Jarred Reviews

We arrived in Nantucket around 9AM, on an empty stomach. I heard a great deal about this breakfast place that not only whips up a solid breakfast, they apparently have famous doughnuts. The Downyflake is a Nantucket tradition, being the island’s breakfast hotspot for over sixty years. We needed a hearty and delicious meal to start the day off proper, so without hesitation, this was our place.

The walk from the ferry to the Downyflake was over twenty minutes, but it was so worth it because it became one of the most enjoyable walks I’ve ever taken on an island. When we got to the restaurant, there was a bit of a wait, so in order to curb our appetites, we thought it was time to try these famous doughnuts.

To be perfectly honest, they were all a bit disappointing (because we’ve previously had doughnuts from Chatham Bakery – which I proudly claim to have America’s, or even the world’s, best doughnuts). I tried all of their homemade doughnuts, and don’t get me wrong they were good, but I wouldn’t sing their praises. The plain tasted very plain, while the chocolate and sugar doughnuts were more enjoyable but still nothing to rave about.

I wasn’t worried about breakfast; The Downyflake is featured in the “America’s Best Pancakes” write up by Travel + Leisure, a magazine I enjoy and trust. I absolutely adore blueberry pancakes (doesn’t everyone?) and so the fact that their menu asks you to try their “Famous Blueberry Pancakes,” I couldn’t resist. Basically, what makes these pancakes so special is that they’re served with homemade blueberry syrup, a first for me, and probably everyone else. Now honestly, on their own, these pancakes aren’t worthy of being called famous, but with a good dosing of that blueberry syrup, they simply become about 30 times better. I don’t think I would put them on an America’s Best Pancakes list, but they were still quite good.

This breakfast wouldn’t have been complete without a side of their home fries and sausages, both of which were excellent. The home fries were heavily seasoned, and had a wonderful kick to them. Though I haven’t received a large portion, their price was pretty good at $1.50.

In the end, I was happy with my Downyflake experience. It seems like it truly is a Nantucket tradition, and those pancakes would definitely make the Downyflake exactly that, for me.

The Downyflake:

18 Sparks Avenue, Nantucket, MA 02554 T: (508) 228-4533

http://www.thedownyflake.com

JarredReviews is my personal weblog. The opinions and experiences represent my own. If you read that I didn’t particularly enjoy a meal or restaurant, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try it and see for yourself. Restaurants can have an off day, people make mistakes, we’re all human. My writing is mainly so that you can find out about great restaurants that you may have not heard about, and also to give you an idea of what I enjoyed that you can experience for yourself. Food reviewing is very subjective and you must take this into account and use your discretion when reading any review; If I have had a bad experience somewhere, do not let that stop you to try the restaurant for yourself.

When an ice cream shop has been in business since the 1930’s and it’s not a chain, you know that it’s probably going to be pretty damn good. Four Seas has been not only extremely popular with locals and tourists, but it was a longtime favorite of not only President Kennedy but his family as well. They even had 9 gallons of Four Seas served at their wedding. Four seas has won many awards and citations over the years as a result of their outstanding flavors, and even made USA Today’s “Top 10 Ice Cream Places” in the United States.

If you’re wondering about the name, it refers to the four bodies of water surrounding The Cape; The Atlantic Ocean, Cape Cod Bay, Nantucket Sound, and Buzzard’s Bay.

Some of the flavors that they have are not your run of the mill.  With options such as Frozen Pudding, Peppermint Stick, Rum and Butter, and Frozen Pudding, you really can’t go wrong.

My girlfriend and I arrived shortly after 7, and there was already a big line out the door. I wanted to start with a fruity and refreshing flavor, because we just came back from being out in 30 degree weather all day. We started off with strawberry, which almost tasted like sinking your teeth into incredibly sweet and juicy strawberries. The texture amazed me, as much as the intense flavor.

I decided to mix sweet and savory together for my order, so I got half Mocha Chip, and half Peach, the latter resting peacefully underneath a massive chunk of Mocha Chip. Both scoops were intense flavors of light and fluffy home made ice cream, the perfect finish to our day.

Four Seas is such a great place to visit in Cape Cod. Not only can you get some of the best ice cream in the United States, you can also order a bunch of different sandwiches, including a lobster one that people rave about. If you’re headed to Cape Cod, definitely don’t miss out on this legendary place.

Four Seas Ice Cream:

360 South Main Street, Centerville MA, 02632, USA  T: (508) 775-1394

http://fourseasicecream.com

JarredReviews is my personal weblog. The opinions and experiences represent my own. If you read that I didn’t particularly enjoy a meal or restaurant, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try it and see for yourself. Restaurants can have an off day, people make mistakes, we’re all human. My writing is mainly so that you can find out about great restaurants that you may have not heard about, and also to give you an idea of what I enjoyed that you can experience for yourself. Food reviewing is very subjective and you must take this into account and use your discretion when reading any review; If I have had a bad experience somewhere, do not let that stop you to try the restaurant for yourself.

Red Cottage is truly the place that I’ve been anticipating the most for breakfast in New England. Located in the historic district of South Dennis and established since 1951, the Red Cottage is a good old-fashioned family-style diner that’s been one of the top breakfast places in the Cape for decades.

Red Cottage has flourished since the 1950’s for a reason; they know what they’re doing. Their specialty home fries are hand cut and cooked fresh on the grill, their bacon is made exclusively for them, and none of their soups or chowders have preservatives or chemicals. Everything is completely fresh, and made to order. The other thing that is impressive besides their uncompromising standards is that they have a chef’s recommendation section of 11 signature dishes right on the menu, which is perfect if you’re a first timer.

My breakfast started with the Caramelized Onion Omelette, a house specialty that has been on Red’s menu for years. Loaded with apple maple sausage, caramelized onions and Vermont cheddar cheese, there’s no way you can go wrong. The best part is how the sweetness of the omelette is not overwhelming, it’s actually just perfect. As for their home fries, they’re simply unbelievable and need to be experienced. It’s their most popular dish and it made them famous. The potatoes are loaded with onions, tomatoes, ham, green peppers and mushrooms, nicely seasoned, then topped with hollandaise sauce!  All of the ingredients come together beautifully to create a really unique taste.

Saving the best for last, it’s now time to talk about their bacon. Their signature extra thick apple wood bacon is unrivaled. I simply haven’t had better. It’s just the best bacon I’ve ever had. Try to find better, I dare you.

My breakfast inside this beautiful red cottage was truly fantastic. Though the housing has undertook a massive evolution over the past few decades, the food hasn’t changed. It has been consistently great after all this time. Their breakfast is sure to bring me back, real soon.

Red Cottage Restaurant:

36 Old Bass River Road  South Dennis, MA 02660, USA T: (508) 394-2923

http://www.redcottagerestaurant.com

JarredReviews is my personal weblog. The opinions and experiences represent my own. If you read that I didn’t particularly enjoy a meal or restaurant, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try it and see for yourself. Restaurants can have an off day, people make mistakes, we’re all human. My writing is mainly so that you can find out about great restaurants that you may have not heard about, and also to give you an idea of what I enjoyed that you can experience for yourself. Food reviewing is very subjective and you must take this into account and use your discretion when reading any review; If I have had a bad experience somewhere, do not let that stop you to try the restaurant for yourself.

It was a tough decision trying to decide whether to visit Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket, because we only had enough time for one. According to National Geographic, Nantucket is the best island in the world. We chose Nantucket and we ended up having one of the most incredible times ever.

What really makes Nantucket so magical is the fact that when you step foot onto Main Steet, you feel as if you’re going back in time. It looks like an old town that never really changed for hundreds of years. Enchanting walks through the cobblestone covered streets and exploring the gorgeous island feels like a dream.

I wanted to find a great restaurant so that I could have a really memorable meal to look back on after leaving “The Grey Lady.” I spoke to some of the locals, and everyone pointed to Galley Beach.

The first thing worth mentioning about Galley Beach is the ambience, and for a restaurant on an island, it doesn’t get much better than theirs. The restaurant is located on the beach, boasting stunning views, with about 10 tables as well as a full bar located directly on the sand and steps away from the water.

Our waiter recommended the crab cake, as he said it’s a dish that the restaurant is known for, and has been on the menu forever. I thought he was trying to sell me on their most expensive appetizer, because it costs 26 dollars, which is a bit outrageous, but its taste really makes up for it. This was hands down the best crab cake I ever had and definitely holds the title for best in New England, and I am sure many other places as well. The crab sits in champagne beurre blanc, a mouthwatering and dreamy sauce that cannot be messed with. The crab has a beautiful crust, offering a little crunch to each delicate bite of ecstasy. It’s topped with a tomato, cucumber and mint salad as a garnish. Every single bite of this appetizer was worth the 26 dollars, and if I went back to Galley Beach, I’d order it again without hesitation.

Then I went for the Nantucket flounder, served with thyme-roasted fingerling potatoes, all prepared perfectly and sitting over a gorgeous Meuniere sauce. I can’t imagine this dish not pleasing anyone that tries it, as it’s absolutely incredible.

If you’re not into seafood, you have to try their sirloin burger. Cooked perfectly, loaded with flavour and sandwiched between an english muffin, this burger won’t disappoint, and those bacon-braised onions are to die for.

So lunch was almost 100 dollars for two with my Nantucket beer and 26 dollar crab cake, and normally I would not be happy about such a steep bill, but for what I ate and the view that we experienced, every penny was well spent.

Galley Beach:

54 Jefferson Avenue  Nantucket, MA 02554, United States T: (508) 228-9641

http://www.galleybeach.net

JarredReviews is my personal weblog. The opinions and experiences represent my own. If you read that I didn’t particularly enjoy a meal or restaurant, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try it and see for yourself. Restaurants can have an off day, people make mistakes, we’re all human. My writing is mainly so that you can find out about great restaurants that you may have not heard about, and also to give you an idea of what I enjoyed that you can experience for yourself. Food reviewing is very subjective and you must take this into account and use your discretion when reading any review; If I have had a bad experience somewhere, do not let that stop you to try the restaurant for yourself.

Prior to visiting Cape Cod I heard about this famous place called Arnold’s for fried seafood. All of their fish comes from local waters daily, about 11 miles away in Chatham, a nearby town. The owner Nathan Nickerson III claims to be obsessive about quality, and it shows through the taste of the seafood. This clam shack is a classic in Cape Cod, and I can proudly say that a visit to The Cape without Arnold’s isn’t complete.

Fried clams have been served since the 1800’s, and they’re the most iconic food of New England. Food & Wine Magazine rated Arnold’s fried clams the best in the world, and because I do like the magazine, I trusted their rating and got myself a basket. I am a huge lover of clams, but I never had them deep-fried before. The whole belly clams had a beautiful caramel coating, combined with a nice crunchy batter, that was able to provide the perfect texture to the succulent juicy clams. The beautiful thing about these is that the taste of the clams really shines through the batter, making each bite ridiculously tasty to any clam lover. Their regular fries are also really good, similar to McDonald’s, but there is nothing wrong with that.

My girlfriend doesn’t eat seafood so she ordered their chicken fingers, which I got to try. They’re pretty good, but I would definitely stick with the fried seafood.

Arnold’s sells on average 2000 pounds a week of their “World Famous Onion Rings.” I am not a big onion ring fan and prefer regular fries, but I still wanted to try them. They’re actually pretty good, a lot thinner than most onion rings I’ve had, as they are almost shoestring and they went well with the melt in your mouth clams.

For fried seafood, this is the go-to place in Cape Cod. They have a vast menu of classic seafood, a raw bar that’s opens at noon, and a nice kids menu. There is even a mini putt outside. Arnold’s is hearty fun for everyone.

Arnold’s Lobster & Clam Bar:

3580 State Hwy  Eastham, MA 02642, USA, T: (508) 255-2575

http://www.arnoldsrestaurant.com/

JarredReviews is my personal weblog. The opinions and experiences represent my own. If you read that I didn’t particularly enjoy a meal or restaurant, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try it and see for yourself. Restaurants can have an off day, people make mistakes, we’re all human. My writing is mainly so that you can find out about great restaurants that you may have not heard about, and also to give you an idea of what I enjoyed that you can experience for yourself. Food reviewing is very subjective and you must take this into account and use your discretion when reading any review; If I have had a bad experience somewhere, do not let that stop you to try the restaurant for yourself.

Lobster rolls are ubiquitous not only throughout New England, but the Maritimes as well. They are sold in several different types of bread rolls, but most commonly hot dog buns. Lobster rolls have become so popular that McDonalds made their very own creation, the “Mclobster,” a Maritimes specialty that uses Atlantic Canadian lobster meat, served with salad dressing, celery, and shredded lettuce.

Just like Catch Of The Day, PJ’s is also in Wellfleet and just off Route 6. It was featured on Food Network’s “The Best Thing I Ever Ate” after Duff Goldman tried a lobster roll while passing through. He liked it so much he decided to feature it on the show.

This was my first time trying a lobster roll, and what an introduction. PJ’s lobster roll is pure and simple; a toasted buttered bun loaded with massive chunks of juicy lobster tossed with mayonnaise. This truly was one of the best things I ever ate, especially because I am such a big lobster fan. The only downside is that the roll is 15 dollars, but I can understand because it is packed with tons of lobster. Although the lobster roll is a pretty pricey snack, it’s definitely worth every dime.

If you’re passing through Wellfleet and love lobster, you definitely have to try P.J.’s because if you don’t, you’re really missing out.

PJ’s:

2616 U.S. 6, Wellfleet, MA, 02667, USA T: (508) 349-2126

http://www.pjscapecod.com

JarredReviews is my personal weblog. The opinions and experiences represent my own. If you read that I didn’t particularly enjoy a meal or restaurant, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try it and see for yourself. Restaurants can have an off day, people make mistakes, we’re all human. My writing is mainly so that you can find out about great restaurants that you may have not heard about, and also to give you an idea of what I enjoyed that you can experience for yourself. Food reviewing is very subjective and you must take this into account and use your discretion when reading any review; If I have had a bad experience somewhere, do not let that stop you to try the restaurant for yourself.