As they head into their second season as owners of the Peter Shields Inn and Restaurant, Cathy Pelaez and brother Jeff Gernitis are excited to debut their fresh take on this Cape May classic. After closing the month of January for renovations, the restaurant is open for dinner seven nights a week.
Speaking on the new look, Cathy said, “This house is not Victorian, but a Georgian Revival. We are really being more true to the house with more simplistic elements.” Much of the interior has been redecorated and refurnished but the romantic atmosphere that Peter Shields is known for has not been compromised in the slightest. A new lounge, which can only be described as cozy, is available for those who visit before the summer crowds arrive.
New Executive Chef Carl Messick has introduced an updated menu for the 2011 season. Messick boasts an impressive resume including sous chef of the award winning Blackfish of Stone Harbor, executive chef of The Ebbit Room in Cape May, and executive chef of White Heron Grill in Stone Harbor. Having grown up in Cape May County, Messick uses his knowledge of local seasonal ingredients to give the Peter Shields’ menu a truly unique flavor.
“Our menu is constantly evolving during the season and as new ingredients become available,” says Messick, who has a passion for quality, simplicity, and taste. Peter Shields offers a four-course chef’s tasting, which is updated regularly. The new 2011 menu can be viewed online at http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/petershieldsinn.
As much as things have changed, things remain the same. “An important part of the dining experience is the wait staff. We have many returning guests who will ask for their waiter by name and make their reservations accordingly. We are lucky to have such a wonderful staff,” Cathy says.
