Jeff Shaw

Coffee on Cape Cod

A chilly winter morning along the shores of Ridgevale Beach, Chatham.

Author’s Note: My father-in-law prominently features a comical coffee mug in his kitchen. It states, “No Coffee, No Workee.” Similarly, my own father writes, “Up, Coffee” on his daily “to do” list. While both of these seasoned coffee drinkers’ habits are no different than even mine, those funny symbols and practices speaks to the importance of the daily java jolt. I did not start drinking coffee regularly until after college, when the whole career-thing started. Sure, I’d have some from time to time on late nights studying at the library or to break-up an afternoon, but it was not part of anything that resembled a daily routine. Oh my, how that has changed. Fast forward many years later, and I’ll admit, I’m a bit of a coffee snob. The comical sign, “Life’s to short for bad [fill in the blank, coffee, wine, etc] comes to mind. There is nothing worse than a bad cup of coffee. Your stuck with it. To avoid such situations, I keep a mental list of diners, cafes and breakfast spots with at least decent coffee and I readily offer them as options when deciding if and where to go out for breakfast. All of this insanity somewhat explains why the Starbucks and locally owned cafes/coffee shops have thrived, with people literally spending their days (well, doing work thanks to wifi and cozy seating) and paychecks there.

My morning two-cups usually sustain me for the day. Occasionally, a post lunch or pre-long drive jolt is a nice surprise, if not necessity. I prefer the medium to dark roast, which I take black because, as I’ve learned, quality coffee doesn’t need fillers (which started thanks to my buddy Connor insulting me every time I put sugar and milk to improve the taste of terrible diner coffee). I also rotate where I go – especially on Cape Cod as there are plenty of good coffee stops. Are you up for a java journey across the Cape?

Cape Cod is known for many things – stunning beaches, fresh seafood, charming cottages, soft serve ice cream, even mini golf, to name a few – but one often overlooked feature is the coffee. There are a ton of restaurants, cafes, bakeries and deli’s to find an above average, if not great, cup of coffee. While this list is not comprehensive of every Cape town, I included at least one spot in all four Cape Cod regions.

The chicken salad wrap comes with a dill pickle and bag of chips.

Beth’s Bakery & Cafe. Sandwich
Located on Jarvis Street in downtown Sandwich, Beth’s Bakery & Cafe is a fast-moving, yet delightfully bright danish and sandwich spot with a mix of indoor and outdoor seating. Beth’s features freshly baked goods below the counter, and a variety of sandwiches on the menu board above the register. There is a self-serve coffee station with a light roast, dark roast and decaf, which lends itself nicely to re-fills or a “hot top-off”. A dark roast paired well with my chicken salad wrap, which was quickly consumed on the outdoor patio.

Stop by on Sunday mornings in the summer to check out the classic/vintage car club.

Chatham Cookware Bakery, Chatham (downtown)
Located on Main Street, smack in the middle of downtown Chatham, Chatham Cookware Cafe is a landmark in its own right. Known for its unofficial hosting of the vintage/classic car club of Chatham every Sunday morning in season, locals and visitors alike flock to Cookware to buy a coffee, thus, having an excuse to hang out with the cars. The cafe has a mix of front porch (bench) seating, tables inside as well as ample seating out back and on the side of the building. The self-serve coffee bar, featuring at least six different roasts, some of which are Beanstock (roasted locally in Wellfleet) is located between the deli, gift shelf and the register. I’ve tried at least 6 roasts, and the Black Fish Creek Blend (dark roast) is the tastiest. “Big and full-bodied with dark chocolate notes in the front and finishing with red berry and melon,” yum. Winter note: Cookware is closed until May, 2019, for remodeling.

The patio furniture outside Chatham Perk will return around Memorial Day weekend.

Chatham Perk, North Chatham
A name play on “Central Perk” from the sitcom “Friends,” this diamond in the rough is located in North Chatham in the same plaza as the old Northport Restaurant (you probably don’t know what that is unless you’ve lived on the Cape for a long time). There is a small outdoor patio with umbrellas that catch the morning sun, with a mix of bartop and table seating inside facing the bay windows. They feature “Grab and Go” breakfast sandwiches and also make lunch sandwiches to go all day. A self-serve coffee station features 8 roasts by Cape Cod Coffee Roasters. I always go with the unbelievably tasty Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, a dark roast that has a ton of sweet notes. Of the freshly baked breads and muffins, their Perk Donut, which comes in sizes of small and large, is a must-try. You probably only need a small unless you are sharing. They also use bagels from a supplier in New York, so you can taste the quality, not to mention they are generous with the cream cheese smear. The smoothie bar is another option, especially in the dog days of summer. The staff, particularly Sean, is always friendly and moves quickly. Winter note: Perk is closed on Sundays in the off-season.

An old picture of Chatham Village Bakery Cafe, featuring their prominent ‘shark in the bush.’

Chatham Village Bakery Cafe, Chatham
Now located on Crowell Road (formerly located downtown where JoMama’s Bagels resides) due to a dispute with a greedy landlord, the Village Bakery is tucked away off the main drag but is worth a super short detour. In the summer, the line stretches out the door. Unlike other bakeries on this list, Village Bakery freshly bakes an assortment of donuts (simple Cinnamon sugar is one of my favorite ways to start the morning). They also feature bagels, hot egg sandwiches, deli sandwiches and even have a few gluten-free baked goods. Their self-serve coffee counter features 8 roasts, most of which by the Art of Roasting. Oddly enough, like Perk, Village Bakery also features an Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, but it tastes completely different than the roast at Perk. I cannot decide which one I like better. Winter note: Village Bakery is on vacation until February 25, 2019.

A throwback picture of Ellen and I posing with Mr. Optimist Cafe.

Optimist Cafe, Yarmouth
There may not be a better morning drive than slowly making your way west along Route 6A, the Old Kings Highway, on the Bay side of Cape Cod. Surrounded by old Sea Captain’s home, antique shops, art galleries and marsh and wetlands, this quiet stretch of road is one of the most scenic on Cape Cod (Ocean View Drive in Wellfleet is stunning). At some point, you will pass by a Yellow gingerbread house with some funky artwork outside; you’ve arrived at the Optimist Cafe. If there was a logo or mascot for this website, the Optimist Cafe would be it. The sit-down restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and a pseudo-high tea. The interior is spacious, elegant and bright. The menu is abundant, yet focused on essential breakfast and lunch favorites. The coffee is the best for a sit-down restaurant (on or off the Cape). It’s a Douwe-Egbert medium roast that is brewed in a contraption that looks like a time machine. The coffee is so good that I will deprive myself of food and drink, so I can indulge with a third or fourth cup and a table pancake. Relax, the cups are on the small side. But that’s all part of it, you are in no rush and the atmosphere encourages diners to take your time and savor the flavors. Winter note: they’ve been known to take a month off in the winter so just check their off-season hours so you don’t get surprised (scroll down to “food”).

The “best coffee ever,” after Leg 3 of Ragnar Cape Cod in 2014. In the background, teammate Brian (in blue) fighting through his final miles.

Savory & the Sweet Escape, Truro
It’s ironic that the smallest Cape town by population has one of the better coffee stops. Situated along busy Route 6, the “Heart and Soul of Truro” restaurant is half bakery, half pub, with cupcakes, egg sandwiches, pastries, lattes on one hand, and pizzas, grinders, burgers, and salads on the other. The brewed coffee is locally roasted Beanstock with a light, dark, decaf and two flavor roasts. My introduction to Savory was on the last leg (pun intended) of the Ragnar Relay Cape Cod 2014 and was able to snap a picture of myself drinking the best cup of coffee ever (consider, my physical state of having run 21 miles, over a 24-hour-ish period, with 2-hours of sleep) with my buddy, Brian, in the background churning away his last few miles on a chilly May morning. While the “best coffee ever thought” may have been a stretch considering my delirium, it was a memorable moment, and I have the picture to prove it!

Wired Puppy, Provincetown
At the end of the peninsula, this second location to the cafe on Newberry Street in Boston, resides on the quieter stretch of Commercial Street in P-Town. The atmosphere is hopping, the colors are vibrant and the coffee is hot and delicious. Each cup of coffee is certified organic and fair-trade which the baristas will happily tell you about if you ask. They don’t bother asking if you “need room” because the coffee is brimming with flavors of dark chocolate, caramel, toffee, and a hint of fruit, why drown that out? The coffee shop also has a bartop with high-top stools facing the window, a people-watchers dream.

What is your favorite coffee stop on Cape Cod?

A Winter Survival Guide for Cape Cod

The mountain vistas on Route 40 West from Winter Park, CO, to Steamboat Springs, CO.

Author’s Note: With the holidays now behind us, the long, cold, dark months of January and February are beginning to set in. The temperature today is a mere 16 degrees. Brrr. My inner skier is perfectly okay with this as long as it snows in the mountains (or snow is being made) but the civilian who drives to work, takes the dog out and occasionally runs is not loving the teeth-chattering and bone-chilling cold. For us, fortunately, there is a silver lining. In our case, my wife and I will be embarking on our (now 5th) Annual Ski Trip to Colorado to visit family and friends. This year’s itinerary includes a day trip to Cheyenne, Wyoming (to visit my 20th State Capitol), but more importantly, 3 days of skiing at Winter Park, 1 day at Copper and 3 days at Aspen. Thank you Ikon Base Pass. We may also swing by the Livestock Show in Denver for a firsthand view of the legendary sport (nay, art) of Mutton Busting. So, as Dean Martin sang a long time ago, “Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!”

The Filing Station Breakfast Sandwich is all you need to get the day started on the right foot!

Go Out to Breakfast. It has been said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I tend to agree (as you will see above and below). If the restaurant is not too busy and you are in no rush, grab a newspaper, ask for a table in the corner away from the door and keep the coffee re-fills coming. There are no shortage of breakfast spots – or diners – on Cape Cod, even in the winter months, though a few do close temporarily. Everyone needs to re-charge their batteries. Unlike the summer, when it’s all “grab-and-go,” settle in for your morning meal without the pressure of the summer rush. The wait staff is usually more chatty than the busy months, so get to know your neighbors if you don’t already.

If you like Double IPAs, be on the look-out for the rarely released Chicken & Hens DIPA.

Find a Brewery Tour. The craft beer phenomenon has hit Cape Cod with the recent openings of Barnstable Brewing in Hyannis, and soon to be opening Aquatic Brewing in Falmouth. With Devil’s Purse, Hog Island, Cape Cod Beer and Cisco on Nantucket already established, almost any craft beer needs can go (growler) filled (pun intended). Most breweries can their beer and offer growler(s) fills for seasonal beers with limited availability.

Go to the Movies. While going to the movies is not an activity unique to winter, it is certainly a reasonable one. Despite the trend of movie theaters closing due to on demand web streamlining, some local theaters have survived despite the changing culture. Chatham’s Orpheum Theater is a good example of a small cinema that also offers a restaurant, bar, and concessions. As you enter the main lobby, a powerful wall mural hits you smack in the face featuring familiar faces of Hollywood lore.

Clark W. Griswold gets a little emotional watching the home videos.

Dust off those home movies and Polaroids. No one wants to admit it, but we all have artifacts of the past—home movies, Polaroid pictures and even slide decks. Remember the scene in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation when Clark gets stuck in the attic and to kill time awaiting rescue, plugs in the slide projector? We all laughed, he cried, and we laughed again when “Dear Frances” opened the attic ceiling door. Why not replicate that joy and laughter? Just don’t get stuck in the attic.

A little paint, a few oyster shells and some scrap wood is all you need for a little art project.

Create Your Own Art.
Even if you don’t have youngsters around, there are tons of ideas for fun art projects to break-up any routine. For starters, a small paint and brush set is less than $20. Driftwood, dried pine cones and leaves make great bases and accent pieces. Not into painting, how about photography? Ever take a picture of a breathtaking sunset, waterfall or snowy winter morning? Well, order a 20 x 24 print, frame it and hang it on a wall. A few easy steps and you can relive that moment every day just walking down your hallway! Into jewelry? Craft stores such as Hattie D’s sell thin strips of leather, rubber and beads, which provide an easy way to make a necklace or bracelet. There are even YouTube videos that show viewers how to make knots that can be adjusted.

Check out public announcements for special forums, town meetings, classes and workshops.

Take a class. Admittedly, no one likes homework, but this isn’t that kind of class. Many stores, businesses and retailers offer free or complimentary classes. As an example, Black Eel Outfitters offered fly fishing lessons (dry land), Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore runs a Winter Film Festival, libraries offer reading and writing groups, many of which are free. There are also special town meetings or community forums to stay informed on local issues. Of course, more formal classes are offered by the community colleges, town departments and libraries.

Our Christmas Day activity was assembling the Snowman Celebration. It is still not complete.

Play a board game or puzzle. Odds are you have an old board game or two (or ten), buried in a storage container or closet. Well, grab a flashlight and go find that board game that has not been played in a while. This way, everyone playing is on the same level. (I’m rotating between Clue, Life, Candyland and Chutes and Ladders.) Card games are also fun and there are a zillion YouTube videos (instructions) on how to play. If you have “table room” to spare, find a puzzle that has not be assembled in a while and dump the contents on the table. Set your expectations that the puzzle may not be completed that same day, but there’s nothing wrong with working on it for a few weeks, here and there. Pro tip: start with the edges!

The thick cut slices of country wheat bread at the Roadhouse is essentially an appetizer.

Go to a Pub.Centuries ago, the Public House (or Pub) was not just a place to drink beer, wine or spirits, but a unique social center that focused on community life in that village or neighborhood. Luring in tourists in-season nonwithstanding, pubs, taverns and bars still have a small part in that role on life on Cape Cod. Many pubs have live entertainment, trivia competitions and even karaoke most week day evenings. And if your a sports fan, there will probably be a game or two on the big screen. Some pubs also have a winter diner’s club card (to punch or stamp) to earn a free dinner.

Create Liquid Goodness. Oddly enough, winter is the only time of year I drink hot chocolate. Weird, right? Well, why not go all out when making this silky sweet goodness. Pro tip: Use milk instead of water (obviously). Whip cream and marshmallows are highly recommended, while a little Bailey’s is optional (depending on the time of day I suppose). Another winter beverage that started as a family cold remedy is the Hot Toddy. While the basic ingredients are tea and whisky, it can be made slightly more respectable by adding honey and a squeeze of fresh lemon. Both options are good ways to reward yourself for shoveling snow off the driveway.

Volunteer. It has been said that volunteerism and philanthropy is one of the highest forms of citizenship. Local charities, nonprofits and other community organizations make ends meet because of dedicated volunteers, donors and Board of Directors. Whatever your passion; elevating arts and culture, improving youth literacy, ending hunger or preserving the environment, there is a nonprofit, foundation or community organization that shares that mission. Find it.

Take a hike. Whether you walk along the shore, dunes or trail, Cape Cod has a surprisingly large number (over 100) of marked hiking trails in every town. Hiking is not only great exercise, but a great way to see a different part of all Cape Cod towns. Of course, be sure to bundle up. As Patagonia says, there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear!

Indeed, winters on Cape Cod can be long, but there are multiple ways to keep the dream of spring alive!

Holiday Strolls & Celebrations on Cape Cod

The view from the top of the ruins of Fort Barrington, Five Islands Village, Antigua.

Author’s Note: A continued Happy Holidays wish to all who are observing one of the 29 holidays that are celebrated by seven of the world’s major religions at this time of year! While it has been a busy 3+ weeks since Thanksgiving, we enjoyed the “happy stress” of hosting Thanksgiving Dinner, partaking in Chatham’s Christmas Stroll, getting off the grid during 9 days to Antigua (a small island in the Lesser Antilles for an overdue vacation) and joining friends on a last-minute ski trip to New Hampshire. A December to remember for sure.

Apre ski at Loon Mountain to kick-off “snow season.”

As I’ve wrote about previously, I love the seasons and is a big reason why my wife and I have settled in the northeast. The greening of spring, followed by the heat of summer, fall foliage and of course, the much anticipated first snowfall of winter. However, a jolt of 80 degrees and sunshine in December as our trip to Antigua provided, did make me long for a reset to summer…until I strapped on my skis, scanned my Ikon pass, and hit Loon Mountain to open up my “snow season.” I instantly remembered why I love this time of year; the rush of carving a turn on a freshly groomed cruiser (too early in the season for powder), running into old friends in the life line and catching up on the chairlift and of course, all the laughs in the lodge during apre ski complete with apps and local craft drafts. Indeed, winter and the holidays are here, and I’m embracing it! And in a few months, that wonderful feeling of sand between your toes and a warm breeze on your face will be back on my mind.

Holiday Strolls and Celebrations on Cape Cod

The holiday picture from the Whit Tileston Bandstand in Chatham. No bunny hop today.

The weekend of December 7-8 marked Chatham’s Annual Christmas by the Sea Stroll celebration, a time when our family reunites in Chatham for this special holiday and community event. While this weekend event is the official stroll, featuring a tree lighting, breakfast with Santa, historic inn and museum tour, complimentary trolley rides complete with carolers through town, the weekend prior featured Santa’s arrival at the Chatham Fish Pier and a few weeks down the road, Chatham’s First Night will have the town celebration the arrival of the New Year. Indeed, there are a lot of celebratory events and happy people in Chatham in December. The special events are family friendly, but what I appreciate most are the simple things like, the thoughtfully decorated path through Kate Gould park leading to the decorated Chatham Bandstand, the candlelit homes along Stage Harbor Road, and of course, the quiet of walking along deserted beaches. The magic of the season is everywhere.

Morning walks on a deserted beach is one of our favorite activities.

Almost every Cape Cod town has their own holiday celebration/stroll, which are spread throughout mid-November through New Year’s Day (alas, Truro didn’t publicize anything this year), making it possible to celebrate the season multiple times in multiple towns. Local merchants, restaurants and town officials, from all communities have done a great job (whether planned or not) of offering a wide range of family-friendly activities, to historical and cultural events to romantic dinners and everything in between. However, a day on Cape Cod, in my case, Chatham, is not complete without a walk along Ridgevale Beach, no matter the weather.

Barker’s of Orleans has a lot of goodies for our four-legged family members.

As expected, we spent much of our time along Main Street, supporting a few of our favorite small businesses, restaurants and gift shops. My strategy for gift giving is to try and buy local as much as possible/practical by taking pictures of what I initially suspect someone will like, but give myself some time to explore other stores and think about the most thoughtful gift of a bunch of options. In our case, anything dog-related is generally a wiener (pun intended as our dachshund Hana can attest). While Chatham’s Paws & Claws are our favorite groomer, Barker’s in Orleans is a new favorite for treats and toys.

My holiday survival strategy also includes ducking into my favorite chowder and beer stop, The Squire, to warm up while others continue on their stroll. This particular year, everyone decided to take a well deserved break and chasing the little ones into the game room.

Regardless have how thirsty or hungry you may be, everyone’s welcome at The Squire!

While the weather never seems to cooperate with a picturesque snowy winter scene, the holiday spirit was in the air (literally, music was playing all around town) and we had a great time catching up, supporting local merchants and dining out.

The annual “Seaview Street Self-ie” (after The Squire stop of course).

If you find yourself on the Cape this month, do find a holiday celebration to enjoy. There is plenty of spirit in the air!

Gift Shops on Cape Cod

Author’s Note: It is not lost on me that life is not always gumdrops and roses. I received a heavy dose reality check last week while reading headlines on the Hartford Courant during lunch. Three aricles on their homepage “featured” a disturbing act of anti-semitism during a performance of Fiddler on the Roof in Baltimore (which we had just seen in Hartford the week prior), a disgusting story of human trafficking in a suburb not more than 30 minutes from home, and a “are-you-kidding me” case of animal cruelty in the town I grew up in. I literally lost my appetite. Not to mention the ongoing wildfires in California, chaos on the southern border and yet another damaging climate report noting that we may be at the point of no return for a permanently warming planet. Such saddness, devastation, tragedy and uncertinly is becoming too common and all the more reason to be thankful for what we have – now and every single day.

Be thankful for what you have — I am thankful for waking up today, my family, friends, health and the ability to hope, laugh and wonder. Don’t frown about what you don’t have. Experiences matter, stuff does not. Help others. Be nice. Smile and laugh as much as you can. Tell people how you really feel now, don’t wait. Get outside more. Turn off push notifications and alerts. Read a newspaper when you have no where to be. Drive with the windows down and your favorite music turned up. Throw your routine upside down every now and then. Okay, enough of the soap box.

As we transition into the (usually) happy holiday season, part of the magic of the season is giving. Such small acts can reap big reactions and rewards. It’s what makes the season special – and those experiences are what counts. Even more important, are the faces you may not see; adults and children in need that may sneak a smile just from a strangers’ generority. Whoever the gift recipient, there are plenty of “ways” to give — i.e., shop — Black Friday sales, Small Business Saturday, Cybermonday discounts, Giving Tuesday, and the hundreds of “coupon-emails” you will no doubt receive from any business you ever shared your email with! Shop local whenever possible, as it has been estimated that 2/3 or $0.67 of each dollar spent locally STAYS in the local community. If that’s not an economic development plan, what is? To fulfill some of your gift giving needs, with a nautical or coastal twist, check out these Cape Cod shops!

Gift Shops on Cape Cod

Barry’s Barn, East Dennis. Painter C. Barry Hills, runs a small botique gift shop just off scenic Route 6A in East Dennis, a few minutes away from the popular greasy spoon, Grumpy’s Restaurant. The two-story, charming half gift shop/ workshop (upstairs) barn behind his home, features a mix of paintings, gifts, home decour and garden accents for coastal living with a touch of vintage. Whenever we have a lazy day along 6A, stopping at “the Barn” to poke around is a requirement. Our “Cape Escape” themed living room has a few pieces from “the Barn.”

Christmas Joy, South Chatham. Their tagline rings true, “where you can

experience the joy of Christmas everyday!” Sure, Christmas shopping in shorts and sandals may seem a little odd in the northeast, but there are so many creative works and fun little games, puzzles, etc, that it’s hard not to get lost in this seasonal escape. The store is also the anchor of the South Chatham village and business community, surrounded by two restaurants, hardware store and branch library.

Hattie D’s, Harwichport. Hattie D’s was a new discovery this year during an autumn “slow ride” down Route 28 to the Bourne Bridge. The small gift shop and art store features a mix of antique decorative pieces, home furnishings, lighting as well as a robust “create-your-own” art supply section. What distinguishes Hattie D’s from other stores is their decorative art classes, led by three different artists, with a cap of 10 people per session. We left the store with a discounted Halloween decoration and felt satisfied with the surprise stop.

Just Picked, Yarmouthport. Located at a dangerous intersection (blind curve) along Route 6A and Willow Street, Just Picked features three “departments,” coastal clothing, gifts and home furnishings, played out in two buildings. Perhaps most important, Just Picked carries many of the same items that other stores price higher (notably accent pillows, fun signs, and decorattive ornaments). The store is clean, decorated for the season, and a fun game or humorous gadget seems to always be displayed at the register. My favorite game is their Cape Cod trivia cards. For a small shop, they also have an online store.

Monomoy Salvage, Chatham. If owner Carol Sherman did not set up some of her nautical antique items outside the barn-size gift shop, you may not see a reason to stop. The white one room barn, with faded front signage, isn’t much to look at, but don’t let that fool you. The broken sea shell driveway is a red carpet to some pretty cool finds. A mix of “salvaged” nautical instruments, signs, antique paintings and coastal home furnishings are the core contents. On the other hand, what makes the place unique is there collection of whales, wine crates, mermaids, baseball memorbilia and oars. Where else have you those items mentioned in the same sentence!

Shor, Provincetown. The up-scale home furnishings store is located in the heart of Commerical Street, and invites you to see Herbert and Kevin at work with interior design projects. It’s not a large store – more of a mini showroom – but they have items you may have not seen before. (A circular mirror surrounded by two dozen white oars was particulary impressive.) The store definitely has a “be careful, don’t touch that” feel to it, but the doors are open.

Tale of the Cod

, Chatham. Located at the “tail end” of downtown, Tale of the Cod is one of my favorite stores, if not just for the perfect name. The transformed sea captains home is a series of displays within just three rooms, but it feels much larger with alcoves and the long and narrow home furnishings area. The inspiration for our (7-foot) seashell tree and many of the first ornaments came from their displays. Fast forward to present day, their Scout line is

another perfect fit for our furry child!

There are many other local stores: surf shops, pet stores, clothing stores and other specialty goods stores, all of which are worth mentioning, so stay tuned for more shopping tips!

As a teaser, my go-top surf shop is Pump House in Orleans; pet shop is Barkers, Orleans; gear rental is Chatham Kayak Company; hot food to go is Chatham Fish and Lobster, sandwich shop is Corner Store, coffee shop is Chatham Perk, brewery is Devil’s Purse in Dennis, and clothing store is Black Eel Outfitters in Dennis. Breakfast and lunch spots leaving the Cape are Marshland and Beth’s Bakery, Sandwich, respectively.

Del Mar Bar & Bistro – From Memorable To Magical

Author’s Note: I (we) love to cook…when time is not an issue. Too often, time is an issue. This unfortunate reality – which found us eating ‘fast fresh’ or ordering take-out much of the time- pushed my wife and I to dedicate the 6:45-8:00pm window for weekday homemade dinners – prep, meal, clean-up. We are now experimenting with meal delivery options such as Sun Basket, Plated, and Hello Fresh for new ideas, foods and recipes. We also pride ourselves on hosting a big family/friends dinner every other Sunday. Cooking/meal preparation becomes an event for the senses — listening to dinner music (courtesy of Pandora, Alexa or Jeff’s Playlists), using the ‘every day’ (“fine”) china in the dining room, sipping on a favorite wine or cocktail, watching the steam rise from the main course fresh out of the oven, and of course, taking part in a lively conversation devoid of the distractions of the day.

One of my go-to comfort foods, a burger and fries, at the Coleman Brook Tavern in Jackson Gore, Okemo Mountain, Vermont. My buddy Bryan and I completed a marathon of skiing that day (26.2 miles of skiing!)

When going out to dinner, I hope for a similar experience of the senses, with varying degrees of success. I approach menus with an eye toward ordering something I would not attempt to make at home. Comfort food like fried chicken and waffles, a juicy burger or pasta bolognese, are all solid back-up plans that rarely (pun intended) disappoint. In the hot and busy summer months, I lean toward Fido friendly patios and in the slow, cold and dark winter, prefer cozy taverns brimming with the chatter of holiday excitement and anticipation of the first snow fall.

The restaurant scene on Cape Cod seems to get better each year, with almost every culinary option available year-round. One of these top restaurants, Del Mar Bar & Bistro, checks all the boxes of ‘an experience of the senses’ and takes dining out from memorable to magical.

The wait is worth it. But first a little background. It pains me to admit this, but for years, I drove by the trendy dinner-only restaurant, comically making a nightclub “beats” sound. That was my assumption of this new restaurant at the time. For five decades, a classic Friendly’s Restaurant and Ice Cream resided there and I have the fondest summer memory of eating my first Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Sundae at this location. I even recall the tall, glass “tulip” sundae dish, whipped cream piled high, with a cherry on top. Ahh, the good old days. For too long, a part of me resented that this past memory could only be replicated in the frozen section of Stop N Shop grocery stores. Following the closure of Friendly’s, a trendy restaurant, Roobar, that I never went to, re-designed the building and gained a following of new customers, but ultimately didn’t last long. Enter Del Mar Bar & Bistro.

A playful game of “Guess Who’s at Del Mar?”

My wife pleaded with me to try it after reading recent reviews and constantly witnessing a packed parking lot. Despite being loyal to a certain Tuscan Roadhouse nearby as well as an Old Inn in the mid-Cape, I gave-in — and so happy I did! A present connection to the restaurant and location is that during a second visit, I bumped into a colleague and Connecticut State Representative James Albis. It turns out his (twin) cousins are sous chefs in the kitchen. We had a great laugh about all the connections to the current restaurant, town and location. To keep things interesting, nowadays each time one of us dines at Del Mar, we send the other a picture of the menu or our entree. A text message war never fails to entertain.

The dimly lit restaurant is half kitchen, half seating with a bustling bar. An enclosed heated patio section off the bar area (where the “to go”/ice cream window was located) adds desperately needed seating. The main dining room has about 15 tables, with the bar accommodating a dozen people comfortably. There is also live music on Tuesdays through Thursdays. I’ve driven by the restaurant recently and seen a line forming outside prior to the 5:00pm opening for folks likely hoping to grab a seat at the first come, first serve bar.

The braised short rib blackboard special.

Our first experience can be described as, “it’s better to be lucky than good,” as we happened to get two seats next to each other at the bar, having to only wait 10 minutes as the other three couples ahead of us on the wait list lost a battle with their patience. Win! The hustling bartender made one of the best Manhattan’s I’ve ever tasted, and the portion was impressive. The menu features fresh and local seafood, chops, imaginative appetizers, wood fired thin crust pizzas and hard to resist desserts. I ordered the Lobster Tostada appetizer, followed by the grilled salmon over truffle mashed potatoes and sauteed vegetables. Ellen ordered the braised short-rib over a rissoto, with a classic Caesar salad to start. The presentation, temperature and taste of each part of the meal was exquisite. We passed on dessert due to the limited availability of “Raz-Oreo” ice cream at the nearby Sundae School Ice Cream.

The glazed pan roasted Faroe Island salmon.

If you are lucky enough to get a table, the wait staff is attentive, check-in after each course was served, including drinks, to make sure the food and drink have met your expectations. The atmosphere, the service and the food are impossible to beat. Del Mar Bar & Bistro is simply one of the best.