An advertisement for the Regatta of Cotuit, now Villaggio at the Regatta. Courtesy of Cape Cod Life magazine.
THE REGATTA OF COTUIT
Address: 4631 Route 28, Cotuit
Years Active: 1987–2013
After summering in the East Chop section of Martha’s Vineyard since childhood and spending decades working in marketing and advertising in the fast-paced worlds of New York City and Hollywood, California, Brantz Bryan decided to take on a new challenge: restaurateur.
He moved to Falmouth in 1970. Soon thereafter, an opportunity came up, and Bryan and a pair of partners purchased the Hurricane Deck Seafood Restaurant and the neighboring fish market to create the Regatta of Falmouth by the Sea. Bryan would state in an article in the Falmouth Enterprise in June 1970 that he was attempting to create a “simple and uncomplicated” restaurant. Located right on the harbor at 217 Clinton Avenue, it had a seaworn exterior and a fabulous, elegant interior. The inspired menu, which included the very popular lobster corn chowder, was only outdone by the inspired dress of the new restaurant’s owner. Bryan was famous for wearing Bermuda shorts and loud-colored sports jackets.
With business and acclaim on the upswing, Bryan began the expansion of the Regatta name. First, there was a motel. In 1973, he purchased the Belvidere Motel, which was located across the street from his restaurant, and christened it the Regatta Motor Inn.
In 1974, Bryan married Wendy Wile. Sharing his love of the restaurant business and the enthusiasm of great hospitality, she became instrumental in helping the Regatta become more than just a single upscale restaurant. A trip abroad to France in 1983 helped the Bryans pick up cuisine ideas to add to their Falmouth establishment and became a catalyst as the Regatta found a second location twelve miles away.
By 1983, the Rowland Crocker House at 4631 Route 28 in Cotuit had been steeped in history. The Federal-style building was built in 1796 as the home of Rowland Crocker. Rowland was the grandson of Ebenezer Crocker Jr., who first settled Cotuit in 1739. The building became the first library in the village just after the turn of the nineteenth century. In 1821, it also became the village’s first post office, with Rowland Crocker running it as postmaster until 1846.
Brantz and Wendy purchased the historic Crocker House and, after adding a kitchen wing, opened it as the Regatta of Cotuit. Bryan liked the Cotuit location, as it could provide year-round service and thus keep his staff employed. As with his Falmouth location, the Regatta of Cotuit specialized in upscale dining and high-quality food. The menu was dotted with delicious specialties like crispy duck, Statler chicken, prime rib, filet mignon, swordfish and salmon. French, Asian and New American accents became part of the fare thanks to the Bryans’ travels, as well as their dedication to giving their clientele the best experience they could possibly have.
Though it had three dining rooms, the soft, subtle charm of the Tap Room made it a popular choice among guests. It had wood floors, a full bar, its own special menu and, like the other dining rooms, white tablecloths and candles adorning each table. Both of the Regatta locations were perfect for intimate, romantic dining.
In 2006, the Bryans sold the Regatta of Cotuit to Chef Weldon Fizell. Brantz passed away in 2009 in Florida, leaving behind a long legacy of hospitality and advertising and marketing genius.
Fizell remained true to the Bryans’ vision of the Regatta of Cotuit. He had worked there in 1990 and was a graduate of Johnson and Wales. His time at the Regatta, Chatham Bars Inn and Coonamessett Inn in Falmouth gave him all the experience he needed to keep the success going, and he ran the Regatta until 2012.
The Regatta of Falmouth by the Sea was eventually sold and became Hutker Architects. It was completely renovated inside in 2005, and as of 2016, the office space is for sale
After it was sold in October 2012 to Peter Menounos, owner of Santuit Inn, it reopened for one more year in 2013 under the Regatta of Cotuit name. In 2014, it was again sold, this time to Jay Bartolomei, owner of Landucci Italia in Falmouth. It was rechristened the Villaggio at the Regatta and as of 2016 is still open and running in the Rowland Crocker House.