New & Noteworthy Summer/Fall 2007

Lodge-istics

Craving privacy? A one-room bed and breakfast has opened in Mashpee: the contemporary Alexander Hamilton House at 9 Horseshoe Bend Way sits on one acre of Cape Cod woodland, just steps away from Ashumet Pond. The luxury suite boasts a double whirlpool, fireplace, broadband/WiFi Internet access, cable TV with DVD player, a plump king-size bed and a private entrance. Dogs are welcomed… The Harbor View Hotel & Resort on Martha’s Vineyard, acquired by Scout Real Estate Capital last December, has completed the first of three phases of reconstruction. The two eight-unit captain’s cottages have been converted into four spacious one-bedroom suites—each with a private garden and red cedar outdoor shower. New landscaping, décor and a restored outdoor porch are also part of the improvement plan… This year the Wequassett Resort & Golf Club was named one of the best hotels in the world by Travel and Leisure and one of the world’s top resorts by Conde Nast Traveler. In addition, Golf Digest recently named Cape Cod National the top golf course on Cape Cod and No. 13 in all of Massachusetts. What’s next? The resort is partnering with the Pampered Mermaid to provide a full-service mobile spa. Guests can lounge poolside while they wait for their treatments to come to them…Speaking of spas, the Wauwinet on Nantucket opened its Spa by the Sea in May, offering a full menu of massages, body treatments and facials exclusively for guests.

The Wauwinet opens its new Spa by the Sea.

Meanwhile, the spa at Chatham Bars Inn, originally built exclusively for patrons, will be open to the general public from September to April. Massage and other body treatments, skin and nail care are available, as well as the outdoor hydrotherapy pool. In other CBI news, the resort has introduced charters to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket aboard its luxury 55-foot Hinckley yacht, Five Star. For $2,400 (plus tax and service fee), up to six guests can be whisked away to the island of their choice. Charters depart at 9 a.m., return at 4 p.m. and include continental breakfast and gourmet lunch.

Chatham Bars Inn offers guests charters to the islands aboard its new yacht.

TIDBITS

Some recent changes at Mashpee Commons: Jade Chinese Restaurant has been supplanted by Paper Moon, a Japanese-fusion restaurant formerly located in Sandwich…Chef Ralph Binder has opened Mad Platter, a gourmet eatery specializing in take-out, although some seating is available…The Mediterranean-style restaurant Café Trevi and Wine Bar replaced Café de la Terre at 25 Market St. Named after the Trevi Fountain in Rome, the café serves lunch, dinner and tapas inside or out on the large patio… Sweet Tomatoes in Sandwich has moved less than a mile west of its previous location to 95 Route 6A—the former site of Rockland Trust bank. The new building affords the pizza parlor a drive-through window for take-out… The Mid-Cape has also welcomed some additions. Formerly known as 415 Main Street and Grille 16, the new Asa Grill opened in downtown Hyannis in May. The front of the restaurant caters to families dining out, while the back provides a club atmosphere with a late-night bar, music and dancing after 10 p.m…. Embargo, a new tapas and martini bar, replaces Blue Anchor Café & Sushi at 453 Main St., Hyannis… Creamy gelato is being scooped up at the brand-new Café Gelateria Bertini, 20 Parallel St., Hyannis… Harry’s in Hyannis has moved to a Main Street location less than 100 feet away from its original digs. Now substantially larger, the enormously popular blues bar will continue to supply hungry crowds with Cajun cuisine and great live bands, local and national… Island Merchant, also in Hyannis, has moved from 10 Ocean St. to 302 Main St., and doubled its size. The larger kitchen means a broader menu with more island-inspired cuisine like guava-glazed smoked BBQ ribs. A full entertainment schedule and the famous $2 burger remain house staples… South Dennis says “good-bye” to T-Bones Roadhouse restaurant and “hello” to Morrell’s, which serves New England fare, pasta and sandwiches for lunch and dinner year round…Brennan’s Grille is the hot new restaurant at 645 Main St, Dennisport, replacing Karl’s Landmark Café. With indoor and outdoor seating, the new restaurant serves an affordable menu of native seafood, hand-cut sirloin, lobster, steamers and clams… The Jamiel family has added a fourth Ardeo location. The successful Mediterranean restaurant which began in South Yarmouth has branched out to Brewster and moved in to the space formerly occupied by Square One Bistro at 280 Underpass Rd…. Breakwater Fish and Lobster at 235 Underpass Rd. now offers freshly fried fish and chips for take-out… Bayside Seafood and Market, a gourmet and specialty seafood market in Brewster, has a new place for lobster lovers to enjoy a traditional New England clambake—on its new alfresco patio. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, croissants, lattes and grilled paninis can also be relished while watching the hustle and bustle of Main Street from the Adirondack chairs on the outdoor porch… Harwich Center has a new coffee shop appropriately named Harwich Central Café at 98 Parallel St. The café has seating for 10, wireless Internet and coffee, tea and muffins… The Dairy Queen on Route 28 in Harwich Port, which reigned supreme for more than 50 years before burning to the ground in January of last year, has been rebuilt by owner Mary Lou Duquette and is now open again. Long live the Queen! Meanwhile, the 400 Restaurant & Tavern has been busy at work on its own remodeling. The newly redecorated interior features a dining room and a separate tavern area with high-definition TVs… Twenty-eight Atlantic at the Wequassett Resort & Golf Club on Cape Cod was awarded the highest rating for food by Zagat. The restaurant was also top-rated for décor… The restaurant at the historic Wayside Inn in downtown Chatham reopened with a new identity, menu and décor. The Wild Goose Tavern features a menu of fish, fowl and beef entrées, as well as such lighter fare as pizza, burgers, fish and chips. The highlight of the renovated space is the expanded bar, relocated to the more active Main Street side of the restaurant…The Pampered Palate café and deli in Chatham has reopened under new management and in a new location off Main Street behind the Ben Franklin store. Former catering manager Betsy Hunt has taken the helm… Chatham Fish and Lobster, renowned for the freshness of its fish, has expanded its retail fish market in the Cornfield complex in West Chatham to include a new, larger space for take-out food, including fresh fish and chips, chowder and other local seafood favorites. Daily specials feature the freshest catch, and kids will love watching the locally caught lobsters swimming in the large tank… On the Outer Cape, Dave and Kathy Roberts and their family have acquired Truro Vineyards. “We’ve dreamed of owning and operating a vineyard together for years, and that dream has finally come true,” says Dave Roberts. Truro Vineyards is open for wine sales, tours and tastings from April to December…
Chef Eric Jansen, formerly of the Wicked Oyster in Wellfleet, is opening a new restaurant, Blackfish, in the former Blacksmith Shop in Truro. He promises “gastro pub” fare and atmosphere… Locals and visitors can once again delight in the Cestaro families’ delicious Italian recipes. After closing in 2001, Arturo’s is reopening at 32 Main St. in Eastham, previously occupied by the Beach Break. A full restaurant with take-out is downstairs. Upstairs is a bar and state-of-the-art music venue complete with performing DJs, hip-hop, rock, blues and jazz bands.


CULTURE CLUB

The Cultural Center of Cape Cod in South Yarmouth made its debut in February and has since garnered praise and recognition. Located in the 1931 building at 307 Old Main St., formerly occupied by Bass River Bank, the new cultural center received a preservation award from the Massachusetts Historical Commission. The Cultural Center hosts art exhibits, classes and workshops on everything from Shakespearean acting and the history of jazz to learning how to make sailor’s valentines and speak French…The new Art Gallery at 551 Route 28 in Harwich Port, a cooperative of members of the Guild of Harwich Artists, features paintings done by 22 Cape Cod artists, as well as a special section devoted to a particular theme or subject… Portside Gallery has opened at 16 Telegraph Rd. in Dennisport… Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre held a grand opening for its new 200-seat, year-round theater on June 21. The Julie Harris Stage at 2357 Route 6 joins the 90-seat Harbor Stage at 1 Kendrick Ave. in presenting an eclectic array of adventuresome stage productions.


WHAT’S IN STORE

Some of the best-loved stores in the Lemon Tree Village in Brewster have jumped around the plaza. The children’s clothing store Hayley’s Hideout has moved downstairs to the first-floor space formerly occupied by Lavender Lady. The Village Toy Store has expanded to include the space vacated by Hayley’s Hideout and now carries a children’s book section and more toys, as well as arts and crafts …Wellfleet Center received a new jewelry store: The Jewelry Studio of Wellfleet at 15B Bank St. offers the carefully crafted creations of Jesse Horowitz and Leanne Silva. Some of the small treasures to be found are hand-blown glass pendants and originally designed silver and gold earrings, bracelets and necklaces… Main Street Antique Center in Dennisport has acquired the building at 691A Main Street and turned it into an annex for discounted antiques, used furniture and decorative china.