Dancing at Lola’s, letting the sea breeze whip through my hair, sitting on the porch enjoying fresh seafood…ahhh Martha’s Vineyard.

Recently I spent two weeks at the Massachusetts island that sits south of Cape Cod. The island has everything from beaches to farmland. The great thing is that it is only accessible by boat or air so you are preparing to completely de-stress while you are sitting on the ferry or peering through the window of the plane. There are so many amazing things about MV, that’s Martha’s Vineyard if you didn’t know. :o) So many, that I had to narrow my growing MV Favorites list down to 5 things.

Meeting New People
MV brings so many people together every year. Every time, I get that much closer to my travelling buddies and add new friends to the circle. This year I had a chance to provide boutique catering services for a dinner party. In that group of friends and family were people from everywhere, in the US and outside of the US. Even a simple stroll down the street will yield amazing conversations and the opportunity to interact with yet another new friend!

Breathtaking Scenery
Hydrangeas as big as your head!! The flowers and well manicured lawns are immaculate. They provide the touch of elegance that compliments the ornate homes with sprawling porches. Porch life is definitely a thing on the island. You eat, socialize and some even sleep on their porches. It is also a good way to strike up the occasional conversation with the folks passing by. Altogether its picturesque scene steeped so deeply in history looks as though you've walked straight into an oil painting.

Shopping
I love to shop...usually for great food but in this case I will make an exception. The shopping in the area boasts unique items that can only be found in Martha's Vineyard. One such store/brand is The Black Dog. The Black Dog brand has history dating back to 1932. Visit their website to learn about the journey.

The Polar Bear Experience

A trip to Martha's Vineyard would not be complete without a dip in the Inkwell to join the Polar Bears for an experience to remember. Women and men of all ages and color gather every morning between July 4 and Labor Day to continue to carry on a more than 50 year tradition.  Read more about that experience in a Vineyard Gazette article.

Great restaurants and eateries
Of course I have to share a bit about the great places to grab a bite. There were so many wonderful stops with history and delicious dishes!

Linda Jeans and the Healthy Start
Ice cream shops
Ben & Bills
Mad Martha’s
Lambert’s Cove in West Tisbury
Seafood Shanty
Lobsterville Bar & Grill
- Favorite lobster roll
Hot buttered with truffle fries

Fresh seafood and produce
As a chef, I value the freshness of the ingredients that I use in not only my clients meals but also my own. With this in mind, having the ability to shop for fresh food from Alley’s Farm Stand in Tisbury explore and grab fresh vegetables and fruit then on to Net Result for seafood just caught the same morning it was purchased put the icing on this proverbial cake.