In Cape Cod food news this week, we check out a Bourne restaurant that hit a TikTok milestone and a restaurant in Falmouth called Romeo's that opens just in time for Valentine's Day.
Was your favorite restaurant on Resy.com’s list of the most booked places on Cape Cod? Check out the list in last week’s Tidbits, where we also say goodbye to the Dennis restaurant that Resy.com listed as the most-reserved on Cape Cod.
Try a Josh Cellars recipe for an Italian Spritz at capecodtimes.com, also in last week's Tidbits. If the name Josh Cellars sounds familiar, it may be because its co-founder and brand ambassador lives in Dennis and is involved in supporting a score of Cape Cod arts programs – often by providing wine for fundraisers.
Bourne Breakfast Club hits 1 million TikTok views
Dawn Pettey, owner of the Bourne Breakfast Club, celebrated her birthday Feb. 4 having reached a TikTok milestone: A video of her Monument Beach diner hit 1 million views.
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“I have to be honest; my daughter, who is 16, I sent her a bunch of pictures of food and the restaurant and asked her if she would do a video because I don’t understand how it works,” Pettey said in a telephone interview.
Her daughter understood the assignment: She put music behind a video montage of still photos and racked up the impressive number.
Pettey, a waitress for 25 years before opening her own place, has been trying to get the word out about the Bourne Breakfast Club, which she opened June 12. The breakfast, lunch and Friday night only dinner place is at 254 Shore Road in Monument Beach, a village of Bourne. It is on the site of the former Rise and Dine Cafe and, before that, Tuk Tuk Thai Food – in a small strip mall down the street from The Lobster Trap.
Oh, and you don't have to join anything to eat at Bourne Breakfast Club. But if you get your club card stamped each time you visit, the 11th meal is free.
Pettey, of Middleboro, gets help from her three teenagers who each work some hours at the 70-seat restaurant. One of the diner’s specialties is meatloaf and eggs, made with chef John Haggerty’s mom’s recipe, Pettey said, while another is Portuguese hash with linguica, potatoes, onions, peppers and spices.
Romeo’s in Falmouth reopens for Valentine's Day
According to owner Tommy Pontolilo, writing on the website RomeosFalmouth.com, this all-American restaurant is named for a rescue dog Pontolilo shared his life with while working as a chef in Boston and Alaska.
“He was – and still is – intelligent, charismatic, and friendly to all.” Despite issues with his sight, Pontolilo writes, the dog “was all about kisses and affection, leading to being named Romeo.”
While dog kisses are not on tap at Romeo’s, the restaurant encourages community, with the concept of social dining: serving family-style shareable plates that feed two to four. Patrons are encouraged to order for the table from a menu that includes Korean fried chicken and veggie fried rice at $18, or Thai beef or local striped bass tacos at $24 each.
Romeo’s is at 75 Davis Straits, Falmouth, in a space that was formerly C Salt Wine Bar & Grill. Romeo’s closed briefly in January through Feb. 13 to refresh the space and finetune their equipment, according to the website, but will reopen for Valentine’s Day.
Gwenn Friss is the editor of CapeWeek and covers entertainment, restaurants and the arts. Contact her at gfriss@capecodonline.com. Join the Cape Cod Times free Facebook group, Good Stuff at Cape Cod Restaurants, to share tips and participate in food polls.
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