This new restaurant pairs steakhouse decadence with Mediterranean warmth and an Italian welcome.
by Jennifer Sperry
Photographs by Matt Gardner
“I’m Italian—we put passion into everything we do,” says Alberto Tumiati, Partner in The Chatham Cut, which recently opened its doors in August 2022. This new restaurant on Chatham’s popular Main Street is intimately arranged, with dining for 70 and a bar that seats 10.
The renovated interior boasts a warm, inviting décor: picture brass accents, dark woods, and leather banquettes. A backlit, floor-to-ceiling wine rack with 200 bottles greets guests upon entry. It feels old-world in style, like a classic steakhouse in Boston or Providence, but with a Cape Cod twist.
“There’s nothing like The Cut anywhere else on Cape Cod,” describes Tumiati. “We love what we do, from the food to the wine to the service,” adds the partner. “Our goal is to accommodate every customer and make them feel right at home.”
Each steward of The Chatham Cut brings to the table a unique skill set. Tumiati is a successful restaurateur and trained sommelier who personally curated the impressive 320-bottle wine list. “It’s the peninsula’s largest wine library,” he contends, adding, “A lot of customers know what kind of wine they like, but we’re happy to recommend an appropriate pairing for their meal, whether it’s steak or pork or fish.”
Chef Anthony Silvestri has nearly 30 years’ experience with Italian-influenced fine cuisine and is known for sourcing only the finest ingredients. Truffles, hackleback sturgeon caviar, and foie gras are all possibilities on any given day. The Cut’s premium hand-cut beef is sourced from Boston’s gourmet butcher shop Savenor’s, and the top-of-boat seafood includes local lobster, oysters, and littleneck clams.
Besides steak, which can be ordered à la carte based on preferred cut, a variety of Italian specialties are always on the menu, plus specials that change nightly. Bouillabaisse, lobster, New Bedford sea scallops, linguine with clams, roasted half chicken, and bone-in veal chop Milanese are equally popular and memorable.
Meanwhile, bar manager Lauren Paradise is the cocktail master, mixing up any craving. “You can order off the menu, much of which is an homage to classic cocktails, or we can go off-script,” says the mixologist. “If you like rum, we can use it to create something unexpected. We can customize anything to suit your tastebuds.” Customer favorites range from the negroni, an Italian classic, to the decadent espresso martini.
Compared to big brother Pate’s, just a few doors down, which serves up modern New England cuisine with a fun, relaxed vibe, The Cut is designed to feel more intimate and feature more selective offerings.
“Everything here is purposeful and mindful,” says Paradise of the atmosphere, adding that the bread is by Pain d’Avignon and guests leave with handmade Chatham Candy Manor chocolates. “The whole mood is: spend your night with us and let us take care of you,” she summarizes.
The CHATHAM CUT
508-348-5686
1200 Main Street, Chatham
@thechathamcut
Winter Hours: Thursday through Monday,
4:00–9:30 p.m.
In photo: Alberto Tumiati and Anthony Silvestri