A lovely food stop in a hidden N.J. shore town

    Most shore visitors don’t know Cape May Point exists. Sure, it’s the home of the Cape May Lighthouse, but the actual town of Cape May Point is usually, to tourists, a pass through on the way to make that steep climb. 

    But Cape May Point is its own town with its own mayor and commissioners. Its houses are tucked back from the road and surrounded by old growth trees.

    The town has one of the best new eateries at the Jersey Shore, too: The Red Store

    The chef might be familiar. Deanna Ebner is co-owner of Quahogs Seafood Shack in Stone Harbor, and her husband, Chef Lucas Manteca is executive chef of the Cape Resorts restaurants, which includes The Ebbit Room, Blue Pig Tavern and Rusty Nail. Before they put their culinary talents to work in Cape May, the couple owned the dearly departed Sea Salt in Cape May.

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    They take a farm-to-table approach to their menus, so expect local and fresh in almost anything. On Saturday morning, I had the Chorizo Torta: spicy sausage sandwiched with avocado, poblano peppers and cheese on homemade brioche. My friend and I sat in their breezy, not over air conditioned dining room and watched the local scene go by. I felt like we had dropped in on a locals-only, Cape May Point secret. 

    The Red Store also has a take-out bakery, and sells homemade goods like strawberry jam, in a front store with a selection that is constantly expanding.

    They’re open every day from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and they’re cash only, so remember to fill your wallet before you fill yourself up.

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