Sometimes I think Mack the Knife might be about Wellfleet and its environs (Not really, but somehow it came to mind as a way into this bit of reflection.) And no, I am not writing about Bobby Darin, though he did, indeed, sing the song.
I am not even spelling Mack that way. I am writing, instead, about Mac -- as in Mac's Shack, Mac's Kitchen and Market, and most generally, as in Mac's Seafood. Mac's Seafood is the overarching link between all sorts of things in the area -- a restaurant or two, a market or two, and etc. We visited a variety of them a month or more ago when we were on the Cape. VY the time this posts to the blog and you read it, it will be into July and high season at the Cape. Yuck to the traffic and crowds. Hurrah to the beauty. And, here is a bit of input re dining:
A few comments:
Mac's Shack is a restaurant we avoided for years because -- we were silly? We had some stereotypes which were wrong? we wanted to pretend we were not sucked in by the huge lobster on the roof? In any case, we went a year or so ago and returned this visit to Wellfleet. And, in fact, we went there more than once. Since we were there off season this time, we did not have to hover around the bar with elbows in our faces, awaiting a table for an hour or more. Instead, we were seated right away every time (ok, it wad three) we went there. Among the wonders that we ate were: hamachi aguachile (which is yellowtail, raw, with a hot mexican inspired marinade) which was terrific, fish tacos which were near perfection (fried fish, that came in a way that required -- or allowed) you to put the tacos together yourself), a mango martini (which was a ceviche like preparation of tuna (again), french fries (aka a bucket of fries), a salad, and more. All in all we were very happy with both the food and the wine/cocktails. YEs, this is a similar restaurant to the Mac's Fishhouse in Provincetown. Yep, same owners. Never been there. But can certainly recommend the Shack in Wellfleet. We sat outside. MMMMM GOOD. Location: 91 Commercial Street in Wellfleet, phone: 508-349-6333. Risk the crowds if you are there in high season If not, just enjoy!
There is a delightful Mac's Market and Kitchen in Eastham. We went there as a result of a bike issue (a flat tire) and . . . were thrilled and returned there both to buy additional treats and to get our only lobster (for partner) and scallop (for me) rolls of the visit. To be blunt, this place is expensive. We bought eggs which were beautiful (multi colored) but still, almost $10. And, we bought pre-made salads that were terrific -- including a kale salad we returned for and some chicken curry salad I had an inexplicable craving for. We also bought some smoked salmon (tasty) and three "fish balls" which were -- oddly -- shaped like balls and came with a delightful aoli. We found some crackers and more. Indeed, this is where we got some mignonette for th oysters my partner shucked, as well as some lemons. Hurrah. All of this all allowed us to kind of picnic while there, rather than endlessly eat out. We also visited the seasonal Mac's Market on the Wellfleet Pier, thinking they would have the same items. Not so much. And, frankly, the tuna and other items which we bought there were not as beautiful as what we saw in Eastham. (I made dinner -- including a poorly made shrimp and scallop ceviche which I ought to have let marinate for a LOT longer, and a very tasty though ugly piece of tuna.) You can ship things over night from Mac's . . . who knows!
All in all, despite my irritation at the pier market in Wellfleet itself, we were reminded that Mac's is wonderful. They are in fact a purveyor of their own fished products, inventive in their cooking and delightful in terms of their ambience. Except the pier. Alas.
And yes, you can order things on line. Did I say that already?
