Every Monday evening this summer, as the sun begins to set over the fields of West Cape May, something special is taking place at Beach Plum Farm. Far from the noise of the boardwalk and the hum of beach traffic, a new tradition is beginning to take root: Saltwater Sessions, a weekly dinner series that brings people together over good food, open skies, and the natural rhythms of life by the sea.
The evening begins simply. Guests arrive around five o’clock and are greeted with a raw bar—briny Cape May oysters, plump local shrimp, and glasses of wine sourced from nearby vineyards while guests settle in. There’s no rush, no itinerary—just time to enjoy the breeze, the taste of the sea, and the beauty of a working farm in early summer.
Long communal tables are set with simple linens and fresh-cut flowers to hold the meal that follows- one that feels less like a formal dinner and more like a gathering of old friends. Everything served is a product of the region—the harvest from that very day, the catch brought in from local waters, and sides that compliment the season. Tomato bread is still warm from the oven, a daily catch accompanied by Old Bay-dusted fries, house-pickled coleslaw, and a corn succotash. It’s a meal that doesn’t try too hard to impress, but one that lingers long after the last bite.
When dinner ends, the evening doesn’t. Guests drift toward the fire pit where dessert is served and conversation continues under the stars. The atmosphere is unhurried, inviting people to stay just a little longer—to watch the flames flicker, to listen, and maybe to tell a story or two of their own.
Saltwater Sessions is more than just a meal. In a place like Cape May, where the land and the sea shape daily life, it feels fitting to slow down and taste it all—one bite, one sunset, one Monday night at a time.
Saltwater Sessions are BYOB, family-friendly, and require advance reservations. To make a reservation, visit https://www.opentable.com/. Beach Plum Farm is located at 140 Stevens St, West Cape May, NJ 08204. For more information, visit https://www.caperesorts.com/beach-plum-farm/calendar/saltwater-sessions-at-beach-plum-farm.
