Mic’s Main Scoop – Buzzards Bay, MA

Hello dear readers! I know it has been quite some time (again) since I’ve been on here but needless to say summer has been fun and soon enough it’ll be back to the grind…tear. This blog post features one of the many amazing meals I had whilst back on Cape Cod and it was at Mic’s Main Scoop.

Tucked way up Cape in Buzzards Bay, nestled back near the Cape Cod Canal sits Mic’s along the newly developed west end of Main Street. They only opened this past May but they’re making leaps and bounds by killing the Instagram game! The white interior and adorable decor makes for the cutest pictures with the monster shakes they highlight. But before the shake, let’s talk about the food!

Yes, Mic’s also serves delicious classic snack staples but they aren’t just firing out basic versions. That kitchen is legit and the prices are right. The lobster roll was one of the best rolls I’ve ever had and equally one of the best priced ones. Seemingly two claws of, and possibly more, lobster meat on a small bed of lettuce with just a drizzle of lemon on a toasted bun. Simple but extremely effective and delicious. All for $23…if you know lobster rolls that’s about ten dollars cheaper than what you find elsewhere and elsewhere has their lobster swimming in mayo…and it’s half the meat. Just sayin’ Mic’s knows where it’s at. PLUS the french fries are nice and crispy but fluffy inside…always a major pro for this gal.

Alright, now to the show stopper and the real reason it’s worth driving off Cape to Buzzards Bay to come here. The Canal Cup Shake. Peanut butter ice cream, chocolate drizzle, peanut butter drizzle, whipped cream, a chocolate wafer, two Reese’s, and a Reese’s decorated cup. If this doesn’t scream Instagram to you, I don’t know what does. Everything about this design and appeal caters to the idea of adding something spectacular, eye catching, and delicious to your social media feed. But aside from the visual appeal, the shake itself was incredibly delicious. Highly recommend getting one and sharing it since it is very rich after all, but you could taste the quality of the ingredients as well as the time that went into crafting the entire ensemble.

Mic’s 1000% worth the drive if you’re down the Cape; make a day of it like we did and plan to lunch here. It’s a great spot for kids, with a playground and running around space behind the store, and there is something on the menu for everyone.

Brine- Eastham, MA

Ah, 2021. Here we are, finally. And we’ve already made it through the first month and…not much seems to have changed. But that’s okay, some things are getting better and we’re still plowing through! Good food always helps with that and today we’re taking a look at Brine on Cape Cod in Eastham.

Boasting global cuisine and offerings from indoor dining to curbside pick up, Brine only just crossed our radar but they’ve been around for three years! Better late than never because this place felt like Rapscallion, Brine is really really good y’all. The menu has an interesting fusion of all different things that are married together and just work.

One thing that I thought was super clever was the menu was actually under the table. Picture it: layer of table then menu layer then glass top layer. I don’t know if this was implemented due to COVID, but I thought it was genius! It was so nice to have the menu right there at all times so you could reference it and with the pandemic the staff doesn’t have to print out paper menus or clean physical ones!

You’re here to learn about the food, BUT bear with me because I just gotta point out the awesome drinks menu! They have a ton of fun mixed drinks and my choice for the night was a delicious cranberry mojito…very Cape Cod. The mint and cranberry worked really well and definitely had a solid kick to it without knocking me out with too much alcohol.

Now to the food! To start, we couldn’t resist the clam fritters and I am so glad we went to that level. These fritters were so crunchy and crispy but biting into them they were fluffy and light. They weren’t chewy either. Lots of flavor and seasoning, definitely a star! Another star was the Brussels sprouts! With an orange balsamic reduction these bad boys were tangy and bright and super crispy as well. Very orange forward, but it was a nice change of acidity pace, since a lot of dishes usually use lemon.

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When looking at a restaurant menu sometimes it can be daunting and overwhelming… you wonder if you’re choosing the right thing. Can a restaurant really produce so many entrees and have each one deliver? I don’t know if we just chose right or what, but we found three spectacular entree dishes.

Lets begin with the scallops. Seared and presented on a corn nage (basically a corn and cream purée) with turnips, bacon, and snap peas this dish was scrumptious! The scallops were cooked perfectly with a nice sear, the corn nage was very creamy and was polenta-esque. The turnips and snap peas added a great crunch. And bacon…nothing wrong with that. The only thing was it could have used a little more salt, but because bacon is already super salty, the chef may have taken it easy and dialled it back.

Entree number two: mushroom ravioli 😍 One word comes to mind – HOMEMADE. That pasta tasted super fresh and the mushrooms were not rubbery and cooked sublimely. But the sherry cream sauce was what really created a sweet union. Highly recommend adding steak!

Speaking of steak, the steak tips entree may sound like the usual cliche steak and potatoes meal, but Brine’s version was drowning in unmistakable yum. First of all the Burgundy steak sauce…I would like to bathe in it. The layer of flavors would reveal themselves and bring a new depth to each bite of steak. The steak itself was, like everything else, cooked perfectly and was juicy and sweet and…sorry just wiping the drool from the keyboard. The only underwhelming part was the potatoes, as they are listed as roasted garlic mashed potatoes but they really didn’t have any flavoring. Maybe it was an off batch, because our server said they were amazing, but either way mashed potatoes and steak go together like Beyoncé and Jay-Z.

Since I mentioned our server, he was super nice and attentive. He checked on us frequently and made our first experience really welcoming. I left thinking “gosh I want to be his friend”. As much as going out is about the food, the overall experience is what can make or break my opinion of a place. It’s hard nowadays to find a bad meal, but a bad experience…

Finally, to close out the night we had to test Brine out and order a dessert. We opted for the carrot cake and it was very very VERY yummy! I mean, look at the hunk of cream cheese frosting on top! The oats also added a nice flavor that complimented the carrot cake. Brine is definitely on our new favorites list and will be someplace we visit often. It felt comfortable, homie, and right and supporting these restaurants is still important nearly a year after COVID really began.

Pearl- Wellfleet, MA

Wellfleet is killing the outdoor dining game! We ventured back, blinders up heading for yet another stop at the Bookstore Restaurant, when we let them down and noticed the deck above this restaurant on a beautiful day overlooking the harbor. We couldn’t ignore our curiosity and decided to dine at Pearl.

Literally just down the street from the Bookstore sits Pearl, right on the curve of Commercial Street at the dock. They have a beautiful deck where you can overlook Duck Creek, which is fed from Wellfleet Harbor. Boasting “an ample selection of beer, wine, and cocktails” and fresh seafood with a view, Pearl also keeps to the historical Cape exterior with a modern twist to it.

When we went, we were still under outdoor dining only orders, but it worked out as it was a gorgeous day begging us to sit outside! What made it better was our service, our waiter was running up and down those stairs delivering food and drinks and working his butt off! In these crazy times it is nice to see hardworking citizens, gaining valuable life experience along the way. Our drinks came quick and our food not long after ordering either.

Local Hog Island Brewery Summer Ale

Amid the restrictions of COVID, Pearl still offers a nice menu of fresh, local classics. We started off with calamari, which had banana peppers, marinara, and lemon pepper aioli. This calamari was nice and crispy, not too heavy on the coating, and cooked beautifully. The aioli was tangy and a little sweet, offering a nice addition and balance to the bite.

One entree we devoured was the South Up North Burger, boasting a mighty 8 ounce beef patty, their house pimento cheese, root beer caramelized onions, and the classic additions of BL&T. The burger was uber juicy with all of the elements melding together nicely for a great bite every time. With that we enjoyed their house chips which were crispy and crunchedy!

The fish tacos were also superb, fresh and lightly fried cod with pico de gallo, baja fish taco sauce, and coleslaw. Again the seafood was heavenly fried, the baja sauce was sharp and added a nice pungent flavor. The bed of coleslaw added a good crunch element, maybe a little mayo heavy, but nice nonetheless. Their french fries were also irresistible, nice and crispy yet fluffy. And if you can’t tell from the pictures all of the portions were generous, as well!

While we may not have embarked on the journey to go to Pearl initially, it ended up being the exact meal we needed. So let’s toast to summer with a cool Hog Island Summer Ale and scrumptious fish tacos to new adventures and the future.

Wellfleet Bookstore and Restaurant- Wellfleet, MA

Well hi there. It’s been a while. I’m sorry it’s been about 4 months since I’ve last posted but you know…it’s a crazy time (unless you’ve been living in denial or under a rock).

But we’re back. And things are opening and starting to go back to normal(ish). So with that being said I WENT TO A RESTAURANT. A REAL LIFE OUTDOOR DINING EXPERIENCE. It’s a place I’ve been to many times and I love it so much…The Bookstore in Wellfleet.

Sitting back in Wellfleet Bay near Mayo Beach is the Bookstore Restaurant. I can remember coming to this area for the playground (currently blocked off) and the nice little beach across the street. With an actual bookstore in the rear, three generations of the same family since 1964 have overseen this spot boasting dishes that “have become classics on the Outer Cape”. In these times, they are lucky to have a downstairs uncovered patio plus two porch like decks downstairs and upstairs (which follows all CDC guidelines for outdoor dining during the coronavirus pandemic).

The view from the top deck looking over the bay. To accommodate guidelines, air flow is a must so at least one screen must be open.

Like I said earlier I’ve been here many times and every time I get the same thing. The Bookstore Reuben (aka Cape Cod Reuben) is a twist on the classic sandwich. Fried cod on grilled marble rye with Swiss cheese and coleslaw…what could be better! The fish is lightly fried and not heavy, the size of the sandwich and fish solid, filling you up to just the right amount of fullness. The coleslaw was plentiful, giving a nice tang and brightness. With a side of fries you are set with this classic Cape Cod delicacy! Pair it with one of the restaurants many house-infused martinis or classic (and accurate!) cocktails! With a couple of different drinks using Twenty Boat Spiced Rum from Truro, I thoroughly enjoyed the Parrot Head – the rum with black raspberry liqueur and pineapple juice. Their Mai Tai is also delicious and true to its original recipe!

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Also pictured and enjoyed was the pan seared scallops with peach risotto. I need to get that risotto recipe! I was not expecting to like it as much as I did, the peaches came in small chunks in the risotto but didn’t make the dish overly sweet. It was well balanced and served with perfectly seared scallops, it was a perfect match!

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I was giddy as could be to be going to sit in a restaurant. These are hard times for everyone, but it certainly means the world to small businesses to have local support. Restaurant prices may be going up, but everyone is working incredibly hard and they’re appreciative and attentive. Our waiter was respectful, hardworking, and accommodating; everything you need during these times. I employ you to keep supporting our restaurants and local shops, especially here on Cape Cod. It’s time to band together and support as best we can.

Stay safe and healthy and be sure to follow me on Instagram, @critiquingcarnivore to see even more content!

Seared Scallops with Corn Summer Salad

Hey there readers! It is summertime which means one thing for this Critiquing Carnivore…Cape Cod! That’s right, as per usual, I’m back on the glorious Cape and serving up some delicious local fare and eating at the best spots. With my newfound inspiration (and obsession) with Bon Appetit Magazine, I have been waiting for moments to recreate some of their seafood recipes. Today, we’re making scallops.

The day we made this recipe my mom and I were sitting on the beach and she mentioned getting seafood for dinner. I love scallops, like yum yes please, so I simply sat there and prayed to the scallop gods that they would be a reasonable price at the fish market. Obviously, it worked! Scallops were bought and I got myself on Bon Appetit’s website.

Chef Carla Lalli Music (@lallimusic) developed this Seared Scallops with Brown Butter and Lemon Pan Sauce recipe and it very quickly became our inspiration! There is a YouTube video on this recipe to follow Carla as she is making the dish, too!

Like I said, this recipe served as inspiration so we tweaked and added some things. First we seared the scallops, we used olive oil while the recipe suggests either that or vegetable. Scallops don’t take that long to cook so keep an eye on how they turn opaque as well as the sear on the top, flat side. Three to four minutes on the first side should do, you’ll only need two on the other.

In our version, we sautéed spinach in the delicious aftermath of the scallops to serve as our base. Spinach is awesome because it works with anything and is so healthy and good for you!

Then we started with the brown butter and lemon sauce. I highly recommend referring to the recipe video for how to cut the lemon membrane. It’s easy once you see it, but the wording can make it a little confusing. When you add it to the brown butter the lemon practically melts and the aroma is spectacular. As you swirl and stir the sauce I recommend lightly pressing the bottom of the spoon you’re using against the lemon bits. This really helped the lemon to dissolve fully in the pan. Instead of capers we used parsley, which Carla suggests as a substitute in the video. If you do go the capers route remember that capers are salty!

Paired with the scallops, we prepared a simple corn, tomato, onion, and cucumber salad. Fresh, light, summery, perfect.

This was a great summer dish, it was so light and bright, the lemon sauce giving so much flavor and acidity. After tasting the sauce, my mom and I immediately agreed this sauce would be fantastic on pork, chicken, anything! The lemon bits really heightened the lemon flavor and it was fun learning a new technique from Carla!

I highly recommend this recipe for the summer! the additions we made elevated the recipe and created more of a cohesive meal rather than just a main dish of scallops so it’s a great time to get inventive and creative in the kitchen yourself! If you’re a lemon fan like me, get to the kitchen and start cutting those lemons! Bon Appetit!

Laurino’s- Brewster, MA

Home. A lot of people think of their family when they think of home. The atmosphere, the people, the food. The same goes for restaurants. Yes, you remember the food if you’ve been to a great place, but many of us also remember the experience we had. Were the waiters/waitresses nice? Did the hostess greet you cheerfully? Were you told a wait time that fit the means of a normal time frame? Those are things that can make or break a restaurant just as much as the food being good or not. Laurino’s checks off everything and does it with love. 

Just off Route 6A sits Laurino’s, a humble and welcoming establishment on Cape Cod. We came here as a second choice actually, after our first choice treated us less than spectacular. We learned our lesson and know to make Laurino’s our first choice. From being greeted with a smile, to delicious food, to seeing hardworking people work together, you feel better knowing your money is going towards a restaurant like that than one with snotty hosts. 

The vibe at Laurino’s is that of home, with fun posters and pictures all around and a community feeling. They welcome all, seeing that we’ve taken my autistic sister here and seeing an autistic boy the night we went. Our waitress was bubbly and happy, exuding vibrant colors that made us feel cheerful and happy to be there. She made our experience amazing and we noticed all the waitstaff helping each other, from running plates to cleaning and turning over tables. True teamwork.

The food, on top of everything else, was superb. The SOB Burger was juicy and delicious, all the ingredients cooked perfectly. The specials that evening made it difficult to decide what to get, but one special that night screamed incredible. Scallops with tortellini in a red pesto sauce was just too good not to get. The tortellini had to have been homemade, with ample filling and tasty pasta. The scallops cooked to perfection, complimenting the tortellini in a delicious sauce that popped with flavor and spice (and everything nice).

From now on Laurino’s is the place, where everyone is welcome to enjoy drinks, food, and company. Ultimately that’s what matters when you go out to eat, not necessarily where everyone else goes, but the place that leaves you feeling bright and your tummy full. 

Orleans Inn Waterfront Dining- Orleans, MA

It’s summertime and that means one thing for this Critiquing Carnivore- Cape Cod. I spend most of my summer up on the Cape, living in Orleans. We have our favorite spots (see my Cape Cod Food Trail post) and I’m surprised at myself that it’s taken me this long to post about The Orleans Inn.

The inn, not only an award winning restaurant but also a beautiful hotel, sits on and overlooks the Orlean Town Cove. It is the quite the view to take in while waiting for your food! The interior of the inn is very classy and the restaurant and grille certainly has the best seating, whether you’re on the deck downstairs or inside upstairs. 

Now onto the food! Again, I’m shocked at myself that it’s taken me this long to write a post on the infamous Lobster Ravioli. This ravioli is the main reason I have my family go to this restaurant. Besides awesome service, a beautiful view, and plenty of other fantastic food the Lobster Ravioli is amazing. Always cooked perfectly filled with lobster meat and sitting on a base of bisque…I always end up licking the plate, no matter if I look classy or not. 

The latest meal I had was the Coquille St. Jacques, which with Google I found to mean or refer to “King scallop”. The dish is described as “a richly savory gratin of scallops and mushrooms broiled to perfection, served with orzo and vegetables”. Now a gratin is a type of culinary technique where an ingredient (scallops) is topped with a browned crust by broiling it using breadcrumbs, grated cheese, egg, and/or butter. This certainly was a true gratin, the scallops topped with cheese and swimming in butter. The dish was quite rich as described and there really was a lot of butter, but the scallops were cooked perfectly and the mushrooms were chopped finely, you hardly noticed them but they are still in there! The orzo served with it was delicious, being served in a tomato type of sauce along with broccoli rabe. 

Orleans Inn is such a beautiful Cape destination, how could you pass up a fantastic dinner with a great view! The food truly is fantastic, no matter what you order you’ll get a delicious meal served with great service and hospitality. You feel at home when you stay here and special when you get a five star meal here, too.

Sesuit Harbor Cafe- Dennis, MA

I think all of my followers can make this conclusion: I love Cape Cod. It’s always been the one constant home in my life. On top of the amazing beaches and atmosphere, the food is amazing (refer to my Cape Cod Food Trail post). 

This visit we decided to try a classic fish shack or ‘cafe’ as they call themselves down in Sesuit Harbor in Dennis, MA. This little place is right on the harbor, having you drive past docked boats and even working fishing vessels. 

To sample all the delicious food, we got a plate of their best fried seafoods: scallops, cod, and clams. Along with that we had to try their lobster roll and clam chowder. 

The lobster roll was pretty good, wasn’t all mayo, but it wasn’t anything memorable. The plate of fried seafood was really good though! The fish was delicious and the scallops were cooked to perfection! And funnily enough the french fries and coleslaw were amazing! If anything I would go back just for the fries, but they are known for their scallops and like I said, they were perfect. 

I highly recommend stopping in Sesuit Harbor for a bite to eat here at this little cafe and the bonus is there is great scenery looking out into Cape Cod Bay!