Peter Shields Restaurant,
Cape May, NJ: A Dining Review
The Peter Shields Restaurant is a Cape May, fine dining, destination restaurant located in a charming Georgian revival home, across the street from the ocean.
Peter Shields Restaurant Highlights
Fare: New American
Price: Expensive - Very Expensive
Food Quality: Well-executed, Uses fresh ingredients from local sources
Service: Professional, friendly, and attentive.
Ambiance/Decor: Set in a charming Georgian revival home. Charming, "Old World", dining areas include a large fireplace, and dining on the enclosed sun porch
Overall Rating: 3 Stars.
Note: Four star Rating System from 1/2 star = poor to 4 stars = Best in Class
Noise Level: Low - Excellent for quiet conversation
Dress: Upscale Casual
Recommended For: Diners who enjoy well prepared contemporary American food with elegant ambiance and old-world charm.
Not Recommended For: Budget conscious diners who enjoy a traditional menu in a family casual dining setting
Recommended dishes: When available, The Pan Seared Jumbo Crab Cakes, with Heirloom Grape Tomatoes, Mascarpone Risotto, and Remoulade; The Pan Seared Day Boat Scallops, Pea Purée, Summer Farro Salad, Nueske's Bacon, and White Raisin Jam; and The Creekstone Pork Chop, Chipotle Purée, Chorizo Spiced Fingerling, and Mexican Street Corn
Liquor: BYOB with a selection of wines from Cape May Winery & Vineyard
Restaurant Review
The Peter Shields Inn is a fine dining restaurant located in a charming Georgian revival home, across the street from the ocean.
The attractive inn is popular with 55+ patrons who come to enjoy gourmet dining with old world ambiance and charm in a sophisticated setting. Patrons are likely to come dressed upscale casual, and in the cooler months, men can be seen wearing jackets with open collars.
In 2022, The Peter Shields Inn lost its long-time acclaimed chef Carl Messick. While the quality of the food continues to be considered in the class with the top dining restaurants in Cape May, with the loss of Chef Messick, the food quality has dropped off a notch.
The seasonal New American menu is creatively prepared and attractively presented using fresh ingredients.
The Peter Shields Inn dining area encompasses several different rooms: Attractive dining options are the large fireplace or on the west sun porch. A great place for a cozy, intimate dinner, the tables are a good size and spaced apart. During the off season ask to be seated in the "Zebra Room".
During the warmer months there is outside dining on the front porch with a beautiful view of the ocean across the street. Try to avoid the side porch dining room--- it is not as cozy and noisier.
The service is professional, friendly, and attentive.
Not recommended for Children.
Reservations are recommended.
The Peter Shields Inn is open year-round with seasonal hours.
Open Thanksgiving, New Year’s Eve and Valentine’s Day,
(Updated: July 2022)
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