Grana BYOB, Cape May, NJ: A Restaurant Review
413 South Broadway
Cape May, NJ
609-849-9255
Website
Grana BYOB: Restaurant Highlights
Fare: Modern American
Price: Expensive
Food Quality: Well-executed, creative seasonal menu using locally sourced ingredients.
Service: Professional, friendly, welcoming, and attentive.
Ambiance/Decor: Modern, simplistic with dim Lighting, and walls done up with soft grey & white tones
Overall Rating: 3 1/2 stars
Note: Four-star Rating System from 1/2 star = poor to 4 stars = Best in Class
Noise Level: Moderate
Recommended For: Diners who enjoy a well-executed, creative modern American menu
Not Recommended For: Budget conscious diners who enjoy a traditional menu in a family casual dining setting; or diners looking for "Old World" fine dining amenities with a bar service.
Recommended dishes: When available, The Pan Roasted King Salmon with Potato Gnocchi, Cippolini Onions, Spinach, Wild Mushrooms, Truffle Aioli; The 18 oz Grilled Chateaubriand For Two with Potato Puree, Grilled Shishitos, Wild Mushrooms, Balsamic Onions, Baby Carrots; and The "The Grana Steak" Herbed Potato Puree, Spring Asparagus, Roasted Carrots, Chimichurri with a choice of 8 oz Australian Wagyu Sirloin, 10 oz Teres Major, or 18 oz Dry Age Strip.
Liquor: BYOB
Restaurant Review
Grana BYOB is one of the top, if not the best gourmet restaurant in Cape May, serving a creative, well-executed "Modern American" menu.
Grana BYOB located in a 100 + year-old building across the street from Wilbraham Park, previously occupied by Godmother's, a longtime Cape May Italian favorite.
The restaurant is owned and operated by Executive Chef Carl Messick, who comes with impressive culinary credentials.
Chef Messick received his formal culinary training at the New England Culinary Institute and has since honed his skills at The Blackfish of Stone Harbor, The Ebbitt Room in Cape May, and the White Heron Grill in Stone Harbor. Prior to opening Grana BYOB, Carl Messick was the Executive chef at Peter Shields Inn in Cape May, one of Cape May's top fine dining destinations.
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.
The well-executed, creative, seasonally changing menu is geared towards a diverse crowd that includes an assortment of steak, meats, poultry, seafood, and pasta dishes.
The dishes are featured in both A La Carte and their Chefs Tasting Prix Fixe Four Course menus. Vegan, vegetarian & gluten free options are available.
The decor is attractive, fresh, and simple. The 21-table interior has a low ceiling, dim Lighting, and walls done up with soft grey & white tones. Tables are set with white tablecloth simplicity, though spaced close together.
Parking is limited, with on-street parking available within one or two blocks.
Not recommended for children. They do not offer a kid’s menu, highchairs, or booster seats.
Wheelchair Accessible
Credit card cancellation policy -- they reserve the right to charge $25 per guest of the party that cancels within 24 hours/ no shows on reservations--
Grana BYOB has seasonal hours. During the peak summer season, they are open for dinner seven/days a week Brunch on Sunday 11am-2pm
(Updated: May 2023)
How Do We Review (analyze) Restaurants?
New Jersey Leisure Guide strives to provide analytic restaurant reviews.
The methodology used is research, analysis driven --- as opposed to that of a single restaurant critic or a social media platform, viewer comment posting board.
