Beaconlight Guesthouse + Ciro & Sal’s Italian Restaurant = Perfect Provincetown Getaway!
Beaconlight Guesthouse / 12 Winthrop Street / Provincetown, MA / 1-800-696-9603
Ciro & Sals / 4 Kiley Court / Provincetown, MA / 1-(508)-487-6444
Provincetown is truly a fantasyland for gays & lesbians. It is one of the few places, if not thee only place, where gays & lesbians seem to outnumber the “straight folk”. Where lesbian and gay couples can live their dream, white picket fence and all, in total comfort.
I actually found myself nudging Melanie, my partner, during our visit this past Saturday, whenever I saw “straight people” walk by.
It was nice! 🙂
April is considered off season, with high season officially starting around Memorial Day. However, things really heat up around July 1st.
In my opinion Provincetown is a great destination year round. You have the gorgeous foliage, Women’s Week and warm ocean water in the fall. The annual Holly Folly celebration during December. The amazing low rates and peacefulness of winter. The pre-season deals and warm temps of spring and early summer, and the excitement and festivities of mid summer to early fall.
There is so much to do in Provincetown and the surrounding area. You can relax on the beach, bike, hike, shop, dine out, take in a movie or play, dance to music spun by world class DJ’s and even go on a whale watching cruise.
You will find exquisite bistros, eclectic boutiques, luxury inns, romantic B&B’s and some of the cutest dogs in the world!
Having never been, Melanie and I decided to veer off and check it out. Not only did we enter for free ($15 is the daily vehicle rate from June through early September), we were able to enjoy a spontaneous hike through some of the most beautiful scenery on the Cape!
There are six swimming beaches within Cape Cod National Seashore, including Coast Guard Beach-Eastham, Nauset Light Beach-Eastham, Marconi Beach-Wellfleet, Head of the Meadow Beach-Truro, Race Point Beach-Provincetown and Herring Cove Beach-Provincetown.
There are twelve self-guiding trails at the seashore that are open year round.
This was our first time staying at a “guest house” and I wasn’t sure what to expect. It turned out to be a fantastic experience and something I would definitely do again.
The first thing I noticed when I stepped inside was how beautiful the house was. It had a Victorian elegance to it.
The second thing I noticed was the pleasant aroma, which I could only describe as orange peels. I asked the owner, Keith, what the smell was and he said it was the cleaner they use, which is organic and biodegradable (like all products used throughout the property).
Owners, Keith & Mark, were both personable, friendly and very down-to-earth!
Before I even had a chance to pick up my luggage, a sweet young girl came by and offered to carry it up to our room. That was an extremely nice touch and much appreciated.
Melanie and I were in the beautiful Beaconlight Fireplace Suite.
The web site describes the suite as: A very private, peaceful and romantic suite, approached by its own staircase and occupies the entire third floor. It consists of three rooms. The main room is a large air conditioned queen bedroom/sitting room combination, elegantly decorated in tones of beige, pink and blue. The Queen Size mahogany sleigh bed at one end of the room directly faces a large romantic gas fireplace with a floral full size sofa, coffee table, hand made rugs, desk, CD player, TV and private phone. Linking this room to the bathroom is a separate dining area featuring an antique oak table & chairs, microwave, refrigerator, and coffee maker. This suite also has a private phone with voice mail, ceiling fans and bathrobes. The private bathroom features a large tub/shower combination with double vanity sink and is appointed with a wide selection of organic bathroom products.
I loved how private and spotless the suite was. I also loved the lighting above the fireplace, which was adjustable. I closed the thick drapes, put on the gas fireplace, dimmed the lights, sat back on the sofa, took a deep breath and felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude to have such an amazing experience.
In the meantime, Melanie was checking out every nook & cranny and repeated over and over how much she loved the room. She said it was one of her favorites. She loved the afghan blanket and plush, comfy seat in front of the window in the dining area. That is where she perched herself most of the night and worked.
I perched myself at the desk near the fireplace and basked in the romanticism of our surroundings as a cold wind blew outside and rattled our windows.
GOOD TO KNOW:
- The inn is extremely quiet and comfortable. If you have any hesitations about staying at a Guest House….don’t. You will be fine.
- The inn has a GREAT location. You are one half block to Ptown’s main artery, Commerical Street, which is chock full of great shops, restaurants, nightclubs and cafes.
- You are walking distance to the beach.
- The inn offers complimentary breakfast which is served in their beautiful kitchen where a large table is located. This is a great place to mingle and talk with other guests.
- The inn uses ‘Kiss My Face’ toiletries which are out-of-this-world fantastic. I am on a quest to purchase them for myself. This is the first time I’ve been THIS impressed. My sense of SMELL was on an all time high at The Beaconlight! Lol!
- The bed and pillows were extremely comfortable. I had and amazing, uninterrupted sleep.
- The inn has a year round hot tub with free towels for guests.
- There are 3 levels of beautifully landscaped patios and decks (which offer plenty of room to soak up the sun).
- The owner, Keith, explained that they only use organic, biodegradable products throughout the property.
- Beaconlight Guest House has 3 suites, 7 rooms with queen size beds, 2 rooms with full size beds and 2 rooms with full size beds and shared bath.
- All rooms have linen robes, hairdryer, TV, refrigerator, ceiling fan, A/C, telephone with free calls anywhere in the USA and free Wi-Fi.
- Daily complimentary breakfast is included with stay.
My only MINOR complaints are a.) there was no iron or ironing board and b.) there wasn’t a curtain in the bathroom (gulp!). I am sure if I had a hot body this wouldn’t bother me, but alas, that is not the case (smirk). I found myself peering outside as if I was being watched with a telescope or being laughed at. I know. I know. 1-800-therapy.
I can’t believe that I’ve been going to Provincetown for over 20 years and have never heard of Ciro & Sal’s! This is an outright shame and extremely odd since they are Provincetown’s oldest restaurant, in business since 1951.
The restaurant is located on 4 Kiley Court, which is a side street off of Commercial in Provincetown’s East End, between Bangs Street and Lovett’s Court.
The restaurant does not have parking, so keep your eyes open for street parking or park in one of the main lots in town.
Since the restaurant is only open Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings (beginning at 5pm), it is recommended you make reservations.
Yet again, I was taken aback as Melanie and I entered this Tuscan-tavern-like-wine-cellar-restaurant with a wood burning fireplace. The ambiance won me over instantly. I said to Melanie, “Now THIS is the type place you want to propose to someone at!”
It is extremely rustic and romantic with twinkling Christmas lights, wicker basket chianti bottles hanging from nails and unique, orange lighting in cheese graters and colanders. It is one of those places you have to experience for yourself as words and photos will never do it justice. Simply charming.
You are instantly struck with the aroma of garlic and herbs which will cause anyone to salivate.
I didn’t even have to taste anything and I knew we were in for an incredible evening.
The friendly servers (Joyelle & Cheryl) greeted us and we were immediately seated.
Beside the main dining room, Ciro & Sal’s has two dining rooms upstairs as well as a bar and event space which can hold up to 50 people comfortably and is great for parties, wedding receptions, anniversaries, birthdays and pretty much any celebration! There is no set price to rent the space, just reserve it well it advance.
Now, onto THE FOOD.
Oh. My. God. The. Food.
Since I was there reviewing the restaurant, I was lucky enough to get a sampling of appetizers, which included Bruschetta (thick slices of grilled Italian bread with garlic, cheese, herbs and tomatoes), Zucchini Fritti (crispy strips of zucchini breaded and deep friend) and Insalata Di Casa (iceberg lettuce with Ciro’s famous dressing).
Being of Italian decent and having sampled some pretty spectacular Italian food, including my own families, I can honestly say this was 100% authentic.
The salad tasted so much like the way my great aunt would prepare it. I was taken back to her kitchen and my younger days where I would scoop up the last of the salad dressing on the end of the Italian loaf of bread. It was simply served with a dressing that tasted like olive oil, vinegar and black pepper.
The Bruschetta exploded with the flavor or garlic, butter and cheese. I could’ve eaten a dozen of these, but luckily Mel and I only had one each.
My favorite was the Zucchini Fritti which was fried to perfection, yet, not greasy. I loved the crunch and simple flavor.
For the main entree I ordered their Pesto Pasta (a mixture of fresh garlic & basil, pine nuts, olive oil & parmigiano) and Melanie ordered their Aglio E Olio (tossed with sauteed fresh garlic and olive oil).
The serving size was HUGE with plenty to take home.
I also ordered a side of (melt-in-your-mouth-delicious) meatballs!
The pasta, a thin linguini, and sauce, was delicious on both of our entrees. Again, no flavor was overbearing. It was subtly flavored with olive oil being the main component.
For dessert I had a delectable slice of strawberry Italian cheesecake and Melanie had the Cuore Di Panna, which consists of cream cheese, sweetened whip cream and vanilla topped with strawberries. It was like the words best piece of cheesecake. It was served ice cold with fresh berries and disappeared way too fast.
The entire experience at Ciro & Sal’s, from beginning to end, was top notch and a perfect 10.
The staff was extremely gracious and friendly and manager, Zach Luster, was kind enough to take time out of his busy schedule to show us around the restaurant.
Ciro & Sal’s will be one stop I make each time I am in Provincetown and a place I am dying to take first timers to.
MENU’S:
Toward the end of my write ups I usually do a little “blurb” about the gay & lesbian factor of a place, however, that is not necessary when it comes to Provincetown! The entire town goes above & beyond being “gay friendly”. Every establishment is more than welcoming.
Beaconlight Guesthouse is the PERFECT place to stay during your visit and Ciro & Sal’s is the PERFECT place for dinner, dessert or a drink.
Come to think of it…
Provincetown itself is the PEFECT place.
~Desiree Sousa
Gay Travel Information | Gay Travel Blog, Gay Travel Reviews, Gay Travel Blogger 
Wow. what an awesome write up. You’ll definately have to book me and my partner at the Beaconlight this spring….and I can’t wait for a romantic dinner at Ciro and Sal’s……that restaurant seems to have such rich history, I would love to know what was housed there many many years ago…..It was described by you as so hauntingly beautiful, that I just can’t wait to experience it!!!! xoxo Lin and Elizabeth