Where All Good Things Meet and the Flavors of Life are Celebrated!
by Talia Young & Dirk Leisure
ELEANOR ROOSEVELT ONCE FAMOUSLY STATED that “If life were predictable it would cease to be life and be without flavor”. Perhaps it was with this sentiment in mind that Chef Ralston Francis chose to open a new restaurant while so many were being forced to close their doors. That unpredictable gamble has paid off as the pandemic wanes and together with partner Sony Chhibber, they have opened the doors to Flavors restaurant in Oak Bluffs.
Just saying the word “flavors” elicits anticipation of dining out, your taste buds coming alive as a carefully prepared meal is set before you. But as Ralston explains, that is not the only reason for the name. “I wanted to create a space for all. To me, Flavors exist not only in food, but also in music, in people, and in cultures. Flavors is what came to me when I thought of all these things in life coming together as one”
Inside, the restaurant has a familiar feel but with a delightful makeover. The exposed brick walls have been painted white and the decor delivers a light and airy ambiance both in the bar area and the semi-separate dining room. Outside there is a Victorian porch to sit, relax, and watch the world go by like a parade of summer activity as people stroll the busy street. Painted yellow and white, the porch is similar to those found inside the Cottage City campground just a few feet behind the restaurant. You’ll notice Edison lights hanging from the porch roof, and old milk bottles filled with vibrant orange and red flowers sitting on tables as though it might have been placed there over a century ago when visitors started gathering on this very porch. Now on to the food.
You could end the night happy sharing a table full of appetizers but you shouldn’t because here come the entrees, starting with the Surf n Turf where you will visit the turf via a 4oz perfectly cooked to order filet in a demi sauce that will melt in your mouth, and meet the surf by way of a tender lobster tail (seemingly pre buttered and) grilled to perfection, then served atop the filet as though they were always meant to be eaten together. Served with mashed potatoes and finished with sautéed asparagus this dish is perfect for seafood lovers and tourists craving the classics. The Fisherman Platter is that perfect golden mound of fried seafood that people flock to the coast just to taste. It comes with crispy onion rings, deep-fried shrimp, succulent fried fish, and golden calamari. This dish is a great meal for two and comes with a side of coleslaw.
Let’s start with breakfast…on the above-mentioned porch. First, what a treat to have another choice for breakfast in Oak Bluffs. Not that the others aren’t good, but there just are not enough of them and it makes for an agonizingly long wait without coffee!. And so, it is with great enthusiasm that we welcome another to the list. Chef Ralston is no stranger to the first meal of the day as he and his wife Mavis own the Edgartown Diner, where breakfast is served ALL day! He brings with him a few traditional dishes aptly re titled with Oak Bluffs names such as the Circuit avenue Omelet made with eggs, onions, peppers, tomato, spinach, mushrooms and served with toast and home fries. But Ralston also adds a twist to punctuate the differences between the two towns. For example the Short Rib Eggs Benedict or the Chicken and Waffles, a hunk of fried chicken sandwiched between two waffles and drizzled with real Maple syrup. But one of our fav’s was the BLT Avocado Benedict consisting of smash avocado, crispy bacon, tomato arugula, and hollandaise sauce atop an English muffin base. So good!
Lunch foods include some light fare such as soups and salads including the Mixed Greens Salad, which is a harmony of healthy greens, soft and crumbly goat cheese, and fresh strawberries drizzled with a balsamic dressing. New England Clam Chowder is another good choice, creamy smooth and filled with delicious fresh clams, it is an island favorite so good it might be a contender for the Chowdah fest when it returns. Specialty Sandwiches and Wraps round out the lunch menu, all served with fresh French fries. Now, on to Dinner!
Appetizers include the Crispy Brussel Sprouts that are perfectly browned and mixed with crumbled bleu cheese and bacon and then tossed in a balsamic dressing. Not only deliciously rich in flavor but also in nutrition. Grilled Scallops, four local and fresh seared scallops, sitting on a bed of succotash in which you can taste every ingredient such as the carrot puree, zucchini, lima beans, corn, green pepper, red onion, and tomato; a medley made in heaven that compliments the scallops perfectly.
One of Chef Ralston’s favorite new appetizers is something that he says the island doesn’t have and he puts a “unique twist to an island favorite, Lobster”. flavors introduces for all of our tasting pleasure the Lobster Mania, which offers lobster in four different and delicious ways. There are the lobster rolls served both hot and cold, the lobster donut, and finally the lobster salsa. Ralston says it “reminds me of the island, and since the classic island appetizer is the lobster roll, I thought I should put our own spin on that dish.” You could end the night happy sharing a table full of appetizers but you shouldn’t because here come the entrees, starting with the Surf n Turf where you will visit the turf via a 4oz perfectly cooked to order filet in a demi sauce that will melt in your mouth, and meet the surf by way of a tender lobster tail (seemingly pre buttered and) grilled to perfection, then served atop the filet as though they were always meant to be eaten together. Served with mashed potatoes and finished with sautéed asparagus this dish is perfect for seafood lovers and tourists craving the classics. The Fisherman Platter is that perfect golden mound of fried seafood that people flock to the coast just to taste. It comes with crispy onion rings, deep-fried shrimp, succulent fried fish, and golden calamari. This dish is a great meal for two and comes with a side of coleslaw.
Remembering that Flavors is also about the flavor of music, there is nightly entertainment with a seamless transition from dining to dancing as circuit avenue revelers party into the wee hours. Later this summer Flavors will play host to the 10th annual Martha’s Vineyard Comedy fest (see article in this issue) There is a large area in the back of the dining area that is set up for venue events and concerts. A stage, that holds entertainers at night, conveniently elevates a few tables during the day. Lots more is planned for this space so stay tuned to Flavors entertainment schedule as it is filling up the nightlife calendar fast.
Flavors is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night for the hungry bar crowd. Next time you’re in Oak Bluffs, come visit Flavors on Circuit Avenue. After all, it’s where all good things meet and the Flavors of life are celebrated!
More Info
508-338-7401
11 Circuit Avenue
Oak Bluffs
Open 9am to 1am
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | Late Night Food
