Jeff Shaw

Town Cove Tap House at Snow’s Cape Cod, Orleans

by Jeff Shaw

As the holiday season is upon us, is there no better afternoon than a stroll through a charming downtown, gift shopping in an expansive general store, watching a buzzing model train display and grabbing a pint? Or maybe walk, run, pedal or skate along the Cape Cod Rail Trail and make a stop for hard seltzer? Or a game of corn hole?

Well, you can do all that and more, at Snow’s Cape Cod, and located in their greenhouse, Town Cove Tap House.

Snow’s Cape Cod, since 1877, hardly needs any praise or promotion. But new use of their greenhouse is worth covering. Last year, the father-and-son-duo James and Harrison Snow, celebrated their love of craft beer by opening a tap house in the store.

Welcoming bar overlooking the beer garden. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

This “amazing addition to the destination spots on the Lower Cape for craft beer…”, as written by the Cape Cod Chronicle, features 20 beers on tap from local artisans to brewers all over the country, offering a rotating menu and tap-takeovers, providing exposure for budding craft beer entrepreneurs.

Town Cove Tap House offers their space for private events as well as community gathering, most recently for a speaking series and movie nights.

Just outside is the beer garden, featuring fire pits, Adirondack chairs and yard games. While a layer of frost will likely be found this time or year, check back in the warmer months.

Yard games in the beer garden. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

I stumbled into the place [figure of speech!] while looking for a new fishing net for the kids. They were drawn to the model train display; I was drawn to the hops (just walking through as we were on the beach time clock). While observing the operation, a couple at the bar were chatting with the bartender on how they too, were shocked to find this gem hidden in plain sight. I chuckled at the similarity.

I ended up purchasing the fishing net, but will have to return to “have a cup of cheer.”

Let it Snow(‘s)!

November 21, 2025

Green Means Go at PB Boulangerie Bistro in Wellfleet

by Jeff Shaw

The sweet and savory smell of freshly baked pastries meets you in the parking lot. The line of hungry, tired and uncaffinated to get into the place is often daunting. The red light/green light signal has the effect of making you feel like some teenager with a joy stick behind a two way mirror is messing with you. And as the late Tom Petty sang, the waiting is the hardest part.

Yet it is all worth it at PB Boulangerie Bistro: “A Taste of France on Cape Cod.”

A recent visit put us in the parking lot at around 10:00am on a late summer Saturday. We were ordering our delights about thirty minutes later. It started as it usually does, with the French Revolution. Not the one from the history books; the one with Boursin cheese, crispy bacon and scallions on a baguette.

The sandwich was joined by two warm croissants, an apple tarte and a blueberry crumble (we were sharing). Oh, and an enormous chocolate peanut butter cookie (stashed for later). Oh, and the kids each ordered a jumbo hotdog on a baguette that was so ridiculously perfect for the younger demographic.

In the high season, you can skip the bakery line and opt for the Express Line. The Express Line menu is limited to beverages, coffee, croissants, baguettes and pain au chocolats. Though, what more do you really need to get going, right?

Just across the street is the parking lot of the former east end of the Cape Cod Rail Trail. A (still) new(ish) extension picks up a short walk from the Bistro. However, beware of the abrupt end of the trail.

Of course, farther down Lecount Hollow Road is Ocean View Drive, the most treasured of all Cape Cod roads, stretches itself along the high dunes while passing access points to White Crest, Cahoon Hollow (Beachcomber) and Newcomb Hollow Beaches.

Is there a better intersection of food, beverage and the outdoors? Either way, Bon Appetit!

October 5, 2025

Big Rock Series: [Granddaddy] Doane Rock in Eastham

by Jeff Shaw

The granddaddy of all Cape Cod boulders – Doane Rock in Eastham.

At 18 feet tall, and 12 feet wide it is the largest exposed boulder on Cape Cod.

The boulder is named after Deacon John Doane, one of Eastham’s original settlers. It has also been called Enochs or Enos rock for the deacon’s son, as well as Great Rock. The rock was left by the glaciers (Laurentide Ice Sheet; 18,000–12,000 years ago) between what is now the Salt Pond Visitors Center and Coast Guard Beach.

The Rock is easy to access, as a dedicated (2-hour limit) parking lot is mere steps from its location. The beach is walking distance, as is the surrounding hiking trails that pass points of interest, such as the Doane Homestead.

Unlike the 1996 movie that shares its name, enjoy your time on The Rock!

September 10, 2025

The Incredibly Edible Ice Cream Cafe in Orleans

by Jeff Shaw

There are no shortages of sweet treats on Cape Cod. In fact, there is arguably TOO much temptation in the sugary delight space on Cape. But if that’s your jam — too much temptation and dessert choice — look no further than the Ice Cream Cafe in Orleans.

The Ice Cream Cafe sits just outside the bustling downtown Center, sandwiched between the Orleans/Eastham rotary – the gateway to the Outer Cape – and the Orleans/Town Cove. The Ice Cream Cafe also happens to be next door neighbors to both the Cottage Street Bakery and Cooke’s Seafood Restaurant, and just across the street from the Lost Dog Pub. Point being, you don’t have to go far to eat all three square meals – and have a drink. This is one of those fun cases where it is faster to walk than to drive to nearby locations [though, pre meals, maybe].

The temptation and choice boils down to the menu. It is extensive, expansive, and incredibly edible [incredible edible egg word play here and in title]. Case in point, how many ice cream parlors offers blizzards, and smoothies, and soda fountains, and frozen drinks, and summer coolers, and sundaes, and soft serve, and non-dairy treats? They even collaborate with a next door neighbor (Cottage Street Bakery) to make a homemade chocolate cookie ice cream sandwich. [I’m not sure I’d be interested in any dessert collaboration with fellow next door neighbor Cooke’s Seafood.]

The vibe is also pretty great. Collaboration with nearby businesses is obvious; less pronounced is some of the humor [Good Humor pun not intended] found on interior signage. Of course, the exterior artwork hanging about is kind of irresistible.

Even Dean’s Beans (source of coffee) rhymes! Just little delights at every turn. The umbrellas and most chairs on the patio happen to be colors of the rainbow, too.

Oh, one last collaboration. The Ice Cream Cafe may be the only ice cream parlor – anywhere – to offer a Dirt Bomb flavor, inspired by the famous “nutmeg muffin dipped in butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar,” created at, you guessed it, the Cottage Street Bakery.

August 26, 2025

Big Rock Series: Staples Rock in Orleans

Staples Rock is hard to miss at Orleans Marketplace. Folks at the nearby Orleans Farmers’ Market were walking back and forth to take photos. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

by Jeff Shaw

A large boulder was discovered in Spring 2025 during sewer work in Orleans Marketplace on Route 6A. The discovery was so exciting that the boulder was not only kept, not only named, but is proudly [fenced off and] on display!

The word “popular” or “viral” doesn’t do the Rock’s following justice. Below are some fun quotes from the feature story on page 5 (into page 23!) in the June 19, 2025 edition of the Cape Cod Chronicle weekly newspaper.

The boulder is affectionately known as “Staples Rock,” is having a moment online. “It’s become a story,” and “social media has turned a slab into a summertime sensation,” and “what they did is create the best marketing no one can pay for [drawing people to the shops without spending a dime].”

A portion of the drink menu at the Yardarm Restaurant in Orleans.
Photo credit: Jeff Shaw

Further, the Yardarm Restaurant has named a drink after it – The Orleans Rock. Combination of cranberry Deep Eddy vodka, ginger beer and lime. Apparently, “the rock has its own designation on Google Maps search of the property,” though I didn’t find it after a quick search. And just recently, Staples began selling t-shirts and other merchandise to capitalize on this phenomena.

Now you may be wondering what the future has in store for the Staples Rock. Word is if interest in the rock continues into the summer, there could be a proper naming and ribbon cutting event. There is even talk of a “rock” concert on the property.

Of course, there is plenty of history of Cape Cod’s affection to large boulders. Heck, the author is writing a series – Big Rock Series – on the topic.

Perhaps, one last quote from the Cape Cod Chronicle article sums it all up; “it’s just so stupid that it’s funny.”

July 28, 2025