These past few days the kids and I have been on Cape Cod visiting Auntie. The kids have finally learned the difference between being IN Cape May and being ON Cape Cod. Took a few years! Monday we decided to head to Provincetown, where Auntie had vacationed as a child and is one of our favorite places to go. M went as a baby, but not since. Auntie and I frequent it, and have some favorites. We are usually there sans kids, and thoroughly enjoy Pepe's Wharf (get the crab and artichoke dip!) and The Mews (oh hello Lobster and Scallops!). However, with kids, it's a different story! Even though I've been really on the ball with exercise and food- losing ten pounds since my return from vacation number one- we HAD to have lunch at Canteen- they make the absolute best lobster roll I have EVER HAD. Butter, chives, in a brioche roll with a side of vinegary herby slaw- add some crispy brussel sprouts with fish sauce and it's just heaven. We had serious restaurant karma- second in line when we arrived, plenty of tables. Once we sat down the line was out to the street! M was brave and went for pulled pork tacos- they had some heat but he really enjoyed them. J wanted pulled pork too, but then refused to eat anything. No worry there, the pork was enjoyed! They do have hot dogs, and grilled cheese as well if you are traveling with kids. Auntie likes the cod Banh Mi, and gets that every time!
After our whale watch, it was time for dinner. J was super hungry, having refused to eat his lunch, and my stomach was growling. We thought about the Lobster Pot, but even at 5:30 there was a wait. Across the street is the Governor Bradford (which I can't even attach a link to as they don't have a website, yet have existed in P-Town for decades)- hmmm, kids meals ranged from three dollars to five dollars, the wine list was good, and we were sold. Seated right away, and our lovely waitress Alisha (unsure on spelling of course) came over. Since we were seated before 6 pm and it was a Monday, we could do the "Happy Hour" deal- buy one, get one half off on all entrees. Well, I like saving money, and so does Auntie. We ordered the boys their mac and cheese and hot dog kids meals (which come with a drink and a Hoodsie cup), and took a few minutes to decide. With a discount, we went for it- I ordered the pan seared one and a quarter pound lobster (pan seared- garlic and butter, as opposed to steamed) and Auntie ordered the shrimp, scallop and crab cakes topped with lobster. This was 6:07 pm. We received our drinks (wine for me, a margarita for Auntie) in record time, and the boys' meals were out by 6:15. The waitress was great with the kids, which I appreciated as they had definitely been quite cranky. We then overheard another waiter tell his table the kitchen was running slow, and to perhaps consider an appetizer. Hmmm.
Then we observed a couple leave their table and tell the hostess they were leaving as it had been 45 minutes. It wasn't super clear what that referred to- getting orders taken? Their meal? Sometimes tables slip through the cracks- we had already ordered and another waiter came to take our orders. Hmmmm. Communication clearly a weak point. However, boys were happy.
Then it was 6:45. When the waitress brought the boys their sundaes, she apologized again for the wait and said that a chef had called out, would we like soup or a salad on the house? She also refreshed my wine. We both got lobster bisque, and to say it was not worth discussing might be higher praise than it deserved. When the soup was delivered, we were told our drinks were on the house, as there was an issue in the kitchen. Ok then. Then it's 7 pm. The manager stops over to apologize and says our meals will be out momentarily. 7:10 pm. The bartender is rolling his eyes at us, and pours more wine into a plastic tumbler for the table. Auntie and I share. 7:15, the manager again- he's called the owner to complain about the infighting in the kitchen- I wanted a 1.25 pound lobster but they are out- so he says give her a 1.5 pound lobster. There is apparently super drama in the kitchen over that. Lots of screaming about tickets. NO TICKET NO FOOD. Umm, we ordered. I don't write the damn tickets. Never mind we have a clear view into the kitchen and we can see all the arguing. Manager informs us meal is totally on the house. 7:24, still no food.
Kids are engrossed in their tablets and Auntie and I at this point are playing a waiting game- we can grab pizza somewhere else, how long do we wait? Our morbid curiosity as to how it will play out has taken hold. Tables all around us have been in and out (including the table who was warned at the slow kitchen!) We decide 7:30 is our end game. When I go to use the restroom the manager thanked me for my patience- which I responded with a "too bad I write a blog that's pretty much only about food".
Return to table. It's 7:29 pm. There is no sign of food. All of a sudden, another glass of wine is plunked down before me. With the bottle. I look at the manager and say "We cannot possibly drink this, we haven't even gotten our food!". His response was brilliant- "well, the bottle is a screw top so you can take it with you". SOLD. Just as we were ready to leave at 7:38- the food arrived.
Sadly to say, it was delicious. And I will never go back.
P.S. Our restaurant karma returned- when we went to the Portuguese bakery for the fried dough it was JUST coming out the frier- and the most delicious thing I have had in a long time- M tried a bite and said "Mom, this just changed my life." I hear you, buddy.
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