participating restaurants each night: Thursdays: Union Park or Fresco’s; Fridays: Alethea’s Restaurant at the Inn of Cape May or Washington Inn; Sundays: Merion Inn or 410 Bank St.; and Mondays: Washington Inn or E.M. Hemmingway’s. Dinner/Tour tickets are $45 per person and are inclusive of tax and gratuity.
New for 2011! Top off your Cape May Designer Show House Tour with the Designer Show House Happy Hour Package. Offered Mondays through Fridays through Oct. 28, the package includes a self-guided tour of Cape May’s Designer Show House from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Happy Hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at E.M. Hemingway’s at The Grand Hotel of Cape May, Harbor View, Lucky Bones, or the C-View. The price is $20 and includes a ticket for a self-guided tour of the Show House and a “Happy Hour” drink and appetizer.
The popular Designer Show House Luncheon Package returns for another year. Enjoy an elegant four-course Tea Luncheon at the Carriage House Tearoom & Café on the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May’s only Victorian house museum at 1048 Washington St., before a self-guided tour of the Show House, which is open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for tours. Packages are available daily from 11:30 a.m. Tea Luncheon/Tour tickets are $30 per person and are inclusive of tax and gratuity. Please call 609-884-5111, to reserve your seating at the Tearoom.
The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC) is a multifaceted not-for-profit organization committed to promoting the preservation, interpretation, and cultural enrichment of the Cape May region for its residents and visitors. MAC membership is open to all. For information about MAC’s year-round schedule of tours, festivals, and special events, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278, or visit MAC’s Web site at www.capemaymac.org. For information about restaurants, accommodations and shopping, call the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May at 609-884-5508.