The Ebbitt Room – A Cape May Dining Tradition

Quietly nestled on a tree-lined street in the heart of the historic district of Cape May, The Ebbitt Room at the Virginia Hotel blends classic sophistication and modern simplicity. Executive Chef Matt Crist uses farm-fresh ingredients from our very own Beach Plum Farm in West Cape May to create refined and approachable seasonal regional American cuisine and expertly handcrafted cocktails.

New to The Ebbitt Room for the 2014 season, Chef Crist brings a great deal of experience in the culinary world as well as a fresh perspective to the seasonal menu. The selection of seasonal entrees is directly inspired by the latest in-season picks of produce, fruits, eggs, and pork from Cape Resorts’ Beach Plum Farm, located in West Cape May. Spanning 62 acres, Beach Plum is small by most standards. While home to more than one hundred kinds of produce and flowers, it offers an impressive variety. Cultivated with sustainable farming methods, Beach Plum Farm lies less than two miles from downtown Cape May where its delivery truck stops at The Ebbitt Room daily.

This summer, experience this renowned “farm-to-table” freshness first-hand with one of the several seasonal entrées recently introduced by Chef Crist. Start with the house-made Black Pepper Strozzapreti Pasta featuring duck bacon, spinach, cherry tomatoes, vermouth, and Grana Padana. The Pan Seared Barramundi entrée offers an exotic taste from the sea unlike any other and is served with Beach Plum Farm sweet corn, leek, Beech mushroom ragout, and grilled tomato vinaigrette.

The Ebbitt Room staff is also proud to introduce their signature pork dish, the Tomahawk Chop. Directly from Beach Plum’s own Berkshire pigs, the Tomahawk Pork Chop is served with blue cheese-cheddar grits and scallions and is finished with a sweet bourbon-blackberry glaze.

A three-course, prix fixe Early Seating Menu is also available Sunday through Friday from 5-6 p.m. for just $35. Diners have a choice of four unique starters, including a Beach Plum signature soup and light garden salad, and The Ebbitt Room’s Organic Salmon, Long Island Duck Breast, and Sweet Potato Gnocchi entrees. For dessert, the Early Seating menu features a sweet selection from the a la carte menu.

The Ebbitt Room is the pride of the historic district and home to Cape May’s favorite front porch. Begin your evening with a hand-crafted, farm-to-glass cocktail and small plate right here on The Ebbitt Room’s relaxing and scenic porch daily from 4 p.m. Celebrate Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. with half price wine and beer by the glass in The Ebbit Room’s classically comfortable bar & lounge. This sophisticated, yet casual vibe, creates the perfect setting for a new Cape May dining tradition.

By Meg Kummer