Delicious bargains
If Islanders look closely they discover that things relinquished during the winter months may be offset by different kinds of benefits. They are sometimes subtle - like a sense of stillness, or basic and more conspicuous - like bargains in local shops and restaurants. Many Island eateries offer specials in the off-season, and if you know where to go you can dine out on a burger or pizza, lobster or prime rib, for up to half the price of the same offering in summer. Following are some of the current dinner bargains in Oak Bluffs and Edgartown.
Offshore Ale
Offshore Ale on Kennebec Avenue in Oak Bluffs has been drawing crowds with their long-standing Monday night two-for-one entrees. You might have to wait for a table, but the crowded, everyone-knows-your-name pub atmosphere makes it fun. Offshore offers steak, seafood, burgers and brick oven specialty pizzas - all that and a giant barrel of peanuts to scoop up as you like. Says business manager Colleen McCarthy, "We see a lot of people we don't see out in the summer. It's a good community feel - a lot of table hopping."
Seasons Eatery & Pub
This Circuit Avenue restaurant in Oak Bluffs entices locals with mid-week specials, featuring different menu items discounted every day. They start off the week with half-price entrees on Monday. Tuesday is $5 Burger Night. On Wednesday, all pasta dishes are marked down to $12.95, and on Thursday you can satisfy a sushi craving and get a 25-percent discount. General manager Mike Santoro notes, "It helps people who are debating whether or not to eat out, to get off that fence and get out of the house."
Ocean View Restaurant
Facing Oak Bluffs Harbor on Chapman Avenue, this local gathering spot has reintroduced a popular midweek lobster special ($16.99, but subject to change) that was last offered eight years ago. They've also added a Saturday night prime rib special for $14.99. Both offerings include potato and salad bar. Says bartender Linda Hammond of the dining deals, "People are loving it. The first lobster night we ordered 40 lobsters and they were gone in an hour. Now we order enough lobsters and keep making more beef so that we don't run out."
Sharky's Cantina
Sharky's Cantinas, on Circuit Avenue in Oak Bluffs and Upper Main Street in Edgartown, have become off-season hot spots for locals, thanks to their reasonably priced food, extensive drink menus, and fun atmosphere. Owner J.B. Blau is appreciative of the local loyalty that has kept the restaurants and his staff busy year-round. He encourages people to join the Sharky's VIP program, only available for sign-up from November to May 1. With a Sharky's card, one can take advantage of year-round discounts, bonus points good towards future purchases, and notification of VIP-only specials. Mr. Blau conceived very creative marketing efforts including text messaging and email blasts announcing special offers, which members seem to enjoy. Says Mr. Blau of one of his motivations for offering the sporadic deals, "There's nothing worse for a restaurant than not turning product. We serve everything fresh."
Lattanzi's
This Edgartown establishment includes a separate brick oven pizzeria next door where you get 20 percent off on dine-in pizzas with a ticket stub from Edgartown Cinemas. The more formal restaurant offers a Friday two-for-one entrée deal on all their Northern Italian specialties. They also feature a Saturday dinner special: $15.99 for prime rib. Cathy Lattanzi says, "Not only is this a way to thank the public for their support, but word of mouth has always been our best advertising."
This sign at David Ryan's in Edgartown tells the story.
Photo by M.C. Wallo
David Ryan's Restaurant and Café
Since Shelly and Bobby O'Neil took over David Ryan's on North Water Street in Edgartown four years ago, they've offered an off-season two-for-one special dinner of your choice on both Friday and Saturday nights.
The Grill on Main
The Grill's owner/chef Tony Saccoccia offers a "Lighter Fare for a Lighter Price" menu at his eatery on Upper Main Street in Edgartown. For between $12 and $15 you can dine on pub type items like four-cheese penne pasta, or braised pork ragout. Says Mr. Saccoccia, "I could see that the trend for midweek was that people like lighter fare." The restaurant also offers a three-course prix fixe menu for $36.
The Wharf
This popular downtown Edgartown restaurant has declared April as a bargain time to dine. Starting Sunday, April 5, from Sunday through Thursday, the Main Street restaurant will offer $19 dinner entrees including homemade soup or salad, from its special menu featuring chicken pesto, grilled shrimp, and scallops carbonara. Also, until the first week of May, The Wharf offers half-price chicken wings from 4 to 6 pm, Monday through Friday.
Henry's Hotel Bar
Located in the Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown, the elegant pub Henry's offers an all-day "Small Plates" menu. Smaller in size as well as price tag than the "Large Plates," they are popular among groups of diners who like to share, or "graze," according to PR person Alex Zullo.
Atria
Opening this weekend, Atria in Edgartown offers two-for-one burgers on Sunday nights. The restaurant opens at 5:30 pm.
Daytime Deals
Waterside Market
On Main Street in Vineyard Haven, Waterside presents their Winter Stimulus Package that includes five items from the café's breakfast and lunch menu for $5 every day.
Zephrus
Located in The Mansion House in Vineyard Haven, Zephrus presents a Main Street Special and Express Lunch including half a salad and half a sandwich with a cup of the soup of the day for $10 for table diners, or $9.50 with a water, apple or cookie to go.
David Ryan's
The Edgartown pub features a rotating selection from their menu for $6 at lunchtime Monday through Thursday - everything from Shepherd's pie (Monday) to spaghetti and meatballs (Wednesday).
Black Dog Cafe
The café on State Road in Tisbury offers breakfast and lunch specials. Early risers can get a breakfast sandwich for 99 cents from 7 to 8 am. For lunch, try a "Pocket Friendly Special," a mini sandwich with soup of the day for $7.
As part of their dynamic, restaurants often add or change specials. We've listed some of the delicious enticements, but encourage readers to contact other Island restaurants to discover their offerings.
Freelance writer Gwyn McAllister is a regular contributor to The Martha's Vineyard Times.
