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.
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.
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 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 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.
What’s your favorite dish at the Beacon Room?