Play Some Golf, Climb the Wall, Get a Good Lunch and Don’t Forget the Homemade Ice Cream
by Kendra Mills
Family memories are made at Island Cove Adventures. Owner and developer Mary Gosselin fondly relates a story about two young girls who visited the course every summer and always took a picture with the small chef statue that displayed the hours of the grill. Upon the girls’ departure to college, the parents returned to the Island Cove and explained that the girls’ yearly height had been recorded in relation to the statue.
The grill at Island Cove Adventures is a gem hidden in plain sight. This highly unique business is located across from down island Cronigs and features a mini golf course, an ice cream bar, a rock climbing wall, and, for the purpose of this article, an outdoor grill. Stepping onto the Island Cove golf course is magical and akin to stepping back into childhood. Gosselin says of the Island Cove, “This is a little oasis where people leave the world behind.”
It is natural that a business so dedicated to preserving family fun provides healthy options for children to munch on be-tween mini golf and rock climbing. “It’s about balance.” Gosselin says, having majored in nutrition in college. The Island Cove grill is in its 17th year and serves several standard meal options like burgers and hot dogs. However, the menu also includes items like grilled vegetables— like the marinated peppers can be eaten like french fries—and veggie burgers made from sweet potato, black beans, and Cajun spices. The cook staff at the grill is sensitive to the dietary restrictions of people who are vegetarian or gluten intolerant and will prepare meals accordingly.
Gosselin is highly selective when it comes to choosing food for the grill. For example their burgers are purchased in cryovac packaging to preserve freshness and their homemade, small-batch ice cream comes from a company in New England. Gosselin provides a delicious 15 ingredient secret recipe marinade for the chicken and vegetables which is used in one of their specials—grilled chicken and veggies on pita. It is easy to see why the dish is a favorite; the chicken is tender, the vegetables have just the right amount of crunch, and the pita is warm and chewy.
After picking up a meal, customers can perch near the grill and look over the golf course and waterfall or sit at the front of the building at one of the colorful picnic tables. The landscaping of the property is truly beautiful, decorated with large clusters of flowers and greenery. The front patio is sunken into the ground and the rim— like the rest of the golf course—is lined with low growing flowers such as lilies, black eyed susans, and pansies. The overall aesthetic of the course is island-themed, with large posts reminiscent of dock posts and rope decorations, everything placed carefully for the safety of the kids.
If visiting the Vineyard with children, the Island Cove is too good to miss. Stop by and catch their fantastic special which includes a game of golf, a turn at the rock climbing wall, a meal, an ice cream, and a drink. When it comes to a day of family fun and food, Island cove literally has it all!.
MORE INFO
386 State Rd
Vineyard Haven
(508) 693-2611
http://islandcoveadventures.com/
