Massachusetts

The Pheasant, Dennis, MA., 9/26/25

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entrance – 905 Main St, Dennis, MA 02638-1419

The Pheasant is owned and operated by Adam and Erica Dunn with Andrew Reilly as Executive Chef.  They strive to present locally sourced and sustainable products with all their seafood being wild caught for the local New England waters.  It’s in an old building with a series of rooms, 4 tables on the patio and 7 bar stools as well as high top tables in the bar.   The floors look quite old and there are benches along the walls for seating to match with small tables.  The problem there was the heights did not align at all which was also partly due to the uneven floor.   Music was in the background the the lighting was slightly lowered.  Lots of windows were in  the rooms as well as decorative articles placed throughout.   It had a large parking lot and a good wine list.  The menu evolves seasonally and the plates are designed with sharing in mind.  We took that to heart and ordered a number of their small plates to share rather than a couple big, heavy plates.  Service was friendly and a bit goofy but it was well paced and didn’t overwhelm the small table.  The food was mixed but overall it’s worth checking out if you’re in Cape Cod. Continue reading →

Sesuit Harbor Cafe, Dennis, MA., 9/26/25

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building – 357 Sesuit Neck Rd, Dennis, MA 02638

Sesuit Harbor Cafe is a family owned business in its 26th season in the Northside Marina on Cape Cod Bay.  They serve breakfast and lunch daily from 7 – 2:30.  You order inside the building, decorated with boat bumpers, that also has lots of souvenirs for sale and then find a spot at one of the many picnic tables out back.   They call your number when your order is ready and bring it out to you.  Boats are parked nearby and run through the water beside you.  It is a cash only place.  It was quite popular with a combination of locals and tourists.  The food is prepared quickly and they have a number of non-seafood options if you’re so inclined.  We wanted to try their lobster roll as well as their whole belly clams.   It seemed like slightly less in the toasted bread than yesterday but lettuce was not mixed in.  It was mostly large chunks of meat but the mayo melded in some shreds.  The flavor was good.  Slaw was lightly dressed and fine and the fries were a coated variety.  I’d go again cause it’s a pretty place to sit and the food was nicely fresh and tasty. Continue reading →

Clean Slate Eatery (update), West Dennis, MA., 9/25/25

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entrance – 702 Main St., West Dennis, MA 02670, 508.225.0645

We really enjoyed our meal at Clean Slate Eatery in June so we re-visited on this trip.  Chef/Owner Jason Montigel is still working with the super talented Amanda Kotb for a dynamic team presenting a monthly changing menu for about 16 people.   We sat at one the high top tables behind the counter this time which gave us a slightly different view but anywhere you sit is good.  The place is very small and cozy and the food is still fantastic.  I love the chalkboard menu, the low wood counter and ceiling and the music that is in the background.   They do one seating for the 6 course prix fixe tasting at 6:30 Tues – Sat.  Wine pairings are available as is beer, wine and some cocktails.  We tried the pairings again and they are well matched and ample as well as delivered on a timely basis.  All the staff are super friendly and you really feel like you’re eating at a friend’s house.  I’m very glad we chose to repeat our visit here and hope you’ll get there soon too.  It’s a place that needs to be on your list! Continue reading →

Chatham Pier Fish Market, Chatham, MA., 9/25/25

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building – 45 Barcliff Ave Ext, Chatham, MA 02633

The Chatham Pier Fish Market is open daily with the kitchen open 11-7.  It is right on the waterfront (historic Chatham Fish Pier) where the boats drive by and/or unload.  There are picnic tables nearby but it was raining the day we visited so we ate in the car.  You can order at a walk up window or inside at the counter, where most were that day.  Inside is also the counter with the fresh fish and shellfish options along with some locally grown produce.  It all looked fabulously fresh and delicious.   The people at the counter were friendly and efficient.  There is a self-serve drink fountain where you can get a free cup of ice water.  We were there to get lobster rolls- a taste of New England – but if I lived around here I’d be at this market often to get food to cook at home. We tried both the warm roll with butter as well as the cool one with mayo.  Both were full of large chunks of lobster meat on toasted bread.  We preferred the one with mayo as the flavor seemed to meld better.  Both were mixed with shredded iceberg lettuce which I didn’t care for and would know to ask to leave out if I went back. The fries with both rolls were the coated variety and nicely crisp.  The slaw was nicely dressed and slaw.  This is a good stop for a lobster roll. Continue reading →

Ceraldi, Provincetown, MA., 9/24/25

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building  – 9 Ryder St Ext Provincetown, MA 02657

During our last trip to Cape Cod, Ceraldi was closed as they were moving to a new location (where the 9 Ryder Restaurant was) in Provincetown, the very tip of Cape Cod.  They started in 2013 in Ptown as a pop-up and then were in Wellfleet for about 10 years before moving back.   Life partners and artists Jesse and Michael Ceraldi started and continue to run this restaurant  that highlights local farmers, fishermen and foragers.   Chef Michael not only cooks but makes much of the ceramic dinnerware from Cape Cod clay that guests eat off of.  The long place has peach tones to the walls and is right on the waterfront.  Lowered lighting is supplemented by many windows and mirrors.  A bar with seating runs half the length of one wall and the kitchen is through an opening at the back of the room but most of the view is blocked by supplies and plants.  They offer a 7, 3 or 1 course tasting and you can add a dessert to the smaller tastings.  Beverage pairings are available but know they include a couple non-alcholic ones.  The food is good but seemed to be still getting its footing in the new location.  I applaud the concept of a changing menu based on what’s locally available but the quantity was way off.  There were a number of comments online that the price was high and maybe it could be less if there wasn’t so much food on the plates.  I’ve beeen to 20+ course tastings were you can easily eat it all but with this 7 there were a number of courses sent back half eaten.  This chef and staff seem very capable but there’s a few kinks to work out. Continue reading →

Captain Freeman Inn, Brewster, MA., 6/25

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house – 15 Breakwater Rd, Brewster, MA 02631

The Captain Freeman Inn is a bed and breakfast in a restored Sea Captain’s mansion near Breakwater Beach.  It has 10 rooms and is run by a delightful young couple with experience in the hospitality industry.   You can’t go there for breakfast unless you stay there but I wanted to share what we had with my readers as Cape Cod has many options for dinner but few in the same town.  I found this to be a good location to get to many places of interest, beaches, and restaurants.  The breakfasts were were mostly made by Jason while wife Laurie brought out the food and beverages.  You eat on the screened in patio overlooking the pool and some of the gardens.  The breakfasts were enough to keep you satisfied all day while also being tasty and composed of local products when possible.  Laurie is also helps with baking.  This is a place I’d recommend when visiting Cape Cod. Continue reading →

28 Atlantic at Wequassett Inn, Harwich, MA., 6/6/25

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building – Wequassett Resort & Golf Club, 2173 MA-28, Harwich, MA 02645

28 Atlantic is located in the large Wequassett Resort and Golf Club, a place that has several dining options.  28 Atlantic is their signature restaurant  and is the only Forbes Five-Star restaurant in the region.   It is located in an 18th century sea captain’s home overlooking Pleasant Bay and the Atlantic ocean.  Chef Jame Hackney is in charge of the kitchen but did not greet the guests.  The large dining room is obviously an add-on to the old captain’s house with floor-to-ceiling windows taking in the view.  The while cloth covered tables are ample in size and set with comfortable upholsterd chairs.  A fireplace was lit on one side of the room  but the high ceiling made climate control necessarry.  Carpet and sound panels in the ceiling kept the noise at an acceptable level, especially since the only generated noise was from the television running in the adjacent bar area.  On a less rainy/cloudy day the view would have been stunning but we didn’t luck out with that.  The room seemed sterile and more like a regular ‘special occassion’ place.  The wine list was of poor quality too.  The menu offered a 7-course tasting menu or a fixed price 2 or 4 course meal.  The 2-course had no dessert, the 4 came with 2 firsts, one second and a dessert.  We chose the 4 with our own bottle of wine.  Service was efficient and friendly but didn’t know much about the food.  If you have a large party this would be a good option but otherwise I wouldn’t go again. Continue reading →

Clean Slate Eatery, West Dennis, MA., 6/6/25

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building – 702 MA-28, West Dennis, MA 02670

Clean Slate Eatery re-opened a year ago after a 4 year hiatus. Chef/Owner Jason Montigel started as a pop-up place with a successful 4 year run interupted by the Covid pandemic. during which he began to sell tacos from a food truck.  In this small location he offers a fixed price 6-course tasting with much of the assemblege in the open kitchen.   There are just 16 seats with most around the counter where he works with Chef Amanda Kotb, a young chef from Amsterdam.   Montigel wanted it to feel like a dinner party and it does with the close seating and commraderie that develops from eating and drinking together.  There is one seating Wed – Sat evenings and wine pairings are available.  The pourings are ample and I’d recommend them but they also have a small cocktail list and beer.   The weekly menu is on a chalkboard in front of the counter but it’s also on the website.  A window beside it opens into another area of the kitchen where some cooking takes place but most of the assemblege is on the table in the middle of the L-shaped counter.  There was no list of the wine pairings so I have a photo of the pairing bottle with the course except for the beginning Prosceco that I didn’t photograpth.   The night we were there, there was an optional additon of foie gras bonbons which we both tried.   Reservations are by phone or email and I strongly encourage you to find a time to get there and taste this fabuolous food and enjoy the cozy atmosphere. Continue reading →

LUNE, Dennis Port, MA., 6/5/25

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building – 587 MA-28, Dennis Port, MA 02639

LUNE is brought to you by Chef Mick Formichella and his wife Charlotte who moved back to Cape Cod from Portland, OR where they both worked in various restaurants.  She runs the front of house including the wine program and he does the kitchen.  Starting as a pop-up in an art gallery, they moved to a permanent location in mid-May last year.   They chose an old garage building that adds an interesting interior to the place.  About 6 seats are at the end of the long counter surrounding the open kitchen and the rest are small tables, most with bench seating backing up to the walls.  Art and wine bottles provide many of the decorations  as well as the large black and white tile floor.  The restaurant was a semi-finalist for the  2025 James Beard Best New Restaurant Award but then were removed from the competition as they were closed in Feb and March when judges visit the nominated restaurants.  That was to the benefit of the remaining contenders as this small gem would have been formidable competition.  They book up quickly for the tasting menu that is offered in 2 seatings on Thurs, Friday and Sat.  On Wed and Sun they serve an a la carte menu.  We were lucky to enjoy one the tasting menus with Charlotte’s selected wine pairings.  It was a terrific evening filled with great food and friendly staff and one I highly recommend you try when in the area. Continue reading →

Delishh, Sagamore Beach, MA., 6/5/25

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exterior – 41 Meetinghouse Ln Unit B, Sagamore Beach, MA 02562

Delishh sets out to serve fine specialty sandwiches and prepared foods with fresh ingredients and a creative flair.  The small location in a strip shopping center is open every day but Sunday.  They did a lot of take out orders so I’m guessing it’s popular to stop and pick up a sandwich to take with you to the beach.   Inside there are just a few tables and a TV with the volume up.  The counter where you place your order had a few dessert options pre-wrapped and ready to go.  Another wall had a small place where you could dump your trash and pick up paper napkins.   Very few decorations were on the walls and it took a minute to get someone to take our order.  They brought ours out to us since we were eating there.  There is a cooler with cold drinks and a couple prepared salads were in another cooler.   Overall the sandwiches were quite edible but not as special as they billed them to be.  All sandwiches came with housemade chips, which were thick and most were crispy and very lightly salted. Continue reading →

Inn at Kenmore Hall, Richmond, MA., June 2024

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front – 1385 State Road, Richmond, MA 01254

The Inn at Kenmore Hall is a luxurious inn dating from 1792 in the wonderful landscape of the Berkshire Hills.  Lovingly restored by owners Frank Muytjens and Scott Edward Cole it is a fabulous place to stay in this area filled with pieces of history.  Normally this is a blog for restaurants but I include this inn as with your stay you get to enjoy a fantastic breakfast each morning you’re there.  There is a handsome dining room but what we really loved was the screened porch which looks out onto the lush grounds and garden with the birds chirping while we were pampered with fabulous freshly made food.  There was a daily menu with several choices and we got to try a number of things along with fresh juice and coffee.  The only way you get to try these options is to stay there.  I know it’s a little stretch from the usual restaurant posts but sometimes I am privileged to find a little hidden gem and I wanted to share that with my readers.  I’m including some photos of the rooms in this stunningly restored historic home and a few images from our breakfasts.  Check out their website, <https://www.theinnatkenmorehall.com&gt; and you might want to include it in your vacation plans.

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The Old Inn On The Green, New Marlborough, MA., 6/1/24

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building – 134 Hartsville-New Marlboro Road, New Marlborough, MA 01230

The Old Inn On The Green was built in 1760 as a stagecoach/mail stop and now offers a fine dining restaurant by candle light and authentically restored guest rooms.   There is also al fresco dining on the canopied garden terrace off the taproom.  Chef/Owner Peter Platt is partnered with Meredith Kennard to bring the diner the combination of contemporary cuisine in an historic setting.  The large building has multiple rooms for dining, many with fireplaces.  We went early on a summer evening so there was still light coming in the windows but otherwise all the light is provided by candles on the tables and walls.  No music was in the background and the good sized tables were draped with white cloths.  Interesting decorations were on the walls and the restaurant did a very good business.  Parking was on the circle drive out front and I’m not sure where it goes when that gets full.  It was a fixed price menu  of $85 for 3 courses for which the menu offered a number of choices with a couple options for a $5 supplement.  Service was excellent – helpful and friendly with good pacing for the meal.  There was a very good wine list and a sommelier to assist you with a choice.  We enjoyed a wonderful meal and I’d highly recommend it to you if you find yourself traveling through the Berkshire area. Continue reading →

Jack’s Hot Dog Stand, North Adams, MA, 6/1/24

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exterior – 12 Eagle St, North Adams, MA 01247

Jack’s Hot Dog Stand was opened in 1917 by Jaffros “Jack” Levanos and is still family run and owned.  Jack’s son John and his wife Lucille took over and were followed by their son Jeff and his wife Mary Lou.  They have a son, so who knows how long this can go on.  It’s a small place with only stools facing the counter.  Along the wall behind them, stand those waiting for a seat or their to-go order.   This place has history and people have been coming for generations.  The prices are low and the staff seemed to know many of the patrons.  The service is ultra fast and we got ours to-go and ate on the bench outside.  Hot dog buns were kept in the steamer and so are very soft and the hot dogs are sizzling on the side griddle.   Fries are fresh, peeled and fried in house daily.  They could have benefitted from a 2 step frying process and been crisper but the thought is there.  The small hot dog was covered with an average chili and a thin slice of cheese that disappeared.  It was quite soft overall but you go here for history and tradition, so you should try it if you find yourself nearby. Continue reading →

Tasting Counter, Somerville, MA, 6/12/21

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exterior of building

Tasting Counter is a dining room/kitchen experience for the diner.  A 9 course tasting menu is offered to all diners with optional wine pairings and vegetarian options.  Choices are made when you book your reservation, offered Thursday through Sunday at 5:00 and 7:30 pm.   The pre-paid tickets include the menu, beverages, service and tax.  The menu is a surprise but guests receive a copy with their Parting Morsels.  Chef Peter Ungár opened the restaurant in 2015 and is in the kitchen and makes all the explanations of the courses.  The restaurant is located in a building that houses a large brewery.  We sat at some of their extra tables while we waited for the doors to open.   Inside there were 12 of us at the counter but I read they can seat up to 20, so I suspect they were still trying to keep people spaced for Covid-19.  Inside it is fairly bright, music was in the background and the walls are decorated with preserving foods and wine bottles.   Pacing was excellent and portion control was great. Continue reading →

James Hook and Company, Boston, 6/12/21

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sign on building

James Hook and Co. started in 1925 with a father and his 3 sons trucking their catch to Boston.  It is still a family run business with 4 of the third generation siblings.  Somewhere along the line they developed retail outlets while still selling to restaurants and shipping across the U.S.   We visited a retail site near the water that also had a food truck on premises selling options.  Inside the little house were a couple tables to eat but mostly had tanks containing various sizes of lobsters and shelves with memorabilia and cooking supplies.  The retail counter had a number of fish and shellfish but also the lobster rolls, which they are famous for.  They come in 2 sizes and are cold with mayo or hot with butter.  Outside at the truck you could get the mayo variety and whole cooked lobsters as well as soups and some sides.  There is a large outdoor seating area to enjoy your selections. Continue reading →

Santarpio’s Pizza, Boston, 6/12/21

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building

Santarpio’s Pizza in east Boston is in a corner building that was a bakery in 1903.  In the 30’s the Santarpio family began selling New York style pizza from there and they still are along with barbecued lamb, beef and sausage.  It is open daily and accepts only cash.  Walls are adorned with boxing paraphernalia and posters.  There are 2 main rooms filled with booths and tables along with a long bar divided from the rooms by a partition.  The grill area is at one end of the bar whereas the pizza oven is in the back of the two dining rooms.  The bar sells beer and wine, which is also available by carafe.  The lighting is lowered and no music is in the background.  Staff was friendly and helpful. Continue reading →