After powering through 40 knot winds to get to the JAWS 50th Anniversary Harborfest on Friday, we were ready for a change of pace.
I didn’t even know about the JAWS Festivities when I booked Dockside four months ago. Petey Berndt (owner of Coop de Ville) told me he was hosting the Band On The Boat on June 22nd and I knew I had to be there.
Saturday was spectacular, but OB was gray when we got up Sunday morning. Knowing the band would be performing north of us, we turned the boat around just before the rain started Sunday morning – converting the Skydeck into concert box seats.
photo courtesy of Petey Brendt
The forecast for the afternoon was perfect, but first we had to endure a few hours of morning showers. Since the band didn’t start until 3:00, we planned to head to Edgartown for lunch at The Atlantic and a little shopping first.
There was still a little drizzle in the air at 11:00 AM, so we took Uber over ($43 for an XL).
Paula loved seeing the American flags all over town…
Of course Edgartown was impersonating the fictitious Amity Island for JAWS Weekend.
Needless to say, lunch in Edgartown meant four stools a Jaryl’s bar at The Atlantic!
It was Sunday and I was on the fence between a Bloody Mary and an IPA. Jaryl had no IPA on tap, so the Mary won!
It’s a very solid Bloody Mary – spicy with horseradish.
Paula never had the Swarma and after hearing me rave about it, she ordered one,
ROTISSERIE LAMB, VEAL & ENTRECÔTE,
CILANTRO TAHINI & AMBA SAUCE,
FRENCH FETA, PITA BREAD
She had the sauce on the side – just in case, but she loved it.
90% of the time Mrs. Horne orders the same thing.
10 OZ PRIME BURGER, No Bun, Blue Cheese,
FRENCH FRIES
Jaryl pitched the new dishes hard, so Peter and I decided to split the Stracciatella and the Arayas.
SOURDOUGH GARLIC BREAD,
STRACCIATELLA, CANTABRIAN ANCHOVIES,
CONFIT TOMATOES, CHIVE OIL,
CURED SALMON
Peter loved the Stracciatella, but it wasn’t my favorite. Stracciatella is the creamy center inside a burrata. I prefer a more funky cheese. I did like the toast and the anchovies.
BEEF KUFTA IN PITA,
AMBA AIOLI, TAHINI YOGURT SAUCE,
GRILLED VEGETABLES,
HOMEMADE PICKLED
VEGETABLES
Paula couldn’t finish her Swarma and we traded tastes. This was the first time I was able to side-by-side the Arayas and Swarma. Hands down – the Swarma is still the best sandwich on earth.!
An Afternoon of Guests
When we got back to the boat, there was a woman and a couple of kids stalking Amazing Grace. The woman (the mother) said that her son – Logan, was obsessed with our boat. They had been waiting over an hour for us to come back in the hopes of getting onboard.
Of course, that was all Mrs. Horne had to hear. She immediately gave Logan and his friend Finn, the VIP tour,
Logan’s mother asked me to tell him what to study in college to be able to afford a big boat one day.
I recommended an engineering undergrad, a finance master’s, and a career in Venture Capital or Private Equity.
During lunch at Jaryl’s Bar (AKA The Atlantic), we met a nice couple celebrating their 23rd Wedding Anniversary. They live on East Chop and we invited them back to the boat for the concert.
They were very nice (if you’re reading this, contact me so we can connect the next time we’re in OB).
I had met Joe and Sue K. in Nantucket. Sue is a huge fan of Mrs. Horne’s and they stopped by to meet her along with their friend Karen.
As all of this socializing was happening the Band On The Boat started the concert.
I created a highlight video of the concert (as I did in 2019 and 2021).
Mike Benjamin and Friends are such a great band and by the second set, everyone has poured into the boardwalk to join the fun.
If you’ve never seen the Band On The Boat at Coop de Ville, you’re missing an incredible Island phenomenon. Thanks to Petey Brendt for making this happen!
Mikado
Sunday night dinner on OB at Mikado Asian Bistro has become a tradition.
Tai (Mikado Restaurant Manager) serves up some of the best Chinese and Japanese cuisine in Massachusetts, but for some strange reason, the restaurant is never crowded. I did notice a steady flow of take-out and delivery packages being prepared.
Tai surprised us with an incredible special appetizer.
It’s not on the menu, but Tai said it was lobster and avocado wrapped in ahi tuna. The sauce was sweet and pungent with Mango and Island flowers.
We enjoyed six fantastic Asian dishes for $73. Without a doubt, the best dining value on Martha’s Vineyard!
As much as we love Oak Bluffs, we have bid adieu until Labor Day. The day boaters and ferry crowds tend to engulf OB every summer weekend and it can get stifling.
Our super smooth cruise home Monday morning was just the opposite of our crazy ride over on Friday morning.
Next Up: Edgartown Fourth of July