What's New

The following are highlights of what's new on the Cape and islands.

The Upper Cape

Falmouth has three new restaurants, all very different and all worth a try.

The Casino Wharf Fx (286 Grand Ave., Falmouth Heights; tel. 508/540-6120) is the new high-end restaurant that has replaced the infamous Casino, a rowdy nightclub that had its heyday in the 70s and 80s. The decor in this two-level restaurant is formal and sleek. The best thing about it is the view; floor-to-ceiling windows overlook Falmouth Heights Beach. The deck on the top level is, if anything, a little too high, but it has the benefit of being open to the sky on beautiful days. The menu here is still evolving. Lunch is considerably less expensive than dinner and probably the better choice, but you can't discount the sunset views. The Casino Wharf Fx is open year-round and hosts live jazz several nights a week.

When Sabatino Scafuto closed his pizzeria and bakery several years ago, many people in town mourned the loss of what some considered the town's best pizza. But now he's back. Sabatino's (465 Grand Ave., Falmouth Heights; [tel 508/540-5900) is open in a small storefront -- a former convenience store -- on the way to Falmouth Heights Beach. He is making his stupendous deep-dish pizzas and other Italian favorites. Don't miss the tiki bar, a great place to have a drink.

The new Golden Swan Indian Cuisine (323 Main St., Falmouth; tel. 508/540-6580) is the best Indian food in the area. Spicy curries and fried breads are scrumptious. Wash it down with Indian beer or Indian wine (who knew?). If you've never experienced Indian food, this is worth a try for the sheer uniqueness of the flavors. If you're already a fan, I don't need to tell you twice.

The Mid Cape

A new bar scene in Hyannis is gaining in popularity. The bar at the former Asa Bearse House is now called Asa's Grille (415 Main St., Hyannis; tel. 508/775-9600), and is drawing a young, fun crowd. Over the past couple of summers, this historic house was home to Grille 16, a fancy steakhouse, but Asa's is definitely a more casual venue. The DJ gets the crowd dancing from about 10pm on.

The rumor is that Eclectic Cafe (606 Main St., Hyannis; tel. 508/771-7187), the fun restaurant reached by walking through an ivy-lined alley, may reopen soon. The restaurant has been closed for renovations for two summer seasons.

Island Merchant (302 Main St., Hyannis; tel. 508/771-1337) has moved around the corner to Main Street. This cafe has gained popularity with its Greenwich Village atmosphere that includes readings and acoustic performances on weekends.

The new Blue Moon Bistro in Dennis Village (605 Main St./Rte. 6A; tel. 508/385-7100) is the latest entry in the casual fine-dining scene on Cape Cod. This comfortable, airy establishment features Chef Peter Hyde's wonderful food, elegantly served. The menu offers a few surprises among the traditional fish and meat dishes.

In Yarmouth Port news, abbicci (43 Main St./Rte. 6A, Yarmouthport; tel. 508/362-3501) has reopened and it's better than ever. This fine-dining mainstay now has a hip bar and a tapas menu, and is more popular than ever.

A great new place for a drink in West Dennis is the Compass Rose Summer Shanty, located in -- of all places -- the Bass River Marina (tel. 508/394-0400). Sit on the patio to watch boats go by or indoors to listen to live bands play every night but Tuesday in the summer. You can't go wrong with the lobster rolls here.

The contest for best pizza on the Cape has a new contender: Joey's Pizzeria in Dennisport (189 Lower County Rd., Dennisport; tel. 508/398-7774). Joey tried dozens of dough recipes before deciding on this one, and it is delicious.

The Outer Cape

In Truro, who would ever guess the tiny diner Babe's would reinvent itself as a Middle Eastern restaurant? Babe's Mediterranean Bistro (69 Shore Rd., North Truro; tel. 508/487-9955) serves dinner nightly in season, offering kabobs, hummis, and other dishes from the Middle East and North Africa.

The Provincetown restaurant scene has experienced some big changes. The town's two top restaurants, The Martin House and Chester's, have both closed. That leaves diners lining up at the remaining fine-dining eateries, like Front Street (230 Commercial St. tel. 508/487-9715), Devon's (401 1/2 Commercial St.; tel. 508/487-4773), Lorraine's (133 Commercial St.; tel. 508/487-6074), The Mews (429 Commercial St.; tel. 508/487-1500), and Edwidge @ Night (333 Commercial St., upstairs; tel. 508/487-4020).

One of the most fun changes in Provincetown is the completion of the new Provincetown Public Library (356 Commercial St.; tel. 508/487-7094) in a former Methodist Church building, originally constructed in 1860, that used to house the Heritage Museum and before that, the Chrysler Museum. The second-floor children's room is built around a half-scale replica of the Rose Dorothea schooner, which captured the Lipton Cup in 1907 in the famous sailboat race from Boston to Gloucester.

Nantucket

Two favorite old inns that are located practically next door to each other on Broad Street are in the midst of renovations.

The owners of the Jared Coffin House (29 Broad St., Nantucket; tel. 800/248-2405), perhaps the island's most venerable lodging house, are planning upgrades to the two restaurants on the property. Both establishments, Jared's and the Tap Room, are closed until further notice while the renovations are planned. The company that owns the property has several other high-end establishments on the island -- The Wauwinet and the White Elephant -- as well as the Harbor House and the Wharf Cottages.

The Nesbitt Inn (21 Broad St., Nantucket; tel. 508/228-0156), the last remaining of the old guesthouses with shared bathrooms, is upgrading. The new owners are upgrading the rooms to have private bathrooms.

Martha's Vineyard

The Harborside Inn, the grand hotel built in the late 19th century that overlooks Lighthouse Beach in Edgartown, is undergoing a major renovation. The new owners are adding a spa and fitness center, updating all of the inn rooms, expanding the amenities, and freshening up the entire property.

The newest restaurant to open on Circuit Avenue in Oak Bluffs is the Oyster Bar Grill (67 Circuit Ave., Oak Bluffs; tel. 508/693-6600), a cool and sleek steakhouse. This spacious venue is a great place to go with a large group of friends, but it can also be the right spot for an intimate dinner complete with entertainment. There's live jazz most nights in season and a lively bar scene.