
June 2012
watch. The tasting menu is $185 per person or $95 per person without wines. The three-course prix-fixe menu is $78 per person without wines. We started the meal off with a paired selection of wines. This included a Bourgogne Aligoté, which is a light white wine. It has a refreshing effervescent finish and is a perfect summer white wine choice. The meal started with the chef's signature lobster and crab cakes appetizer. The sweet, moist interior and light crispy crust were a perfect combination. This dish could have easily been a standalone main course, but luckily it was just a warm-up for the over-the-top entrée to come. Next, the sommelier paired a 1998 Cerbaiona Toscana from Montalcino with the main course. It's a baby Brunello made from 60% Sangiovese with Merlot, Syrah and Malvasia Nera. It's a dry red wine that goes well with meat. We'd given chef Daniels carte blanche in ordering. He selected the beef Wellington for the main course. It's a dish that takes some time to prepare and is difficult to get right. It's all about the way the crust is prepared and baked without overcooking the meat. It's an English recipe and I've had it many times growing up in a British household. Complements to chef Daniels. My mother wants to visit Nantucket now to taste it, too! It was delightful evening and our host suggested that we try the bananas in napoleon peppercorn ice cream, which is made from caramelized bananas and passion fruit. This is a dessert that goes perfectly with a cappuccino. It was a perfect finish to a great meal. Main courses range from $34 to $56. Jacket requested for men. Open May to October daily from noon to 2pm and 6pm to 9pm. Topper's Restaurant, P.O. Box 2580, Nantucket, MA 02584, Reservations: 1-800-426-8718.
THE JARED COFFIN HOUSE The building is a landmark. The prominent shipping magnate Jared Coffin built the home in the mid-1800s as a family residence and named it after one of his ships. Conveniently located at the top of Broad Street, it's situated in the heart of the historic district and affords easy access to all of the world-class shopping and dining that Nantucket has to offer. Our room had been recently updated. The fresh decor included a complement of tasteful antiques and reproductions that made you feel like one of Jared Coffin's guests from a time gone by. There was a small sitting area with a loveseat and coffee table, which was a convenient place to stage a laptop to access the inn's wireless Internet. (Daily and weekly fees apply.) One of the best features about the room was the ultra silent air-conditioning unit. It was operated via remote control and not only cooled the room but the air was refreshing, too! The bathroom area was set up to accommodate a closet, small fridge and an ironing board. The private bath was separate and a little tight, but you've got to remember this is a house that's over 150 years old! I slept comfortably in the queen sized bed and the down comforter and pillows made it a little hard to rise and shine for my fly fishing excursion to Madaket the next day. All of the rooms at the Jared Coffin House and the Daniel Webster House are non-smoking. A continental breakfast is served each morning, which includes freshly baked pastries, coffee and tea. The Jared Coffin House, 29 Broad Street, Nantucket, MA 02554, Reservations 800-248-2405.
AMENITIES RUSTY .... |
