Good Taste: Blue Canoe and Lure Grill

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Partygoers spilled out onto the porch during opening night at Blue Canoe. — File photo by Susan Safford

On Wednesday evening, April 14, Blue Canoe celebrated the start of the season with an opening party for friends and regulars. The Vineyard Haven harborside restaurant was filled from 6 pm on. Dr. Peter Laursen of Vineyard Haven was there with his camera and his son Chris, while daughter Emily worked the party. Doug and Amy Reece of Oak Bluffs were there with their daughter Lily Lubin, as was Scott Smith, executive director of and instructor at Vineyard Youth Tennis.The crowd gathered upstairs and down, around a platter of crackers with house-made hummus and eggplant goat cheese, one of the restaurant’s appetizers. Servers passed miniature versions of starters, main courses, and desserts such as New England Crab Cakes with homemade pickled vegetables with a horseradish aioli; Honey Whiskey Brined Pork Loin, which was served as a slider with a slice of cheese; Parmesan Encrusted Risotto Fritters; House Made Éclairs, and Strawberry Shortcakes. In its second year, Blue Canoe strives to use local farms and organic ingredients as often as possible. Their two fish specials change daily depending on what’s caught. Meals range from $14 (BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich with melted cheddar cheese and bacon on a brioche bun) to $35 (a 10 oz. Filet Mignon with garlic smashed red bliss potatoes, broccoli rabe in a red wine demi-glacé). Spring hours are Thursdays through Mondays, starting at 5:30 pm.Wine, dine, and recline at LureLure Grill in Katama’s Winnetu Oceanside Resort opens this Friday, April 23. Their spring hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 6 to 9 pm. Starting next week, Winnetu begins its Lure Islander Special. Any Island resident who has dinner at Lure Grill on Wednesdays and Thursdays between April 28 and June 10, or on Fridays between April 30 and May 21, stays for free in a one-bedroom suite. A purchase of two adult entrees is required, and some blackout dates apply. Or, get a $100 gift certificate if you refer someone to the resort who stays for three nights or more between June 6 and September 16. For more information, call 866-335-1133 or visit winnetu.com.