Outermost Inn

At the western tip of the island, beneath the Gay Head lighthouse and with sweeping views of the ocean is a very special restaurant. The Outermost Inn, owned by Hugh and Jeanne Taylor (brother of James and Livingston)  offers spectacular sunsets and wonderful food.

While it is 18 miles from Edgartown, the trip takes about 45 minutes each way. With tip, the taxi ride, round trip, is about $80. If you haven’t brought a car over, I suggest renting one for a day or two. You’ll save money going to our favorite restaurant at the western part of the island and there’s plenty to see and do outside of Edgartown. However you get here, it’s worth the trip.

You arrive at the front of the Inn and make your way to the back patio where there is an outside bar. Complimentary snacks are set out for the guests and on this visit included a delicious bluefish dip and crackers. Comfortable Adirondack chairs overlook some 20 acres of open land that drift down to the water.

The look is a clean and crisp country with beamed ceilings, wide plank pine floors, white woodwork, near ceiling to floor windows, ladder back chairs and white tablecloths with green straw placemats. Soft jazz plays in the background, the tables are set with fresh flowers and candles and the mood is set. The start of dinner is delayed a bit as guests rush outside to take

pictures of the amazing sunset.

Chef Christopher Gianfreda helms the kitchen and he brings a solid background having done stints with renowned chefs Jean Georges in NYC, Frank McClelland of L’Espalier in Boston, and most recently Susan Spicer in New Orleans. The restaurant makes use of their own vegetable and herb garden and the menu features locally sourced product.

Start your meal with some fresh Katama Bay oysters, served with mignonette,

cocktail sauce and rose granita. Then try the wonderful Butternut Squash soup with pepitas, bacon, cider and  brown butter. As entrees we had the Halibut with tomato braised beans, spinach, herb crust and rouille and the Beef Tenderloin with a manchego fritter, asparagus, squash, bacon jam,  brown butter hollandaise. For dessert we shared a fantastic Poached Peach with almond cream, tuile and peach sorbet.

Wine and beer is served and the wine list has some interesting choices like a Graham Beck, Brut Rosé, South Africa, Trimbach, Pinot Gris Reserve, France, 2010 and Ridge, “Geyserville”, Zinfandel, Napa, 2012.

ROMANTIC QUOTIENT: High. Eat on the porch and sit by one of the windows to get the most of the view.

WHAT OTHERS SAY…
“Come for dinner, stay for the view at this New American whose magical setting perched on the Gay Head Cliffs in Aquinnah earns Martha’s Vineyard’s No. 1 Decor score; sip a drink on the patio during a spectacular sunset before indulging in a fabulous prix fixe meal, which is served by a seasoned staff that aims to please, helping to make the pricey fees seem worth it.” ZAGAT