Oak Bluffs

Aug 03 2009

lobster1 Because there are so many great eating options from which to choose on Martha’s Vineyard, I have divided the choices geographically, and am focusing on Oak Bluffs in this post. If you missed Part 1 (Edgartown)please check it out and add your personal favorites.

You can ask just about any islander for a reasonably priced eating option in Oak Bluffs, and one of their suggestions will probably be Linda Jean’s Restaurant on Circuit Ave. This diner has been a local favorite forever (OK, not really forever, but they’ve been in business a long time – always a good sign!) Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the diner serves consistently good food, and provides fast and friendly service. Without hesitation, Linda Jeans would be my top breakfast recommendation.

Beyond breakfast, the options expand… You may have noticed that there are many take-out and sandwich shops in Oak Bluffs, so for a family, a sub to share & a beach picnic is still your most affordable option. But for atmosphere, why not grab a sandwich (or a beverage & apps) while relaxing from a stool overlooking the Oak Bluffs Harbor? Nancy’s,Coop De Ville, and the Look Out Tavern will all fit the bill. Nancy’s has been in business since 1956, and their downstairs snack bar menu offers great casual, affordable fare. Coop De Ville is known for their outdoor raw bar and 8 flavors of buffalo chicken wings, and The Look Out Tavern is a fun place to stop for sushi.

For dinner, The Park Corner Bistro (on Kennebec Ave) supplies great atmosphere and delicious food for one affordable price! You can choose from full dinner options, or a more casual (and less expensive) bar menu that is available all day. Under new ownership this year, they have expanded their offerings to appeal to everyone’s budget.

Across the street and up the block from The Park Corner Bistro is another great, long time favorite eaterie called Jimmy Seas Pan Pasta Restaurant. The entrees are in a mid-price range, but the portions are so huge that you can share one with a friend (for an additional fee). If you like pasta, the food is awesome and not to be missed!

If you are looking for something different, Mediterranean on Beach Road has incredible, authentic mediterranean cuisine, ambiance, and entertainment nightly in the summer. If you don’t want to spend as much for a full dinner, they offer a “light meal” and “tapas” menu in their bar area. It is really worth the trip!

Hmmmm, so much to eat, so little time! What are your favorite dining out spots in Oak Bluffs?

Image courtest of Coop De Ville.

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Aug 01 2009

lanterns

…Ah, now that I’ve caught my breath, on with August events. It is those of you that spend the last two weeks of the month with us who are the most adventurous and inexhaustible. I decided long ago that you all must go home and have another week of vacation to recuperate before returning to regular life and obligations.

The events that dominate the end of the season are three of the most family-friendly fun times you can imagine. Wednesday, August 19^th, is the 137^th annual Grand Illumination Night in Oak Bluffs. The tradition of Grand Illumination began in 1869 in honor of Governor’s Day. This year, start the night with an early dinner of lobster and fried clams on the harbor, then wander over to the Tabernacle in the campground by 7 to enjoy the Community Sing and the Vineyard Haven Band Concert that precedes the Illumination. Really, when was the last time you and the kids sang “Oh, Suzanna” together? As the evening grows dimmer, the tension and expectation mounts. The miracle occurs when it’s finally dark. In perfect synchronization, hundreds of Chinese paper lanterns light up the night, creating an absolutely magical spectacle. Outfit the kids with glow sticks to add to the magic, stroll the campground, compare the lanterns (many antique and unique), and chat with the owners of these incredible, colorful gingerbread cottages. Some residents even dress in period costume for you, and most have colorful tales to share. It’s a night you’ll never forget.

If you’re ready for more activity on Thursday the 20^th, hop in the car or on the bus and head to West Tisbury for the opening of the 148^th annual Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Fair. It gets underway at 10 AM. (If you’re totally done in from the night before, don’t despair. The Fair continues through Sunday.) They don’t make country fairs like this anymore. Ride the rides, watch the horse pull and woodsmen competition, join the contests (don’t forget everyone’s favorite – the skillet toss), view the blue-ribbon livestock and luscious home-baked goods, and eat local delicacies until you burst. Hint to those who love the fair, but have a difficult time with crowds: go on Friday night when the rest of the island is at the fireworks.

The fireworks: the grand finale of the Vineyard summer season. Sponsored and skillfully executed by the Oak Bluffs Fireman’s Civic Association, this event is a must for young and old. Bring your picnic baskets to Ocean Park on Friday the 21^st and claim your spot for a spectacular display. Don’t fool yourself into thinking this is some small town, low budget offering. I’d match it against Boston any day. Of course, some of us remember the year it had been rain-dated twice, eventually taking place on a night when the cloud cover was so low, you couldn’t see anything bursting above it. We figure it can’t happen twice in the same place. The Vineyard Haven Band entertains from the gazebo, starting at 8 PM, and the main show goes on at about 9. You won’t be sorry.

You may be tired after all of this, though, so I’m happy to inform you that that is the end of a very busy week. The summer goes out with a bang! So head home, relax, laugh and reminisce about your 2009 August adventures, and rest up for 2010’s, because after experiencing them once, you’ll be hooked forever.

Image courtesy of Martha’s Vineyard Campmeeting Assoc.

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Jul 27 2009

One of the things that I love about Martha’s Vineyard in the summer is the quality and variety of activities and events from which to choose – many not normally available in such a small community. Evening events are naturally geared more toward “grown-ups,” however (when the wee ones are in bed). But being a mother of 4, I understand the need to entertain the WHOLE family at any given time of the day; so I have come up with a couple of suggestions for those long summer nights…

To be honest, my favorite “family night out” is not very original… but it’s always relaxing and a hit with the entire family. My husband is strongly opposed to anything involving crowds (which eliminates a lot in July & August), so our family beach time involves a picnic dinner and an evening dip in the ocean. Regardless of the number of folks on the beach during the day, if you wait until after 6pm, you are sure to find your own sandy spot of solitude. We normally head to State Beach because we never have to walk far from our car (you know there’s always lots to lug w/kids), and if there are a lot of cars in one area, we can keep going until we find an unclaimed stretch of beach. The water is warm from the day’s heat; and with the volume of fun (and fights) that ensues when my family arrives, “the crowds” are very happy that we avoided them!

Then there is the obligatory evening out in Oak Bluffs. Oak Bluffs is always a swarm of activity in the summer (as well as a lot of fun)… so I suggest leaving the claustrophobic members of the family at home (Yes, you guessed it… hubby stays home!). A great place to start your evening is Nancy’s on the harbor (or another favorite haunt for fast, casual waterfront fare), and then take time to meander along the harbor and across New York Ave… with ice cream in hand, of course! Or wait to grab a cotton candy at The Flying Horses Carousel. The carousel is the nation’s oldest operating platform carousel and a National Historic Landmark. They are open until 10pm every evening in the summer and a ride is only $1.50. After the Flying Horses, you can continue up Circuit Ave. to the Game Room which is open until midnight. Plenty of time to spend all of your quarters!

If you crave something different after a day at the beach, I recommend the Cinema Circus, put on by The Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival every Wednesday in July and August at the Chilmark Community Center. The mission of the Cinema Circus is “to produce family events that engage children with films, discussion, and activities that promote media literacy and community interaction” and they’re FUN! The doors open at 5pm with acrobats, jugglers, and face painting as well as activities and discussions around the film(s) being screened. And then there is always the pizza and popcorn… Admission is $12 for adults and $5 for kids.

The Island Cove Mini Golf is another sure hit for a family evening out! Located on State Rd. (across from Cronig’s grocery store), they are open until 10pm daily during the summer. They offer an adventure themed mini golf course and a 24ft high outdoor climbing wall with three levels of difficulty to accommodate (almost) everyone in the family. Their grill is open for lunch and dinner with relatively inexpensive, casual fare so it is a “one stop shop” for the night… and don’t forget to leave room for the ice cream!

If your kids still crave action at the end of a busy day… check out the Family Dance-O-Rama at Nectar’s on Tuesday nights (they are located at the airport in the old Outerlands location). They have music from 5:30-7:30, so the younger set can boogie and blow off some steam… hopefully winding up very tired and ready for bed! Admission is complimentary, and food is sold there, so it’s another “one stop shop” for dinner and fun (ya gotta love it when they make it that easy!).

Do you have other evening activities that are part of you island summer traditions? Please make a comment. We would love to hear your ideas.

Image courtesy of owlhere.

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Oak Bluffs

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