Say hello; say goodbye. Enjoy!

After two plus years, Exit Zero Hospitality’s contract to redevelop, reposition and operate the restaurant at the Cape May Ferry Terminal was ended late last year. The Delaware River and Bay Authority has a new ten-year agreement with Aramark Sports and Entertainment, LLC. What changes will be in effect for the restaurant operations have yet to be realized. It’s not likely to be as “fun” as the last couple of years have been, but we’re sure the ferries will still run on time.

Ross Hammer and Lauren Cavello, owners of Taco Cabilito on Beach Avenue, have acquired the Harbor View Restaurant (complete with the massive deck). They are rebranding the property as Port Cape May. Renovations are starting and will be similar to how Taco was renovated: phase 1 this year and phase 2 in 2025. There are no plans to make any major changes to the outside at this time.  In addition, the two lively entrepreneurs have leased the Grille at Sunset Beach.  It is destined to become the Fish House, a restaurant and menu that complements the extraordinary vistas of the Delaware Bay location. 

Work on both Port and Fish House is expected to be complete enough to open for the summer season—if not before.

Further up the Delaware Bay, Harpoons has doubled the size of their kitchens, enabling owners Brady Schoenrock and Jeff Raiczyk to expand their menus—more entrees, reduced wait times and a full menu available at the raw bar. Stunning sunsets are free as always.

Over the winter, Mike Slawek, owner of Cape May’s iconic Ugly Mug Bar & Restaurant, acquired their neighboring establishment, Fins. Co-owner Jeff Gernitis opened Fins with its signature translucent bar and fish tanks in 2015, when it replaced the Pilot House Restaurant. Plans for changes to Fins, if any, have not been announced.

It’s never happy when an upscale restaurant closes in Cape May. The end of the Black Duck on Sunset came last fall when chef and owner, J. Christopher Huber, announced that he was closing the business after 21 years. Huber had a long career in Cape May beginning when he operated the Ebbitt Room at the Virginia Hotel. After a brief stint as executive chef at Philadelphia’s Sheraton Rittenhouse Hotel, Chris came back to Cape May as chef and proprietor of Union Park in the Macomber Hotel.

Chris Huber opened the Black Duck on Sunset in 2003 where Peaches on Sunset used to be. The man and his superior cuisine will be missed this year and for many years to come.

Also closing is Le Jardin at the Hugh B&B. Owners John and Sandy Vizzone have decided to move Maison Bleu into the space Le Jardin occupied on Washington Street, preserving the upscale French bistro menu. Maison Bleu’s previous location on Mansion Street remains unoccupied at this writing. 

Please note: In the print version of the Spring issue, we published that PSI had acquired a liquor license. That is incorrect. They remain a BYOB, and we apologize to all concerned for the error.