Good Taste : Where the chefs - and owners - eat
By Eleni Collins
Published: October 1, 2009
You may not think it possible, but restaurant chefs and owners occasionally get the night off. Where do they eat? Here are a few answers.
MV Times file photoJosh and Angela Aronie, husband and wife owners of Menemsha Café, favor Lure in Katama for a dinner out. "They have a great wine list and we enjoy the steak frites," says Josh. And he reminds customers that Menemsha Café is still open seven days a week, as well as four nights.
Will Coogan, owner of The Wharf in Edgartown likes to eat up the street at Alchemy, which is managed by his brother-in-law, Anthony Carestia. In turn, Anthony eats at The Wharf when he has a night off. In addition to the food, they both enjoy the wine lists at each other's restaurants.
Other fans of Alchemy are Mary and Jackson Kenworth, owners of State Road Restaurant. They both like the lamb gyros.
When chef Robert Lionette is not working in the kitchen at Zephrus (above)... ...he's at the counter at the ArtCliff Diner, ordering green eggs and ham. Photo by Lynn Christoffers Jill and Bob Jackson are the owners of the Plane View at the Airport, which is open daily for breakfast and lunch. When not working, Jill frequents Offshore Ale Co. in the winter. During the summer, it's The Lookout for sushi, and Farm Neck Cafe.
On Robert Lionette's one night off, the Zephrus chef cooks a traditional family meal at his home with his wife and five-year-old son. However, every Wednesday during the summer, Robert and his son go to State Road Restaurant for breakfast pastries, then the West Tisbury Farmer's Market for egg rolls, spring rolls, or something tasty from Orange Peel Bakery. His other favorite breakfast spot is the ArtCliff Diner in Vineyard Haven, where his wife works. He loves sitting at the counter and often orders Green Eggs and Ham.
Black Dog Tavern manager Jim Williston frequently dines out with Black Dog Tavern chefs and food and beverage purveyors. They like Edgartown's Atria for both bar and dining room atmospheres, and Détente for its always-changing menu.
AJ Black, chef and owner of Il Tesoro at the Terrace in Edgartown (formerly The Catch at the Terrace), takes advantage of fresh seafood and goes to Larsen's Fish Market in Menemsha for lunch or to buy fish. Currently, AJ is running a "Roman Holiday" special. For every entrée purchased, receive a free second entrée of equal or lesser value.
