This week, President Barack Obama and his family are flying into Martha’s Vineyard for their summer vacation. And while I know Mr. President will be playing many rounds of golf in Edgartown while Michelle and the girls window shop in Vineyard Haven, I have some foodie date night suggestions for them while on Martha’s Vineyard, MA.
Date Night #1: Detente
Run, don’t walk, to Detente located on Nevin Square in Edgartown and be prepared to have the best salad of your life, Mr. President. Their summer salad of ripe peaches with melted Taleggio cheese and a salad of arugula is bound to convert anyone into a salad lover. And if you’re watching your date night budget, here’s a little secret: from 5:30pm to 6pm, Detente has 1/2 off the entire menu if you sit at the bar!
Date Night #2: Atria
If you’re looking for the best calamari on island, fear not because I know exactly where you can get it. Atria is located on Main Street in Edgartown and serves up the most tender calamari. It’s soaked in buttermilk from the moment it’s caught until the moment it is served to you, imagine that! Served alongside a small salad of green and a spicy mayonnaise, it’s a good start to any meal. Are the Obama’s burger lovers? Then they need to give the burger menu at Atria a try – I’ve tasted them all and can attest they are all sublime burger experiences.
Date Night #3: The Grill on Main
A casual night on the town and all you are looking for is a quick bite to eat? Suddenly craving fried chicken and have no clue where to find it on this small New England island? Look no further than The Grill on Main for the best, the crispiest, the most flavorful Louisiana Style Chicken Wings. They’ve also opened up a new patio area, so enjoy them outdoors while people watching.
Date Night #4: The Port Hunter
I’m wondering what type of cocktail is Michelle Obama’s favorite? Is she a gin drinker or a wine connoisseur? Does she love a splash of rum in her beverages or does she stick to mocktails? Whatever the situation may be, a stop by The Port Hunter will cater to her every need, specially in the cocktail department. They bar is stocked with some amazing ingredients and the creative drinks they come up with are said to be some of the best on island. But don’t stop there – the restaurant is known for its sustainability efforts and its daily menu showcases fresh caught seafood, fish, and local produce and meats. Plus, if you love Clam Chowder, theirs is made to order and is delicious.
Date Night #5: Lola’s
Tired of all the clam chowder and raw oysters while on vacation on Martha’s Vineyard? Head to Lola’s in Oak Bluffs and indulge in authentic and creative Southern cooking from New Orleans. Our favorite when we visited was their Shrimp and Grits served with a tobacco butter sauce – flavorful, different, and the restaurant is perfect for big families (or lots of secret service agents!)
Date Night #6: The Atlantic Fish & Chophouse
I always recommend The Atlantic if you’re sticking to a budget because they have the best deal on Martha’s Vineyard for lunch: tomato bisque and a three-cheese grilled cheese for $9 (which for island prices is CHEAP!). But if budget traveling is not your thing, make sure to indulge in their Lobster Mac & Cheese, a decadent entree that screams New England cuisine. Drowned in a velvety, cheesy sauce and packed with more lobster than elbow noodles, this is a must not miss dish on island.
Date Night #7: Alchemy
Their food and word of mouth speaks for itself, since it’s always packed. Their Chicken and Waffle dish is spicy, sweet, salty, and delicious, all in one bite. A mascarpone waffle serves as the base for crispy chicken drowned in a voodoo spicy sauce. Seriously, Alchemy makes magic in the kitchen.
Date Night #8: Beetlebung Lounge
A recent addition to the restaurant and bar scene in the town of Oak Bluffs, Beetlebung Lounge is now our go to place for when we’re craving ethnic Asian cuisines. I’m curious to find out if the Obamas have a favorite Asian cuisine or meal? Are they curry lovers or do they stick to cleaner flavors like those found in Japanese cookery? While I find that out, you need to head on over there and try their summer rolls and their Eastern Soup tasting – your senses will be awaken! Oh and their cocktail menu – extremely creative, so give it a whirl!
Date Night #9: The Lure Restaurant
Located on-site at the Winnetu Oceanside Resort, the Lure Restaurant is the place to go for the best lobster pot pie you’ll ever have. Creamy, rich, with plenty of fresh lobster in the mix and topped with a light and airy puff pastry square, this pot pie is unlike any other. The view at The Lure also is an attraction, plus if you have reservations at the restaurant, you can catch a water taxi leaving from Edgartown Harbor to take you to your date night. A fun thing to do on a gorgeous night!
Date Night #10: Water Street Restaurant
No date night is complete without a variety of desserts and for that I recommend you skip dessert anywhere else and head over to The Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown, which houses the Water Street Restaurant. Sure, the food at the restaurant is fantastic, but the desserts here are out of this world. Chef Nikolas Mastalerz is the genius behind the gorgeously intricate desserts that will make your night memorable. Quick tip: Every Sunday morning starting at 10am, Chef Mastalerz sells designer doughnuts out of the side door of the restaurant, so be sure to wake up early on Sundays and grab one before they are gone!
Do you have any suggestions on where the Obamas should go on date nights while on Martha’s Vineyard? Leave a comment below and if I run into them on island, I’ll be sure to let them know!
Nooooooo why you making me so hungry?! Amazing looking food. Just stunning!
I’d go solo to eat some of those dishes. Great suggestions and that fried chicken has my name written all over it. A friend of mine just spent a weekend there and it looks like such a nice spot. Crazily enough, I love these kinds of places in the winter when there is less people and cold weather, call me weird, it’s my thing.
Oh my gosh, now I want to go on a million date nights on the Vineyard. Bookmarking this for the future!!
Loved the choices, Marnely. My Mom and Dad loved vacationing on Martha’s Vineyard for many years and Lola’s was one of their favorite places. The photos are fabulous, too – especially love 4 and 6….beautiful and can’t wait to try any one of these on our next visit.
This is such a great post! Now I must go to Martha’s as soon as possible!
My mouth is watering reading this line-up of fabulous dining places. I’ve tried a few of them. You probably already know Atria is our favorite spot! I’ll be bookmarking this for our trip to MV in October!
Cheers,
xo
P
Oh my these are all fantastic. It is too early for me to want to eat the all. I have to say I love the peaches and taleggio. I’ve had pears and taleggio but peaches sound like the perfect summer combination.