Almost Summer + Cape Roundup

Pictured: Lobster Risotto @ Mad Minnow, Harwichport | Toro Maki + Sashimi @ Mac's Shack, Wellfleet | Sunset @ Lewis Bay, West Yarmouth | Swordfish Cheeks + Soft Shell Crab @ Naked Oyster, Hyannis

Finally, some SUNSHINE! The beginning of May was entirely rain / cold / dark / drizzly and heat still blasting inside. That winter chill lingered just a little to long and it was rough on my spirit. In anticipation of consistently warm weather and trips to Cape Cod, here's a round up of some summer archive photos and fantastic Cape restaurants not-previously-blogged-about.

Mac's Shack | 91 Commercial St | Wellfleet

Mac is a local fisherman so a meal at his Outer Cape institution offers hands down the freshest seafood you'll ever eat; perfectly shucked Wellfleet Oysters and Littlenecks, dream worthy sushi + sashimi creations, inventive takes on classic entrees, plus terrific cocktails with a charming coastal atmosphere to match. My favorite way to end a day in Wellfleet - post hiking Great Island + playing in the dunes is hanging at their outdoor bar and patio area.

Mad Minnow | 554 Main St | Harwich Port

A summer gastropub that brings a fresh vibe to the neighborhood with a clean bright interior, an outdoor vegetable meets beer garden, locally sourced seafood, and stellar cocktails - you'll definitely want to #gethooked!

The Port | 541 Main St | Harwich Port

Across the street from Mad Minnow, a much older establishment with a classic and refined old Cape Cod vibe is The Port. You can't go wrong with $1 oysters nightly from 5 - 6:30!

Naked Oyster Bistro + Raw Bar | 410 Main Street | Hyannis

When I tell you that the above Soft Shell Crab + sweet corn entrée and the below Swordfish Cheeks are literally some of the best seafood dishes I've had on Cape Cod, ever, you won't hesitate to hit up the Naked Oyster next time you cross the Sagamore Bridge. My favorite way to dine is impromptu at the raw bar, a spot here feels like winning the lottery.

Eclectic Cafe | 606 Main Street | Hyannis
Venture to the other end of Main Street to dine under the stars on Eclectic Cafe's lush, warm and secluded patio. Pictured above is the Lobster Mac N Cheese appetizer with tarragon boursin, roasted parsnip, sweet peas and butter poached lobster. Pictured below is a Shrimp + Lobster Special wrapped and baked in phyllo dough. There is also a relaxed bar if you're in the mood to just grab a cocktail.

Seafood Sam's | 1006 Route 28 | South Yarmouth 

Seafood Sam's is clutch for a low key but satisfying meal. This local counter for take out or dine in (additional locations in Sandwich and Falmouth) offers moderately priced seafood - excellent lobster rolls, clam chowder, fried seafood and more. They also serve beer + wine!

FIN | 800 Main Street | Dennis 

Fin serves contemporary + sustainable seafood dishes matched by an eclectic wine list in a tastefully decorated two story antique home. Many incredible meals have been devoured here!

How many plates of oysters are appropriate to have/mention in one post?! These are Fin's signature Chilled Nobscusset Oysters with Pickled Ginger Granita and Wasabi Tobiko.

Also looking forward to....lazy summer days on Lieutenant Island and Great Island, both in Wellfleet, boat trips to Baxter's on Hyannis Harbor for fried seafood and frozen mudslides to-go, sunsets that set the marsh on fire, coffee ice cream cones with rainbow sprinkles, swimming in the salty ocean, being tan, nights at the Beachcomber! What are you guys looking forward to this summer?

Waypoint

Chef Michael Scelfo has done it again. Get yourself to his new restaurant Waypoint and without a doubt order the Uni Bucatini and the King Crab. There are some dishes that manage to get an entire city buzzing, and these are two of them. 

In an unassuming, sort of hidden subterranean industrial space on Mass Ave between Harvard and Central squares, Waypoint lures fans of Alden + Harlow with contemporary seafood focused plates and an absinthe centric bar menu. There's so much more than two of us could try in one visit - like crudo and caviar and clam pizza. It is an experience much like the Choose Your Own Adventure Books that the checks come delivered in; no matter which way the menu inspires you to tailor your order, you won't be disappointed! 

The interior is warmly lit by a distinctive neon green fish sign and a parade of hand blown glass lamps. Large and small booths tuck perfectly into cozy spaces, while communal high tops front the area between the bar and the open kitchen. Creamy marble table tops and gorgeous herringbone inlaid walls catch my eye. It is a space that is both buzzing and soothing all at once.

As far as the aforementioned dishes go - the intensely comforting Uni Bucatini ($18) offers thrilling heaps of sweet uni, a runny smoked egg yolk, pecorino crumbles and bottarga shavings among hollow strands of the al dente pasta. Plump and fresh King Crab ($22) is piled atop a heavenly chili garlic oil, a creamy brown butter aoili and toasty black rice; lending playful, contrasting textures and harmonizing flavors. 

Meanwhile, our other two dishes are not to be overlooked: Grilled Monkfish Cheeks with squid inked eggplant and kohlrabi salsa verde, along with a Squid Ink Gemelli ($17) featuring benton's ham, swordfish lardo, smoked pignola + pecorino crumble prove all of Waypoint's alluring coastal cuisine dishes shine. 

Being on a mezcal kick I passed up the tales of absinthe section and went with a house original called Portside ($12) with mezcal, manzanilla sherry, pickled cherry pepper, honey + lime. It was smokey yet balanced with a little fiery kick. Later on, a really funky, seafood-friendly wine appropriate for fans of sour beer, the Denavolo "Dinavolino" ($15) from Emilia-Romagna, Italy is a delicious, unexpected discovery. 

Waypoint
1030 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138

Reykjavik

It felt a little surreal pulling into the parking spots outside FossHotel Reykjavik. In realizing we just completed driving the entire Ring Road, we high-fived and sat there for a minute. Huge moment. Big feelings. A lot of love for this country.

We had a blast in Reykjavik. It is expensive and colorful and welcoming and full of good European meets Viking energy. I was enamored with: the colorful street and sidewalk art, Hallgrímskirkja and the beautiful city views it affords, Langoustine soup, Lebowski Bar, and Harpa.

Here's a look at all my recommendations. 

Happy Hour Crawl / Drinks on Laugavegur: 

On and around the main strip of Laugavegur Street there's a ton of cool places to hang out. I highly recommend taking advantage of the various happy hours since drinks are $$$. The best happy hour was at Bravo, a chill space with comfy nooks and window seats, plus they had our favorite Einstock beers on draft! The divey cellar space at Koffin was also fun, it felt like a true local haunt. Kaffi Brennslan is where we had the grilled ham + cheese and waffle pictured, they also have a good selection of bottled beer and wine by the glass. Lebowski Bar at night is a must. Funky décor, good energy, a fantastic DJ, dancing, AND they have an entire menu dedicated to White Russians. I had the Pink Russian (2100 ISK) which adds strawberry liqueur and strawberry syrup to the classic vodka, Kahlua and cream. That plus a beer cost $30. Drink prices are no joke. Bar 11 had solid live music in the basement, and we noticed the entire space was dedicated to the only beer on draft: Tuborg. The owners must really love that beer! Finally, the Bjorgardurinn (Beer Garden) is a sleek industrial space located on the bottom floor of FossHotel Reykjavik (our lovely accommodations) and worth a trip off Laugavegur for the unique and worldly beer selection.

Lunch: I think lunch or afternoon snacking is best enjoyed at any of the following: Kaffi Brennslan, Cafe Babalu and others - the aforementioned cute and cozy coffee houses that serve soups, sandwiches, waffles, cakes, beer and wine. / Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur - the famous hot dog stand!! / Vöffluvagninn - the liege waffle food truck.

Dinner: The best meal of our entire trip was at Messinn. We strolled in early on a Friday evening with no reservation and they were fully booked. Luckily we were able to make one for late Saturday night. We had Cream of Lobster Soup (1.850 ISK) with cognac, and really fresh, beautiful pan-fried fish entrees: Ling (3.600 ISK) with chili, ginger, carrots, fennel, shrimp, brandy, arugula, lemon + butter and Fish Cheeks (3.400 ISK) with cherry tomatoes, lettuce, lemon + garlic butter. 

We had a light lunch at Rok on our last day. I wish we'd discovered this gem earlier! One of the more dynamic bar programs I came across in Reykjavik, I had the Hrutur (2.290 ISK) with Brennivin (Icelandic Schnapps), bjork liquor, pomme verde liquor, basil syrup and fresh basil. The cured salmon + avocado on brown bread and the sliced beef, caramelized onion + melted brie crostini were artfully composed and very, very good! Rok is open every day from 11:30 am - 11 pm. Whether brunch, lunch or dinner, it should be a definite on your list for a full meal.

Another favorite dinner was Lava at The Blue Lagoon. A few friends also recommended both Fiskmarkaðurinn and Grillmarkaðurinn - we didn't make it to either, they were expensive but looked like they might be worth a visit.