Van Rensselaer’s Restaurant and Raw Bar — Restaurant in Wellfleet

TLDR; Not a place for younger couples or foodies. Dinner entrees ($25-45) are all about $10 overpriced. Drinks are average priced $9-12. Food is bland, it is likely that the seasoning in the kitchen is kept to a minimum to cater to a largely older demographic with sodium/dietary concerns. “Small portion” sized pasta plate ($23) was not enough food to be considered a portion. 4 drinks, two entrees, bread, $100+tip. Our server was not pleasant or hospitable.

My husband and I (30s) came in on a Wednesday around 5 pm. We were looking for casual dining near our hotel and our first option was closed, so we pulled in here with no prior knowledge of the menu. It wasn’t too busy at this time, and the hosts gave us the option for inside or outside seating, but before we could answer they kept going back and forth about the patio, like it would be difficult to find space for us since we didn’t have a reservation, so we said inside was fine to make it easy. We ordered artisan bread with an upcharge for cheese and marinara, shrimp scampi, and fish and chips. The bread had a good airy texture, but no flavor or aroma as fresh baked, and the cheese didn’t assist with that much. I like the natural flavors of vegetables and meats, so I am sensitive to over-seasoning, but the marinara was incredibly bland even for my taste. My husband said his fish was bland, and for a $25 fish fry the portions were small. The coleslaw was just gross, it had no salt and the texture and taste of shredded cabbage that was left sitting in water for hours; soft and limp like wet lettuce. Perhaps the portion came from the bottom of the prep container. But, given the lacking flavors of the other items, it would not surprise me that this is just how they make their slaw.

I ordered the shrimp scampi (reg portion $30) and whenever I order a pasta dish I always have leftovers. So I ordered the smaller portion for $23 since I didn’t want to reheat in our hotel’s microwave. I was served 4 large shrimp and a small helping of pasta, barely visible under the shrimp. The shrimp were quality and the cream sauce was great in flavor. But I’m 100 lbs and the ‘small’ portion was so tiny I was still hungry after our meal, even having started with bread. The linguine wasn’t house made, so I found this to be quite ridiculous and ended up at a gas station after our $100 dinner for something else to eat. I have never had to do that before.

The restaurant’s aesthetic is a little weird, like they are trying to keep a classic Cape Cod decor, but while selling $30-$45 plates they wanted modern black table linens to make the food look nicer. The fine dining table setup with homely walls just didn’t match or create a great ambiance.

Our server wasn’t particularly inviting or pleasant. The responses we got were usually single word without eye contact, ‘ok’ , or no acknowledgement at all as she typed the order into her tablet. Not many thank yous or the usual hospitality rhetoric. I have lived the server life and definitely don’t need the whole show, but I expect at the very least not to be made to feel like my presence is an annoyance or inconvenience either, especially given the price points on the menu.

Overall, I think this restaurant is dependent on selling the $40 duck, steak, and seafood entrees. And I’m sure those entrees could be great, as my scampi sauce was quite good. But the entire menu should be executed well, including the simple fish fry, or else don’t offer such product. I do also think Van Rennselaer’s is largely taking advantage of older customers’ vacation wallets and small appetites, charging a full price for less-than-half portions. My husband and I are absolutely willing to pay for quality food and expertise in the kitchen. However, our opinion of this restaurant was that we paid upscale prices and received small upscale portions while sitting in a casual setting with flavors that were underwhelming and a server that would have preferred not to serve us, perhaps because she knew we would...

How is it possible that each dish that came out was better than the first perfect one? From Wellfleet littlenecks, to broiled cauliflower, and cheese bread, to Panko cod on top of whipped potatoes with steamed broccoli, all the way to creme brulee, the dishes were perfectly prepared and pleasing to the eye. Companions had Wellfleet oysters, Tofu Provencal and a bacon burger with fries and we're all very pleased. Menu is diverse and has several options for vegetarians. Website described menu. Full alcohol menu with specialty drinks.

Service was impeccable and non-intrusive. Staff wore masks. Patrons are expected to wear them unless seated. Plenty of outdoor uncovered and covered seating. Tables on the covered deck are well spaced out. Adequate and unobtrusive lighting. Reasonable noise levels; we didn't feel like everybody could ovethear us, and we weren't distinguishing the conversations of others. You can hear low background music and diners; but it doesn't interfere with your experience. Indoor dining room and bar seating is available. Credit accepted and an easy template for standard tip amounts is an easy option at checkout.

Owner, outside and greeting patrons, as they checked in, recognized and remembered a party member from an earlier visit, and called out a greeting using a nickname, creating a welcoming atmosphere.

Adequate parking. Reservations (highly recommended) are available online through a very user friendly interface. We arrived at exactly our reserved time and were escorted right to our table. Staff thanked us and escorted/navigated us right to the door, as we were exiting a different way from as we came in, asking how our experience was as I asked about the expanded outdoor seating areas out back.

Recommended as a "Nice Place" (as opposed to a "Cheap Eats" or "Grab and Go"). Nobody is crumbing the table; but plates were seamlessly removed as the next dish came. There is somebody in charge of keeping an eye on the water glass levels. An overall memorable experience in a good way.

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Outstanding food with even better service! I got the chance to go to Van Resselear's on my trip to the Cape and it was so amazing that I went back a few nights later. Both nights I ended up getting the Semase Seared Ahi which was extremely fresh (a common theme regarding their seafood) something I'd consider a must-have item on their menu. I also tried their truffle fries that were perfectly crisp and airy somewhat addicting so be careful. During my trip I was told I had to try the famous Wellfleet oysters so given the opportunity to at VR's I did and despite not generally liking oysters I must admit they were pretty good. For my entree I had their Sea scallops done with their cajun presentation and they were some of the best scallops I've ever had genuinely cooked to perfection. Last but certainly not least I urge anybody who comes to VR's to try their homemade Créme Brûlée. As someone who gets it every time I see it on a menu theirs has certainly set a new standard. Beyond the food, I must say my true reason for returning was my magnificent server Mary who was attentive, extremely well-spoken, well-versed in the menu items and curated a very welcoming atmosphere. Qualities that I noticed in many of the other staff members that I interacted with as well. Couldn't recommend Van Resselear's more to anybody with the luxury of...