V18 N13

6/19: Outdoor Dining At Harry’s Ocean Bar And Grille
Sarah, Jason
Olivia
David, Chip Nate Cwik Lynn, Jack
PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALEKSEY MORYAKOV... TO ORDER PRINTS, PLEASE EMAIL PHOTO@EXITZERO.US
Ramblings From The Editor
Ideas, idle gossip and occasionally important odds ’n’ ends... by Jack Wright
Growing up in Scotland, and being
treated to a very regular cycle of
horizontal rain and overwhelming
cloudiness, I always (like many of
my fellow Scots, and Brits in general)
got giddily excited by the prospect of eating
outdoors. This only really happened during
trips abroad — for Brits, that typically meant
Spain, Portugal or Greece.
When I moved to the States in 1998,
I loved, more than anything, those balmy
nights eating and drinking at curbside tables
in Manhattan. I’ve never lost that thrill. Which
is why the streets of Cape May right now are a
treat for my Scottish soul.
It’s one of very few silver linings to the
COVID pandemic. And I congratulate the
city councilmembers and city manager for
reacting quickly and imaginatively in helping
restaurant owners to try and reclaim something
from this disastrous year.
Life still generally sucks for store owners,
especially those who are unable to make much
from online sales. But I’m going to concentrate
on the positives. How cool do those
little tents look on Decatur, brimming with
customers from the Mug, Fins and Stewart’s? I
love what the Merion Inn did with their gravel
parking lot, and it’s cool to see tables spread
over the lawn at the Inn of Cape May.
And while it’s great to see outdoor
tables at Carney’s, Nick Filet, The YB and
Taco Caballito Tequileria (love their food, but
dear lord, that 11-syllable name kills me),
those concrete crash barriers and giant yellow
drums aren’t easy on the eyes. I would love
to have seen the city close off that section of
Beach Avenue entirely.
In fact, I’m hoping that councilmembers
are already thinking what I’m sure a lot of us
have been mulling this past week... can we do
something like this every year? It adds a little
European flair and gourmet sophistication to
the streets of Cape May.
Sure, there would be a loss in parking
meter income, but I have no doubt that every
restaurant owner who could add outdoor
seating would happily pay thousands every
year for the privilege.
Speaking of parking, I am a little worried
about how difficult it will be to find spaces in
July and especially August because of these
changes. So I’m wondering if now might be
the time to seriously consider the idea of a
parking garage, while greatly expanding the
opportunity to enjoy outdoor dining in this
wonderful little city by the sea.
I’m off now... to enjoy dinner al fresco!
FiNS IS BACK!
STREET DINING & TAKEOUT
11:00AM - 9:00PM
ORDER ONLINE @finscapemay.com
or CALL 609-884-3449 FOR TAKEOUT
WALKIN ORDERS WELCOME AT
SIDEWALK HOST STATION
CARPENTER LANE CURBSIDE PICKUP
WE RECENTLY ADDED A SELECTION OF
CAPE MAY BREWERY CAN BEER
142 DECATUR ST ON THE WASHINGTON MALL 609-884-3449 finscapemay.com
Page 14 EXIT ZERO June 25, 2020 June 25, 2020 EXIT ZERO Page 15