Have you heard? Chef Ben DeForest, best known for his restaurant Red Cat Kitchen at Ken ‘n’ Beck in Oak Bluffs, will now be walking across the alley to the Ritz to cook. The new culinary collaboration began last week, and will continue through the fall/winter season.
Jacqueline Stallings, co-owner of the Ritz, expressed her excitement at having Ben in the kitchen. “The menu is more working-class sampler, with hearty comfort-food dishes, but with Ben’s amazing flair,” she says, and while perusing the new menu, we couldn’t agree more. Sunday brunch has also taken off, and the Eggs Benedict looks like a good enough reason to get out of bed on a chilly Sunday morning. Also, be on the lookout for their daily Blue Plate Special, always $10. An earlier special this week featured BBQ Chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Here’s a snapshot of the daily menu selections from the Ritz:
The Best Creamy Tomato Soup you’ve had and Buttered Ritz Crackers… $7
Stewart’s Littleneck Chowder and Portuguese Sweet Bread… $9
Codfish Cakes and homemade Tarter Sauce… $11
Macaroni & Cheese, Griddled Ham Steak and You… $12
Grilled Cheese on White Bread… $6
Croque Monsieur (It’s a hot ham and cheese basically)… $12
Two Meatballs, the Sauce, and Garlic Bread… $11
Daily Tacos… $9
Tater Tots… $5
The Caesar Salad I never wanted to make… $9
“White Trash” Cheeseburgers (Balance circa 1999) now at the Ritz with the same reliable burger… $14
Chicken and Dumplings… $12
Steak Tartare and Deviled Eggs… $11
Hot Dogs and House-Made Pickles… $8
Smoked Bluefish, Preserved Lemon and Toast… $9
Today’s Blue Plate, $10 every day, just ask.
So this is definitely something to look forward to this off-season. Stay tuned for more updates coming soon.
P.S. We also hear Erica McCarron (a.k.a. Tiny Baker), the Red Cat and Mocha Mott’s pastry chef, will be baking desserts at the Ritz as well. Sweet endings indeed!
