Nantucket's Dune

Dune Restaurant in Nantucket is a gem, a chic little place inside a restored colonial house not far from the harbor, with a posh bar, great service, and exquisite food. Packed to the brim on a Friday night, it's one of the island's "hotspots" for a reason: it has a great atmosphere.

When we arrived the hostess told us apologetically there would be a wait for our table, though we'd made reservations, and offered us drinks on the house while we waited at the bar! We tried a strawberry lemonade cocktail, tart and fresh, and a citrus concoction with a spicy kick of chili. The dining room is small and intimate, with low lighting and simple modern decor.

For the first course I chose the beet salad with whipped goat cheese and pistachios, which was artfully arranged to display the bursts of color: the ruby red and golden beets like jewels on the plate with the light and creamy goat cheese and crunch of bright green pistachios - I wanted to literally lick my plate clean.

For entrees we chose the yellowfin tuna tartare, juicy in a flavorful broth,

and the sea scallops, cooked perfectly. 

Finally we had a decadent chocolate sampler for dessert, with rich dark chocolate and orange pot de creme, spiced Mayan chocolate cake, and a light chocolate mousse with white chocolate wafers that melt on your tongue. It was an unforgettable meal.