 |
 |
 |
||
|
||||
The Mercantile at Dennis Village…An Award Winner Megan Hempel, Proprietor, took over from her Dad in March of this year. He bought The Mercantile in 2000 and she worked there often during her college years. After receiving her degree in communication studies at Merrimack College, she was employed by a whole foods market in Brookline. She knows her food and is dedicated to providing diners with food that’s “simple, good, not
complicated.” An example of this is the home baked bread. The bread that’s baked on the premises daily includes anadama, marble rye, white, multi-grain, and oatmeal. It’s used for sandwiches and it’s for sale by the loaf too. My own favorite is anadama. Where did the name “anadama” originate? One story claims that a fisherman’s wife, who was a bit lazy, kept serving him the same boring meal every day until he finally added some of his own ingredients, along with corn meal and molasses. This accidentally resulted in a tasty grainy bread. While blending the ingredients he would mutter, “Anna, damn her.” The Mercantile at Dennis Village, Cape Cod For an afternoon snack, I’m drawn to the hearty anadama toast with a little butter and jam. It makes a perfectly delicious accompaniment to a cup of coffee while I browse through a copy of the New Yorker, enjoying the cartoons and a feature. In the dining area, which is spacious and inviting, there’s open seating. Megan says, “It’s comfortable for our customers whether they wish to stay here for five minutes or an hour or more.” Wi-fi has been recently installed upstairs where there’s an open loft for people to relax at tables and use their laptops or play board games. There’s a local artist gallery there too, and a community bulletin board. Many people use The Mercantile as a place to meet friends and business colleagues. Megan points out that the old-fashioned sandwiches created by the Gourmet Deli & Bakery not only have catchy names but interesting ingredients as well. And they’re healthy! The Ploughman, comprised of chicken salad, apple, cheddar and sprouts, is one of the most popular. And there’s a Chicken Salad-N-Apple too.
The Cape Coddah is a favorite, with its turkey breast, homemade stuffing, and cranberry sauce. There’s also the Merchant of Dennis with salami, provolone, lettuce, tomato, and onion. And there’s the Italian Stallion with salami, prosciutini, pepperoni, capicola, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, and hot peppers. You’re not going to walk away hungry! “Our menu is ever evolving,” notes Megan. “There are home-made soups and salads, fresh daily. And in the deli case people can find cold cuts, selections from the kitchen, and Classic Salads to take home.” There’s also a varied breakfast menu including Quiche of the Day, Breakfast Burrito, bagels, muffins, toast. (From left) Owner Megan Hempel, Lynn Bartholomew, Kristen Mattson…at work. Prices for sandwiches fall in a range from about 5.50 to 6.95, with breakfast selections under five dollars. When you visit The Mercantile, you may obtain a copy of the complete menu. What about the bakery? There are delicious freshly made bars, cakes and pies. Cookies…cookies…cookies! Morning pastries including cinnamon rolls, muffins, scones, Danish, turnovers and croissants. Coffee is always freshly brewed. Espresso, Cappuccino and lattes. The Mercantile’s own Hot Chocolate. A fine selection of Teas. Iced Coffee available in season.
The Mercantile is known for its catering under the guidance of Chef Karen Thornton. If it’s a picnic, a wedding, or any special event whether formal or informal, from appetizers to desserts, or a gift basket, the Catering Menu offers it, along with special requests. Just call 508.385.3877. As you approach the Mercantile, located to the rear of the U.S. Post Office on Route 6A, you’ll be impressed by the long porch out front, one of a variety of places either inside or outside where you can relax. If you’re in the outdoor gathering mood, picnic tables with large umbrellas are available at the rear of the building. Megan says, “Out front on the porch is a great place for people
watching.” Sometimes you are likely to recognize TV News Main dining area where customers relax You’ll see people strolling through the quaint neighborhood, with its galleries, a travel agency, and a variety of shops. It’s only a short walk to the Playhouse, the Cinema, and the Museum of Art. Also, you’re just a few steps from the user-friendly public library around the corner. And there might be a fair or bazaar in progress at the Village Green next to the historic Dennis Union Church. A little further up the street on Route 6A you’ll find the Armchair Book Store where, if you’re lucky, one of my books might still be there. Available year-round, The Mercantile opens its doors at 6:30 a.m. and remains open until 4 p.m. seven days a week. In the summer the hours are extended in the afternoon. It’s located at 766 Main Street (Route 6A), Dennis, MA 02638, behind the Dennis Post Office. Phone 508.385.3877. That’s it for now from The Cape Cod Rover. Till next time, Tom Copyright 2008. Tom O'Connell. All rights reserved. Note: Tom O'Connell is a Cape Cod Writer and Lecturer.Take a look at his www.sanctuary777.com website where you will find many essays as well as excerpts from his books. His new memoir is Bugging Out: An Army Memoir (1954). He is also the author of The O'Connell Boy:Educating The Wolf Child~An Irish-American Memoir (1932-1950).See chapters www.sanctuary777.com |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
