The ghouls and ghosts were out this weekend as the Angel celebrated another Halloween. The staff wore costumes and our cook outdid herself with this year’s tea. All I can say was a “spook-tacular” time was had by all.

Cape May has schedule it’s 2nd restaurant week from 0ctober 18 – 25, 2009. Almost two dozen of Cape May’s eateries will be offering prix fixe menus at $35.09 & $22.09, with lunch priced at $16.09. With warmer (and drier !) weather forecast for the upcoming week, it might be worthwhile to hop in the car and check out the culinary offerings. The Angel has availability and is offering midweek packages that are perfect for a last-minute getaway. For more information on Restaurant Week click here.

“Proof” the Pulitzer and Tony winning drama by David Auburn is running Wednesday through Sunday at Cape May Stage now through October 24. Everything I have heard and read about this current production is terrific from the acting and direction down to the sets. The play, which was made into a movie starring Gwyneth Paltrow, examines the line between genius and insanity as a young women deals with the death of her brilliant mathematician father.

Several restaurants in town offer “Dinner & Show” packages in conjunction with the theater. There are also half-price preview nights and senior nights offered throughout the season. For more information visit www.capemaystage.com .

Despite a gloomy weather forecast, this past Saturday turned out sunny and bright, perfect for the annual Oktoberfest on Jackson Street. I can’t remember a larger turn out. 

The Beer Garden was jam packed and the vendors that dotted one of Cape May’s prettiest streets were doing a bustling business. There were the regular vendors like Cape May Magazine and Patricia Rainey, but there were some new ones this year, including the Cape May Fire Department.

Cape May Oktoberfest 2009

I had the opportunity to bike over to the West End Garage the other day. The new market space located in an old converted shop/garage includes shops and stalls with local art exhibits, antiques, collectibles and crafts. A work-in-progress, there still looks like there’s more to do. So far there aren’t a lot of vendors and it is a bit disorganized but I believe it will eventually become anoth shopping destination in Cape May.  It also looks like it may become the permanent home of the Cape May Artists Cooperative.

West End Garage

Well, Fall officially arrived this past Tuesday at 5:18 PM.  For many people, it is their favorite time in Cape May.  The summer crowds are gone and the pace slows down to that wonderful “”off-season” rhythm. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot to see or do.

Right now it’s still warm enough to go to the beach.  And the water temperature is around 73, which is very warm for this time of year. It’s also the perfect time of year to go biking. Guests at the Angel can always ask the front desk for suggested bike routes or directions. The ride to the Cape May Point Light House is a favorite and,  at about 9 miles roundtrip from the Angel, it ’s a great (but not too taxing) workout.

Tours, special events, art, music, theater. It’s all happening here in Cape May in the Fall. Visit The Angel Insider where I’ll be blogging about all the great things scheduled in the upcoming weeks and months.

According to history books, 400 years ago, explorer Henry Hudson got his ship, the Half Moon, stuck in a sandbar off Cape May Point in Delaware Bay and in the process discovered Cape May and the surrounding area.

So this year Cape May has been celebrating Hudson’s “discovery”  with a variety of lectures, presentations and special events. The celebration culminated last Saturday with a day jam-packed with with activites for the whole family.

Although the mornning started off overcast and drizzly from the remnants of Tropical Depression Danny, the skies cleared about a half hour before the offical 400 Anniversary parade kicked off at 11:00 AM.  Participating string bands fron Philadelphia included Fralinger’s, Quaker City and South Philadelphia. Local bands included Lower Cape May Regional, Wildwoood Warriors and the US Coast Guard Training Center. Visiting bands appearing were Oakcrest Marching Ambassadors from May’s Landing, the Original Hobo Band from Pitman and Bonsal Blue Military Band from Woodbury. Floats, fire engines, city officials both walking and rising in convertibles, as well as Cape May’s indominitable “Underdog” also participated.

Later at 4:00 PM, Jerry Blavat, “The Geator with the Heater”, hosted a beachfront dance party just west of Convention Hall. I’ve got to say for a someone who’s 69 years old, he looks terrific and has more energy than someone a third his age. It was great listening to the oldies, dancing to the “Electric  Slide” (which I am totally hopeless at, though I had a great time trying).

There was also a competitive volleyball tournament on Steger’s Beach from 4 – 7:00 PM.

I finally got around to visiting Hemingway’s in the Grand Hotel the other day and took a couple of pics. Boy have they changed things. I’m going to try to get there for dinner one night soon, so I can give you my personal review on the food. If any of you remember the old Bally-Hoos, all I can say is “WHAT A DIFFERENCE!”

Well, I’ve decided to add a Facebook page for the Angel.  So….. I’ve been sitting here all morning trying to figure out just how to set up and name the account and also how to set up the pages.

If anyone has some suggestions to make this easier or somethings I can put on the page, I’d appreciate the input.

Just got a report back from two of our guests who had dinner at e.m. Hemingway’s the other night and it looks like there is another terrific restaurant in town.

Hemingway’s is located in the Grand Hotel where Bally-Hoos used to be. It seems it has been completely redesigned (gone is the tired old “50s nautical” theme) and the menu has changed to a selection of much more upscale fare.  

If I get a chance I will try to go over there in a day or two and take some photos and post them. I did go to the Grand Hotel’s website and the new menu is posted. (You can view it by clicking here.)

The Grand is only two blocks away from the Angel, so it’s terrific to have another great restaurant within walking distance. And Hemingway’s has a full bar, so for those of you who like to have a few cocktails with dinner and not worry about driving afterwards, it’s the perfect choice. (Our guest reviewers raved about their martinis, especially the “lemontini” which they described as a cross between a martini and a lemodrop.)