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Here is an excerpt of Craig LaBan's online chat:

Craig LaBan:

I was just feasting down the Jersey Shore to provide a road map for this summer's meals at the beach. I'd be curious to hear what your finds are for the Shore this summer. Also like to hear from those who vacation at the Delaware beaches.

Reader: Do you have a preferred restaurant in Cape May?

Craig LaBan: Cape May has long been one of the gastronomic centers of the Jersey Shore, especially for quaint, upscale dining, but there's not a whole lot of new offerings. My recent packages did not include any CM destinations beside the Taco Shop at the Cape May airport, which is really in Rio Grande. Over the years, I've loved the Red Store in Cape May Point, an old general store turned all-day café and market, which morphs into one of the loveliest dinner spots at the Shore at night. I've also enjoyed the Black Duck, Lucky Bones (more casual), the Washington Inn, the Blue Rose Inn, and the very quirky Exit Zero Cookhouse (featured last year), which focuses on deliberately inauthentic but tasty curries. Also, the Rusty Nail for a stylish beach grill. I have heard the Ebbitt Room has a talented new chef in the Virginia Hotel, and would have checked it out if I'd had more time (and money!) Have heard many good things about George's and its new tasting room on the Washington Street Mall, Shamone, as well. Also, by the way, Hot Dog Tommy's is now run by second-year operator Hot Dog Bruce (who nonetheless apparently still answers to Tommy). But the dogs are still top notch, including the "Tornado," topped with mashed potatoes and fresh chili, a combo which I liked more than expected, even if the bun got a little mushy.

Reader: Can't wait to try all these great places!

C.L.: Lots to choose from in pretty much every genre. When at the beach I tend to prefer the more casual seafood options to the fine dining places. But something for everyone. Also, a surprising number of new places making their own alcohol now, and not just beer, but also distilleries. I just visited another brand new place in West Cape May called Nauti Spirits (as in nautical) which bills itself as a farm distillery currently specializing in sweet potato vodka. It's an impressive setup for liquor-tourists with a beautiful cocktail bar. Making things like blueberry nasturtium coolers from produce grown on site, and it's very refreshing. They've got several acres planted in sweet potatoes so, somewhere down the road, they'll be distilling their own-grown spuds.

Reader: Went to the Margate area, was bored to death with the usual choices. Any other suggestions?

C.L.: Not much new in Margate/Ventnor this year. The one new place I visited - La Padella - did not impress. That's how I ended up back at the Red Room, which was really good, especially that tender pork chop over provolone sauce with broccoli rabe and frizzled onions. The elements of a pork sandwich reimagined on the bone. I will never really tire of the blueberry pancakes over at Gilchrest's, though. I'd also go back to Domenico's in Ventnor, which I recall being one of the better Italian BYOBs. Also, if you haven't checked out the Cardinal Bistro in Ventnor yet, I reviewed it last summer and thought it was one of the better New American-style BYOBs at the Shore.