If you’re a regular follower of this blog, you may have noticed that this is our second weekend in a row at Oak Bluffs. It’s also our 6th visit to this wonderful little Island village this season.
While we generally visit OB a few times a year, we’ve been here far more often this year.
You’d think we’d be getting bored, but we’re actually loving it more.
So, before I report on this week’s trip, I want to answer the question:
Why Do We Love Oak Bluffs So Much?
- It’s a classic beach town. Virtually everyone here is “On Holiday” and you can feel it when you walk the streets. Shorts and tees are the standing dress code.
- It’s accessible by boat in almost any conditions. I recall coming here in Small Craft Warnings in our Back Cove 41 with no issues. Earlier this year we came over during Gale Warnings. This makes it an idea trip to book when you have guests flying in and you can’t risk bad weather forcing a cancellation.
- There are at least three excellent restaurants here (Mikado, The Lookout, The Martha’s Vineyard Chowder Company) and more fun restaurants than you can count (Coop de Ville, Lobsterville, The Offshore Ale House, Fishbones, and more). Note: We haven’t tried Midnight Taco or Sweet Life, but we hear good things about them too!
- Coop de Ville hosts The Band On The Boat in late September and this year they had one in June. The music is great and everyone ends up dancing on the boardwalk.
- Kids love it too. There’s the oldest Merry Go Round in America and the Ryan Arcade.
- Uber seems to finally be working well on the Island, making all the Edgartown restaurants $40 away. In fact, Uber opens up the entire Island (Vineyard Haven and Menemsha).
- There are multiple great bike trails here. We love the State Forest and Beach Road. There are also multiple bike and eBike rental shops in all the major villages.
- There is an outstanding beach just off the marina and plenty more all the way from the bridges to Edgartown.
- Last week we discovered that the high-speed Ferry runs back and forth to Straight Wharf Nantucket from Dockside. It leaves as early as 9:00 AM and returns as late as 6:30. It only costs $76 each way.
- Of all of the seaside island options in New England, it‘s fairly affordable. The docks are $6/foot in the summer and the town moorings are $35-$50 overnight depending on the season.
- It’s a very social mooring field for day trippers. Up to four boats can raft on the town moorings. The cost ranges from FREE to $50 in season.
There are only two real negatives to Oak Bluffs. Its popularity makes it tough to book dockage in the summer. It’s extensive ferry service and close proximity to Falmouth can make it really crowded on summer weekends.
Holding Court at Dockside
I’m not sure anyone loves Oak Bluffs more than Chris and Karen. We gotten to know them tying up on Dockside over the years.
2022 Photo
They book Dockside for a day trip virtually every weekend day of the summer. They often bring guests or just greet friends from the Island.
Chris is a retired State Trooper and Karen owns the Moonsakis Cafe in Falmouth.
They clearly love Oak Bluffs and so do we!
Guest Weekend With La Quinta Guests
This weekend we hosted two couples with whom we golf with over the winter in our desert home.
They flew in late Thursday, so we served them the Captain’s Tapas at our house in Mattapoisett.
From Gaudart Square Bakery, New Bedford
Typical for our post-hurricane weather models, the forecasts were all over the place for Friday morning.
The most alarming was PredictWind, which was predicting Gale Force winds!
It was blowing about 12 knots off Buzzards Bay at 8:00 am so off we went…
The worst spot was just off the Hogg Island Jetty entering Buzzards Bay.
We took 3-4’ waves head on, but the short period sent spray our way almost immediately.
As we got closer to Woods Hole, the land mass knocked down the waves and Vineyard Sound was very civilized.
We tied up quickly at Dockside and headed to The Lookout for lunch on the Front Porch.
Susan was dreaming about the Bloody Mary with two jumbo Shrimp since we took her here in 2021.
Claw & Knuckle Meat sautéed in butter & served warm
Comed Beef, Sauerkraut, Swiss,
1,000 Island Dressing on Rye
The Reuben is really moist and stuffed with homemade corned beef.
After lunch, Mrs. Horne took our guests shopping and I quickly washed the salt off Amazing Grace.
Everyone returned around 2:30 and we spent the rest of the afternoon taking in the balmy Friday afternoon.
Red Cat Goes On The Black List!
Our guests like high-end restaurants, so we passed on our well-worn favorites and decided to give Red Cat Kitchen another try.
We first ate at the Red Cat in 2018 and enjoyed several great meals in the old building. Lately, our issue has been the mystery menu (the sample menu on the website is never available. That said, until Friday night, the food served was always good.
Before I get to the fails, let me mention what we liked (it wasn’t all bad).
Romaine Hearts, Baby Rainbow Kale, Italian Anchovies,
Our Caesar Dressing
homemade tortilla chips
So in terms of food actually prepared in the kitchen, they got three things right and one was a potato side!
Epic Food Fails
Our guests all ordered a variation of the noodle dish.
I think this is the first time we’ve ever eaten anywhere where all of the entrées failed.
Teriyaki Chicken – $39
Fat Moon Mushrooms & Spinach – $33
All Served in a Bowl with Scallions, Kimchi and
Bing’s Mild Chili Crunch
I never got to photograph Patty’s mushroom noodles. She took one bite, gagged on the salt, and sent it back.
The Mikes ate some of their’s until the salt overwhelmed them two.
This is how much they left behind:
Mrs. Horne and I shared the steak.
Filet Mignon & Onion Rings,
Yukon Whipped Potatoes, Malt Aioli
This dish failed on multiple levels:
- It didn’t look or taste like a filet.
- They sliced it in half in the kitchen, letting the juices run out, the steak dry out, and get cold.
- It was barely seasoned.
- At $68, it was the most expensive 6-ounce steak I ever ordered.
It wasn’t worth finishing…
I’m not sure what happened to this restaurant and chef, it was once very good. But it’s now permanently on the My Buzzards Bay Black List (which is not a good thing!)
We were all still hungry after dinner, so we went to Mad Martha’s for ice cream.
Mike make a new friend on the way home…
Saturday Biking (Of Course)
Saturday began with a Continental Breakfast on Amazing Grace…
Mike and Patty love biking, so we took off for a big day of biking around 10:00.
Susan and Mike don’t bike, so they took the #13 bus and met us at 12:30 for lunch at our favorite place.
FRESH LOBSTER, BABY ARUGULA & ROMAINE, WALNUTS, CRANBERRIES, STRAWBERRY VINAIGRETTE
AVOCADO PURÉE, TOMATO, SIDE SALAD
10 OZ PRIME BURGER, CHOICE OF TOPPINGS,
ROTISSERIE LAMB, VEAL & ENTRECÔTE, CILANTRO TAHINI & AMBA SAUCE, FRENCH FETA, PITA BREAD
While we were waiting for our food to be delivered, Scott joined us at the bar. Scott is a regular at the Atlantic and we’ve chatted in the past.
Scott ordered a dish that’s simply called “Bacon”, but it’s far from that…
It’s a Special, but I’ve seen it on the menu quite often. It’s two pieces of smoked Pork Belly with a sweet glaze. Scott gave me a piece and I’ll definitely order it next time!
After lunch Mrs. Horne took everyone shopping. At this point in the season, I’m “shopped out”, so I took my bike south for a ride to Katama and South Beach.
We took Beach Road back to OB and I logged 30 miles on the day.
The forecast for Sunday wasn’t good, so we enjoyed what will likely be one of the last few great afternoons on the water in New England.
There was a lot of deja vu this weekend as we returned to Atria for the second Saturday in a row, but it’s that good!
The Snowden Cab was fantastic!
crispy capers, sourdough, grilled lemon
shiitake, porcini, crimini, herbs, pasta, ricotta
pan seared cod, prawn bouillabaisse,
sourdough, saffron aioli
taleggio grilled cheese, basil, parmesan
cast iron seared filet mignon, red wine
braised short rib, potato gratin
Unlike Friday night’s debacle at The Red Cat, everyone loved their meal!
We have made extensive use of Uber this season, including on MV. Unfortunately, I am finding that Uber drivers have been inflating the class of their vehicles. We’ve had a so-called “Comfort” arrive with torn seats (Comfort is supposed to be newer cars). Last week we booked an XL and a little Kia showed up. My knees were cramped the entire ride.
Better Than Uber For Groups
Scott (at the Atlantic) suggested we try Lighthouse Taxi.
We did, and it’s absolutely the only way to go for big groups. It’s a massive 10-seater van. The base rate from OB to Edgartown is $45 plus an extra $5 for passengers #3 and beyond. You can book Lighthouse by texting (508) 627-2386.
Rainy Sunday
The weather on Sunday ended up being worse than forecast. Our guests wanted to see Nantucket and the radar looked like the rain might pass northwest of the Island, so they booked the Hi-Line.
The forecast was right and they enjoyed a dry day visiting Nantucket and having lunch.
With six guests on board, I had to manage the black water tank carefully. Around 10:00 AM the tank flipped from yellow to orange and that’s usually when I start looking for a pump out.
I called the marina, but they only had one person working on a rainy Sunday in September.
It wasn’t looking good, but then my phone rang. It was Nick from the marina and he said “I can pump you out right now if you want.”
Yet another reason to love Oak Bluffs!
Mrs. Horne and I continued enjoying a quiet morning on Amazing Grace until the skies opened up around noon!
Fortunately, we were right across from Coop de Ville, so we called in “Room Service” and had them serve us lunch on the boat!
fries and cole slaw
ten garlic parmesan wings, celery, blue cheese dressing.
Our guests returned around 3:00. I’m sure it was just a coincidence, but the Patriots game went downhill after the ferry touched the dock!
Mikado
After some discussion, we decided to introduce our guests to Mikado’s Asian cuisine. We had a mix of folks who love Asian food and those who aren’t fans.
I consider Mikado the best restaurant in Osk Bluffs and with its big menu, I was sure everyone would find a great dish.
The rain had subsided to a light drizzle as we made the short walk to Circuit Ave.
Shortly after we sat down, Tai brought an appetizer he called Tuna Pizza…
Lightly Fried wonton skin with red onions topped with tuna & avocados, served in chef’s special sauce and tobiko
Patty was asking questions about vegetarian dishes, so Tai brought her a veggie version!
Spicy tuna & avocado rolled up w. spicy salmon
on top served with spicy sauce
With Pancakes
Susan doesn’t eat a lot of Asian food, but she loved her Moo Shu!
Tai modeled his new shirt on the way out…
Monday
There was a definite chill in the air on Monday morning, it was clearly September!
After one last continental breakfast, we headed up Buzzards Bay to Sandwich for lunch at The Fisherman’s View.
The forecast had called for light winds, but we ran into a 15-20 knot headwind entering the Bay from Woods Hole.
Of course, the canal was smooth and the currents were favorable…
Once again, we had no problem tying up at the straight dock in Sandwich.
The Fisherman’s View
RED BLISS POTATO SALAD
fontina cheese, tomato conserva,
whole grain dijon, buttery texas toast
with edamame, seaweed salad, mango, carrot,
strawberry, spicy mayo, poke sauce
grilled corn salsa, shredded cabbage,
guacamole, lime crema
As always, everything tasted great!
We got back to our house in Mattapoisett to enjoy a nice afternoon on the deck…
I served up a Horne Traditional Lobster Dinner for our guests final night!
Next Up – Ryder Cup Cruise
As always on your cruises, the food looks incredibly appealing. You’ve made several terrific cruises this summer.
The Oaks Bluff trip was a treat. Back in Washington State we don’t eat out that often – there are too many ‘misses’ with the restaurants we choose. Dave and Susan picked some great spots; having only one hiccup with all those choices was amazing. Patty and I had a great time, and ate our fill of delicious lobster and other delectable treats. Many thanks to Dave and Susan, our wonderful hosts!