It’s the one restaurant in Edgartown where you don’t have to worry about parking, because it’s not located in downtown Edgartown, but at the Right Fork. In its own safe haven, the Right Fork Diner is known for its breakfast and lunch menus, but a less known fact is that they have been serving dinner for the past four years, maybe more quietly but equally as deliciously.
Jamie Langley, owner of this family-favorite restaurant, sat down with me to chat about all things food, while explaining how Right Fork is more than just a restaurant, it’s a destination. “Families come to Right Fork not only for the good food, but for the entertainment of the biplanes taking off. Kids and adults alike love seeing the action,” said Ms. Langley.
The dinner menu has a couple of appetizers (salads and soups), but their main focus is the entrées. Tempting items like Grilled Cauliflower Steak, Roasted Whole Bronzino, Lobster Carbonara, Steak Frites, and more grace the menu.
The Grilled Cauliflower Steak is a vegetarian’s dream, and a nice departure from the predictable veggie offerings; it’s a spicy, blackened half-cauliflower head, served with a unique sweet corn and barley risotto and a lovely green onion pesto.
Now, if you’re visiting New England from a landlocked state, seafood is the way to go here, and their Lobster Carbonara does not disappoint, especially at a modest $26. Fresh spring peas, asparagus, applewood smoked ham, and sweet lobster meat are all served in a luscious pecorino cream sauce.
And of course, there is something for the meat eaters. Their Grilled Pork Chop is mustard- and herb-crusted, and served with a creamy polenta and a bright peach salsa. The fresh peaches complemented the pork in a way that made me come back for more. There are also the Steak Frites, which feature a grilled flatiron, salsa verde, fries, and black pepper aioli.
Chef Katherine Erwin strives to support businesses and utilize Island resources as much as possible. Some of the best examples of her commitment are their desserts, created one town over by Cakes by Liz, and their gorgeous bread, sourced from Cape Cod’s premiers breadmakers, Pain d’Avignon. Additionally, all their produce is either sourced on-Island or from close-by New England farms.
Another relatively unknown fact about Right Fork Diner is that they serve beer and wine. While the selection is small compared with some of Edgartown’s other wine lists, it showcases just what you’d like to drink on Katama Airfield: Bad Martha Ale, Cisco Sankaty Light, Curator Chardonnay, or a SoCo Creamy Frappe for those nonalcoholic cravings.
Like Ms. Langley said, Right Fork is a family favorite, and offers a kid’s menu of chicken tenders, hot dogs, and grilled cheese, tasty bites for the little ones to enjoy while watching the planes take off.
Right Fork Diner is located on 12 Mattakesett Way in Edgartown, and can be reached at 508-627-5522. Dinner is served from 5 to 9 pm, seven nights a week during the season. Traditionally Sunday nights are BBQ nights, created by Everett Whiting of Local Smoke. For more information, visit rightforkdiner.com, follow them on Twitter at @RightForkDiner or like them on Facebook at facebook.com/rightforkdiner.