went to Cap Cod and I have not as of yet had a great meal there (but have not tried hard), some nice fried clams but the fish is usually overcooked and when they try to do something special usually its pushed too far....well my mom (83 1/2 years old) decided that we would try two new spots....pea shoots are in :>) and both places had no idea how to cook them, but i needed the fiber, one place the fish was the freshest and was the best meal we have eaten on the Cape (The Cape Sea Grille, Harwichport), not special but good flavors, not overcooked too much, yummy desserts, the other place no need to return (Ocean House, Dennisport)...she said we could try some news places Labor Day weekend, thanks Gracie!!
Went to L'Alouette in Harwich last night with my cousins and two 91 year old aunts. Believe it or not, the aunties paid. It was not inexpensive. We did not have any special wine. I have been there at least once a year for the past 6 years and did find it above average. I was all fished out from the preceding weeks so I had a sirloin of lamb in fennel and balsamic sauce. The meat was tender and delicious but the sauce was a disappointment. This has been a pretty ambitious French style restaurant. Most of the wait staff do speak French. I have not been disappointed before. One of the cousins had locally caught strippers and she reported the fish was excellent.
There are only 3 consistently really good restaurants on the Cape. Chillingsworth over on Route 6A in Brewster, The Reggata in Cotuit (10 minutes west of my house) on Route 28, and Abbicci on Route 6A in YarmouthPort, all pricey. All need reservations months in advance, confirmations then again a week or so ahead. There, of course, are some really good start ups with chefs and owners who are taking the risk. Those have a perilous time surviving through the winter months.
Let me suggest you change your expectations. First, take off your socks. Cape people don't wear socks. Slap you feet into sneakers or boat shoes, put on faded old fashioned bermuda shorts or equally faded cranberry colored chinos. On the top, you may wear any thing from a good LLBean golf shirt or a $200 cotton gingham "dress" shirt with sleeves rolled up. Blazer or V kneck sweater optional.
Suggest to Gracie that you all go to the next town Chatham. Try the Squire for good food at down to earth prices. This is the place locals support all winter. The "wine guy" seems to me to be helpful and know what he is doing and buying. It goes from hamburgers and fried clams to great local fresh fish. All unpretentious.Don't be fooled by the casualness, I have had great meals there.(Their fried oysters, in season, are the best anywhere) Winos I know really like talking with the "wine guy". I eat there probably 2 times a month. Then you must try The Impudent Oyster. One of my winter month favorites when I don't have to wait in line. Great day-old chowder, they do great things with Portugese receipes with mussels, interesting salad combinations. I try to go there 2 times a month year round. I pay no attention to wine when I am there, I want Food! I assume from the people around me, that the wine list is ok. I have never heard anyone comment on their wine list, only the food. It is more upscale that the Squire by a long shot. But we are still on the local seashore scale of things.
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thanks, this sounds like a must, wine isnt an issue, just something tasty is OK, i really want fresh fish cooked correctly...it amaze's me that its hard to find but this could be our spot(s)....
thanks for the info, we will try Nauset Beach Club next trip, have you been??
I have not been there, nor have my foodie friends. We are casting the nets to see what other friends think of it. I have heard it is under relatively new management? Back to you later.
Chef is Steven Graves formaly of Abbicci and Demarco, and Sous is Andrew Ring ex Olives....??
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- Skinny 7-08-2002 11:51 pm
Went to L'Alouette in Harwich last night with my cousins and two 91 year old aunts. Believe it or not, the aunties paid. It was not inexpensive. We did not have any special wine. I have been there at least once a year for the past 6 years and did find it above average. I was all fished out from the preceding weeks so I had a sirloin of lamb in fennel and balsamic sauce. The meat was tender and delicious but the sauce was a disappointment. This has been a pretty ambitious French style restaurant. Most of the wait staff do speak French. I have not been disappointed before. One of the cousins had locally caught strippers and she reported the fish was excellent.
There are only 3 consistently really good restaurants on the Cape. Chillingsworth over on Route 6A in Brewster, The Reggata in Cotuit (10 minutes west of my house) on Route 28, and Abbicci on Route 6A in YarmouthPort, all pricey. All need reservations months in advance, confirmations then again a week or so ahead. There, of course, are some really good start ups with chefs and owners who are taking the risk. Those have a perilous time surviving through the winter months.
Let me suggest you change your expectations. First, take off your socks. Cape people don't wear socks. Slap you feet into sneakers or boat shoes, put on faded old fashioned bermuda shorts or equally faded cranberry colored chinos. On the top, you may wear any thing from a good LLBean golf shirt or a $200 cotton gingham "dress" shirt with sleeves rolled up. Blazer or V kneck sweater optional.
- jeanne 7-10-2002 4:21 pm [add a comment]
Suggest to Gracie that you all go to the next town Chatham. Try the Squire for good food at down to earth prices. This is the place locals support all winter. The "wine guy" seems to me to be helpful and know what he is doing and buying. It goes from hamburgers and fried clams to great local fresh fish. All unpretentious.Don't be fooled by the casualness, I have had great meals there.(Their fried oysters, in season, are the best anywhere) Winos I know really like talking with the "wine guy". I eat there probably 2 times a month. Then you must try The Impudent Oyster. One of my winter month favorites when I don't have to wait in line. Great day-old chowder, they do great things with Portugese receipes with mussels, interesting salad combinations. I try to go there 2 times a month year round. I pay no attention to wine when I am there, I want Food! I assume from the people around me, that the wine list is ok. I have never heard anyone comment on their wine list, only the food. It is more upscale that the Squire by a long shot. But we are still on the local seashore scale of things.
.
- jeanne 7-10-2002 4:45 pm [add a comment]
thanks, this sounds like a must, wine isnt an issue, just something tasty is OK, i really want fresh fish cooked correctly...it amaze's me that its hard to find but this could be our spot(s)....
- Skinny 7-10-2002 4:56 pm [add a comment]
thanks for the info, we will try Nauset Beach Club next trip, have you been??
- Skinny 7-10-2002 4:51 pm [add a comment]
I have not been there, nor have my foodie friends. We are casting the nets to see what other friends think of it. I have heard it is under relatively new management? Back to you later.
- jeanne 7-12-2002 12:57 am [add a comment]
Chef is Steven Graves formaly of Abbicci and Demarco, and Sous is Andrew Ring ex Olives....??
- Skinny 7-12-2002 5:30 am [add a comment]