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?

The Black Dog | Vineyard Haven

During a brief stop in Vineyard Haven before heading out to Menemsha we decided on an early lunch at The Black Dog Tavern.

The restaurant opens for breakfast and then closes from 11 am-12 pm. We had just missed the last seating. Since we had our bags in tow and did not feel like heading elsewhere we decided to put our names in and wait it out on the pretty harbor beach above. Turns out it was well worth the wait! An overflowing mug of seriously good Quahog Chowder ($6) with house made croutons alongside a crisp, refreshing, cheers-to-our-first-day-on-island Bloody Mary and I am in MV heaven! Following the chowder I enjoyed a terrific Blackened Swordfish Sandwich ($17). The Black Dog is synonymous with the Vineyard and while I hadn't been since I was a kid and often thought of it as being super touristy - the food, service and atmosphere all stack up. 

The Black Dog Tavern 

21 Beach Street Extension

Vineyard Haven, MA

Where to Eat in Newport, Oregon

Oregon landscapes have been taking center stage and now I'm excited to share some terrific food and drink finds from our third road trip destination, Newport!

We arrived to our hotel Hallmark Resort around 7:30 pm on a Wednesday evening and quickly headed out to dinner; no longer strangers to the early restaurant closing times in these parts! After a fulfilling but long day hiking, beach combing and driving I was craving comfort food. Noodle Café in the well known Newport Bayfront turned out to be a perfect choice. A no-frills space serving affordable Pan-Asian fare with local seafood, hand tossed noodles and made from scratch soup stocks, I felt like we tapped into a local haunt.

 Crab Wontons made with local Dungeness crab meat + cream cheese were an excellent prelude to Ramen Noodle Soup featuring a miso Japanese broth with shrimp tempura. This bowl offered just the comfort and warmth I craved. The House Special Wok Tossed Udon showcased the bounty of Newport Bay with shrimp and scallops, plus calamari and vegetables in a garlic soy sauce.

While at Noodle Café Bob and I were discussing our plans for breakfast. At my mention of heading to La Maison the woman next to us chimed in to sing its praises. She turned out to be Celeste of the family that owns local Mo's Seafood restaurants. We got to talking about the blog and before she left, Celeste slipped me a note to text her if we wanted to visit Mo's for a bowl of their famous Clam Chowder and Marionberry Cobbler on her. How sweet!

With her glowing recommendation we headed to La Maison Bakery & Café the next morning where superb three egg omelets come with giant flaky croissants, creamy butter and sticky-sweet jams from France. This was an absolutely phenomenal breakfast and one we won't soon forget. No matter what dish you choose, the Bananas & Cream to start are a must. La Maison also serves lunch. 

Fresh Bananas and Cream ($5) with toasted hazelnuts and brown sugar / Loire Valley Omelet ($10.25) grilled artichokes, mushrooms, Gruyere cheese and artichoke sauce / Paris Omelet ($10) French brie wrapped in prosciutto dusted with fresh chives.

Our second night in the beautiful Bayfront community brought us to Local Ocean Seafoods, a casual yet sophisticated fish market and grill. The bright industrial space is defined by an open kitchen and large windows with garage style glass doors. This was the first restaurant we visited that was truly bustling with clientele. We spent our half-hour wait admiring the massive fishing boats docked in the harbor across the street. 

We started with a creamy Roasted Garlic & Dungeness Crab Soup. I sipped on a local red wine Rubio Syrah-Pinot Noir from Penner Ash Vineyards in Willamette Valley. For our entrees, the Grilled Halibut comes over a heaping portion of swiss chard, edamame and bacon mingling with Udon noodles in a ponzu sauce. Pan Fried Yaquina Bay Oysters are panko buttermilk crusted, served with fennel slaw and fries. For creatively prepared, super fresh dock-to-table seafood, I would highly recommend Local Ocean. 

Consecutive nights after dinner we hit up the only bar and only spot open late (until midnight) on Bay Boulevard The Rogue Bayfront Public House. We were happy campers here, mingling with the upbeat bartenders and making friends with like minded travelers. 

We met a couple from Chicago who was staying at the same hotel, in the room directly above us. What are the chances? We got bottles of beer to-go and continued the party on their balcony! For some reason I always remember this conversation with them when comparing notes on where we ate in town. "Why would you come all the way here and go to a noodle joint?!" 

Because person I just met who is calling me out: they have comforting Asian cuisine (score) with LOCAL SEAFOOD (win) overlooking the Bayfront and no one knows about it. Sometimes the goal is to follow your instincts/cravings and eat where the locals do. After all, this is where the owner of Mo's Seafood eats on her night off!

And speaking of. Finally, Mo's. These family owned seafood restaurants are a local institution, so I knew we had to take Celeste up on her offer. We headed to the original Bayfront location for an early lunch before departing to Willamette Valley. Our cheerful waitress Debbie was in-the-know and promptly served us our chowder and cobbler at no charge. The New England style chowder offered smooth, velvety, medium-thick broth loaded with small chunks of potatoes, bits of bacon, and briny clams, dusted with paprika and parsley. Mo's has truly perfected NE Clam chowder out here on the Oregon Coast. It was THAT GOOD. And I can easily see why the cobbler is a must order. Vanilla ice cream pools into plump, sweet, tart and juicy berries overflowing from a homemade flaky crust. Heaven!

 Mo's Claim Chowder ($5.50) - what made them famous! / Fried Calamari ($9.95)
lightly breaded tubes and tentacles served with cocktail and tartar sauce / Rogue "Mo" Ale Hefeweizen ($5.25) / Marion Berry Cobbler ($5.25) - Mo's signature homemade dessert.

[Recap - all are fondly recommended!]

Breakfast: La Maison / 315 SW 9th St 

Carl's Coffee @ Nye Beach / 715 NW Beach Drive

Lunch: Mo's Seafood / The Original Mo's: 622 SW Bay Blvd

Dinner: Noodle Café / 837 SW Bay Blvd 

Local Ocean Seafoods / 213 SE Bay Blvd

Drinks: Rogue Bayfront Public House / 784 SW Bay Blvd 

Rogue Brewer's on The Bay / 2320 OSU Drive

second beer photo source