Solon Economou

Restaurant review: Two "Thumbs Up," one "Thumbs Down"

Yarmouth House Restaurant, Rte 28, West Yarmouth.  THUMBS UP.  The Yarmouth House continues to be my favorite.  From your greeting by Ted Zambelis or your host, Fred, as you enter, to the superb wait staff, to the exquisite food and atmosphere, the Yarmouth House is consistently top-notch.

Visitors from Williamsburg, Virginia, whom I recently brought there, gave it a "four-star" rating.  It is my Number One place to bring visitors; reasonably priced, and elegant but casual at the same time.  And always decorated to fit the season.  Not least, the wait staff even manages to tolerate my sense of humor.

I often have the half-duckling, crisp.  It is one of the few restaurants on the Cape where I can find it.  The prime rib is always superb, as are the mussels (to which I am allergic-I have to take my friends' word for that) with linguini.  I give Yarmouth House an enthusiastic "Thumbs Up."

Oliver's, Rte 6A, Yarmouth Port.  THUMBS UP.  Another consistently good restaurant, with a wonderful atmosphere and a varied menu.  They feature a good seafood menu with a listed "Catch of the Day."  Again, reasonably priced.

One unique feature is the choice of two differently-sized servings on some of their specials, at two prices, to accommodate those who may want a smaller portion.  Hint:  order the regular (larger) size and take what you can't eat home for lunch the next day.

Visitors were also happy with Oliver's--this is also a measure for my rating--how strangers to the Cape like a restaurant.

The wait staff has still to figure out my sense of humor, but Oliver's gets a "Thumbs Up."

Sundancer's, Rte 28, Dennisport.  THUMBS DOWN.  Sundancer's is near my home, and I have been taking people there for years.  The food is not gourmet, but fair, as are the prices. 

However, on my next-to-last visit, the food was surprisingly unappetizing.  Recognizing that  everyone has a bad night, I went back again, bringing a visitor from Texas who wanted some Cape Cod "lobstah."  After all, how badly can they screw up a boiled lobster?

When the lobsters came, each plate had (no kidding!) from THREE to FIVE French fries and about a teaspoon of cole slaw.  I used to own a restaurant, and I know these are the most inexpensive items to prepare.  Restaurants typically top off a plate with French fries to fill it. 

Kathy politely asked the waitress (not one of the young seasonal waitresses--don't blame them--but a middle-aged woman who should have known better), "Are these all the French fries we get?"

The waitress growled, "You're paying for the lobster!" and stomped off.  What the hell does that even mean?

My Texas visitor was absolutely flabbergasted at her rudeness, as was I, as was Kathy.  On my last two visits, Sundancer's seemed to be screaming, "We DON'T care for your business anymore!"  I'm happy to oblige.  Sundancer's gets a very strong "Thumbs Down."