It happens every year, when winter morphs into spring: the new season is heralded by peeping pinkletinks, chirping cardinals, familiar faces emerging out of hibernation, and the much anticipated reopening of favorite shops and restaurants.
Beginning in the late March, Islanders have new options for dining and shopping every week until suddenly it’s July and the Island is in full swing. These last weeks of downtime before the summer crowds and onerous workloads appear are perfect for getting out and seeing what’s new and what’s back for the season.
Edgartown
Among the Flowers opened for breakfast and lunch on April 14, serving farm fresh eggs and lunch specials like the grilled shrimp fajita wrap with peppers, onions, avocado, cheddar, sour cream, and homemade salsa in a wrap. They will start serving dinner in July. For more information or reservations, call 508-627-3233.
Detente is back on May 3. In addition to their regular menu they will also offer a five-course chef tasting menu. Visit detentemv.com or call 508-627 8810.
A new favorite from last year, Black Sheep/Trio, will open on May 18 serving a spring-inspired lunch menu Tuesday through Sunday. Black Sheep’s nighttime persona, Trio, the wine bar, opens on May 24 on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Trio has added more seating with a new counter overlooking tree-lined North Summer Street and a community table. They will accept reservations, which should decrease the elbow throwing attempts at getting a table on Saturday night. Contact them at 508-939-4082 or visit them on Facebook for information and some very tempting photos of cheese.
The Atlantic Fish and Chop House has been open for a few weeks now, serving lunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday. In May they will serve a late-night menu and feature live entertainment. Visit atlanticmv.com or call 508-627-7001.
Stay tuned for more information about new openings in Edgartown, such as the former David Ryan’s at 11 North Water Street, Bryan MacPhail’s Scoop Shack on Dock Street, and Patrick Courtney’s space on Main Street. Perhaps coincidentally or maybe as an appropriate nod to the former occupants of 55 Main Street (In the Woods), everything, from the bar to tables, in Mr. Courtney’s new restaurant is being handmade on the Vineyard or in Maine.
Oak Bluffs
One of the first signs of spring in Oak Bluffs is the opening of the Coop de Ville. They have been open for a couple of weeks now, and luckily there have been plenty of sunny days to enjoy it. Visit them on Facebook for deals, promotions, and lots of ways to tempt you to the harbor or call 508-693-3420 for more information.
Other harbor favorites such as Nancy’s, Fishbones, the Sand Bar, and Lobsterville are holding out a little longer, but we’ll see them in mid to late May.
Giordano’s will open the Clam Bar and Pizza Room on April 26, and the main dining room on Memorial Day. For more information: giosmv.com or 508-693-0184.
Pirate Jack’s Burger Shack (formerly O-Sun) is looking forward to opening in the next two weeks. Check them out on Facebook.
Greer and Christian Thornton, of Atria, will open their new venture, Hooked, on May 25. Formerly Lola’s, Hooked will be an Island fish house with nightly entertainment. Visit them on Facebook or call 508-693-6093.
Up Island
Up Island welcomes back the Chilmark Tavern, The Galley, and The Bite later in May, while Larsen’s opens on April 26. For more information, call 508-645-2680.
Beetlebung Coffee House joins the Menemsha crew this season, opening on May 1 where the Menemsha Café used to be. After seven years on Beach Road in Vineyard Haven, the move up Island allows owners Renee and John Molinari to combine their retail store with the coffee house.
In Aquinnah, Faith’s Seafood Shack is open, with a new chef, Jay Taylor, former personal chef on a mega yacht. Everything is made from scratch on their pre-summer menu, including the housemade clam chowder, stuffed quahogs, crab cake sandwich, meatball sub, and pearl hot dog platter served with Boston baked beans and brown bread. The full menu, sushi bar, and raw bar will be available starting June 1. Visit them on Facebook, at faithsseafoodshack.com, or call 508-645-4080. The Dream Catcher and Aquinnah Shop’s opening days should be right around the corner.
Stay tuned next week for more information about new (and old) restaurant openings Island-wide.
