Parties & Celebrations
Natural in Nantucket
It was all very spontaneous. My weekend plans were canceled, and at the last minute, Nantucket for the weekend sounded like a great option. I’d been invited by my good friend and über chef, Todd English, who presides over the cuisine at Summer House in Siasconset, an adorably quaint property with guest cottages covered in flowering roses and large bushes of blooming hydrangea everywhere. Blessed with amazing weather, my cottage was less than a two-minute walk which passed a rose-infused pool area and quaint dining deck to a very quiet beach; truly a slice of heaven. The beach was quiet and relaxing. No music, no kids, no dogs, just the sound of the ocean and the seagulls. It had an Ambien-like effect on me. After a long swim in the waters, I felt and smelled like a raw bar. The ocean is definitely alive, its green color intoxicating, and its salty taste filling the island’s air.
Immediately after checking in, I rented a bicycle and literally rode for miles discovering as much as I could of this quiet and gorgeous island that I’d heard so much about. I visited the island once many years ago and it felt good to be back. I returned to Summer House ready to partake in Todd’s version of New England classics. The food was unpretentious and delicious. During my few days stay, I sampled it all. A fine dining experience in the main Summer House Restaurant was accompanied by a charismatic pianist who had a group singing along, all clearly having tons of fun. The more casual dining experience on the deck at the beach felt like I was somewhere on the Cote d’Azur, with almost every table sporting a magnum or bottle of Rosé from Provence. Everywhere I looked there were groups of gorgeous people enjoying themselves. Seafood is clearly the way to go; delicious fresh oysters and clams on the half-shell still cold from the icy waters, raw or cooked. I just couldn’t get enough. Clams over a bed of linguine were by far my favorite.
At dusk, my friends and I headed over to the Cliffside Hotel and Resort to enjoy cocktails on the beach while the sun set. Once dark, we headed into the hotel’s restaurant for a very delicious dinner and of course, a great bottle of French Pinot Noir.
Nantucket is a 45-minute flight from La Guardia airport, with regular flights on US Air. For those of us who live in New York, it’s a short trip. Now that I’ve finally been there, I understand why everyone raves about it!
As always, more to come!
