My wife and I will be passing through Cape May, NJ, in a couple weeks. We have time for one nice night out. What restaurant should be go to? Price is not an issue. We want excellent food with a classy and intimate atmosphere. (We are urbanites who dine out a lot.)

Any and all advice welcome. Thanks!

We just spent a weekend in Cape May. Both the Peter Shields Inn and the Black Duck on Sunset were pretty good, but not outstanding. A few years ago, the Washington Inn was good.

We're New Jersey residents who dine out frequently in Manhattan. So far as Cape May is concerned, in that context, I think you have to adjust your expectations somewhat.

It's the Jersey Shore, so the dress code, such as it is, includes shorts and polos, even in "classy" places. Intimacy is at a premium, as you're among some people who seem to dine out only when vacationing, and, then, loudly, if you get my drift.

The first two places I mentioned are BYOBs; be sure some amateur waitress doesn't try to fill your wine glass to the brim. Real "classy"!

We live at the Jersey Shore - part time. Recently we have been going to the Merion Inn in Cape May and have enjoyed it. Google will find it for you. They have parking and accept reservations.

In Wildwood we like Alfies which also does reservations and provides parking.

Check these and others on tripadvisor.com.

I heard that the chef at one of my favorite restaurants in Stone Harbor, Sea Salt, moved over to the Ebbitt Room in Cape May.

Of course, a great chef doesn't guarantee against mistakes out in the front.

Thanks to all for the input.

FWIW, we went to the Ebbitt Room. Ambiance-wise, it was what we were looking for: seemed a little classier than other places we saw (though as noted, still the Jersey Shore). The food was good not great -- certainly didn't taste like what I expect from $30+ entrees. And the service was manned by the to-be-expected summertime help -- albeit very curteous and eager.

The evening was quite enjoyable and no big complaints. But if there's a next time, we'll probably try someplace else.

Thanks for the update, jp. It is hard to compare shore meal prices against metropolitan prices. After all, they have a much shorter season to make their money so their prices reflect that.