The Sweet Life Cafe on Circuit Avenue in Oak Bluffs was that place I used to love to go to for special occasions. However, somehow with two little ones, I had forgotten all about it, but this Summer, it is going to be one of my favorite places again.
Sweet Life has new owners who are really into good food. Yes, it’s Kevin and Suzanna Crowell, the owners of Detente, and they are bringing their restaurant style, modern seasonal kitchen, to Oak Bluffs.
Kevin and Suzanna have always loved the space, with all the character and how romantic it felt. So, when they heard there might be a chance to buy it last year, they were all ears.
First, they had to make sure that Chef Carlos Montoya would work at Sweet Life again and head up the kitchen. Carlos has worked with Kevin at Detente in the past, and he was the Chef at Sweet Life last year. Without him on board, the dream would have to wait, but he was more than happy to be involved.
Kevin and Carlos work very well together, and share a passion for making innovative food. With Carlos as Chef de Cuisine, it was time to make the dream a reality.
Sweetening Up the Space
Closing on the restaurant sale earlier this month, Kevin, Suzanna, and Carlos quickly began adding their touches to the restaurant. I had never dined inside before, so it was nice to take a tour and talk about the changes. The walls are the most perfect grey/brown. The inside bar area has also been repainted, a welcoming blue, which help relax you immediately, and gets you in the mood for a bevy.
The artwork on the walls is from Zoe Pennebaker, a longtime family friend. Her artwork is clean and modern, and draws you in. I love the large seascape with the small sailboat, and in the front dining room, there is the most interesting painting of a city bridge. Interest piqued? Well, she also has her work in Detente, so chances are you’ve seen pieces already.
An added touch, you’ll find Island jewelry designer, Stefanie Wolf’s signature “Picasso Window” tile beads adorning the lights in the front dining room. As a big fan of her jewelry, this is something I really appreciate, and was happy to see. This is Stefanie’s first venture into lighting. I bet we’ll see more.
The name? Kevin and Suzanna are keeping the name The Sweet Life Cafe. For them, the restaurant has so much history and they love so much about the restaurant, so changing the name was not something they wanted to do.
There are lots of little updates here and there, making the restaurant feel fresh and welcoming. One of the biggest changes is the menu. For Kevin and Carlos, the menu will be dictated by what’s seasonally available. So, things you fall in love with may be on for a week or two, or a month, or more, but go as often as possible, just in-case. So, the menu will be changing throughout the Summer season.
Also noteworthy, Sweet Life will have its own distinct menu from Detente. Through Kevin and Carlos’ shared vision, and Carlos at the helm of this ship, there is going to be a creative, fresh menu all its own.
Something that Kevin, and Carlos as well are known for, is the ability to pair really interesting foods together. Things that you may not consider compatible, they say trust them, and try it. They love to surprise people with their food, and it keeps them excited as chefs.
They are a playful duo these two, and it shows in their food. They hope to surprise you with their food, and make you just as passionate about what you’re eating as they are making it.
The Menu
Let’s talk a bit about the menu. I got a sneak peek and can tease you with a couple of their creations. For those of you who loved the Halibut at the Sweet Life, not to worry. It is on the menu but with a new twist, including artichoke risotto!
There is a Grass Fed Rib-eye Sirloin served with a Morning Glory Farm fried egg, bacon, jam, shaved Morning Glory asparagus and frisee. A vegetarian? No problem, let’s not forget that there will be house-made fettuccine with roasted broccoli pesto on ginger carrot puree and curry granola.
Be sure to save room for dessert! How about Pistachio Cake with raspberries, raspberry sorbet and creme fraiche. All the desserts sound amazing, which actually can lead to trouble.
Outside Is Where It’s At
Sweet Life’s outdoor space is a must! It’s like a secret garden, but with the added bonus of great food. Also, nestled in the back of the outdoor patio, you’ll find a petite and well appointed bar.
It’s here that you may be surprised with clever little snacks like homemade potato chips or gourmet, house-made popcorn. You just don’t know. There might even be a special or two available just at the bar. Don’t forget that you can grab dinner there too or at the inside bar as well.
Not eating? No problem! This outdoor bar is a special little place to enjoy a drink with friends or your honey. It’s off the beaten path and provides some sanctuary from the chaos of the Summer. I think this might be a new favorite spot of mine to visit after work at night.
Lots of “Wining” Here
Besides an innovative menu, something else similar to Detene, will be the extensive wine list. Kevin and Suzanna are true wine enthusiasts. Kevin couldn’t even narrow down a favorite for me, but he mentioned that Malvasia Seco from the Canary Islands currently holds his interest.
I have never heard of this but I might just have to give it a try. Of course they have a great beer selection, including Bad Martha (more details to follow soon) and great cocktails too!
So, it looks like the Oak Bluffs restaurant scene is getting another great restaurant in which to dine and have cocktails. Living in this town, I could not be more thrilled to have Kevin and Suzanna take over a restaurant that holds so many great memories for me.
And I look forward to making a lot of new memories there as well, starting this Friday opening night, when I surprise my hubby by celebrating our 13th wedding anniversary at The Sweet Life. Reservations are already made, and the babysitter is already booked.
Thanks for reading On Point. You can learn more about The Sweet Life Cafe and any surprise specials they may offer, on Facebook. Speaking of social media, don’t forget to “Like” us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter, Linked In, Pinterest and YouTube.
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Then the sweet liquid, called wort, is transferred into the second tank called the kettle, where they boil it and add hops. This is where you smell that aroma that is associated with brewing beer, which I kind of enjoy.
Be sure to book your brew tour soon, as the reservation book is filling up, call 508-693-2626 and enjoy the local beer. You might want to block out a good chunk of time, since not only are the beers good, but so is the food.
Even though I’ve worked at Offshore as a server for a number of years, I never get tired of the beer, the food, or the service of course! In case you were wondering, my favorite beer is the Hop Goddess, followed by the Lazy Frog IPA, and then in the Summer I enjoy the Hefeweizen. There’s nothing better than a well crafted, fresh beer, and we are lucky to have some of the best. As they say, “It’s Better at Offshore”.
n his first year on Martha’s Vineyard, Chef Aaron Oster has accomplished quite a bit. From a Summer with Jan Buhrman, 
There will be live music and what excites me is that Sundays are about to get a lot more fun on the Island. Aaron wants to have a “clam jam,” a prix fixe bucket of clams that you just go to town on. Also get ready for newspaper covered tables for a good ole fashioned crab boil. Think messy fingers, wooden mallets, and beer. These food experiences are designed to bring people together, old friends and new. He wants the experience at The Port Hunter to be fun and delicious of course. Also, think of the space. The building, a fixture on Main Street in Edgartown, has been re-purposed for something new and wonderful. Aaron’s style of cooking is taking old world techniques, long before we could get anything we wanted to eat anytime of the year, and re-introducing them to people. A little bit of symbolism there for you. The Port Hunter is opening for the season May 16th. Get ready for a different type of food experience in Edagrtown, and of course be prepared for a little fun too!
There were even some tasty treats to grab from Not Your Sugar Mamas before you went into the tents. Can’t say no to one of Ky & Bennett’s Be Local bars! Also, Todd Christy was there from Chilmark Coffee which was a perfect stop on the way back in from the tasting tent. A little jolt of caffeine is always helpful.
In addition to the wine, I also was able to sample beer too. 
To sweeten that view this weekend, Water Street and Henry’s will be offering a pink drink and a green drink. Let’s start with the sweeter of the two. Their pink drink is a Strawberry Basil Martini. Now I don’t know about you, but I love basil in cocktails, and therefore have a special affection for this one.
Now for the green cocktail, it’s a cucumber mint mojito. This twist on a classic is just plain refreshing. I like the little cool pieces of cucumber you get side by side with the mint. I felt a little healthier drinking this one because of the ingredients, but I don’t think it that will really influence my decision.
Eleven North has a pink drink as well, a little different though. Their cocktail is called the X-boyfriend. Here are some of the ingredients, X-Rated Fusion, Tropical Fruit Juice topped with Prosecco, and a piece of kiwi fruit to add a little green to it.
Now, I think the Atlantic’s presentation is quite remarkable. For their Pink & Green drink, the Simply Pink & Green Martini, they have Smirnoff Citron Vodka, Stirring Sour Apple Liquor with strawberry champagne infused Boba pearls. Oops – can’t forget to mention the strawberry on the rim – a nice touch for a truly pink and green drink!
Don’t worry, not all of the drinks in the Pink & Green Drink Contest are alcoholic. Edgartown Meat and Fish is offering Pink Passion and Green Tea iced teas. So there is a pink or green option available depending on what you’re in the mood for. The nice thing about these options is that they are healthy and refreshing. I know that I am a fan of the Pink Passion!
After working at these amazing, substantial resort restaurants, what would be the appeal a small, new restaurant? For John, he wants to get back to the food and putting his passion into what he cooks. He spent so long getting away from the line, but it did not make him happy. He missed a small restaurant, and an intimacy with the food he makes.
For John being in a small restaurant again, has helped him fall in love with food again. He is excited to share this passion and his creations. He is excited to cook quality, intimate food, more so than quantity. He is looking forward to filling Eleven North nightly all year long.
It was John’s idea to host an open house. He wants to open the doors to the community, get people talking about the food and the restaurant.
Some of you may know that I worked for the 
Naturally when I found out they were hosting Pints from the Past, the History of Beer, Ale, and brewing in the 18th and 19th Century, I had to go. Of course to support the MVM, and I wanted to find out a bit more about this beverage I thoroughly enjoy.
The host of Pints from the Past was renowned Beer Historian, 
During the 18th and 19th centuries, the town brewer was very important. After all, people were drinking a lot of beer. The brewers tended to be very smart, well connected, and have a lot of money, and actually it was the brewers that really jump-started the Industrial Revolution.
Small beer was very light, 2% or 3% ABV. This was what was consumed during the day and by children and women. The Table Beer is about 4% to 6% ABV. This beer was served with dinner, and later in the day. The strong stuff, the Stock Beer or Travelling Beer was 7% to 12% ABV. This beer was reserved for celebrations or a special event.
I have always been told that it came about when English troops were making the long sailing journey to India, and the hops helped preserve the beer. Apparently that is not the case.
In 1795, a small brewer by the name of Hodgson introduced a high hop ale which was well received. A larger brewery, Burton on Trent, then began brewing a similar ale, and capitalized on its popularity.
Also, to find out about more fun Martha’s Vineyard Museum events, including the new exhibit, 
The Terrace is still a special place to go to for dinner without a doubt, but the menu makes it reason enough to make dinner special again — often. While the evenings are still chilly, grab a drink in the Green Room first and sit by the fire. The wine list is great and they can make a mighty fine cocktail. Later in the season, the Green Room could just become one of the best places to grab a drink. It’s a little hidden and intimate but right in town.
