Just a short hop over the bridge from Stone Harbor into the up-and-coming community of North Wildwood, you will find Claude's. We entered through the romantically lit interior dining area to the quaint outside covered cafe. The strains of an Edith Piaf recording (very French) added to the ambience of this enchanting little pot. We were early and the waitstaff was quite attentive, icing our white wine, bringing delicious hot rolls and providing us with tasty little baguette slices topped with a bit of foie gras. Since we had partaken of a huge lunch, we decided to split the fried Brie salad as an appetizer. This choice gave us each a sample and was easy to divide. At the suggestion of the darling waitress, Shannon, two of us chose the "Day Boat Scallops on a Melange of Vegetables" ($24). The scallops were the most tender and full of flavor than any I have had in a long time and were topped with a soy vinaigrette sauce. The vegetables were expertly and lovingly prepared- something you don’t see often- and consisted of layers of grilled zucchini, tomato, eggplant, blanched and buttered baby green beans on the side and a splash of pureed orange squash, which added a delightful dash of color as well as spurt of flavor to this skillfully prepared dish. The other member of our party went with the Lobster Wrapped with Chicken Breast, which she remarked was both tender as well as flavorful. Her dish was accompanied by same assortment of vegetables ($24.50). We brought our own bottle of Frei Chardonnay, which complemented both dishes quite well. For dessert we split (again) a Chocolate Lava, which was a luscious, moist brownie mountain set in mounds of whipped cream with a dollop of chocolate lava oozing from the center of the dome. A perfect ending to an excellent meal. Claude's is also available for takeout and features such other tempting dishes as:
Red Snapper baked with fennel in tomato buerre blanc (a prizewinner);
Crabcakes with wasabi aioli;
Filet of Black Angus beef in a reduction sauce;
and they feature Mary's Homemade Desserts, with such delectable offerings as
Strawberry Japonnaise; Creme Caramel; and Chocolate all the Way (to name a few). This seasonal spot purports to be open through Thanksgiving!