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Fanizzi's by the Sea
Categories: Restaurants American (New) Restaurants Seafood American (New), Seafood [Edit]
539 Commercial StProvincetown, MA 02657
(508) 487-1964
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
52 reviews for Fanizzi's by the Sea
Review Highlights
52 reviews in English
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Review from Jules B.
Charlotte, NC
I am so glad we found this place! It was the best meal we had on the Cape. We walked from downtown and it was a pretty good stroll but very scenic with lovely homes and gorgeous gardens full of hydrangeas in August.
We arrived for lunch before the crowds and got a table at the window. The view was very nice... Very relaxed atmosphere, nice decor with a wall of double hung windows overlooking the water and and dark wood tables. Dark and rustic but super sophisticated and classy. Simon and Garfunkel was playing and it was very quiet and peaceful.
I ordered the special lobster grilled cheese which was out of this world good! Hub ordered the seafood platter with scallops. He said it was the best he had ever eaten. Better than the southern fried b/c the batter was light and flakey and the scallops were sweet and fresh. I hate scallops but these were sooo good.
I would plan a vacation to go back and eat at this place. It is away from the beaten path of the crowded crazy touristy area of downtown. I'm so glad we found this unique slice of Heaven. -
Review from Hungry Couple N.
New York, NY
While spending the day strolling around Provincetown, we chatted up a local store owner for a good place to eat and he recommended Fanizzi's.
It was around 4:00 o'clock in the afternoon, we'd been walking for hours and hadn't eaten since an early breakfast at our inn in Brewster. We were thrilled to be quickly shown to a comfortable table by the large window overlooking the water and we enjoyed the view as we sipped one of the house special tropical martinis.
We did quickly note that despite it being too late for lunch and too early for dinner, the dining room had quite a few patrons and most seemed like locals. That's always a good sign!
The restaurant itself sits perched right over the Provincetown Bay and the effect, when looking out the window, is that you're floating on the water. The atmosphere is casual and relaxed and we felt comfortable immediately.
We started with appetizers of spinach and artichoke dip and a Mediterranean plate filled with roasted garlic hummus, lentil relish and marinated feta salad served with fresh pita bread.
We then moved on to crispy fried scallops with fries and a wonderful vinegar slaw as well as a plate of good, old-fashioned meatloaf. It was moist and flavorful, served over creamy mashed potatoes, a generous side of vegetables and plenty of delicious gravy.
Service was quick, efficient and friendly and all the food was absolutely delicious. Of all the restaurants we dined in during our stay on Cape Cod, Fanizzi's would be the one we'd happily return to! -
Review from Joanna F.
The only thing that was spectacular about this restaurant was the view and the atmosphere. Everything else was pretty mediocre.
Service was iffy at best. I wouldn't have had much of a problem with it being a little slow if our waitress didn't tell us that the reason it was so slow was because she had a really difficult table she was waiting on. She went on to be very self deprecating. It was really unprofessional and I probably wouldn't have noticed the service if she hadn't mentioned it.
The hummus plate and onion strings appetizers were very good. My "feta and shrimp special" was fine, but I could have made the same thing at home. It was simply grilled shrimp, bread crumbs, feta and red sauce over white rice. It seemed like it should have been a pasta dish instead. It was kind of a strange mix of flavors.
Considering the long-ish walk from downtown P-Town and the lackluster service and food, I probably wouldn't go back. -
Review from Tom N.
Boston, MA
While the family is in for Christmas, we explored Cape Cod. Being the off season, very few businesses were open. However, we did find Fanizzi's By The Sea. We ordered the onion strings and Mediterranean platter for our appetizer. Both plates were huge and each would serve four. For our main course we had the fish and chips, the fried clam roll, the baked sea scallops, and the meatloaf. All was fantastic. The only complaint was that we had to pay $1.50 to substitute french fries for rice. My rating was reduced by one star due to this, as I view this non-customer friendly.
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Review from Dan G.
Kissimmee, FL
Love, Love, Love Fanizzi's by the Sea. I had my wedding reception at Fanizzi's a few years ago and even though I live in Florida, it is a must go restaurant when in Provincetown. You can bet that if I go to the cape, I will be at Fanizzi's for a fantastic meal.
First Class all the way! -
Review from Sarah A.
ANNANDALE, NY
I came here this weekend with a party of 10 and I was very impressed with the food, service, and view. We were literally on the sea. It was beautiful.
We started off with the calamari. It was great and the sauce was different than what you normally see alongside calamari. It's a chunky picante sauce that has a really great flavor and lots of veggies. Very nice.
For dinner, I ordered the scallop scampi. I rarely eat scallops so this was a real treat. They were delicious, melted right in your mouth. The scampi sauce was great too, not too pungent but it still gave you a good garlicky flavor.
The staff was great at this restaurant too. Our food was brought out in a timely manner and it was all still hot. All-in-all, a good dining experience. -
Review from Michael N.
Palm Springs, CA
Great food for your money . Staff always the same & friendly . I love the Fish Fry & the Seafood Platter !!! They do it better & cheaper than another local seafood rest.
Great specials . A View to die for !!!
Great for couples & small groups . Make resveration . Take the trip to the east end of town & skip the fry houses for a real down home meal .1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/28/2010
Always a GREAT Place for dinner & lunch
Hearty flavorful real American food
Staff 5 star
One of the… Read more »
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9/28/2010
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Review from Joe A.
Philadelphia, PA
We ate at Fanuzzi's by the sea for the first time two years ago. It is tucked away in the east end of Ptown but well worth the walk. The seating with a bay view is often filled but there is a nice dining room off the main bar. The service is always excellent, prompt, helpful and courteous. My partner order the homestyle meatloaf which was a huge portion of well flavored comfort served with mashed potatoes and seasonal medley of carrots, broccoli and zucchini.
I had a perfectly prepared cod with mustard and mixed nut topping. It was deliciously prepared and another huge portion. I think most Ptown restaurants are good bargains for a resort area because the service is great and the portion sizes are more than amble. We rarely eat desserts at a restaurant because we are usually too full. Plus a walk down Commercial street is good for the digestion and the libido too. -
Review from Gary P.
Provincetown, MA
David and I took Jeannie and her sister (who are here from Iowa) to Fanizzi's knowing that we would get a wonderful dinner with great atmosphere. We love Fanizzi's and it is perfect anytime of the year.
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Review from Aila F.
Woburn, MA
We went to this restaurant after reading a yelp review and saw an average of 4 stars. I honestly think this place has the best ocean view and so it should attract cusomers, but food was just unfortunately OK and nothing more than average..
We ordered a fried cod fish, pasta, and pizza and of these three there was nothing impressive. At leat the service was not bad. Thanks God! -
Review from Lisa B.
Somerville, MA
My family and I have been renting the same cottage in North Truro every summer now for 24 years. My sister and I both live in Boston and are in our mid-20s now, and have been joining our parents (from NY) up here each summer since we left home for college.
For several years now, Fanizzi's has been our favorite. We've started and ended our vacations here many times now, and I am only yelping about it now because tonight was exceptional. I mean, we keep going back because it's always been amazing, so this is big.
It was probably about 3pm by the time we all got up here from our respective home bases, it was time to make a dinner plan... Fanizzi's was kind of a no-brainer, so I called them up. I told the person who answered that this is our first night in town and that we wanted a table by the water... the woman who answered said they couldn't guarantee us a table by the window (which was a little disheartening, notgonnalie) but that our options were 6 and 8-- we chose 6pm and showed up 10 minutes before our reservation (heads up, they said they only hold tables for 5 minutes after the reservation time and then release the tables)...
They brought us into the room and sat us at what we all agreed was the best table in the place-- a large round table in the corner, surrounded by windows! What a pleasant surprise. Our waitress was an older woman, I wish I had gotten her name- she was PERFECT. I eat out a LOT. I have NEVER experienced such amazing service. She was attentive without being overbearing. She didn't impose fresh pepper or parmesan on us, and brought everything we needed right out to us. It's not like the place was empty, either. There were a lot of people in there eating, but she treated us as though we were her only table.
THE FOOD WAS EXQUISITE!
I had the scallops scampi- sauteed with shallots, garlic, and capers and wine/butter sauce. Phenomenal. The linguini was perfectly prepared, al dente...
My mom and my sister both had the tortellini with scallops. I tried some of my sisters- it was a knockout. The scallops in all of our dishes were HUGE and cooked to perfection.
My dad had a baked, almond-crusted cod dish with wild rice and asparagus... i tried his fish, it was ALSO phenomenal- flaked right off and held the crusting, so that a modest taste was bursting with flavor.
My sister's boyfriend got the seafood platter-- all fried, so I didn't try it, but he loved it. :)
The bread was warm, the butter was soft, the wine was crisp and delicious, and we all left stuffed and satisfied.
The 5 stars are REALLY well-intended for the food, but I want to stress the service aspect. I have honestly never felt so well-served. Everyone in my family was treated like VIPs, in a highly respectful, yet casual manner.
Very, very positive experience. THANK YOU!!! -
Review from Christine D.
Flushing, NY
We had eatten here a few times...
Their expresso martinis are great! -
Review from Crys S.
JACKSON HTS, NY
Some of the best shrimp scampi I've had in recent memory. Good service, bit crowded for my taste. Great ocean views (of course) and the prices were respectable for a higher end eatery.
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Review from Ross S.
Provincetown, MA
A true East Enders home table! Right on the bay, if you are an out of townie you'll be over the top happy in nearly any seat in the house! Dining in the bar area is my favorite spot (many a townie's favorite haunt as well). Service is some of the best in town. This is a year-round restaurant and the jobs are quite coveted. A repeat dinner of the steak on the menu with gorgonzola butter is my favorite fare. If you are even hungryier the wings (an old Pucci's recipe) will do the trick nicely... GREAT!!! Fairly priced fare that you'll love.
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Review from Lorraine G.
Eastham, MA
It is one of the few resturants that you get a view (on water at high tide), very good food, and wonderful service. We usually go for brunch on Sundays, excellent with geat tasting muscles, yesterday we had dinner. All of us were happy with our meal which ranged from sriloin steak to scallop scami, broiled scallops, and seafood combo.
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Review from Maggie B.
Framingham, MA
Great views and relaxed, pleasant dining experience. The prices are reasonable and they offer "early bird specials". Parking lot is a little tight but hey, at least they have a parking lot. Nice staff (one waiter was a real character but alas, he was not our waiter).
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Review from Michelle K.
Brewster, MA
This is one of the best restraunts on the Cape..Love it. The food is great and everyone that works there from the owner on down is awesome. It is worth the trip to Provincetown for the great service, delicious food and the view is wonderful
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Review from Rich S.
Bethesda, MD
I had heard that the food here was good, so while on vacation we decided make reservations to celebrate a birthday dinner with several friends. I ordered the mustard and nut encrusted codfish. The prices on the menu led me to think that I was going to receive something really great. Unfortunately, the food was extremely under-seasoned and bland. The fish was covered with nuts, and barely a hint of the mustard. Other person at our table ordered the salmon cakes and was also disappointed with the flavor.
Judging from our experience, I would say this place is extremely overpriced. My recommendation is to go somewhere else.
Oh...and their wine list was terrible. -
Review from Lynn P.
Cambridge, MA
it's pretty much empty in cape cod during winter. Many restaurants and stores are closed. A local recommended us this place (well..there were not much places open at that time anyway).
It was a small restaurant with a great sea view. The food....was good, but not as good as " I would go back." We ordered fried cod, clams & shrimp pasta. They were pretty fresh...I think..
Only thing that I didn't like was how waiter interacted with customers. He tapped on my shoulder which I don't expect from a person I just met .... it made me feel uncomfortable. But, I tried not to mind at that time just to enjoy the lunch. But, I prefer a waiter or waitress not to be too casual like this. -
Review from John C.
Sandwich, MA
This place is a P-Town gem. Great bar and dining room. Views of the bay and super food. We normally sit at the bar and enjoy the food and scenery. Bar service is always attentive.
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Review from Jim P.
Boston, MA
Enjoyable casual atmosphere on the water with very nice views. Good environment for kids and decent prices for kids meals (just wish the menu or server pointed out that the $2.50 milk cup was not included in the kids meal price!). Food is decent and reasonably priced. Before 6pm is a short menu of early bird $14.95 specials which were respectable (linguini with mussels, steak tips were two that we had). Good quality meal and atmosphere for the price. Not gourmet but no need to be. I will return.
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Review from Jeff K.
Lagrangeville, NY
Yelp and Trip Advisor sent us here; also suggested by a local. Reservations got us in at the appointed time, and we had a wonderful table overlooking the bay. As our dinner progressed, we were treated to a fabulous light show as the sun set, displaying all the colors of a night time rainbow. Our waiter Peter was friendly, and served us promptly and with a laugh. We soon became fast friends with the next table (they are close), which enhanced the total evening.
The food was great (fish stew for me, scallops for the wife); bread and salad included.
A definite place to return. -
Review from Ana K.
Miami, FL
I've been here so many times I've lost count. It's the only restaurant I go to when in Provincetown, and for good reason. The food is always consistently excellent, as is the service, and the views are breathtaking.
Fanuzzi's is not in the middle of all the summer tourist hustle and bustle, making it a great place to dine in during the busy season. They are open year round also, and unlike many year round restaurants in this section of Cape Cod, it's never a ghost town inside. -
Review from Rick R.
Atlanta, GA
We ate here last week for dinner during our vacation. Dinner was superb! Mussels to start, fish special for my entree, sorbet for dessert, all very good. I have been here many times and it's always consistently good. I'll be back next summer for sure.
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Review from Matthew K.
Windsor, CT
Everyone in our party got something different and truly enjoyed it. Service was good and the waterfront views were fantastic. My only issue was the super rowdy table next to us, which made the small waterfront room pretty loud. I would have appreciated the waitstaff asking them to quiet down. In any event - food was excellent, portions were good size, and ambiance was great (minus the loud table). It's quite a walk up from the "known" part of Commercial, but worth it; I'd go back. Prices were reasonable.
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Review from Matthew A.
Salem, NH
Absolutley the best place to do brunch in Ptown. The place is RIGHT ON THE WATER/ BEACH. The view of Herring Cove Bay is amazing.
The brunch is a bufffet and has all kinds of breakfast and brunch offering that include seafoods, pasta, eggs, ham, hash, fresh fruit, veggies, cereal, yogurt, waffles, pastry, and so much more.
It is up on the east end of Commercial st before tehe hussle and buslte. Walkable yes.
Do it. -
Review from Steve B.
Watertown, CT
We always leave on Sunday after our stay and go to Fanizzi's for the brunch buffet. You WILL not be disappointed. Parking is tight but we get there by 10 when they open. many people walk to the east end for this place.
It's become a nice tradition for us at a reasonable price. Excellent choice , food and view while dining. -
Review from Ellen F.
Somerville, MA
We have a place in Truro, down the road from Fanizzi's, and when we want to dine out it's the first place we think of. They have a great Sunday brunch for only $12.95--it includes not only the usual breakfast items, like eggs benedict, potatoes, bacon and sausages, etc., but also amazing mussels. They have the absolutely best Bloody Mary. As for lunch and dinner, the food is consistently good and the prices are pretty reasonable for Provincetown. The view, by the way, is amazing. Nothing better than sitting at a window seat in Fanizzi's in any season.
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Review from Francesca R.
Fanizzi's is definitely more reliable than the restaurants on the main drag, but objectively it's just OK. As mentioned it's a bit past where all the bustle of shops ends, so only people who know about it will make the walk down there. To that end, it's less crowded with tourists and the service is really friendly--locals serving (and thus being nice to) locals.
The food is just OK, and pretty overpriced for what it is. It's a hodgepodge of pub foods done well but not worth the 30% markup to what you'd find anywhere else in the country.
I think what you pay for is the view and the relative peace in a resort town. The atmosphere is really genial so it's a good place to just hang out and wind down. For Provincetown (or any mobbed resort town), it's pretty good. -
Review from Jenn S.
We were referred here by 2 completely different people in 2 completely different towns. So we felt we had to go!
We took a long walk over to it on Sunday afternoon and when we first walked in, I was ready to have a long wait. Instead, we were immediately shown to a table despite not having a reservation! We didn't get a table near a window (instead we were seated between 2 larger groups), but figured since we didn't have a reservation, we didn't feel we should ask for one.
I was thoroughly impressed by the nachos on the table next to us, but did not get them. Instead, I opted for the Grilled Chicken Fajita Wrap - Grilled marinated chicken breast with tomatoes, sautéed onions,
peppers and cheese in a garlic tortilla. Served with
sour cream and fresh tomato salsa. To my surprise, it also came with pickle and fries! Both quite tasty. The wrap was really good too - the salsa was very yummy with a good kick!
My fiance got the Philly Steak Sandwich - Sirloin steak grilled, seasoned and topped with cheese, sautéed peppers and onion. Also with fries and a pickle.
The food was tasty - nothing amazing - and the service was decent. She checked on us once or twice, but when my fiance needed more water mid-way through the meal, we couldn't get her attention. Eventually, I pulled a bottle of water out of my bag and he drank that!
I definitely see the charm of this place - cozy little nook nestled by the water with great views - and the food was tasty. The brunch looked good too. I wouldn't say go here for the food - it's more the ambience. And the bowl of Hershey's Kisses & Hugs on the way out helped. :) -
Review from Scot W.
What a great place; it has nice local decor, but not so much that it gets in the way of the view. No matter where in the dining room you sit, you are looking over the water, out to the lighthouse or down the Provincetown shoreline. It really is spectacular; it was better when we first arrived as there was still some light out. But as it got darker, we could still see the lights on the boats. Really fantastic.
The service was very friendly and very professional; they knew their way around the restaurant and seemed very experienced. My girlfriend had the best salad she has ever had (it was a special, mixed greens, wine poached cherries, walnuts, scallions and a blueberry pineapple dressing) and the second best turkey burger she's ever had.
I had the calimari which were great and the fisherman's platter. The fried fish was great and the scallops were very well done.
Didn't have any room for dessert. I would highly recommend this place. -
Review from Danielle P.
Trabuco, CA
Great soups and bread. Mediocre service though.
Another episode of cold food on the cape. Ordered their house fish dish and it was delivered as if it were sitting there for about 20 minutes waiting to be picked up.
If our server had been replaced by one who actually wanted to be there and our food had been delivered at a warm temperature, we would maybe return there someday.
Sidenote: Reservations are a must on any night of the week (we went at 6 on a Monday) and request ocean view. -
Review from Elise S.
Framingham, MA
Well, the great reviews for this place mystify me. We were seven people for dinner late on 8/12, a Friday evening. We had to make a reservation, it being P-town in season. We arrived ten minutes early for our 9:15 reservation and we waited 15 minutes for the table to be ready. In that time, no group of more than four people left the restaurant. I am pretty sure that our table was empty the whole time and they just could not be bothered to set it and seat us early. Since we had three kids with us, I did not appreciate that.
The weirdest thing about our time here is that our waiter kept TOUCHING me. Really. He grabbed my shoulder, or back, at least three times in the course of ordering or just generally talking to us. This might not have been so weird if I was a man too and we were in some loud sports bar. Instead, I was a woman dining with family and friends in what looked like a family-oriented restaurant and my husband was sitting right next to me. I am far from uptight and my husband is probably the least jealous man on the planet, but still, WEIRD and offputting.
My house salad was sparkling fresh and had a general amount of spring greens, tomatoes, carrots, and onions sided by a too-salty, pedestrian dressing. My daughter ordered her Caesar without anchovies and got them anyway. She picked them off. Our friends said that their Caesar tasted like it had honey mustard dressing instead of Caesar. I didn't taste it myself, but from the color of the dressing, I think they were right. None of the entrees came with salads, which I would normally expect in a red-sauce place like this one is, but hey, this is P-town.
I often order one of the simplest dishes on the menu because if I don't know the restaurant, I assume that it's better not to challenge them too much. I ordered the scampi with scallops. It was a curious combination of very good and just awful. The dish had a generous amount of very fresh sea scallops that were just barely cooked, a rarity in restaurants in my experience, and much appreciated. However, the sauce was an absolute disgrace. Scampi sauce is simple, my 11 year old could make it, all you need is melted butter, a good hit of fresh garlic that doesn't get burned in the cooking process, maybe a splash of white wine, maybe a sprinkle of fresh or even dried herbs, perhaps a spoonful or two of heavy cream, and that is IT. What I got was about three heaping tablespoons of capers inundating the not-al-dente spaghetti, and the "sauce" under it was pretty much water and the juice from the capers. I have super-sensitive taste buds and I could discern no butter, wine or garlic in the dish at all.
I called the waiter over to request cheese, and he hand-grated some parmesan over my pasta and my friend's pasta, but it didn't help. A tablespoon of cheese cannot make a tasty sauce out of caper juice.
I tasted my husband's pasta special and it was marginally better than mine, albeit peculiar, combining scallops and cabbage and CRANBERRIES atop spaghetti. My husband tends to order the strange ones. I don't know why a chef on this entire planet would combine those three items, although I didn't get a sense that there was a chef back there, period.
We skipped dessert. The check for seven entrees, four salads, one glass of wine, and a couple of sodas was $272, including a mandated 18 1/2 percent tip for Mr. Touchie Feelie.
I wish we'd just stayed home and grilled. -
Review from Fay T.
Bristol, CT
Second time here yesterday and was not disappointed. Had the fried clams and they were excellent. Cole slaw was fresh and really good.
On our first visit here we sat at the bar for Sunday brunch because it was crowded and there was a wait for a table, the bar has a beautiful view & the brunch selection is great. Parking is limited. -
Review from Margaret O.
Boston, MA
Fanizzi's is a great place to get a beer and a burger. It's friendly and very casual, and the pub style food is reasonably priced on the P-Town scale. If this was all they served I would give it four or five stars, but this is one of those P-Town restaurants that can't resist fleecing tourists with high end entrees it can't execute.
If you walk in with an entree price limit of $15 you'll face a pretty limited burger oriented menu, but you'll walk out very happy. -
Review from Wende C.
Los Angeles, CA
We just had a great dinner here while vacationing in Ptown. We showed up without a reservation and the manager was very accommodating a squeezed us in at a table by the water no less! The service was fantastic and the food was delicious. I will definitely be back the next time I come to town.
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Review from Kevan T.
Chicago, IL
Female blond bartender was the best - great service.. I sat at the bar for dinner as a single diner.. she was pleasant but not overly so... friendly but not "in your face" - I had the cod nicoise salad. I would go back for the food and the bartender - and I am not even into girls
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Review from Paula G.
Chelsea, MA
If I was going on the setting; I would rate a 6. They may even beat out the "Mews" for ocean views. The water goes under you or maybe the drinks are just that good. Went in on Sunday with my family who came down. I did not drink and the tide was out. Anyway got the chicken curry sandwich and I was not a fan. I split this with thjs with my sister and also due to the trade shared the crab sandwich which was very good.Not impressed with our female waitress- we needed a little more assistance with his walker. Did not appear to want to be there yet, here is a waiter who is just so friendly (and he is a cutie); bantered back and forth about my mom, Great personality! It was good but......
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Review from Gabrielle C.
Brooklyn, NY
Eh, it was alright. Way more than we wanted to spend for what we were getting. We ordered calamari (big portion, pretty good quality) and I got cajun seafood alredo and my boyfriend got salmon alfredo. It was a huge portion (MAYBE we finished half of it) and it tasted ok. If the bill was $20-$30 cheaper (it was seventy something) I'd give it four stars.
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Review from Tofu A.
San Francisco, CA
Got a laugh at all the whiny 3-star reviews from tourists. I grew up on the Cape and this place is the real thing. The food is great and everyone is very nice. Plus the about to fall into the water sloping old Cape Cod dockside floor thing is just the right atmosphere. The Scallop Po Boy is fantastic.

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