Tisha’s

Where Is It? Ideally located, right in the heart of the Washington Street Mall.

Why Should I Go? Paul Negro was working as a mechanic in Philadelphia when a talent for cooking pushed him to pursue a culinary career instead. He learned the ropes working with his mother Letitia (aka Tisha) in her Wildwood restaurant, then he and his wife Jennifer opened the original Tisha’s on the beachfront 27 years ago. Today, one bite of his Thai salmon or veal chop and you’ll agree — Paul did not misjudge his calling.

Tisha’s is a place where variety is the spice of life — here, daily specials come and go, while the more “established” items hang around for no more than a month.

Every dish is influenced by the season — this, Paul says, allows plenty of opportunities to showcase all that can be done with new American food, full of Italian accents. Tisha’s is a great spot for dinner, but it’s also the ideal lunch spot in between a day of shopping on the mall.

Something else we love about Tisha’s: many of the dishes are still made using the cookbooks of Paul’s mom, for whom the restaurant is named. Which means they’re made with love. That’s always the most important ingredient.

Insider Tip: For a romantic evening, dine by candlelight on the outdoor patio — reserve ahead of time. And don’t forget to check out their sister restaurant in North Cape May, 5 West Pub, a fun, buzzy gastropub.

Website: tishasfinedining.com

Phone: 609-884-9119

Address: 322 Washington Street, Cape May