Fins Bar and Grille, Cape May, NJ:
A Restaurant Review
142 Decatur St
Cape May, NJ 08204
(609) 884-3449
Website
Restaurant Highlights
Fare: Seafood
Price: Expensive
Food Quality: 3 Stars
Service: 1 1/2 Stars
Decor: 3 Stars
Overall Rating: 3 Stars
Note: Four star Rating System from 1/2 Star = poor to Four stars = Best in Class
Uses fresh ingredients from local sources with a concern for sustainability.
During the peak summer months, service tends to slow down to a crawl and table waits can be long.
Value: Good
Noise Level: Moderate
Dress: Casual
Recommended For: Diners who enjoy well prepared, high end food in an attractive, modern setting with a vibrant bar scene.
Not Recommended For: Limited budget diners who prefer a low key, BYOB setting, or large groups of eight or more.
Recommended dishes: When available, The lobster Cobb salad; The Local Day Boat Scallops, and The Shrimp and Crab Penne.
Liquor: Bar scene is vibrant. Good selection of over 20 craft beers including beers from Cape May Brewing, Glasstown Brewing, River Horse, and Flying Fish , along with wines and specialty cocktails.
Restaurant Review
Located at the site of the former Pilot House at the Washington Street Mall, Fins Bar & Grille is an upgrade and one of top restaurants in Cape May.
Fins Bar and Grille isn't your typical 'historic' Cape May type of eatery. Neither is it a typical Cape may area tavern. Don't let the "Bar and and Grille" in their name mislead you, this is not your typical tavern menu -- they serve some high end, quality dishes.
Fins Bar and Grille is the sister restaurant of Cape May's highly rated Peter Shields Inn and it's Executive Chef, Carl Messick who oversees the menu at Fins Bar.
Chef Messick, received his formal culinary training at the New England Culinary Institute, and honed his skills at The Blackfish of Stone Harbor, The Ebbitt Room in Cape May, and the White Heron Grill in Stone Harbor.
Chef Messick is committed to using fresh ingredients from local sources with a concern for sustainability. His menu will not include any fish in danger of being over fished, and will not be frozen.
The limited seasonal menu specializes in seafood and includes flat breads, appetizers, entrees, and desserts.
During the warmer seasonal months there is outdoor dining & live entertainment
The decor is trendy: Open and modern with a bar area featuring an attractive blue wave glass lit bar with an impressive saltwater fish tank and the high back chairs.
The dining area features a fireplace. When visiting Fins Bar during the cooler off season months, ask to be seated near the fireplace or by the window across from the fireplace, .especially if you are there for a romantic dining experience.
Fins Bar and Grille can best accommodate parties of 2 - 6 people. Groups of 8 or more are not easily accommodated during the summer peak season.
Does not take reservations. During the summer months dinner times, be prepared to wait at least 45 minutes to an hour for a table.
They also serve a Kids "Lil' Fins" menu
Fins Bar and Grille is open year round, seven days/week, for Lunch & Dinner from 11:30 am - 2:00 am.
Happy hour times are Monday - Friday, 3pm - 6pm,. and Sunday 11:30 am - 6pm.
(updated June, 2018)
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