An expert, reliable and comprehensive source for information, reviews and opinions that will help visitors (and even Townies) find and share the very best of Provincetown. TheYearRounder is an outstanding source for trusted recommendations for restaurants, lodging, award winners, bargains, recreation, entertainment, shopping, sightseeing, photo opportunities, upcoming events, and stories from our colorful history... Join me on my PTown quest for the best, as we explore all things Provincetown!
Pages
- End of an Era for Adams Pharmacy
- As Coronavirus Cases Begin to Show up in PTown, This is NOT the Time to Visit Us!
- July 4th Fireworks Bonus - Moonrise
- Leap Year Brings a Bonus to Saint Mary's: One Last Winter Community Luncheon!
- Provincetown's Oldest House, and a Tale of Two Time Capsules
- Green Cars Get Parking Perks in PTown
- April Fools Day in Provincetown
- Mid-April Snow Storm in Provincetown Actually Brought a Pleasant Tranquility
- Enjoy Provincetown's Amazing Bike Trails
- Liz's Cafe Earns TheYearRounder's 'Best Bite' Award in Their Opening Weeks
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Where Are All The Birds?
This Great Blue Heron is one of very few seen in the wetlands this summer. Autumn often brings them in greater numbers, but we haven't spotted many yet.
Some white herons, (Eastern Great Egrets) were seen earlier in the summer, but birds are a little sparse in the area this year.
Location:Provincetown, MA USA
Wetlands, Provincetown, MA, USA
Thursday, September 24, 2015
The Most Amazing Moon of 2015 Will Rise Over Provincetown This Weekend
![]() |
Sunday's full moon will be a harvest moon, a perigee, the year's largest supermoon, and a total eclipse. |
Astronomer Bob Berman explains further on the website of The Old Farmer's Almanac. He titled his article Mega-Harvest-Blood Moon Total Eclipse. The moon rising over Provincetown harbor is likely to be a reddish, sort of golden color, and likely to appear even more colorful when it rises on the following night, about 40 minutes later, after the sky is darker.
Anywhere along the harbor beaches you should find a good spot to watch the rising moon, once the sun sets, and later, Sunday's eclipse will be at its height between 10:11 PM and 11:24 PM, Eastern Time. Watch for exceptionally high tides for a few days, too, with Wednesay's tide hitting around 11.6 feet at 1:41 PM.
A very high tide seems always to be followed by an extremely low one, so Tuesday and Wednesday sunrises on the tidal flats should be great for beachcombing, and may also bring some exceptional photo opportunities, around 6:30 AM.
Key Words:
Harbor,
Moon,
Mother Nature,
Photo Ops
Location:Provincetown, MA USA
Provincetown, MA 02657, USA
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
John Dough's Screamin' Scallop is a Surprising Provincetown Best Bite
J D's Screamin' Scallop, available at Saki, too, is a Best Bite. |
It's the creation of manager Johnny Chase, who's been associated here for about 20 of the last 21 years of this casual eatery overlooking the hustle and bustle of Commercial Street. He took a season off somewhere between the time it was the Euro Island Grill and its more recent incarnation as a bar, pizza and burger joint, frequently referred to simply as J D's. Who knew they had a great raw bar?
This dish gets its name through the way it is prepared. A big, plump sea scallop is freshly shucked and sliced horizontally into silver dollar sized "coins" lightly torched under a flame, drizzled with casino butter, and served in a giant scallop shell nestled in a bed of fresh salad greens. I found it so tasty I had to ask Johnny what gave it that very unusual flavor that I couldn't put my finger (or tastebuds) on.
It turns out Johnny's recipe for casino butter has a secret ingredient I wouldn't have thought of in a million years. Besides the melted butter, minced garlic, onion and finely chopped sweet bell peppers of mixed colors, it has a touch of Grand Marnier, the orange flavored, cognac-based liqueur that will go down in history as one of the greatest inventions of the French.
This was the best thing I tasted in Provincetown this week, earning TheYearRounder's Best Bite award. You can also order this dish at Saki, sharing the second floor here, and part of their kitchen, with JD. I've got to have another of these before the season is gone.
Key Words:
Best Bite,
Casual Dining,
Dining,
Food,
Restaurants
Location:Provincetown, MA USA
John Dough, 258 Commercial Street, Provincetown, MA, USA
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Dozens of Whales Visit PTown Shores
![]() |
Spouts from these whales disappeared quickly on this breezy PTown afternoon. |
This spouting whale, remarkably close to the coast at half-tide, was among a pod of seven or eight found quite close to the shoreline along Race Point Beach a couple of days ago.
Whales were spotted from the overlook at the Province Lands Visitor Center, with its stunning view out over Race Point Beach, when the Provincetown Trolley Tour stopped there to talk about marine wildlife, rum runners and the old shipwreck days.
When their tour guide on this trip spotted a whale spouting in the distance, it turned into a bonus whale watch for the Trolley's passengers, who watched excitedly as some six to eight whales, continuously spouting, ventured sometimes within 50 yards of the shoreline. A few fins and flukes were spotted, but most often seen on this day was the spouting, as several whales repeatedly surfaced for a breath of air.
For nearly three weeks whales have frequently put on a show in Provincetown waters, on almost a daily basis, spouting off both Herring Cove and Race Point beaches. They've been seen on several days, anywhere between 11 AM and 4 PM, to the delight of folks enjoying a day at the beach. On one particular day, passengers got to see whales spouting on nearly every tour of the Provincetown Trolley. On this glorious day, with superb visibility, it was hard to tell just how many whales were moving back and forth along the length of the beach, spouting one after another.
Key Words:
Beaches,
Cape Cod National Seashore,
Herring Cove,
Marine Wildlife,
Outdoors,
Photo Ops,
Race Point,
Whales,
Wildlife
Location:Provincetown, MA USA
Race Point Beach, Provincetown, MA 02657, USA
Saturday, September 12, 2015
PTown's Wild Mushroom Season Begins
This visitor from New York gathers Provincetown mushrooms with her family. |
People can be found carrying buckets, bags and baskets along the sides of Province Lands Road and in other spots out in the Cape Cod National Seashore, looking for these treasures that may be in short supply this year. I haven't spotted more than one or two mushrooms myself, but I haven't had the chance to talk with anyone who's been out gathering these delectable morsels yet this year.
Of course, you have to make sure you know the edible ones from the poisonous ones if you intend to go out picking them. You can find out about identifying them by reading my Gathering Provincetown's Wild Mushrooms post from last season. It contains links to great resources to help you hunt safely for these delicious treasures.
![]() |
"X" marks just a few of the spots where mushrooms have been found out in the Province Lands, northwest of the center of Provincetown. Click map to enlarge. |
These are certainly not the only spots to look for mushrooms, either. A family of three was seen out walking on the edge of Province Lands Road on Wednesday, each carrying an identical bucket filled nearly to the top with good-sized mushrooms.
If you go out foraging, be sure to cut your mushrooms off at the bottom of the stem rather than pulling them out of the ground. That way the remaining bit of the stalk can grow more mushrooms for someone else to find later on. Happy hunting!
Key Words:
Food Gathering,
Foraging,
Hiking,
Recreation,
Seasons
Location:Provincetown, MA USA
The Province Lands, Provincetown, MA 02657, USA
Friday, September 11, 2015
It's PTown's 28th Annual Swim for Life!
![]() |
The 28th annual Swim for Life is this Saturday, September 12th, 2015 |
All of these folks have taken pledges, and will be raising money for local organizations that assist people living with HIV and AIDS, as well as women with chronic and life threatening illnesses, and a number of other community agencies serving Provincetown and Cape Cod. The first Swim for Life, in the summer of 1988, involved 18 swimmers, raising $6,000. To date, The Swim has raised some $3 million for health and wellness services on the Outer Cape.
![]() |
Jay Critchley and Roger Beatty register two unknown swimmers at the first Swim for Life in 1988. |
150 volunteers perform countless tasks like registering swimmers, transporting them to Long Point, providing moral support, giving first aid, cheering on swimmers as they near the finish line, serving food at the Mermaid Brunch, and providing splendid entertainment for the swimmers and supporters alike, both at the party after the swim and at the Celebration of Life at the U. U. Meetinghouse on the Friday night before The Swim.
It's not too late to get involved yourself, whether you'd like to swim, volunteer, make a pledge or contribution, or cheer on the swimmers as they near the finish line at the Boatslip. On Saturday you'll want to applaud and cheer for the swimmers and paddlers as they reach the shore, then enjoy the food and entertainment at the Mermaid Brunch, and the awards for swimmers, paddlers, fundraisers and volunteers.
![]() |
The annual Celebration of Life concert on Friday night kicks off The Swim. |
This wonderful, free event brings dozens of performers to entertain and inspire us with music, song and the spoken word.
I'll see you at the
U. U. tonight at 8 PM, and at the Boatslip tomorrow, at 161 Commercial Street, to cheer on the swimmers who begin their odyssey out on Long Point at 11AM, followed by the Mermaid Brunch on the Boatslip deck from noon till 2 PM, with the awards, beginning about 1 PM, or whenever the last swimmer makes it safely to the shore. All events are free of charge and open to the public. Come and join us!
Key Words:
Celebrations,
Community Luncheon,
Concerts,
Entertainment,
Events,
Fundraisers,
Harbor,
Health and Wellness,
Kayaking,
Long Point,
Music,
Nonprofits,
Swim for Life,
Swimming,
Volunteer Opportunities
Location:Provincetown, MA USA
Boatslip Beach Club, 161 Commercial St, Provincetown, MA 02657, USA
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Farewell to the Summer of 2015
Once again, on the Tuesday morning after Labor Day, people walking out of their doors onto Commercial Street hear a lilting "Aaahhhhh," that collective sigh of relief signifying the end of the craziness of another summer season in Provincetown.
Morning on Commercial Street becomes calm, almost serene, and although there are still a few thousand visitors in town, it's a mellower crowd, far less dramatic, and we begin to feel like we're getting our town back.
Throngs of revelers at yesterday's annual Pink Party, celebrating an end to all of the stresses of having dozens of thousands of people crowded into our tiny town, pack the porch and garden of the White Wind Inn with Townies gleefully ushering out another bustling summer season.
Smiling, nearly ecstatic faces in a sea of pink tell us that we've survived yet another PTown summer!
Morning on Commercial Street becomes calm, almost serene, and although there are still a few thousand visitors in town, it's a mellower crowd, far less dramatic, and we begin to feel like we're getting our town back.
Throngs of revelers at yesterday's annual Pink Party, celebrating an end to all of the stresses of having dozens of thousands of people crowded into our tiny town, pack the porch and garden of the White Wind Inn with Townies gleefully ushering out another bustling summer season.
Smiling, nearly ecstatic faces in a sea of pink tell us that we've survived yet another PTown summer!
Location:Provincetown, MA USA
Provincetown, MA, USA
Saturday, September 5, 2015
Best Dessert Ever? Taste this 'Best Bite' Before the Summer is Gone
![]() |
The lemon curd cheesecake parfait with blueberry compote at Devon's Food Bar is in stiff competition for Best Dessert Ever. |
Chef Melissa Ettinger thought up this euphoric delight one afternoon as a dessert du jour at this little culinary hotspot at the corner of Bradford and Pleasant Streets, but everyone who tasted it insisted that it be given a permanent home on the nightly dessert menu, and I haven't been able to make myself order anything else since. That smooth, lemony tartness is perfectly accented by the fruity sweetness of those plump, wild blueberries.
I've been wanting to try the flan with fresh berries, but I'll have to order it to start my next meal there, because I already know I'll be unable to resist the parfait for dessert. There are also a few other things on the menu I want to get to before they wind down for the summer, in about three weeks.
This is the time of year when you get a last chance to squeeze in some of the things you've wanted to see, do or taste before they are gone with the season. I went out the other night to see two shows that I realized were ending in just a few more days, and had dinner with a friend at a restaurant I've been trying to get to all summer. Next on my list is an actual day off, spent at the beach.
Don't let the summer get away from you. Go for a swim at the breakwater, see a couple of shows, get out for a memorable meal or two, and taste this sublime dessert before this glorious summer is gone.
Key Words:
Award Winners,
Best Bite,
Dessert,
Food,
Restaurants,
Restaurants With Parking,
Supper,
Sweets
Location:Provincetown, MA USA
Devon's Food Bar, 31 Bradford Street, Provincetown, MA 02657, USA
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)