517226 Thu May 08 13:54:01 -0700 2008 16 13 New England 0 3669500 We are driving up from NYC to Martha's Vineyard for a weekend in early June and we were wondering where the must-eats are in the area. Since this is our first visit, we are looking for something iconic, delicious, and quintessential Martha's Vineyard. Something different from your typical NYC foodie fare or traditional french/new american restaurant. We won't have a car in the island though. Based on what I've read from Chowhound, here is the list I've come up with so far. -Black Dog Tavern -Larsen's Fish Market -Art Cliff Diner -Sweet Life Cafe or Mediterranean (which one is better?) -Offshore Ale (only for beer) -Mad Martha's Also, it would be great if you have recommendations on where to stop on the way from NYC to MV and back. Thu May 08 13:54:03 -0700 2008 41551 krystle920 1 3669742 I have friends who visited their daughter who is working on the Vineyard last week and they went to Mediterranean and said it was one of the best dining experiences that they have ever had for both food and service. They told me that their daughter previously worked for the owners when they owned a small take-out shop prior to owning the restaurant. The wife is the pastry chef and the husband is the head chef. Thu May 08 14:57:48 -0700 2008 3669500 110819 bakerboyz 1 3669941 Skip The Black Dog. They are not known for their food, with breakfast being the possible exception. There are SO many other places that are better. Larsen's and Art Cliff...a big yes. Mediterranean and Sweet Life are both excellent but very different in terms of atmosphere. (And Mediterranean is in Vineyard Haven so it is BYOB.) If you can snag a table outside at Sweet Life, it is especially magic. Which town are you staying in? You have not mentioned any Edgartown places (although Mad Martha's has one of their spots there), so I am guessing you are not staying there, but I have to say two of my favorite spots are there. As far as on the way up, we like the Mystic area. A few good spots there and it sure is pretty. You could search the boards here for ideas. I don't do the 95 route too much any more so am not as up to date on Mystic restaurants, but that area has some nice spots and it is right off the highway. Thu May 08 16:08:21 -0700 2008 3669500 103601 mvi 2 3670432 Truly I think the BD has the best breakfast on the Vineyard. Real maple syrup and vegetarian breakfast burritos (I do not eat meat or eggs). SUPER SUPER place. Thu May 08 18:48:57 -0700 2008 3669941 27444 phelana 3 3670477 If you don't eat meat or eggs, like real syrup and a really terrific breakfast, we have a lot in common. I'd like to suggest you try the Art Cliff next time you are on MV for some great options, fresh ingredients and innovative combinations. Thu May 08 19:11:07 -0700 2008 3670432 103601 mvi 1 3670462 Forget Mad Martha's. Over-rated and their ice cream is always too soft to put on a cone. Try Ben & Bill's or Carousel for ice cream. Right there in downtown Oak Bluffs. Larsen's Fish Market and also Net result (Vineyard Haven) - both owned by the Larsen's - are great. Mediteranean has been the best restaurant we have been to on MV - in ever aspect. Grab a slice of pizza, some fried clams or some chicken wings at the take-out window at Giordano's - the best anywhere for these food items. Balance Restaurant in Oak Bluffs has been great as well. Thu May 08 19:05:04 -0700 2008 3669500 85683 RandyL 2 3672026 We are staying in Oak Bluffs, but would be open to trying something at Edgartown too. It's just that nothing seems to stand out when I read about Edgartown restaurants. How would Sweet Life and Mediterranean be different? What are the pros and cons of each? We are planning to do Larsen's for our other dinner. Fri May 09 10:30:57 -0700 2008 3670462 41551 krystle920 3 3673643 Black Dog is coming back, though Art Cliff may have surpassed it for breakfast. Mediterranean is more casual and serves, well, more "mediterranean" food. Sweet Life is a bit more traditional, but very good too. As for Edgartown? Lattanzi's Pizza (a lot more than pizza), Detente, L'Etoile, Catch (at the Charlotte Inn), Grill on Main (good value), Atria etc., etc. etc., are top notch and worth visiting. Fri May 09 18:59:52 -0700 2008 3672026 174574 thos 4 3673654 P.S. Unless something has changed recently, you cannot "dine in" at Larsen's. It wasn't mentioned, but Giordano's prices are a big plus. Fri May 09 19:06:04 -0700 2008 3673643 174574 thos 5 3673702 Larsen's is a small fish store with picnic tables outside or you can go sit on the rocks or the beach. You're right. Don't dress up! Fri May 09 19:28:53 -0700 2008 3673654 103601 mvi 3 3673692 Let's see....without a car, if you are going to go to Larsen's in Menemsha from OB, you will need to take the VTA or a taxi. The former takes forever and the latter can be very, very expensive. If you decide on a taxi, make sure you have plenty of cash. The taxi rates on the Vineyard are unlike anything you have ever known. Be sure to ask ahead of time (when you call the cab) what your rate will be....and how much it will be to get back to OB. Once I was quoted $120 from Vineyard Haven to Edgartown.....one way. It's a ten to fifteen minute drive. (My car had broken down and I had some family members visiting.) I did not want to shell out $240 plus tip for a short ride I took all the time on my own, so I called another cab company. They asked me how much I'd be willing to pay, leaving it up to me to decide the price.....The whole thing is crazy. So ask ahead if you take a cab. Or rent a car on the island. It might be cheaper for you. Larsen's in Menemsha and The Net Result in VH are both fish stores owned by the same wonderful family and you can't get better fish but Menemsha and VH are VERY different in terms of environment. (And again, you'll need to bring your own wine/beer/cocktails, as neither is in a town that serves alcohol.) Menemsha is quaint and small, a very tranquil place most of the year. In the summer, it is quite hectic at sunset, as lots of people like to go out there to watch the sun go down and applaud when it succeeds. There's limited parking, but it is a very lovely place. The Net Result is in Vineyard Haven which is the busiest year round town. Parts of it are pretty but it is not as attractive as it should be, in my opinion. Not enough views of the water and some odd architecture and traffic patterns. (Keep in mind that both are fish stores with take out food. ) Mediterranean is in a narrow, contemporary building in Vineyard Haven, with limited parking in front, just across the street from The Net Result and Art Cliff. It's a modern feel. When you walk in, there is a bar facing you and a stairway to your right. There is seating on the ground floor and above on the top floor. Each level has a small deck space for outdoor dining. You can see the ferries come and go from those tables. They are very accommodating when it comes to serving the cocktails and wine you bring along. Once we brought a huge pitcher of rum punch and some wine, and they kept it all flowing nicely. It's a very modern feeling. The food is really innovative, with great local selections, especially when it comes to fish. The desserts are AMAZING. When I had a MAJOR birthday not long ago, I had it here. Loved it. We never feel rushed and the food has always blown us away. You have to go outside to find the bathroom, which is a pain if it is raining or windy. But, in some ways, that's just part of the Vineyard scene. Sweet Life is in OB where you'll be staying so you can walk, I would imagine. It's in a beautiful old building with small, intimate rooms, a deck and a stunning enclosed garden filled with twinkling lights. It's a more old fashioned feeling. The food is also very innovative and interesting but a little bit more traditional. They have a full bar and a nice wine selection. Like Mediterranean, they have excellent service, although I sometimes find it a little less personal. A little more formal. It's the white table cloth kind of a place. Mediterranean is more low key but still polished. Check out Balance in OB for drinks and appetizers, if not dinner. Each town on the island is REALLY different, so do explore. If you do decide to venture into Edgartown, let us know and we'll pass on some ideas. It's such a pretty town and comes alive in the summer. Two or three really good restaurants. If you can, go to the Farmer's Market in West Tisbury on Saturday where you'll find the best spring rolls and Asian food on the entire east coast. When you get there, you'll see a long line. Stand in it. When you get to the front, ask for one of everything and you'll be surprised how quickly you inhale it. Have FUN! Fri May 09 19:24:13 -0700 2008 3672026 103601 mvi 1 3677821 I'm a summer resident of MV and concur with the Mediterranean and Sweet Life Cafe recommendations for excellent more formal meals. I have never eaten at the Art Cliff but hear it's good, and I love the creative breakfasts at the Black Dog. I tend not to go there for other meals primarily because the wait tends to be long because it's so well known and the restaurant takes no reservations. I love Mad Martha's ice cream even if it tends to be soft. The flavors are great! Giordano's pizza may be cheaper but it is nowhere near as good as the wonderful pizza at the Chilmark Store. (only possible if one has a car; see other posts on this point--tho the VTA stop is right across the street). I can't believe that no one has mentioned the awesome takeout food from The Galley in Menemsha (celebrated in Gourmet Magazine) or the delish clam and lobster rolls and fab chips (voted best on the island a few years ago) from Sandy's Fish & Chips take out in Vineyard Haven. And then there is what we 'locals' enjoy on nice nights at Menemsha. We take a bottle of wine and glasses, and eat outside on the patio at the Home Port--we get food from the takeout window (lobster, mussels, clams, etc) for less than inside. But take bug spray and go early before the sunset crowd shows up (see other posts); enjoy the scene! Sun May 11 20:04:45 -0700 2008 3669500 191477 cvw44 2 3708238 Thank you for all your suggestions. Right now, our itinerary is as follows: Saturday - driving up from NYC and checking in at Oak Bluffs - late lunch or mid afternoon snack - Black Dog (is there something that would be good in the Oak Bluffs area? I'm thinking something light since it will be a late lunch. until what time does Black Dog serve breakfast?) - dinner - Mediterranean - drinks - Offshore Ale? Sunday - breakfast at B&B - lunch - Art Cliff Diner - dinner - Larsen's Monday - breakfast at B&B - lunch - ? - drive back to NYC Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks! Wed May 21 09:18:19 -0700 2008 3677821 41551 krystle920 2 3713557 Just got word that Home Port will not open until June 15. There goes another Memorial Day weekend tradition! Thu May 22 19:09:50 -0700 2008 3677821 174574 thos 3 3730780 What's Home Port? Thu May 29 09:11:26 -0700 2008 3713557 41551 krystle920 1 3747128 Home Port is in Menemsha. It is an old time very MV kind of place. Fish is wonderful but the sides are not very exciting. They claim they make their own pies but I don't think they are all that wonderful.It is pre-fixe meal. We like to eat outside where you can order what you want. Of course, it is dry so you have to bring wine and everything is plastic outside.. Tue Jun 03 18:36:55 -0700 2008 3669500 73949 BarbaraM48 2 3747144 By the way, just to remind you-Larsen's is not a restaurant and closes at 7. Last lobster orders are at 6PM , I believe. there are no chairs or tables. Just wooden crates., Tue Jun 03 18:42:51 -0700 2008 3747128 73949 BarbaraM48 3 3747498 Thanks! We will definitely try to get there before 7 pm then. By the way, would you know how much a cab is to Larsen's from Oak Bluffs? Would it be better to just take the public bus? Tue Jun 03 20:50:54 -0700 2008 3747144 41551 krystle920