Quarterdeck Inn, Falmouth, surprisingly good!

[chefdaddyo]

Just thought I'd share, as our dinner was way, way better than we expected. In town for a long weekend, some friends mentioned great Italian, and great Mexican. We really wanted steamers (we'd had fried clams for lunch). Friday night about seven, we scored a (free!) parking space and started walking. The restaurants and the streets were packed. We checked out the Quartedeck menu: haddock, sword, steamers, etc. This was us. Hostess says the wait would be 60-90 mins. I didn't feel she had a grasp of the wait times, so we grabbed two Stella's at the bar. Less than 10 mins later, a couple in the corner gave up their barstools. We were in. Steamers app, grilled striped bass for me, gal gets 2lb steamed lobster. Good portion of steamers, best I've had in a while. Bartender brings small basket of warmed rolls. Entrees were superb. My striper was about 9oz and truly, perfectly cooked. Her lobster was really closer to three pounds, perfectly steamed. $32 for her, $23 for the striper. That is value! It was exactly what we wanted. This kitchen was perfect that night.

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Quarterdeck Restaurant
164 Main St, Falmouth, MA 02540

[kjellzer]

Agreed! Swordfish and scallops tonight very good. Much better than mushy Siena in Mashpee (simpatica local bookstore owner recommended Bleu and Trevi in Mashpee Commons).

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Trevi
25 Market, Mashpee, MA 02649

Bleu
11 Market St, Mashpee, MA 02649

[CapeCodGuy]

Good recs from the bookstore owner. Also try Asia in Mashpee Commons for excellent sushi and the Chinese and Korean fare is pretty good as well. I also hear good reports of the Glass Onion in Falmouth although I have never been.

[chefdaddyo]

We ended up having dinner here again Saturday night. We rarely repeat restaurants, always looking for something new. After our usual fried clam lunch, we were not starving. Plus, it was early for us: just 6pm. Quarterdeck hostess said 20 min wait. She was correct. Quiet table for two in the back. My gal had a house salad, followed by steamers app for her entree. They were market price, but two bucks less than our visit last month. Excellent! I got clams casino app, and seared scallops as main course. I mentioned I was not too hungry, so the 6 casinos were perfect. Each was a teaspoon of clam delight. My scallops (only $22.95) were exceptional. Six medium scallops with a scoop of wild mushroom risotto. I doubt it was Arborio rice. But no complaint from me. Good service from a young gal. We need a Quarterdeck Inn in NJ!

[wohord]

Wow....I am flabergasted. I have had much worse luck there than you! I Have tried the Q.D. many times as it is nearby and in the winter months regulary has people dining into the evening when most places have rolled up the rugs,they are still serving. I consider it a "butter palace", my own term for a resturant that adds butter to everything. The worst experience I had there was with family in town craving local seafood, we went there because the ambience and menu suited my guests. Three had fish...I did not. It was my opinion that the resturant deep fried the salmon and swordfish before pan cooking it to speed up the process. It was a very busy night. I was mortified. The lighting was dim. But the fish looked golden and greasy around the edges. That was the last time I went there. I wish I had better luck there the staff and owners are always very friendly and welcoming.

[chefdaddyo]

I feel your pain, wo. The 'butter palace' term proved true on the clams casino. Although not slathered, the did have some type of artificial butter dousing. Maybe this summer the've invested in a worthy chef and kitchen crew? I say this because not only were our selections very fresh, they were cooked perfectly. There is a CIA sticker on the front door, but you probably buy one online. Next visit we'll try one of the places at Mashpee Commons.

[wohord]

In the spirit of fairness, and due to the fact that I live in a small town.....the owners of the Q.D. also own the Chart Room in Bourne. And I have extolled on the virtues of that eating establishment on this forum and elsewhere. Its a fun location, the menu is typical cape seafood fare and the customers are usually hellbent on a good time. If you are in the area its worthy of a visit. But kind of out of the way. I make a pilgrimage (or two) there each summer. Not a place that will blow your culinary doors off, but certainly fun! The Lobster salad sandwich on Portugese bread is not on the menu but it is pretty good.

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Chart Room
1 Shipyard Ln, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532

[CapeCodGuy]

Always walked by that place and wondered. Great report! Thanks.