Maison Bleue Bistro, Cape May, NJ:
A Restaurant Review
Maison Bleue Bistro
653 Washington Street
Cape May, NJ
Prestigious "Best Restaurant" Recognition
Awarded to establishments earning 3 stars or higher for culinary excellence, service, and overall dining experience.
Maison Bleue: Restaurant Highlights
Fare: French - New American
Price: Expensive
Food Quality: A well-executed, creative, artfully presented, menu.
Service: Professional, friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive without being intrusive.
Ambiance/Decor: Charming, French Bistro, located in a restored historic 1883 French Second Empire house.
Overall Rating: 3 Stars
Note: Four-star Rating System from 1/2 star = poor to Four stars = Best in Class
Dress code: Casual Elegant
Noise Level: Moderate
Recommended For: For the adventurous diners who enjoy a well executed menu of French Cuisine in a romantic setting.
Not Recommended For: Budget-conscious diners who prefer a traditional American menu in a casual setting.
Recommended dishes: When available, The Filet au poivre, center cut filet mignon, peppercorn crust, wild mushrooms, dijon cognac cream; The Duck l'orange, LaBelle farm moulard duck breast, candied ginger; and the Bouillabaisse with local fish, mussels, day boat scallops, potatoes, fennel in a saffron bouillon with rustic bread and rouille.
Liquor: BYOB
Maison Bleue, nestled within the Hugh Bed and Breakfast, is a charming French bistro that offers a modern, stylish take on the classic French dining experience. It's a delightful blend of flair, sophistication, and intimacy—a welcome breath of fresh air in a town whose culinary scene tends to cater to popular American tastes.
Co-owned by John and Sandy Vizzone, who also operate the bed and breakfast above, Maison Bleue shares its home with their elegant inn. The kitchen is led by Executive Chef and Partner Anthony Depasquale, whose menu celebrates the essence of French cuisine—classic techniques, executed with simplicity and a focus on high-quality ingredients.
Diners can enjoy a prix-fixe menu before 5:30 pm, with à la carte options available thereafter.
The ambiance is a close homage to a Parisian bistro. The dining space is split between two cozy rooms: a moody main room with dark walls and large, expressive paintings, and a sunlit room with bright walls and expansive windows.
Both rooms feature wood flooring, chandeliers, white linen table settings, white china, deep blue water glasses, and clear wine glasses, all complemented by dark rattan French bistro armchairs.
While the chairs may sit a bit low for some, the overall atmosphere is warm, inviting, and subtly romantic.
Not recommended for children.
Maison Bleue is open year-round, with seasonal hours. Street parking is limited, but additional parking is available a five-minute walk away on Bank Street.
Updated April 2025
Our Restaurant Rating Criteria to Ensure Minimum Subjective Evaluation
