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Abba
Category: Restaurants Mediterranean Mediterranean [Edit]
89 Old Colony WayOrleans, MA 02653
(508) 255-8144
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Upscale, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
35 reviews for Abba
Review Highlights
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"sticky black rice pudding - heaven on earth." In 5 reviews -
"but the grilled foie gras with lentils was rich and..." In 3 reviews -
"No trip to the Cape is complete without a meal at Abba." In 18 reviews
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35 reviews in English
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Review from Jim N.
1/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Abba is good. Abba is real good actually.
If there's anything that maybe put a bit of a sour taste in my mouth about the place is that it's small. The place is a renovated cottage of sorts.... half the place is taken up by a bar, leaving maybe, thirty tables.
Thirty very closely packed in tables.
On our anniversary, my wife and I had made reservations (I advise you do the same, they were packed even at 8pm) and were given a corner table next to a really drunk foursome of old people. I had spittle hitting me from one of the guffawing old men.
But the service makes up for it... at one point (being seated under a ceiling speaker) the leftover holiday music was blasting to be heard over the noise of the restaurant. Once the overall din dissipated the music was overbearing. One of the waitresses must have seen the look I shot to my wife, because shortly after the music was turned back down to an enjoyable level.
Ahh, the joys of getting old.
Aesthetics aside, the service is top-notch (as mentioned), food came out at just the right times and we were given plenty of info on the menu.
However, I would've liked to have seen the half-shell oysters served with a hot sauce or mole? But I might be asking for too much.
My steak was expertly grilled (flame licked), and the potatoes and asparagus were both al dente. I couldn't ask for a better gastronomical experience.
Deserts were also.... pretty much amazing. Thinking back to that almond cake with chocolate ganache makes my stomach growl with longing.
Abba is totally worth whatever crap you have to put up with to eat here... this is probably the best restaurant on Cape Cod.Listed in: Hot Spots
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Review from Cate M.
Pelham, NH
4/25/2012
Word to the wise, unless you want to turn off half your potential customer base, it's not wise for a business to place political signs on their property.
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Review from Hilary H.
10/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
Abba is probably the best restaurant in Orleans, if not the lower Cape. I love coming here with my family, ordering a great bottle of wine and sharing the wonderfully creative and delicious plates of food among all of us.
It's a pretty small space, but what do you expect from a place that was once a cottage? They do what they can with the interior to maintain the comfortable, homey feel and it pays off - the space is intimate but allows for privacy, and I like that.
Whenever any one asks me where to get my parents a gift certificate for, I say Abba. The menu changes often, but I can honestly say I've never had a bad thing here. A stand-out was lamb with lentils, but I've had plenty of seafood here, too. I've never been disappointed.
The location is great, too -just a little off of the beaten path of Main Street, but still in Orleans Center just near Route 6. -
Review from Marc K.
Havertown, PA
9/7/2011
One of the best restaurants on the Cape. Third time returning there as part of our annual tradition. I really cannot get enough of the lobster pad thai. Please, sir, may I have another?
The black rice pudding was quite good but not nearly as good as the chocolate almond mousse thingy that my wife had. Yum. -
Review from Jana S.
4/19/2011 12 photos
My dinner at "Daddy's" was definitely memorable!
3.7 stars.. not quite deserving of a full 4, but special enough to stray away from 3. *i'm a complicated gal, ain't i?*
Not off the main road in Orleans, one wouldn't know that great food lurks along an old country road, housed inside of an unassuming redone old house with a warm glow and nice touches of its interior, yet with barely enough room for all the patrons, staff, and chef to fit!!!
Welcome to Abba, with high quality fare and a dining experience refined, albeit a bit squished.to be comfortable. some call it cozy... I thought it a very snug fit. Just watching the servers tromp up/down the narrow stairs (yes folks, the kitchen is in the basement! as is the coat check!) precisely where guests enter into the joint is a tiny bit disconcerting, I shall not lie.
With a full day at the Cape Cod National Seashore, we thought we'd take a stab and called in Provincetown to see whether there were any openings for dinner that evening... ah yes.. but ONE! 2030 available... Sure! we'll take it!!!!
Drive down and make it with 15 minutes to spare.. enter the aforementioned house/restaurant and was asked to wait outside...there simply wasn't any space to wait. Small bar was full...that was a turn-off.. for certain.
Not that MA was snowing at this time of the year, but nippy and crisp were apropos adjectives! I was determined to go for a brisk walk in the dark and check out what other restaurants were nearby (answer: not any that were noteworthy).
We ordered up a feast... a house bottle of chianti (pretty darn good!) accompanied for starters:
the half dozen on the shell Wellfleet oysters (yes, again), so well known around here, shrimp, mussels, scallops...the oysters were supremely fresh, really great taste and buoyancy... we all loved very much. Scallops were small, lackluster for me.
For entrees:
Berkshire pork 28
Filet mignon 34
Rack of lamb 34
Special lobster pad thai 22?
Service was just OK. Having experienced very cheerful attention and glad dispositions from other high-end restaurants, it just wasn't here. Our server was doing a fine job, but didn't have any personal touch..
2 entrees were fab... the pork, fall-off-the-bone smackalicious and silly as well as the rack of lamb.. cooked perfectly.
My pepper-crusted filet mignon was seasoned by one heavy-handed pepper eye and the muscle was... erm.. .too dense.. not enough velvety softness that is expected in a quality cut like a filet. We all tasted it and agreed with the majority of reviewers.. skip the filet mignon. I think this place purchases an inferior cut or something...
Apparently the sous is Thai? but the pad thai prepared was not special for us, who are so accustomed to well-cooked Asian food of any type. Pass on that as well...
$220+ later, my extremely generous brother footed the tab and we all rolled out to our car to head back to Brewster. Probably one of the finer establishments in the area.. if only they could have a larger place. -
Review from Glen D.
Arlington, MA
7/1/2011
First tried this place in 2009 after a disappointing weekend whose details are irrelevant - the thing you need to know is that our chance meal here was one of the best we'd had on the cape, and completely perked us up. The ginger martini was simply wonderful, as was the lobster pad thai. We sat at the bar, and the bartender was engaging, attentive, and added a lot to our experience. We loved the ambiance of the intimate space, and the fact that they were kind enough to squeeze us in really early (we didn't have reservations) on a packed night points towards a caring staff.
Returned the following year as our first meal on the way out to a mid-week getaway in Truro, and it was even better! Alas, I don't remember all the details (note to self - Yelp immediately afterwards, do not pass Go), but it started with perfectly poured cocktails (the ginger one again and a delicious whiskey concoction), moved through scallops and a luscious spiced duck, and ended with a black rice pudding that was nicely balanced between sweet and hearty.
It's not cheap - but the food rivals that of the really great Boston places, and the experience makes it totally worth it. Looking forward to visiting again this year, and glad Abba has become a must-do part of our cape travels! -
Review from Ellysa C.
State College, PA
6/2/2011
What we had:
Mussels
Foie gras w warm lentils
Pan seared scallops w gnocchi
Lobster shrimp pad thai
Black rice pudding w pineapple
Vanilla creme caramel w rhubarb
Tiramisu martini
All amazing and beautifully presented w exquisite service. Try the foie gras--you won't be disappointed! -
Review from Margo V.
Hyannis Port, MA
1/5/2012
So I've heard all these wonderful things about this restaurant and so I went. It was just after Christmas. The place was freezing, but not busy. There were maybe 10 tables filled. I know it was mid-week, but the server was kind of cold, uninterested. The prices are HIGH. I mean, the food was great, but the prices were downright pretentious. Beautifully prepared, yes. Proper servings, yes. Nice menu, yes. Nice atmosphere, yes. But just way too much money. The service was slow, especially for a night when not even half the dining room was full. The black sticky rice pudding is too die for, though. So just be prepared if you decide to go; if you get an app, dinner for two, and a dessert its roughly $100---without drinks, the waitstaff might ignore you and the food takes forever to come out. Overall, not impressed.
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Review from Sarah G.
12/30/2010
Underwhelmed.....just plain ol' underwhelmed.
This restaurant just looked amazing. It looked perfect. And the moment you walk up to this tiny, little quaint cottage sized upscale restaurant we were excited. But the service we got just made this place not the best....and definitely not worthy of it being ranked in one of the top cape cod restaurants...
Maybe it was because we were a bit younger than most of the other people in here, but if that is the case then they are ageists! They literally forgot about us a number of times---i.e. never getting our drinks, waiting forever between courses, and getting not such great recs from our waiter as well...
We got their famous lobster pad thai and their pan seared scallops and both were just average. Thankfully the restaurant was so cute and the cocktails we finally got were pretty darn tasty, but for how much we paid and how hyped up this place was, both of those dishes were nothing special to our tastebuds....
Abba we expected better. But at least I was in good company with my drink and Matt J!!! -
Review from Andrew T.
New Canaan, CT
8/23/2011
Let me start off with we ended up going to Pain D'avignon and had much more pleasant time.
I have eaten at Abba a few times over the years and enjoyed the food. It is not the best food but for out on the cape it doesn't get much better. They know this and charge you for it too and as we found out they will walk all over you if they feel like it.
We wanted to go for a birthday and have dinner out on the patio. When we called they said that it was booked for the rest of the week but put us down for the next available slot the following week. When we arrived today they said that we did not ask to sit outside (then why did we have to wait a week) and there was nothing available outside and that the free tables outside were reserved. they made it clear that they wouldn't be able to do anything help us. so we left and had dinner elsewhere.
This was upsetting but not totally surprising and we took it for just incompetence seasonal help. However when we got home there was a very condescending message on our machine that said they don't differentiate between the dinning room and the patio (then why couldn't we eat the one of the open tables) and that they were sorry that we didn't understand. I might not understand why we would be bumped after we waited a week but i do understand about not going back. -
Review from Lola B.
Spencer, NY
1/8/2011
No trip to the Cape is complete without a meal at Abba. The drinks are strong, the menu simple and refined, the food is superb and the staff are professional and competent.
Abba is a haven in place where many restaurants do the same expected dinners again and again, and where you don't have to feel like a tourist (even if you are one). -
Review from Amy B.
Charlestown, MA
10/25/2006
As you can tell by my reviews I very RARELY give 5 stars, however my 'off season' experience at Abba definitely deserves all 5.
I was told that it is virtually impossible to get a table during the summer at this quaint yet amazing restaurant; with this said my expectations were high and I wondered if it would live up to the hype.
Our party of ten was accommodated rather comfortably in the bar area at a table in the corner with a portion of the seating involving a heavily pillowed banquet.
We were greeted immediately by the manager and our waiter was taking our drink orders within seconds. I had been informed that the restaurant served Mediterranean/Israeli cuisine. After perusing the menu it was my determination that the food was more a combination of Israeli/Thai. The appetizers included items such as shrimp/pork spring rolls, grilled foie gras, scallops w/eggplant, and a decadent falafel (I loved this). The main entrees included lobster/shrimp pad thai, tofu pad thai, rack of lamb, filet mignon, thai seafood stew, and a few other seafood dishes. A majority of the party started with appetizers followed by entrees and dessert. The service was impeccable throughout the meal and there were constant raves about the food coming from our table the entire evening.
Abba is a must eat destination on the Cape. If you are in the Orleans area during the summer I highly recommend trying to get a reservation; just remember to call at least a month in advance. If you have an opportunity to try this place in the off season then go for it, however, I am not sure if they will remain open through the winter.Listed in: Away from home dining…
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Review from Daniel L.
8/7/2010
We had dinner here this past week during our annual trip out to the Cape. This was our first time trying it and it was recommended to us by our innkeepers.
The first thing we noticed on our arrival for our reservations was that the entrance was a bit odd and that all the staff that were milling around us didn't greet us in any way, shape or form. My wife noted that reviews on other sites had said that the staff had something of an attitude, and this seemed to be exhibited by their behavior in this instance.
Anyway, we milled around the entryway as I saw the reservation book so I figured that was the place to be. We were then greeted and given an option of being seated at a table in the bar, which was crowded and noisy, or the dining room, which was slightly less packed, but still noisy. We opted for the dining room.
As noted in other reviews, the restaurant is not large at all. Some will use the word "cozy", I say "small". And given the acoustics of the place, and the full crowd, it was quite noisy (some would say "energetic"). At least when it is like it was when we were there, I wouldn't recommend the place for an intimate or romantic dinner. However, if you like it "bustling" (i.e. loud), then this is the place for you.
The food was definitely the best part of our experience there. That being said, while good, it wasn't knock-your-socks-off fabulous. I had the foie gras appetizer, which was well prepared and tasty, but not something that was better than other places I've had it. My wife had a salad with goat cheese, which was also good. My wife had a scallops dish for her entree and I had the duck, both of which were again good-to-very-good, but not exceptional. The dessert, a warm walnut date cake, was probably the best part of the food part of our meal, served with ginger ice cream and toffee sauce. It was very tasty and we would order that again.
As for the service, the staff seemed kind of arrogant, kind of like we should be so pleased to be eating at their fabulous restaurant. I'm not a big fan of arrogant staff, preferring professionalism leavened with warmth/friendliness. Maybe we were looking for this attitude a bit more closely than we should have given the reviews on the other site, but I think I would have noticed it even without being forewarned.
Overall, while the food was good, we didn't think it was enough to overcome the other two issues (noise level and service) that we noted. If neither of those things are a concern for you, then give Abba a try. For us, we'll be trying something else next time we're on the Cape. -
Review from Deedee K.
Boston, MA
1/30/2007
Two words: Cozy...Delicious.
Abba is a great Cape dining discovery. The food is equisite and beautifully prepared as are the drinks. The staff is acomodating, professional and friendly. If you are looking for a higher end dinner that will have you leave with a relaxed smile (as if you could be any more relaxed on Cape), stop in for a treat at Abba. I love this place! -
Review from Greer S.
Alstead, NH
10/12/2010
We were greeted by a very friendly hostess who gave us the choice of a few available 2 tops. We ordered specialty cocktails and wine at the same time. My boyfriend splurged on a $70 bottle because it was one of his favorites that he doesn't see on many wine lists. We asked that the food not be rushed but when we were halfway finished with our cocktails our appetizers arrived with the wine still not on the table. My bf was disappointed because the bottle was a great Pinot Noir that would have been amazing with our appetizer choices. We finished our apps (Grilled Foie Gras with Creamy Lentils & a Honey Ginger Sauce and the Fried Goat Cheese Salad with Roasted Beets & Mâche in a Citrus Vinaigrette). We split both and were not disappointed. The Foie Gras had excellent flavor but fell short due to some sinew that wasn't trimmed away. Still no sign of the wine.
When our server cleared the apps, my boyfriend had to ask for the wine to be brought out. As an aside: I must say as someone who used to wait tables, a $70 dollar bottle of wine is a nice bottle- especially with cocktails, 2 appetizers and 2 entrees. We are a dream 2 top. There was little to no effort on our server's part to make conversation or connect with us. We had never been to ABBA and would have appreciated a little congeniality.
Entrees arrive and my boyfriend had the pan seared Pheasant with a coconut curry sauce with grilled broccolini and mashed potato canelles. I tried the Pheasant and it was amazing! My boyfriend said it had nice crispy skin but was a little on the dry side. The flavors were great though and I know my bf loves a dish when he takes the bread and begins dipping it in the leftover sauce on the plate. I had the Lobster & Shrimp Pad Thai and was also very pleased. It seems to be a staple there and it was clear why. The spices are all house made and the flavors seem very complex. It was, as my boyfriend called it, a 'mounting' spice.
Our entrees were cleared and the only thing left on the table was our wine and the almost gone cocktails we stopped drinking during our appetizers. For some strange reason, no one would clear them. The host actually came over to crumb the table and finally cleared the cocktails right before we were given dessert menus. The dessert menu blew us away. My bf works in a fine dining Cape restaurant and was also a Manager of a restaurant in Boston and was astonished at the prices of not only after the dinner cordials and wine but dessert! The least expensive item was $10- and that was for lemon sorbert with raspberries. Our meal was great, but the lakcluster service combined with the prices will make us re-think coming back.
I read other reviews that said the wait staff was arrogant. I would absolutely dissagree but also say that I think there are small changes that could be made that if implemented, could have made this a 4 star review. -
Review from John P.
Braintree, MA
2/19/2010
I took my girlfriend and her grandmother here for Valentines Day and we were all very impressed.
Summary:
The restaurant is very small and there are not a lot of tables nor much room at the bar so make sure you make an reservation.
The drinks were good, the bread and olives were delicious and the staff was very attentative.
My grandmother got the duck with gnocchi. Without a doubt it was the best duck and best gnocchi I have had in my life. The duck was flavorful and juicy without being greasy and the gnocchi was perfect.
I got the lobster and shrimp pad thai, it was not as sweet as I am used to but it was still delicious. All the ingredients were very fresh and they gave me alot of lobster. The flavours all blended together very well.
My girfriend got the Cod, it was very fresh and the sauce they served it with was excellant. The only problem was she couldn't stop eating her grandmother's duck so she didn't finish hers.
We split a chocolate cake with ice cream for desert. The cake had cherry pieces in it and was amazing.
The place is pricey but worth every penny. I highly recommend this place and am looking forward to going back. -
Review from Arthur D.
BOSTON CLG, MA
9/20/2011
Don't let the restaurant reputation of this place fool you!
Looking for fine dining at the Cape is not the easiest thing to find....granted there are a lot of good restaurants but we wanted to try something totally different and venture out of touristy areas like Hyannis, Chatham, and Provincetown...so we searched and the name that came popping up was "Abba"...the only time I heard of Abba was watching the movie "Mama Maria" with my gf and hearing their music....luckily this restaurant had nothing to do with the band and the hostess assured me no "Abba" music would be played during the making of my dining experience:)...so we went for it and made the reservation.
The restaurant is located in Orleans and its between Chatham and Provincetown. We went on a Tuesday night right after Labor Day. It's hard to park in this place; because the parking area is tiny and cars are literally on top of each other...so we parked on the street and walked in.
When we entered the restaurant it didn't look too busy and their were empty seats inside...our reservation was for 8 pm...we heard great things about patio seating...this is a place that actually allows you to make reservations for outside seating.
The restaurant setup is very simple...cottage like with neutral colors with solid lighting...inside its very small....north end tight seating like...possibly can fit 10 to 15 tables...and a little bar area...the clientele seemed to be on the older age bracket.
When the hostess finally came over...she was very unfriendly and very unwelcoming....her attitude was like she was doing us a favor....it felt like shopping at Bloomingdales...she took us to our table in the patio...the outside seating was great...they had the tent setup to block the bad weather...their were candles setup and it was very romantic!... Outside they had 6 tables setup and 4 of them including us were being used.
The food is Thai fusion which sounded very interesting and different...the wine list was extensive and food prices were not crazy expensive....entrees are from $20 to $35...we ordered the shrimp and lobster pad Thai and the rack of lamb...portions are not No. 9 Park small
I know restaurants sometimes get very busy and food comes out very slow...but Abba redefined slowness....because it took forever for stuff to come out...everything from drinks to getting the check took forever to come out...this is a Tuesday night on the cape after labor day weekend!...it literally took 45 minutes to get our entrees.
The food was simple and I wasn't impressed...the food lacked creativity!...The pad Thai tasted like a noodle dish with very few lobster and shrimp pieces thrown in....I tried a little bit of the lamb dish...the rack of lamb was very boring...it sounded great on the menu but tasted very standard...the dish is supposed to be chewy and melt in your mouth delicious with all the flavors present...from the sample that I tried...it was flavorless....we also tried the Lemon Mousse with Honey Mascarpone for desert...it was really good...best dish of the night
The waiter didn't seem very friendly...if we had a question about the menu...he would give us the look of "why are you asking this"....water did not get refilled....when bread and dishes were finished....it took forever to have someone come out and clear the table...I don't know how this place manages to get away with such slow horrible service...and that was a Tuesday...what do they do on Fridays and Saturdays?
A couple days later I was doing some on-line banking and noticed my credit card got charged a different amount then what I signed when I gave Abba the receipt...I gave them a call and explained what I noticed and asked that the right amount be charged...the person I spoke to who also was the manager was very condescending and made it sound like I'm the one that took the money from them...she never apologized and instead started trying to teach me about how credit cards in the "restaurant business" work and how this is not common practice for them...I understand mistakes happen but where is the customer service?...she was so cold!...I asked why they thought it would be ok to charge a different amount...and their response was my hand writing was ineligible...I checked last week and was frustrated that the credit was not put back on the card...so I called and the same lady picked up...this time she was even ruder and hung up the phone on me...it was so unprofessional and I was so upset with the treatment.
I chose to write this review two weeks later to the day...because I finally got my credit card credited...but still no apology from anyone from the restaurant for my awful restaurant experience at Abba...some restaurants have bad slow service but the food is amazing...but when the food is plain and boring and the service is slow and the management team is rude...you don't have much of a restaurant!
Verdict: This aint no dancing queen -
Review from Emily K.
New York, NY
8/10/2007
Elegant without being haughty, Abba was a fantastic find and a nice reprieve from all the usual Cape Cod fare, serving a fusion of Thai and Mediterranean dishes. It is a a fine dining restaurant, but there's a certain coziness and warmth to it that's very appealing.
The falafel wasn't overcooked and had the right amount of crispiness along with a creamy tahini sauce. Grilled scallops were not too memorable... but the grilled foie gras with lentils was rich and flavorful and one of my favorite dishes. I don't usually order pad thai just because EVERYONE orders pad thai at Thai restaurants, not to mention that it's so standard and pretty hard to mess up, but the organic pad thai smelled and looked amazing that I kind of regretted not getting it as my own entree. I had the steamed striped bass, which was juicy and fresh, and the ginger on top added a nice punch to it.
As full as you may be by the time the end of dinner rolls around, you cannot skip their desserts: EVERYTHING tasted great. The chocolate terrine is rich without being overly sweet, the lime curd is tangy and fresh, but I was a huge fan of their lemongrass ice-cream, which came on top of a cookie and drizzled with assorted berries. Needless to stay we left stuffed and satisfied.
Note that reservations are highly recommended and at least call the day before to secure times.Listed in: Fine Dining
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Review from Victoria S.
Orleans, MA
7/25/2011
I can not say enough good things about this restaurant because there is literally no restaurant like it around. Let's begin by saying, yes the place is small, yes the entrance is slightly confusing because you feel like you're always in the staff's way, yes it can get loud because it is small, but honestly I believe that all just adds to the charm of the place.
Tip: If you want to come early for drinks, call ahead and see if there's room at the bar because they do seat people there for dinner. Also, be sure to make a reservation, especially on the weekends in the summer.
The food is an Israeli Thai fusion, and it is absolutely amazing. It's definitely pricey but completely worth it. The bartenders are awesome, and the drinks are always strong, and they have an extensive wine list. I had a raspberry smash which was amazing, but I've heard the ginger martini is to die for.
For an appetizer my boyfriend and I both had the crab rolls, which I did not want to end! They were unlike anything I had ever had before. For my main dish I had the scallops with gnocchi which was amazing, although rather salty. And my boyfriend stepped out of his comfort zone and had the duck, which he ended up loving. For dessert I had the black rice pudding which of course lived up to all expectations, and a dessert martini which packed a punch.
The staff is super knowledgeable and accommodating. They are always willing to explain the menu, make a recommendation on a drink to pair with your meal, or just list off some of their favorites.
Something you might not know: Abba does do take out! So if you want some of their delicious food, but don't want to deal with the summer crowds, you can always call and place an order to pick it up.
I will most definitely be returning in the future! -
Review from Cassandra P.
Fairfield, CT
8/17/2009
A friend of mine who lives in Chatham recommended this spot and I'm so glad he did. Abba was amazing! The menu was great, I would've tried everything if I could. I did taste the dishes at my table and no one was disappointed. The falafel was delicious as was the pear salad with goat cheese. I had the lobster and shrimp pad thai and it was way better than I expected pad thai on the Cape to be, I would definitely eat it again. My sister had the grilled tuna and it was cooked perfectly and there was a ton of it! My mother had the ribs and if I had a second stomach that would have worked out beautifully. My father was happy to have something other than seafood and went for the duck with homemade gnocchi which were light as a feather.
All in all, the service was great, our table on the terrace was so nice, and the food was scrumptious. We would definitely go back again. I recommend sitting on the terrace if possible because it did seem a little tight in the main dining room. -
Review from sabina s.
Charlestown, Boston, MA
6/21/2010
simply fabulous!!!
Please read warren w's review. He describes it perfectly. -
Review from warren w.
Concord, MA
Updated - 8/26/2010
This summer's review has been deleted. Thanks a lot Yelp. So here we go. I'm a regular, a fan, maybe even an expert on the menu as I have had everything except the salmon. Why have salmon on CC? The reviews are interesting and from some who say......arrogant service? That's crap. The service here is top-notch. The staff is very interesting, engaging and thorough with each order. To work here in a waitperson position is a special opportunity.
My experiences come in the form of stopping in as I get off the exit for a quick meal at the bar.....make mine the tuna salad with a nicely spiced Thai fruity concoction of about 10 flavors. Sometimes and depending on the season you will find calamari substituted and that's because the squid are in season. My other go to option in the cold weather would be the oysters on the half shell when you get a meatier oyster. That and a perfect martini just about does it for me at the bar. Other times it's business functions and family. I have eaten with as many as 14 and my usual is about 6. Eating both inside and outside it makes no difference unless it's blowing 20kts out of the NE with rain. My favorite dishes are the lobster pad Thai done in what I believe is a very traditional way as the Sous Chef is Thai. Slight heat makes it perfect, but ask for little more if you dare. I've enjoyed the duck; especially the braised short rib; had the rack of lamb and as mentioned just about everything. Oh and then there was the beef cheeks a few weeks ago. Wow! Braised and tender with a perfect sauce.
Desserts are not my favorite thing to eat at any restaurant but the black sticky rice is rub it in your hair good. Home made coconut ice cream, some fresh sliced pineapple and that funky sweet warm black rice. Over the top good. Lately guests have been enjoying their fresh made sorbet with loads of berries on the side.
Reservations are a must during the season. This is a busy spot with a great reputation and owner who really cares about quality and you need to try it out. Seating is funky in this funky house and next to their funky parking lots.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/28/2009
This is a very consistent and exceptional restaurant. So you are tired of greasy clams and OR's,… Read more »
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Review from Daniel S.
Columbus, OH
6/29/2010
I have a caveat, we did not eat our meal due to a bug issue. We encountered a bug on the table; employees swore it was a earwig but we know what those look like and I would put a substantial sum of money on it that it was a roach. We understand that things happen and bugs are sometimes present but what i did not care for was the staffs inability to handle the situation. they refuse to acknowledge the incident as we witnessed and then acted surprised when we wanted to leave. "but you ordered food, would you like it to go"; implying that we needed to take it with us and pay for it. they charged us for the martini that we were just served and never drank and did not apologize. Maybe a fluke but we will never go back.
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Review from jenny K.
Portsmouth, NH
3/14/2011
I feel like a cape cod local and sometimes it is hard for even me to discern the fine dining that is worth it and the fine dining that is just expensive.
I loved this place. Our meal was outstanding and our service was impeccable. We went on a less busy night and had a superb experience. The food was amazing. I don't even remember exactly what we had now, but we still talk about it a year later. I know we did have the famous pad thai but the rest i forget. The whole experience what nice. The cozy cottage that the restaurant is in, the bench/pillow seats,the candles, the patio, the server was friendly, and helpful and as we slowly dined our way through courses it became a little late towards the end but we never felt rushed. This was by far one of my favorite meals, maybe made even better by the company but a fine meal and fine experience. Go here! -
Review from Evie K.
Boston, MA
9/22/2011
Walked in, no reservation. Lucky to find 2 seats at the small 6 person bar. Thai mussels in mild coconut milk broth didn't really stand out. I realize that New Englanders don't like spicy food, but this dish could have had more depth of flavors even without the chile. As it was, the broth couldn't hold up to the large mussels. Pan seared cod was excellent. Lobster Pad Thai entree was drowning in soy sauce... bordering on dreadful. Desserts are yummy. Service and atmosphere were superb. The third star is for the service
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Review from D Y.
MA
10/3/2008
ABBA...even though it personally pains me that the name always makes me think of those silly Swedes.
GO! ABBA is Fabbala. We're p/t capers, now with young kids, so we don't get to Abba too often...but if we can score the grannies for babysitters...THIS is our go to place. Don't even consider Finely JP's in Wellfleet, it's all hype now. And Nauset Beach Club and Barley Neck Inn are both nice, but Abba is very special. You'll feel like a star in the Mediterranean night sky dining there. -
Review from Danny F.
Newton, MA
Updated - 7/27/2010
2 years after my first visit, i am not disappointed. the service is incredibly gracious. the setting is insanely cute (although the entrance is slightly confusing). and the food is out of this world (at least for the most part):
striped bass ceviche - absolutely delicious, but maybe more avocado?
pan-seared scallops - a heap of 8 scallops, all perfectly cooked, bathed in a rich buttery sauce
duck - very tasty, but a little dry and could have used more sauce, but the sides that came with it were redeeming
lime mousse - came in a glass; interesting and unexpected; different but kind of amazing as well
sticky black rice pudding - heaven on earth
if i could move this restaurant next to my home, i would. and if my last meal on earth were here, i would die a happy man. dead serious.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/19/2010
I cannot remember what I had here, because it was a long time ago. But whenever I think about the… Read more »
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Review from Aimee R.
Buckeye, AZ
8/19/2010
Have eaten here several times and it never disappoints. The vegetable pad thai with tofu is DIVINE...probably the best pad thai i've ever had anywhere (and i've had a lot). The falafel appetizer was also amazing. Thank you ABBA for offering vegan/vegetarian options on Cape Cod!
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Review from Kevin S.
Framingham, MA
9/20/2009
My fiancée and I went to Abba on our way to Ptown over the weekend based on other Yelp reviews... We'll be back!
If you read my other reviews, you'll see I fully admit to being Mr. Picky. This is a great little place with great food and really friendly staff.
Food was precise. We arrived a bit on the late side due to bridge traffic, and couldn't have been treated more nicely.
A few interesting choices on the wine list, the entrees were very well executed.
She and I really liked the room, it's a pretty little, cozy build out.
Our only criticism--a bad cup of cappuccino.
Never the less, go to Abba! -
Review from Carl E.
Eastham, MA
4/21/2010
Fine mix of fusion cuisine but very cramped in thesummer. The owners squeeze in every chair they can. Don't arrive early. No room at the bar because they're filling it with diners and there is no place left to stand.
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Review from Paul G.
Los Angeles, CA
4/6/2008
The bigest problem on the Cape for some visitors such as my wife is the lack off good vegan protein (Seitan, Tofu, Legumes, Cashew, etc.). We drove to 125 6A in Orleans in search of Jo Mamas, but could only find a closed bagel shop with unsold bagels in plastic bags left on the bench for late coming customers at no charge.
Using yelp the idea of Asian-Mediterranean Fusion appealed. However, our dining experiance was expensive and too rich. The table adjacent was in conversation with a chef with an Isreali accent for many minutes and then, finally leaving that table, he made no attempt to greet other diners, (not a good sign).
My wife pad Thai with no eggs (vegan) and it was lumpy, rich and unmemrable. Our friend and I split rack of lamb and scallops after apetizers of mussels and falafal. Imaginative but also all rich tasting. The $107 check was nothing (no drinks and deserts) compared to the cost of all night intestinal pain and diarhea. The ambience was nice and the place very pretty or it would get no stars at all, Perhaps on a better night the food will be better. Also my friend who ate the same food did not get sick...and she liked the food. -
Review from Thomas N.
Milwaukee, WI
3/18/2011
Unbelievable always fresh high quality food and excellent service have anything on the menu and you will leave happy.
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Review from Elizabeth D.
Orleans, MA
1/22/2011
Abba's December 31, 2010 New Years Eve 5 course dinner was something we eagerly anticipated. Unlike some other reviewers we were warmly greeted upon our arrival and had an attentive, friendly waiter who performed his job well. We chose from the pre fix $125 per head menu which had a collection of interesting sounding dishes. Hands down the winner for appetizer selection and the dinner in total were the freshly shucked Wellfleet Oysters, a generous amount served ice cold. With the exception of the oysters, the serving size was Lillyputian for every course. The small serving was welcome with the arugula salad, served as a small mound of arugula only with little to no dressing. This dinner was beginning to look like a version of the Emperor's New Clothes, flowery descriptions without the delivery. While nothing was bad that was served nothing was outstanding either (other than the oysters). The lavender ice cream with roasted squash did deliver some interesting flavors. I would have to agree with a previous reviewer who described being underwhelmed. The seating space was very crowded with tables and diners packed into every available space. I prefer more flavor, more food and more space when dining out.
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Review from kristin N.
Arlington, VA
8/24/2010
4.5 stars! Easily got a reservation for last night. Very cute place...initially very loud, one person in particular, however once the party next to us complained to the waiter they must have said something as it was much quieter. But I admit I enjoy listening to other peoples conversations so this was a plus for me! I had the gazpacho and it was ok. I prefer chunky and this was a purée. Hus. Had the oysters and liked them. Entrees were delicious! Both lobster and shrimp pad thai as well as the lamb(cooked to perfection). "Could not have been better".
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Review from Greg D.
Clinton, MA
8/27/2010
Ate at Abba a few weeks ago on our last night of a week vacation on the Cape. We almost decided to go somewhere else at the last minute because of some of these ridiculous negative posts that you find online. Not sure if those people were actually at the same place or if they are just overly snotty folks. Abba was AWESOME. Yes, it is a bit small and cramped if you want to call it that, but I thought the ambience was really cool. Cocktails were fantastic and the food was phenomenal. Everything extremely fresh, well seasoned and classy. All Pad Thai that I eat from here on out will be judged against Abba's. I almost ordered another to go. I wish I was lucky enough to live closer as I would be here once a month. Excellent.
