Molly T.
Yelp
Though I'm not in Martha's Vineyard as much as I used to be, I've probably walked by the Port Hunter dozens of times. Its prime location and constant crowds make it pretty impossible to miss. So when we popped in at around 7:30pm on this past 4th of July, we jumped at the opportunity to be seated immediately. The devotion to local seafood (and local ingredients in general) and all-around good vibes make it hard to pass up. Our experience here was solid and I'd highly recommend visiting if you're looking for tasty eats in a more relaxed setting.
The Port Hunter is a nice, hybrid venue. It definitely feels more like a bar than a restaurant, but the food is still the main event here. Important note: they DO NOT take reservations, so plan your trip accordingly. Edgartown is an incredibly busy place during vacation season and a number of restaurants don't take reservations around here, so always have a back-up plan/something in mind for killing time. Though we happened to be seated right away, that's not the norm. We actually got extra lucky, because our table happened to be right next to the raw bar. If we were having any doubts about ordering oysters to start off the meal, seeing all of those beautiful specimens showcased in front of us made it an obvious choice.
There were three types of oysters (as well as one type of clam) available on Tuesday, so we got two of each. I can't remember the names or which was which or anything really that helpful, but they were all solid. Two were great, one was just decent. All local, obviously. They also have a nightly raw bar special, which is another option if you're not into clams/oysters. On this particular night, there was a tuna tartare special.
Backtracking a bit, they've got a nice selection of drinks at Port Hunter. A nice list of cocktails (nothing fancy, a lot of classics), a lot of good wines by the glass, and a decent variety of beer. I had the Cucumber Cleanse for my cocktail of the night, which is a silly name considering any alcoholic beverage is the literal opposite of a cleanse. That said, it was yummy. I also tried two different rosés, both of which were great. I recommend going with something light here if you're going to stay seafood-focused.
Post-oysters, we dove into some seafood and veggies. The food menu is pretty varied, with an emphasis on local/seasonal proteins and veggies. A lot of healthy options, which is important in my book. As per usual, we decided to share everything. Our eats, below:
Super Six: kale, broccoli, red cabbage, brussels sprouts, dried cranberry, pumpkin seeds, lemon poppy seed dressing: A
Probably the healthiest thing you could order on the menu. All of the yummy superfoods. Light and fresh, the ideal starter in my opinion.
Buffalo Brussels: flash fried brussels sprouts, buffalo sauce, scallions, garlic & blue cheese mousse: B
The dud for me. Not bad, but the buffalo sauce totally overpowered the brussels and made them a bit soggy. The reason to fry brussels is to give them that mouthwatering crisp, and that wasn't really present here. Adding a thick mousse on top of that didn't remedy anything, either. It's not that the flavors were bad, this was just overdone. I've been seeing a lot of "healthy wings alternatives" out there, and these might've well just been chicken wings.
Chatham Mussels: red & green curry, toasted coconut, scallions, fennel, garlic, P.H. focaccia: A
The bf thought the curry was a bit much, but I loved this preparation. While it's true that I tend to like my mussels simple--particularly when I come to the Vineyard--I knew what we were getting when we ordered curry. Seriously tasty flavors, rich but not overpowering (for me), and plenty of broth left over to soak up with the focaccia provided.
Market Fish: Yellowfin tuna w/ coconut jasmine rice, sweet ginger soy sauce: A-/A
I can't remember everything in this preparation, but they did a great job with the Catch of the Day. The tuna had an Asian fusion vibe, which I suppose was a bit discordant at an eatery like this but they still pulled it off well. The tuna was served rare and was wonderfully fresh. The coconut jasmine rice was fantastic, too, and this is coming from someone who typically doesn't love rice.
I'm currently sugar-free, meaning that dining out tends to be a big hassle for me. So I appreciated that Port Hunter served sauces on the side when applicable and was ready and willing to do so. Obviously all of these dishes are better when the sauce isn't tampered with, but all things considered, I was satisfied and grateful.