Classic and cutting-edge cocktails, globe-trotting cuisine, and award-winning coffee complemented by locally designed clothing are all under one roof at the much anticipated new Beetlebung in Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard.
Vineyard husband-wife team John and Renee Molinari are pleased to unveil their third and largest location on the Island. Located at 53 Circuit Avenue in the century-old historic A&P Grocery Company building, Beetlebung offers service morning, noon, and night with an upscale coffee house, evening gourmet cocktail lounge, and a retail store. Beetlebung is the first mixology lounge on Martha’s Vineyard.
“We designed Beetlebung Oak Bluffs with the thought that the Island was missing an upscale yet casual neighborhood hangout where guests can enjoy a serious cocktail paired with cuisine brimming with adventure,” said John Molinari. “Our hope was to create a stimulating yet vernacular destination, a place where you can stop in any time of day for something to drink, a bite to eat, or in the case of our retail store, something to take home.”
During the morning, guests can enjoy world-class espresso with beans from Barrington Coffee Roasting Company, an award-winning Berkshire County micro roaster. Dual Italian La Marzocco espresso systems provide speedy turn-around during the summer crush with espresso quality Beetlebung is known for, on par with the cafes of Milan, said Molinari. Popular for breakfast is the Eggwich, an Organic egg cooked to order, with Black Forest Ham or bacon, Vermont cheddar and New Mexico fire roasted green chile. A must-have for lunch are the Curry Lobster Sliders, a specialty of Executive Chef Jerry Marano.
During the evening with service starting at 5pm, Beetlebung introduces a little “spice” to Martha’s Vineyard with the addition of a gourmet-small-plates and mixology lounge – BBOB. The new lounge features classic and entirely original cocktails created by nationally renowned mixologist Jonathan Pogash, also known as the “Cocktail Guru”. Pogash has expertly replicated “The Classics” and has created signature cocktails for Beetlebung with an emphasis on “farm to bar” that will include fresh fruits, produce and herbs, many locally sourced. Some of Jonathan’s signature recipes include: A&P (Chamomile tea-infused Gin, Apricot-Peach syrup, fresh lemon juice, fresh mint and sage, Prosecco), The Bittah-Bung (house-made barrel-aged cocktail with Boyd & Blair vodka, Sandeman founder’s reserve port, Bittermens Boston Bittahs, and real maraschino cherry), and Trade Secret (a twist on the classic Margarita topped with a cloud-fluff lime foam).
Complementing the beverage program, BBOB offers “culinary nightly departures” to destinations around the globe, said Molinari, through small plates created by Chef Marano. A graduate of Le Cordon Bleu, Chef Marano worked for acclaimed Chef Jeremy Hammond-Chambers of Innovative Dining and recently returned from a culinary sabbatical in Thailand. Marano’s menu is singular, combining Pan Asian spices, ingredients and techniques with local flavors native to the Vineyard. His globally influenced small plates include: an array of flatbreads including the signature Beetlebung Clam Chowder (Garlic clam cream, bacon lardons, Boursin cheese dots, Tabasco onions and scallions), parsnip and sweet pea samoas, an Eastern soup tasting (Malaysian coconut laska, Thai lobster bisque, and Indian Fahl), Swordfish Satay, and Moroccan Lamb Lollipops, to name a few.
The Beetlebung retail store at 53 Circuit Avenue sits side-by-side with the food-beverage operations. The store will feature merchandise that the company has designed across the past nine years, often working with Martha’s Vineyard and New England area artists and designers. Products include a wide range of apparel and headwear, drinkware, beach towels, totes, Fair Trade jewelry, and clever oddities made from recycled materials such as bike chain, automobile seatbelts, and old vinyl records.
The building, originally an A&P grocery and most recently a pizza restaurant, with its vaulting tin tile ceilings will reflect a “Bohemian chic meets Vineyard” style, explains Renée Molinari. Conceived with the help of Oak Bluffs gallery owner Kim Nye, the interior atmosphere is a study in contrasts. Ceiling-height metal trusses for lighting, walls comprising silver shiplap planks, shimmering metallic upholstery, and a hammered zinc bar contrasts with earthen tabletops ripped from slabs of orchard walnut and hanging glass mosaic lamps from Istanbul.
The renovation includes a computerized lighting and effects system, designed by Vineyard Playhouse trustee and theater designer Alex Senchak. The system can envelope the lounge in color that changes imperceptibly to alter the atmosphere from daytime to evening. The coffee and cocktail serpentine bar is a work of art handcrafted by Vineyard artisans. The kitchen ranks among the most advanced on the Vineyard. Its high-tech poured synthetic floors with in-floor stainless steel drains facilitate pristine sanitation. In addition, the kitchen incorporates the newest energy-efficient commercial appliances, including a high performance wok. The general contractor for the project, which began more than one year ago, is Brian Lane, Lane Developmental, of Oak Bluffs. The architect is Chuck Sullivan, Sullivan and Associates Architects, also of Oak Bluffs. Beetlebung can host up to 64 seated patrons.
Beetlebung is now open at 53 Circuit Avenue for breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails, and shopping. The coffee house is open from 7am-4pm, daily. The lounge is open from 5pm, Monday – Saturday; it is closed on Sunday and does not accept reservations. The retail store is open 7am-9pm, daily. For more information, visit the Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/beetlebung.
