Butch's was the ideal place for a pre-show dinner our last day in Provincetown. A reservation was easily made online and when we arrived we noticed the attentiveness and care of the staff immediately.
I chose Butch's because of the "vegetable forward" reference in other reviews. We'd had our fill of Italian American cuisine and Butch's offered an alternative. For three people, we selected ceviche (from a well conceived "raw" menu), smoked fish dip, elote + Brussels sprouts salad, and an entree each. This was nearly the perfect amount of food.
The smoked fish dip, with its seemingly lightly fried saltines, was properly seasoned, gently smoky, and had a little zip to it. Everyone was quite pleased and eager for more. The salad was nearly perfect. Substantial enough for three people, but not weighty! The flavors of the main components came through cleanly and the dressing not too acidic (I would suggest serving with some lime wedges for those who want more).
The ceviche was light and refreshing. The fish was cut the right size and the seasoning on point. A great "middle bite" between the openers and the mains. Well done!
The mains, well, those landed with speed and flavor. My Chicago-style hot dog, which attracted me like a bee to pollen because of associations with summer and the shore, was perfectly cooked, served piled high with generous toppings of tomato, pickle, intensely colored relish, and peppers. The bun was both fluffy and slightly doughy -- as it should be! My partner's crawfish roll was intensely full of crawfish meat! Gloriously perched inside a crisply buttered and grilled bun, the crawfish was delicious and every bite a winner. Our friend's cod banh mi (my initial first choice) touched all the familiar banh mi notes, but with a little New England bass line.
Throughout the meal, the staff at Butch's was attentive, friendly, and had great energy. The environment, next to an open patio, is fun and feels connected to the street and to the cabaret vibe. Back to staff: never did a finished plate linger on the table for too long. When we needed help, staff and management caught our look(s) like they had a preternatural sense of when they were needed. Really lovely team work!
The dishes were delivered to the table quite quickly, which was appreciated ahead of the show and kept us on schedule enough to add in a dessert. However, on a normal night I would have only minor feedback that the pacing was too rapid between appetizers and mains.
Very good experience at Butch's. Attentive staff, great fun menu, and excellent food that set the bar for dining quality on our trip. read more