Restaurants & Inns
Revue and Guide ©
CHEW AND CHAT EATERIES
With John Rega, food and restaurant commentator
This month I should be writing about all the unknown Cape Cod restaurants
but I have been asked to narrow it down to just a few...since it would
take at least 2 years and 1400 pages. Here is just a sample of "down Cape"
local eateries and exceptional small intimate restaurants that only Cape
Codders and seasoned "wash-a-shores" know about ... My foodies call them
"Chew and Chat" places.
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TOMATO OMELET, KANGAROO OMELET, IRISH EGGS BENEDICT, MIXED BAG, SADDLE
BAG, GROCERY BAG
... describes some of the menu items found at the Brown Bag Restaurant
in Orleans. My find happened to be the Irish Eggs Benedict, English muffins
covered with corned beef hash, melted cheddar and two poached eggs and
I had to try the Munchkin....English muffins covered with sautéed
mushrooms and sprouts, topped with two poached eggs dripping with melted
cheese. Not only breakfast made the hit....you have sit around for lunch
too and view the local color..then visit the Bakery for just a snack of
fresh pies, and bread puddings .( P.S. you can speak Italian in this hideaway)
Find this special find on West Road, Orleans. 255-4431.
GRILLED QUAHOG CAKES, SEAFOOD CHOWDER, BAKED OYSTERS AUGRATIN, SEAFOOD
FETTUCINI
... and 30 more entrees can be sampled at this 'out of the way' eatery
known as the Kettle Ho in Cotuit. Since 1915 a coffee shop.....the
60's transformed into a breakfast and lunch restaurant. And now 36 years
later, you can stay for all your daily meals, including dinner. Local,
as local can be with a "cup of gossip" to help you digest some great foods.
Must try is the grilled quahog cakes as an appetizer....then to the dinner
choice.....Seafood Fettucini.....with lobster, scallops, shrimp and crab
in a garlic cream sauce. Remember you're on vacation...so the calories
don't count. Do look up at the five color pastel tin ceilings and some
artifacts made by old Cotuitites. Cotuit 428-1862
BLACKENED BEEF WITH CHARRED PEPPER RELISH, WARM SPINACH AND SCALLOPED SALAD,
PORK LOIN WITH APPLES AND GOAT CHEESE, POACHED SALMON WITH GINGER, SOY
SAUCE AND SCALLIONS
... reflect the innovative approach of chef/owner John Pontius at Finely
J.P.'s in South Wellfleet. My first taste experience was the Warm Spinach
and Scalloped Salad with a touch of toasted sesame oil and then on to the
entree, J.P.'s Cataplana with Cajun Andouille sausage, presented with a
half a 1 1/2 lb. lobster, littlenecks in a spicy fresh tomato sauce over
long grain rice. After a few moments of the first entree, I did have room
for the homemade Flan and Espresso. This is a small intimate restaurant
on Route 6, just minutes from the Wellfleet flea market ( The Cape's largest!).
So. Wellfleet, 349-7500.
FRIED CALAMARI, STEAK UMBRIAGO, SCHROD PALERMO, SHRIMP FLORENTINE, SEAFOOD
FRA DIAVOLO, LINGUINE WITH MUSSELS, POMPEII
... became my favorite at Mantano's in North Truro and 10 years
later Bob Mantano,chef/owner, still creates the entrees that have this
family restaurant a favorite enjoyed by locals and seasonal visitors year-round.
You must try the Steak Umbriago, trimmed sirloin with sautéed onions,
garlic, roasted peppers, mushrooms, olives and wine....or the Schrod Palermo,
sautéed with marinated eggplant, artichoke hearts, olives, garlic,
wine, light red sauce. You make the choice or try both! North Truro, 487-2026.
Some other "Chew and Chat" places you must try
......Jack's Out Back...... everyone knows this one. Jack Smith,
co-owner stands on Route 6A, Yarmouthport with a "sandwich sign" every
afternoon pointing to his parking lot,a few steps beyond Hallets Drug
Store, the only authentic old fashion fountain served milk shakes,
frappes and malts in southern New England. It has been told both establishments
have been there since the town first paved the road. You make the decision
on the food. Both are exceptional eateries.
Let me not forget: Nonnies, 6A in Orleans, hearty breakfast and
over 30 President plates decorate the walls. Larry's PX, Rte. 28
in Chatham, a local news stores with a large horseshoe lunch counter. Great
Sandwiches.
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