Congress Hall Embraces Its Garden State Roots

All the way south at the tip of New Jersey off the Garden State Parkway's exit 0 where the Delaware River meets the Atlantic Ocean, America's first seaside resort recently celebrated its bi-centennial anniversary. Cape May, an architectural gem of a walk able town, is steeped in Victoriana including an historic district encompassing nearly 600 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places including Congress Hall originally built in 1816.

Current owner Curtis Bashaw purchased Congress Hall in 1995 with the goal of fully restoring the 4 story Federal-style hotel to its 1920's glory only this time completely enhanced with resort grade amenities. It took years to line up financing and municipal approvals before finally embarking on their major overhaul completed in 2001. Totaling $22 million, restoration included replacing the roof's more than 18,000 slate shingles, installing 11 miles of new plumbing & 47 miles of wiring, reconstructing their 55 signature yellow exterior columns, and cleaning & reusing 158,000 original bricks.

This being The Garden State and the fact that Congress Hall originally had its own on site gardens, Curtis Bashaw knew he had to reclaim this aspect of the property's roots as well. Their very own 62 acre Beach Plum Farm along with satellite growers throughout South Jersey supply all Congress Hall affiliated restaurants with more than 100 varieties of seasonal fruits, vegetables, and herbs along with free range eggs, poultry, and pork from their sustainably-raised heirloom Berkshire hogs.[[{"fid":"4884703","view_mode":"default","fields":{"height":666,"width":1000,"class":"media-element file-default media-wysiwyg-align-center","data-delta":"1","format":"default","alignment":"center","field_image_alt[und][0][value]":false,"field_image_title[und][0][value]":false,"field_image_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_image_caption[und][0][format]":"filtered_html","field_image_credit[und][0][value]":"Photo%20courtesy%20of%20Congress%20Hall","field_image_credit[und][0][format]":"image_credit","field_has_syndication_rights[und]":"1","field_licensor[und]":"","field_license_id[und][0][value]":""},"link_text":null,"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"height":666,"width":1000,"class":"media-element file-default media-wysiwyg-align-center","data-delta":"1","format":"default","alignment":"center","field_image_alt[und][0][value]":false,"field_image_title[und][0][value]":false,"field_image_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_image_caption[und][0][format]":"filtered_html","field_image_credit[und][0][value]":"Photo%20courtesy%20of%20Congress%20Hall","field_image_credit[und][0][format]":"image_credit","field_has_syndication_rights[und]":"1","field_licensor[und]":"","field_license_id[und][0][value]":""}},"attributes":{"height":666,"width":1000,"class":"media-element file-default media-wysiwyg-align-center","data-delta":"1"}}]]

Get started with dining on site at their signature Blue Pig Tavern tucked in the corner of the hotel fronting Congress Place and Perry Streets. The restaurant's name is derived from a gambling parlor once situated in a 2-story cottage at the corner of Congress Hall's lawn. During renovations, the dining room walls were stripped of plaster exposing antique painted paneling that featured the blue pig now on display.

Classic American comfort dishes like Beer Battered Haddock Sandwiches and Grilled Scottish Salmon are served on their hidden patio during warmer months while chillier weather makes tables near the dining room fireplace the most coveted reservation. For a round of local brews along with late night bites and live entertainment, head down to the Boiler Room where its original namesake is still on display and crisp crust pizzas are a must try.

You'll soon realize that Congress Hall owns and operates a handful of iconic off site dining venues all within blocks from the hotel. As a guest, you have the convenient benefit of billing the tab to your room from all of them. The Ebbitt Room, winner of Open Table's 2017 Diners' Choice Award and Wine Spectator's 2017 Award of Excellence is located at the Virginia Hotel, a classic inn 1 block away on Jackson St. complete with a wide veranda out front and elegant bar & lounge inside featuring artisanal cocktails and live piano music on weekends.[[{"fid":"4884705","view_mode":"default","fields":{"height":500,"width":1000,"class":"media-element file-default media-wysiwyg-align-center","data-delta":"2","format":"default","alignment":"center","field_image_alt[und][0][value]":false,"field_image_title[und][0][value]":false,"field_image_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_image_caption[und][0][format]":"filtered_html","field_image_credit[und][0][value]":"Photo%20courtesy%20of%20Congress%20Hall","field_image_credit[und][0][format]":"image_credit","field_has_syndication_rights[und]":"1","field_licensor[und]":"","field_license_id[und][0][value]":""},"link_text":null,"type":"media","field_deltas":{"2":{"height":500,"width":1000,"class":"media-element file-default media-wysiwyg-align-center","data-delta":"2","format":"default","alignment":"center","field_image_alt[und][0][value]":false,"field_image_title[und][0][value]":false,"field_image_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_image_caption[und][0][format]":"filtered_html","field_image_credit[und][0][value]":"Photo%20courtesy%20of%20Congress%20Hall","field_image_credit[und][0][format]":"image_credit","field_has_syndication_rights[und]":"1","field_licensor[und]":"","field_license_id[und][0][value]":""}},"attributes":{"height":500,"width":1000,"class":"media-element file-default media-wysiwyg-align-center","data-delta":"2"}}]]

The kitchen cranks out dishes strongly rooted in same day caught seafood in house favorites like Maine Lobster Caesar salad, and Steak and Cake: a petite filet Mignon paired with a Jonah crab cake, duchess potato, and carrots drizzled in a pink peppercorn sauce.[[{"fid":"4884706","view_mode":"default","fields":{"height":713,"width":1000,"class":"media-element file-default media-wysiwyg-align-center","data-delta":"3","format":"default","alignment":"center","field_image_alt[und][0][value]":false,"field_image_title[und][0][value]":false,"field_image_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_image_caption[und][0][format]":"filtered_html","field_image_credit[und][0][value]":"Photo%20courtesy%20of%20Jessica%20Orlowicz","field_image_credit[und][0][format]":"image_credit","field_has_syndication_rights[und]":"1","field_licensor[und]":"","field_license_id[und][0][value]":""},"link_text":null,"type":"media","field_deltas":{"3":{"height":713,"width":1000,"class":"media-element file-default media-wysiwyg-align-center","data-delta":"3","format":"default","alignment":"center","field_image_alt[und][0][value]":false,"field_image_title[und][0][value]":false,"field_image_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_image_caption[und][0][format]":"filtered_html","field_image_credit[und][0][value]":"Photo%20courtesy%20of%20Jessica%20Orlowicz","field_image_credit[und][0][format]":"image_credit","field_has_syndication_rights[und]":"1","field_licensor[und]":"","field_license_id[und][0][value]":""}},"attributes":{"height":713,"width":1000,"class":"media-element file-default media-wysiwyg-align-center","data-delta":"3"}}]]

For a decidedly more barefoot experience, head over to the The Rusty Nail, an iconic surfer bar & restaurant that's been a go-to hang out since the 1970s. Outdoor seating consists of Adirondack chairs in the sand encircling tables at waist level and a fire pit at the center of it all that's ablaze when the sun goes down. Leashed dogs are welcome and the outdoor bar with more seating is only steps away. Items off the Kids' menu like classic burger & fries are served on a souvenir Beach Shack Frisbee, while decidedly more adult Zagat rated beach blanket comfort food like Stuffed Portobello Salad and Strawberry Hot Wings can be packed to go.

Perfect for breakfast and lunch, don't forget Beach Plum Farm itself where you can order freshly prepared sandwiches and salads using their onsite produce or create your own picnic basket from their market offerings. If you have children in tow, feeding the chickens and ducks while strolling the grounds is something they'll be begging you to do again.

Coverage made possible by participating in a sponsored visit.