If you’re visiting the island for the first time in a while, you’ll notice the culinary world is quite a bit different! With restaurant moves, new openings and even a food delivery service that will bring your picnic lunch to the beach, here’s a breakdown of what you should get excited about this year.
Born and Bread
This summer, we welcomed a new bakery to the Petticoat Row Bakery space. Born and Bread is the newest tenant at 35 Centre Street. Kevin Anderson is managing this year round, eco-friendly, artisanal bakery. He says, “we are focusing on artisanal bread, scratch pastry, grab and go breakfast, grab and go lunch, grab and go desserts, and an elevated coffee program. The mercantile will provide local producers a chance to sell their products in a downtown space. Products will include: local eggs, local honey, local jams, artisanal spices, teas, art, pottery, essential oils, eco-friendly cleaners, and other culinary items.
Gaslight, The Former Starlight Theatre
This past winter and spring, our neighbors have undergone a complete renovation and have updated every single inch of the space down to the shingles. While the new space will keep aspects of the historic movie venue, the new operators, Caleb Cressman, Callie Kever, Chef Liam Mackey and Mixologist Clinton Terry, have changed the entire interior floor plan to expand the venue to host nightly live music, performances and other events. With two onboard from the beloved Nautilus, the food and beverage component is a real crowd pleaser. Asian-inspried plates are small and meant to be shared and packed with flavor similar to the menu at Nautilus. There is a large, 22 seat two-sided bar. The venue side is available to rent for private functions. The Fisher Crew is so excited to welcome this new spot next door – you’ll know where to look for us at happy hour for oysters on the patio!
Or, The Whale
After the major success of The Sandbar at Jetties Beach, owners George Kelly, Nick Nass and chef Emmanuel Rojas have brought their buzzing energy to Main Street in the former MET on Main restaurant along with their new creative partners Jamie Nass and Emily Berger. Fisher friend Marla Sanford of Marla Mullen Designs, did an incredible job of renovating the interior. And with an expansive 22-seat oak bar and super friendly bar crew, it may be a tough choice to decide whether to sit inside or out. The back patio happens to be one of the most inviting on island. Whether enjoying breakfast, lunch or dinner, or, The Whale offers plenty of seatings to enjoy its casual American bistro cuisine. No time to sit down and dine in the morning? Be sure to grab a coffee and one of Manny’s daily doughnuts from the to-go counter. And, bonus for Team Fisher, we are delighted to announce or, The Whale will be open year-round.
The Beet
We are thrilled to announce there is a salad restaurant downtown on Nantucket! The Beet is sure to be a hit this summer, and throughout the year as the new owner’s plan on staying open year-round. Located in the left half of the former Fog Island Café. We love the bright green subway tile backsplash and our favorite colors – grey and orange striped floors. This family-friendly spot has 30 seats, make-your-own salads as well as a salad and sandwich menu. They are open for breakfast and dinner with a wine and beer license. Online ordering is now available!! Here’s to eating healthy.
Nantucket Poke
Nantucket Island is the perfect place for a food truck serving up traditional, Hawaiian poke bowls. Owned by Devon Wright (CEO), who grew up summering on Nantucket and Alla Rockwell (Executive Chef), who owns a catering company in Los Angeles, Nantucket Poke opened in April. Visit their Instagram bio or website for the current location of the truck, most likely either at Cisco Brewers, Nobadeer Beach or Cisco Beach. They are also partnering with ACKEats, who will deliver to your door. The truck is sure to be a destination for raw seafood lovers; fresh fish is caught daily by Sayle’s seafood. Try a bowl with your choice of 5 proteins (including cooked shrimp and octopus if you’re not a fan of the raw variety), substitute spring mix or seaweed salad for rice, or try their poke balls or burritos. Some of the 16 toppings to choose from include edamame, avocado, ginger, crispy onion and sesame seeds. They have a bunch of weekly specials like this week’s Poke Flight, which is 3 sample size chef’s choice poke bowls. Is your mouth watering yet? If you own a spoiled pup, treat them to a salmon and rice bowl that will run you $8 but may just be the best meal of their life. Hire their truck for your next private event and see where else they might pop-up this summer!
PPX Events
Located in the right half of the former Fog Island Café, PPX Events is now open for business and ready to create custom events in their farmhouse and nautical-themed space. With a full liquor license, the first thing you will notice when you walk in is their bar, which is surrounded by 42 seats. So what’s in the name? The owners explained “personne par excellence,” a borrowed French term that is used frequently in the restaurant industry on Nantucket for VIP guests. The trifecta behind PPX is Chef Kyle Daley, Lindsay Daley and Courtney Mackey. PPX is bringing this custom dining aspect to all of their clients, whether it be for a cocktail party for 10 or 75 in their space at 7 South Water Street or a rehearsal dinner off-site at your home. We love their young, entrepreneurial spirit and for creating a new type of business, a catering company with a gorgeous space in Downtown Nantucket. They worked with Nantucket Looms on the interior decorating and Flowers on Chestnut for a live green wall.
Pizzeria Gemelle
Some say Town has been in need of a sit-down pizzeria for quite a while. Well, their prayers have been answered with Pizzeria Gemelle. Specializing in wood-fired, Neopolitan pizza in the former Sushi by Yoshi location at 2 East Chestnut Street, owners Taylor Oliver and Dre Solimeo created a menu of six pizzas as well as salads, pastries, antipasti and something we can’t wait to try… gelato! They are also the recipients of a new beer, wine and cordials license. Everyone has been raving about their pizza, so sit down at one of their four dine-in tables, or order takeout.
Foggy Bottom Nantucket
You will not be disappointed if you swing into the old Wicked Island parking lot at 147 Orange Street and step inside Foggy Bottom (NOW OPEN!), a new grab and go destination serving everything from barbeque to ice cream sandwiches, beach provisions and cinnamon buns with your choice of toppings. Open from 6am to 6pm, there is no seating, but you can grab breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. Their space has a new layout and is filled with multiple hot, refrigerator and freezer cases with prepared foods. The freezer case will also have frozen appetizers that you can pop in the oven at home and serve for a cocktail party or bring to a potluck. We can’t wait to try their menu, brought to you by owners Chef Shaun and Amanda Riley.
Wicked Island Bakery
Morning Bun masters, Wicked Island Bakery, outgrew their space at Orange Street and have moved around the corner to the former Cowboys Deli at 7B Bayberry Court (between Marine Home Center and the Chicken Box). We think they have one of the best cups of coffee on island and have a selection of pastries including croissants that would make any French bakery applaud. And what makes the Morning Bun garner national press? They use pure Vermont butter, Tahitian vanilla bean and secret spices. They have started selling their breads again and are a great lunch option, especially for Fisher Agent Danno’s favorite – pizza. Think of Wicked Island for Easter, Daffodil Festival, Thanksgiving and Christmas for their special take-out menus.
ACKEats
Fisher was one of the first to announce the launch of ACKEats and they have had a booming start! The website and app is incredibly easy to use and you can track the whereabouts of your meal. Other delivery options include Cumberland Farms, Marine Home Center, Geronimo’s Pet Supplies and even Dan’s Pharmacy for your prescriptions. The delivery fee is nominal and don’t forget to tip your mobile waiter!
Island Kitchen
We have loved watching the evolution of this Nantucket restaurant that started as a breakfast and lunch spot, and evolved into donuts, ice cream and the SLIK lounge and bar. Their big news this year is they have rebranded their food truck available for catering. Owner Patrick Ridge says, “the food Truck is available for on-premise events and for those seeking the ultimate ice cream social. The IK team will literally bring the party to you.” Here they are handing out ice cream cones outside Lily Pulitzer this week.
Centre Street Bistro
With all this good news, we are sad to share the closing of one of our favorite places to get lunch in Town. Centre Street Bistro’s lease is up after Columbus Day and they will be closing their doors. Owners Tim and Ruth Pitts are still looking for another location. Don’t forget to try their Friday special, Red Curry and Coconut Soup that has the perfect amount of kick! They also have an incredible Black Angus burger and Crispy Chicken Salad.
Keepers Restaurant
You must have already heard that Fog Island Café has moved to it’s sister restaurant on Amelia Drive, Keepers Restaurant. But did you hear they have a take-out counter? Go into the side door by the parking lot from 11-2, Monday through Friday. Unlike some other spots, parking during breakfast and lunch is never a problem. They post nightly specials on their Facebook page, recently they had a Grilled Swordfish with a green onion & spring pea purée, fennel frisée and blood orange salad. They are currently open for breakfast and dinner from Thursday to Monday.
LOLA 41
This spring LOLA 41 expanded their outdoor space with a gorgeous new 35 seat patio. We can’t wait for warm summer nights to dine outside! LOLA 41 is still available for day of reservations only, but will be well worth waiting in line for the chance to eat their amazing menu.
Lemon Press
Lemon Press is heading into their second year at their Main Street location. This winter they updated the flow with a new coffee counter making it easier to walk in for a quick lavender latte, take-out or get something prepared from the grab and go cooler. Their new menu includes pastries and desserts, chia puddings, açaí bowls, and avocado toasts. Stay tuned for more info on their dinner service and don’t forget they have a full bar with inspired cocktails!
Bar Yoshi
Looking for a romantic dinner out at a private restaurant? Sushi by Yoshi has moved down to Old South Wharf. Bonus: they have a liquor license and also be doing take-out. We heard they will even run your order to your car if you have trouble parking in the Stop & Shop lot.
Via Mare, The Restaurant at Greydon House
The team behind Ventuno has not only expanded to Pizzeria Gemelle, but also to The Greydon House with their Venetian, seafood-inspired Via Mare. They have already been open for a couple of months, serving small plates that are great to share with friends. The menu is set up with Cichetti (small snacks or side dishes), Terra (land, or vegetarian dishes), Mare (sea) and Monti (mountains, or large plates). They are currently open Tuesday-Saturday and will be open 7 days a week this summer.