I'm baffled at the ratings here on Yelp for this place, it is totally undeservedly-low. It took me…read morea long time to get around to reviewing but I wanted to make sure I got it done (was too busy vacationing to do it at the time). But, wow, this place was beyond fantastic.
For starters the atmosphere and location was spectacular. In fairness, Martha's Vineyard is a nice backdrop regardless, but still. Right by the water, and they have their own parking, so unlike many other fine dining on the island, you'll not have worry about a place to stick your car. We sat outside, and it was clean and comfortable.
The service was great. The server had mercy on our being utter newbs to the local fishery, he had a great sense of humor. I wish I could remember his name, but they were all friendly, so maybe it doesn't matter.
I got a very small portion of oysters on the half shell, just to be sure I have at least a taste. Being from north Texas, I'm not used to having them so amazingly fresh but even options of kinds of oyster! I got the spearpoint oysters because the server said they were harvested the nearest to where we sat, literally like right off the water there. And I know I will probably not live long enough to ever taste oysters as delicious as these were. They. Were. FANTASTIC! And I'm not even some sort of connoisseur of oysters, but I did grow up on the Gulf of MEXICO so I suppose I've had the best we can get from there at least. Like a nerd, I just got 3 count. But they were unforgettable. They were ice cold and the mild saltiness of the encased water tasted like it must have literally been a bit of Atlantic ocean water, but in a good way. The side condiments went with perfectly... just perfection.
Oh, and we also got the appetizer cornbread alongside the oysters, and it was sweet and flawless in a hot little iron skillet, with a saucer of smooth butter.
I got the Grilled Swordfish (see pics) and wifey got Lobster Cobb. Both were fresh beyond anything we may have ever had in our lives.
What we noticed in terms of the use of seasoning that is so different from what we're used to is since the seafood was so fresh the use of seasoning in general is very light, and the reason becomes clear. We're used to seafood being basically overly-seasoned in order to make up for less-than-remarkable seafood, perhaps less fresh, or worse, frozen. But here? The seafood is so delicious and was swimming in the ocean so recently that there's no need for burying it under a blanket of over-compensating flavors. The fish and lobster was delicious all on it's own. Now, that's not to say they didn't masterfully prepare this, oh no, the seafood and side dishes were magnificently made. This was especially true with the crabcake wifey got (wish I got a pic first). Southern cajun style Gulf crabcakes are often so overly seasoned and salty that the crab itself ends up an afterthought. But the crabcake here was like "hello, I'm what actual crab actually tastes like, nice to finally meet you." I should have taken a minute to yell into the kitchen a huge "thank you"!
I wish we had more time to linger and drink in the moment, but we sure enjoyed our visit, and would LOVE to return anytime we're ever so lucky as to be back to the island. And I cannot recommend this place enough.