Recently, my husband Eric and I went to State Road for dinner. This was not my first time eating there, but it had been a little while, so I was happy to get another opportunity to partake. It was a rainy, raw evening, so walking into the low-lit dining room and feeling the warmth from the hearty fireplace was just what I needed.
Every meal at State Road is prepared by Chef Jonathan Warnock and a talented culinary team. I have never experienced a meal at State Road that wasn’t delectable, and the night Eric and I went was no exception.
The menu offers starters such as a bread board, braised beets, chopped salad, and mussels, and there are six main meals to choose from. I wanted comfort food, so I ordered Pan-Roasted Chicken with lemon-spice marinade, broccolini, feta, pine nuts, and herb wild rice. It was delicious. One of the issues I have when marinating chicken at home is that the marinade tastes a tad weak. But the lemon-spice marinade for this dish was savory without being overbearing. The chicken was moist and tender, and the herb wild rice was warm, tasty, and expertly cooked. It was the perfect meal for a cold night. The portion size was large enough to provide me with leftovers, which made me incredibly happy.
Eric chose the Wood-Grilled Burger, with balsamic onions, bacon, and a choice of Cheddar or Brie on a tasty roll. He didn’t talk much while eating, which is how I know he’s a happy camper. His burger came with crispy, perfectly cooked fries and tasty garlic-dill pickles. He also couldn’t finish the whole burger, but just like me, the idea of leftovers made him downright gleeful.
Much like cows, who have four stomachs, I think humans must have at least one extra stomach, just for dessert. I mean, think about it: Why is it that even when we’re full, we seem to be able to make space for a treat? So of course we ordered a piece of the Dubai Chocolate Cake to split, and two cups of decaf coffee. My Lord. The cake was a decadent piece of chocolate dreaminess — rich, thick chocolate frosting, a thin layer of coconut, and chocolate cake that made my mouth sing. And though this may sound odd, I think it was one of the best cups of decaf coffee I’ve ever had. In many food establishments, decaf coffee tastes tepid, weak, and a tad old, as if it’s been sitting in the carafe for days. This cup of decaf joe was dark, strong, and freshly made — a perfect companion to the cake.
Some of the other dessert options (can you tell I love sweets?) include Basque Cheesecake, which consists of blood oranges, clementines, and olive oil citrus reduction; Olive Oil Cake, made with clementine, pomegranate seeds, marshmallow cream, mint, and cranberry coulis; and Affogato, which is vanilla gelato, espresso, and shortbread cookie.
Satisfied, we went home with our leftovers, looking forward to the next day, when we could dive into these delicious meals once more.
State Road offers Burger Night on Thursdays. Its dinner menu is available Fridays and Saturdays. And for something new — Soup & Sandwiches Thursdays through Saturdays, 11 am to 2 pm. Since some eateries on the Island change their menus and hours seasonally, it’s best to double-check. 688 State Road, West Tisbury. stateroadrestaurant.com, 508-693-8582, [email protected].
