Tag: jimmy buffett

Soft Serve at Bob’s Sub & Cone

The funky sign welcomes weary travelers. Photo credit: Ellen Shaw.

Author’s Note: After finishing a delicious fried scallop plate from Mac’s on the Pier in Wellfleet, I followed Kendrick Avenue west away from busy harbor and rounded the bend to a most welcome sight. Summer Winds Cottages, a noticeable cottage community with a similar theme…Jimmy Buffett. The half-dozen or so cottages are all named after a Jimmy Buffett song, and represent another example of Wellfleet’s fun vibe as the place to be. Beaches, bars, boats, and dare I say ballards? Parrotheads will appreciate the reference. The cottage, Stars on the Water, is available to rent. If Porchfest extends to these cottages, I wonder what songs will be played…

Classic vanilla soft serve puts a smile on my face (every time). Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

Soft Serve at Bob’s Sub & Cone

Soft serve vanilla ice cream is my favorite summer dessert. Okay, okay, summer time snack, sometimes playing the role of dessert. Stemming from surprise visits of the neighborhood ice cream truck, to well earned (behaved) ice cream breaks during a day on the beach, to elaborate and decadent ice cream sundae birthday “cakes” at Thompon’s Clam Bar, my love of ice cream blossomed. Those experiences built the foundation of which my ice cream obsession stands firm. Admitedly, I just don’t get the same enjoyment scooping ice cream out of a tub in the freezer. Fresh, outside under sunny skies, summer time is ice cream time.

Freshly “pulled” soft serve on a sugar cone (or the hard stuff scooped into a waffle cone), is simply the perfect treat on a summer day. I’m constantly on the look-out for soft serve ice cream spots when traveling across and around the Cape, as I do for solid clam chowder finds. 

Much to my dismay, not every “Sundae School” offers soft serve ice cream. But those that do, get my attention. After a rousing round of mini golf, our friends Matt and Kate introduced us to Bob’s Sub & Cone, a seasonal, family-run, take-out only restaurant in Wellfleet. The almost 40-year old establishment owned and operated by Bob and Cathy Nelson is located on Route 6; on the side of the Cape Cod Rail Trail, making a quick stop super convenient. 

The signs hanging off the counter provide a little humor during a stressful time. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

The crazy looking baker logo on the restaurant’s sign paints an accurate picture of the vibe. Upon a recent visit, and in context to social distancing practices, the signs on the counter read, “Masks required, clothing optional,” with a picture of two people in bathing suits. Another sign read, “stand wicked fah apart,” paying homage to the “summah” accent. But perhaps most noticeable about Bob’s Sub n Cone is the size and variety of the menu. 

The family-centered restaurant menu has everything from classic fried seafood to baked lasagna, pizza, subs, tacos, fried chicken and steak tips!  And of course, the ice cream. 

A little about the ice cream. It’s not just any ice cream, but world class Gifford’s Famous Ice Cream. With origins in the 1800s, Giffords ice cream has thrived through five generations. Nowadays, the company offers 100 unique flavors and sells 1.7 million gallons of ice cream every summer. Fortunately, a few of those gallons are available at Bob’s, so even if you’re not a fan of soft serve, you have plenty of ice cream options. 

Summer Wind Cottages are named after Jimmy Buffett songs. Hard not to love the neighborhood vibe. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

Enjoy!

Cape Cod Melody Tent Summer Evenings

I bought my first concert t-shirt in decades to commemorate the back-to-back DMB shows.

Authors note: Earlier this summer, I was lucky enough to attend back to back Dave Matthews Band concerts, the first at Great Woods (Mansfield, MA), the second at the Meadows (Hartford, CT). Yes, I intentionally omitted the venues official names due to the evil nature of the tech company that owns the naming rights. Plus, my “coming of age” concert experiences were in the days when both of those venues were actually named, Great Woods and the Meadows. Ahh, the good-old days. There was a comical number of incidents with the Great Woods tickets that made the weeks leading up to the show equally memorable. Perhaps I’ll tell that story another time.

 

It had been some time since I attended back to back concerts of the same band – like, a long time. First, DMB is one of my favorite bands. Second, due to their enormous portofolio of music, they play different songs, mix up their set lists; and of course, are known for their improvisation and jams. You never know what you’re going to hear at their show. Third, their fans are some of the best. Both venues were packed, crowds were into each song and the music was loud and in sync. It was a memorable weekend and DMB Radio on Sirius XM even continued our tour for a few more weeks.
 

Ziggy Marley and company opens up Bob’s original, “Is This Love?”

Live music really is something special. Those back to back shows reminded me of what David Letterman said at the 2017 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony when introducing Pearl Jam. He said, “Never take the opportunity for live music for granted. What a gift live music is.” Those words are hard to forget, on point and reminded me of another special venue that provides that almost lost opportunity to hear live music up close and personal — the Cape Cod Melody Tent.

Eddie Money and family taking us home tonight!

The Cape Cod Melody Tent is a seasonal nonprofit theater located in Hyannis, and a sister performing arts venue of South Shore Music Circus in Cohasset, MA. Over the last few seasons, I’ve seen some entertaining shows at the Tent, including Ziggy Marley, Eddie Money, Doobie Brothers, Rusted Root, and Steve Miller Band. My parents never miss the Beach Boys performance and were tempted to not only see them twice, but twice in one day! (Instead they suggested that fine dinner at the nearby Old Yarmouth Inn.) We’ve also checked out comedy shows, including Bill Maher, and attended a food festival. As the shoulder season on the Cape becomes more popular for visitors, I expect (hope) the Tent to expand their season.

The Doobie Brothers says, “Listen to the Music.”

The stage of the 2,300 seat venue rotates slowly so there is not a bad seat in the house. The staff are good humored and helpful. The concession stands are reasonably priced, but you will stand for a bit. (The whimsical quote, “If you’re in a hurry, you don’t belong on Cape Cod,” comes to mind. At least you can read their wall of fame listing every performer the venue hosted while waiting.) The parking lot is a slight challenge as you line up behind the car in front of you, so you cannot leave until the performance ends. However, if you can handle a short walk, there are a number of nearby parking lots that provide a quick escape.

If only. This picture was taken at Great Woods, but Jimmy would blow the roof off the Tent!

For a modest $80 annual membership (via “Gold Circle”), you get “sneak peek” event announcements, first dibs on ticket sales, and a dedicated ticket/security entrance. The former is especially useful as some events are announced after their season starts, so you would need to check periodically for new event info if you are not on a mailing list. All in all, the Tent is a great summer venue to hear live music, catch a comedy show or enjoy some of the Cape’s finest chowder (fest)!

And just imagine how magical the evening should your favorite band or musician show up? Say, a Special Night with Dave Matthews Band at the Cape Cod Melody Tent. Wow-za.

When is the last time you visited the Cape Cod Melody Tent?