Casual elegance is defined at The Beacon Room in Orleans.
Author’s Note: “We haven’t been there in a while.” Those unmemorable words were uttered one Sunday around 7:00 p.m., and a little after 8:00 p.m., a memorable dining experience was had by all. While most people look forward to, if not seek out opportunities to go out to eat (hey, it’s one less meal to prepare yourself), I’m in it to play the game, “will the meal exceed expectations.” Don’t get me wrong, like many people, I also have ‘go-to’ dishes at favorite restaurants that rarely disappoint. But with so many dining options available, I now order anything but “the usual. I wouldn’t call ordering a menu item you’ve never had a high risk, high reward decision, but when a meal truly exceeds expectations, it stays with you and it’s hard not to spread the love. Enter The Beacon Room.
Tucked away on a quiet road off Route 6A, The Beacon Room is open year round for lunch and dinner.
There’s Always Room (for surf and turf) at The Beacon Room
The Beacon Room, 23 West Road, Orleans, is a “casual, yet elegant restaurant,” set in a cozy former cottage, tucked away on a quiet road off Route 6A. By casual, most patrons are sporting shorts, sandals or sundresses; by elegant, when seated you are greeted by a fresh pressed white tablecloth, water glasses already filled and custom wine glasses hoping to be filled. The open dining room ceiling features exposed wooden rafters and a three-sided wrap-around bar, that provides a casual tavern vibe. In recent years, the outdoor space was expanded to offer a full service bar and a half dozen tables.
The former cottage is not an open dining room complete with wrap-around bar.
For dinner, The Beacon Room menu includes classic dishes, ranging from seafood fa diavolo, pan seared sole, chicken parmigiana, and New York strip steak, to name a few. The kitchen staff also ventures into the creative realm, with such tempting entrees like lobster croissant, roasted maple leaf 1/2 duck and veal short rib. But the game changer can only be found on the list of specials, none other than the lobster tail and filet surf and turf. Kick that main entree off with the gorgonzola, walnut and sun-dried cranberry salad and you are in for a treat. Even before that, opt for a martini to double-down on the elegance factor.
The beautiful lobster tail and filet mignon “surf and turf” special.
The lunch menu offers a variety of classic seafood entrees and sandwiches, the latter including a choice of potato salad, mixed greens or french fries. The restaurant also happens to be located a short walk from Hog Island Brewery, a popular local craft brewery with a large beer hall full of games such as billiards, foosball, ping pong, and shuffleboard. Not into breweries? The Beacon Room is a five minute drive to Eldridge Park, home of the Orleans Firebirds, one of ten teams in the Cape Cod Baseball League and a ten minute drive to Nauset Beach. The Cape Cod Rail Trail is also a three minute drive away.
The outdoor patio is great for a cocktail before, during or after dinner.
The Beacon Room is easily a top 5 favorite restaurant on Cape Cod. If you need another opinion, the Cape Cod Times recently wrote “[The Beacon Room in Orleans] serves up exceptional food..comfortable and casual elegance…the food is freshly made with top-quality ingredients.” The Beacon Room is open year round, seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Pro tip: while they do not take reservations, they do offer a call ahead waiting list, which usually works out for parties of four or less.
The highly coveted Cape Cod Mini Masters Tournament Trophy, created by Matt Gianquinto, debuted in 2019.
Author’s Note: Last year marked the beginning of a long-overdue, yet totally appropriate summer tradition, The Cape Cod Mini Golf Masters tournament. If your first thought is Augusta National, a PGA major tournament, one of the toughest courses in golf, green jackets, manicured greens, etc., your thoughts would be “on par” with this little gem of an event. Well, that’s the idea; multiple days, rounds, courses, and people competing for mini golf glory in a location with deep roots in the mini golf tradition – Cape Cod! With the summer season wrapping up, scheduling this absurdly fun event was a no-brainer for Labor Day weekend. End on a high note!
The inaugural 2018 Cape Cod Mini Golf Masters tournament featured 5 rounds of 18 holes, at Skull Island (Yarmouth), both Pirate’s Cove courses (Yarmouth), Arnold’s Mini Golf (Eastham) and Cape Escape (Orleans). Much to my surprise, an epic comeback during the last round stole the “green jacket” (aka bragging rights) from right under my nose. However, the 2019 Cape Cod Mini Golf Masters was a different story. The tournament featured the same amount of rounds (5 rounds of 18 holes), at Sandwich Mini Golf (Sandwich), Lightning Falls (Hyannis), Pirate’s Cove-both courses (Yarmouth) and Harbor Lights (Brewster); the important difference being, a trophy would be awarded to the winner, so much more than just bragging rights was on the line. Sure enough, consistent play (not to mention scoring 18 total strokes better than second place) was enough to score the necessary points (we used a point system that needs tweaking) to take home the trophy. It’s actually hard to believe an officially sanctioned tournament has not already claimed Cape Cod home given the quality and quantity of mini golf courses. Maybe our little tournament will go big some day…
Almost exactly one year to the day, Sebastian Arcelus, provides a little luck and good humor prior to the final round of the 2019 Mini Golf Masters.
One weird Mini Golf Masters weekend coincidence. Last year, after completing both rounds at Pirate’s Cove, our group saw Sebastian Arcelus, who played reporter Lucas Goodwin in the Netflix series House of Cards, with his family enjoying ice cream outside. Fearful of ruining their family time, we did not approach the celebrity couple (his wife Stephanie J Block, recently starred in the Cher Show, among many other credits) and later regretted not doing so. Well, wouldn’t you know it, 366 days later, Ellen and I walk into South Chatham’s Talkative Pig Restaurant, and there they all are – again! This time there was no fear. I even told Sebastian about the Mini Golf Masters and he told me, “you’re going to win it, man.” So I did.
A Tradition:Mini Golf on Cape Cod
Ever since Cape Cod became a tourist destination, mini golf is one of many family friendly activities available in almost all Cape Cod towns late morning, noon and night, light rain or shine. I’ve actually had my round interrupted due to a hail storm. Mini golf course offerings range in terms of quality, difficulty and price. As an example, Putter’s Paradise in Yarmouth costs $9.50 per person, with a free reply, plus a free round if you get a hole-in-one on the 18th hole. Pirate’s Cove, just down the road in the same town, costs $11.50 per person, with one of the most challenging courses on the Cape. Pirate’s Cove pro tip, if the courses are not busy, they will likely let you play the other course for free. Harbor LIghts in Brewster, “features” built-in bumps in the turf close to the cup on most holes, which can dramatically alter one’s score. Mini golf courses on Cape Cod are generally open from April 1 to Columbus Day, and normally the hours of 10:30am – 9:00pm.
And if you like trivia, here’s a fun fact courtesy of the Cape Cod Times: Did you know there is a difference between “Mini” golf and “Putt-Putt” golf? The name putt-putt is associated with a chain of family amusement centers, Putt-Putt Fun Center, known for their particular brand of miniature golf. In putt-putt golf, par for each hole is 2 while in mini golf par can range from 2 to 6. On Cape Cod, you will find mini golf courses. And always remember, drive for show, putt for dough.
The faces tell the story after 36 hard fought holes at Pirate’s Cove, Yarmouth, during the 2019 Mini Golf Masters.
Brewster
Harbor Lights Mini Golf, 81 Underpass Road, located off historic Route 6A in Brewster, near the Cape Cod Rail Trail, is set in a lush tree lined setting. So lush, the staff leaves bug spray on the benches, which is a nice touch but was not necessary when I last played. To add to your leisurely experience, ice cream is available on site with a few Adirondack chairs overlooking the first hole and practice green. Beware Hole #16, an intimidating Par 3 that requires some finesse or you could easily be looking at scoring a six. Many of the greens have built-in, yet subtle “bumps” in the turf that make you second-guess the best angle to the cup.
Susan’s Garden Mini Golf, 197 Shad Hole Road, bills itself as classic Cape Cod Mini Golf. The first sentence on their website reads, “Step back in time and relax.” The course was built in 1950 and has been restored and kept true to its roots. For 60 years, Susan’s Garden Mini Golf has been in business and is proud of the fact that it is not uncommon to hear adults saying they’ve been playing mini golf at Susan’s since they were children. At night, tiki torches light the course around the perennial gardens. A $1 off coupon can be found on the website.
DennisPort
Holiday Hill Family Fun Center, 350 Main Street, Dennis Port, is located off Route 28 and described as a beautiful 18 hole Cape Cod themed course overlooked by an 18 foot waterfall. Other features include a lighthouse, a covered bridge, and several bubbling fountains. A $1 off coupon can be found in the Cape Cod Guide (book).
While Harbor Lights Mini Golf is set in a lush garden, beware of bumpy greens and funny angles.
Eastham
Arnold’s Lobster and Clam Bar, 3580 State Highway Route 6, is a “long line out the door” popular seafood restaurant also serving soft serve ice cream and mini golf. What else does one need for a delightful afternoon? Actually, it is conveniently located off the Cape Cod Rail Trail, should mini golf not be enough activity to burn off those calories. The 18 hole course features scaled down replicas of Lower Cape historical landmarks in addition to a pirate ship and lush floral landscaping. Pro tip: Hole #2 is make-able in two (eagle) which would give golfers an important buffer in case later holes spell scorecard disaster. Golf costs $8.00 per person, but only $2.00 for a replay. There is also a $1 off coupon on their website.
Poit’s Lighthouse Adventure Mini Golf, 5270 State Highway Route 6, bills itself as the Outer Capes Best and Largest Nautical Themed Adventure Mini Golf Course. The 18 hole course has a 16 foot wrap-around waterfall, a winding river, and a pond with geysers. In addition to mini golf, Poit’s has a snack bar and a video arcade. It also offers free replays!
Cape Cod Gift Barn, 4180A State Highway Route 6, is a combination entertainment and shopping experience, featuring an 18-hole, two level, mini golf course in the red barn, along with an arcade, and shops for adults. The property is family-owned and used to be a turnip and asparagus farm. For those that do not know, the turnip is quite the celebrity in Eastham, MA!
Just minutes after crossing the Bourne Bridge onto the Cape, 36 holes of water-feature mini golf awaits!
Falmouth
Cataumet Light, 1370 Route 28, features an 18 hole mini golf course with three rivers, two fountains (one for wishing) and the famous Lazy Sundaes Ice Cream Shop. The mini golf course was recently redesigned and has been ranked in the Top 5 courses on Cape Cod. There is also batting cages and bumper boats on site. Word has it a few well known celebrities are known to frequent the location. Sebastian?
Harwich
Harbor Glen Mini Golf, 168 Route 28, is located at The Weatherdeck Restaurant in West Harwich. The 18 hole astro turf course includes a waterfall and pond. The setting is vintage Cape Cod and the iconic sign sends a British Open kind-of-vibe.
While I do love myself some soft serve ice cream, Barnstable Brewing, the next door neighbor to Lightning Falls, was just too tempting. The Blueberry Ale is amazing.
Hyannis Steve and Sue Par-Tee Freeze Lighting Falls Adventure Mini Golf, 455 West Main Street, is known equally for soft serve ice cream as well as 18 holes of mini golf. It features a cave and a waterfall and new turf surface, like brand new as of summer 2019. Hole #17, a Par 3, is one of the toughest holes ever conceived, with ample danger in the middle and on the sides of the green. While Steve and Sue’s following for ice cream is strong, just next door is the new brewery, Barnstable Brewing, serving craft brews, an outdoor patio and lots of pub games like giant Connect 4. Complimentary pretzel bites are a nice touch.
Martha’s Vineyard Island Cove Adventures, 386 State Road, located in Vineyard Haven, is an 18 hole adventure golf course set in extensive gardens that take you through and around caves, waterfalls and ponds. There is also a climbing wall and outdoor space that can be booked for private events. Of course, ice cream is available on the property.
Mashpee
Popponesset Mini Golf, 259 Shore Drive, is located in Popponesset Marketplace, home to shopping, restaurants, outdoor activities (summer concert performances) and of course, mini golf. This unique seaside village with colorful galleries and shops bills itself a little piece of “Olde Cape Cod.”
After surviving an unexpected hail storm, Ellen and I finished our round…only to play another round because of free replay!
Orleans Cape Escape Adventure Golf, 15 Canal Road, is a pristine nautical 18 Hole course featuring a flashing lighthouse, a Japanese pond with water lilies and koi, fishing boats, and a waterfall. The owners friendly dog also patrols the grounds and tries his best to catch a fish. Each hole is named after a Cape Cod town, including Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket and Wareham (off-Cape). If the turf isn’t soaked, Hole #18 “Nantucket,” is almost always a hole-in-one if you go through the waterfall.
Sandwich Sandwich Mini Golf, 159 Route 6A, is a well established, 36 Hole mini golf mecca, almost walking distance to Jarves Street/downtown Sandwich. Owner and Founder H. Maurice Burke readily admits that this adorable mini golf course is the result of his lifelong hobby. Built on his grandparents land, what started as a boyhood dream is now an extensive and creative course made up of windmills and bridges. Literally, water runs through much of the course and spills onto a few holes. Hole #10 (white scorecard) is an automatic hole-in-one if you go up and through the lighthouse.
It’s hard not to notice this already tempting sign when driving on the Cranberry Highway. But then you learn the price to play is $4 per person, and unlimited!
Wareham Cartland of Cape Cod, 3022 Cranberry Highway, is not your average mini golf course. First, the course features 20 holes, rather than the traditional 18 holes. All holes are Par 3s. And the best part, it only costs $4 for UNLIMITED play. There are also coupons on their website. Get to the course as soon as it opens so you can play a round, two or three and get over the bridge before traffic ever becomes a concern.
Sand & Surf Mini Golf, 3194 Cranberry Highway, is a Par 42 adventure filled 18 Hole mini golf course, conveniently located near Cafe2Cup Coffee House and the Lobster Pot. Navigate through waterfalls, a cave, a lighthouse, a crashed airplane, beached boats and a shivering mummy. You can also play all day for $7.99.
It’s all smiles before the competition begins.Found this gem, circa 2009, in the archives. Looks like Cove staff did some painting…
Wellfleet Wellfleet Dairy Bar & Mini Golf, 51 State Highway Route 6, is located at the entrance to the Drive-In and Cinemas, and features “retro” mini golf on a well maintained vintage mini golf course. This 18 hole course is still the original obstacle course built in 1961! If you like Patti Page’s Old Cape Cod, than this course is for you!
Yarmouth – The towns tagline “Cape Cod Within Reach” could also be “A Mini Golf Mecca“
Pirate’s Cove The Original Adventure Golf, 728 Main Street, is the Augusta National (location of the PGA’s Masters) of mini golf courses. It features not one, but two, 18 hole courses; the Captain’s Course, and the more difficult, Blackbeard’s Course. As you would expect, the Masters ain’t cheap. A round of 18 is $11.50 per adult, $10.50 per child, though there are discounts for playing 36 holes and large groups. There are multiple holes in which your ball can easily go out of play. In particular, Hole #16 on Blackbeard course is a multi-story Par 2, that has two cups to choose from based on where your ball pops out. Hole #15 on the Captain’s course has an elevated hole, so it’s easy to run up four, five or even six strokes if you’re not careful on an otherwise obstacle-free hole. History buffs will also enjoy reading about famous pirates on the tee box of each hole on both courses.
Putter’s Paradise, 119 Route 28, features a big white whale and rowing fisherman to “reel” you in as you drive by. It’s been going strong since 1979 and features many concrete sculptures, including the whale, created by local artist T.J. Neil. The best part about Putter’s Paradise, everyone gets a free replay. The $9.50 round per adult is really $4.25 per person! There is also a $1 off coupon on their website. Hole #9 (Par 3), closest to the road, forces you to “go for it” through a tight opening under a bridge, rather than “laying up,” before it. High risk, high reward.
The first course played, Skull Island, at the Inaugural Cape Cod Mini Golf Masters Tournament in 2018.
Skull Island Adventure Golf and Sports World, 934 Main Street, Route 28, is home to sports galore. If you see a big white skull, you’re at the right place. Hole #17 is an elbow Par 3 that is possible to hit a hole-in-one at the right angle. This course was actually the first location of the inaugural Mini Golf Masters tournament, and I’m happy to share I took the lead (-2) par.
Wild Animal Lagoon, 62 Route 28, features a safari setting for kids and kids at heart to putt around elephants, giraffes, and rhinos. With challenge wheels that change the rules at certain holes and signs with animal facts, this West Yarmouth mini golf location is certainly unique. A $1 off coupon can be found on their website.
What is your favorite place to play mini golf on Cape Cod?
It was hard not to smile when seeing this sign. Photo Credit: CapeandIslands.org.
Author’s Note: As another summer season draws to a close, I am amazed at just how great the weather has been over the last three months. Every stretch of days I’ve been on the Cape has been near-perfect outdoor weather. (That localized tornado and related $4,000 in tree removal costs notwithstanding.) The summer season always passes by quickly once the Fourth of July comes and goes, back-to-school ads pop-up too early and the bombardment of college and professional football coverage begins. It’s in these moments when that ten minute walk to the beach provides an opportunity to slow down the day just a bit, and by doing so, extend the summer a few moments longer. After all, many of us have summer traditions to check-off our seasonal bucket list.
This past Labor Day Weekend, I was able to finally “check-off” a couple seasonal tradition, including a Chatham Band Concert, brunch at the Optimist Cafe, and the Cape Cod Mini Golf Masters (more on that soon!). If you still have a few more “summer to do’s,” there is another option; jump on the “Keep Summah Alive” bandwagon. Many Cape Cod restaurants, businesses and lodging extend their season through Columbus Day weekend. Further, most festivals are held in the fall months, so there are plenty of autumn activities to add to a Cape Cod bucket list. Either way, hop on down!
Most beachgoers had to walk by the tempting smells of Liam’s before getting to the sand. Photo credit: John Ohman.
For 28 years, John Ohman owned and operated the restaurant (named after his first born son) siting upon the high dunes overlooking Nauset Beach. However, the origins of Liam’s goes back much further than 1989.
As early as the 1950s, the wafting smell of fried food, grilled burgers and hot dogs mixed with salty sea air hovered like a delicious cloud around the same weathered snack shack. From the 1950s to late 1980s, Philbrick’s Snack Shack operated out of the same building, on that same piece of land as Liam’s, just steps from the Atlantic Ocean.
The original operator, Philbrick’s Snack Snack, of the snack shack on Nauset Beach. Photo Credit: Margot Parson.
Interestingly, Philbrick’s Snack Shack also sold a lot of hot dogs, as they used the same company that supplied Howard Johnson’s, known at the time for their tasty frankfurters. One Philbrick son, Richard, recalled a season where The Shack sold more hotdogs from Memorial Day to Labor Day than Howard Johnson’s did year-round in their New England location(s). Richard also remembers selling one to one-and-a-half tons of onion rings…a week!
That number was on par with later estimates by Mr. Ohman of Liam’s; the latter employing more staff for a bigger operation. During Ohman’s ownership, the clam shack employed two dozen people, some local, others from nearby states and even Eastern Europe through the J-1 visa program.
Award-winning onion rings makes everyone happy! Photo credit: Bob Shaw.
In 1979, second-to-youngest son, Jeff Philbrick, took over ownership of the restaurant. After 10 years, Jeff Philbrick sold the business to John Ohman.
From 1990 to 2017, Liam’s served award-winning onion rings (as well as many other menu items) on the dune overlooking Nauset Beach. Long-time locals and visitors would describe that award-winning item, not just as onion rings, but as a summer food sacrament. While that description may seem extreme, multiple magazines, newspapers and travel guides featured or selected Liam’s at Nauset for their annual awards.
These magnets are now a prized collection that serve as a reminder of some good times on Nauset Beach. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw
Sadly, in the winter of 2017, a string of unexpectedly devastating winter storms caused extraordinary high tides and an extreme loss of beach, which threatened Liam’s foundation. This reality led the Orleans Board of Selectman to a 4-1 vote to tear down the structure and terminate Mr. Ohman’s contract with the town to lease building.
John Ohman described his time on the Cape and Nauset Beach as “a magical mystery tour.” He was quoted as saying, “I think it was a magical moment in the history of Cape Cod, where the sea met the tourism industry with a perfect symbiosis of great seafood, all the sealife, whales, sharks – and great music.”
Severe erosion threatened Liam’s foundation and ultimately led to the Board of Selectman’s vote to tear down the building. Photo credit: Alan Pollock.
On Tuesday, March 20, 2018, the building that was Liam’s (formerly Philbrick’s Snack Shack) was torn down. While owner John Ohman did not rule out a return of Liam’s, he also runs Kate’s seafood off Route 6A in Brewster. At least in the short term, the legendary onion rings live on!
John Ohman’s second location, Kate’s Seafood, off Route 6A in Brewster, serves the same quality food, just with a slightly different view. Photo Credit: John Ohman.
