For the last couple of months, I have been walking by The Ocean Club, watching its progress. I saw the rich teal hues through the window and tried to imagine what the old Martha's Vineyard National Bank building would look like as a restaurant. After all, this was the building where I opened my first savings account on the Island back in 2003. It was hard to imagine it as anything else.
The Ocean Club Restaurant & Bar - Dive Into Exceptional Dining On Martha's Vineyard - The Restaurant
Finally, the wait was over. I could finally see the inside an experience one of the Island's newest restaurants. The Ocean Club opened in late August and it was worth the wait. One of the many great things about this restaurant is that you can make a reservation on Open Table, up to 7 days in advance. Reservations were made, outfits were discussed (it is definitely worth getting a little dressed up for) and we were ready for the Ocean Club.
Walking into the Ocean Club, you are immediately wowed. The teal colors and the wood and the stained glass and all the light is captivating. When you look to the right, there is the most lovely bar with the largest window featuring their alcohol choices. This is where I used to work with tellers to deposit checks. Now it is a stunning, welcoming bar with the most pleasant of bartenders.
I had to walk around the restaurant before I could take a seat. It is just amazing - a complete transformation. The space is simply decorated but is impactful - stylish and chic. The back area is perfect for quieter dining where as the front of the restaurant is more lively. Decor is coastal inspired and well placed. There is a table that serves large parties or as a communal table if needed that is a large piece of glass over the old bank's vault door to the safe. It makes for quite the conversation starter and is very cool.
The wine "cellar" is actually the old bank vault. What a fabulous way to repurpose a focal feature of the building. Of course I had to have a peak inside. I love a good bank turned restaurant experience. Often you'll find these off-Island in larger cities and now we have our very own on Martha's Vineyard.
Owner Reid (Sam) Dunn's vision for this new 85 eat fine-dining restaurant delivers a wow-factor that offers a truly unique experience.
The Ocean Club Restaurant & Bar - Dive Into Exceptional Dining On Martha's Vineyard - Cocktails
When we finally took our seats, we were met by the bartender Katrine. She was professional, lovely, and had a sense of humor. She suggested a number of options, but we were boring. We both wanted Dirty Martinis. So simple, yet so challenging to get right. Katrine delivered 5 star versions, and the martini glass the restaurant features made it even more fabulous. Glassware says a lot about a restaurant and these martini glasses are perfection.
The Ocean Club offers a selection of wines, signature cocktails, and mocktails. They craft beautiful drinks behind that beautiful bar.
The Ocean Club Restaurant & Bar - Dive Into Exceptional Dining On Martha's Vineyard - The Food
The menu features Coastal Mediterranean inspired dishes. The restaurant has opened with a more concentrated menu but plans to expand the selection which is seasonally inspired. The Ocean Club chef, Chef Orfaly, is a "seven-time nominated James Beard Awardee, Food & Wine "Best Chef in America" honoree and "One of the Top Chefs to Watch in the Country - Esquire and Boston Magazine". With this pedigree, you can imagine the food is fantastic and it does not disappoint. It is some of the best you will find on the Island.
We stated with the Za'atar Crusted Focaccia with house hummus and marinated olives. Make sure to keep the bread for potential dipping later. We also had the Tuna Tabouleh, which had such fresh, delicious local tuna and the star of the Mezze course - the Octopus Shawarma. The octopus was cooked to perfection, so soft and tender. The best I have had in a long time. The crispy chick peas and creamy hummus and paprika oil just add to the Mediterranean feel of this dish.
After apps and martinis, it was on to the entrees. Since we indulged so much with apps, we shared an entree. It was an easy choice. Restaurant manager, Taylor, suggested the Halibut Piccata, one of the chef's signature dishes. Once again, we were treated to a culinary delight. The Halibut Piccata had the most lovely sauce with capers and lemons on a bead of artichokes and fingerling potatoes. The focaccia was perfect for savoring every last bit of the sauce from the dish.
I am sad to say that dessert was not an option for us this evening, but I am certain to explore their selection on a future visit. There was cobbler, mousse, espresso martinis, after dinner drinks and more.
I will definitely go back to The Ocean Club Restaurant & Bar. Not only did the space feel special and coastal, but the food was so good. The staff was so pleasant. It is where you go to have an experience, celebrate life's little and big moments. It's priced similar to other Island fine-dining restaurants and delivers a truly memorable experience.
Fun facts about this remarkable building that once housed Martha's Vineyard National Bank - A Vineyard Haven native, William Barry Owen, was an entrepreneur who did a number of remarkable things during his life, including founding the Tisbury Waterworks, developing West Chop, buying Owen Park, and he even built the stone bank where he was a majority share holder in the bank and more!
One of the things he was fond of was the painting of a Fox Terrier in a painting by Francis Barraud. He got a Fox Terrier of his own and named him Nipper. Nipper became the dog associated with Owen's business he was involved with in England, The Gramaphone Company. He immediately saw the appeal of the dog's expression for marketing gramaphones. Though Owen's company was not RCA, the two companies did work together, and I am guessing they saw the appeal in Nipper too! If you can, take the time to find"Nipper" and read the more complete history of this amazing Islander. I think that Owen would be quite fond of the new chapter of the building he made possible.
Congratulations to everyone who has worked—and continues to work—tirelessly to make this special restaurant a reality. The Ocean Club Restaurant & Bar is slated to be a year-round restaurant which is great for Islanders and visitors. Think party space too - holiday parties, gatherings, rehearsal dinners and more. The restaurant is located on Main Street in Vineyard Haven, across from Mikado and Fish MV. Reservations are encouraged, click here to make yours today.
Thank you for reading On Point MV - a blog about Island happenings. If you have questions, stories to share or blog ideas, email guinevere@pointbrealty.com