Cape Cod anniversary-worthy restaurants?

[knunes]

Any suggestions for a really nice restaurant on the Cape, with excellent food and a fairly romantic ambience?
We were married on Cape Cod (Daniel Webster Inn in Sandwich) and have celebrated our wedding anniversary at a nice Cape Cod restaurant each year. I like to go to restaurants that friends have been to and loved, so that I won't risk disappointment. This year is year 19. We stopped "insisting" that it had to be one we hadn't been to (unless it was where were married), a few years ago, when no one had a suggestion. So we have gone to some twice. And tomorrow (we're celebrating a month late this year, as our anniversary was July 19th, but we were going on a vacation the next morning and didn't want to have a "night out" the night before), unless someone on the boards can highly recommend a romantic spot, we may go somewhere for a third time. (I did make a reservation, but will switch it if someone has a strong suggestion.) I thought it would be worth a try to see if someone had a real favorite that they think would fit the bill? Preferably 1/2 hour from Sandwich or less? (Sorry, I should have mentioned that earlier, as some of you probably know great restaurants in Wellfleet, or Orleans, or Provincetown, or Eastham. Since we'll hit Friday night traffic, we'd really like to stay closer to Sandwich, which is where we'll be coming from.)

These are the ones that we've already eaten at, not in any particular order:

Daniel Webster Inn in Sandwich (1st ann., 5th, 7th, and 10th)
Chillingsworth in Brewster (2x)
Christian's in Chatham
The Regatta in Cotuit
Matakeese Wharf in Barnstable
Alberto's in Hyannis
Penguin Sea Grille in Hyannis
Aquagrille in Sandwich
Belfry Bistro in Sandwich (2x)
Abbicci in Yarmouth (2x, and tomorrow might be #3, as it's my favorite of all we've gone to).
The Red Pheasant in Dennis
And once we were in France for our anniversary, which I thought was a good excuse not to eat at the Cape!

[Jsmith82]

I was going to suggest the Red Pheasant, but that is already on your list. My other suggestion is the Cape Sea Grille in Harwich Port. It's been a few years since I was there, but I remember it being very good. Here is their website:

http://www.capeseagrille.com/

[NewMrsG]

Go to The Paddock!

It's in Hyannis - I don't know Cape geography very well, but since you had a Hyannis location on your list I'm guessing that would be close enough for you.

We were just there in July - it looks like it's not a very nice place from the outside, but it's very nice inside and has a really nice ambiance. Excellent food - one of the best meals we've had in a very long time. Great service.

And get a mojito!

[knunes]

Jsmith82,
Thanks for the website. Harwich might be too far for tonight....our friend recommeded a new place there as well, that she described as "chic"---"The Port". Funny that you were going to mention The Red Pheasant. We really enjoyed that.

NewMrs.G,
You're right, Hyannis isn't necessarily TOO far, but for a Friday night, I'm not sure I'll get DH to head over there. We'll see. Mojito noted!
If we do end up going to Abbicci, again, it's not that it's THAT much closer, it's just that we can go 6A rather than 6, which isn't quite as bad and which is at least a pretty ride.

Thanks for responding!

[JA]

I'm sure it's too far for your night out, but I have to say The Brewster Fish House - on rte 6 in Brewster :rolleyes: is a favorite of DH and I. We've even thought of spending a night on the cape just so we can eat there - but that will have to be after summer is over ;)

[HejazSunKat]

If you decide Hyannis isn't too far we have always enjoyed the Roadhouse Cafe. I couldn't find a website for them but here's a review:

http://dinesite.com/info/rstrnt-100603/?&t=319848

It's on one of the streets that runs parallel to the main drag in Hyannis center.

Oops, apparently I'm too late but maybe next year you can check it out. Hope you found a great place to enjoy your anniversary.

[Bob]

I have not been to the Cape in some time. I used to dine at a place named Elizabeth's in Chatham. It was wonderful! They made their own flavored-vodkas which were poured tableside with the ice rings around the bottle with the peppers, lemons, limes, etc. frozen in the ring. Quite impressive! That inspired a lot vodka drinking back in the day.

The food was always excellent. If the place is still there, I would check it out.

[knunes]

JA: I have passed the Brewster Fish House before and always wondered about it. Glad to hear it passes muster? What kind of atmosphere is it? Special occasion? Or Cape casual, stop in after a day at the beach? I've always thought of it as the latter, but have no idea!

Hejazsunkat: Hyannis got nixed by MIL and BIL as "too much traffic to go there on a Friday night", but I'll put that name in my "file". Thanks.

Bob: I have a neighbor whose parents live in Chatham. I'll have to ask them about Elizabeth's. The vodkas sound great!

We did end up repeating Abbicci in Yarmouth, and were not disappointed. Appetizers we shared were: fried calamari.....and a strudel of escargot with some cream, some caramelized fennel and black truffle sauce. The calamari were excellent and the strudel was to DIE for.
For dinner, we ordered two entrees and split. One was the beef tenderloin with a Cabernet demi-glace and some yummy carrots and asparagus and garlic crostini, and a grilled swordfish with bagna cauda (never heard of this "sauce" but it was delicious....it wasn't actually a sauce, but rather a dollop of something delicious), served will grilled zucchini and summer squash. Both entrees were fabulous.
For dessert, we split one: lemon semifreddo, a frozen lemon thing with raspberry sauce drizzled in a beautiful pattern on the plate, with creme anglaise and a few strategically placed blueberries. This dessert was so good but so light, it didn't really feel like we shouldn't have had it after stuffing ourselves!
For wine we ordered glasses of the month's special which was Veramonte '03 Primus, a blend of Carmenere, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. I loved it (and for $10 per glass, I guess I should have!).
When we finished, we thought that perhaps we shouldn't keep trying to find different places and that maybe we should just stick with Abbicci, since it has never disappointed us. We'll see, though, as nothing is set in stone.
Thanks to you all for your ideas!

[JA]

knunes,

Brewster Fish House is a special occasion type of place...not cape casual. I don't think I've ever even seen kids in there!
But the food is outstanding. They do get extremely busy, so it's not a place you can drop by for a quick bite if you're starving.

Glad to hear you had a nice dinner. Sounds delicious - we'll have to check Abbicci out next time we're on the cape!