Mr Paul's Kitchen

We came here after an awful dinner the previous night at one of the big, loud AYCE places, this was a much nicer experience. The place looks like you are walking into grandma's kitchen, you may be seated in her sunroom. It was quiet and not very busy when we visited. The menu has a bit of everything from pasta to seafood to burgers and steak. My hopes were not very high for great food, I just didn't want to have a miserable meal like the night before.

Was it spectacular? No, but it was a very pleasant meal and a pleasant dining experience even with a tired 2 year old. They brought her crayons and paper to color which kept her pretty happy and even brought her some grapes with her dinner since we mentioned those are her favorite food. Husband had the steamed shrimp and he declared it really good, not horribly overcooked like the night before's restaurant. I had fresh oyster stew and clams with pasta that was simple but very nice.

Service was very friendly. Nice people, quaint place. Very accommodating to families with children.

Mr. Paul's Kitchen, Home Cooking, as the sign states.  This is what this place is all about.  The last time we came to this building it was a Mexican joint.  We kept driving by this place on our trip and decided we would try it on our last night on the island.  I'm glad we did.

We arrived to dinner around 6:00, the place was practically empty.  There were only 2 tables filled when we arrived, another couple came in as were finishing up.  Too bad more people were not here.  Like most restaurants, you get a menu filled with tons of choices and too many things to pick from.  Here at Mr. Paul's, the menu is small.  Probably about 9 dishes with one being the special of the day.  The reason I liked this place was it was different then all the places on the island.  Everything was not fried or covered in Old Bay.  Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with that at all.  I like all that stuff.  When you eat crab cakes and things like that for 4 days, you need a change.  

Well I asked our server what she liked.  She pointed to 2 dishes.  I ended up going for the beef and pork meatloaf wrapped in bacon.  Mmmm....bacon.  My wife ordered the fish of the day which was flounder.  The kids got mac and cheese and a cheese burger.  With my meatloaf I got 2 sides.  I decided on the mashed potatoes and gravy, and the sweat and sour cucumbers and onions.  

As we waited for our food, a basket of bread rolls we brought out to us.  If you have kids, this place is very kid friendly.  They have crayons up front for the kids to draw pictures.  They will also provide you some blank paper so you can draw them a picture.  They will put the up around the restaurant.  If you see a pink and black looking dog on a beach, that is my daughter's.  She is only 5 so be nice   Our food came out pretty fast.  To be  honest with you, this is probably the best meal I had on the island.  The mashed potatoes were not instant.  Mr. Paul had to of made these himself, the just had that homey taste and texture to them.  The meatloaf was tasty, nice flavor, and not dry.  The bacon wrapped around the meatloaf was not mushy.  It came with 3 nice sized pieces.  The sweat and sour cucumbers and onions, they were great also.  My wife's broiled founder, had a good taste, but she said it was too salty for her likings.  I took a few bites, and it tasted fine to me.  Maybe it's because I'm a saltaholic I didn't notice it.  The mac and cheese and burger and just as they are.  The kids cheese burger tasted like it should as the mac and cheese.  The mac and cheese isn't a kids menu item, it's on the side items section.

I guess what really made the meal nice was the friendly staff.  Our server was attentive, she was always checking up on us.  The rest of the staff was always smiling, especially when my 3 year old son shouted "Mommy, I peed on the potty!"  That had the place laughing.  =)  

I did get a chance to see Mr. Paul, when he came has out of the kitchen.  From what I understand this place has only been open a few months.  The décor inside is bright and clean.  The yellow really lights up the place during the day.  I met talked a little to Mr. Paul's wife, as she was the one ringing me up.  I hope this place does well.  I would like to come here on our next trip out to the islands.  

Now why the 5 star review?  I am usually very stingy with the 5 star reviews.  I just really enjoyed my meal and the staff made us feel like we welcomed.  Also, they put up with our kids =)