As we walked through the immaculately manicured flower and herb gardens of Beach Plum Farm in Cape May, Curtis Bashaw explained that his southern New Jersey town was originally a whaling village, but became America's first resort destination for wealthy turn of the century elite from Washington D.C., Philadelphia and New York. By the 1970's, when teenage Bashaw arrived with his grandfather, a traveling preacher, the town had become a rundown shadow of its former glory. His grandfather had chosen to hold his annual summer bible camp in Congress Hall because it was cheap. Built in 1816, it was the oldest seaside resort in the country, and it looked it. But young Curtis fell in love, deciding right then and there that someday he would restore its glamour. "I've learned since then that not all dreams come true. But that was one that did," said Bashaw, who returned to Cape May after business school, buying up property after property and thoughtfully renovating them to create a collection of luxurious, historic properties.
The 62-acre Beach Plum Farm was another of his dream projects. Bashaw's father was a credit manager for farmers in Philadelphia, and a weekend warrior of a farmer himself, so when Curtis noticed a patch of land that had been fallow for decades, he decided it was time to pick-up the family hobby. He bought the property in 2007 in hopes of revitalizing it, starting small growing mint,tea and a few flowers to use in the cocktails at The Ebbitt Room restaurant in The Virginia Hotel. Then he added chickens for farm fresh eggs, and with every season, he stretches himself and his farm even further in the hopes of running a completely self-sustaining resort collection one day.
After we visited his new flock of sheep, looked in on the piglets, and toured his field of greens, we headed back to the whitewashed wraparound porch of The Virginia for a pre-dinner tipple. I finished my delicious mint julep, made with mint from the farm, and waved goodbye to Bashaw before heading into the plush parlor of the hotel and upstairs to my room. The property was built in 1879 and is now a historic landmark, but the space is far from antiquated. My comfortable room felt contemporary, with beach town charm, the crisp white bedlinen and monogrammed pillows providing a casual foil for the gold accented art deco wallpaper.
As I got ready for to go out for the evening I began hotly debating which restaurant to try. Just downstairs, the Ebbitt Room had a refined menu full of subtle twists on New England fare, like Jumbo Lump Crabcakes sauced with soy caper beurre blanc, Filet Mignon with smoked tomato bearnaise and fresh salads, like baby arugula, gooseberry and heirloom tomato with blue cheese, made from Beach Plum Farm's bounty. A few blocks away was the Rusty Nail, a casual beachfront restaurant serving up fish tacos, fried seafood and surprisingly delicious barbequed ribs. A few streets over, the Blue Pig Tavern offered sophisticated pub classics like shepherd's pie and juicy hamburgers with truffled french fries. I sat down in my plush armchair and looked out the window at happy couples walking dreamily down the treelined street. I sighed contentedly. I didn't have to pick just one. It was only Friday night and I had the rest of the weekend ahead of me to try them all, walk along the beach, luxuriate in my high-thread count bedding and explore one hell of a revival town.
—Felicia Campbell In the Area
The Rusty Nail: Have a cocktail or a frosty brew and some fried seafood, then watch the sunset over the ocean while staying toasty by the fire pit.
205 Beach Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204; 609/884-0017; caperesorts.comThe Boiler Room: On Friday and Saturday nights, head to the basement of Congress hall to hear live music and watch locals and tourist get down on the dance floor.
200 Congress Place, Cape May, NJ 08204; 609/884-6553; caperesorts.comWest End Garage: Spend an hour perusing vintage and handmade products at the West End Garage.
484 Perry Street, Cape May, NJ 08204; 609)/770-8261; caperesorts.comWashington Street: Meander down Washington Street in Old Downtown to explore boutiques selling everything from knickknacks and homemade soap to local infused olive oils.
Washington Street, between Perry Street and Ocean Street, Cape May, NJBlue Pig Tavern: Have a hearty brunch at the Blue Pig Tavern, whose namesake Benedict features the Beach Plum Farm's own poached eggs and home-cured bacon on a cheddar scallion biscuit.
200 Congress Place, Cape May, NJ 08204; 609/884-8422; caperesorts.com
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