Enjoy Summer on Cape Cod – Tips from Cape Codders

Traffic:  When a Cape Codder gives advice to their guests the biggest tip is always a tip about traffic. Yes, there is traffic, coming on and off the Cape. But if you are smart, you can deal with it. Don’t try to head on Cape Friday at 5:30 or Sat. at 11:00 AM. And conversely, avoid leaving at 11:00 AM Sat or Sunday at 5:00. Seems obvious…but that is when you get the 2 mile back ups. Have dinner at home…then head over the bridge. Or get up at 5:00 AM. Believe me, that is what those of us that live here do. We plan to avoid the lines. The same strategy applies to grocery shopping and going to the beach. You know what they say about that early bird!  For updates check here:  http://www.capecod.com/newscenter/traffic/

Beaches: There isn’t a bad beach on Cape Cod. It depends what you are looking for. Snack Bar? Playground? Waves? When you stay at one of the InnSeason Resorts Falmouth, you can walk to the beach, and frankly that can NOT be beat.  A complete list of beaches can be found on the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce website. Although, as mentioned, they are all great, we all have some favorites. The Cape Cod National Seashore has beaches that are without question worth the trip.  http://www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/guide-to-beaches.htm  Nauset Light Beach is awesome, as is Nauset Beach. There are waves. Cold Wates and wonderful views. A true Cape experience, plan to make a day of it.

Dining: Where do we start. Everyone has favorites. Sometimes the best place is the one that you can walk to…think British Beer Company or one that you go to every year: Seafood Sam’s because they have the BEST fried clams and onion rings! Sometimes it is that special spot on the water: http://www.capecodtravelguide.com/dine/waterfront-dining. One delightful waterfront spot: The Ocean House, Dennis. Great cocktails, wonderful service, gourmet choices and a waterfront view…but you will need reservations! And people love The Sesuit Harbor Cafe. No reservations, no bar (bring your own), always a line. But awesome lobster rolls!!

 

 

Dining in Falmouth – Osteria La Civetta

While everyone knows that Cape Cod is known for its seafood choices and of course lobster, some of the better known locations are often overlooked.  Over the next few blog posts, we want to introduce you to some of the best that Falmouth (and other parts of the Cape) has to offer when it comes to dining out.

Osteria La Civetta, Main Street Falmouth

Osteria La Civetta is located right on Main Street, Falmouth.  The restaurant offers lunch Wednesday through Saturday and dinner Tuesday through Sunday.  Featuring northeastern Italian food from the Emilia Romagna region, you will find yourself surrounded by dishes made from scratch and individually prepared to order.

Priding themselves on using local and fresh ingredients, the chefs at Osteria La Civetta shop locally and use seasonal products in their dishes.  Because they cook seasonally, the menu often changes depending on the season.  Before booking a reservation, you should check the website and see what is offered on the menu.  Chances are pretty good that no matter what the season, you will find something that you love.

In addition to great food, they offer  a very good selection of Italian wines from all regions of Italy as well as grappas and lemoncellos.  There is also a full bar offering imported beers, mixed drinks, and martinis.

A small restaurant that offers some of the best Italian food south of the North End and north of Federal Hill is not something to be missed.  Next time you are staying in Falmouth, you should consider booking a reservation for this hidden gem on Main Street in Falmouth. Your taste buds will thank you.

Happy Mother’s Day

MUSIC AND MORE: TRIPPING LILY

March 17

Cape Cod Museum of Art, 60 Hope Lane, off Route 6A, Dennis

508-385-4477 ext. 15

Website: www.ccmoa.org

2:30p.m. – 3:30p.m.

This young quartet might be described as a string band with pop music sensibilities – or, perhaps, a cutting-edge vocal quartet with acoustic instruments. Tripping Lily features Monica Rizzio (fiddle/ukulele/piano/vocals), Alex Becrelis (mandolin/guitar/washboard-/vocals), Demetrius Becrelis (guitar/ukulele/mandolin/vocals) and Laird Boles (stringed bass). Last year, the group won two Independent Music Awards – for Best Folk Record and Best Acoustic Song. They’ve made guest appearances in pops concerts with Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra and have appeared on the Showtime series “The Big C.”Tickets: $12.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARTY AT LIAM MAGUIRE’S IRISH PUB & RESTAURANT

March 17

Liam Maguire’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, 273 Main Street, Falmouth

508-548-0285

Wear something green and come down for the BEST DAY OF THE YEAR at Liam’s!!! Joining us on-stage will be Danny Quinn, Bob & Kat, Rossacroo-Na-Loo and of course, Liam, Himself! There will be bagpipers here and there too… all this for only a $5 cover charge to benefit a local non-profit organization! Get here early to avoid the line- festivities begin at Noon!

YARMOUTH SPRING POTTERY MARKET

March 16 & 17

Cultural Center of Cape Cod, 307 Old Main St., South Yarmouth
508-394-7100

Website: www.cultural-center.org

Saturday: 10a.m. – 5p.m., Sunday: 12p.m. – 4p.m.

Come join us for a show and sale of pottery from some of the finest potters on Cape Cod.

PLIMOTH PLANTATION PRESENTS: OPENING DAY

March 16

Plimoth Plantation, 137 Warren Ave, Plymouth

508-746-1622 EXT. 8365

Website: www.plimoth.org

9a.m. – 5p.m.

Parade: 9a.m.

As Plimoth Plantation opens for another season of fun, ewe and the kids are invited to join Museum staff for our annual salute to spring with a celebratory walk and “Rare Breeds Animal Parade” from the Henry Hornblower II Visitor Center to the 17th Century English Village. Join us as we escort our four-legged and feathered friends to their “home away from home” for the 2013 season. Families are encouraged to create and bring signs to carry in the parade, welcoming our animals home. This event is FREE to Museum members and is included with Museum admission. Get up close with rare breeds including goats, sheep, chickens and cows and meet our newest pack of baby animals! Admission: Adults:  $25.50, Children (6-12): $15, Seniors: $23

WOODS HOLE THEATER COMPANY PRESENTS: “NEXT” AND “NORTH OF PROVIDENCE”

March 14-16, 21-23, 28-30

Woods Hole Community Hall, 68 Water Street,  Woods Hole

508-540-6525

Website: www.woodsholetheater.org

8p.m.

The Woods Hole Theater Company, a non-profit, tax-exempt organization, has been in residence in the village of Woods Hole, MA since 1974. Its purpose is to engage in and promote the cultural growth of the community of Woods Hole and vicinity. The two plays are short plays diected by Tom Lyons. “Next” is a comedy about a middle-aged man who mistakenly receives a draft notice and must report for a physical. While, “North of Providence” is a play about a domestic crisis with a surprising conclusion. Tickets: $15, half-price opening night

BOSTON FLOWER AND GARDEN SHOW

March 15 – 17

Seaport World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Boulevard, Boston, MA

617-385-5000

Website: http://www.bostonflowershow.com/

Friday: 10a.m. – 9p.m., Saturday: 9a.m. – 9p.m., Sunday: 9a.m. – 6p.m.

The Boston Flower & Garden Show returns to the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston! The theme – Seeds of Change – will showcase how the region’s best green thumbs are fearlessly embracing new plants, methods and materials to increase the beauty, the bountiful harvest and the ecological friendliness of their gardens and outdoor spaces. Set to the backdrop of spectacular garden displays by cutting-edge landscape professionals and area nurseries, the 2013 Boston Flower & Garden Show features hours of lectures and demonstrations by top garden writers, industry experts and creative local chefs, shop from a wide marketplace featuring thousands of plants and hundreds of the newest gardening products, and new special events designed to illustrate the changing landscape of gardening. Tickets: Adults/ $20, Children/ $10.

CAPE COD ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

March 9

Route 28, West Dennis to South Yarmouth

11a.m.

Come enjoy the Annual Cape Cod St. Patrick’s Day Parade! The parade will start at the Corner of School Street (West Dennis) and proceeds West on Route 28 ending at the Forest Road and Route 28 intersection in South Yarmouth (at the Our Lady of the Highway Church).